Hemant Dharmat
After concluding study of scriptures, debate ensued among four aspiring ascetics on the nature of Self. One of them said, “We should awaken ourselves through our own efforts. Dependence on others is futile”. Another stated, “Blessed is he who has subdued his desires. We should rise above narrow-mindedness and be liberal in outlook. For the visible universe is merely an expression of our Self”. The third opined, “The world changes every moment. Formless God is the only reality. We should be able to differentiate eternal from ephemeral”. The fourth viz. Sai Baba of Shirdi who was then in his early teens, said, “Knowledge based purely on books is of no use. We should rather continue to perform our duty. With full confidence and resolute faith, we should surrender our body, mind, wealth and our five vital breaths to the all-pervading Sadguru – God Supreme that nurtures every soul”. After the discourse they decided to go to the forest in search of God. They came across a nomad in the way who politely enquired them about their destination. “Towards the forest”, they retorted. “Would you please give out the object behind rushing to the forest at midday in the hot summer sun”, he interposed. But they didn’t disclose their intent and gave a convincing alibi. Observing them wandering aimlessly in the woods unaware of the dangers ahead, the nomad out of sheer mercy offered them food and water and advised them to relax before moving further. He counselled them to take someone with them, well versed with the jungle routes. Paying no heed to his advice they ventured further into the forest. They were confident in the success of their mission without any guidance. However, they missed the path and reached the same spot from which they had commenced their journey and found the nomad as if waiting for them. He again offered them light refreshment besides water. Sai Baba of Shirdi expressed his gratitude and partook the tasteless food, whereas the other three spurned his offer and quickly receded into the jungle. One can well imagine the difficulties the three young men would have encountered in the dense forest. As soon as Baba finished his repast, he was pleasantly surprised to see His Sadguru appearing before him who queried, “What was going on”. Baba narrated him the incident. He assured, “I shall fulfill all your desires. But he alone would succeed who has abiding faith in me”. Baba bowed before him with much reverence. He brought Sai Baba to a well, fastened his feet with a rope and hung him upside down in the well, almost four feet above water surface. Thereafter, he vanished from the scene. The Guru returned after nearly four hours and pulled him out of the well. He asked Baba about his experience in the well. Sai Baba replied, “I was in perfect state of bliss, that I am unable to describe in words”. The Sadguru was highly pleased with the reply. He held Baba’s arm placed his generous hand upon Baba’s head and appreciated him. It is unlikely that anyone could experience ecstasy on being hung instead of suffering much discomfort and pain. It appears that he kept Baba in a state of Smadhi in the well. The Sadguru took Baba along, kept him comfortably in an ashram and looked after him as a mother bird tends its chicks. During the period of his stay with the Guru, he never felt any dearth of food or clothing. The Guru was so affectionate that Baba soon forgot his parents. All his attractions vanished and he renounced all attachments. His senses concentrated in his eyes, he would keep gazing at the God-like countenance of Sadguru for several hours at a stretch. He became unmindful of hunger and thirst and would remain engrossed all day and night in Guru’s thoughts in that his mind became steady and there was a feeling of liberation from all the worldly coils.
The Guru Purnima falling on 27th July is the one most auspicious day for all disciples as well as their Gurus. This day those who have taken ‘diksha’ worship their Gurus as virtual God. Lord Krishna says “Atamgyani is MY replica” (Gita 7-18). Whereas the Gyani considers all that is visible as God (Gita 7-19). A disciple prostrating before his Guru is merely an outward view. Internally both are identical and integral to each other. He who considers them as separate entities is spiritually immature and imperfect.
It is indeed difficult to locate a genuine Guru. So many Gurus wander around, dressed in impressive robes of varied shades boasting about their miraculous powers. Despite being well versed in scriptural knowledge, capable of swaying their followers with eloquent speeches, they do not have any practical knowledge of the Self. Their disciples merely waste time and money during their association with them and get nothing in return. For who is not a realized soul himself, cannot enlighten his disciples on ‘Atamgyan’.
“Only an ‘Atamgyani’ can deliver the being from bondage” (Shiv Puran Chapter-18). “Gunateet Param Shiv obstructs the three gunas viz. satav, rajas and tamas. HE therefore, is the refuge of all in the form of Guru. Initially, the great Masters obliterate the three gunas of their true disciples to enable them to perceive Shiv-tatva. Hence they are called Guru. Worship of Guru is in fact the worship of Lord Shiva” (Shiv Puran Chapter-18). “One cannot obtain Partamgyan by mere penance, performance of Yagya and other duties prescribed in the Vedas such as alms giving, serving the poor as well as the guests, going through the rituals, study of scriptures, worshipping of the deities like that of Water, Fire or Sun etc., unless one besmears his body in the dust of the sages” (ShrimadBhagvat-Sudhasagar 5-12). It’s, therefore, said, Tirath gaye to ek phal, Sant mile phal char; Satguru mile to anant phal, kahe Kabir vichar.
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