˜Para Bhakti and ˜Dridha Sauhruda

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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 is unique;

this is known and experienced. By meditation on God Guru, jnana dawns 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 long as 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 orders must be strictly obeyed and carried out personally and not

delegated to others. Nothing should be done without consulting the Guru.....