Self-made gurus: Wendy

[Guest guest]

Wendy wrote,

 

At 10:29 AM 4/28/01 +0800, you wrote:

>Dear Robert,

>

>Let's just move on from all of this. You know perfectly well what and who

>I'm referring to. But best to let it rest now.

 

No, I really don't know who you are talking about. Anyway, the Vedic

definition of guru are as follows, in three broad categories, in case we

need to weed out any self-righteous persons:

 

1. Siksha guru: This includes anybody who, having achieved proficiency in

some subject, can teach or guide his/her students. A Siksha guru has no

claim to "enlightenment": he/she has attained a certain level of knowledge,

and this understanding applies to a broad area of subjects within the

spectrum of Vedic shastra, or scripture. Jyotish is included here, being

part of the Jyotir Vidya. The Svetasvatara Upanishad asserts that even the

sky, wind, air, and oceans, and even animals, are on some levels Siksha

gurus, because if you look closely, they have something meaningful to teach

you. This is the first category of guru, and thus Siksha is the

"instructing guru".

 

2. Diksha guru: One who specifically has attained God-realization, which

includes the generic category of "enlightenment". A Diksha guru initiates

the disciple or follower first into Vedic mantra, and then into the various

stages of sadhana. No one can become a Diksha guru, unless he/she has

attained the highest levels of Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan

realizations. So, by default, a Diksha guru can also be a Siksha guru, but

one who is a Siksha guru only, cannot become a Diksha guru.

 

3. Chetah guru: The Chetah guru is specifically in the category or

Vishnu-tattva, or Paramatma, in other words, He is a plenary expansion of

God localized within the hearts of all living beings. He is described in

the Bhagavad-gita as the "ksetra-jna", or the knower of all bodies and the

Jivas in them, but who Himself is not known by anyone. You find many

references to the Chetah guru, or Paramatma, in the Bhagavad-gita, and He

is distinguished from Jiva souls by His omnipotence and omniscience. He,

in other words, knows everything, past, present, and future.

 

So lets just say, that whoever has achieved proficiency in Jyotish,

qualifies to teach others who know less than him. He, by definition, is a

Siksha guru, and is regarded as such by his students and followers. He is

not a Diksha guru, unless and until he attains full God realization and

from that position initiates disciples. No one can become the Chetah guru,

as that position is reserved for God Himself.

 

So is it best to let all this rest now, since you have made your point that

no one is qualified to be a guru, except perhaps for a handful of

enlightened souls? Lets establish first, from a Vedic vantage point, what

level of Guru-tattva a person may be on, if any, and then from there raise

objection if there happens to be some imposters.

 

Best wishes,

Robert

 

=====================================

Robert A. Koch, Vedic Astrologer

760 NW Broken Arrow Rd.

Bend, OR. 97701-9037

Phone: 541-318-0248

visit <http://www.robertkoch.com> or e-mail

rk. rk