“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.
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 ‘One who removes the darkness of ignorance and brings light’. Everything is possible through the intercession of this being who illuminates the world of his ‘shishya’ (disciple) by his words, his example and grace.
Scriptures and history books are replete with examples of ‘Guru bhaktas’ who attained to the highest states of spiritual illumination because of their unceasing contemplation and ‘sraddha’ (faith) in the Guru’s words. Outlined below are a few who achieved their lifelong goals through an unstinting faith in ‘Guru-vaakyam’.
- Sant Tulsidas: Orphaned from a baby and growing up as a street child, this 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. The young shishya was advised by the Guru to study and chant Raamaayan, which he did. After many years Tulsidasji finally wrote Shri Raam-charitra-maanas in Avadhi which received the stamp of Bhagavan Shiva Himself. Today, the name Tulsidas is heard worldwide and this scriptural text is one of the most read Hindu scriptures.
- Shavari: Also an orphan, Shavari was initiated by Matangji Rishi 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. After many years of austerities and faith in her Guru’s words, Shri Raam came to Shavari’s hut in the forest during His exile.
- Sutikshan: This devotee was asked by his Guru, Sage Agastya, to bring Shri Raam to his hermitage so he would see the Lord. Sutikshan maintained his worship for many years seeking the darshan of Shri Raam. One day the Lord paid him a visit, during which Sutikshan requested that Shri Raam accompany him to his Guru’s home. The Lord acceded to his request.
- Kaak-bhushundi: In a previous birth he was a devotee of Lord Shiva who refused to worship any other form of Divinity, despite the Guru’s teachings. Once while offering worship to Lord Shiva, the Guru entered. He refused to acknowledge His presence and afford him the necessary respect. Such a display of arrogance and egoism earned him a curse of Lord Shiva who consigned him to live lives of lower forms of creation. Because of the Guru’s compassion, he pleaded on his shishya’s behalf. After several births, the shishya came to the home of Shri Raam as a crow. The Lord granted him, a bird, the ‘darshan’ of Shri Raam.
- 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 praise Shri Krishna and are still quite popular worldwide.
Indeed, the role of the Guru is essential to everyone’s spiritual development. Most certainly, the Guru’s words bring all nourishment, sustenance and fulfillment.
