There is nothing higher than the Guru

[Guest guest]

There is nothing higher than the Guru We have already noted that the Guru has to be treated as not in the least different from God but as identical with God on the authority of the Upanishads and numerous other works. A proper sishya must have therefore para bhakti and Dridha sauhruda, i.e., strong devotion and attachment to his Guru. The latter returns the love and proves it by looking after and undertaking to look after everything that concerns the disciple temporally or spiritually. Behaviour naturally follows this heart-felt love. The sishya feels there is nothing higher than the Guru (a) Na guror Adhikam Na Guror Adhikam (repeated again) (b) Idam eva Sivam, ldam eva Sivam, and © Viditam, Viditam, Vijanam, Vijanam. (Guru Gita, verses 122 to 124)This means There is nothing higher than the Guru. This is God; this

isunique; this is known and experienced. By meditation on God Guru, jnanadawns upon the pupil (Guru Gita, verse 125). The Guru Upadishta Marga, i.e., the direction of the Guru has, of course, to be strictly followed for purifying the heart. The ever changing phenomena are fleeting and unworthy of attachment. Hence turn the mind away from them on to the real Brahman. This advice of the Guru must be followed. Peace of mind follows by Gurus grace. The numerous directions in the Guru Gita as to the propriety of behaviour follow from the above attitude and relationship. The conduct rules are as follows:- (1) A sishya should not and can never be blaming his Guru (ninda), should not feel pride (mamata) envy (asuya), jealousy (matsara), hatred (dvesha), contempt or entertain any similar feeling towards the Guru; of course, he cannot threaten the Guru (Humkar), not treat himself as equal. But on the other hand he must fall at the

Guru's feet, drink the (Padatirtha) water washing the Guru's feet and always think of the Guru as longas his body lasts. (2) Guru is the Sathee Akaraka i.e. last moment helper i.e., the one person or force that can help to save the sishya at the moment of his death and make that end happy, which wife, children, wealth, fame, etc., cannot positively do, which in fact they render painful. If the Guru has been rejected or forgotten, then at the last critical moment, the sishyas mind will be greatly perturbed and agitated or frightened. (3) The Gurus ordersmust be strictly obeyed and carried out personally and not delegated to others. Nothing should be done without consulting the Guru.......