"Guru(Master)-The Spiritual Teacher:-

The Guru Gita, verse 17 aptly describes the "Guru" as "dispeller of darkness" - "Gu" means -darkness "ru" that which dispels".

Though the word "Guru" is often misused to refer simply to any teacher or instructor, a true God- illumined Guru is one who, in his attainment of self- mastery has realised his identity with omnipresent spirit. Such a one is uniquely qualified to lead others on their inward spiritual journey. The nearest English equivalent to Guru is the word "Master".

The Master is the awakened God, awakening the sleeping God in the disciple.Through deep vision, a true Master sees the Lord himself in disciples and is amongst all men, the best of givers, like the Lord himself,his generosity knows no bounds.
The infinite understanding,the infinite love,omnipresent,all-embracing consciousness are the qualities embedded in a true Master.

In Adi Sankara's (a rare combination of a Saint,scholar& greatest philosopher)own description of a Master is "There is no known comparison in the three world for a True Master. If the philosopher's stone to be assumed as truly such, it can only turn iron into gold not into another philosopher's stone.The venerated teacher, on the other hand , created equality with himself in the disciple who takes refuge at his feet. The Guru(The Master) is therefore peerless-nay transcendental.

The God created universe runs by orderly cosmic law, and the Master-disciple relationship is rooted in that law. It is divinely ordained that who seeks God shall be introduced to him through a true Guru When a devotee sincerely desires to know God, his Master comes and only one who knows God can promise his disciple"I shall introduce God to you". A true Master has already found his way to God, therefore he can say to his disciple" Hold my hand and I will show you the way."

The Master-disciple relationship encompasses the disciplines and principles of right action which the disciple must follow, to prepare himself to know God. When the disciple with the help of the Master, perfects himself, the divine law is fulfilled-The Master introduces him to God.And Loyalty to the Master is the first principle of the covenant between Master and the disciple.

"Life is like a swiftly flowing river"-This is said by a unique and great Master, and when you seek God swim against the current of worldly tendencies that pull your mind toward limited material and sensory consciousness,make efforts and constant efforts to swim upstreams every moment and if you relax the strong current of delusion will carry you away.

As contained in vedic scriptures spiritual efforts of the disciple constitutes of 25% of the spiritual forces required to bring the soul back to God,25% is given through the blessings of the Master and 50% is bestowed by the grace of the God.Therefore the disciple's effort is equaled by the Master and the God is doing as much as the Master and disciple together.

Even though the disciple's efforts is but one quarter of the whole efforts,must go ahead and do fully his part and not to wait to receive first, the blessings of God and that of Master. As the disciple puts forth his utmost effort to do his part,the Master's blessings and God's grace will automatically reach him.

And in the divine words of the great Poet Kabir:-
The Master is great beyond words,and great is the good fortune of the disciple.

May the grace of God and blessings of the Master be showered upon one and all.

PS: Pl use the word devotee/disciple as appropriately as applicable pl.


compiled from YSS readings.