The word “Guru” in general means a teacher or that individual who removes one’s darkness of ignorance. According to Hinduism, one can have many gurus. The teacher who imparts worldly knowledge is the “vidya guru” and one can have many of these in one’s life. However, the “Sat guru” is a qualified spiritual master who teaches spiritual knowledge, who initiates the seeker into the spiritual path and guides him along the path to self-realization. In the lives of every individual, the guru is a necessity for learning and experiencing spiritual truths. It should be remembered that all the sages, world teachers, even “avatar” or incarnations of God, had Gurus.
The Sat Guru
Hindu scriptures declare “Aachaarya Devo Bhavah” – the teacher is God.
A Sat guru is none other than God himself, descended in human form or a human who has attained the highest level of spiritual knowledge. According to Sri Ramakrishna, a great religious master, a Sat guru is like a huge steamer that can safely carry a lot of people across a turbulent river.
Guru is God. A word from Him is a word from God. His mere presence or company is elevating, inspiring and healing. His very company itself is self-illumination. The Guru Gita says that the Sat guru is Shiva, the One who is ever auspicious and welfare-causing, the bridge to cross the ocean of worldliness and the source of all knowledge. He is no different from the Supreme Being.
He is the One who eradicates the anguish of all dualities and helps the “shishya” or disciple to overcome all misfortunes and calamities.
The Shishya
The journey to self-realisation is easily accessible in the company of the Guru. Various recommendations or injunctions have been provided by our scriptures on the role of the shishya in strengthening the Guru-Shishya relationship. Some of these are as follows:
1. Meditate ceaselessly on the form of the Guru.
2. Constantly serve the Guru with mind, speech and action.
3. Shed all sense of “myness” and seek refuge in the Guru.
4. Bow down in the direction of the Guru’s feet with devotion everyday.
5. Serve the Guru obediently, attentively, sincerely and with utmost humility.
6. Have absolute faith in the Guru.
7. Have full confidence in the words and actions of the Guru.
8. Give up those actions, thoughts and words that the Guru disapproves.
9. Please the Guru by earnestly carrying out his instructions and practising his teachings.
10. Cultivate discipline and avoid tendencies of hate, anger, lust, greed, egoism, envy, pride and attachment.
11. Remain steadfast in your trust towards your Guru and without doubt, the highest objective of life will be achieved.
On the auspicious occasion of Guru Poornima 2012, we pay tribute to all the Gurus of SWAHA, the most esteemed pundits who have been working tirelessly to spread the illumination of enlightenment across the length and breadth of this land. We also remember the groundwork laid by the founding Guru of SWAHA, the late Shankaracharya Pt Hari Prasad. It is on such firm foundation that many shishyas are being guided towards enlightenment.
