Day 2 Reflection Question

Guru’s defining nature is ‘Dayalu’ – one with ‘Ocean of Compassion’ and ‘Prashantam’ – One with a totally Equanimous mind. Additionally Guru is a ‘BrahmaNishta’ – One who has realised Brahman (i.e He is Brahman!).
Another characteristic not specifically mentioned in this verse is that Guru is well versed in Shastras – ‘Shotriya’.

Each of these characteristics of Guru is so vital for the Adhikari as follows:

• Guru’s compassion is the reason why even though he himself has realised Life’s ultimate purpose (Moksha) he still returns to the world to guide all his shishyas in their Spiritual progress and Realisation.
• His Equanimity of mind is what enables him to keep answering Shishyas questions (many being foolish questions) again and again without getting agitated and having unending patience with Shishyas.
• His Brahmanishtatha means he has traversed the Journey (spiritual path) all the way and therefore he is able to understand at what stage of evolution each Shishya is and what they should do to progress to the next step. His Shrotiyatha is what enables him to follow the Shastras strictly and give proper guidance in line with Shastras.

Reaching the Guru:Essentially the shishya is not required to / or cannot find the Guru and it is the Guru who identifies / finds his Shishya WHEN THE SHISHYA IS READY! It is just like the flower bud (Shishya) whose only job is to open up (Shishya to acquire Sadhana Chatushtaya) and then the Butterfly (Guru) finds the flower bud and pollinates it. Likewise Guru identifies Shishya/Adhikari at right time and guides him towards Realisation.

Path forward with Guru:This path is sequential and consists of:

1. Shravana – intellectually understanding what Guru is saying – Ahambrahmasmi – Self is Brahman.
2. Manana – Reflecting on Guru’s teaching and clarifying all doubts till the teaching is ABSOLUTELY CLEAR in Shishya’s intellect.
3. Niddhidhyasana – Contemplating / Abiding in this Knowledge of Ahambrahmasmi till such time it gets deeply ingrained and becomes the continuous and constant living Truth for the Shishya!

Guru is not to be found by Shishya. Guru find Shishya when he becomes the “Adhikari”
Consistent self reflection and working towards achieving Sadhan Chatushatayam is the only way to become qualified. Guru will come in any form to hold shishya’s hand for further journey.

Discuss / Reflect Guru and reaching the Guru; and the path forward with the Guru’s guidance.

• Once the mind is ready after the initial purification through karma yoga (perfection – tapas and dedication – yajna and expansion – dana), thereby attaining sadhana chatushtaya, the adikari rejects everything (no attachment to anything) because of nothing in this world is worth.

• He understood that what I want and what I seek is the ultimate and the highest which is infinite and none of them in this world has an actual value as they are finite.

• Seeking that infinite, that completeness, that enormity (ananta tattva), he takes up the spiritual path.

• So, a guiding factor, is needed who can point out the goal, and that is one’s own Guru as the shastra by own studies would lead to more confusion and the doubts then arise cannot be dispelled.

• An adhikari, who becomes a sishya now need not search for a Guru, but when the time is ripe, the Guru comes to him to show the path towards the ultimate goal.

  1. That Guru who is an ocean of compassion (daylum)
  2. That Guru who is a shotriya, because of which he has the inner peace (prashantam)
  3. That Guru who is established in the Ultimate Reality (Brahma nishta)should be worshiped by the sishya (samaradhya). Meaning, the value of the knowledge which the Guru stands for should be understood.

Then by the focussed attention using the intelligence (matya), the sishya should understand (vicharya svarupam) the Guru’s teaching, which is of 2 fold.

• shravana : capturing the main teaching of the shastra through the Guru and understanding that must be understood.
• manana : dispelling all the doubts that arise while getting the knowledge, by asking the appropriate doubts to the Guru and comprehending the knowledge and accepting it as correct.

After understanding and accepting the final message, the wise person(vidvan) makes the superficial knowledge to a deep rooted knowledge making it firm and the only final message(nididhyasya) through meditation which is Param Brahma nityam tat eva aham asmi.

Day 2: Reflection
Discuss / Reflect Guru and reaching the Guru; and the path forward with the Guru’s guidance.
One person once went to Pujya Gurudev, Swāmi Chinmayānandaji and said, “You see, why Guru is required? Are books not sufficient?” Gurudev in his impeccable style, said, “Why don’t you ask the same question to the books? Why are you asking me?”
The Guru is:
• Not a person. He/She is supreme reality in form which you can understand
• Brahmā – Creator of knowledge in your heart
• Vishnu – Removes all doubts & sustains knowledge
• Shiva – Gives us 2 slaps when required
• Shrotriya – Master of the scriptures
• Brahma Nishtha – established in the supreme reality
• Prashāntam – never agitated
• Dayālu – embodiment of compassion
• Gu/Ru – one who dispels darkness of ignorance
• Ref: Guru Gita: Gu/Ru – one who is beyond Guna – qualities & Rupa – form
Various Sanskrit terms for ‘teacher’:
• Upādhyāyaha
• Adhyapakaha
• Achāryaha
• Guruhu

How does one approach such a Guru?
• You can never find a guru – Guru discovers the shishya
• Guru upasadana – process of approaching a Guru
• Ref: Prashna Upanishad – Samit pāni – with proper offerings in hand
• Ref: Prashna Upanishad – Ready to serve the Guru
• Ref: Mundaka Upanishad – Vidhiwat – with due process
• With an attitude of complete surrender
• Ref: Katha Upanishad – Without fear & with jidnyāsā or deep desire for knowledge
• Samarādhya – Worshipping the Guru. Recognize that you are blessed
The path forward with the Guru’s guidance: The Guru gradually takes us away from the petty things of the world.
What efforts should you put in?
• Realize that every moment is priceless
• Focus your mati or intelligence on swaroopam vichāram
• Shravana – Listen with the intent to comprehend the main message
• Manana – Ensure every doubt is removed in presence of Guru
• Niddhidhyāsana – Start changing the whole thinking process from within
When knowledge is thus digested, it becomes firm & by the grace of the Guru, one puts an end totally to the notion that I am the body & attains realization.

In the Spiritual path after one has qualified to be an Adhikari doing Tapas, yajna & Dana perfectly and having become dispassionate, practising Sadhana Chatushtaya, one reaches a Guru. Actually the Guru finds the true Adhikari like a bee finds the flower. Guru is a Brahmanishta – completely absorbed in the contemplation of Brahma. He is Dayalum – compassionate. He points the right direction for the sadhak to walk towards reaching Aham Brahmasmi. As he himself is also practising the same path. He has a great expansive knowledge comprehension of the scriptures.
Guru only teaches the methodology as given in the scriptures- shastras. The seeker has to intellectually make enquiry on Guru’s teachings. With Shravana understand what is to be done. With Manana, doubts being cleared put the teachings into practical experience. With Niddhidhyasana absorb the understanding deeply and percolate to the extent that one’s reflexes unconsciously also are absorbed in Prabhrama – Nishtanam. Continuously keep the mind focused in one direction aham Brahmasmi. The Guru guides patiently as he is Dayalum /compassionate, always gives confidence to be at it & you’ll reach with Samadhi – be Para Brahma yourself.