Capt Purushottam Sharma (Retd)
Guru bin Bhavnidhi Tarai na Koi
Jo viranchi Shankar sam hoi”
(Ramcharitmanas)
‘Without Guru (spiritual master), no one can swim across the ocean of this Samsara (World), may be equal to Brahma or Shankar’.
Bharat’s culture and heritage is blended spiritual through and through. All her institutions, disciplines and branches of knowledge are derived from the ocean of spiritual wisdom which has its sources in numerous manifestations of Gods and Goddesses, saints, seers, sages.
Barring a very few, all had their spiritual masters (Gurus). Even incarnations like Rama and Krishna had their Gurus. Mother Parvathi had her Guru. Meera Bai, hailing from the royal family of Thakurs had her Guru Sant Ravi Dass, Chhattarpathi Shiva Ji’s Guru was Smarath Ram Dass. Almost all Rajas and Maharajas had their Gurus who guided them. All saints and seers beheld their respective Gurus as God and were bestowed blessings by them. It is believed that 68 places of pilgrims lie in the Holy feet of Guru. Guru means one who pulls out of darkness (ignorance or delusion) and leads to the Light (knowledge or truth). Guru acts as spiritual guardian who helps the disciple in self-examination and self-realization.
To survive, we need food, shelter and raiment, besides, of course, five elements of nature. Three principal desires, namely, Puttareshna (to have son(s)),Vitteshna (to possess wealth) and Lokeshna (to enjoy name and fame) may have been fulfilled but we need something more and, that is, to realize the purpose of life. We are blessed with spiritual dimensions. Among 84 lac species, we are the most superior. We have been blessed with unique powers of vision and thought. We have options at our command to endeavour in more than one way in the fulfillment of aims and objectives set forth. In us alone lies the power to strive for new ventures and quench thirst for knowing more and more about the unknown. Today also, a sparrow weaves its hanging nest on a ‘babool’ tree as it did hundreds of thousands years ago. But we have been gallopingly progressing down the ages. Barring us, needs of other species are limited. Our worldly desires are enormous which cannot be met during this life span.
Of course, we know that with every passing moment, life is shortening approaching towards death and that death accompanies all creatures like shadow. No one knows when, where and how the end will come. However, by virtue of our superiority among 84 lac species, we can discriminate between good and bad. All other species are being commanded by the nature. We have, to some extent, succeeded to harness the nature and are engaged in the future explorations. Some times we challenge the nature and at other times fall in agreement and this grappling is continues since times immemorial. We realize that there is someone who is the Creator of the Universe and He is unknown Supremo who is the mightiest. To know the unknown mightiest and to free ourselves from the bondage which is the result of accumulated deeds of past births and this birth, we take refuge in the feet of highly blessed souls to derive spiritual enlightenment whom we call Guru. A Sadhaka (practicant) surrenders himself in the feet of his competent spiritual master for the realization of ultimate perfection.
Guru, the well-wisher, undertakes this responsibility, moulds and shapes the disciple by instilling the ideals of purity and goodness. Through the steady guidance and inculcation of spiritual disciple, disciple breaks away from worldy attachments and attains spiritual perfection.
Great saints say that guidance and instructions of a competent Guru are necessary for progress in spiritual discipline. Guru cures the spiritually sick and revives the spiritually dormant through knowledge, Guru delivers the disciple from evil and sorrow. With Guru the disciple has eternal relationship.
Guru Poornima falls on the Birthday of Veda Vyasa, the great sage who had authored our most sacred Holy scriptures, Puranas, Up-Puranas, Mahabharat, Brahmsutras and Classified Vedas. Veda Vyasa was born to Satyavathi, wife of Sage Prashra, in an island (Dweep), he was named Dweepayan. Being of dark complexion, he was called Krishna Dweepayan. Later, he was named Veda Vyasa, since he had classified Vedas into four parts.
On this auspicious day, disciples worship their spiritual master (Guru) of their lineage by making offerings of Guru Dakishna, recite holy scriptures, observe prescribed austerities, sing glories of the Guru, join meditation sessions and listen to master’s discourses.
Gurus shower their grace on the disciples laying emphasis on them to follow in full faith their commandments,lead pure life of righteousness, love His creation and protect the ideals of the lineage. Guru Gita is the most sacred scriputre. Guru Gita proclaims Guru as Brahma (Creator). Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (Destroyer). Guru is indeed the manifestation of Para Brahma (the Supreme Being). Word Gu Means darkness and ‘ru’ means light. Undoubtedly,none who dispels the darkness is Guru.
In saint Sahjo Bai’s words :
“Guru se kuchh na duraiye,
Guru se jhoot na bol
Buri Bhali Khoti Khari
Guru Aage Sab Khol”
‘Nothing should be concealed from Guru. Never tell a lie before him.
Good or bad, false or true, everything should be unfolded before him’.
Kabir says :
Guru bin Jeev ki Kalpana na Mite,
Guru bin Jeev ka Bhala Nahin,
Guru bin Jeev ka Timir Nase Nahin,
Samjhi Vichari le Mane Mahin,
Rah Bareek Gurudev te Paiye,
Janam Anek ki Atak Khole,
Kahat Kabir Gurudev Puran Mile,
Jeev aur Shiv ek Tole”
‘Without Guru’s grace, many questions remain unanswered within. Without Guru, one should not expect his wellbeing. Without Guru, one’s ignorance cannot be removed. The secrets of Divinity can be learnt from Guru alone. Shortcomings of the past births can be unfloded with the help of Guru. However, the Guru must be perfect and an illumined soul. He will then transmute Jeeva into Shiva.’
“Teerath Nahay Ek Phal, Sant Mile Phal Char,
Sadguru Mile Anant Phal, Kahe Kabir Vichar”
‘ A dip in place of pilgrimage brings only one reward.
Meeting a saint four fold, meeting with one’s Sadguru countless’.
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