Spiritual Preceptor (Guru's) Glory by H.H Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji - Part 1

[Ravishankar.G]

Dear All,

It is only through a Guru that we learn even a matter that can be perceived with our physical eyes. From making a mud pot to matters relating to Science we need a Teacher.

Making a mud pot seems a trivial affair to us. But, unless we approach a Potter who is adept in making mud pots and learn the trick of the trade from him we cannot produce a mud pot.

If, even to learn worldly matters such as these, which can be perceived with our eyes, one has to spend some time, as in a Gurukula (Ancient school for spiritual leanings) ,with an expert in the field then what to speak of spiritual matters that cannot be perceived with our eyes?

No one can learn a matter that is beyond the realm of this world on his own. One has to definitely approach a Master and only through Him can he gain such spiritual knowledge.

In this world a child who has no parents is termed an orphan and we sympathize with this child. Likewise, in spiritual matters he indeed is an orphan who has no Guru!

One who has no Guru is also an orphan! No one can learn this knowledge of the Self without the guidance of a Guru.

How should this Guru be? If one says, "I have a Guru" and we question him, "How do you call him a Guru?" he explains, "My Guru knows my past and can also read my future!" But one cannot attain the status of a Guru just because he is able to foretell your future or recount the past events in your life. This is because an expert astrologer has the capacity to read your future and recount the past events in your life. A person does not become a Guru for the mere reason of sporting a beard or adorning a garb of the dispassionate. Performance of miracles also does not confer the status of a Sadguru as even a magician is capable of performing miracles!

Then what is the sign of a true Guru?
What kind of physical attributes does he possess?
How does he speak?
How are we to recognize the Master?

We can neither recognize nor understand the Sadguru through our intellect. This is because our intellect is a 'physical' attribute. It is subject to limitations. With the intellect that is subject to limitations it is absolutely impossible to comprehend the limitless, i.e. understand the Saints who are verily the form of Bliss.

Well! It is said that one can learn knowledge of the Self only through the guidance of a Guru. But at the same time it is also said that one cannot recognize a (Sad) Guru. Then what is the way to recognize the Guru?
If we truly pine for God, if we truly recognize the blessing of having acquired the human birth- Adi Sankara says in his writing in Viveka Choodamani and the Saints have said in Tamizh language, rare indeed is it to be born as a human the Sadguru (True Guru) will Himself come to us!

What is the greatness of this human birth?

When we study the hierarchy of creation we find that human birth is in the center of creation. If one has to explain this status of the human birth it could be shown that far below us are the innumerable germs, bacteria, etc. Just above them in the ladder of creation is the earthworm. Above the earthworm are creatures such as cockroach, lizard, etc. above these are rabbits, higher than them are the dog, the donkey and the like.

Higher still are animals such as horse, cow, and elephant. Higher than these is the mighty lion. But man, through his intellect, controls even this mighty lion. So, for the mere reason of his intellect Man is placed in a higher status than all these creatures.

Above Man are the 'Pitrus'(ancestors), above the 'Pitrus' are the Devas (celestial beings"), Yakshas (who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India and ancient Sri Lanka), Kinnars (males who have feminine gender identity). Higher than these are the devatas(demigods), higher still is God and then highest is the Brahman (self). So, Man is in the center in the hierarchy of creation.

What is the advantage of this human status?

!!! Will continue !!!                                   
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Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
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