Authenticity of Gurus - 1

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Authenticity of Gurus - 1

 

My question about the action of the Guru in my message Duty in the

work place - 4 has evoked some sharp responses. I had in an earlier

message traces the evolution of the concept of Guru. Nowadays people

are not satisfied with mere Gurus. So we have Maharshis and

Paramahamsas.

 

In India we find that people approach a Guru for the following

purposes.

 

1. For spiritual guidance (very few).

2. To get initiated into a Mantra.

2. Guidance and help in solving their problems.

3. To know about their future.

4. To get cure for their illness.

5. For wealth, fame and prosperity.

 

The Guru phenomenon also complies with the economics rule of demand

and supply. So as there is a pent-up demand for all kinds of Gurus

for solving all kinds of problems, all kinds of Gurus spring up. In

fact the demand far exceeds the supply. That is why people have to

search for Gurus.

 

We can be very puritanical and say that all these people are not

genuine Gurus. I have some experience of meeting Gurus of various

hues and shades all over India. The common factor among all of them

is (I am not talking about the Con artist)

 

1. They invariably have some power or attraction, which distinguishes

them from the common man.

2. They are able to win the faith and devotion of many members of the

public.

 

Anyone who fulfills the above qualification could become a Guru. I am

not a Guru, as I do not fulfill any of these qualifications.

 

They could be good soothsayers, good healers, religious pundits who

conduct yagnas for propitiation of Gods/Goddesses on behalf of their

customers, good astrologers, good teachers etc. etc.

 

So depending upon your need you find a Guru. It is also possible that

you want a Guru to belong to a particular section of society or an

informal club.

 

These Gurus come from all social strata of society and have different

levels of spiritual advancement. They could be renunciates, or

Grahasthas. They have different goals in life. Many of them want to

construct big ashrams, temples, hospitals, schools etc. Once anyone

wants to construct an ashram, hospital he has to necessarily acquire

land, money for construction. So they get involved in mundane

matters. We call it Loukika. This could prove to be a quagmire. There

are plenty of highly evolved Gurus who have stagnated and sometimes

came down in their spiritual level because of their involvement in

these activities. This is what is illustrated by the story of the

Sannyasin and his kowpeena.

 

What is the relevance of all this to the question raised? One of our

friends has echoed the feeling of every one of us when he said that

we want our Guru to have all the comforts. He said that the Guru

should live like a king. I am in total agreement. But the question is

does the Guru want that? If that is his wish as his disciple you

should offer whatever you can. Sometimes the question I raised might

crop up. There is no correct answer to that question. We can only

pray that we are not placed in such a predicament. You cannot wish

away the problem.

 

Continued