Dhyaan Moolam Gurur Murtih
Pujaa Moolam Guruh Padam
Mantra Moolam Gurur Vaakyam
Moksha Moolam Guruh Kripaa
The root of meditation is the Guru’s form
The root of worship is the Guru’s feet
The root of mantra is the Guru’s word
The root of liberation is the Guru’s grace.
Indeed, everything in this world can be achieved by the grace of the Guru or the spiritual guide of one’s life. The word ‘Guru’ means ‘the One who swallows the darkness of ignorance and brings light’. Through the intercession of this being who illumines the world of his ‘shishya’(disciple) by his words, his example and grace, everything is possible.
Countless are historical and scriptural examples of ‘Guru bhaktas’ who attained to the high states of spiritual illumination because of their unceasing contemplation and ’sraddha’(faith) on the Guru’s words. Outlined below are some of them, well-known for their unstinting faith in ‘Guru-vaakyam’, the struggles they bore and the achievement of their life-long desires.
Sant Tulsidas: growing up as a street-child, being orphaned from a baby, the young boy met his Guru Narhari Das who initiated him into the powerful mantra of “Raam-naam’. He brought up the young child on a diet of Hindu scriptures. He was advised by the Guru to study and chant Raamaayan which he did. After many disappointments, Tulsidasji finally wrote Raamayan in Avadhi which was tested and received the stamp of Lord Shiva Himself. Today, this text is accepted by the world and is one of the most popular Hindu scriptures.
Shavari: Also an orphan, Shavari was initiated by Matangji who advised her to chant her Guru-mantra and contemplate on the name “Raam”. He also told her that she would have the ‘darshan ‘ of the Lord some day. She followed this advice and, just as Guru Matang had promised, Shri Raam met Shavari in the forest during His search for Sita Devi.
Sutikshan Muni: Another devotee of the Lord found in the pages of Raamaayan, Sutikshan met his Guru Agastya who initiated him in’Raam-naam’as well. He, like the others was also advised to maintain his worship and it yielded him a visit by Shri Raam, Lakshman and Sita Devi during their fourteen years of exile.
Kaak-bhushundi: This crow was a devotee of Lord Shiva who never accepted worship of any other form of Divinity, despite the Guru’s teachings. Once while offering worship to Lord Shiva, the Guru entered. Showing gross disrespect for his Guru, he refused to acknowledge His presence and accord him the necessary respect. Such a display of arrogance and egoism earned him a curse of Lord Shiva where he was to be consigned to live lives of lower forms of creation. Because of the compassion of the Guru, he pleaded on behalf of the Lord and sought His intervention. The Lord granted him ’darshan’ of Divinity.
Sage Surdas: the blind singer Surdas had a chance meeting with Sant Vallabhacharya who, by his words of advice, teachings and foresight, put him on the path of spirituality. Today, many bhajans of Surdas are still quite popular world-wide.
Indeed, the role of the Guru is essential in everyone’s spiritual development. Most certainly, the Guru’s words bring all nourishment, sustenance and fulfillment.
As we observe Guru Poornima 2010 on July 25, may all shishyas strengthen their commitment and devotion to their Gurus, the ‘God-fathers ‘ of our lives, for he is the One who is firmly established in the power of knowledge and who grants worldly fulfillment and salvation.
