Question and Answers about a Guru
( Guru Vishayak Prashnoutter )
( Guru Vishayak Prashnoutter )
Shree Hari
Question: It is believed that when a Guru gives a secret teaching (Guru Mantra), it becomes more effective, is it true?
Answer: Such a secret teaching or Guru Mantra shall be effective only when the Guru (teacher) himself is effective. One who does not possess any effective power, how can he impart effective power through his secret mantra? Therefore it is said -
Vachan aagale sant ka, hariyaa hasti dant |
Taakh na tute bharam ka, saindhe hi binu sant ||
It means that utterances of a realized saint are as powerful as the teeth of an elephant, which break open the doors of ignorance. An elephant can break the doors of a fort with his teeth, but without the elephant, and merely with his teeth alone, one cannot break the doors even if they so desire. The reason being that the actual strength is in the elephant, and not only in his teeth. Similarly, effective influence lies in the life experiences and impressions (anubhav) of the saint and not in his hollow utterances alone.
Now a days so many people are fond of becoming Gurus and propagating their sects, but none of them are bothered about the salvation of human beings. By giving a secret mantra, the size of such sects expands, but it does not help in attaining knowledge of the truth. You can attain the truth only when you practice the spiritual discipline according to your belief, faith, inclination (ruchi) and ability. All types of worship and prayer are good, but the one that takes place spontaneously and naturally is genuine, while those which require special efforts are all artificial.
These days the seekers and devotees are facing a big dilemma. The Guru has given Krishna mantra, while the disciple's inclination is towards Ram Mantra, what to do? In this matter, my sincere advice is that one whose inclination, faith or devotion is towards Lord Ram, should worship and chant the name of only Ram. Prayer and worship are effective only when these are in tune with the devotee's nature and inclination. The forcibly imposed acts of worship never produce any effective result.
The mantra in which you have dedication and faith, that mantra will naturally acquire powers. The reason being that the real power is God's, not some individuals. The spiritual powers possessed by sages like Agastya and Vishvamitra etc., were not given to them by their Gurus, but were derived from God through their immense efforts and dedication. The power of God is eternal, ever present and ever available for all. There is no question of any partiality. Whosoever seeks it, gets this power abundantly.
Question: How will awakening of Kundalini take place without a Guru?
Answer: God Realization does not take place by the awakening of Kundalini. Salvation does not take place. By stirring and instigating a sleeping female snake, can you attain salvation? Somebody enquired with Swami Sharananandaji's view on Kundalini. His simple reply was that, "We know that we have no relation with Kundalini. It hardly matters whether Kundalini sleeps or is awakened, what has it got to do with us? Kundalini is in the body and not in our true self. How will a striver transcend the body by the awakening of Kundalini? Without transcending the body, how will he attain salvation? Salvation is possible only when you are fully detached from the body. (to be continued)
Answer: Such a secret teaching or Guru Mantra shall be effective only when the Guru (teacher) himself is effective. One who does not possess any effective power, how can he impart effective power through his secret mantra? Therefore it is said -
Vachan aagale sant ka, hariyaa hasti dant |
Taakh na tute bharam ka, saindhe hi binu sant ||
It means that utterances of a realized saint are as powerful as the teeth of an elephant, which break open the doors of ignorance. An elephant can break the doors of a fort with his teeth, but without the elephant, and merely with his teeth alone, one cannot break the doors even if they so desire. The reason being that the actual strength is in the elephant, and not only in his teeth. Similarly, effective influence lies in the life experiences and impressions (anubhav) of the saint and not in his hollow utterances alone.
Now a days so many people are fond of becoming Gurus and propagating their sects, but none of them are bothered about the salvation of human beings. By giving a secret mantra, the size of such sects expands, but it does not help in attaining knowledge of the truth. You can attain the truth only when you practice the spiritual discipline according to your belief, faith, inclination (ruchi) and ability. All types of worship and prayer are good, but the one that takes place spontaneously and naturally is genuine, while those which require special efforts are all artificial.
These days the seekers and devotees are facing a big dilemma. The Guru has given Krishna mantra, while the disciple's inclination is towards Ram Mantra, what to do? In this matter, my sincere advice is that one whose inclination, faith or devotion is towards Lord Ram, should worship and chant the name of only Ram. Prayer and worship are effective only when these are in tune with the devotee's nature and inclination. The forcibly imposed acts of worship never produce any effective result.
The mantra in which you have dedication and faith, that mantra will naturally acquire powers. The reason being that the real power is God's, not some individuals. The spiritual powers possessed by sages like Agastya and Vishvamitra etc., were not given to them by their Gurus, but were derived from God through their immense efforts and dedication. The power of God is eternal, ever present and ever available for all. There is no question of any partiality. Whosoever seeks it, gets this power abundantly.
Question: How will awakening of Kundalini take place without a Guru?
Answer: God Realization does not take place by the awakening of Kundalini. Salvation does not take place. By stirring and instigating a sleeping female snake, can you attain salvation? Somebody enquired with Swami Sharananandaji's view on Kundalini. His simple reply was that, "We know that we have no relation with Kundalini. It hardly matters whether Kundalini sleeps or is awakened, what has it got to do with us? Kundalini is in the body and not in our true self. How will a striver transcend the body by the awakening of Kundalini? Without transcending the body, how will he attain salvation? Salvation is possible only when you are fully detached from the body. (to be continued)
From book "Is Salvation Not Possible without a Guru?" by Swami Ramsukhdasji
Ram Ram
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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 : 24th August, 2012 Guru Vishayak Prashnoutter http://www.satcharcha.blogspot.in
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