True guru and his greatness --- from teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba

True Guru and His Greatnes…

• from teachings of • Sri Sathya Sai Baba

August 18, 2016

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‘Bharat’..

Swami says: • Word ‘Bharat’ is made of two word: ‘Bha’ and ‘rathi’ • Those who love (‘rathi’) God (‘Bha’) are Bharathiyas • That is why Bharat (i.e. India) has attained the position of ‘Guru’ for the whole world • August 18, 2016

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Guru ….

Swami says: • The sense organs say: why struggle? ‘Eat, drink and make merry as much as possible’ • But, Guru cautions: ‘Without giving advance notice, death attacks you! Get rid of the fear of death before it beckons you!’

August 18, 2016

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Maharshi Vyasa ..

Swami says: • Vyasa is the greatest ‘Spiritual doctor’ • He systematized the Vedas, and wrote ‘Puranas’ • Through ‘Mahabharatha’, ‘shruthis’ and ‘smrithis’, he sowed the seeds of spirituality August 18, 2016

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Maharshi Vyasa ..

Swami says: • Vyasa gave the world ‘Gita’ and ‘Brahmasutras’ which teach us about the secrets of soul and the transitory world • He came from Vasudeva and merged back in to Vasudeva • He is the ‘first Guru’ to those who walk on the ‘divine path’; follow him in your words and actions August 18, 2016

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‘Bhagavatha’..

Swami says: • By following the teachings of Bhagavatha, your ‘tamo guna’ gets converted to ‘rajo guna’, which gets further purified in to ‘satwa guna’..

• .. Just as a fruit gets converted in three stages, from sour to slightly sweet and to very sweet fruit, by the effect of earth and sun.

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Swami says: • Similarly, man also gets completely ripened and becomes saturated with ‘Ananda’ (Joy) and ‘Prema’ (Love), due to the two forces, viz. ‘God’s Grace’ which is external, and ‘deep longing’ which is internal August 18, 2016

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Guru and Goal…

Swami says: • Guru is the light which shows the way; but, Goal is God only • Be grateful to Guru. But, worship God only • Nowadays, people worship the Guru; this is not correct

August 18, 2016

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Guru and Shiva…

Swami says: • ‘Guru’ can never take the place of ‘Shiva’ • Therefore, it is better to have Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva as Guru, rather than those who are drunk with power and ego and indulge in enmity and fights August 18, 2016

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Real Guru …

Swami says: • To know ‘Divinity’… is not easy…

• Real Guru can instruct about the ‘true nature’ of ‘Divinity’ • Such a Guru is equal to the Trinity • The devotee who takes God as his Guru faces no difficulties August 18, 2016

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Real Guru …

Swami says: • God Himself is the supreme Guru for you • Real Guru is He who can diagnose the ‘fever’ of the disciple, know his ‘present condition’ and give him ‘what is the best suited’ • If the Guru himself suffers from fever, how can he diagnose the disciple?

August 18, 2016

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Able Guide…

Swami says: • An ‘able guide’ is required for the ‘jivi’ to show all the places of pilgrimage centre and complete the pilgrimage • Guru is that ‘able guide’ • Accept God Himself as Guru; He is the able guide • Vedas, Upanishads and Scriptures are the guide books August 18, 2016

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Necessity of a Guru…

Swami says: • Just having flowers, thread and needle is not enough; there should be someone to make a garland • Even when gold and diamonds are available, there is necessity of a goldsmith to make the jewel August 18, 2016

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Necessity of a Guru…

Swami says: • There may be many letters on the black board; but, a teacher is required to show and teach: A, B, C …etc • In this world, a Guru, who teaches Truth in the correct way, is required if we have to know things and perform actions properly August 18, 2016

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Conscience as Guru…

Swami says: • It is the best course to take your own ‘conscience’ as your Guru • He will give you all the guidance • He is the ‘source’ of Light that you pine for August 18, 2016

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Conscience as Guru…

Swami says: • He gives you the vision of TRUTH • As per the attitude of your prayer, your inner KNOWLEDGE will be revealed

August 18, 2016

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Guru …

Swami says: • Real Guru is like an eye specialist; he removes the cataract in the eye and gives sight to the patient • Guru removes the cataract of ignorance and delusion and gives the vision of Divinity to the disciple August 18, 2016

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Swami says: • It is the long standing tradition for the disciple to worship the feet of such a Guru on the holy ‘Gurupoornima’ day and offer Him ‘Gurudakshina’ or gratitude

August 18, 2016

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Guru is a guide post…

Swami says: • Guru’s responsibility is to teach; and it is the responsibility of disciple to learn • Guru is like a guide post..

• It says: ‘…this way to Bangalore, this way to Chennai… etc’ August 18, 2016

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Guru …

Swami says: • .. But, it does not show the ‘ups and downs’ of the road • It is only a ‘witness’; similarly, Guru is also only a witness • You are one who has to learn and practice; then only knowledge is attained

August 18, 2016

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Examinig the Guru …

Swami says: • To examine the Guru.. One should see if there is knowledge in his talks and whether he acts as per his talk • What is the use of speaking about Knowledge, without having Knowledge?

• No result is achieved from such talks August 18, 2016

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Modern Gurus …

Swami says: • If we observe the life style of ‘modern Gurus’, we find that they also have desires and problems • They have not fully experienced that ‘transcendental principle’ about which they speak August 18, 2016

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Modern Gurus …

Swami says: • Like you, they are also caught in the ‘mud of samsara’ • How can they lift you up on to the solid ground?

• Nowadays, God is the only Guru; pray unto Him only.

August 18, 2016

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Guru and disciple …

Swami says: • Guru should not try to force the disciple to tread the path he (i.e. the Guru) wants • The disciple has the right to comfortably move forward in his own path of Sadhana, depending on his tendencies and attitudes

August 18, 2016

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Real Guru …

Swami says: • Real Guru never exhibits himself as Guru • He continues with his Sadhana and remains un-noticed by public, away from limelight • Observing his life, some people try to know the ‘invaluable secret’ from him and get real help from him August 18, 2016

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Guru and actions …

Swami says: • Shukracharya was only a ‘preacher’, but did not have actions befitting a Guru • Therefore, he had only one eye • This shows the exhibitionism, which is not backed with actions August 18, 2016

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Guru and sanyasi …

Swami says: • To dress like a ‘sanyasi’ and pose as in ‘dhyana’ (meditation) is of no use • This is only for the purpose of filling the stomach • They cheat God and themselves too, in this process August 18, 2016

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Ego..

Swami says: • Elimination of Ego is the aim of Sadhana • Therefore, I condemn those Gurus who nurture the egos of their disciples by giving them awards such as ‘ Bhakta shiromani’. ‘Adhyatma ratna’, ‘Guruseva parayana’, ‘Dharma pravartaka’.. etc.

August 18, 2016

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Praise the Guru..

• Galaxy of Saints have sung loudly their praises to the Guru ‌..

August 18, 2016

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Swami … first teaching • Swami declared His ‘avatharhood’ on Oct. 20, 1940; he was 14 years of age at that time!

• And, the first bhajan he taught was “Manasa bhajare Gurucharanam, dustara bhavasagara taranm”..i.e. worhip mentally the holy feet of Guru to cross the difficult ocean of life of birth and death August 18, 2016

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Guru Shloka….

Swami says: • Guru Brahma gurur Vishnuh, Gurur dhevo Maheswarah, Gurussaakshaath Parabrahma, Thasmai Shri Gurave namah • This hymn can be understood in a nobler manner: "Brahma is the Guru, Vishnu is the Guru, Maheshwara is the Guru, truly, Parabrahma is the Guru."

August 18, 2016

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Guru Shloka….

Swami says: • Pray to God within you, the Maheshwara, the Vishnu, the Brahma, or the Parabrahma Principle to reveal Itself.

• Accept That as the Guru and you will be illumined.

August 18, 2016

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Lord Shiva … Aadi Guru • Lord Shiva presented Himself as a young lad ‘Dakshinamurthy’ under a banyan tree. Learned sages wanted to get their doubts cleared. For this purpose, He merged in His original ‘Parabrahma’ state and became silent.

• Meditating on His feet, the disciples also reached that state!

August 18, 2016

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Sri Shankaracharya…

• Shri Shankaracharya says in ‘Paduka Pachakam’: • Salutations and salutations to the sandal of the Guru, • Which is the cause creation, upkeep and destruction of all the worlds, Which can be attained only through limitless amount of good deeds, And which is being talked about the Vedantas.

August 18, 2016

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Sri Shankaracharya…

• Shri Shankaracharya says in ‘Guru Ashtakam’: • Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such; home and kindred; all these things maybe there; yet, if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

August 18, 2016

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Sant Jnaneshwar says: • Can you increase the brightness of Sun by painting him? Has the wishfulfilling tree to blossom again to grant the fruits desired? How to greet the ocean of milk? Do you spray any scent on Camphor to increase its aroma? Can you improve the taste of ambrosia? Can you reach the top of sky?

• Likewise..….

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Sant Jnaneshwar says: • …..

• Like all these examples, what is the instrument to know the Glory of Guru?

• Being incapable of praising Him, best way is to keep silent and put your head on His feet

August 18, 2016

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Sant Namdev • Namdev' s message is: • Always recite the Name of the Lord. Constantly remember Him. Hear His glory. Meditate on the Lord in your heart. Serve the Lord with your hands. Place your head at His lotus feet. Do Kirtan. You will forget your hunger and thirst. The Lord will be near you. You will attain immortality and eternal bliss.

August 18, 2016

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Guru Nanak says:..

• For Salvaton, continuous seeking of knowledge must take place which is dependent on one’s Guru.

Guru is the voice of God, the true source of knowledge and salvation.

• “Wahe Guru” will be the mantra for all the followers of Guru Nanak August 18, 2016

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Ahalya says: • When Ahalya, who had been cursed to be a stone, was touched by feet of Lord Sri Rama, she regains her form. And, she sings the Glory of Lord’s feet:

August 18, 2016

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Ahalya says: • O Lord, I am fulfilled by the touch of your feet. These feet are worshipped by all celestial beings starting from Brahma. In the Ganga that has its source at your feet, Brahma, Shiva and others take bath to become holy.

• When such a Lord is in front of me, what shall I say about my fortune..my humble salutations … and I pray that I may have devotion to Thy feet, whichever may be my place, birth and state August 18, 2016

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Saint Sarvajna says: • How to describe the greatness of Guru… He is shining inside and outside of this universe and is Himself Full • By prostrating to His feet, the head becomes a ‘diamond of knowledge’, and for such a devotee, ‘Kailas’ is like neighbour’s house August 18, 2016

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Shirdi Sai said..

• My Guru drew me near, patted me and kept me with Him • Sadguru became my home, mother, father, property and All. All my senses concentrated on my eyes and eyes concentrated on my Guru and He became sole object of my meditation… and my mind and intellect became quiet with wonder and I surrendered to Him, in silence August 18, 2016

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"God is"--the powerful fiveletter mantra • Swami says: • There is a simple five-letter pronouncement. "God is" ("Devudunnaadu," in Telugu). Make this your sheet anchor. Consider this mantra as the message for this Guru Poornima and proclaim it in all circumstances and at all places with all the conviction and strength you can command.

August 18, 2016

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"God is"--the powerful fiveletter mantra • Swami says: • Have this five-letter mantra as your constant companion and strengthen your faith in God. This will lead in due course to Godrealization.

August 18, 2016

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Dedicated at the lotus feet of‌ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

M. Thirumaleshwar August 18, 2016

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