Guru

Author: Supriya Antin Kaddargi

Vice President, JP Morgan Chase Bank

Greater Chicago.USA

A Guru is an enlightened preceptor – one who can eradicate darkness and bring about right wisdom in the journey of life. The word ‘Guru’ is derived from Sanskrit, wherein the syllable ‘Gu’ denotes darkness referring to the spiritual ignorance mankind is inflicted with and the syllable ‘Ru’ represents the spiritual knowledge that eradicates this ignorance. In the Lingayat Dharma, the spiritual Guru is the first of the 8 shields of Ashtavaranas, from whose light we all seek to enhance our vision with. Guru parampare has been deep rooted in the Hindu philosophy from times of ancient history and yet with many, the association with a true Guru goes unrealized.

Back in the days, it was not uncommon for young children to be drawn to Gurus and develop  impeccable personalities thereby. Every Guru too has had other Gurus who played prime roles in shaping the personality of disciples. Basavanna, for instance, nurtured his spirituality and gave it the much needed direction and force with guidance from Ishanya Guru of Kudalasangama when he left home at a very young age. Comprehensible only by dint of association, a disciple can discover that the relationship with the Guru is extraordinary where he can learn, serve and seek answers to the most profound questions that have crossed the mind. It is a journey of constant learning where knowledge, fearlessness and simplicity get institutionalized in the disciple. A Guru in the Lingayat Dharma not only initiates spirituality through the rite of Linga Deeksha but also encourages the disciple as a philosopher to go farther in the right realm. With a Guru everything is unbiased. A Guru’s interest lies in uplifting the disciple from ignorance and making him a better soul. His direction is to adopt only the good and develop the clarity to discern the bad to be able to overcome it.

There are multiple facets of taking to a Guru. There could be one or multiple along the path of life. Not everything directed by a Guru will be easy to adopt; the direction shown could be one where by an arduous experience only one would learn the answers sought. The journey with a Guru can be challenging but will certainly be fulfilling. All along, the Guru will stand by, sometimes putting us to test and at other times forgiving and reguiding. The onus of recognizing a genuine Guru lies with the disciple and for that disciple, it is important to identify with the Guru before taking to Him. Merely preaching, resolving an impending problem, curing an ailment or just exhibiting mystical powers cannot be the traits of a genuine Guru. A genuine Guru sets an example and instills faith, goodness, mental strength while bringing us closer to God or the supreme truth. The amount of discipline and tenacity with which a Guru becomes spiritually illumined while abstaining from the worldly pleasures is admirable and hard to achieve. As the vachana describes below, a Guru empowers us to experience God.

The power of knowledge destroys ignorance;

The power of light dissipates darkness;

The power of truth is foe of all untruth;

The power of alchemy enriches ordinary metals;

The sharana’s experience of God is the sole cure of worldliness;

Lord Kudala Sangamadeva

Alongside, is the responsibility of the disciple to first deserve the Guru by submitting himself with no ego or intent of concrete benefits. In a disciple need to be strong unconditional traits of respect, commitment, devotion and obedience. Service to the Guru is also an important aspect the disciple must inculcate since it is an entirely incorrect notion of having to benefit from the Guru without serving Him. It is up to the disciple to draw the most and benefit from the divinity of his Guru.

While being blessed with a Guru is very fortunate, in times of today when we have all migrated to far off lands, it may not be that feasible to always be around an able Guru who will lead the light. But it is certainly achievable to initiate a spark in ourselves to understand the various Gurus that history holds and has been witness to. There are exemplary saints serving the society day and night today and also works of previous Gurus laid out as books or vachanas, which initiate, affirm and bring about the right frame of mind. Visiting these Gurus in India or other parts of the world, learning more about the work they have done and the methods they adopted to impart spirituality, or mere reading on the Gurus who have uplifted mankind in their own ways, will be a very humbling and educative experience. It will render our outlook broader, and perspectives and corresponding deeds more spiritual and meaningful. This initial step of beginning the research on Gurus could open insightful spiritual avenues for humanity to realize in the times to come. Introducing the same to our children, will rightly reinstate a Guru’s existence.

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnuhu

Gurur Devo Maheswaraha

Gurur Saakshaat Parabhrahma

Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha The Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The Guru is the Absolute. I bow before you