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“Spiritual hunger is common to all; but tastes differ.
There are different forms of God to suit all tastes.”
- Swami Yogaswarupananda, of the Divine Life Society,
a Vedanta-based foundation in Rishikesh.

Veda-Vyasa, the protector of the Vedas
Part II (the Guru’s Glory)

Gyan Rajhans P. Eng.
BHAJANAWALI RADIO PROGRAM

In Part 1 published in the June, 2005 issue of this electronic monthly, you learnt why Hindus consider Veda-Vyasa to be the supreme Guru and celebrate his birth anniversary as Guru Poornima. July 21, 2005 is the full moon day of Ashadh, the fourth month of Hindu year 2062 (Vikram Samvat), the birth anniversary of Sage Vyasa and hence, Guru Poornuma. In this article I will answer several questions regarding Guru.

Who is a Guru?

The word “Guru” is used in three different sense:

1. Parent- the instiller of sanskaras (moral and cultural values).

2. Teacher- who teaches worldly knowledge.

3. Spiritual Master- who gives us spiritual enlightenment.

In this article I will deal with Guru as the Spiritual Master.

Why do we need a Guru?

The word `Guru' is made up of two Sanskrit root words, namely, `gu' meaning darkness or ignorance, and `ru' meaning dispeller. Thus `Guru' means the dispeller of darkness or ignorance. In essence, Guru is the perfect spiritual master, the ideal saint, the faultless guide with realized wisdom who dispels ignorance and liberates his disciples from the bondage born of mundane pleasures.

You may wonder why reading scriptures cannot dispel ignorance. Swami Shivananda has answered this question in the following quotation: “The scriptures are like a forest. There are ambiguous passages. There are passages which are apparently contradictory. There are passages which have esoteric meanings, diverse significance, and hidden explanations. There are cross-references. You are in need of a Guru or Preceptor who will explain to you the right meaning, who will remove doubts and ambiguities, who will place before you the essence of the teachings.”

Some read Gita, Bhagvatam and Ramayana for some years independently and still remain ignorant and restless. Then they begin to search for a Guru. It is through the Guru that one comes to realize God and be unshackled from the fetters of material bondage. So the Guru occupies a prime place in Hindu spirituality.

How to find an appropriate Guru?

Although a Guru is absolutely necessary for every aspirant in the spiritual path, one must be extremely careful before accepting any preacher as his or her Guru. These days there is a flood of Gurus. These self-proclaimed Gurus whisper a mantra into the ear and stretch their hand for money. Such people are not fit to be called Gurus. Today there are many good disciples, but it is very difficult to find a true Guru.

Veda- Vyasa says: “One desirous of knowing the highest good should resort to a preceptor who is well versed in the implication of the Vedas, has realized Parabrahman and who is free from attachment and hatred.”

Swami Shivananda says, “If you find peace in the presence of a Mahatma (great soul), if you are inspired by his speeches, if he is able to clear your doubts, if he is free, from greed, anger, and lust, if he is selfless, loving, and I-less, you can take him as your Guru. He who is able to clear your doubts, he who is sympathetic in your sadhana, he who does not disturb your beliefs but helps you on from where you are, he in whose very presence you feel spiritually elevated-he is your Guru. Once you choose Your Guru, implicitly follow him. God will guide you through the Guru.”

Now the question arises as to what one should do if he or she has not found a true Guru. My advice to you is to wait patiently and pray to God to help you find a true Guru. However, you must have a pure and open mind. You must be intensely curious about spiritual knowledge. Then alone you will find a true Guru by the grace of God.

Who is the Sadguru?

A Sadguru possesses all the qualities of a true Guru described earlier. However, what set a Sadguru apart from the other Gurus are his possession of countless Siddhis (psychic powers) and all divine powers of an incarnation of God. He need not preach anything. Even his presence or company is elevating, inspiring, and stirring. His very company is self-illumination. For such Sadguru, Our scriptures say:

“Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara; Guru Sakshat Param Brahma, tasmai Shri guruve namaha” meaning the Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, and the Guru is Shiva. Clearly the Guru is the supreme Brahman, to that Sadguru we salute.

Sant Kabir said: "If all the land were turned to paper and all the seas turned to ink, and all the forests into pens to write with, they would still not suffice to describe the greatness of the Sadguru."

In the final analysis let me say that without a true Guru, the esoteric truths hidden in the scriptures will not be revealed to you. On Guru Poornima, worship your Guru with the same devotion with which you worship God. If you do not have a Guru yet, pray to God to make you worthy of finding a true Guru.

Concluded

Gyan Rajhans, an internationally recognized heath & safety professional has been broadcasting the only non-commercial Vedic religion radio program in North America since 1981 & worldwide web cast on www.bhajanawali.com since 1999. Mr. Rajhans has published extensively on religious and spiritual matters. Some articles are available on the Bhajanawali web site. He has translated Sri Mad Bhagvad Gita in English for the younger generation. Mr Rajhans has been conferred various titles, including that of Rishi by Hindu Prarthana Samaj of Toronto Hindu Ratna by Hindu Federation of Toronto. He received Canadian Journalists' and Writers' Club (CEJWC) award for 2005 in the Internet category - Opinion - for his Spirituality columns in South Asian Outlook e-Monthly.]

Previous Columns:

Veda-Vyasa, the protector of the Vedas Part I