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O
My Sadguru Sainath ! To me, Thou art God ! Sunday,
the 29th
of July ! The auspicious occasion of Guru Poornima ! It’s
morning ! The
sun shines in the (eastern) horizon with his rays of beneficence. The
power of illusion cannot snare those contemplate on the Guru at
this auspicious hour. Hence, let us pray ardently to our Sadguru
with folded hands. May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru, fulfil
all our hearts’ desires.
Guru
Poornima is observed as the day
for honouring the Guru. The ‘Guru Gita’ describes the meaning
of the word ‘Guru’ as such : ‘‘The syllable ‘Gu’
is darkness, and the syllable ‘Ru’ is said to be light. There
is no doubt that the Guru is indeed the Supreme knowledge that
swallows the darkness of ignorance. ‘Gu’ represents the
principles such as Maya, and ‘Ru’ is the Supreme
knowledge that destroys the Maya. The syllable ‘Gu’ is
that which transcends all attributes and the syllable ‘Ru’ is
that without form. The Guru is said to be the one who bestows the
state beyond attributes(and form).’’ ‘Poornima’
refers to the full moon with all
its sixteen aspects being illuminated by the sun. In man there are sixteen
black spots : the six enemies, viz., lust, anger, greed,
infatuation, pride and envy, the two Gunas, Rajas and Tamas,
and the eight types conceit (Mada) based on lineage and
scholarship, wealth, youth, beauty, position and penance. It is only when
man gets rid of these sixteen evil traits that he will be able to realize
his oneness with the divine i.e. attain self-realization. Only Guru
enables man to achieve this state of self-realization : Just
as the sun drives out darkness, the Sadguru dispels the nescience
from our hearts. Yet, it is not apt to compare the Guru with the
sun. Because, the darkness driven away by the sun returns (by night); but
the nescience removed by the grace of the Guru never recrudesces.
May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru, fulfil all our hearts’
desires !
The
Vedas and the Shastras declare that it is impossible for a
man to achieve self-realization without the help of a Sadguru. In
the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna enjoins upon Arjuna - Tadviddhi
pranipatena pariprashnena
sevaya Upadekshayanti
te jnanam jnaninah
tatva-darshinah -Chapter IV : 34 (If
you wish to know the truth of the Paramatman, you must seek such
Masters who have an awareness of it themselves. Learn from them by
surrendering unto them, by devoted service and by right questioning. Thus
you will come to know the Supreme Truth.) O
Sadguru Sainath ! please guide me and let there be no
showiness in this interactive place, forgive me for all the errors and
shower Your infinite loving grace. Until You wish, not even a leaf moves.
You are the Light, You are the Guide - it is Your wish and Your
command with which my each word gets jotted down. With due apologies to
Rabindranath Tagore : O
Sadguru ! When
Thou commandest me to write it seems
that my heart would break with pride;
and I look to Thy face, and tears Come
to my eyes. O
Sadguru Sainath ! remove the veils of ignorance in me, purify
me, drown me in Your love and let me see, feel and experience Your
presence with Your divine grace alone : The
sun rises and rouses us to activity by restoring energy to the exhausted
souls. Similarly, the Guru invigorates our souls by removing all
the mental weaknesses, which impel us to indulge in ignoble deeds. Leaving
all prejudices and proclivities, let’s contemplate on the holy feet of
our Sadguru. May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru,
fulfil all our hearts’ desires ! O
Baba ! now ‘‘all that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts
into one sweet harmony - and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird
on its flight across the sea.’’ (Gitanjali, Song II) In
actuality, Gurur
Brahma Gurur Vishnu, Gurur
Devo Maheshwara Gurur
Saakshat Para Brahma Tasmai
Shree Gurave Namah. The
above Shloka addressed to Guru mentions salutations to the
noble teacher ‘who is verily the representative of Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva’. He creates, sustains knowledge and destroys the weeds of
ignorance. However, Even
the Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar cannot be equal to
our Sadguru Sainath. None can be found to match Him in His ability
to uplift human beings from a downfall. May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru,
fulfil all our hearts’ desires ! O
Sadguru Sainath ! A Guru is absolutely necessary for
every aspirant on the spiritual path. It is only the Guru who will
find out one’s defects. The nature of egoism is such that one will not
be able to find out one’s defects and, therefore, O
Guru, arise from Thy Samadhi (mystic trance) and come and
take Thy seat at the Masjid. By Thy sweet utterances remove (the
bitterness of) our sufferings. Sadguru Sainath, Thou art the friend
of all and cherish no ill will to anyone. Thou art the destroyer of all
sins. May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru, fulfil all our
hearts’ desires ! O
Sai ! The personificaton of spiritual perfection and the epitome of
compassion ! You, once, gave a beautiful discourse in the Masjid
regarding the necessity of a Guru, saying that a Guru was
like a guide who would take one to one’s destination (self-realization).
O Baba ! You taught, ‘‘The spiritual path which one wishes to
travel is like passing through Jungle where there are wolves,
tigers and other ferocious animals in the form of anger, passion, jealousy
etc. If the aspirant takes a guide with him (i.e., Guru), then
there is no difficulty as he will take the aspirant straight to his
destination (self-realization) avoiding all obstacles.’’ (Shri Sai
Satcharita, Chapter II) Jee
karta hain mere Sai... main Shirdi
mein hee bas jaaoon Lekin
jab tak too na chaahe... main Shirdi
main kaise aaoon Shirdi
mein mujhe bulaale re... Shirdi
mein mujhe bulaale re... (I
wish, I could come, stay in Shirdi for ever and ever O Sai ! But,
how could I ? Unless You wish I could ! Call me to Shirdi my Sai...
Call me to Shirdi !) O
Sadguru Sainath ! Why do I have an immense longing to come,
stay in Shirdi for ever and ever ? This is because You live there in
unbroken communion with the Supreme Truth and You chose - out of
compassion for the world - to live there and play the part of an
ordinary human being. O
Baba ! I’m not bothered, whether or not God has come in Shirdi in
Thy form - to me, Thou art God. Again, O
Sadguru Sainath ! why do I have an immense longing to come,
stay in Shirdi for ever and ever ? This is because the aspirant who
is under Thy guidance is safe from being led astray. Satsang or
association with You is an armour and fortress to guard the seeker against
all temptations and unfavourable forces of the material world. Over
and over, O
Sadguru Sainath ! why do I have an immense longing to come,
stay in Shirdi for ever and ever ? This is because those
indescribable Shakti or Power of God, known as Pure Existence,
Knowledge and Bliss, incarnated in Thy form in Shirdi. The physical
presence of a devotee in Shirdi, the taste of its water, soil and breeze,
the perfumes of the air and the chanting of the Aaratis in Thy
presence has a magical effect. Standing in the Samadhi Mandir,
infront of Thy piercing eyes of love and compassion does away with the
pain and suffering of the visitors with one stroke. The assurances of
material and spiritual wealth come to reality. Once, a devotee steps on
the soil of Shirdi, his life is set on a different course. One immense
yearning that a devotee leaves Shirdi with is that he should return to
Shirdi. The power of the magic soil is such. With
due apologies to the great English poet, John Keats, O
Sadguru Sainath ! I am ‘already with Thee’ in Shirdi !,
and certainly Lo !
This hour is auspicious. The Guru has arisen (from His Samadhi)
and by His gracious glances warding off the troubles of His devotees who
have taken refuge in Him. There is no benefactor equal to Him in this
world. May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru, fulfil all our
hearts’ desires ! O
Sadguru Sainath ! while all seekers else have had their
teachers, and even all the sages, saints, prophets, world-teachers,
incarnations, great-men, have had their Gurus, however great they
might have been; then, why should I alone be without one ? Svetaketu
learnt the nature of Truth from Uddalaka, Maitreyi from Yajnavalkya,
Bhrigu from Varun, Narada from Sanatkumara, Nachiketas from Yama, Indra
from Prajapati; and several others humbly went to wise ones, practised
vigorous discipline and learnt Brahma-vidya (the science of God)
from them. Lord Krishna and Balram attended to Their Guru Sandipani
Rishi with gratitude. In order to attain Knowledge of self, Lord Rama
devoted His precious time to attend to His Guru - Vasishtha Muni.
Lord Shiva Himself accepted His son Subrahmanya as His Guru, when
He learnt the meaning of Pranava (Onkar) from him. Lord Jesus
sought John to be baptised by him on the banks of the river Jordon. Even Devas
(celestial beings) has Brihaspati as Their Guru. Even the greatest
among the divine beings sat at the feet of Guru Dakshinamoorti. O
my Sadguru Sainath ! You Yourself had a Guru by the
name of Venkusha. Upon completing the spiritual training, Venkusha had
ordered You to go and practise, what You learned. At that time, O my Sadguru !
You had asked for Your Guru’s blessings. Venkusha was fully aware
that You were none other than God-Incarnate. He, therefore, hesitated to
bless You saying, ‘‘How can I bless the Supreme God ?’’ Then,
O Baba ! Your reply was, ‘‘Guruji, I understand your
hesitation. But, in every human incarnation, there is need for Guru
and as a Shishya, I have a right to be blessed by my Guru...
Please do not deny me that right. Recollect the fact that Rama and Krishna - and
other incarnations - had Gurus to lead them in the right
direction.’’ Thus satisfied by Your explanation, Venkusha blessed You
with his two hands wide open; but quickly converted the posture of hands
into a ‘Namaskara’ by joining the hands together. In a way,
Venkusha blessed You as well as prayed to You ! O
Sadguru ! let me pray at Your lotus feet. You are the
incarnation of all Gods and protector of all. O Sainath ! please show
mercy on me, and increase my devotion towards You; because Without
the grace of the Guru, no one, however clever he might be, can
achieve his lives’ objectives. Such a one merely trifles his time in
fruitless pursuits. Only by obtaining steadfast devotion to the feet of
the Guru, can one’s heart’s desires be fulfilled. May Lord
Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru, fulfil all our hearts’ desires !
O
Sadguru Sainath ! even if, through determined effort and
ruthless self-examination or devotional practices, a seeker does have the
vision of God, the final attainment of realizing God as one’s own self
and as the self in all beings can be accomplished by only through the
grace of a Sadguru. The story of Namdev, the great saint of
Maharashtra, illustrates this : Once,
Jnanadev with his brothers and sister Muktabai had gone to the Pandharpur
temple. Saint Namdev, who always lived there, was also sitting near the
image of the Deity. In fact, Namdev had, even in his childhood, received
the vision of God and used to consider Lord Vithoba to be his own friend.
He used to be able to freely see Lord Vithoba and speak to him. He was
slowly becoming egoistic as he thought he was dearer to Lord Vithoba since
he was always near him. Jnanadev
and his brothers prostrated before the Deity as also did Namdev. Muktabai,
however, who could read the innermost thoughts of others, saluted the
Lord; but did not do so to Namdev saying, ‘‘Mere staying in the
company of God does not make a man worthy of salute. Namdev does not
deserve any since he has had no spiritual guide as yet.’’ A discussion
took place and finally it was decided to go to Gora Kumbhar, the potter - the
well-known saint - to judge, whether Namdev was a perfect saint
or not. Namdev,
accordingly, went with Jnanadev and others to Gora Kumbhar to the nearly
village, where they found a congregation of other great saints like
Changdev, Rohidas, Chokhamela, Savta. Nobody recognized or paid attention
to Namdev, and he took his place in the crowd. Jnanadev asked Gora Kumbhar
to check and see if the ‘pots’ assembled there were ‘baked’ or
not. So Gora Kumbhar tapped the head of each person in the assembly with
his stick. They all sat without moving except Namdev. When Gora came up to
him and tapped him with the stick, Namdev sprang to his feet and cried out
angrily, ‘‘How dare you hit me with this stick ? Don’t you know
who I am ?’’ Hearing this Gora turned around and said to Jnanadev,
‘‘All are baked except this one.’’ The whole assembly burst into
laughter and Namdev felt terribly humiliated. Then Muktabai stepped
forward and said to Namdev, ‘‘How can one without a Guru have a
place in this congregation of saints ?’’ Greatly mortified, Namdev went back to his Lord Vithoba, and complained to Him of his humiliation. He said that he saw no necessity for himself to have a Guru as he had intimate relationship with Him. Lord Vithoba said, ‘‘Namdev ! you did not really know me.’’ Namdev denied this. Lord Vithoba challenged Namdev and asked him to find out His identity that day. Namdev agreed. Lord Vithoba took the form of a Pathan - horseman and passed before Namdev. Namdev could not recognize the Lord. The Lord then spoke thus, ‘‘Namdev, you are most dear to me. But, it is true that man does not attain perfection except through the grace of Guru,’’ and advised Namdev to adopt Visoba Khechar as his Guru. Visoba Khechar was one of the disciples of Jnanadev and was living at the time at a village called Avandhya. Namdev proceeded to the village immediately and arrived there at about noon. He took shelter in a temple in order to take some rest. There in that temple he saw a man sleeping with his feet on the Deity itself. Namdev was shocked, woke up the man and rebuked him for this sacrilege. The man was no other Visoba Khechar himself. Visoba replied, ‘‘O Namdev, why did you wake me up ? Is there any single spot in this world which is not permeated by God ? If you think that such a spot can be found, kindly place my feet there.’’ Namdev took the feet of Visoba in his hands and moved them to another direction; but the Deity was there. He then moved Visoba in still another direction; but the Deity was there too ! Namdev could not find any direction or spot where he could place the feet of Visoba without treading on the Deity. God was everywhere. Having realized this great truth that God has permeated the whole universe, Namdev surrendered himself to Visoba Khechar. A few days after Namdev had adopted Visoba as his Guru, he was sitting at a place doing his Bhajan. In the meantime, a dog came to the spot and ran away with the bread he had prepared for his mid-day meal. Namdev ran after the dog - not with a stick in his hand, but with a cup of Ghee; and he addressed the dog thus : ‘‘O Lord of the world ! why do You want to eat the dry bread ? Take some Ghee along with it. It will taste much better.’’ Namdev’s realization of Atma was now complete and overflowing. O Sadguru Sainath ! thus it is seen that even the exalted state of God-vision does not fructify into true realization without the Sadguru’s touch of grace. Therefore, O Sadguru, I pray thee to dwell in my heart always and bless me to look upon the whole world as thy form. I pray to thee, Oh the Purifier of the whole world, to inspire me to do noble deeds always. May Lord Sainath, the Omnipotent Sadguru, fulfil all our hearts’ desires ! Blessed I feel as my Sadguru Sainath is always guiding my destiny. Glory be to my Sadguru Sainath ! - Dr. Subodh Agarwal ‘Shirdi Sai Dham’, 29, Tilak Raod, Deharadoon - 248 001, Uttarakhand. Tel. & Fax : 0135-2622810 e-mail : subodhgarwal27@gmail.com |
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