Guru-Bhakti YogaHis teaching on the Guru
THE DEVELOPMENT OF GURU-BHAKTI
Purity: A Pre-requisite
1. If only a disciple whose mind is cleansed of all its impurities, is initiated into the sacred mysteries by a Guru, then his mind will get complete quiescence. He will enter into the Nirvikalpa Samadhi state.
2. Guru will select a centre for concentration.
3. Learn Yoga under a Guru who is a developed Yogi.
4. You will have to purify your sensuous mind through concentration, reflection on the word of your spiritual preceptor and Upanishadic sentences or meditation, Japa or silent repetition of the name of the Lord.
5. There must be a good spiritual teacher (realised Guru) to guide you.
6. Stick to one place, one spiritual preceptor, one method, one system of Yoga. That is the way to positive success.
The Yogic Sadhana
7. Practice of Pranayama must be done under the guidance of a Guru who is a developed Yogi.
8. You can concentrate on the picture of Your Guru or any saint.
9. Withdraw the mind from the objects and act according to your Guru’s instructions.
10. If an aspirant in Kashmir meditates upon his Guru or spiritual guide at Uttarakashi, Himalayas, a definite connection is established between him and the teacher. The Guru radiates power, peace, joy and bliss to the student in response to his thoughts. He is bathed in the powerful current of magnetism. The stream of spiritual electricity flows steadily from the preceptor to his disciple, just as oil flows from one vessel to another. The student can imbibe or draw from his teacher in proportion to his degree of faith. Wherever the student sincerely meditates upon his teacher, the teacher also actually feels that a current of prayer or sublime thought proceeds from his student and it touches his heart. He who has the inner astral sight can clearly visualise a thin bright light between the disciple and the teacher, which is caused by the movement of the vibrations of Sattvic thoughts, in the ocean of Chitta.
11. In Hindu philosophy you will always find an esoteric and an esoteric meaning. This is the reason why you need the help of a teacher.
12. Keep a photo of the Lord Krishna, Siva, Rama, Devi, Gayatri, Guru, Lord Jesus or Lord Buddha. Place your seat in front of the picture.
Touch of the Guru
13. A spiritual teacher actually transmits his spiritual power to his disciple. A certain spiritual vibration of the Satguru is actually transferred to the mind of the disciple. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa actually transmitted his spiritual power to Swami Vivekananda. Lord Jesus did the same to his disciple. This is Master’s spiritual touch. A disciple of Samarth Ramdas transmitted his power to that dancing girl’s daughter who was very passionate towards him. The disciple gazed at her and gave her Samadhi. Her passion vanished. She became very religious and spiritual. Mukand Bai, a Maharashtra Saint, put the Badshah in Samadhi.
14. Repeat some divine Stotras or hymns or Guru Stotras or chant Om twelve times, or do Kirtan for five minutes, before you start your Japa and meditation.
15. Sit on the Asana in front of the deity. Sing devotional hymns or repeat Guru Stotras.
16. The wandering habit of the mind must be controlled, by making it stick to one place, one method of Sadhana, one Guru and one form of Yoga.
17. In Yoga Vasishtha Sri Vasishtha says, “O Rama! give one fourth of mind for meditation in the beginning, one fourth for recreation, one-fourth for study, and one fourth for the service of Guru.”
18. Nobody can give Moksha. You will have to tread the spiritual path step by step. Books and Guru can show you the path and guide you.
19. Lord has given you all sorts of comforts, good health, and a Guru to guide you. What more do you want? Grow. Evolve. Realise the Truth and proclaim it everywhere.
20. Guru and Sastras can show you the path and remove your doubts. Anubhava of Aparoksha kind (direct, intuitive knowledge) is left for your own experience. A hungry man will have to eat for himself. He who has a severe itching will have to scratch for himself.
Methods of Mind-Control
21. Never wrestle with the mind. Don’t use any violent efforts in concentration. Relax all the muscles and the nerves. Relax the brain. Gently think of your Ishtam. Slowly repeat your Guru Mantra with Bhav and meaning. Still the bubbling mind. Silence the thoughts.
22. If the mind is divested of all the Sankalpas of ‘I’, then through meditation of Atman after being initiated by a Guru, and having known the real significance of the Vedas, the mind can be turned back from various pains and made to rest on the subjective blissful Atman.
23. Don’t shake the body. Keep it as firm as a rock. Breathe slowly. Don’t scratch the body every now and then. Have the right mental attitude as taught by your Guru.
24. Be under the direct guidance and in close contact with your Guru for some years. You will have steady and continuous progress.
25. A wavering mind jumps from one Sadhana to another Sadhana, from one Guru to another Guru, from Bhakti Yoga to Vedanta, from Rishikesh to Brindavan. This is extremely deleterious for Sadhana. Stick to one Guru and one place.
26. You will have to find out yourself the kind of meditation that is suitable for you. If you are not able to do this, you will have to consult a teacher or preceptor who has attained Self-realisation. He will be able to know the nature of your mind and the correct method of meditation for you.
27. Company of spiritual teacher and good environments play a tremendous part in the elevation of the mind. In the absence of positive good company, have negative good company of books written by realised persons e.g. Sri Sankaracharya’s works, Yoga Vasishtha and Sri Dattatreya’s Avadhuta Gita etc.
28. Saguna meditation is meditation on a form. Select any Murthy you like best, either Siva, Vishnu, Rama, or Krishna according to your inclination or taste or follow the directions of your Guru. He will select for you the Ishta Devata or tutelary deity.
Progress on the Path
29. Lay bare to your Guru the secrets of your heart. The more you do so, the greater the sympathy, which means an accession of strength to you in the struggle against sin and temptation.
30. Be careful in the selection of your companions. Undesirable persons easily shake your faith and belief. Have full faith in your spiritual teacher and the Sadhana which you are pursuing. Never allow your own convictions to be changed. Continue your Sadhana with zeal and enthusiasm. You will have quick spiritual progress and you will ascend the spiritual ladder step by step and reach the goal ultimately.
31. Like birds, fish and tortoise, the transmitting of spiritual powers can be done by the Guru, through touch, or sight, or willing and thinking. The Guru sometimes enters the astral body of the disciple and elevates his mind through his power.
32. Sometimes a religious teacher has to express a little anger outwardly to correct his disciple. This is not bad.
33. Some do meditation for some years independently. Later on they actually feel the necessity of a Guru. They come across some obstacles in the way. They do not know how to obviate these impediments or stumbling blocks. Then they begin to search for a master. A stranger in a big city finds it difficult to go back to his residence in a small avenue even in broad daylight, even though he has walked half a dozen times. When difficulty arises even in the case of finding out the way in streets and roads, what to speak of the difficulties in the razor-path of spirituality when one walks alone with closed eyes!
The Transformation
34. The lower nature of mind must be thoroughly regenerated. The aspirant says to his preceptor, “I want to practise Yoga. I want to enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi. I want to sit at your feet. I have surrendered myself to you.” But he does not want to change his lower nature and habits, old character, behaviour and conduct.
35. This change of the lower nature is not easy. The force of habit is ever strong and inveterate. It demands great strength of will. The aspirant often feels helpless against the force of old habits. He will have to develop his Sattva and will to a considerable degree by regular Japa, Kirtan, meditation, untiring selfless service, Satsanga. He must introspect and find out his own defects and weaknesses. He must live under the guidance of his Guru. The Guru finds out his defects and points out suitable ways to eradicate them.
36. You must equip yourself with the four means of salvation and then approach a Brahma-Srotri, Brahmanishtha Guru. You must clear your doubts. You should tread the spiritual path through the aid of the spiritual illumination imparted by your Guru. You should live with him till you are moulded properly. Personal contact with a realised soul is highly elevating. If you are sincere and earnest, if you have burning desire for liberation, if you strictly follow the instructions of your preceptor, if you do constant and intense meditation, then there is no doubt that the highest goal can be reached within six months. Take my word for it. It will really happen.
37. The world is full of temptations. Therefore neophytes should guard themselves very carefully. They should sit at the Lotus-Feet of their Gurus till they are completely moulded, till they get established in deep meditation. Happy-go-lucky aspirants who are independent from the beginning, who do not pay attention to the words of their preceptors are hopeless specimens. They lead an aimless life and are drifted here and there like the plank in a river.
38. The aspirant who is endowed with the four means of Salvation, hears the Srutis and the significance of “Tat Tvam Asi” Mahavakya at the feet of Guru, and then reflects deeply on what he has heard.
39. Fix the mind on the form of Lord Hari or Lord Siva or Lord Krishna or your Guru or any saint like Lord Buddha or Lord Jesus. Again and again try to call this mental image of the picture. All thoughts will die. This is another method, the method of Bhaktas. The merciful loving Guru always addresses his disciples “Hey Saumya.”
Spiritual Attitude to Guru
40. O revered teacher! The Dispeller of my Avidya, my adorations unto Thee! Through Thy grace, I am enjoying the eternal bliss of Brahman. I am absolutely fearless. Now all my doubts and delusions have vanished.
41. The disciple relates his own inner experiences to his Guru in this Mantra. The disciple prostrated at the Lotus-Feet of his Guru, showered on him the choicest flowers and eulogised him, “O venerable, holy master! I have realised myself. I have attained supreme bliss through Thy grace. I have liberated myself from the wheel of births and deaths through the Brahmanishtha. I am enjoying the unalloyed bliss of Nirvikalpa Samadhi. I shall roam freely in any part of the world. I have equal vision over all. I have abandoned the lower mind. I have destroyed all Sankalpas, likes and dislikes. I enjoy now unruffled peace I am not able to describe my exalted state. O worshipful Acharya! I am dumbfounded. Again and again I prostrate before thee. You have helped me in crossing this formidable ocean of Samsara.
42. “Up to this time I had full belief in my body only. I took countless births in various Yonis. I do not know what virtuous actions led me to the attainment of the Supreme fearless state. This is a rare fortune indeed. This is a great Adrishta. I dance now in joy. I have obtained now Duhkha-abhava, Sarva Kamapti, Krita Krityatva and Prapta Prapyatva (all pains have vanished; all my desires are gratified; I have fulfilled all actions; I have obtained all objects of desire).
43. “Thou art my real father and mother. How can I describe my present state to another man? I see everywhere endless ocean of bliss and knowledge. Thanks to the Mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi” which opened my real eye of intuition. Thanks to the Upanishads, Vedanta Sutras and Vedantic Sastras. Prostrations unto Sri Vyasa, Sri Sankara and the Brahma-Vidya Gurus and the Seers and Rishis of the Upanishads and Lord Siva and Lord Narayana who have assumed the form of Brahmanishtha Guru and the forms of the Mahavakyas of the Upanishads. Even if a drop of the Charanamrita of the Guru is sprinkled over the head of a worldly man all his miseries will come to an end. If one Brahmanishtha is clothed and fed, the whole world is clothed and fed, because “He is the All”. He is the All in all. Om Om Om.
44. O merciful Master! I bow to Thee. I have fallen into the dreadful ocean of births and deaths. I am afflicted with the three kinds of Taapas. Save me. O Lord! Teach me, how I should cross this ocean of Samsara.
45. Fear not! My child! In reality there is no death for thee. There is a means for crossing this ocean of relative existence and attaining immortality or the Supreme Bliss. I shall teach thee now Brahma-Vidya. Hear with rapt attention.
46. Salutations unto Thee, O Venerable Guru! Thou hast saved me from the wheel of births and deaths. Through Thy grace I have attained Immortality and Eternal Bliss. All my doubts, delusion and ignorance have vanished. Crores of prostrations unto Thee, O merciful Lord.
The Obstinate Disciple
47. The obstinate disciple clings to his old habits. He will not surrender to the Lord or personal Guru.
48. If the disciple really desires to improve himself, he must be frank with himself and straightforward to his Guru.
49. He who is disobedient, who breaks the discipline, who is not straightforward to his Guru, who cannot open his heart to his preceptor or spiritual guide, cannot be benefited by the help of Guru. He remains stuck in his own self-created mire or mud and cannot progress in the divine path. What a great pity! His lot is highly lamentable indeed.
50. The disciple must make total, unreserved, ungrudging self-surrender to the Lord or Guru.
51. All that the teacher can do is to tell his disciple the method of knowing the Truth or the Path, that leads to the unfoldment of intuitional faculty.
The Need for Guru
52. A Guru is necessary for every aspirant in the spiritual path.
53. It is only a Guru who will be able to unveil the mystery and meaning of real life and show the way to God-realisation.
54. It is only a preceptor who can teach the disciple the secret about Sadhana.
55. An ideal Guru is one who has attained God-realisation.
56. Such a Guru is pure in thought, word and deed.
57. He has mastery over the senses and the mind.
58. He has knowledge of all the scriptures and is simple, kind and truthful.
59. Guru will be able to awaken the hidden divine power in the innermost core of disciple’s heart.
60. If a disciple has done good Karma in his previous births, if he is doing them now, and if he is sincere and longing for God, he will be sure to meet the real Guru.
61. To derive the full benefit from the Guru, disciple must have implicit faith in him and true devotion for him.
62. The disciple will achieve results in proportion to his faith in his Guru.
63. It is the spiritual teacher who will show the way and finally lead one to God.
64. Guru is none but God Himself in human form.
Benefits of Discipleship
65. Disciple has to obey his Guru implicitly.
66. Sometimes the methods prescribed by the Guru may not be to the disciple’s immediate liking, but he must have the firm faith that it is for his own benefit and good.
67. The benefits and mental peace experienced by having a Guru are immeasurable.
68. You know how Lord Krishna, though he was fully conscious of His Supreme Divinity, served His Guru Sandeepani and studied under him.
69. The disciple who has faith in his Guru attains wisdom.
70. Surrender yourself whole-heartedly, unreservedly and totally to your Guru.
71. Guru is God-incarnate upon earth. So worship him.
72. Guru-Bhakti and Guru-Seva terminate in Self-realisation.
73. The disciple must go on serving his Guru; the Guru will reveal the Truth to him when his self-surrender is complete.
74. Some deluded disciples serve their Guru for some years and then give it up foolishly imagining that they have attained Chitta-Suddhi. They do not gain the Supreme Knowledge; they do not reach their Goal.
75. They, no doubt, gain some merit (Punya), but Self-realisation is not attained; this is indeed a great loss, a great blunder.
Guru-Bhakti and Guru-Seva
76. Guru-Bhakti and Guru-Seva are like the two oars of the boat of Sadhana that takes the disciple across the torrential stream of Samsara.
77. One who has surrendered himself to his Guru, one who serves the Guru whole-heartedly, one who has marvellous Guru-Bhakti, knows no grief, no sorrow, no fear, no pain no misery, no ignorance and he instantly attains God-realisation.
78. Guru and God are one. So adore him.
79. One of the greatest souls that ever blessed this universe with his presence is the radiant Sankaracharya who is Adi Guru and Jagadguru.
80. If the disciple gets the shelter of the Lotus-Feet of a Guru, one who has known what has to be known, one who has attained what has to be attained and who is in a position to show the way, he must think that he is really thrice-blessed.
81. To get rid of selfishness is most difficult. Only if a disciple makes a firm, fiery determination to uproot selfishness and follows this determination by constant grinding, then alone selfishness will go by the Grace of the Guru.
82. Obey the orders of your Guru and be very persevering in it.
83. Obedience should be very practical, whole-hearted and actively persevering.
84. Then only the prescription of the Guru for attaining Moksha will be fruitful.
85. If the disciple tries to fulfil the dictates of the Guru in the fullest possible practical manner with perseverance and determination, he will realise God.
86. Of all the virtues which a disciple must have the greatest virtue is obedience to his Guru.
Value of Obedience
87. Obedience is precious virtue, because if you try to develop the virtue of obedience, the ego, the arch-enemy on the path of Self-realisation, slowly gets rooted out.
88. To have complete obedience to Guru is a difficult task, but by trying with sincerity it becomes easy.
89. Even ordinary action requires great pain, so in the spiritual path, one must be prepared to subject oneself to some sort of discipline and try to cultivate obedience to the Teacher.
90. Far more than worship, garlanding, and other outward manifestations of one’s inner Bhava of adorations and worshipfulness, obedience to Guru is greater.
91. Obedience to Guru shows true reverence unto him.
92. Obedience means trying to act in the way in which the Guru would like one to act.
93. Supposing one finds that Guru will not like a certain thing, then one must not do it. It is also obedience.
94. Even if one possesses all the things that are greatly valued upon earth, one possesses nothing if his mind is not fixed upon the Lotus-Feet of his Guru.
95. The Truth is Unity no doubt, but through the vast stretch of dual experiences one has ultimately to reach the pinnacle of Unity, consciousness and in this process of attaining it, devotion to the Lotus-Feet of the Guru is the greatest desideratum and it is one of the greatest of Sadhanas.
96. Again and again to establish oneself in Guru-Bhakti he should try to employ various methods.
97. Each Guru administers his medicine (instructions) in the form in which it can be assimilated by the disciple.
98. ‘Cling on to the Lotus-Feet of Guru.’ Here underlies the secret of Sadhana.
Offerings to the Guru
99. Mantra-initiation is done by the Guru after the Sadhaka is well-fitted with all the virtues of Sadhana-Chatushtaya. Otherwise the initiation will not be of much use.
100. In ancient days disciple should approach preceptor with the Samit in his hands. Samit is the symbol of self-dedication and surrender to the Lotus-Feet of Guru.
101. “Here is the bundle of my Karmas. You burn it.” This is implied in the Sishya’s approaching the Guru with Samits in hands. The outward meaning is that Rishis used to perform Agnihotra and this symbolises service of the Guru in the form bringing fire-wood for sacrifice.
102. Spiritual Realisation is the result of supreme devotion to Guru.
103. You will find in the Manu Smriti: “Let the students ever engage in the study of Vedas and during services to the preceptor with full faith and devotion. Let the student refrain from wines, meats, perfumes, scents, women, tasty dishes, and from injury to sentient creatures and lust, anger, greed, dancing, singing and playing on musical instruments, dyes, playing, gossiping, slander, too much sleeping and untruth.”
104. In ancient days the life of discipleship starts with Upanayana ceremony.
105. A disciple should mould his character properly under the guidance of the Guru who is the abode of virtues and Knowledge.