Sanatan Celebrates Gurupournima!
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Ashadh Pournima, Kaliyug Varsh 5110 (Friday, 18th July 2008) |
Guru-disciple tradition should become more active for the protection of Dharma! - H.H. Dr. Athavale
Ramnathi (Ponda, Goa) -
Gurupournima is the day to worship the Guru and to express complete gratitude for what we have received and have been receiving from Him. On this day, remembering the great Guru-disciple tradition, seekers from all faculties who represent the Sanatan Hindu culture and who preserve the Guru-disciple tradition worship the Guru. The Guru-disciple tradition is a gift of Sanatan Hindu culture to the world. The tradition is at the core of the system of imparting of knowledge and learning, in which the relationship of the one who imparts knowledge and the one who receives it are exemplary. The knowledge-giver does not shoulder the responsibility of imparting knowledge only, but also teaching the seeker life values. Here, the one who absorbs knowledge is not a student who learns for the sake of livelihood only, but is a seeker who learns with the aim of development of his knowledge. In our culture the concept of
'knowledge' is related to attainment of God. It is called the 'Supreme Knowledge', because only those who have the authority to do so - the Gurus - impart this knowledge! Words fail to describe the grandeur of a culture that boasts of worship of such a glorious Guru-disciple tradition!
Despite this, Sanatan Hindu Dharma, which has given this unique gift to the world, is passing through testing times. To cite a recent example, in a Hollywood movie
'The Love Guru', denigration of the Guru concept has been brazenly committed. We say that the Guru-disciple tradition is from this Holy land; but with a view to hammer on us that it is not ours, false history is being repeatedly taught that
'this culture is of the Aryans and they have come from outside. Hence, this culture is not from this land.' Imparting knowledge about attainment of God means providing knowledge of Dharma. It is common experience that those who impart such knowledge are often under attack from heretics.
Recently Mr. Sudhakaran, Devasvam Minister from Kerala made a despicable statement that
"Gurus do not wear underwear; they should first learn to wear them!"
Sadly, the Government does not promote the Sanatan Hindu culture in any way. On the contrary, it has been proved a number of times that it seeks to destroy it, be it the Setusamudram Project to destroy the Ram Setu or various Government projects to conceal the blood-stained history of Islam perpetrating heinous atrocities on the Hindus. Under these circumstances, while worshipping the Guru on Guru-pournima, instead of expecting that
'I should get something', we should try to get the grace of the Guru to obtain necessary strength and intellect for the protection of the Dharma, which has handed down this splendid Guru-disciple tradition through generations. Jagadguru Bhagwan Sri Krushna said to His disciple Arjun
- "O Arjun (i.e. seeker), get up with determination and fight to destroy the evil-doers."
(Srimad-bhagvad Gita 2.37)
The Guru Principle is active a 1000 times more on the day of Gurupournima. So the disciple gets more of Guru's grace. If we protect Dharma (Righteousness), Dharma will protect us. With the same rule, if the traditions of Dharma do something for the protection of Dharma, they are not only protected but also promoted. If this happens the entire year, it will guarantee non-stop showering of Guru's grace. The Gurus in the gross form may be different, but the Principle is one. I pray at the Holy Feet of the Principle and Sri Guru H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj that all seekers should get necessary strength and intellect to become pro-active for protection of Dharma and those who are already active, should continue to receive incessant flow of Guru's grace.
- H.H. Dr. Athavale, Founder, Sanatan Sanstha.
GUIDING LIGHTS!
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Swami Vivekanand |
Swami Vivekanand (12th January 1863 - 4th July 1902), whose pre-monastic name was Narendranath Dutta, was one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the philosophies of Vedant and Yoga. He was the chief disciple of Ramkrushna Paramhans and the Founder of Ramkrushna Math and Ramakrushna Mission. He is also a major figure in the history of the Hindu reform movements.
Since his childhood, he had questions about God and the presence of God.
Narendra met Ramkrushna Paramhans for the first time in November 1881. He asked Paramhans the same question he had so often asked of others,
"Mahashaya (Venerable Sir), have you seen God?" The instantaneous answer from Paramhans was,
"Yes, I see God, just as I see you here, only in a much intenser sense. God can be
realised." He went on, "One can see and talk to Him as I am seeing and talking to you. But who cares? People shed tears for their wife and children, for wealth or property, but who does so for the sake of God? If one weeps sincerely for Him, He surely manifests Himself." Narendra could feel that the words were honest and uttered from a deep experience. He started visiting Paramhans frequently. At first he did not believe that such a plain man could have seen God, but gradually he started having faith in what Paramhans said.
Though Narendra could not accept Paramhans and his visions, he could not neglect Him either. It had always been in Narendra's nature to test something thoroughly before he could accept it. He tested Paramhans to the maximum, but the master was patient, forgiving, humorous, and full of love. He never asked Narendra to abandon reason, and He faced all of Narendra's arguments and examinations with patience. In time, Narendra accepted Paramhans whole-heartedly. While Ramkrushna Paramhans predominantly taught duality and Bhakti to His other disciples, He taught Narendra the Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-dualism.
During the course of five years of his training under Ramkrushna Paramhans, Narendra was transformed from a restless, puzzled, impatient youth to a mature man who was ready to renounce everything for the sake of God-realisation. Swami Vivekanand was encouraged by a professor at Harvard University, to represent Hinduism in the 1893
'World Parliament of Religions' in Chicago. He was received well there, when he delivered a series of lectures. The audience arose in their seats and applauded loudly (for two minutes) when he started his first address with the famous words,
"Sisters and brothers of America." A newspaper account described him as 'an orator by Divine right and undoubtedly the greatest figure at the Parliament.' Swami Vivekanand's arrival in the USA has been identified by many to mark the beginning of western interest in Hinduism, not as merely an exotic eastern oddity, but as a vital religious and philosophical tradition that actually had something important to teach the West.
Swami Vivekanand belonged to that branch of Vedant that held that no one can be truly free until all of us are. Even the desire for personal salvation has to be given up, and only tireless work for the salvation of others is the true mark of an enlightened person.
Swami Vivekanand advised his followers to be Holy, unselfish and have faith. He encouraged the practice of Brahmacharya (celibacy). In one of the conversations with his childhood friend, he attributed his physical and mental strengths, eloquence to the practice of Brahmacharya. He left his body after a session of prayer at Belur Math. He was 39. The monks of the Math were convinced that he had attained mahasamadhi, as Ramakrushna Paramhans had predicted. His Punyatithi falls on 4th July. We pay obeisance to this invaluable son of Bharat.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak (23rd July 1856 - 1st August 1920), was universally recognised as the
'Father of the Bharatiya Unrest'. He was one of the prime architects of modern Bharat and heralded Asian nationalism. Tilak was a brilliant politician as well as a profound scholar who believed that Independence is the foremost necessity for the well-being of a Nation and that to win it through extreme measures should not be dispensed with. He was the first intellectual leader to understand the importance of mass support and subsequently became the first mass leader of Bharat.
He realised that the constitutional agitation in itself was futile against the British and that, moreover, Bharat was ill prepared for an armed revolt. As a result, although he was helpful to revolutionaries such as Savarkar, Aurobindo Ghosh and Chapekar, he did not venture into it himself. Instead, he marshalled the extremist wing of Indian National Congress. His movement was based on the principles of Swadeshi (Indigenous), Boycott and Education. It was he who, through his own example, gave prestige to imprisonment during the freedom struggle.
Tilak had a genius for organisation and with Agarkar, the then foremost social reformist, started the newspapers
'Kesari' and 'The Maratha' in 1881. Soon he came to be regarded as the undisputed leader of Maharashtra and was honored with the title
'Lokmanya' in 1893, which became synonymous with him later. There are many festive days and different festivals in the Hindu religion, but they are celebrated individually and privately. For national awakening Tilak initiated Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Utsav. Shivaji Utsav started on Fort Raigad in 1894 and reached as far as Japan by 1905. In 1896 Ganeshotsav attained national importance. These served as platforms for people to join in the nationalist movement against the British.
As the Nation fumed over the partition of Bengal (in 1905), Tilak assumed the national leadership with his extremist attitude and stated his position unequivocally as
"Swarajya (self rule) is my birth right and I shall have it." The next three years saw meteoric rise in his stature and the British power which had long since considered him their chief concern and had sent him to prison twice already, decided on a firmer measure. Much has been said of his trial of 1908. He utilised his time in prison in scholarly pursuits and wrote
'Gita-Rahasya', a commentary on the Gita.
It is said that when he died on 1st August 1920, the British made an extraordinary request that his brain be handed over to them so that it could be studied, preserved and exhibited. His Jayanti falls on 23rd July. We pay obeisance to this invaluable son of Bharat, who is an inspiration to millions of Bharatiyas and is remembered with reverence.
Chandrashekhar Azad
Chandrashekhar Azad (23rd July 1906 - 27th February 1931), often called Panditji, was the founder of Garam Dal. After the First war for Independence in 1857, he was first among many Bharatiya revolutionaries to use arms in their fight against the British rulers. A devout Brahmin, he believed that it was his Dharma (duty) to fight for the motherland. He also believed that a soldier never relinquishes his weapons. Chandrashekhar assumed the title of
'Azad' (meaning free) and came to be known as Chandrashekhar Azad.
Azad was a terror for the British Police. He was on their hit list and the British Police badly wanted to capture him dead or alive. For his part, Azad had also vowed that he would never be arrested by the British Police and that he would die a free man.
On 27th February 1931, Azad met two of his comrades at Alfred Park, Allahabad. He was betrayed by an informer; the Police surrounded the park and ordered Azad to surrender. Azad fought alone and valiantly and killed three Policemen but got shot in the thigh. After nearly exhausting his ammunition and foreseeing no means of escape, he shot himself in the head with his last bullet.
His Jayanti falls on 23rd July. We pay obeisance to this invaluable and brave son of Bharat, who is still an inspiration to millions of Bharatiyas and is remembered with awe.
Exhibition on Terrorism removed from RSS camp!
Indore (Madhya Pradesh) -
A training camp of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was held here for Swayam-sevaks in May 2008. Mr. Pramod Jha, Pracharak of RSS invited Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) to put up an Exhibition depicting atrocities on Hindus in Kashmir and Bangladesh. In response, HJS put up the Exhibition at the camp. However, when HJS' District spokesperson Mr. Raghuvanshi visited the camp, he found that the Exhibition had been removed without any notice. (In view of the fact that the Jihadis are hell bent on striking at the very root of not only Hindutva, but also the entire Nation, the action of RSS in removing the Exhibition only underlines the fact that it is not capable of fighting terrorism, much less protecting the Nation!
- Editor)
When Mr. Raghuvanshi enquired about this, the Swayam-sevaks present there avoided giving an answer. At the same time, Mr. Subhash Paliwal, the Manager of the seating arrangements said,
"Your exhibits have been removed and kept in the office. After the office opens, take them away."
(This is how RSS behaves with other pro-Hindu Organisations! With such a mind-set, will the RSS ever be able to unite Hindus and take the religious mission forward?
- Editor) Upon further enquiry, Mr. Raghuvanshi found out that the central committee of RSS took objection to the Exhibition and therefore it was removed.
(If RSS considers exposing the atrocities of fanatics unleashed on Kashmiri Hindus as objection-able, then would that not prove that RSS is not really pro-Hindu? Due to the insensitiveness of RSS towards Kashmiri Hindus' woes, the communists in Kerala kill RSS workers openly and RSS does not utter a word of protest!
- Editor)
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
Gujjar movement costs Rajasthan Government Crores of Rupees!
Jaipur (Rajasthan) -
The Rajasthan Government has been put to huge losses running into crores of rupees due to the recent Gujjar movement on reservations.
(It has become the order of the day for the protesters to damage national property for selfish demands. It is necessary that the protesters, who damage national property should be dealt with sternly and made to pay for their deeds.
- Editor)
Thousands of rail and bus passengers were stranded in various cities of Rajasthan as the Gujjars stopped trains. Many trains had to be diverted to other National routes and the passengers were put through great agony.
(What an irony that the British came from across seven seas and ruled Bharat, whereas BJP Government is unable to handle even one movement! The movement was launched by the Gujjars with a selfish motive. The Government should recover all losses from the Gujjar leaders who mis-guided their community thus.
- Editor)
All the examinations of Rajasthan University were cancelled and students, parents put through inconvenience. (That an anti-social agitation of a community continues for more than ten days is in itself a failure of the BJP Government in
Rajasthan. - Editor)
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
Snapshots
Muslims in the process of taking over Bharat?
Madarassas and colleges are centres of terrorist activities!
Belgaum (Karnataka) -
The roots of terrorism have gone deep in 13 Madarassas and 7 colleges in the District, which have become a hub of terrorist activities. (Why does not the BJP in Karnataka, which is bent on appeasing the Muslims by declaring that there will be a Muslim minister in the cabinet for sure, see this bitter truth of Muslims? Or are they deliberately turning a blind eye to this issue?
- Editor)
Terrorists Ploy to create sovereign Pakistan within divided Bharat -
Terrorists hoist Pakistan's National flag on Hanuman Temple in Jamkhandi!
Jamkhandi (Karnataka):
Terrorists hoisted the National flag of Pakistan on the Hanuman temple here in the wee hours of the morning.
(Need we say who these terrorists are? Hindus will now have to decide how to outlaw such people forever! Otherwise Hindus and their brethren will soon become extinct! - Editor)
This gave rise to tension in the city. Some people from the city expressed deep anguish about this act.
(If this would have happened at a Mosque, there is no need to say what would have been the result!
- Editor) The Police immediately dispersed the crowd which had gathered near the temple.
(The Police behave in this manner only with Hindus. To maintain the pride of Dharma Hindus must now start speaking in the very same language of the Muslims.
- Editor) Mr. Umesh Almelkar, a devotee registered a complaint with the Police against this anti-national act.
(Proud Hindus are always labelled as
'Hindu Terrorists' by the so-called secularists. Even after such a big insult to the Deities, Hindus still adopt lawful means of protesting; followers of some other religions would have started riots by now!
- Editor)
Government school in Kashmir turned into a Masjid!
Srinagar (Kashmir) -
A middle-class person living opposite a Government school administrative office in Junimar, has unauthorisedly turned the school into a Masjid.
(It is no wonder that Muslims have encroached upon Government land in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir; in any case they encroach upon Government land in other states too, where they are neither in majority nor in power.
- Editor)
One Abdul Rashid here said that since the Central Reserve Police Force tried to live in the school building, they had no alternative but to transform it into a
Masjid. (What is wrong if the paramilitary forces stay in that building? Are they our enemies? Is that reason enough to transform a school into a
Masjid? - Editor)
Muslims pollute premises of Datta Peeth at Chikkamagalur
Udupi (Karnataka) -
The Muslims here have polluted the entire premises of Datta Peeth (Seat of Lord Dattatreya) at Chikkamagalur after the celebrations of their Urs festival. Ironically, the ardent Hindus of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have been denied the right to perform worship at the Peeth despite several requests. The Muslims were brazenly found to be preparing non-vegetarian food despite there being a ban on such activities within the area of 200 meters around the Datta Peeth. The Muslims threw torn clothes and other objects into the sacred lake that is used by Hindus to take a Holy dip, thereby polluting the water.
(This would not have happened if the Police had respect for the sacred places of Hindus. Wherever there is a question of religious feelings of Hindus, they have to undergo testing times. Hindus are now required to play the role of Holy warriors!
- Editor)
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
(For more of such news, please log on to: www.HinduJagruti.org )
China's ploy to keep Hindus away from Kailash pilgrimage!
China denies Visas to Bharatiyas for this!
New Delhi -
The Chinese Government has denied visas to Bharatiya pilgrims to visit the Shiv Temple on Mount Kailash in Tibet. Millions of pilgrims from Bharat have therefore been compelled to cancel their pilgrimage.
(This situation has arisen because of Bharat's weak-kneed policy towards China. One cannot expect that the Congress Government, which blows its own trumpet about being secular, will take any action to get justice for the Hindu pilgrims. Bharat needs dedicated and Righteous rulers today to change its image on the International front too. For this to happen a revolution is inevitable.
- Editor)
Hindus in USA protest the Chinese Act!
A Hindu Organisation in USA, 'Hindu American Foundation', has protested this act of the Chinese Government.
(The American Hindus chose to register a strong protest against the denial of visas. How many Hindus going on the pilgrimage and those who take pride in calling themselves
'Universal' have registered such a protest? All Hindus should learn from this action of the American Hindus and unite to fight tooth and nail the onslaught on Hindu Dharma.
- Editor)
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
Textbook turned into a publicity brochure of Muslims!
Sachhar report in textbook of NCERT!
New Delhi -
The National Centre for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has prescribed a textbook titled
'Social and Political Life' for the 8th standard, in which information has been provided on the castes and tribes who have drifted away from the social mainstream. (No individual in secular Bharat is denied rights, opportunities or posts only because he belongs to a particular caste or tribe. What is the need for NCERT to provide such information? To provide such concocted information will lead to creation of a rift in the society. People should take NCERT to task for this act.
- Editor) In this connection, NCERT has also included the report of Sachhar Committee that reviews the social, educational and economic condition of the Muslims.
Prof. MVSV Prasad, a lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities at the NCERT said,
"The unit on marginalisation has been introduced for the first time in the syllabus of 8th standard. The idea is to talk about the entire concept of marginalisation, which is being experienced in various parts of the country today. The textbook provides information on the constituents of society that were marginalised from the mainstream. It has come to the notice of the UPA Government that Muslims have remained backward in economic, educational and social fields. The Sachhar Committee was therefore formed to review the condition of Muslims."
(The reasons for their backwardness is the policy of the Muslims -
'to have no interest in learning anything except the Quran and giving birth to many children, inspite of being economically poor.' The Congress led UPA Government, which is not able to see the truth or is trying to overlook the truth is not worthy of running the Nation! It is ironical that the Congress led Government has not formed a single committee to review the horrible life of four and a half lakh Hindus who were displaced from Kashmir due to Muslim terrorism.
- Editor) In a topic titled, 'Minorities and Marginalisation' the textbook says that the misconceptions about the Muslim community have been removed by the Sachhar Committee report.
(This is a sheer lie on the part of NCERT and it owes people an explanation for the basis of this conclusion! The Congress controlled NCERT has indulged in a wicked act of trying to create sympathy about Muslims in the minds of students, instead of coming out with the truth about the anti-national attitude and Hindu-hatred of the Muslims. The Hindus should expose this ploy of the
NCERT! - Editor)
Address for protest: Prof. Krishna Kumar, Director, NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - 110016.
Tel. No. (011) 26519154, 26964712
E-mail ID: director.ncert@nic.in
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
Who is a Guru ? - Part 2
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In Part 1 of the article, we explained the characteristics and salient features of a Guru and compared various aspects of a Guru on the one hand, with a teacher, a Saint, and a preacher. In this article, we explain the importance of the Guru in the human form, and how to recognise fake Gurus.
1. What is the importance of the Guru in the human form?
Each one of us seeks guidance from teachers, in their respective fields. If a guide is needed even in the comparatively simple fields, of Arts & Science then imagine the importance of the Guru, who releases one from the bondage of life and death.
1.1 Importance of the Guru - from the perspective of educating a student
The Guru teaches us in many ways: Through books, in human form etc. Table 'A' gives a comparison of these forms and what if there is no Guru.
1.2 Importance of the Guru - from a psychological perspective
There are many psychological benefits for a student to have a spiritual guide in the human form.
Unlike God and Deities who do not display their existence and potential, the Guru displays Himself in human form. This way the student of Spirituality has a tangible guide to take care of him on his spiritual journey. The Guru in human form is omniscient just as the unmanifest Guru. He knows whether the student is sincere or not and where he is making mistakes. The Guru does not allow the disciple to develop an inferiority complex. He eradicates the inferiority complex in the deserving disciple and grants him the all pervading nature of the Guru.
1.3 Importance of the Guru - from a Spiritual science perspective
Table'B'shows the importance of a Guru in the human form
for the spiritual growth of a seeker/ disciple.
2. Some salient features of a Guru in the human form
A Guru does not discriminate on the basis of religion, culture, nationality or gender. He only seeks the student who intensely desires spiritual growth.
A Guru will never ask one to convert from his religion. He will lift the student to comprehend Universal spiritual Principles that underlie all religions.
Whichever spiritual path or religion one follows, they all finally lead to the path of grace
of the Guru. A Guru functions with the spiritual power of resolve, whereby, He makes a deserving student progress, just by His thought. A seeker cannot reach the spiritual level of 70% unless he has the grace & the guidance of the Guru.
Even after one reaches the level of a Saint, one needs to continue spiritual practice to ensure a constant flow of Guru's grace. The Guru lifts the student to be able to access the Soul knowledge within. As opposed to this, some people with sixth sense (ESP) access knowledge from subtle bodies (spirits). When one acts only as a medium, one cannot make spiritual progress.
The relationship between Guru and student is pure and the love that the Guru has for the student is without expectations and unconditional. The Guru is omniscient and is therefore able to take care of the student even when he is not with Him physically.
Severe destiny can only be overcome with the grace of Guru. The Guru guides the student according to the five laws of spiritual practice, as per his spiritual level.
The Guru will always teach with a positive attitude. He may advise to undertake any one spiritual practice such as:
1. Sing devotional songs
2. Chant the Lord's Name
3. Perform service to God etc.
He never guides in a negative way such as "Do not drink alcohol, etc." as this does not help in making spiritual progress. The Guru focuses on the spiritual practice of the student, which over time, will itself give the student the capacity to discard activities which are detrimental to him. The Guru being omniscient intuitively knows what is best for the student to further his spiritual progress. He guides on a one-to-one basis.
3. How do we recognise and acquire an evolved spiritual guide?
It is difficult for a student of spiritual science to judge the ability of a Guru. To test someone, one has to be of a higher calibre than that person. More importantly, the ability of the Guru being in the subtle dimension, can be gauged only through a highly activated sixth sense. This leaves the average person in a quandary as to who to follow.
The Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) recommends that one should not go searching for a Guru, as in almost all cases, one will not have the spiritual maturity to be able to discern as to who to choose as a spiritual guide. In order to improve one's capacity to discern, one needs to do regular spiritual practice which will ensure spiritual growth and development of a sattvik intellect. When one achieves a spiritual level of around 55%, a Guru in the human form comes into his life. (The average spiritual level of present day people is 20%.)
3.1 The fake or unauthorised Guru
80% of the Gurus in society today are at a spiritual level below 70% and do not have access to the Universal Mind and Intellect. In some cases, these people may have a high ability to attract thousands of people by some specific spiritual power they have obtained. Most of mankind in today's era being between the 20-25% spiritual level are unequipped to discern whether the person is a Saint or not. For the benefit of an average person, we have listed some points that a true Guru is not.
1. The Gurus who generate a feeling of inferiority in others and try to show off their greatness
2. Those who have an attachment to wealth and women
3. Putting on false airs
4. Desirous of fame
5. Encourage dependency in their students
4. In Summary
The following are the key points from this article:
A Guru is a spiritual guide beyond the 70% spiritual level
Do not go searching for a Guru
Instead, do spiritual practice and ensure that it is aligned with the five basic laws of spiritual practice, so that you have the spiritual maturity to recognise a fake Guru
One cannot reach Sainthood without the grace of the Guru
(Concluded)
(For more on the subject, please visit: www.SpiritualResearch Foundation.org )
H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj
Sanatan Sanstha's Inspiration - A Glimpse into His Teachings!
Gurupournima from the Guru's viewpoint
Celebration of Gurupournima is not important from the Guru's point of view. However, He celebrates it for others to experience Bliss. On this day the Guru remembers His own Guru intensely!
Gurukrupayog (Path of Guru's Grace)
The word krupa has been derived from the root krup which means 'to be compassionate'. Krupa means compassion, anugraha (initiation) or a prasad (blessing). Thus, Gurukrupayog is the path in which, by means of Gurukrupa (the Guru's grace) the embodied soul is united with Shiv.
What should we do to be blessed by a Guru and acquire His grace?
The only virtue required for being blessed by a Guru quickly and the constant bestowal of His grace thereafter, is intense motivation for Liberation or intense yearning for a Guru. A youth strives to win a girl's heart by constantly contemplating on what he should do to please her. Similarly, we should make all efforts to acquire the Guru's grace so that the Guru calls us His own. We should constantly strive day and night to do whatever we can to please Him. In the Kaliyug, being blessed by a Guru or His grace is not as difficult as it was in the previous three yugs (eras). A salient point to be noted here is that we cannot be blessed by a Guru without bestowal of His grace. A Guru is already aware of who His future disciple will be.
The best teacher
A Guru has all the qualities that an ideal teacher possesses. The Guru's real quality is Self-realisation. However, since that cannot be comprehended with the intellect, only some prominent qualities of the Guru which can be understood with the intellect are enlisted here. The yearning to impart spiritual knowledge to a disciple: Disciples of Sri Ramakrushna Paramhans would tell Him not to speak excessively and at that Ramakrushna would then respond,
"If even one individual is uplifted by my talk, I will be happy no matter what the consequences to my health are. It is really a punishment for me if I am forbidden from conversing with those who love me so much and travel such great distances to meet me! If I do not speak to them, meet them, then how will I remain in good health?"
Equality towards all disciples:
It is natural for a Guru's love for a disciple to vary according to the disciple's bhav (spiritual emotion) towards Him. This is akin to parents' variable affection for their children. However, just as good parents do not display it, so also the Guru does not.
'Though the clouds shower rain equally everywhere, the water accumulates only in craters while the mountains remain dry. Similarly, Gurus and Saints bestow their grace on all; but only the ones with pure intention to learn and grow spiritually are able to receive and retain the benefit of His grace.'
Protecting the disciple:
If a disciple is desirous of Liberation, then even if he commits mistakes, the Guru protects him. No matter how impulsive, stubborn, illiterate or incompetent the disciple maybe, the real skill of the Guru lies in His taking care of that disciple. Even if a disciple is terribly annoyed with the Guru the Guru Himself takes care of him. Once one of Baba's (H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj's) disciples placed a pair of slippers on His photograph. Yet Baba did not get angry with him; instead He continued to love him as before. Ability to get spiritual practice done from the disciple: The one who is able to endow His disciple with detachment, that is, create detachment in him is the real Sadguru. The Guru knows what spiritual practice the disciple requires. He does not merely stop at recommending the spiritual practice; He gets it done from him. This is the Guru's real teaching. The Guru takes away everything - the body, mind, wealth, happiness, unhappiness, ego etc. (from the one on whom He bestows His grace). In other words, He prepares the disciple for total surrender.
The Guru gives without any expectations
1. Because of detachment and dissolution of the ego (of the Guru) and His all pervasiveness, He does not aspire to acquire anything.
2. Since a Guru gets free spiritual knowledge from His Guru, He imparts it to others, free of charge.
3. Divine knowledge being invaluable, the Guru does not even evaluate it.
Components present in the Guru, necessary to kindle chanting in others: Chanting, service, sacrifice, priti (love for others without any expectation), faith etc. should be atleast 70%. (In an average person these attributes range from 0% - 2%.) The ego has to be as low as 5%. (In an average person it is 30%.)
Sanyas (The real renunciation)
Question: How is it that you are not wearing saffron robes despite receiving initiation of a renunciant from the Guru?
Baba: Nowadays, in the initiation of the stage of a renunciant, the renunciant is first asked to acquire control over the physical body by adorning saffron robes. This is followed by control over speech, that is, by chanting the Lord's Name with effort. He is unable to perform the further stage of acquiring control over the mind, hence, only his external appearence resembles a renunciant. As against this, when the Guru bestows the Lord's Name, saturated with chaitanya (Divine consciousness), chanting occurs continuously; thus control over speech automatically occurs. When this occurs for sometime, the flow of thoughts ceases and there is no mind left. In other words, control over the mind, that is, dissolution occurs. Once that occurs, one is least concerned about the body.
"The young renunciant fearlessly wanders about in the three worlds", he does not need to wear coloured robes.
A Gurumantra is not necessary!
Just as parents of a child and the child, both do not need to tell each other that they love one another, so also in a true Guru- disciple relationship, a disciple realises that the Guru has bestowed His grace upon him. The Guru does not need to tell him that. Yet, in the beginning most disciples do not perceive that the Guru has showered His grace upon them. The Guru imparts a Gurumantra for them to realise that. Consequently the disciple begins to feel that he has a Guru who takes care of him and endows him with His grace.
Do not look back!
Question: In the biographies of some Saints, one comes across instructions to a disciple by the Saint -
"When going to so-and-so place do not look back, do not speak to anyone" etc. What is the aim in these instructions?
Baba: The destination is the Lord. 'Do not look back' means do not think of the past and
'do not speak to anyone' means, instead of wasting time in speaking, chant the Lord's Name and become introverted.
(Compiled by: Ms. Nandita Verma, Sanatan's Ramnathi Ashram, Ponda, Goa)
Sonia Gandhi issued summons for denigrating Deities!
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) -
A wall-poster put up in the office of the Congress party in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh depicts Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in the form of Sri Durgadevi. In this connection, a local lawyer has filed a complaint with a District Court. (Hindus should learn from the action of the lawyer and become pro-active in stopping such incidents of denigration of Deities!
- Editor) The Court has issued summons to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi (Congress President), Mrs. Rita Bahuguna (Congress President for Uttar Pradesh) and Mr. Ajay Taleshwar Soni (Congress President for Moradabad District) in this regard. (Ref:
'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')
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