| Guru?
That is the question. Not many people understand the meaning of what a
Guru is. Some say just one word to define the answer, 'teacher'. But
is that all? NO.
There is an in depth meaning to what a Guru really is. Who is he? What would you gain from that Devine Being? What background does a Guru have to give you? Knowledge? What does he feel? How does he feel for his devotees or disciples? Do all these questions arise in your mind? Then read on... |
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This
simple word 'Guru' is a Sanskrit derivative. Literally it means a
'heavy one'. This is very clearly illustrated in its use in science
describing a phenomenon - called Gravitation - the attraction of
smaller bodies to the big one! 'GURUWAKARSHAN as it is called. What
does it mean in our context? It means someone who has the power to
attract! Now - this is not enough - we add another prefix - SAT - and
we get SAT-GURU - Sat means eternal.
So adding up a Sat-Guru is a being who leads us from ASAT to SAT - from unreal to real! From time to time you come into contact with such a Sat-Guru - your problems disappear like fog in the sun. He is therefore, extolled as God in human form - GURU DEVO BHAV - is the famous motto of our scriptures. This Sat-Guru is our mother, father, teacher all in one. His grace invisible and words in the form of teachings - change the very course of one's life for the better. When we are in an unknown territory, we need a guide. When sailing on sea, a good navigator holds the key to charter the vast oceans. This is the role a Sat-Guru plays in one's life. |
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A Sat-Guru is pouring his grace on his devotees like a shower. In order to benefit from this divine shower, you need a container and this is your sincere heart full of love and faith (SHRADHA & VISHWAS). That is all you require. Lord Buddha was once asked by one king who became his disciple, if he could give anything in return. 'Yes' the reply was prompted. Explaining his requirement, Lord Buddha said, 'I need only your smile'! This is how a real Guru is envisaged in our culture. But at this age of 'KALIYUGA' not all Gurus are truthful, that's where you come in. You can test a Guru. A Guru who does not himself practice what he preaches is a pseudo-Guru - not a genuine Guru. A Guru will always take note of the difficulties and feelings of his devotees and he would not like to see them in that state - that's where he is a mother. He can advise control and object to anything and there he becomes a father. He may give you a 'Mantra' or 'Yantra' as he deems fit to help you as a spiritual master. All Mantras and Yantras are the keys to release the potential energy for your spiritual progress and there is no limit to it. Is there any limit to electrical energy? No! The scientists say an ounce of matter has enough energy to boil off water of all oceans in the world. This is just one example of material energy. The spiritual energy is beyond comprehension and it is the 'Sat-Guru' who holds the key to release that energy for the welfare of his devotees. I am a living example to have a taste of such a bounty from my Sat-Guru Swami Nikhileshwaranand who changed my very fabric life. I can hardly thank him for what he has done for me and is still doing for me. He is my Sat-Guru. He is my Lord. |
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