A True Guru : Why do we need a Guru?
A few days ago somebody asked me a question. To me, it appeared to be a futile one though I was intrigued to answer the same. Maybe because it gave me a feeling of being perspicacious. It gave substance to my amour propre of being better. My spiritual personality attempted to stop the stream of my egotism and lastly assisted me with regaining my virtue. This practice of mind game was, In fact, the real answer to the question raised.
I was inquired as to why do we need a Guru? Mine retort was simple and practical. Firstly his questioned was tackled by a probe from my side. I asked him why he sends his children to school. The reply was quick, to make them learn, in a cautious tone. A pitiful grin spread across my face, it was time for another query. You being so learned, a doctor, your wife a lawyer can easily make him study at home. Up Till high school, you both can handle this – I mean u can make them study at home all by yourself. Then why do u need a teacher, an institution, patronage, I queered? Again his answer was quick – as they can teach them with an unabridged and unrivalled approach. To take in the subtle strategies we generally go to the specialist then why to abjure when to play a definitive amusement – life.
In a way, as we are competent to handle any academic problem of our children but still send him to an institution to learn. Similarly, we are aware of every riposte in our lives but still need a Guru, a counsellor, a master, a friend of sorts to usher our journey of life with quietude and solace. Guru is the one who does not impart your knowledge rather guides you to use all the knowledge you gathered for the optimum. My guru says it’s not his forte to give orders rather it’s his duty to impart prudence. Now it’s up to our own self that how we use this intellect. In a larger perspective any information, any knowledge is itself not harmful its use make it’s harmful or beneficial. Attaining a Guru is a deliberate attempt to expose oneself to wisdom so as to challenge life in a perspective way. As against a thought that a Guru helps you to attain powers or money is totally rubbish. Guru can just help you to gain wisdom to do something- he can become a medium or a road to our prerequisites. Evolving with a Guru is somewhat similar to attaining spirituality – which helps us to dwell on the deeper meaning of life as well as taking appropriate actions.
एक सचा गुरु आपको कभी भी आज्ञा नहीं देगा वो आपको केवल प्रज्ञा दे सकता है। आज्ञा का मूल मतलब है- order – to tell you what to do and what not to do. The edict that defines the world for you. A dictum that makes you see the world with somebody else eyes. Now you will perceive the world as shown by those glasses – it may be red, blue, white or even black depending upon the glasses you are wearing. Your life becomes handicap because of these injunctions. You are bound by the perceptions of somebody else. It’s a Decree that characterizes the world for you. Orders put you through great struggle, it challenges your existence.
A real guru is one who gives you प्रज्ञा – the wisdom – to adjudicate and thrive on your own. A true guru mentors you for reconnaissance. Like in a war (life) situation you are required to go behind enemy (our vices) lines for a recce. In the same way, a true guru cultivates our desolate personalities with his words and activities – seeds so we can harvest the fruits of endearment and mankind.
Presence of a Guru is not just a physical affair but rather a divinity – an experience that makes us unique. Whenever our divine consciousness wants to achieve something it radiates an inclination towards some source -that specific source – somatic, intellective or social is our real guru. This enlightenment might be in the form an individual whom we revere or maybe our own cognizance that creates a web to get the work done or it may be a society as a whole which contributes to our consciousness. A true guru guides us to attain our divine attributes which are conceded deep inside us.
A Guru is like a sculpture when a piece of rock is introduced before him it’s not his forte to add something to the rock. Rather by his endeavour and use of paraphernalia (words and actions) he breaks off the additional stone (our vices) so as to produce a perfect idol. Efforts of a true Guru is not confined to create a perfect disciple but to enact a perfect Guru in his disciples.
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुर्गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥१॥
Meaning:
1.1: The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru Deva is Maheswara (Shiva),
1.2: The Guru is Verily the Para-Brahman (Supreme Brahman); Salutations to that Guru.
Prodigious reverence in the lotus feet of Shri Radha Raman Ju and courteous gratitude towards my true Guru – HH Sri Pundrik Goswami Maharaj. All that I have compiled is only by the virtue showered on to me by Guruji.
HH Sri Pundrik Goswamiji Maharaj is established as the meritorious Achyra to Madhva Gaureshvar Vaishnavas Peeth. He is following the path of his predecessors, in spreading the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu through discourses on various Vaishnava scriptures all over the world so that people may benefit by knowing the real meaning of life. Sri HH imparts the wisdom of Katha. He leaves his listeners spellbound with his divine explanations on glorious Hari Lila and is miraculous in rendering lengthy phrases flawlessly. He is well versed in Srimad Bhagavatam and revered for ambrosia discourses.
HH Sri Pundrik Goswamiji Maharaj has initiated many programs to enlighten youth. International Gopal Clubs to promote Krishna consciousness is one of these. He is also accredited with envisaging Radha vrindesh ju temple in Jalandhar and various other peethsin other parts of the country. In his endeavour to pay homage to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ji , he envisioned the temple at Amritsar Peeth. His divine grace and blissful teachings cultivated the barren hearts of people with eternal love for Radha Raman dev ju resulting in the arrival of Shadh Mahaprabhu after 16 years in April 2016. This temple is the first one of Sri shadbhuj Mahaprabhu in northern India. The Vigrah dextrously portrays Krishna, Ram and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in one. Every year Guru Purnima is celebrated here with loads of devotion and enthusiasm. Devotees from all over the world come and pat their respective obeisances on to feet of Maharaj shri (as he is fondly called). Festival is celebrated by thousands of chanting Hari naam sankirtan and listening to lectures from Maharaj Shri.
- Katha Excerpts by Neeraj Seth
