Causes of Spiritual deterioration of the Disciple

Every seeker in the primary stage has read that, in Spirituality, the ultimate means of salvation is a Guru, whereas a seeker in the advanced stage actually experiences it. Most seekers are unaware of what they should do to acquire a Guru. As a result, not only the present, but several future births are wasted. To be accepted as a disciple by a Guru, one needs to gain the grace of a Saint. However, for bestowal of the Guru’s continuous grace, one has to constantly earn His blessings. An easy solution to this is to do what Saints and Gurus expect, and that is, practice of Spirituality. This article explains various causes of spiritual deterioration of a disciple.

1. Not doing spiritual practice

By not chanting the Gurumantra imparted by the Guru, both, that mantra and the Guru are offended.

2. Joking about the Guru

Just as one does not joke about one’s parents, one should not do so about the Guru.

3. Misuse of the Guru’s name

• The Guru of His Holiness Joshibaba of Mumbai, His Holiness Bapu Maharaj would dictate the contents of a letter to a disciple who would then write it. If Bapu asked another disciple for a particular item, for instance, if He dictated ‘Send me a fan’ in the letter, then this disciple would write ‘Send me two fans’. He would then give one fan to Bapu and keep the other for himself.
• Bapu’s house had become dilapidated. One of His disciples collected a lot of funds from several other disciples conveying the false message that money was required to build a new house for Bapu. However, later this disciple suffered immensely.

4. Criticising and detesting the Guru

How will he, who enthusiastically speaks of the attributes and defects of his Guru, acquire knowledge,and when will he become steady ? 16:28 – Shri Gurucharitra

The one who hates the Guru has no place either in this world or the next,
How will he, who is unable to perceive light, acquire true knowledge ? 16:30 – Shri Gurucharitra

Realising that the Guru principle is one, one should not criticise even one’s previous Guru.

5. Rejection by the Guru

The one who is rejected by the Guru is akin to the one who is rejected by Triloks.

Reference: Sanatan Sanstha’s Holy Text, ‘The Disciple’