'Guru's' grace is our only sadhana

[Guest guest]

Baba states that himself and three others were studying puran and other works

and discussing among themselves obviously on an intellectual basis how to get

realization, and they had their own differences. One stressed the neecessity of

depending upon oneself as the Gita says, Uddharet Atmana. Another, equally

self-sufficient, said that the main thing was to make the mind self-centred,

free from thoughts and doubts, because it is we who are in everything and

everywhere. A third companion said that Vichara was the thing to be stressed,

and Vichara consisted in Viveka, regarding the difference between Nitya and

Anitya, the Changeable and the Unchangeable, the Changeable form and the

formless Unchangeable Reality.

 

Obviously with all these controversies they were not anywhere near God

realisation. Baba disliked all this metaphysical and intellectual discussion and

stressed the practical steps that had to be taken, to approach a Guru, and

surrender one's Tan, Man Dhan to the Guru and leave it to the Guru to accomplish

the rest. The field of this intellectual discussion was a veritable forest, vast

and dense, through which no way could be found out of it. So, as they rambled on

without finding a way out, they came across one who knew the forest thoroughly,

a Vanajari, a forest dweller. That Vanajari asked them, Where are you going into

these trackless woods unnecessarily? He kindly invited them to go with him and

have some food, which should enable them to continue their journey through the

forest.

 

The majority being self-sufficient and independent, the Vanajari's words were

not heeded. But the party went into this intellectual wood and lost their way.

Again the Vanajari appeared before them and showed them how by relying on their

own intelligence they had lost their way and gone the wrong path, and told them

that a guiding finger was necessary to show them the proper way. The Vanajari

said that the offer of food was not to be despised, for the offer of food was an

auspicious sign betokening the coming success in the enterprise.

 

So, he repeated the offer of his hospitality. For a second time the majority

decided to reject the offer. So they continued their rambling in the track-less

forest. Hunger seized them all but the unbending three were too proud to change.

Baba alone left that company, went to the Vanajari and accepted his food and

water. That Vanajari was the Guru and enquired of all that they had talked

about, and the conclusions they had come to. Baba revealed to him the entire

facts.

 

The others did not care to depend on a Guru or a Guide. But for himself he felt

that the Guru and Guru alone, was the thing needed. So saying Baba bowed in

reverence to the Guru with faith. The Guru at once put his faith to the test.

Baba's description of the test resembled an allegory and was obviously

symbolical.

 

Baba says, Then he took me to a well, tied up my legs with a rope and suspended

me, head downwards, from a tree by a side of the well. My head was about three

feet off the water, which I could not reach. And my guru left me there and went

away God knows where. He returned after 4 or 5 hours and asked me how I fared.

In great bliss was my time passed, I answered. The Guru, mighty pleased with me,

drew me near him, passed his palm -over my head and body and spoke to me tender

words dripping with love, and he put me into his school where I entirely forgot

my father and mother and all attachments and desires.

 

I loved to gaze at him. If he were not there to see, I would not like to have

eyes at all. I did not wish to go back. I forgot all other things but the Guru.

My life was concentrated in my sight and my sight in him. That was the object of

my meditation. In silence I bowed.

 

Meanwhile, Realisation flashed upon me of itself without effort or study, purely

by his grace.

 

Guru's grace is our only sadhana. Jnana comes as experience or in its wake'.