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Mani Sahukar |
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"Trust in the guru fully",
he reiterated, "This is the only sadhana." |
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It is very interesting to observe and analyze
the oriental concept of the Guru, and the relationship he bears to
his chosen disciples. This relationship is in sharp contrast to the
mere external and casual link that exists between the teachers and
the taught in western countries. According to the occidental idea,
the master serves as the medium for imparting knowledge or truth which
is the final goal. As Aristotle said, "Dear is Plato, but dearer still
is the truth." But in India truth and the Guru are completely identified.
There is no truth apart from the Guru, and to know and serve the latter
with whole-hearted devotion is also to serve the cause of the truth.
In India, in particular, the Guru has almost become the accepted axiom
of spiritual progress, and as such, the relationship he bears to those
whom he guides is unique. Random would seem the road to heaven until
the Guru's grace paves the way for the mortals to follow. Nor need
we be denied this grace if our quest is sincere. We have certain assurance
that even as we strive we shall rise and arrive. |
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The problem of human relationship is a
very acute one. There is not a single relationship on the human level
which does not at some time or the other strike a reflective man as
a being based on egoism and mutual exploitation of those that are
related; a mother's love for her child is perhaps in some rare cases
the nearest approach to the ideal, but even that is not perfect. A
relationship without a flaw -- is that possible? This is what is sought
to be embodied and has indeed been successfully concretized in the
beautiful bond which is established between the Guru and his devotees.
The beauty and the wisdom of India's spiritual literature is enhanced
by the tribute that is paid in poetry and prose to this unique fusion
of the guru and bhakta. Innately mystical as the Indian temperament
is, it is no wonder that the goal is always to achieve a direct union
with God. The Sage of Shirdi recognized this and felt that the very
ethos of the nation could be found in this enduring and supreme association
of the guru with his followers. A firm and unfaltering faith in the
guru, according to Sai Baba, is the highest sadhana. "Trust in the
guru fully", he reiterated, "This is the only sadhana." Baba averred
that the secret of a successful approach was to give himself, the
more power to receive does a sadhaka develop, and in the measure in
which the surrender to the master is complete, in that measure shall
the initiate reap the fruits of the spirit. |
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Human relationship, as stated before, is
always based on an instinct of possession or appropriation. But the
disciple's attitude is one of voluntary giving of himself unspoiled
by any demands, untainted by any spirit of barter. In return the guru's
grace is just as spontaneous as unstinted, in that, the guru takes
up the entire being of the disciple to prepare him in the way he thinks
best for a life of fulfillment and perfection. Baba himself once poetized
this idea by likening the disciple to a lump of plastic clay from
which the master potter fashions fascinating pieces of poetry. In
this remoulding of the aspirant, the guru as it were fulfills himself
too; and in some subtle way his strength seems to be made perfect
in weakness. |
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However, despite the great emphasis he
laid on the need of a guru, Baba did not deny the possibility of attainment
without one. He even allowed that since to know oneself is the essence
of spiritual growth from within and not necessarily through the guru's
intervention. This, however, he said, was very rare. For the majority
of the sadhakas the guru was a paramount necessity, and he believed
that with the guru's radiant guidance the way could be made, not only
easier, but more inspiring. To a question once asked by a simple devotee
at Shirdi, Baba's reply was as characteristically simple and direct
-- for it may be mentioned here that Baba suited his teachings to
the needs and capacity of the seeker; he never confused an unsophisticated
mind with unnecessary flights of metaphysical subtleties. The devotee
wanted to know how far a Guru was needed to show the way. "The way
is rugged", was Baba's response, "there are tigers and bears on the
route, but if one has a guide with him, there is no difficulty. Then
the tigers and the bears move aside. If there is no guide (Guru),
there is the danger of falling into a deep yawning pit", he said.
And then again, "if one makes the Guru the sole object of one's thoughts
and aims, one attains Paramatma." Close contact with the supreme master
ensures a protection which seems to envelope the disciple like an
aura, helping and guiding him, and although the Guru may not necessarily
throw aside all sufferings and stumblings, he invariably carries the
seeker safely across all obstacles; that is what Baba meant when he
said, "If one devotes his entire life to me, he need fear nothing
for body or soul." |
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(to be continued) |
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