The Guru – The Guide to Spiritual Excellence (July 2011)

The practice of Guru Diksha or the acceptance of a Guru or spiritual preceptor has been established from time immemorial. Throughout the Maha Granth or holy scriptures we have seen the contribution of the greatest of Gurus in the likes of Sage Vashista, the Guru of the Surya Dynasty; Guru Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devtas; Guru Ashtavakra, the Guru of Raja Janak and Sage Vishwamitra.

All of these great Gurus had these qualities in common: they were highly knowledgeable and lived lives of distinction and character. This contributed to the great spiritual powers of these Maha Gurus. These Gurus maintained Truth and so their word had power (Shabd Shakti) to change and influence the life of all.

Sanatan Dharma speaks of liberation as the highest aspiration of man and it recommends that we engage in spiritual action and associate with the saints in order to begin this spiritual journey. By communion with the holy ones, we eventually accept that Guru who will give us that spiritual birth and start us on the road to spiritual awakening. The importance and place of the Guru is captured in the verse below.

“In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realisation. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually elevated. In the next stage one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional service. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from all material attachment, attains steadiness in self-realization and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. This taste leads one further forward to attachment for Krishna consciousness, which is matured in bhava or the preliminary stage of transcendental love of God. Real love for God is called prema, the highest perfectional stage of life.”

The verse explains the link between the Guru, our current state and the desired state. The definition of the word Guru speaks to the benefits that we derive from the Guru as he is the one who removes darkness and ignorance.

In the context of today’s society, we see a great need for the Guru and the guidance of those who have lived a life of distinction and spirituality. Through association with the Guru, we are able to be guided in the choices we make in life and thus ensure that we remain on the path to success and spirituality. Through guidance in sadhanas, we build bhakti and prem for the divine and thus we are able to elevate ourselves to the highest levels of spiritual excellence.

SWAHA fondly remembers the wisdom of our most caring, compassionate and wise Shankaracharya, the late Shri Pundit Hari Prasadji, who guided us on the path of spiritual excellence: “Although challenges will always exist and hindrances will always be placed in our path, our Scriptures urge us not to give up. Have total faith in Brahm and don’t shun your duty.”