Guru’s Blessings- A Divine Ride to Moksh!
Milind Kini
Dubai (U.A.E)
Pranaam at the Lotus Feet of Maaji!
Pranaam at the altar of the Guru Parampara!
To start with, I would like to quote Maaji’s words from Sanskar 4 on the significance of Sree Guru Purnima.
“The full moon on the Purnima day reflects in full splendour, the brilliant light of the sun. We should purify ourselves with the fire of selfless service and reflect the glorious light of our inner purification in our actions and speech.”
For this, the Guru’s grace works like the brilliant light of the sun and the disciple becomes the receiver, like the moon.
The Guru is the link between the individual and the Supreme Lord.
On the auspicious occasion of Sree Guru Purnima, we had the blessed opportunity of listening to Maaji and knowing the importance of a Sadguru in our lives.
When Arjuna was faced with the dilemma of going to war against his own blood, teachers and friends, he was distraught and confused and he let down his arms and decided against fighting the war.
But, at the same time he also realized that he was in a misguided state of mind and was not clear in his thoughts. This is when he surrenders to the Jagadguru Sree Krishna to guide him and put him back on track to do his duties.
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभादवः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।
यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहंशाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥
Arjuna prayed to the Lord- My heart is overpowered by the taint of pity; my mind is confused as to duty. I ask Thee: Tell me decisively what is good for me. I am Thy disciple. Instruct me who has taken refuge in Thee.
When Arjuna surrendered completely to Jagadguru Sree Krishna, we are all aware of the results Arjuna achieved not only in the material world, but in his Spiritual upliftment also.
When one envisions the scene in Mahabharata war, where Sree Krishna is giving the sermons on Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta to Arjuna, one can clearly see that the chariot with five horses (our senses) whose reins (controlled by) are in the hands of the Supreme Lord and the chariot bears the flag of Sree Hanuman, Who is considered the epitome of Knowledge and Bhakti. The Lord is having the Gnyan Mudra in one hand and is carrying a whip in the other hand. Maaji so beautifully brought the scene into our minds to confirm, that we need such a Divine Charioteer to guide our evolution on the path of Self-Realization. She gave the examples of cattle, camel, horse, elephant etc to tell us that the rides on these are limited and fraught with pitfalls. Only when we are sitting on a chariot driven by a Sadguru, who can help us control our senses and provide us a guiding light in the process of our Spiritual evolution, can we progress anywhere.
Maaji started the session with the prayer:
ध्यानमूलं गुरुर्मूर्तिः
पूजामूलं गुरुर्पदम् ।
मन्त्रमूलं गुरुर्वाक्यं
मोक्षमूलं गुरूर्कृपा ॥
“Dhyaanmoolam Gururmurtih
Pujaamoolam Gururpadam.
Mantramoolam Gururvaakyam
Mokshmoolam Gururkripa."
Mantra, Puja And Dhyaan are ways to channelise our efforts towards Moksh. When we perform these austerities towards our Guru, with all our heart and with unflinching devotion, our path to Moksh is ensured by Him. A sure way of making Spirituality as the very basis of our life is to surrender to the Guru with unflinching devotion and gratitude. And when Spirituality becomes the basis of our life, then the process of evolution is faster.
अचतुर्वदनो ब्रह्मा द्विबाहुरपरो हरिः |
अफाललोचनः शंभुर्भगवान् बादरायणः ||
"Achaturvadano Brahma
Dwibaahuraparo Harih.
Aphaalalochanah Shambhuh
Bhagawaan Baadaraayanah."
Maaji's beautiful explanation of Sree Veda Vyasji Stuti which states- Veda Vyasji is Brahmaji without four heads, He is Bhagwaan Vishnu, though he has only two hands and He is Maheshwara even without the third eye, expounds the importance of the Guru Parampara. The blessings of Sree Veda Vyasji is like seeking the blessings of Sree Brahma ji, Sree Vishnu ji and Sree Maheshwara ji together.
To worship the Guru is to worship the Supreme Lord.
यस्य देवे परा भक्तिर्यथा देवे तथा गुरौ।
तस्यैते कथिता ह्यर्थाः प्रकाशन्ते महात्मनः॥
“Yasyadevey Paraabhaktih
Yathaadevey Tathaagurau.
Tasyaitey Kathita Hyarthaah
Prakaashantey Mahaatmanah.”
There are so many thoughts flowing and there is so much to learn! With Maaji’s guidance and the blessings of the Guru Parampara, we hope to evolve and transcend on our path of Self Realization.
Hari Aum and Pranaam.