Guru, Acharya, Adhyapaka, Upadhyaya
Adhyapaka :
Learning Vedas is adhyayana.
Teaching Vedas is adhyApana.
An adhyApaka is one who imparts Vedic education.
Upadhyaya :
upAdhyAya is short for upAdhyAyaka or “smaller” teacher.
The Manusmrti says that one who teaches for a livelihood is an upAdhyAya.
He teaches one part of the vEda vidyA and recieves a salary in return.
Acharya :
The AcArya establishes a gurukula to make sure that his vEda vidyA does not die with him.
The noble AcArya is satisfied with any dakshiNa that is offered and does not discuss fees at all.
Guru :
A guru starts with the brahmOpadEs’a of the Gayatri Mantram and goes up to the stage of Vedanta (philosophy).
An AcArya is he who has not performed the brahmOpadEs’a but teaches the s’AstrAs in part or in full. s’rI kRSNA’s upanayana was performed by Garga, but his vidyAbhyAsa was given by sandIpaNi.
A guru is not strictly bound by a system but teaches through his grace. An AcArya gives instruction in a well-ordered system or subject.
A guru can give upadEs’a in any language. An AcAryA teaches only the vEdAs.
There is a significant overlap in the definitions of guru an AcArya.
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There are 3 ways of correcting and moulding a disciple. By giving him instruction, through the power of a guru’s grace, or through the purifying efficacy of the mantras and vEda samskArAs.
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Reference :
The Guru Tradition by Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Svami, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, (Part 2 Pages 31-56)
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