The Real Guru
People seek a Guru, but the real Guru tries to search for a disciple. The real Gurus have a strong compassion inside them. Just as in this world the mother is held in the highest regard. She is the child's first preceptor, she gives birth to a child, feeds him, the child plays in her lap, she raises him. Without the mother's presence, all this is not possible. The mother had lived for many years without the child, and it was in no way a hindrance for her to live. But still her fondness towards her child is so intense that she will go hungry, but she will not let the child go hungry. She would face hardships to raise her child. Such is the nature of a real Guru as well. Whenever he accepts anyone as his disciple, he leads them to their salvation. He has the capability to lead the disciple to salvation. I myself have witnessed such instances.
I tell you a story. There was a saint. He didn't accept anyone to be his disciple, but treated others as friends. Once, a friend of his was suffering from a very serious illness, and he got scared. He was not even getting cured by the best of medicines and treatment. The saint told his friend to pass on his illness to him, but the friend thought – how could he do that? The saint once again told him that when he asks him again, he should not refuse and not put any hindrance; rather he asked him to pass on half of his illness to him. The friend agreed to do so. Surprisingly, thereafter, the friend was entirely cured. Only such competent souls can become Gurus. In spite of being highly capable, the saint didn't accept anyone as a disciple during his lifetime.
After making a Guru, a disciple is made to feel that Guru's status is higher than even God's. As a result of this, the disciple starts worshipping the Guru, singing his glories and praises and ignores God. Actually speaking, it is a grave mistake, it leads one to hell. This is a story of a genuine saint. His disciples began giving him more importance than even God, thereafter he decided to give up initiating any more disciples for the rest of his life This reason is that the disciples get attached to the Guru and fail to become united with God If by listening to the Guru, man becomes devoted to God, then it is desirable but if they develop bondage with the Guru, it would be disastrous. The so-called Gurus who want to attract the disciples towards them are frauds and thugs and not sincere Gurus. The real Guru is one who connects (engages) the disciple to God. There is no other well-wisher than God, for our well being, be it our Guru, or father or mother or any other relation.
"Uma Raam sam hit jag maahin |
Guru pitu maatu bandhu prabhu naahin ||"
(Manas, Kishkindhaa 12/1)
(to be continued)
From book in hindi "Kyaa Guru bina Mukti nahi", English, "Is there no Salvation without a Guru?" by Swami Ramsukhdasji.
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If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
FOR MESSAGE IN HINDI PLEASE VISIT Date : 9th January, 2012 – VAASTAVIK GURU http://www.satcharcha.