AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Translations of Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji’s daily explanation of Sri Guru Gita on ETV from Datta Jayanthi in Dec 2013 onwards in Telugu

Episodes 1 to 50

Listen to Sri Guru Gita episodes on vimeo:
Observe the parrot from Shuka Vana. Find out of the species it belongs to and make a note.
Visit for photos of parrots and information on the different species.
A parrot first listened to the secret knowledge about Guru while Siva was explaining it to Parvati. Later Sage Suka (Parrot) gave this knowledge to his father Veda Vyasa. It was revealed to humanity through Srimad Bhagavatam and Skanda Purana.

At end of the year 2014 during Datta Jayanthi in December, there will be held a competition.

Episode 1

In life Guru is as important as parents are. For an individual to be fulfilled in life, for his life's journey to be smooth and without any turbulence, for his life's goal to be achieved, Guru's assistance and cooperation are crucial. Guru helps an individual lead a respectable life in society as an honored citizen. He transforms him into a noble and charitable individual. Some who have acquired a certain exalted position in society tend to claim that it was obtained entirely by their own merit and begin to feel that they do not require a Guru. In such instances also Guru exists in them as their own self esteem that has conferred the fruit upon them. Upon proper analysis they can realize this. God, Guru, and Soul are one and the same and bestow success. Guru is a physician who treats the mind. To uplift a disciple, Guru exerts himself to a great extent. In the case of parents, friends and relatives, attachment, bondage and sentiments get in the way of accomplishing this. Guru has absolutely no hesitation in helping the disciple. Socially and spiritually the disciple is shaped into a beneficial and productive citizen. Mother and Motherland would be proud of such a person. Such is the benefit granted by Guru. This secret knowledge of Guru Gita that helps the entire world was taught by Lord Siva to his consort Parvati. In the ashram the chanting of Guru Gita is a constant activity. Swamiji has frequently explained the inner and hidden significance of this work. For generations people have benefited by it. Its teachings apply to all ages and all times. One more time, now let us learn the glory of Sri Guru Gita. May the first and foremost Guru of all, Lord Dattatreya shower His blessings upon all seekers.

Episode 2

Pointers to seekers. People have endless desires. Desires keep emerging as if from an inexhaustible container. But many things desired are also often forgotten. There are mainly three types of desires.1. I am great. My word is great. My wealth is great. Such arrogance is there. I should be everywhere. My words should be heeded. Mine should be the final word. 2. I should be informed of everything. If it is done without my knowledge I will not accept it. 3. I should always be happy. But it is okay if I torment others. Everyone should respect me and do things to please me. But I will not show respect towards others.
When these 3 attitudes are properly analyzed, all desires fall into the flow of three rivers. If the history of desires is studied, it is found that the fire of desire is age old and has troubled man since the beginning of time. Is there anyone who has had all their desires fulfilled? To explore that question, we should know our ancient heritage. This power was achieved by the sages of Indian tradition.That is because they have followed the Guru principle. Even a child knows the meaning of guru, because it naturally follows the guidance and instruction of mother and father. But the strange thing is, even the greatest of scientists and the strictest of seekers sometimes do not grasp this principle of Guru. Mother, father, their instruction and guidance are accepted, but the concept of guru is rejected by many even though they chant the verse, "Gurur Brahma gurur Vishnuhu gurur devo Maheswaraha..". Let us learn why this puzzling situation exists, in the next episode.

Episode 3

As was mentioned earlier, even great scholars and those who have done extensive spiritual exercise are not knowledgeable in the Guru principle. It is not surprising. Mother Goddess Parvati Herself was ignorant of this principle. Who is qualified to teach this? That Supreme Soul alone is qualified to teach this. Such a teaching is this Guru Gita taught by Lord Siva Himself.
It is a feature of human nature to feel that having intensely studied the past history of mankind and of nature, that one feels confident of some definite knowledge. But, like a shadow, a doubt also persists that there is still something that is not known, that not everything has been studied. That yearning remains, to learn more. Man experiences great mental unrest. The suspicion remains that there is still something unknown. It is like an affliction that troubles man.
Regardless of how many branches of sciences there may be, and how expansive and increasingly growing the knowledge in each branch may be, a shadow still remains. It is not all light. More new planets are being discovered beyond the nine planets known to us. More new stars are being discovered. From several light years ago, a new star suddenly appears. That there is more to be learned and discovered is an endless pursuit. This discontent is never gone. The only one who can clear this discontent from the human mind, and can show such a light that is untainted by even a trace of a shadow, is all light and nothing but light, and can lead man in the proper direction to find such a light, is Guru. When our merit comes to fruition and when he accepts us as his disciples, then he becomes our Sadguru. We may consider him as our Guru, but it is more important that He accepts us as His disciples. What if He rejects in spite of all our efforts? We are fortunate if He accepts us.
What is impossible to achieve by our intellectual blossoming, and by our worldly experience, the Guru can help us achieve by showing the way. Without Guru it is impossible for one to experience that flawless perfect Light and it is impossible to satisfy the three types of desires. It is the wonderful result of past merit that a Sadguru enters one’s life. Many who believe that there is a power and a conscious awareness that exceeds human capacity exercise great efforts in trying to achieve it by engaging in various types of spiritual pursuit.
In our country it is more prevalent. Different paths such as yoga, japa, devotion, and such are followed for achieving this end.

Episode 4

We have agreed that it is a wonderful boon and a certain result of past merit that a Sadguru enters one’s life. Many who believe that there is a power and a consciousness that transcend human limitations, exercise great efforts in trying to achieve it, especially in our country, by following different paths including yoga, japa, and devotion. In this effort, differences have sprouted up in traditions, such as followers of Siva, Vishnu, Mother Goddess, and so on. There are innumerable such paths and we do not know where they will culminate. There is historical evidence of severe conflicts between the various sects. That one path is irreconcilably different from another is the impression that comes to mind sometimes. One wonders at the differences in the teachings and procedures followed in the several paths. But is there any one path where one does not follow the precepts of a Guru, or does not remember and bow down before the Guru prior to beginning the sadhana? It may be declared categorically that there is not. Regardless of all the differences, whether they call themselves the worshipers of Siva, Vishnu, Mother Goddess, whether they follow the path of Yoga, or Jnana, or something else, the one common thread that everyone shares is that they are all followers of a Guru. It is an inescapable fact that Guru has to be remembered, followed, and honored. In the name of Siva, Vishnu, Devi, Yoga, or Yaga, they are all in truth worshiping Guru alone. Whether their Guru’s lineage begins with Narayana or Sadasiva, the fundamental root is always Guru. Guru is the same as the Supreme Soul. Without uttering “Sri Gurubhyo Namaha” (I offer salutations to revered Guru) no Vedic practice can commence.

Episode 5

Harihi Om Tatsat. We concluded that all spiritual paths ultimately converge in the path of Guru. Mother Goddess Herself questioned Lord Parameswara, the highest Lord as to who Guru is, and how to serve Guru. He, whom we have chosen as Guru, is compelled to give an answer to the disciple when thus questioned, whoever He may be. Hence, Siva was compelled to answer Parvati’s question, asked in the presence of an assembly of great sages. This was a dialogue between the foremost couple.
For the very first time the Guru who has brought the Guru principle to mankind is Lord Dattatreya. He is the one who has laid the foundation for the highway called Guru. That Guru is crucial in life was taught by Him. He is guru to all gurus, even to the gods themselves. He is at the root of the lineage of Gurus. He is the foremost Guru. We offer Him our prostrations. He has earned the title ‘Gurumarga pravartaka’, being the one who has first constructed the Guru Highway. Later Sage Vyasa has propagated this principle in the Puranas, in the Skanda Purana, as the dialog that took place between Siva and Parvati and named it as Sri Guru Gita. When the first couple, the First Mother and the First Father engaged in their private conversation inside a cave, the chick inside the egg heard the entire secret about the Guru principle. When the conversation was finished, the egg broke and the fresh parrot chick emerged. Siva had asked Parvati earlier whether the cave was empty. Parvati checked and declared that there was no one present. An egg is not considered as a living being. The parents of the chick had flown away earlier anticipating danger to their lives. This chick heard the entire conversation from inside the egg. After hearing the dialogue it was born. Siva noticed the chick and questioned his wife in surprise. Parvati said, “Please do not direct your angry glance at it, it is innocent. It was not even born during the dialogue. It has emerged from the egg just now. The chick was born by Your grace.” This same chick later propagated in the world the Bhagavatam and the Guru Principle. Adi Shankara, the founder of the system of the six spiritual paths (Shanmata), brought this Guru Principle into limelight much later.

Episode 6

Sage Vyasa, while propagating the Guru principle of Lord Dattatreya, in Skanda Purana mentions the Sri Guru Gita, as a dialog that took place between Siva and Parvati.
Later on Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of the system of the six types of spiritual philosophy and worship, extolled the glory of Guru in many different ways. The one and only rare path that is successful in satisfying the three types of desire mentioned before, that are impossible for anyone in the entire world to fulfill, is the path of following the Guru principle. It is obvious that it is a most difficult path. It is easy for those who follow it steadily. For those who attempt to follow it and then give it up, it is a path that is hard to follow. How to find Guru? How to serve Guru? How to please Guru? How to meditate upon Guru? How to worship Guru? Many conditions are stipulated. Intense devotion, steady concentration, great effort, and unwavering faith are required to follow this path.
When any new subject is taken up for study, first the foreword has to be studied to find out as to the general subject that the book covers. Then the Table of Contents will reveal the topics that the book deals with. It is only when you approach it systematically that this sacred scripture that deals with Guru can be properly studied and understood. Sri Guru Gita describes the Guru principle in detail following this sequence.
It is impossible to win the grace of Guru unless constant motivation, firm determination, and sustained interest are present in practicing with discipline, the spiritual exercises, focused contemplation, proper performance of rituals, and attentive, careful, and loving service. Those who have undertaken training in nursing, I call them angels, unless they show a sustained interest in their profession of service they will not achieve success in their occupation. Such an opportunity to serve is not granted to everyone. Not everyone has the aptitude for such types of service occupations. Some may be disinterested. Some may feel repulsed. Some may be lazy. Some may lack the patience that such an occupation demands.
Whatever single detail of knowledge is required to serve Guru efficiently has been clearly explained by Lord Siva to His consort Parvati in Sri Guru Gita. Sri Adi Shankara has clearly mentioned that. The way Lord Siva has disclosed the entire secret, Adi Shankara has also explained. How to choose Guru is the first topic that we will address.

Episode 7

Following Guru is a tough task. All the intricacies involved in it have been explained to Mother by the Father of the Universe without skipping any detail. When he disclosed this information to Mother, it is as if He has disclosed it to the world. Are we competent to choose Guru? We are deceived by the strange colors of clothing, the various bead ornaments, strange markings on the body with ash or vertical lines on the forehead, matted hair or a long beard, and run after such people assuming them to be enlightened. We do not know what they have to offer. Generally people in this world do not have matted hair or long beards. But to grow them requires no deliberate effort or investment. They grow on their own. People chase after such people. Those people in turn take advantage of such gullible followers and rip them off. We are ill equipped to know who truly is Guru. We do not know whom to choose as Guru. Upon the recommendation of many, or fooled by a large following, we go after someone and hold on to their feet. It is our karma. The first requirement is that we should become competent in choosing Guru. Choosing Guru is serving Guru, offering personal attention and service, such as attending to the personal needs and giving assistance. People think that serving Guru involves massaging Guru’s feet or washing his clothes. The fact is that you simply cannot choose Guru. How would you determine whether one is enlightened or not? Can you determine by the outward appearance? Can you determine by the people who follow him? A first grader wanted to ascertain whether he had a good mathematics teacher or not. He asked him whether he knows all the multiplication tables from 1-100. The teacher confidently said, yes. The child then asked him to recite them. The man did. But the child did not know whether the numbers were correct. So he asked another elderly person standing by whether the teacher was saying them correctly. The elder endorsed that the person knew the tables. But the child was not convinced. He did not know the subject to determine for himself. He was suspicious whether the other man was competent in the subject. He did not have faith in the words of the stranger. How will the child judge the competence of his teacher? With his limited knowledge, it is impossible for the child to gauge the competence of his teacher. Based on the confidence with which the teacher repeated the tables, and based on the love that he showed towards the child, the boy slowly began to place his faith on the teacher. You have to understand this concept very carefully and clearly. Only then you will be able to follow what is to come.

Episode 8

Because of that faith, he studied attentively and became proficient in Mathematics. This we understand. Because the teacher recited the tables with great confidence, the student became convinced of the competence of the teacher, and was inspired. The student, when he becomes proficient in Mathematics, realizes that his teacher not only is knowledgeable in the 100th multiplication table, but has a good grasp on the entire subject of Mathematics. The childhood impression that he had, that the 100th multiplication table is great knowledge, he now realizes was very immature. Similarly, it is impossible in the field of spirituality, for us to gauge on our own, the greatness of Guru. Like that youngster, generally, seeing some evidence in Guru, and following the example of spiritual seekers who are more advanced, some people choose their own Guru. Even here, there are some problems. By seeing certain miracles, the grandeur, the skillful oratory, and the extensive propaganda, many people get fooled. Oh, so many followers, of so much of publicity, and such riches! People become falsely impressed by these. Then what is the exact proof? First of all, why do we need Guru? One should first and foremost have the yearning to find the light that is not touched by a shadow, to satisfy the three fundamental desires that we have mentioned before. Only when such a thirst is present within you, and the search for guru begins, and association with some good souls occurs, then at some particular point, you will experience an extraordinary peace inside your heart. It is only when you are filled with an eagerness for finding a spiritual Guru who is enlightened, that the possibility occurs that a competent Guru who is none other than the Supreme Soul, will enter your life. We are on a search for Guru. We are exerting a serious effort with devotion and sincerity to find someone who has experienced the highest knowledge and we are eager to savor it ourselves. Then Guru will certainly come into your life. When that happens, in His presence you forget all the turmoil that is in your life. When you see that individual, when you experience the tremendous energy that permeates his presence, an inexplicable peace, and an indescribable joy is experienced. The undisclosed fear within the heart concerning our problems is replaced by the confidence that our problems will be overcome. Let us look at an example.

Episode 9

We were discussing as to how Guru may be obtained. We have established that at some particular point during your life’s journey, while you are in the association of some good souls, you will experience extraordinary peace inside your heart. An indefinable joy is experienced. In His presence you forget all the turmoil that is in your life. Confidence is gained that you can overcome all problems. When you see that individual, you feel a sense of intimacy with him, a feeling of love that he belongs to you, that he is a family member. Your fear is gone, and you feel assured that he can remove all your troubles. When you experience such a feeling, when your attention becomes focused on that person, you may recognize and feel certain that He is your Guru. His presence automatically infuses you with peace and joy. That form, that personality, gives indescribable joy.
Narada performed penance and felt convinced that he had conquered desire and ***. Vishnu questioned him as to the location where the penance was performed. Narada replied that it was where Siva had burnt Kama, the God of Desire to ashes. Vishnu said, “The tremendous energy that permeates that location granted you the perfect sense control while you were there. The sense control that you had experienced there has vanished now. Away from that spot, the restraint no longer exists. You must maintain that self-control throughout, wherever you may be.”
Guru is very difficult for you to recognize. Guru himself comes to you. You, with your limited mental capacity do not possess the ability to identify Guru. But from this statement stems a type of obstinacy, a false argument in some people that you should simply remain at ease without making any effort on your part, since Guru will come to you on his own regardless. Such complacency should not be entertained. It is wrong. The reason is that the ocean of compassion, the Supreme Soul Himself, the first and foremost Guru, takes on innumerable forms to suit his disciples who are all of very different natures. Not every form is suitable for everyone. Not every circumstance where he manifests is applicable for each one’s individual experience and situation.

Episode 10

OM. Obeisance to Sadguru. “Since he is anyway going to come, why should we make any deliberate effort to go in search of Guru?” It is a false argument put forth by some, who are nothing but lazy. The reason is that out of His infinite compassion the foremost Guru assumes innumerable forms to suit the innumerable differences in his disciples. Not all of the forms are suitable for you. Not all of them are useful for you. Only some of those are of use to you. While you are still preparing to qualify for Guru, the Sadguru who is a match for you will be within proximity but will not reveal himself to you until the right time comes. It is only when you become eligible that his presence will become disclosed. All your evil ways should leave you. That yearning that burns within you which makes you search for Guru with eagerness and zeal, qualifies you to receive Guru in your life. You have not remained complacent and idle. Only when your heart is pure, attentive, committed, calm, devout, gentle, earnest, knowledgeable, and sincere, you become eligible to find Guru. It is not enough if you simply close your eyes and tell yourself that you are seeking Guru. He, who has all along been close to you, then becomes recognizable in your heart. If you assume that since Guru has entered your life, all your troubles and responsibilities are at an end, that you do not have to worry about children or other obligations any more, you have made a huge mistake, and you will take a big toss. Yes, you have climbed a huge step. You have in fact reached the next higher level. But you are still on the edge. It is easy for you to slip and fall. Now a certain peace and calm have entered into you. Because of the spiritual zeal and agony with which you have searched for Guru, you have now found Guru. You now feel a certain respite and solace. Your thoughts are more at ease now. Your sense organs have earned some strength and courage. These are the benefits you have acquired by the entry of Guru into your life. But because you have now become free from fear, your grip on your sense organs may loosen. Because of that, all the suppressed worldly desires may once again raise their heads. Your lack of self-restraint may resurface. You must not relent in your tough determination in your pursuit. If your intellect becomes relaxed, your mental frailties will once gather strength. If you think, “Sadguru is there now to take care. Why should I continue with my efforts and why should I struggle anymore? I can now behave as I please. I do not need to follow strict austerities. Now that Guru has taken charge of my life, let me eat what I want, let me talk as I please, let me indulge in entertaining myself as my heart desires,” you are going to invite big trouble upon yourself. Only if you remain as disciplined, as austere, and as self-restrained and committed as you were, while you were anxiously searching for Guru, only then, you will be successful. Otherwise you will not.

Episode 11

It is possible for the devotee to forget the purpose for which he has taken refuge with Guru in the first place, after seeing the glorious form of Guru. It is natural that once the divinity of Guru is experienced, the feeling comes that now Guru should be used to satisfy all worldly desires. The original purpose of earning spiritual knowledge and merging with the Supreme Soul is often forgotten.
The disciple is given the task of counting the heaps and heaps of gold. Regardless of who it belongs to, he is given the job of counting it. He is tempted to pocket a few fistfuls. That he has been brought here in the first place to perform the divine task of counting the gold is forgotten. The thought comes into the mind, “Why can’t Guru give me a part of the heap of gold that he possesses?” The feeling comes into the mind that worldly desires can now be fulfilled by the absolutely pure and perfect Sadguru’s immense power and grace. In spite of coming into the divine presence of Sadguru, the fundamental aim is forgotten and is replaced by the desire to enjoy worldly pleasures. There are many people who reach this stage and then slip and suffer a downfall.
As if this is not enough, Guru’s tests commence at this point. As soon as Sadguru is seen, the list of desires surfaces in the mind of the disciple. Desire wreaks havoc in his mind. The sense that he has obtained this immense boon of obtaining Guru, and a chance to obtain spiritual knowledge, is wiped out. The disciple now worries that he may forget to ask Guru for this or that worldly favor, and so recites the entire list of wishes in the presence of Guru on the very same day. That is the weakness suffered by many. He fails to recognize his blessing that he has earned Guru‘s grace.
The disciple begins to think, “Yes, it is true that there is much happiness in my heart since Guru has entered my life, but my troubles at home have increased since then.” With this thought some people leave their Guru. ”I used to be moderately healthy before. After I started taking this medicine, my health has deteriorated,” Is the complaint of some disciples. Such people use this excuse to leave Guru. The reason that the symptoms that were hitherto suppressed have now become severe is because the infection, the toxic contamination that has been hiding inside is now being taken out, being expelled, by Guru.
For example, if you kiss a dirty silk garment and carefully store it inside, it is not going to become clean. It will get clean only if it is washed with a cleaning agent. Similarly, a lump of gold is not usable as it is. Only if it gets repeatedly purified in fire, it will be possible to make ornaments with it. If because the fabric is pure silk, you do not wish to wash it, or because it is gold, you refuse to apply heat to it, they will forever remain dirty and impure.
Guru subjects disciples to tests to remove the dirt that is inside them. Not knowing this, and not wishing to undergo such tests, some people leave Guru. The severity of Guru’s tests is exemplified in the example of Deepaka in Datta Purana. Several examples are given of tests administered by Sadguru. The more he tests, the more the disciple gets purified. How much heat should be applied to retrieve the purest form of gold! Do you know? How can you be satisfied by being left as dirty and impure gold? Several stories are there to explain this.

Episode 12

As we mentioned yesterday, Datta Purana explains through the story of Deepaka how severe the tests of Guru can be. Similarly, the story of Aruni in the Mahabharata gives another good example. These two stories give us good illustrations. Not everyone can withstand the tests of Guru the way Deepaka did. Instead of passing successfully the tests given by Guru, many fools in this world interpret the tests of Guru as flaws they see in the Guru. These are people who attribute their failure to the incompetence of the teacher. Such people change their minds and go in search of a different and better Guru. People begin with the idea that Guru is Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva and in fact the Supreme Soul. They consider Guru to be the giver, protector, mentor, friend and relative. When they are subjected to tests, these people do not wish to be bothered by them and decide to change Guru. They change Guru as if they are exchanging merchandize in a store, or shifting to a different rental property. Is it possible? You tell me. Changing Guru is like changing one’s parents. Many people are there who make such a change and speak about it with confidence, that this new Guru has a large following and he is also a good speaker. When they get the idea that they should seek a better Guru, such an intention itself sows the seed for their absolute downfall. Swamiji is giving you a caution. However many mistakes you commit, Guru accepts, but, once you entertain the thought that you should switch Gurus, you may rest assured that in this entire lifetime you will have to remain without any Guru. Changing Guru is meaningless. It should never happen. Before deciding on Guru, you may deliberate a hundred times. But having chosen your Guru, you must never waver in your decision. Swamiji has given you some pointers to follow, regarding how to recognize Guru. Moreover, beforehand you must decide in how many ways you wish to test Guru. Only after performing all such tests, you make the final decision that he is the Guru for you. Give yourself time. I have told you that as soon as you see Guru, his tests will begin. At this stage you do not have to make your firm decision. After undergoing some tests, you decide whether you have the strength, no matter how severely he wishes to test you, that he will remain your Guru. Take your time in making your decision. But once the decision is made by you, there is absolutely no question of reversing it. You simply do not have the right to change your mind about Guru.

Episode 13

We have said that you can take your time to decide about Guru after much deliberation. But once you have made your decision, you have no right to reverse the decision and reject your Guru. Until you make your decision, Guru will not accept you as a disciple. You have to explicitly state that you have accepted this Guru. Your own mind is your witness. Once this mutual agreement is made, Guru will never leave you. There is mutual trust between the two. Neither of them can break the bond. Even if you reject his help, Guru, whose compassion is immeasurable, will still follow you lifetime after lifetime to rescue you and protect you because of the worship that you had offered him earlier, and the trust that you had placed in him to begin with. He has to fulfill the boon that he had granted you earlier. The story of Bhadraseela in Sri Datta Darsanam stands as a proof for this. One can listen to this story any number of times.
Once you accept a Guru, if you reject him and accept another Guru, you will be the loser at both ends. You cannot escape it. You must remember this. The story of Devendra proves this point. Indra’s position is earned by the performance of 100 Asvamedha yagas, and great penance. As long as that merit is preserved, the position lasts. But despite reaching such an exalted state, many have fallen from the position by committing mistakes. Indra once accepted Brihaspati, the Guru of the gods as his Sadguru. Under his guidance he was able to suppress the demons and he ruled his kingdom in comfort. After some time had elapsed like this with no disturbances in his reign of the three worlds, Indra’s mind got diverted towards sensual enjoyments and luxuries. There was no anxiety about any attacks from the demons. There was no fear of war. There was no demand for any effort and there was no fear. Many people maintain their health only when they remain in a state of fear. Indra had everything going very smoothly. He had plenty of prosperity. But now his mind was drawn towards pleasures. When one has too much wealth, there will be no inclination to engage in charity, or to help the needy. The coffers will be full and overflowing and that will naturally lead to extravagance, and lavish and wasteful spending for bad habits and addictions. Let us see what the future holds for such persons.

Episode 14

We were discussing the story of Indra. In that story, we learned that Indra was living very happily and comfortably in his kingdom. His mind then turned towards sensual pleasures. What happens to people when they become wealthy? They lose all their wealth in gambling, in consuming liquor, in various vices and evil habits. Similarly, one day Indra in heaven was absorbed in witnessing the dance and relishing the pleasures given by the Apsaras, the celestial maidens. At that time, while Indra was intoxicated with arrogance and immersed in the enjoyment of pleasures, his Guru Brihaspati came there. Devendra ignored his presence. There is no greater misdeed than ignoring the arrival and presence of one’s Guru. Observing this, Brihaspati left in fury. No one knew where he went. It was impossible to trace his whereabouts even through deep contemplation.
Indra got very angry at Brihaspati that he arrived at an inopportune time without any advance intimation, and also that he left so unceremoniously. ‘When I was immersed in my pleasures, he came in. Even after seeing me, he left without accosting or greeting me. Is this the proper behavior for a guru and a respectable individual?” Indra was seething with displeasure at the behavior of Brihaspati. Indra regarded him only as a minister and a priest. He forgot to acknowledge that Brihaspati was his Guru. Brihaspati was giving him guidance and advice as a minister. Hence, Indra treated him only as a consultant, an astrologer, and as a fixer of schedules of important events, and as a casual counselor. He never treated him as Guru should be treated. In truth, one who has been accepted as one’s Guru should not be used for such petty services. It is not fair. It is not proper to treat him like an ordinary consultant. Guru is extremely special and exalted. There are many qualified professionals who can set dates for marriages and house warming ceremonies. It is wrong to ask Guru for approval of such dates. Guru is extremely powerful and competent in releasing one from bondage. He brings about a transformation in an individual. Indra forgot that Brihaspati was his Guru. Because of this misdemeanor committed by him, Indra lost all his acquired merit. There is no need to elaborate on this. All the accumulated merit and good fortune gets melted away the moment one rejects Guru. It goes without saying that Guru should not be ignored under any circumstance. He should never be treated or spoken of lightly. It must never be said complainingly, “My Guru predicted something, but it turned out differently.” Your line of thinking should be, “What if he had said something different, how much worse it would have been for me.” Guru’s statements should be analyzed from different angles with the conviction, “It is for my benefit that he spoke such words. My Guru, who knows all past and future lifetimes of all individuals, knows what is best for each one at any given time.” Even Indra, who was so knowledgeable, suffered the fate of losing all his glory because he treated his Guru with disrespect.

Episode 15

We have learned that because of rejecting Guru, Indra had lost all his power. The demons observed this and decided to wage war against him, considering this to be an opportune time. This reminds us of the story of Emperor Nala, who once neglected to wash his feet properly with water, and Sani (Saturn) at once seized the opportunity to enter his life. One should never perform an incomplete job of washing one’s feet. Troubles will always be waiting in the wings to approach us the moment we fail to watch our actions. The demons saw that Indra has now become weak, having lost the support of his Guru, who with his power would have crushed the wings of the demons had they attempted to attack Indra. Now Indra has no one to give him proper timely advice. As if by the influence of Saturn, Indra met with defeat at every step, in his war against the demons, because of the absence of Guru in his life. Indra, in his bad judgment decided that since Brihaspati had left him, he will go ahead and look for another Guru and priest who is even greater than Brihaspati. It was after all my decision in the past to choose him. He began his search. Arrogance builds up due to position. Indra became egotistical. Some people act foolishly out of ignorance also.
Tvashta, a Prajapati, for certain reasons married a demon maiden named Rachana. They had two great sons, Roopa and Viswaroopa. Indra approached Roopa and requested him to be his Guru. Roopa gave good advice to Indra that changing Guru is detrimental both to Indra and to the new Guru, should he accept the request. “Your request is inappropriate, Indra. Changing Guru will bring you misfortune. The right approach is to plead with Brihaspati to forgive you and to be your Guru once again. Are you greater than Brihaspati, that you are displaying such arrogance? If you are greater than your own Guru then why do you need another Guru? One must never change Guru. You confess to your Guru that you have underestimated his glory. Do not hold your own arrogance and your sin as higher than the power of Guru. You are making a mistake. You must not change your Guru. I must not accept your request.” Indra then approached Visvaroopa.
There are those in this world who will not heed good advice. They will not attempt to understand the logic behind the good words. They say, “How do they know my plight? They do not understand.” They get angry at people who give them good advice. They feel slighted when their request is rejected and fail to consider the reason or justification for the good counsel that has been offered to them. Their line of thinking goes like this: “I gave you importance and asked you to be my Guru. Who are you to tell me that my action is wrong? If you do not wish to oblige me, simply say so and that is sufficient. Who are you to offer me advice?” Let us see what happens next.

Episode 16

What did Indra do? He left Roopa and went to Viswaroopa. Roopa had offered sane advice to Indra which was rejected. But Viswaroopa had a different and a strange personality. He had three heads, while Roopa had only one head. Lord Dattatreya has three heads, but here this individual was a human with a demonic quality and sported three heads. With one head he constantly consumed meat, with the second head he consumed liquor, and with the third head he continuously chanted the Vedas. It was very strange indeed. By wrapping a silk saree on a pig can one make it look beautiful? While eating meat and drinking liquor, if one chants the Vedas, is it of any use? He felt flattered that he was being given the opportunity of being Guru to the gods themselves. He also had a grudge against his brother. Now that Indra himself had approached him with the request, he felt happy that he got a chance to get even with his brother. As his Guru, Viswaroopa had Indra perform several sacrificial rituals. In one of them he also had Indra invoke the presence of Lord Dattatreya and earned for him His grace. Well and good. In addition, Visvaroopa initiated Indra into the Narayana Kavacha so that he would be blessed with victory in battles. Visvaroopa had great love for his mother, who had much loyalty towards her parents. Secretly, in all the religious rituals, Viswaroopa was arranging for a portion of the fruits of the sacrifices to be distributed amongst the demons. Outwardly he was having the deities perform great rituals, and as a result, his fame increased amongst them. That was quite natural. Let us see how his popularity is going to diminish soon.

Episode 17

Because of the insistence of his mother, Viswaroopa secretly began distributing a portion of the fruits of the sacrificial rituals (yajnas) to the demons, while outwardly having the gods perform the rituals for their own benefit. The performance of so many wonderful yajnas by the celestials made Viswaroopa famous amongst them. Indra, on one hand began to resent the popularity that his Guru was enjoying amongst gods, demons, and humans, whom he had brought into limelight from obscurity. On the other hand he was unaware of Viswaroopa’s deception. One day, by the help of Narada, Indra learned of the secret goings on and understood the reason for his guru’s fame. By receiving the fruits of the rituals, the demons were now gaining strength. In a fit of rage Indra cut off the three heads of Viswaroopa as if he were swatting mosquitoes, without any consideration that he happened to be his Guru. Will the sin of killing Guru spare Indra? Guru was also a brahmin. The sin of killing a brahmin also accrued to him. In the meantime the demon Vritrasura began harassing Indra. Indra, who now lacked the support of Guru, was unable to withstand the attacks. One Guru he dismissed. Another Guru he slaughtered. Now he had no help. Under dire circumstances, he somehow managed to obtain the Vajra weapon by the grace of Sage Dadheechi and managed to kill Vritrasura. That is a very big story; a beautiful story. The sin of killing yet another brahmin befell him. Chased by the effects of these atrocious sins, in fright, Indra ran away from heaven and took shelter inside a lotus stalk within a pond. Like a small insect he remained hidden inside that narrow stem for ten thousand years. Nahusha, in the meantime became the new Indra. While hiding inside the stalk, Indra spent his time in intense prayer. Perhaps misfortune has its benefits. Many people, when they are beset with troubles caused by their own karma, out of desperation begin studying the Guru Gita, and the Bhagavatam. They memorize them. They chant the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Sri Lalita Sahasranama, Sri Lalitha Trisati, and they try to learn the meaning of these prayers. Let us also study one more time, the meaning of Sri Lalita Trisati that we had learned earlier. During that time Indra composed several Indra Kavachas. He composed prayers addressed to Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Dattatreya also. Let us once again chant the Lakshmi Kavacham. Like this, many wonderful prayers came into existence while Indra remained inside the lotus stalk.

Episode 18

We have learned that, deprived of the strength of Guru, Indra was unable to bear the effects of the sins of killing brahmins, and hence ran away from heaven and took shelter inside a narrow lotus stalk where he spent 10,000 years composing and continuously singing innumerable prayers. Indra could have easily avoided this great calamity. To this day we remember and chant the prayers composed by him, such as those addressed to Lakshmi, Datta, and other deities. Nahusha in the meantime became Indra, the Lord of Heaven. See what plight Indra had to suffer because he rebelled against Guru? Because of the merit earned by presiding over all the sacrificial rituals performed under the guidance of Viswaroopa, and because of the merit earned by composing and chanting the innumerable prayers, Lord Dattatreya appeared before Indra inside the lake where he was hiding, and disclosed to him the truth which Indra had yet not realized, that the root cause of all his suffering was that he blamed and rejected his Guru Brihaspati. Indra was fortunate that Datta gave Indra the clue to get over his predicament, “You knew that no one has the right to change Gurus as if exchanging vegetables. You were blinded by your arrogance. See how low you have had to fall because of your ego? People who keep switching their loyalty towards Guru, incur curses, and seek the shelter of other Gurus can never escape this kind of a terrible downfall which results from sin. Because you have sung my praises, I have appeared before you. But still, even if you surrender to me now, you will not be spared from the degradation caused to you by your rejection of Guru Brihaspati. Since you have blamed and rejected your original Guru Brihaspati, and you have caused him intense grief, regardless of how much penance you perform, and how many deities shower their grace upon you, your situation will not improve. The one and only means by which you can atone for your sins is to perform deep penance with unwavering devotion addressing your Sadguru Brihaspati, and to beg and plead with him fervently to forgive you for your sins. Only the Guru whom you have hurt and discarded, he alone can wash away your sins and can uplift you.” By his immensely compassionate nature, Datta blessed Indra with the strategy for overcoming his dire situation. Up until now, there was no one else who cared to show Indra the way out. Let us see how Indra, who has now realized his mistake, uses this knowledge to make amends, and what the future holds for him.

Episode 19

Indra realized the truth and meditated upon his Guru Brihaspati as per the instruction given by Lord Dattatreya. By the grace of Lord Dattatreya, Brihaspati appeared before Indra. Indra was under the false impression that Brihaspati had concealed himself somewhere. As a matter of fact Guru is all-pervasive. He does not go anywhere. That is the secret of the Guru principle. In truth Lord Datta and Brihaspati are one and the same. Lord Datta, who knows this secret, summoned Brihaspati, and he at once came and stood before Indra. Had Indra alone begged for Brihaspati to come, he would not have come. Because Lord Datta intervened and helped Indra, Brihaspati came. Because of his repentance, his intense penance, and the exhaustion of the effects of his past bad karma, Brihaspati cleansed Indra of his sins and restored to him his past glory. By the command and grace of Datta, and by the prayers of Indra whose eyes were now opened to his own past mistakes, Brihaspati gave Indra back his power and grandeur. When one as great and powerful as Devendra could have suffered a fate such as this, it requires no mention how vulnerable the frail and weak-minded humans and other gods are. During the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya as Sri Narasimha Saraswati, a similar incident occurred. A spiritual aspirant, displeased at the short temper of his Guru, left him and approached Sri Nrsimha Saraswati. Many people mistakenly criticize that he, who cannot control his own temper is not eligible to be Guru. Sri Narasimha Saraswati gave the seeker some good counsel and explained that each individual gets the Guru that he deserves, and sent him back to his previous Guru. God determines Guru for each person, he said, and the disciple has no right to find fault that his Guru has either a short temper or that he is frivolous. The story of Trisanku is a good example. Under no circumstance should Guru be changed. Similarly, one cannot have two or three gurus, one for the morning, one for the evening, and for the holidays. Gurus are not restaurants that one can visit a different one each week and as per wish order a different item from the menu each time, such as masala dosa, etc. One should have only one Guru. You cannot have one Guru for explaining scriptures, one Guru for singing songs, one Guru for performing rituals, and so on.

Episode 20

It has been stressed that under no circumstance should one change the Guru and also that one cannot have more than one Guru. The question arises whether holy persons who are not one’s Guru are not great souls worthy of reverence when they come into your life. Yes, all great souls are worthy of reverence and worship. You must offer them service when required. See them all as different forms of your own Guru. You must accept the truth that Guru appears in many forms. You must adore and worship them, no doubt, but it is not acceptable that you should treat them as Guru and follow the principles or practices that they teach. What your Guru has instructed is the only path for you to follow. Once you decide to follow the precepts of one Guru, you should never receive instructions from other gurus, regardless of the worth and eligibility of the other great souls. You should only follow what your Guru has taught you. If what the others teach is in accordance with the teachings of your own Guru, there is no conflict and you can appreciate the similarity. It endorses that they also think along the same lines as your own Guru. But if there is any difference in the principles taught you must never say, “Oh, my Guru has failed to teach me this, or oh, someday perhaps my Guru will also teach me the same thing, there is nothing great about this person.” One feeling expresses your ego, and the other sentiment is baseless.
To a true seeker, every single atom in Creation is Guru. Avadhoota has 24 gurus according to the Datta Purana. When any teaching from another guru differs from what your own Guru has taught you, such teaching should be rejected. Guru determines the instruction that is suited to each disciple, and customizes his teaching. That is where a spiritual seeker has to be extremely careful. That is the significance of the 24 gurus mentioned in Datta Purana. One must be very careful in following the specific instruction given to each disciple.
When a great soul enters your life, serve him as if he is another form of your own Guru, but never consider him to be yet another Guru in your life. Such a thought must never arise in the mind. It is only under circumstances where your Sadguru gives up his physical form, leaves for penance to some faraway place such as the Himalayas on an extended stay, or when he himself directs you to follow another Guru, that you are allowed to accept another Guru. This should be done only when there is absolutely no chance for you to follow your own Guru in the rest of your lifetime. As long as you have your Guru, you should only follow his precepts. This is ordained and endorsed by the scriptures. You must not receive any initiation or yantras (ritual diagrams or images) from other gurus.

Episode 21

We have learned that when you have a Guru, you are not permitted to receive initiation, advice, spiritual images or talismans from other gurus. This is as per the direct counsel given by Lord Dattatreya to Lord Indra on the day he appeared before him (when Indra was hiding inside the lotus stalk). He had given this same instruction to King Kartaveeryarjuna also.
Some people express the doubt whether this tradition of following Guru applies more to the followers of Siva or to the followers of Vishnu. The answer to this question has already been given during our earlier discussion. But does it really matter? In the early part of the Guru Gita, because it says, “Sivaya Gurave Namaha” some persons wonder whether this teaching belongs primarily to the followers of Siva. But in verse 141 it says, “Sachchidananda roopaya Krishnaya klesaharine
namo vedanta vedyaya gurave buddhisakshine.”
It is believed therefore that this instruction also belongs to the worshipers of Sakti because this came as an answer to the question posed by the Mother Goddess to Siva. However, one may question why in this scripture, in several instances Siva is referred to as Guru. The primal reason is that Siva is giving this discourse to His consort Parvati. This clarifies that for a woman, the husband is the foremost guru. When the husband is not eligible to be the guru to his wife, then both the husband and the wife should together seek initiation from the same Guru. Even then, Guru gives the initiation to the wife only through the husband, only after inquiring about the identity and whereabouts of the husband. Guru always honors that hierarchy. This is the tradition. Grace flows to the wife from Guru only through the husband. To make this point clear, it is shown that Siva, the husband of Parvati, is her true Guru.
There is another reason. Guru is easily pleased and grants boons quicker than any other deity. Siva, amongst all gods is the most easily pleased. He grants favors speedily. That is why in this scripture, Siva is presented as Guru. What is wrong in that?
The undivided Consciousness, by the turmoil caused by Maya (illusion) became split into two, as Nature and Soul (Prakriti and Purusha). Nature in turn divided itself into the three Gunas, Satva, Rajas, and Tamas. Consequently, Creation with name and form came into existence. In this Creation, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, Devi and other deities came into being for performing the functions of Creation, Preservation, Destruction, and so on. Brahma began creating the Universe using Rajo Guna, the creative force. But he found to his displeasure that the people who were being created were slipping gradually into Tamo Guna, ignorance. Out of deep concern, to rescue his children from their plight and to uplift them, Brahma decided that an antidote for this had to be invented. He gave the issue some serious thought. The antidote had to raise their consciousness above and beyond the three Gunas. He dedicated his attention towards this mission. He at once stimulated the intellects of his mind-born son Atri, and his shadow-born son Prajapati. This was done through contemplation alone. Let us see what the result of his effort was.

Episode 22

At once Brahma stimulated merely through mental vibrations, the intellects of his mind-born son Atri, and his shadow-born son Prajapati. The marriage between Atri and Anasuya, and the birth of Lord Dattatreya, the embodiment of the Trinity were a result of this action. The story of the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya gives direct proof that the Guru principle transcends the three Gunas. We are all familiar with the story of Datta. We are all asked to study the story of Datta as a ritual for seven days or for 40 days. Therefore, this Guru principle is close to all traditions and is not in conflict with any. Lord Dattatreya is the fundamental principle who is at the root of all subsequent different philosophies which have evolved. Hence, whether knowingly or unknowingly all those who meditate upon Guru contemplate on Lord Dattatreya who is the form of the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, as they chant, “Gurur brahma, gurur vishnuhu gurur devo maheswaraha …”
When these philosophical ideas are presented, some of you may express another doubt. The impression is entertained by many that in life a Guru should be approached only when all worldly desires have been satisfied, and when one is ready to renounce all involvements. Another false notion of some people is that Guru should be sought only after retirement, and that once a Guru is accepted, one has to give up everything, or will lose everything and will have to become a sanyasi. This is a mistaken idea.
Why are we engaging in this discussion? We began with the premise that the countless desires that we experience stem from three basic desires which each individual wishes to fulfill. You may think that today you have only this one desire. Not just from this lifetime, but since innumerable past lifetimes you have been entertaining a multitude of desires. Some people adhere to only one desire through many consecutive lifetimes. Such a persistent single desire is tantamount to penance. But we do not follow that trend. We forget the old desires and come up with new desires each time. God in His compassion, has to satisfy all of our desires, and as a result we are forced to be born over and over again to experience the fulfillment of all such desires. Hence, it is better not to entertain any desires. You have heard the story of King Kartaveeryarjuna. It is the ultimate example of one who got all his desires fulfilled. If you study the history of Datta you will understand. Is anyone capable of asking for any greater boons than what Kartaveeryarjuna had asked for? Guru’s compassion granted him all his desires and bestowed even more boons upon him. Worship of Guru is the best worship. There are several different austerities and rituals of worship. But the facility with worship of Guru is that it is superior. Other manners of worship procure for you only what you ask for. But with worship of Guru you not only have all your worldly desires fulfilled, but you gain benefits that you had not even imagined. In addition, without your knowledge, your intellect develops towards the understanding of higher spiritual truths. That is why, although Kartaveeryarjuna approached Guru with a desire for kingdom, he ended up by climbing the spiritual ladder up to the level of becoming merged with his Guru. Even though he began with worldly desires, he did not simply remain at that level.

Episode 23

Compared to other spiritual practices, the method of following Guru offers a great advantage. The other pursuits grant only what you wish for, nothing else, and nothing more. In addition to satisfying your worldly desires, without your awareness your intellect will soar towards higher realms, and more than what you had ever imagined will be your reward when you follow Guru. The worship of other deities bestows only the boons that you ask for, whereas Guru, while he gives you what you desire, also grants you liberation. That is why, Kartaveeryarjuna, who approached Guru initially with a desire for kingdom, step by step rose to the highest spiritual level.
Swamiji is initiating all of you into this Guru Gita with the hope and desire that in addition to fulfilling all your desires, it would also open the doors to your blissful inner consciousness, the existence of which you never even imagined. He is not only initiating you into this teaching, but he is also sharing with you all the secret inner meanings contained in it. You are indeed very fortunate and blessed. Utilize this great beneficence and fulfill the purpose of your lives. Wishing for your welfare, for the satisfaction of all your wishes, and for granting you an experience of bliss, by meditating upon Guru Lord Dattatreya, he is now going to begin this spiritual journey.
We have to learn the detailed meaning of the verses that lead us into the contemplation of Guru. Before commencing any good deed, one should remember Guru. Since we are going to be discussing the Guru Gita, an act that is unsurpassed in the world for its merit, let us begin with the contemplation of Guru. The foremost Guru of all is Lord Dattatreya. He embodies the Trinity. Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, and Guru is Siva. All Gurus who follow in this lineage are all also embodiments of all the three. Without question, Lord Dattatreya is the ultimate Supreme Soul. We offer him our prostrations.
In this context, let us learn how Guru Veda Dharma blessed his disciple Deepaka. It is an important incident in a short story. In the olden days, Deepaka, the disciple of Guru Veda Dharma believed that Guru was all in all. He believed that all deities resided in his Guru. When Siva and Vishnu appeared before him and offered him boons, Deepaka remained unmoved in his dedication to Guru. For possessing such intense devotion, let us find out what immense grace he received. Assuming that Deepaka’s devotion to Guru was not genuine, the other disciples created obstacles in every single effort of his. It is natural and commonplace that when one is trying to rise high, others try to pull him down. Afraid that Deepaka may rise to dizzying heights by the grace of Guru, the rest of the disciples tried their level best to drag him down by placing hurdles in his path of devotion to Guru. Let us see what happened after they managed to drag him down.

Episode 24

We learned that the rest of the disciples of Veda Dharma considered Deepaka’s devotion to be fake and caused him innumerable obstacles in his service to Guru. Regardless, Deepaka remained constant in his devotion to Guru. In fact, he strengthened his faith in Guru. Veda Dharma recognized this. He resolved to shower his grace upon Deepaka as well as on the other disciples by demonstrating to them the greatness of Guru.
The very next instant Veda Dharma’s appearance changed completely. All of a sudden he became afflicted with leprosy. All his disciples felt repulsed at the sight and were unwilling to go near him. Veda Dharma saw this. He assembled all the disciples and said, “I can cure myself by my powers. But I do not wish to do so. I want to experience the balance of my karma in this lifetime itself. My desire is to spend some time in Kasi. The reason for this meeting is to say that one of you must go with me. I am going to Kasi. I have this horrible disease. No one amongst you likes to come near me. I know that you are all feeling bad about this situation. Hence, I do not wish to remain here. I will go to Kasi and continue my penance there to get rid of this affliction. One of you should go along with me to attend to all my needs and to serve me whether I am well or ill. I will need timely administration of medicines and regular dressing of my wounds. There will be a lot of work. It will be good if one of you accompanies me. But there is one condition. You are aware of my short temper. You must withstand my angry outbursts. You have to patiently serve me in every way without minding my irritable nature. Who will accompany me to Kasi?”
His appearance was so repulsive and he was stinking so wretchedly that no one felt like even taking one step towards Veda Dharma. It was impossible to even exchange a word with him. At such a time, Deepaka came forward and said, “Gurudeva, I will go with you. I request to be given this wonderful opportunity of serving you. Please grant me this blessing.”
Veda Dharma agreed and took Deepaka along with him and reached Kasi. Once they reached Kasi, the disease worsened. Guru had said that in Kasi he would cure himself, but the very same day that they reached Kasi, the symptoms became severe. Guru's tests are like that. Pus and contaminated blood oozed and the stench became unbearable. Deepaka served his Guru night and day without showing any impatience, tiredness, or displeasure. Veda Dharma kept expressing his irritable nature at every juncture, despite the sincere services rendered by Deepaka. Deepaka ignored all the scolding and complaints and continued to look after his Guru twenty four hours a day, being alert to his needs every moment. Let us see how far this service to Guru continued.

Episode 25

Deepaka continued his dedicated service to his Guru without any boredom, and without taking a single break. Veda Dharma continued to show his irritation towards him, not only in private, but in public as well. He reeled off a list of false complaints against his disciple to all the outsiders, blaming Deepaka for lack of patience, short temper, lack of respect and regard, negligence, and incompetence. Deepaka was blamed if he ever stepped out. Guru was tormenting Deepaka but gave the reverse impression to others that he was being ill-treated by his disciple. The more his Guru complained, the more Deepaka loved him.
Deepaka’s fame spread to all the four corners for his sincerity, patience, and unwavering devotion to Guru. People spoke, not about the Guru, but about the disciple who, in spite of the stench that extended over the entire street, tolerated it, and served his Guru with steadfast love and extraordinary care.
Even Lord Viswanatha of Kasi learned about Deepaka’s exemplary service to Guru. He stepped out from the Jyotirlinga (in the temple) and stood before Veda Dharma’s hut and lovingly called out, “Deepaka!”
Deepaka responded to the call with a pleading tone, “O Lord of all the worlds, please lower your voice. My Guru is resting. Please do not disturb the peace here. I prostrate to you, please do not disturb my Guru’s sleep.” Visveswara (the Lord of the Universe) felt extremely pleased with this reply.
He said, “Deepaka, I am thrilled to learn of your devotion to Guru. I am offering you a boon. Name your wish.”
Deepaka responded reverentially, “O Lord, I am grateful to you beyond measure for your compassion. I do not require any boon. You please speak with my Guru. Unless he bids, I take no decisions. Without his suggestion, I will not ask for anything. You please wait outside until he wakes up.”
Lord Siva got angry at Deepaka’s arrogance that his offer of a boon was being dismissed so lightly. He said, “I am giving you one last chance. Will you accept my boon or not?”
Deepaka begged, “O Lord of the Universe, please do not be angry. Under no circumstance will I ask for any boon without the approval of my Guru. After he wakes up, as he commands, I will act. I never act on my own accord. No matter how angry you may get, it does not matter.”
Lord Siva, feeling insulted, said, “If that be the case, I am not going to leave you alone. I will keep watching you.” He proceeded to see Lord Vishnu and appeared before him, vowing to see to the end of this matter.

Episode 26

Lord Siva, angry at Deepaka that he rejected his offer of a boon, vowing to continue to observe his attitude and to continue to subject him to tests, went to Lord Vishnu and remarked to him about the extraordinary and unique level of devotion Deepaka has for his Guru. “I have been observing him for a while. It would be good if you also take a look at him,” persuaded Lord Siva. Vishnu’s interest was stimulated with these words of praise, and he also wished to see Deepaka. At once he appeared at where Deepaka was located. He lovingly called out, “Deepaka!” Overwhelmed with joy at the sight of Lord Vishnu, Deepaka prostrated to him reverentially. Lord Vishnu offered, “Deepaka, your devotion to Guru is indeed commendable. Name your wish. I will grant you the boon.” Deepaka repeated the same words to Lord Vishnu, as he had spoken with Lord Siva. “O Lord, my Guru is sleeping. After he wakes up, I will consult with him and then only express my wish.” Lord Vishnu got very angry and left, unable to do anything else.
Veda Dharma called out, “Deepaka!” Deepaka went to his Guru. Guru asked him, “Who were you conversing with? I have been listening to the noise that was created. It has been disturbing my sleep. Who were you chitchatting with?” Deepaka explained in detail the visits of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu, and their offers of boons.
Guru asked, “What did you say to them?”
“I told them that until I consulted with you, I would not express any wish.
“Why did you say that? Why did you not ask for any personal favor?”
Deepaka responded devoutly with closed eyes, “O Guru, you are my Siva. You are my Vishnu. I desire only the boons granted by you. Whatever you bless me with is the greatest boon for me.”
When he opened his eyes, Veda Dharma’s leprosy had completely vanished. His body glowed in perfect health. He looked at Deepaka and exclaimed with compassion and showered his blessings, “Your faith in Guru is exemplary. That is why you were blessed with the darshan of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu. Whoever remembers you with reverence will be freed from difficulties. Their prosperity will increase. Their faith in Guru will strengthen. You remain right here in Kasi. By my grace you will acquire all spiritual accomplishments (Siddhis) and you will become proficient in all branches of knowledge. All the celestial energies (Siddha Ganas) will follow your command.” Deepaka received immeasurable grace. It is said that there is a temple built in Kasi in honor of Deepaka.
This shows how generously Guru showers his boons upon a disciple who fully and firmly believes in him. Guru administers many tests. He creates many doubts and temptations in the mind of the disciple. One should withstand and conquer them all.
Deepaka was intelligent. He could have asked Lord Siva for any boon or a boon such as, “Cure my Guru’s disease.” Or, he could have asked Lord Vishnu, “Free my Guru of his affliction.” He did neither of those. He was adamant that no one other than his Guru could grant him any boon.
Deepaka acknowledged the greatness of the two Lords and knew that they were gods of gods. Yet, he firmly believed that he would accept only the boons granted to him by his Guru and no one else. He knew that even for his Guru they were gods. Still, they were not his gods. For Deepaka, his Guru alone was God. He would not receive any reward from any other god.
We have seen until now, how Deepaka declared his firm faith in Guru by rejecting boons from anyone else other than his Guru.

Episode 27

Verse 1: I offer my prostrations to the Guru lineage, beginning with Lord Dattatreya, continuing with countless incarnations such as Sri Narasimha Saraswati, proceeding all the way to my present Guru in the form of Sat, Chit, Ananda.
One must commence with this prayer:
Now, the method of absorbing the energy of the Gu Ru mantra by way of inhalation and exhalation while meditating upon Guru through the Guru mantra, is being explained.
Verse 2: Venerable Guru, who is – the cause of the Universe, the form is the Universe, the occupant of innumerable physical bodies, ever free, of countless forms, the cause of all, undivided, filled with Consciousness, whole and complete, endless, beneficent, directly manifested in the syllables Gu and Ru, and eternal, should be meditated upon in the lotus of one’s heart that has been purified by the revolution of the two swans, Hamsa and Soham.
This is the gist of the dhyana sloka (verse for contemplation)
It is evident to all that we live by breathing in and out. Like inside a furnace, with inhalation and exhalation energy is generated, and that immeasurable energy that is created flows through all the internal organs and helps us to live. The swan symbolizes breathing. Air goes in. The air that is breathed in does not come out unchanged. It enters the heart, purifies the blood inside, undergoes a change and then comes out. Therefore, the swan that goes in is different from the swan that comes out. These are the two swans. We exist because of the swinging action of these two swans. One swan is called Hamsa. The other swan is called Soham.
Gu Ru is the divine mantra consisting of two syllables. These syllables are the direct, comprehensible form of Guru. When these two syllables are linked to the two swans and breathing in and out is performed continuously absorbing the mantra into the heart, it is called Ajapa Japa. To the one who performs this without break, in addition to the ordinary heart, the yoga heart that is located on the right side also gets cleansed.

Episode 28

We have learned that the technique of Ajapa Japa links the breath which is in the form of two swans, continuously with the two syllables Gu and Ru, thus absorbing the Guru mantra into the heart. In the individual who practices this without a break, in addition to the ordinary heart, the yoga heart that is located on the right side also gets cleansed. To the one who contemplates on Guru as the manifestation of the two syllables of Gu and Ru following the Ajapa Japa method, the Guru out of his own accord reveals himself. Such meditation is the best kind.
How does Guru manifest himself? Does he appear in the form of a human being or a celestial being? Does he appear with a beard, or with a shaven head?
All the descriptive phrases used in the above verse explain Guru’s supreme status. Guru appears as the Supreme Master. The Universe consists of names and forms. Guru is the cause of the Universe. The Universe emerges out of Guru. Hence, the entire Creation is His form. The substance of ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces and rings made of gold is essentially nothing but gold. The pieces of jewelry are all different forms of gold. Similarly, the countless forms that Guru possesses are all essentially the same substance as he.
Some people keep a small picture of their guru and refer to it as their Guru. It is not right. All forms are Guru’s forms. That conviction must be followed and practiced. It is not enough if it is verbally expressed constantly. The principle must be kept in mind all the time. For normal worldly interaction a photo may be used as a reference.
We must observe one significant fact. We do not always enjoy complete freedom. We do not even have the freedom to die at will. It is not in our control. Why go that far? We have no control over our own nature or Nature. For that matter, we do not have control over our mind. The mind insists on dwelling on a thought even if we will against it. Where do we have the freedom to control the mind? It acts as it wishes, against our commands. Whatever we wish to forget, keeps coming back into the mind, including even in dreams. The mind does more and more of what we do not wish for it to do.
But, Guru is not like that. He is absolutely free. He is completely in control of his mind. He has the option of letting his mind function freely, or otherwise. We lack that ability. He can perfectly control himself. Any life he can control. He can bind it or free it as he chooses. Not just that. He keeps this entire Creation under his control. How is it possible? It is possible because Guru is the Universe. We have already described him as the cause, and the form of this endless Creation, and that his form is Bliss. He permeates the entire Universe. He is not limited to one picture or one substance. One should keep contemplating on the concept that Guru is in all forms, all substances, all photographs, and all images. Guru must never be restricted to just one image or one form. Guru is all-pervasive. He can manifest in any form and at the same time he can remain without appearing in any form.

Episode 29

We have learned that Guru is absolutely free. He can completely be in control of himself. He can keep this entire Creation under his control. How is it possible? It is possible because Guru himself has taken form as the Universe. He has the power to permeate this entire Universe and to control it. Because he possesses these attributes, His form itself is bliss. He is a mass of joy. That is why those who follow and worship him obtain pure, unadulterated bliss. Such bliss is the same as goodness which is auspicious, complete, endless, all-pervasive, and eternal. Let us understand this clearly. The scriptures have a phrase to describe this quality. It is “Akhanda chidghanarasam.” That is Guru’s unequivocally true nature. When Guru is contemplated upon with the Guru mantra, he reveals himself in his real principle. Guru mantra is the only means for achieving this. Now, it is being explained why Guru has to be meditated upon.
Verse: Namami sadgurum …
I bow down my head and worship Sadguru who is, ever peaceful, the manifested form of the giver of goodness and bliss (Siva), and fixed on the seat of Yoga, for the attainment of Liberation.
Sadguru is described as the actual manifestation of Siva. Here, Siva does not denote the common meaning. Siva means goodness and bliss. Siva also means liberation. All delusions and illusions get eliminated there. They all simply get extinguished. The karma of all lifetimes gets eradicated there. Such Guru should be contemplated upon. Where should he be seated while he is being contemplated upon? On top of the head, in the lotus of the Sahasrara, the seat of Yoga he should be placed and meditated upon. Why? It should be done to fulfill that one desire. Which desire is it amongst the billions of desires that we entertain? Someday all the desires have to be fulfilled. Someday all desires have to end. How long does one go on generating desires? After the fulfillment of every single desire, it is realized that it is not the end of all desires.

Episode 30

We have learned that billions of desires may be entertained by us. Whatever desire it may be, someday it has to end. When all these desires are fulfilled, we will realize that it is not the end of desires. A new desire sprouts up. It suffers the same fate. Each and every desire gets satisfied, dissolved and extinguished. It will not remain forever. One by one as each and every desire gets fulfilled and destroyed the very final wish that we entertain will be the desire for liberation.
It only happens after the fulfillment of each and every desire. You will not entertain the same desire again and again after it has already been satisfied. As long as the snake charmer is enticing you with the hissing snake inside the basket, you are excited and have the curiosity to see it. But once you have seen what is inside the snake charmer’s basket, after you have heard the hissing, and your curiosity is satisfied, you no longer feel interested. You move on. But until then, although you know that there is a snake inside the basket, and you know what it looks like, you still have the wish to see it. One day the curiosity of the snake and the snake charmer will wear off. At that time if another snake charmer comes your way, you will no longer show any interest. This same process applies to every single desire until you reach the final desire for liberation, which is freedom from all desires. Thereafter there is nothing left to be satisfied. To achieve this end, this freedom from desires, Guru needs to be contemplated upon.
When a great treasure is coming your way, would you be hankering after small change? You certainly would not. For the benefit of those who are unable to do the highest type of meditation, they are now teaching us how to contemplate upon Guru who is in an ordinary (human) form.
Verse: Pratassirasi …
Every morning upon waking up, visualize a white lotus with a thousand petals upon the head. Visualize Sadguru seated inside the white lotus flower. Visualize clearly in the mind’s eye, his feet, and eyes, hands showing the gestures of protection and beneficence, and his peaceful countenance. You should have a very clear mental picture of his feet, his eyes, his hands, his hand gestures indicating protection and invitation, as well as his entire presence. That form should become fixed in the mind where he is inviting you to approach him and is offering you protection. Let us proceed ahead.

Episode 31

Every morning upon waking up, a white lotus with a thousand petals should be visualized upon the head. Sadguru should be visualized as being seated inside the lotus. While doing this, the name of Guru should be chanted. In the mind’s eye, Guru’s feet, eyes, and hands showing the gestures of protection and beneficence, and his peaceful countenance should be visualized. It should be believed that Guru encompasses everything, as if he manifests as the entire Universe. When you see a cow, all the deities should manifest in it. Similarly in Guru all divinities should be visible. Every single moment this thought should be preserved. Guru’s feet should be washed with pure water and it should be felt as if that water is flowing down all over you, cleansing you from top to bottom, inside and out, of all impurities. Visualize it as a flow of nectar that is clearing away all the dirt. This is a yoga procedure. When this is done, in that very instant along with all the impurities, the Rajo Guna and Tamo Guna will also get washed away from the spiritual seeker. Both the gross body and the subtle body get purified of all sins. Like clear crystal, the spiritual aspirant will feel absolutely clean. Every morning this exercise should be performed. This is an excellent process. We have already said that the Guru’s feet, eyes, and hands should be visualized. The reason for doing that is given in the following verse:
Verse: Teerthaani …
In the right foot of Guru all sacred pilgrimage centers and holy rivers are contained. His face is itself the Veda. When his face is visualized, the fruit of having chanted all the Vedas is obtained. His feet and hands are permeated with the nectar of immortality. By the mere glance of Guru and the touch of his hands, that nectar of Yoga flows into and is absorbed by the devotee. This should be remembered again and again.

Episode 32

By the mere grace of Guru a rock turns into a precious gem; Iron turns into gold; Poison turns into the nectar of immortality; a fool becomes a genius; an ignorant person becomes enlightened. That is why the elders urge us to find the proper Guru. A mute person, meaning one who is ignorant although he may be articulate, will become brilliant. Many declare that although they have no poetic talent, after contemplation they suddenly have become very productive and creative. Suddenly poetry begins to flow from them like a fountain. When Guru’s face is visualized, and when Guru’s grace is granted, immeasurable spiritual accomplishments are attained; the fruit of having chanted all the Vedas is obtained. Guru’s feet and hands are permeated with the nectar of immortality. By the mere glance of Guru and the touch of his hands, the nectar of Yoga flows into and is absorbed by the devotee.
Once, Guru Dhaumya’s glance fell upon Upamanyu, his disciple. Let us learn this story. There are several stories that I am going to skip. But let us hear this story.
During the reign of king Janamejaya, Guru Dhaumya had two disciples. Of them, Aruni was very sharp and quick at learning. He grasped all the knowledge taught by his Guru, graduated, and left. Upamanyu was very dull witted and slow. He did not learn a thing. One day he received the grace of Guru Dhaumya. Guru decided to make Upamanyu bright as a gem.
Guru Dhaumya called and asked Upamanyu, “Have you had your meal?”
Upamanyu answered, yes.
“From today you have to begin minding the cattle. You have to take them grazing in the forest.” Upamanyu agreed and herded the cattle. After a long time he returned. Dhaumya was surprised to see that Upamanyu showed no signs of tiredness. On the other hand, he looked very fresh and radiant. Guru asked Upamanyu, “You have traveled a long way. And yet, you look very relaxed and energetic. What makes you so fresh and contented? “
“O Guru, I went home and then went out to collect food as alms. I have eaten that food.” Let us see what the food contained and what happened next.

Episode 33

Upamanyu followed his Guru’s command. We have learned that Upamanyu was dull witted. He was asked to begin minding the cattle. He had to take them grazing. Upamanyu agreed and herded the cattle. After a long time he returned. Dhaumya was surprised to see that Upamanyu showed no signs of tiredness, but looked fresh and radiant.
Guru asked Upamanyu, “You have traveled a long way. And yet, you look very relaxed and energetic. What makes you so fresh and contented? “
“O Guru, I went from one house to another to collect food as alms. I have eaten all that food. My stomach is full. Hence, I am contented.”
Guru said, “Why did you eat all the food yourself? Why did you not share it with me? Hereafter, whatever food you collect, you must give it all to me.”
Upamanyu obeyed Guru’s command and since then, daily he offered the food that he collected, to Guru Dhaumya. Days went by. Day by day Upamanyu grew more and more stout and heavy.
Guru thought, “I have told him to give all the food to me and he has been doing that. Still, he is looking so well nourished and happy. What could be the reason?” He was puzzled.
One day he asked Upamanyu, “What makes you so well-fed and strong in spite of giving away all the food to me?”
Upamanyu replied, “Whatever food I collect in the first round of begging, I am offering to you. Whatever I get when I go for a second round, I have been consuming.”
Dhaumya on one hand was amused at Upamanyu’s cleverness, and on the other hand felt sorry. He told Upamanyu in an angry tone, “Whatever food you collect from begging, regardless of how many times you go out to beg, all the food must be surrendered to me. If anyone voluntarily offers you food, that food also must be given to me. You may eat food only upon permission granted by me.”
Upamanyu accepted the command. Upamanyu followed the austerity of strictly following the orders of his Guru.
Still, Upamanyu appeared well-rounded and well-nourished. He did not lose even an ounce of weight. Dhaumya was surprised at this. He said, “Tell me the truth. What are you doing? I expected that you will begin to lose weight and become thin. But that is not happening. What are you up to?”
Upamanyu confessed, “I have been drinking the milk from a cow.”
Dhaumya thought about it. If he now tells Upamanyu to offer him whatever he milks from a cow, he may open up another bag of tricks. So he ordered, “You have to stop doing that altogether. You are forbidden from drinking cow’s milk.” Let us see what happens next.

Episode 34

Guru Dhaumya asked Upamanyu, “In spite of giving away to me all the food that you collect, you are still looking smooth and stout. Tell me the reason.”
Upamanyu said, “There is no special trick here. I have been drinking cow’s milk.” Dhaumya thought, if he now tells Upamanyu to offer him whatever milk he obtains from a cow, he may come with some different strategy. So he ordered, “You are forbidden from drinking cow’s milk.” Days went by.
After several days Dhaumya saw Upamanyu again and saw that there was absolutely no change in him. He questioned him, “What are you doing to remain so fat?”
Upamanyu said, “After the calves have finished drinking all the milk, whatever foam remains, that is what I am consuming.” Since there were hundreds of cows, the foam alone would perhaps fill two pots.
Dhaumya was totally losing patience. Yet, he controlled his anger and intolerance and said, “From today onwards I forbid you to touch any type of food.” He could have said this to begin with. He had not anticipated that Upamanyu would resort to all kinds of strange tactics to circumvent his orders.
Since that day Upamanyu did not touch any food. One day he took the cattle grazing in the forest. He was absolutely starved. All the stored food in his body got exhausted. He became thin. He was unable to withstand the pangs of hunger any longer. He somehow managed to wait until sunset. Thereafter, he lost his self-control. In desperation, without even realizing what plant it was, he tore off some leaves from a tree and was about to consume them. As he was doing so, the milky sap from the leaves spilled and fell into his eyes. He at once became blind. They were the leaves of the white arka plant. Unable to find his way, Upamanyu fell into an abandoned well.
Dhaumya became concerned when his disciple did not return with the cattle. He wondered if Upamanyu, unable to follow Guru’s impossible commands had absconded with the cows, wishing to eat to his heart’s content elsewhere in a different country.
Guru became very anxious because his love for the disciple was boundless. He did not send any other disciple to go looking for him. He himself set out looking for Upamanyu, calling out his name loudly. It was dark and to add to it, it began to rain heavily. After some time, Guru heard Upamanyu’s voice, “O revered Guru, I am inside the well.”
Guru said, “I am unable to find my way in this darkness. You please offer prayers to the Aswini twins (celestial physicians). Guru already knew exactly what had happened.
At once Upamanyu began chanting, “Stotum …

Episode 35

Guru Dhaumya became very anxious that Upamanyu had not returned. He himself set out in the dark looking for Upamanyu, calling out his name loudly. It began to rain heavily. After some time, Guru heard Upamanyu’s voice, “O revered Guru, I am here, inside this well.” Upamanyu explained to Guru what had happened.
Guru said, “Do one thing. Offer prayers to the Aswini gods (celestial physicians).”
At once Upamanyu began chanting, “O Aswini gods! You are known for granting several kinds of boons. You know that being ignorant I am not even qualified to sing your praises. I have lost my eye sight and have fallen into this well. I am seeking your refuge. By your grace, I will regain my sight and get out of my predicament. Please protect me.”
The Aswini deities appeared before Upamanyu pleased by his prayers. They said, “Upamanyu, we are very pleased with the devotion to Guru shown by you. Here, eat this fruit. Earlier, your Guru’s Guru ate one such fruit without first offering it to his Guru. Likewise, you too eat this up without first offering it to your Guru. Only then, your vision will be restored.”
Upamanyu’s mind rejected this proposal. He had been commanded by his Guru not to eat anything offered to him by anyone. So he said, “O gods, please forgive me. I have to abide by the orders given to me by my Guru. I will not eat this fruit if I am not first allowed to offer it to my Guru. It does not matter if I remain blind.”
The Aswini gods were happy with the devotion to Guru shown by Upamanyu. They restored his vision without his having to eat the fruit. Then they left.
Upamanyu, who could now see, gladly climbed out of the well and fell at the feet of Dhaumya. Dhaumya realized that his disciple had now been transformed into a gem and within an instant granted him the knowledge of all the Vedas and Sastras. By mere touch Upamanyu absorbed the highest spiritual wisdom.
Guru had placed a condition that Upamanyu should not accept food from anyone. When the Aswini gods offered him a fruit, it was a gift given to him by them. Hence, Upamanyu refused to accept it, although the Aswini gods justified his eating it by citing the example of Upamanyu’s own Guru’s Guru accepting a gift without first offering to his Guru, and tried to persuade him to eat it. In spite of it Upamanyu remained firm in his resolve. He regained his sight nevertheless and by the grace of Guru won the tribute from him that he has now been transformed into a precious gem. He also became the recipient of all the knowledge of the scriptures.
Step by step Guru turns a disciple into a precious diamond. What is most important for the disciple is to have firm faith in Guru. It should always be remembered that maintaining devotion and faith are in themselves a great penance.

Episode 36

Verse: Apadamauliparyantam …
Beginning with the feet all the way up to the head, the form of Guru should be visualized. By doing so, all obstacles and hurdles in the path will be removed, and desires will be fulfilled. Your glance must first fall on Guru’s feet. Guru’s first glance must fall on the disciple’s head. Spiritual knowledge will first be transmitted into the head. The reason for offering obeisance by bowing down the head is that. It is not necessary to remain with a lowered head. Once Guru’s glance falls on the head, it is sufficient. Step by step, the glance of the disciple should rise from the feet, to the stomach, chest, hands, neck, and head, taking in every detail, of his footwear, clothing, garlands, and ornaments worn. After this visualization, after seeing the feet first, the head should be raised to look at Guru’s face. This is the proper procedure for contemplation. Hereafter follow this gradual sequence of careful observation. Learn this method. Every time you see Swamiji, his footwear must be noticed. Each type of footwear carries a unique significance. Suddenly he will appear wearing some different type of footwear. It is not because he is afraid of thorns pricking his feet. There is a special reason for his selection of wooden padukas, rubber slippers, or even going barefoot. On one occasion he wears red clothes, and on another occasion he wears ritual clothing meant for performing austerities. One day he just wraps himself in a lightweight towel and has only a T-shirt on. One day he wraps a saree and is decked in all types of ornaments and decorations. All these must be carefully observed. For the mind to get a firm impression of his form, it is asked that Guru should be meditated upon with all such various minute details. What type of footwear is worn conveys a particular message and hence, this detail must be noticed. What he will wear on which day of the week, or for which specific occasion is unpredictable. By each of these symbols he wears, it is as if he is conveying to us an unmistakable command. Which deity he has invoked into himself on a certain day and which deity on that day is permeating the earth with a special influence, is indicated by what Guru wears. It also shows what exact benefit he is intending for us by wearing certain special outfits. To know what mantra he is chanting continuously, it is important for us to contemplate upon his form very carefully with clear scrutiny. His selection of clothes, footwear, and ornaments is never random. They are not things that he has grabbed in a hurry and has put on himself. Sometimes, when a pair of sandals is offered to him, he rejects it and requests for a different pair. He says, I will not wear this. I will wear that. It has a special meaning.
Some people visualize Guru by starting from the head and step by step going down towards the feet. This is very special.

Episode 37

Some people visualize Guru by starting from the head and going down step by step towards the feet. This is another method. However, it is not acceptable for the attention to hop from one part to another part of the form of Guru in a haphazard manner, like a monkey. One must not look at Guru in this manner (while in his direct presence either).
Prior to commencing any worthy task, the proper complete visualization of the form of Guru should be performed. If it is done, impediments will not occur and the aim will be accomplished.
For the study of Guru Gita there are prescribed hand gestures to be shown and different parts of the body to be touched (Anganyasa and Karanyasa) prior to commencement.
The importance of this scripture and its essence may be assessed by us by considering the context in which it came into being. This Guru Gita, which explains the essence of Guru Principle came into being in the form of a dialog between sages Suta and Saunaka as they discussed the conversation that took place between Siva and Parvati.
The work begins with the interaction between Sage Suta and other rishis who were in the company of Sage Saunaka.
Verse: Guhyad …
Once upon a time, Saunaka and some other sages addressed Sage Suta with their plea: “O Sage Suta, Guru Gita is full of essence and is yet undisclosed. We are eager to hear it and we pray to you to kindly initiate us.”
Why is this considered secret knowledge? Even the Bhagavad Gita is referred to as being undisclosed information. This is said to be top secret. Similarly, the one thousand names of Lalita are also referred to as a secret collection of divine descriptive names. Our sacred scriptures often use this term secret. Does it mean that it is the intention of our celestial seers to keep this information undisclosed? Is it something like a trade secret? No. Not at all. The real secret knowledge, the unknown principle, is God. That divine principle is fully explained here. That is what is meant by its being secret.
Verse: Kailasa …
Upon hearing the request of the sages, Sage Suta felt happy that he is being given an opportunity of sharing this precious information with those sages who have the eligibility for hearing it. He spoke thus:

Episode 38

Soota uvacha:
Verse: Kailasa …
Upon hearing the request of the sages, Sage Suta felt happy that he now has an opportunity to share the knowledge of Guru Gita with sages who have earned the eligibility to hear it. He spoke thus: “O Sages, one day upon the beautiful peak of Mount Kailas, Parvati offered reverential obeisance and posed a question to her husband, with the intention of helping devotees.”
We may wonder why Sage Suta is engaging in this preamble, instead of directly broaching the subject matter. Prior to initiating the sages into the Guru Maha Mantra, he is first contemplating on the lineage of Guru. In this manner Guru is meditated upon. By mentioning the prominence of the location where this highest of all mantras was delivered, the immense power of the mantra is indicated.
Earlier, Parvati had taught Hayagreeva the procedure for Sri Vidya. Similarly now, Lord Siva is teaching Parvati the Guru principle.
Parvatyuvacha –
Verse: Namaste …
Mother of the Universe Parvati prayed, “O God of gods, Lord, the higher than the highest, the Universal Master, Supreme Siva, I offer my prostrations. Please initiate me into the worship of Guru. I surrender my mind to you with complete devotion.”
Verse: Bhagavan …
“O Lord, you are knowledgeable in all aspects of Dharma. You grant happiness to all, O Master. Therefore, you are addressed as Sambhu. Please teach me the greatest amongst all austerities. Out of immeasurable compassion, please teach me the Guru principle,” requested Mother Goddess.
Mother is asking for that which excels everything else in greatness and power. She is suggesting that she is seeking that over which nothing higher exists.
The question may arise whether energies are of different levels. The channels through which energy travels may have varying capacities, but are there greater and lesser energies?
Let us wait for the Lord’s teaching.

Episode 39

We have learned that Mother Goddess is asking for that which excels everything else in greatness and power. The question arises whether energy is of different types. The channels through which energy travels may have varying capacities, but are there greater and lesser energies? No. Energy is all the same. That is the absolute truth.
When we observe the goings on in the world, it is noticed that all efforts using energy are put in to either gain selfish ends or to cause pain to others. When mild (Satvic) food is consumed, the behavior is mild. For example, an elephant eats mild food and its actions are gentle. Its energy may be channeled to perform actions that are gentle. Observe a tiger. Its food is obtained through cruel means and what it eats is harsh. Therefore, we see that its energy is useful only to cause harm to other creatures. Of these two, neither is capable of sharing its energy with the other.
In this world such is the nature of energy of all beings, including that of the gods. Whenever energy is shared with others, it happens only with a selfish motive. Energy is expended to get personal requirements satisfied. Any use of energy that is contaminated by the touch of selfishness has to be considered impure.
Only Sadguru’s energy is spent with total unselfishness and total unblemished compassion. Hence, it should be recognized as the highest type of energy. Mother Goddess has asked in the first part of the verse to grant her that type of pristine energy.
In the second half of the verse, she is more specifically asking to be taught the principle of Guru.
She is praying for initiation into the means for attaining the highest and the purest form of energy. She is requesting to be taught the principle of Guru. Mother Goddess is also describing the goal that she aims to achieve by the grace of Sadguru.
Verse: Kena ..
How does Man, who has occupied a human body become one with God? He has to become saturated with divinity. But how is it possible? He may become absorbed into death, but how does he become merged with God?
Let us see how it can be achieved.

Episode 40

Verse: Kena margena ...
“O Lord, how does man, who occupies a body, become one with God? O Lord, I prostrate at your feet. Please shower your grace upon me. What is the method by which an ordinary man, who inhabits a body and experiences the results of his karma, becomes merged with the Supreme Soul while still residing in the body?”
Is there any greater or more powerful transformation than that, than for man to transcend his human nature and turn into absolute divinity?
We do not know how it has happened, but this body has come to us. What is body? Since happiness and sorrow, heat and cold, cycles of karma, and series of births occur because of this body, it perhaps may be stated that all these constitute the body. All pains and pleasures are experienced by the body and hence, they all may be described as the body itself.
But, when the soul, which is none other than the Supreme Soul, descends into a body, should it not be aware that all these experiences belong to the body and not to the soul? Should it not retain the knowledge that the soul is not the body? The soul that enters the body begins to identify itself with the body and as a result subjects itself to all kinds of miseries.
When you feel, “I am this body, I am this nose; I am these ears; these hands and feet are mine; and this stomach is mine”, of course, all their pains become your pains. When you keep thinking, “Me, me, me”, it is natural that when troubles come, you will keep thinking, “They are mine, they are mine, they are mine.”
“Oh, why did I get into this difficulty? O God, how will I endure this pain? How will I free myself from this misery?” If you experience and express such pains, it means that out of your affinity and love for the body you feel that your body should be spared from all such discomforts. If the pains are felt by you, it means that you are experiencing them as your own pains. You are under the delusion that you are the body. Hence, the pains are experienced by you as your own pains.
“Is there no way to identify myself with God? Is this pain unavoidable? Is there no way out of this? Should I continue under this illusion that I am the body? Should I keep claiming this pain as mine? Even if I do not intentionally say so, are you making me say it? Is there not a way to escape this? How to be rid of this illusion? Is there no way for me to regain my identification with the Supreme Soul? O Lord God, Please grant liberation to this being. I offer my prostrations at your feet. Please show mercy upon me.” Mother Goddess is offering prayers.
Mother Goddess is here repeatedly praying to the Lord. Just like humans who keep asking Guru, “O Guru, you still have not given me.” “What do you want?” “I asked you the other day. You still have not given it to me. Please give it to me.”
Mother Goddess is repeatedly falling at the Lord’s feet and is begging Him. Does it mean that the Lord has forgotten? No. He is not being reminded nor is he being subjected to demands. That is not what it means. That is the way to pray.
Mother Goddess is here speaking as if she has also fallen into the delusion of identifying herself with the body. We may wonder why she is behaving like this. Has she also fallen into the delusion (Maya) that she is the body? It is not correct to think like that.
Mother Goddess knows that it is only when she also behaves like the rest of us, that the Lord will disclose to us the secret in its entirety. By this we understand what immense compassion Mother Goddess has (towards us).

Episode 41

“Is there no way for me to regain my identification with the Supreme Soul? O Lord God, Please grant liberation to this being. I offer my prostrations at your feet. Please show mercy upon me.” We heard that Mother Goddess was thus offering prayers repeatedly, pleading with the Lord.
Mother Goddess is speaking as if she has also fallen into the delusion of identifying herself with the body. Mother Goddess knows that it is only when she also behaves like one who has become victimized by delusion, that the Lord will openly disclose the secret in its entirety. The Lord will then feel, “If Mother Goddess herself has begun to feel this way, I have no option but to reveal to Parvati the secret process by which liberation may be attained.” When the Lord speaks of the method, the discourse is heard by all the assembled sages in a subtle manner. That all of us should benefit by this teaching, and that all of us should transcend this illusion, Mother Goddess has appealed on behalf of all us. We do not have the capacity to behold Lord Siva, who is the Supreme invisible energy. She has seen him. She is the Mother to all us. She has recognized our plight and knew the only way by which this knowledge could be extracted from the Lord. She has immeasurable compassion towards us. Hence she pretended as if she were also drowned in delusion like the rest of us. She has done this entirely for our benefit. She has expressed her question in a pleading tone. She has clearly stated her desire and the purpose of her questioning. The Mother of the Universe has demonstrated to us the way an ideal disciple should behave.
Now the Lord begins to give his answer.
Iswara uvacha:
Verse: Mama …
“O Devi, you and I are one. Out of love for you I will give an answer to your question that has been posed for the benefit of all the worlds. No one has questioned me like this before.”
It shows that Lord Siva was pleased by her posing the most valuable question. There are proper procedures for posing questions. When it is done in a proper manner, those who have questioned, and those who hear the answer, will all receive benefit. Asking irrelevant questions in an improper manner, and asking questions at inappropriate moments, will not fetch good results.
There is an Upanishad called Prasnopanishad. The first four questions deal with (Prana) the life force. The questions that follow deal with (Pranava) the syllable OM.
Parikshit, who was a good listener only asked questions that would benefit the worlds. He cleared many of his doubts from the highly devout Suka Yogi. Sage Suka (Suka Brahma) has given us the Bhagavatam. It contains many secrets. Shall we discuss them?

Episode 42

Parikshit, who was a superb listener, asked the best amongst speakers, important questions that would benefit all the worlds. He cleared innumerable doubts from the highly devout Suka Yogi. Sage Suka (Suka Brahma) has given us the Bhagavatam.
It should be learned how to question properly with a deliberate intention, like Mother Goddess, so that it profits everyone in every way. When that is done, Guru, just like Lord Siva, will feel pleased and will share many secrets. Through an exemplary disciple, the world reaps great benefits. From the above verse we must understand how a disciple should ask questions that give pleasure to Guru and will elicit His grace to help great multitudes of people.
We must carefully consider a certain point. Why did Parvati pose the question to Lord Siva? Is it to learn something from Him that she had no knowledge of? That is not possible, because Siva and Parvati are one and the same. She shares with Him equally one half of His body. She is inseparable from Him. What is known to one half must necessarily be known to the other half. Parvati necessarily knows everything that Siva knows. Then why did she ask the question? She did it for our sake.
In our Puranas, such strange incidents are mentioned frequently. The sages are said to curse one another. But it is for the purpose of giving benefit to the world. It appears as if no one gets angrier than the sages. Of course, about sage Narada, it does not need any particular mention. He is known to be a trouble-maker. How did such ones become great sages? There is a secret here that is hidden from the world. When one suffers a great loss, it means that another, at another place is getting greatly benefited. Without some sacrifice made by one, another cannot be uplifted. When sages exchange curses, it means that they are giving up huge amounts of their power gained by penance. When they expend their powers thus, some gain is occurring elsewhere. This drama of exchanging curses is created by God only for achieving some beneficial purpose somewhere. Unless such angry outbursts occur, this wheel of Creation will not rotate. All the expressions of anger and fury in the form of curses are meant only the welfare of the world. Similarly, the marriages of sages and the stories of their progeny are also strange. They demonstrate the commitment of the sages to act only towards universal wellbeing.
Parvati Devi is here acting like an ignorant person, asking for information that she does not possess. It is an example of how she pretends as if she does not already know the answer. How is it possible for her to be uninformed? How can Siva possibly educate her, when she has complete knowledge of everything? Let us find out.

Episode 43

Jaya Guru Datta. Parvati Devi is here acting like an ignorant person, asking for information as if she does not possess it. There is a huge gathering of great sages there in their subtle forms. They have not had the experience of the Guru Principle. If she asks Lord Siva to teach them about Guru, He may decline. But if she herself pretends not to know and asks the question, she knew that He would certainly oblige.
Lord Siva knows that Parvati has the knowledge and yet she is posing this question. He acknowledges that she has asked the question to benefit the assembled sages and all the future generations of devotees.
Do the sages not all exist inside the heart of Siva? They certainly do. Siva knows that they are a part of Him and reside in His heart. But the sages do not know have that direct experience.
Some devotees declare that they are in Guru’s heart and that Guru is always in their heart. They claim that they have surrendered to Guru. These are words that come from their lips, not from the heart. It is not spoken from experience. Merely giving a small donation or offering a small service does not equal total surrender. Claiming to have fully surrendered, they yet approach Guru for solutions to their worldly problems and for the fulfillment of worldly desires. Many are extremely lazy about serving Guru. They do not go to the physical presence of Guru saying that Guru is always in their heart. It is not right to justify your laziness and disguise it with words. You are occupying a body, and so is your Guru.

Episode 44

"Jaya Guru Datta! You should not disguise your laziness. You occupy a body. Your Guru also has taken a physical body. That is why it is inevitable that you offer physical service. Until you experience the principle of non-duality that you and the Guru are one and the same, you have to continue this. For the sake of the sages, to help the sages experience the principle of non-duality, Parvati Devi prayed to Lord Shiva. Therefore, She first prostrated to Lord Shiva. To demonstrate the behavior towards Guru, she observed the rules of approaching a Guru honoring Lord Shiva as Her Guru. All this is the Divine Mother Parvati’s play.

Here, who is Guru to Parvati Devi? In reality, a woman’s Guru is her husband. She must get initiation from her husband. But, when the husband is not qualified to do so, the scriptures stipulate that both the husband and wife should get initiated by the same Guru. They should not go to different Gurus. Who is qualified to initiate? Only one who has attained the full power of the mantra is qualified; otherwise he is not. Some people feel they received great initiation if they receive a small mantra after going through a lot of physical suffering, fasting, fussing and almost collapsing from weakness. Some get a cold water bath, sleep on the bare floor and feel like their deeksha or vow was fulfilled. Some Gurus also support this behavior. The disciples of course follow the Guru.

In reality, he who gives initiation needs to have chanted the mantra millions of times. They should have experienced the power of the mantra. They should then pass on the energy and the mantra to the disciple. Only then will the disciple benefit from it. That is why, great saints don’t give initiation very easily. They postpone asking you to come back tomorrow, or the day after, or may be another day. They say that now is not a good time or that you will forget the mantra etc. They will not give initiation. They keep postponing.

In this context, the style of chanting is also explained. Some people chant their mantra so loudly that people living three blocks away are annoyed. Then there are people who chant without letting out any sound. Their lips are moving and they are murmuring to themselves. This silent chanting is better. Instead of ostentatiously chanting aloud, it is better to chant silently in your mind with your lips moving. There’s not much benefit from chanting loudly. Even with lips moving, there may not be much benefit, we shall see. This (chanting silently with lips moving)is called “madhyama”. This gives mediocre results."

Episode 45

Jaya Guru Datta! We were talking about the style of chanting. Some people chant loudly. It is said that it is better to chant without letting out any sound, murmuring to yourself, while your lips are moving. Feels like that is better. This gives mediocre results. But, chanting in your mind, without the lips or tongue moving is the best and yields benefits a thousand times over. So, one way to chant is to loudly chant “Rama, Rama”, the second is to chant “Rama” without making any sound, just moving the lips and the third is to chant “Rama” in your mind, without moving your lips or tongue.

While chanting, you should chant joyfully, without any sorrows or anxiety. Lot of people think chanting joyfully means to have a wide grin on your face. Is that real happiness from within? When chanting, the mind should be free from all anxiety. If you chant while experiencing that happiness, it will automatically reflect in your face. That is called “ajapa japam” (constant awareness of the mantra). Om Namo Hanumate Namaha. Om Namo Hanumate Namaha. Om Namo Hanumate Namaha. While chanting, if you close your eyes and see Lord Hanuman’s life history, His divine form, His glories as sung by millions of people, as if He’s flying in the sky, visualizing His form from His feet to His head, as if His form spans from the lower most worlds to the higher most, that peace will automatically radiate on your face.

Lot of people chant with anger or sorrow, with tears flowing down their face, or with annoyance, cursing someone in between. Is that real chanting? No. You should experience inner joy and that will automatically reflect in your face. If you feel that joy within, your face will bloom like the lotus flower touched by sun rays. Seekers that experience such joy will automatically have a smile on their face. When some people chant, their face looks distorted. That’s because, one part of their mind is chanting, while the other is immersed in some anxiety. Lot of people cry when they are chanting. They keep remembering their sorrows. Some others experience and express the wholesome joy of chanting. Chanting without any anxiety or annoyance is real chanting.

So, Mother Goddess asked for such an initiation. Lord Shiva said that nobody ever asked him such a question. Those saints are not ordinary people. They are very accomplished, well-versed in all Vedas and scriptures, capable of creating and sustaining life. Yet, they never asked such a question because arrogance comes naturally to spiritual seekers.

Some people who buy something new, like a new phone, approach someone to show them how to use the phone. When the person starts explaining, the owner of the phone cuts him off midway saying he’s understood how to use the phone. A few days later, they realize they only know a little. But, they are too embarrassed to ask the same person, so they ask someone else.
In the spiritual path, arrogance comes naturally. Let’s see what happens ahead.

Episode 46

Lord Shiva said no one ever asked him such a question. We may wonder, why that is. The sages seated around them were not ordinary people. They were extraordinary; they were great seers, well versed in Vedas, capable of creating and sustaining life. Didn’t they ever ask such a question? Did no one ever ask such a question? Was Mother Goddess the first one to ask this question? Yes. Because, as we discussed before, arrogance comes naturally to spiritual seekers. That is why the Guru Principle doesn’t come easily. People think they know the Guru Principle – Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, that’s it. Just as knowledge coupled with humility, wealth coupled with sacrifice and relatives with love are rare, devotion towards Guru is rare in the spiritual path. There’s no real love between relatives. There’s only humor, everything is said with humor.

That is why Shankara Bhagavdpada composed Guru Ashtakam to explain that regardless of all the wealth knowledge fame and other possessions one is blessed with, if there’s no devotion to the Guru, there’s no use. We will discuss the Ashtakam towards the end.
So, Lord Shiva is acknowledging that He knows Parvati Devi asked this question with a view to bless and benefit the sages. Let’s get to the core of the matter. Guru is not an ordinary human being. First, we need to define who Guru is.
Sloka:
"Yo gurussa sivah prokto ya ssiva ssa guru ssmrtaha
Vikalpam yastu kurvita sa bhavet pataki gurau"

Guru is Shiva. Shiva is Guru. All scriptures declare this. People who forget this truth and discriminate are great sinners. Here, “Shiva” actually means Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is the Dattatreya Principle. Just because the Guru eats and walks like us, we mistake Him to be just human. Lord Shiva says that it is a sin to consider the Guru as just a human being.

Let’s talk about the story of Sri Krishna and Sri Dhama. Even though Sri Krishna is God incarnate, he approached a Guru. Incarnations like Sri Krishna and Sri Rama had Gurus. We’ll talk about this more.

Episode 47

Even though Sri Rama and Sri Krishna were incarnations of the Divine, they approached a Guru. They taught the world the importance of having a Guru in one’s life. Sage Sandeepani was the Guru to Sri Krishna and his friend Sudhama. Since Sri Krishna and Sudhama were great souls, they knew the importance of a Guru. They served the Guru like he was Lord Shiva. Let’s see how Sri Krishna and Sudhama served Sage Sandeepani and how he blessed them.

Sloka:
Yo gurussa sivah prokto ya ssiva ssa guru ssmrtaha
Vikalpam yastu kurvita sa bhavet pataki gurau

Sri Krishna and Sudhama came under Sage Sandeepani’s tutelage at a very tender age. As children, they played together a lot. We will observe from this story that even though they quarreled and fought a lot, they never separated. However, if the Guru gave them any tasks, they would always carry out those tasks with great love and devotion. They never postponed the task given by the Guru. Any task given by the Guru was immediately attended to and completed. They would always make Sage Sandeepani happy. They would also take on all the tasks given by the wife of Sage Sandeepani. Once, she called for Sri Krishna and Sudhama. They immediately went up to her and asked if they were called. She said “Yes, my dear sons, we are out of sacrificial wood. Please bring some from the forest”. The forest she was referring to was not an ordinary forest. It was a dense forest that was covered in darkness even during day time. It would be impossible to see anything. It was filled with poisonous trees and predatory animals. Sri Krishna and Sudhama were tender little children. They were excited to go to the forest. They were not afraid. They happily agreed to carry out her command. Saying,”Mother, don’t worry. We will bring lots of sacrificial wood”, they set out for the forest. It was completely dark in that dense forest. Sri Krishna and Sudhama gathered up the wood they could find in the darkness. They couldn’t just pick up the wood, they had to search and gather. Soon, there were gusts and pouring rain. As sunset approached, the little traces of sunlight disappeared. Sri Krishna and Sudhama got scared. The held hands and walked in the rain. Soon, the forest was flooded. Without letting go of each other, they began swimming. It was no more a forest to walk in; it was a forest to swim in. They couldn’t tell where the ups and downs in the forest were. They had no idea where they were going. Slowly, they found a tree that they took shelter under. They spent the night under the tree shivering in the cold. It was so dark and cold that it felt like the night of doomsday. They were very scared. Somehow, the night passed. In the morning, Sage Sandeepani set out in search of the little children, calling out their names. He found them both under the tree shivering from cold. He trembled with compassion. Let’s see what happens ahead.

Episode 48

We discussed that the little children - Sri Krishna and Sudhama - were shivering in the dark coldness of what looked like the night of doomsday. They were terrified. Somehow the night passed. At dawn, Sage Sandeepani who had set out in search of the two children found them shivering in the cold. He was overcome with compassion. He drew them close to him and lovingly wiped their bodies dry with his shawl. Isn’t it amazing! The Guru is like a mother, like a father. He commended the boys’ bravery. He said that outstanding disciples like them sacrifice themselves completely in the service of the Guru. He said that one must be blessed to be able to serve the Guru. He was very pleased with them. He blessed them generously with fulfillment of all their desires and said “All the Vedas and other scriptures you learn here will continue to grant you auspiciousness in all the other worlds you go to”. He held their hands and took them back home. Thus, the little children, Sri Krishna and Sudhama immersed themselves completely in the service of the Guru without worrying about their mortal bodies, as a result of which they got blessed immensely by their Guru.

Once, when the Guru asked Sri Krishna for Guru Dakshina in the form of bringing his dead son back, Sri Krishna, along with his brother Balarama went to Lord Yama and got the Guru’s son back. This is a wonderful story. By accomplishing such impossible feats, he greatly pleased his Guru. By the Guru’s grace, Sri Krishna achieved everlasting fame.

Only one who has the Guru’s grace can find lasting peace. Therefore, everyone needs a Guru. One’s life is incomplete without a Guru. When noble souls take refuge with a Sadguru, and walk the noble path, they will attain higher worlds.

Thus Lord Shiva, after explaining that the Guru has all the attributes of the Trinity and is none other than the Trinity, goes on to say that the Guru is the Parabrahman who’s beyond all attributes.

Sloka:
“Durlabham trishu lokeshu”

Lord Shiva says, “Parvati, I will tell you the secret that no one in all the three worlds knows”. Lord Shiva is saying that Guru is Parabrahma. We’ll see what he says next.


Episode 49

Sloka:
Durlabham trisu lokesu tacchrnu pravada myaham
Gurum brahma vina nanyat satyam satyam varanane

Siva says to Parvati to hear Him say the secret that no one in the three worlds knows.

Guru is verily Parabrahman and there is nothing else besides this. This is an absolute truth. Here, the three worlds also indicate Brahma loka, Vaikuntha and Kailasa. Let’s talk about the story of Matsya Narayana, who is Parabrahman, and a Guru to the Gurus.

Eons ago, there used to be a king called Vaivasvata who ruled the earth. During his reign, there was a great deluge. Once, when the king was offering his prayers by the river, Sri Hari appeared in the form of a little fish and slipped into the water that the king had cupped in his hands. Let’s talk about the ways of the divine. The fish implored the king to save its life. The king kept the fish in his sacred water ***. Soon, the little fish grew too large for the ***, so the king moved the fish to a little pond. The fish quickly outgrew the pond and asked the king to take it to another place. The king moved the fish to a big lake. The fish soon grew too big for the lake as well. Vaivasvata then released the fish in to the ocean. He realized that the fish was none other than Sri Hari and prayed to the Lord. Vaivasvata was also called Satyavrata (for his adherence to truth). At the time of the deluge, Vaivasvata welcomed the Lord in the form of a Guru and diligently followed his commands. By the grace of Matsya Narayana (Lord Sri Hari in the form of a Sankhya Yoga and the Puranas as blessings. He realized the absolute truth that Guru is Parabrahman and there is nothing else. He beautifully praised the Lord who appeared to him as a Guru.

“Humans in this world live in illusion. Due to this illusion, they are mired in samsara and face many sorrows and difficulties. But, when they take refuge with you to get away from their sorrows, they realize you are their inner self. You are Guru to the Gurus. You are pleased easily. You are the great one that grants liberation. Therefore, please bless me with liberation”.

Due to the Guru’s grace, he became the overlord of Manvantara (span of time measured in astronomical period). The age we are living in now is Vaivasvata Manvantaram. Vaivasvata is Satyavrata (he adheres to truth or Satya). One who adheres to truth like Satyavrat did and places complete faith in the Guru despite many difficulties will be blessed immensely.

One who realizes that Guru is Parabrahman and serves the Guru will reap great benefits. This sloka is asking us to place our faith in the Guru, to lead a noble life and to realize the absolute truth.

The next 4 slokas say that if we are not mindful of the Guru Principle, all worship, prayers, rituals and meditation are futile

Sloka:
Veda sastra puranani cetihasadi kani ca
mantra tantradi vidyasca smrti ruccata nadikam
Saiva saktagama dini hyanye ca bahavo matah
Bhramaka sarva evai te jivana malapa cetasam

Vedas, shastras, epics, puranas, studies in spells and rituals, smritis, necromancy (black arts) Saiva Agamas, Sakti Agamas, and other branches of knowledge delude the petty minds.

Episode 50

Sloka:
yajno vratam tao danam japa stirtham tathaiva ca
sarvesa meva jantunam sarve marga pratarakah

Rituals of the highest order (Yagnas), vows (Vratas), penances, worships, pilgrimages, the various path-ways for Sadhana (yogic practice) are all deceptive if one doesn’t concentrate upon one’s Guru. It means that he who doesn’t bear devotion to the Guru will be confronted with evil effects in his yogic practice.

Sloka:
Japa stapo vratam tirtham yajno danam tathaiva ca
Gurutatva mavijnaya sarvam vyartham bhavet priye

Siva proceeds to say to Parvati that if one does not know the quality of Guru, all ritualistic practices, prayers, penances etc are all useless.

We consider ourselves very knowledgeable thinking “I’m a great scientist” or “I am well-versed in the Vedas” or “I did a lot of rigorous study”, or “I’m a great artist”. There are people that say, “I worked very hard, I worked for 5 years to earn this degree”. But, what is Knowledge?

Science, arts and the like comprise a kind of knowledge. Similarly, Vedas, Puranas and scriptures also comprise a kind of knowledge. However, Science helps us understand and see things that are very far away, but it cannot help you see your inner self. Science tells you about several planets in the outer space. It also tells you about the precious stones and elements buried deep in the earth. People that know a lot about this are considered great scientists. But, remember that Science cannot help you see or understand your inner self. Not only that, it actually takes you even farther away from your self, because all this knowledge makes you egoistic. You think you’ve earned a lot of great knowledge.

On the other hand, Vedas and other scriptures help you see and understand your inner self and bring you closer to your Self. That is why, Vedic knowledge is greater than Science. Deep study of great scriptures takes you on an inward journey to reveal your true self to you. In that respect, it feels as if Science may not be real knowledge. We can also infer that Vedas and other scriptures contain real knowledge. But, even if you are well versed in both these kinds of knowledge, your ego leads you to believe you are very knowledgeable, thus drowning you in ignorance.

Regardless of how many PhDs you have, this is the fate. Why is this happening? Because, when one doesn’t concentrate on the Guru Principle, all knowledge leads to ignorance. That is why these are called “Bhramakas”, or things that drown you in illusion. Lord Shiva says that people that revel in such knowledge are fools. So, all these branches of knowledge that lead you toward illusion are together referred to as “lower worldly knowledge” (Apara vidya). The other kind of knowledge that leads you to understand your inner self is divine knowledge (Para vidya). This is obtained only by realizing the Guru Principle. Among those who studied the Vedas, there are some who do Anushthanam. What is “Anushthanam”? Yagnas, donations for a good cause, service to mankind, rituals, vows, pilgrim trips, penance etc are different kinds of Anushthanam. We’ll talk about Anushthanam next.