The disciple is the Guru's protection

The word disciple in Sanskrit is Chhātra, but very often the disciples and the Gurus use the word Chhatra. Chhatra means umbrella and as the umbrella protects us from rain and sun, so also the disciple protects the Guru from the problems of the outer world. The disciples become the outer skin, the outer sheath, which guards and protects the inner world, which is the Guru.