Guest guest Posted July 13, 2003 Report Share Posted July 13, 2003 "GururBrahmaa GururVishnuhu, GururDevo Maheshwaraha, GururSakshaat Param Brahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha." All across India and elsewhere, people are celebrating Guru Purnima in so many ways. In fact one of the most beautiful festivals is this day where we honor our Gurus. All across the world people will define the term, write essays, parse its meaning, recite prayers, practice rituals, chant mantras. I ask myself what does it mean to me. These are some of my thoughts for today. Who are the Gurus for me? Those who have accepted me at my level, given me the respect and love of a human being and gently led me towards the discovery of Truth. Those who have truely experienced that truth, and LIVE it instead of talking about it. Those whose actions speak louder than any words can, whose aura lights up the world around them. These are people who don't have to peddle they spiritual wares like selling fish in fish market. Such are my Gurus, who are grounded so well in Tat Twam asi, that they have no need to prove anything. They teach according to the student's need and consciousness, gently leading them to the source of all knowledge, the Divinity that resides within. I have many such Gurus, who have been, and remain indispensable in my journey. They have been sent to me, in so many ways .. through books, through seminars, and sometimes in person. They have helped me overcome major blocks in my path, and I take time out today to honor then all. I also take the time to honor the rest of my "teachers" who are sent to me in the form of people, seemingly ordinary people, with mortal strengths and weaknesses. Whether they are conscious or not, all are facilitators for each other. Those who are sent along our path, are our mirrors, reflecting back to us an image of our self, each at their own levels. (Gurus reflect back to us our highest potentialities.) If we choose, we can look at that mirror and proceed in our journey accordingly, removing what needs to be discarded, and adding those that take us closer to our Ultimate goal. So today I offer my pranams to all my Gurus in whatever form I have encountered them. I send my pronams to my ultimate Guru who resides within me, who is silently guding me as I stumble my way back HOME. I pray that I remember to carry this feeling of absolute gratitude not just today, but as long as it takes to dissolve the little self and merge with the ocean of the Universe. _/\_ I give pronams to the divine within each of you. UMa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2003 Report Share Posted July 14, 2003 -Thank you, Uma ,for sharing vision about your Guru, and honouring all Guru's on this auspicious day of Guru Purnima. "I always bow to the Guru who is bliss incarnate, who bestows happiness, whose face is radiant with joy. His essential nature is knowledge. He is aware of his true self. He is the Lord of yogis, he is adorable, he is the physician who cures the disease of birth and death." Sri Guru Gita—verse 93. Namaskar. Jigyasa -- In , "Tatwamasi" <tatwamasi> wrote: > "GururBrahmaa GururVishnuhu, GururDevo Maheshwaraha, > GururSakshaat Param Brahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha." > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Namaste all. Guru Purnima is celebrated worldwide by sincere seekers of Beloved God on Guru Vaar, July 21, 2005. Guru Purnima was previously celebrated on July 2nd, 2004. In year 2003 I had the precious opportunity of celebrating this auspicious festival at 'Rangeeli Mahal' in Barsana (the Divine Abode of Radha Rani), UP, India, and received the golden privilege of offering 'Aarati' to Sri Kripaluji Maharaj. My heart and mind have been cherishing the fond memories of those blessed moments with Divine contentment. Jagadguru, the Spiritual guide of the entire world, Sri Kripaluji Maharaj has been enlightening the genuine aspirants on the importance of Sri Guru and the significance of Guru Purnima since many decades. I'll post a few melodius verses he recites from 'Sri Rama Caraita Manas' of Sant Tulasidas as well as 'Srimad Bhagavatam' and Upanishads on this auspicious occasion. candana taru hari santa samIrA rAma sindhu ghana sajjana dhIrA Lord Hari is the exotic tree of sandalwood. Like the wind, the Saints carry its fragrance. Lord Rama is the magnificent, unfathomable ocean. God-realized Saints are the wandering thick clouds bringing cool and fresh raindrops to your door step. Lord Ramacandra said: kabahumka kari karunaa naradehee deta eesa binu hetu sanehee nara tanu bhava vaaridhi kahum bero sanmukha maruta anugraha mero karanadhaar sadguru dhriDha naavaa durlabha saaju sulabha kari paavaa Sometimes God out of His Mercy and without any reason for the affection bestows on him a human body, a raft to carry him across the ocean of mundane existence, with My Grace for a favourable wind and a worthy Saint, Realized Preceptor for a helmsman to steer the course of this strong boat- a combination of which, though hard to win, has been made easily available to him.' bhakti swatantra sakala sukha khaanee binu satasanga na paavahim praanee Divine Love (Bhakti) is independent and a mine of every Blessing! But men cannot attain without the fellowship of Rasik Saints. Saints for their part are inaccessible without a stock of meritorious deeds; it is their fellowship in any case that brings to an end the cycle of births and deaths. There is only one deed of merit in the world and no other- to adore the feet of the God-men (Saints) in thought, word and deed. Heavenly gods and sages are propitious to him who with unfeigned devotion serves the God-realized Saints.' bhagati taata anupama sukha moolaa milayi jo santa hohim anukoolaa DEVOTION, dear brother, is INCOMPARABLE and the very SOURCE of BLISS, but it can ONLY be obtained by favor of the virtuous Rasik Saints. santa charana pankaja ati premaa manakrama bachana bhajana driDha nemaa gurupitu maatu bandhu pati devaa saba mohi kahamjaanai driDha sevaa Who is deeply ENAMOURED of the lotus feet of the Holy Rasik Saints and who follows with dedication and commitment in thought, word and deed recognizing NONE but Me as his Guru, Father, Mother, Brother, Spouse, God and All, becomes steadfast in My Service. ------------------ nirmala jana sovu mohi pAvA mohi kapaTa chala-chidra na bhAvA Only purity of the heart is the direct road to Me, God. The crafty, clever and the wicked never attract Me, Him. (from Sri Rama Carita Manas) Jaya Sri Radhey! guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM , "Tatwamasi" <tatwamasi> wrote: > "GururBrahmaa GururVishnuhu, GururDevo Maheshwaraha, > GururSakshaat Param Brahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha." > > All across India and elsewhere, people are celebrating Guru Purnima > in so many ways. In fact one of the most beautiful festivals is this > day where we honor our Gurus. All across the world people will > define the term, write essays, parse its meaning, recite prayers, > practice rituals, chant mantras. > > I ask myself what does it mean to me. These are some of my thoughts > for today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Namaste all. Saint Tulasidas also praises (in Sri Rama Carit Manas) 'Sat sanga'. the Divine association of God-realized Masters: mati kIrati gati bhUti bhalAI. jaba jehi.n jatana jahA.N jehi.n pAI .. so jAnaba satasa.nga prabhAU. lokahu.N beda na Ana upAU .. Whosoever at any time or place, by any effort, have attained to knowledge, glory, or salvation, or power, or virtue, - be sure that their goal has been attained through the association of Saints; there is no other means in the world or in the Vedas. binu satasa.nga bibeka na hoI. rAma kR^ipA binu sulabha na soI .. satasa.ngata muda ma.ngala mUlA. soi phala sidhi saba sAdhana phUlA .. Wisdom dawns not without the association of Saints and such communion cannot be easily enjoyed without the Grace of Lord Rama. Fellowship with the Saints is the root cause of all joy and good fortune; its flowers are virtuous deeds and fruit is Divine perfection. bidhi hari hara kabi kobida bAnI. kahata sAdhu mahimA sakuchAnI .. so mo sana kahi jAta na kaise.n. sAka banika mani guna gana jaise.n .. Even Brahma, Vishnu, Shankar, poets and schlors, all shrink from describing the great influence of the association of Saints; for me to tell it is, as it were, for a vegetable-vender to describe all the merits of a precious gem! ba.nda_u.N sa.nta samAna chita hita anahita nahi.n koi. a.njali gata subha sumana jimi sama suga.ndha kara doi My salutations to the great souls who are even-minded towards all and no one could be a friend or a foe to them. Just as the gracious flowers held in the cup of both palms shed equal fragrance on the two hands, the one which plucked them and the other that helped to holding them gracefully. sa.nta sarala chita jagata hita jAni subhAu sanehu. bAlabinaya suni kari kR^ipA rAma charana rati dehu .. Realizing thus the noble disposition and kind loving nature of the Saints, who are innocent at heart and desirous of the welfare of the world, I make this humble submission to them. Listening to my child-like prayer, O you God-men, be gracious to me and inspire me with devotion towards the lotus-feet of Sri Rama. jAnakI nAyakaM rAmacandraM bhaje! Jaya Sri Radhey! > guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM > gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Namaste. Here is an excerpt from the life story of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shakara Acarya Bhagavatpada to be remembered on this auspicious occasion: Shankara's meeting with his Sat-Guru, Govinda, is an example of right preparation for meeting the Sat-Guru. By the time he came to Govinda, Shankara was already a serious aspirant, with a deep intuition of the Divine. He was born in the south of India and had renounced family life at age twelve to travel on foot in search of a true Spiritual Master. Over the course of his thousand-mile journey, he met many mystics, Yogis, and Saints, but none of them could fully answer his questions, nor grant perfect Realization. Finally, after four years, he found the forest hermitage of his illustrious Teacher on the banks of the Godavari River. There he first consulted with various ascetics, who led him to the entrance to Sage Govinda's residence—a cave whose entrance Govinda had blocked with a huge boulder, leaving only a small opening at the bottom. Shankara circumambulated the area surrounding the cave three times, and, prostrating himself in front of the entrance, he began to chant a hymn in praise of the Sage. Govinda, seeing Shankara's feet through the opening, asked, "Who are you?" Shankara, showing his full preparation replied, "I have come to thee to know That." Upon hearing these words, Sage Govinda was delighted, and he, through his own Spiritual advancement, could see the full and right preparation of Shankara. In response, referring to Shankara as his "Dear child", Govinda said,'If you want to know That, hold on to this," extending his foot through the entrance to the cave so that Shankara could see it. Shankara prostrated ecstatically before the Sage's feet in true devotion and worshipped the Sage's feet with a proper ceremony of puja (devotional worship). Praying aloud, and offering his unconditional love to his Master, he also requested the Master's infinite Grace. At that, Govinda pulled both his foot and the boy Shankara into the cave. He embraced the youth, acknowledged his rare qualifications as an aspirant, and he Transmitted his Spiritual Blessings to Shankara by touch, word, and glance. Shankara stayed with his Teacher for a few days longer to receive Instruction, and then left to fulfill his mission. http://www.dabase.net/govinda.htm nirmala jana sovu mohi pAvA mohi kapaTa chala-chidra na bhAvA Only purity of the heart is the direct road to God. The clever, crafty, and the wicked never attract Him. Jaya Sri Radhey! , pyari_h <no_reply> wrote: > Namaste all. Guru Purnima is celebrated worldwide by sincere seekers > of Beloved God on Guru Vaar, July 21, 2005. > guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM > gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Happy celebrations of Guru Purnima to all seekers of Beloved God. A few more sublime verses from 'Sri Rama Carit Manas' of Sant Tulasidas: bhaava sahita khojai jo praani paava bhakati mani saba sukha khaani more mana prabhu asa visvasaa rama ten adhika rama karadasaa Any living being who searches with sincere yearning heart finds the jewel of Divine Love, in itself a mine of every blessing. I have in my heart this firm conviction, my Lord, that pure devotee servant of Lord Ramacandra is even greater than Rama Himself. poorana kama rama anuragi tumhasama tata na kovu badabhagi sa.nta biTapa saritA giri dharanI para hita hetu sabanha kai karanI A pure Saintly devotee of Lord Ramacandra has no desire unfulfilled and is thus so blessed that none can equal him. Saints, trees, rivers, mountains and earth, all exist and operate only for the good of others. sa.nta hR^idaya navanIta samAnA kahA kabinha pari kahai na jAnA nija paritApa drava_i navanItA para dukha dravahi.n sa.nta supunItA Poets have described that the heart of a Saint is as soft as fresh butter, but they have missed the essential truth; for butter melts of its own heat, but the most holy Saints melt at others' distress. rAma kR^ipA.N nAsahi saba rogA jau.n ehi bhA.Nti banai sa.nyogA sadagura baida bachana bisvAsA. sa.njama yaha na biShaya kai AsA All diseases can undoubtedly be cured by Lord Rama's grace if these three factors are combined together; there must be a qualified holy Saint for physician and firm faith in his prescription for getting cured; indifference to sensual pleasures as the simple regimen. raghupati bhagati sajIvana mUrI anUpAna shraddhA mati pUrI ehi bidhi bhalehi.n so roga nasAhI.n nAhi.n ta jatana koTi nahi.n jAhI.n Devotion to Lord Ramacandra is the life-giving miracle herb and a mind and heart full of faith is the vehicle in which it is administered. By this process all the worldly ailments are assuredly cured; otherwise all our efforts will become miserable failures. so tanudhari hari bhajahi na je nara hohin vishayarata manda manda tara kA.Ncha kiricha badale.n te lehI. kara te DAri parasa mani dehI.n .. Those who have attained to this human body and yet worship not Lord Hari but wallow in the basest of sensual pleasures throw away the philosophers' stone which they had in their hands to grasp instead bits of common glass. nahi.n daridra sama dukha jaga mAhI.n. sa.nta milana sama sukha jaga nAhI.n .. para upakAra bachana mana kAyA. sa.nta sahaja subhAu khagarAyA .. There is no misery in the world so terrible as poverty and misfortune to equal the lack of communion with the Saint; there is no happiness and joy in the world to equal the blissful association of the saintly spiritual Master. sa.nta sahahi.n dukha parahita lAgI. paradukha hetu asa.nta abhAgI .. The Saints endure pain in the interest of others, but the unfortunate evil wretches do everything to give others pain. bhUrja tarU sama sa.nta kR^ipAlA. parahita niti saha bipati bisAlA .. Tender-hearted Saints, like the Birch tree, which even allows its bark to be peeled off, submit themselves to the direct distress for the good of allpeople around them. santa udaya santata sukha kaari visva sukhada jimi indu tamaari The appearance of the Saint,like the rise of sun and moon, is ever conducive to universal joy. saba kara phala haribhagati suhaayee so binu santa na kaahun paayee Firm devotion to Lord Hari is the reward (fruit) of all spiritual endevour, but no one has won it without the help of the Saints. asa bicaari joyi kara satsangaa rima bhagati tehi sulabha vihangaa Whoever bears this in mind, O Garuda, faithfully associate with the Saints finds devotion to Lord Rama an easy attainment. guru binu bhava nidhi tarai na koyi jau virinci sankara sama hoyi No one can cross the ocean of material existence without a God-reaized spiritual Master, though one be equal of Lord Brahma or Lord Shankara. -------------------- guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM Jaya Sri Radhey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2005 Report Share Posted July 21, 2005 Namaste all. Happy Guru Purnima greetings to all sadhaks. The Gopi Bhava Rasik Saint, Siddha Mahapurusha, Prema-Rasa Parama-Acarya has also glorified SAT-GURU in his 'pada' of 'Prema-Ras-Madira'. "jAvum guru,caraNa kamala balihAr, jin caraNan kI zaraN rahata mana, pAvata yugala vihAr, jin caraNan kI dhyAn dharata mana, mitata jagata aMdhiyAr, jin caraNan anukaMpA jaga maham, rahata na raha saMsAr, jin caraNan-raja AMji carAcara, dIkhata nanda kumAr, yadapi 'kRpAlu' bheda nahi HARI-GURU, tadapi guruhim AbhAr." The Rasik Devotee says that I sincerely surrender and sacrifice myeverything, i.e., my body, mind, intellect, and ego, to the lotus feet of my Sat-Guru Maharaj! He enumerates the great powers of those lotus feet: By taking shelter of those blessed feet, the fortunate soul can relish the eternal pastimes of the Divine Couple. By meditating upon those effulgent feet, (yatpAda padma nakha candra maNicchtAya....RRS) the ancient darkness of worldly Maya, and ignorance, disappear like the dense fog pierced by bright sun-light. By the unlimited Grace of those merciful feet, the surrendered soul, though appears to be living in the material body, but he is not of this mayic world as he is beyond it, being transcenentally situated. satsangtve nissangatvaM nissangatve nirmohatvaM nirmohatve nizcala tattvaM nizcala tattve jIvanmuktiH - Sri Shankara's Bhaja Govindam.9 Company of Good (Guru) leads to detachment true, Detachment gets you past the delusion dense No longer deluded, the changeless Reality dawns. Experience of the Real gives the Liberation sure! (9) "ananyAzcintayantO mAm....." Gita 9.22 "To those dedicated souls who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, who are ever devout, I provide every gain and security for what they have already possessed." By applying the dust particle from those Divine lotus Feet to his eyes as collyrium, the devoted soul is blessed with witnessing the eternal exploits of his Lordships in sacred Vrindavana. Not only that but in every moving and non-moving entity, that fortunate soul perceives only his eternal Beloved Nanda Kumar- Lord Krishna, and thus attains the stage of 'Maha Bhagavata'. Maha Bhagavata- Pure Uttama devotee of Lord is described in Bhagavatam as follows - "The Maha-Bhagavata, the Prema Bhakta, pure devotee, certainly sees everything mobile and immobile, but he does not exactly see their forms. Rather, everywhere he immediately perceives the manifest Form of his Beloved Supreme Lord." (C.C.2.8.274) "sarvatra haya nija-iSTa-deva-sphUrti" "A pure devotee with Prema Bhakti perceives within everything the Soul of souls, the Supreme Lord, Krishna. Consequently he or she always sees the Form of Beloved Lord, the Cause of all causes, situated in all and everything in Him." - Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.45 A devotee who has Prema Bhakti, pure Divine Love, perceives only Beloved Lord Krishna in every step of life. Actually it is not possible to explain in mundane words! It is only experienced as the great Divine realization. (..anubhava rUpam... NBS) In the last verse, Rasik-Saint-Poet says, that even though the Sastras declare that there is no difference between Sri Hari and Guru, - yasya deve para bhaktir yathA deve tathA gurau tasyaite kathitA hyarthAH prakAzyante mahAtmanaH - Svetasvataropanishad 6.23 One who has supreme devotion in God and Guru (the Saint) equally (no less!), attains that ultimate goal. Why So? "Because There is NO difference what so ever between God and His very Own Saintly Devotees!!" "tasmis tajjnebhed AbhAvAt" (N.B.S.41) And Lord Krishna also confirms this in Bhagavatam - AcAryaM mAM vijAnIyAn nAvamanyeta karhicit na martya buddhyA sUyeta sarva devamayo guruH. Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.27 Lord Krishna declared to devotee Uddhava: "Always know the Guru to be Myself (Lord Krishna). Never think unfavorably about Him. Do not use your material mind to comprehend His Divine actions, for all forms of God dwell within the Guru." - but for the benefit of the sincere seeker, Guru alone is considered higher and more kind than God Himself. The yearning soul can utilize the sacred opportunity of Sri Guru's blissful association, his enlightening teachings and wise discipline, as well as loving service blessed upon the sadhak through his visible Divine presence. By the Saintly spiritual Master's unlimited compassion (parama karuna) and great benevolence (maha vadAnyata) which are compared to the attributes of Sri Gouranga (our Gurudeva) Mahaprabhu, the Supreme incarnation of Divine Grace, any sincere seeker can receive Krishna-Prema-Bhakti, which in turn conquers the Supreme Lord. Without Prema Bhakti of Vraja Madhurya Rasa, Vrajendra-nandana, Lord Radha Krishna is impossible to be attained. All Glories to Sadguru Maharaj ji! guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM Jaya Sri Radhey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Namaste. I recall a few melodious sacred chants and homage to Sri Guru offered daily at JKP Ashrams during early morning and evening Aratis: mannAthaH zrI jagannAtho madguruH zrI jagad guruH mamAtmA sarva bhUtAtmA tasmai zrI gurave namaH My sincere salutations to the Divine Spiritual Master, Who is not only my Lord but also is the Lord of whole universe. He, my Guru, is the Guru of the entire world. He, the Supreme universal soul alone is pervading my individual soul. (Visvasaara Tantra) matpreyAn rAdhikA preyAn maddhavo rAdhikA dhavaH tasmAdapi garIyAnyo kRpAlur me gurur mahAn My eternal Beloved is the Sweetheart of Srimati Radhika. My Supreme Protector is the Soulmate of Srimati Radharani. But my Divine spiritual Master of the universe, who appears on the earth for the upliftment of fallen souls is even greater and merciful than Their Lordships. guruM bhajati zrI kRSNaH zrI kRSNaM bhajate guruH saddhAnta tastv abhede 'pi kRpAlur me gurur mahAn Sri Guru unceasingly engages in the constant adoration of the Supreme Beloved, Lord Krishna. My Lordship constantly worships His Soul Beloved. According to the principles of Prema Rasa Siddhanta and other revealed Scriptures, They are eternally Identical, and ever devoid of separation. But still, for the spiritual benefit of the sincere aspirant, I consider the Supremely merciful Incarnation of His Divine Grace on earth is the greatest! yasya sAkSAd bhagavati jJAna-dIpa-prade gurau martyAsad-dhIH zrutaM tasya sarvaM kuJjara-zaucavat The spiritual Master, the giver of transcendental knowledge, is directly the Supreme Lord Himself, His prakAza-vigraha. If someone has the false idea that he is an ordinary human being, a mere mortal, then all his study of scripture is as useless as the bathing of an elephant. (SB 7.15.26) Gaudiya Acarya Sri Vishwanath's commentary stresses: "sAkSAd-bhagavatIti bhagavad-aMza-buddhir api gurau na kAryeti bhAvaH | --" "You are not to think of the guru even as a portion of Krishna, but as Lord Krishna Himself--'sAkSAt bhagavAn'." The next verse tells more about this Guru Who is considered as Lord Himself- eSa vai bhagavAn sAkSAt pradhAna puruSezvaraH yogezvarair vimRgyAGghrir loko vai manyate naram SB 7.15.27 Indeed the Supreme Person Himself is this Spiritual Master, as well as the Lord of all living entities and of the material nature. His lotus feet are sought and worshipped by the Master of great yogis. Nonetheless, the ignorant folks still consider Him as an ordinary human being. AcAryaM mAM vijAnIyAn nAvamanyeta karhicit na martya buddhyA sUyeta sarva devamayo guruH Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.27 So Lord Krishna declares again to devotee Uddhava: "Always know the Guru to be Myself (Lord Krishna). Never think unfavorably about Him. Do not use your material mind to comprehend His Divine actions, for all forms of God dwell within the Guru." --------------- The following verse is very much praised by Sri Kripaluji Maharaj as one of his most favorite verses of Srimad Bhagavatam as it reveals the essential sadhana of Divine realization. bhayaM dvitIyAbhinivezataH syAd IzAd apetasya viparyayo 'smrRtiH tan-mAyayAto budha Abhajet taM bhaktyaikay ezaM guru-devat AtmA SB 11-2-37 Fear arises when a living entity mis-identifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the invidual soul thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as an eternal servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called mAyA. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotion of the Lord, accepting the guidance of God-realized Rasik Saint, whom he should realize as his worshipable Deity and as his very life and Soul. ------------------ These few verses are often recited by Sri Maharaj ji in his worldwide discourses: tasmAd guruM prapadyeta jijJAsuH zreya uttamam zAbde pare ca niSNAtaM brahmaNy upazamAzrayam Therefore one who is inquisitive about the ultimate good in life should surrender to a spiritual Master who has thoroughly understood the purport of the scriptures, who is fixed in Divine realization and has attained peace from the sense impulses. - Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.21 nR-deham AdyaM sulabhaM sudurlabhaM plavaM su-kalpaM guru-karNa-dhAram mayAnukUlena nabhasvateritaM pumAn bhavAbdhiM na taret sa Atma-hA This human body is the root of all benefits. It seems so easily obtained, yet is in fact extremely rare. It is like a boat especially designed for crossing the ocean of material existence. If one has a spiritual Master to guide him like the boat's helmsman and is given the favorable winds of My mercy, but still fails to cross over, then he is wilfully committing suicide. SB 11.20.17 Jaya Sri Radhey! -------------------- guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Namaste. ... gurvaashhTakaM .. janmaanekashataiH sadaadarayujaa bhaktyaa samaaraadhito bhaktairvaidikalakshaNena vidhinaa santushhTa IshaH svayam.h . saakshaat.h shrIgururuupmetya kR^ipayaa dR^iggocharaH san.h prabhuH tattvaM saadhu vibodhya taarayati taan.h saMsaaraduHkhaarNavaat.h .. The Supreme Lord, moved by the devout and reverential homage of his disciples in accord with scriptural prescriptions in countless former births, incarnates out of compassion in the form of a Guru; he thereby comes within the orbit of sight, freely transmits to them the wisdom concerning Ultimate Reality, and enables them to cross over the ocean of sorrowful samsara, the realm of conditioned existence. shariiraM suruupaM tathaa vaa kalatraM yashashchaaru chitraM dhanaM merutulyam.h . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..1.. One's vesture may be superb, one's consort likewise, one's reputation resplendent and renowned, and one's riches like unto Mount Meru; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? kalatraM dhanaM putrapautraadi sarvaM gR^ihaM baandhavaaH sarvametaddhi jaatam.h . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..2.. Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such; home and kindred; the host of all these things may be there; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? shhaDaN^gaadivedo mukhe shastravidyaa kavitvaadi gadyaM supadyaM karoti . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..3.. The Vedas with their six limbs and the knowledge of all sciences may be on one's lips; one may possess the poetic gift and may compose fine prose and poetry; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? videsheshhu maanyaH svadesheshhu dhanyaH sadaachaaravR^itteshhu matto na chaanyaH . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..4.. I am honoured in other lands and I am prosperous in my homeland; in the paths of righteous conduct there is none who surpasses me; thus one may think; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? kshamaamaNDale bhuupabhuupaalavR^indaiH sadaa sevitaM yasya paadaaravindam.h . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..5.. One may be constantly extolled and one's presence highly honoured by hosts of emperors and rulers of this world; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? yasho me gataM dikshu daanapretaapaa\- jjagadvastu sarvaM kare yatprasaadaat.h . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..6.. My repute has travelled in all directions through my philanthropy and prowess; all the things of this world are in my hands as rewards for my virtues; thus one may think; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? na bhoge na yoge na vaa vaajiraajau na kaantaamukhe naiva vitteshhu chittam.h . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..7.. One's consciousness may not be confined to enjoyment nor to yoga, nor indeed to multitudes of steeds, neither to the face of the beloved nor to riches; yet if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? araNye na vaa svasya gehe na kaarye na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye . manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..8.. One's mind may not dwell upon the forest nor even upon home, nor in what is to be accomplished, not upon the body, nor upon what is auspicious; yet if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then? gurorashhTakaM yaH paThetpuNyadehI yatirbhuupatirbrahmachaarii cha gehii . labhedvaaJNchhitaarthaM padaM brahmasaMGYaM guroruktavaakye mano yasya lagnam.h .. 9.. Whoever, hallowed by holy merit, ponders the above octad extolling the Guru, whose mind is centred upon the words of the Guru, whether such a person be an ascetic, sovereign, student or householder, attains the desired goal, the consummation of Divine love union with Beloved Brahman. ... iti shriimad.h shaN^karaachaaryavirachitaM gurvaashhTakaM samaap taM .. This concludes the 'Gurvashtakam' composed by Sri Jagadguru Sri Shankara acarya Bhagavatpada. Jaya Sri Radhey! , pyari_h <no_reply> wrote: > I recall a few melodious sacred chants and homage to Sri Guru offered > daily at JKP Ashrams during early morning and evening Aratis: > > mannAthaH zrI jagannAtho madguruH zrI jagad guruH > mamAtmA sarva bhUtAtmA tasmai zrI gurave namaH > > My sincere salutations to the Divine Spiritual Master, > Who is not only my Lord but also is the Lord of whole universe. > He, my Guru, is the Guru of the entire world. He, > the Supreme universal soul alone > is pervading my individual soul. > > (Visvasaara Tantra) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 Happy auspicious 'Guru vaar' to all. janmaanekashataiH sadaadarayujaa bhaktyaa samaaraadhito bhaktairvaidikalakshaNena vidhinaa santushhTa IshaH svayam.h . saakshaat.h shrIgururuupmetya kR^ipayaa dR^iggocharaH san.h prabhuH tattvaM saadhu vibodhya taarayati taan.h saMsaaraduHkhaarNavaat.h .. The Supreme Lord, moved by the devout and reverential homage of his disciples in accord with scriptural prescriptions in countless former births, incarnates out of compassion in the form of Sri Guru; he thereby comes within the orbit of sight, freely transmits to them the wisdom concerning Ultimate Reality, and enables them to cross over the ocean of sorrowful samsara, the realm of conditioned existence. - Gurvaashtakam, Adi Jagadguru Sri Shankara Acarya Brahmanda bramite kona bhagyavana jiva Guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija [C.C. Madhyalila, 19.151] Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu said in Caitanya Caritamrita: "According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planets, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a Rasik Saint by the grace of Lord Krsna. By the mercy of both Krsna and the saintly Preceptor, such a person receives the seed for the vine of Divine Love." tate krsna bhaje, kare gurura maya-jala chute, paya krsnera carana "If the surrendered soul engages in the loving service of the Lord and follows the sadhana given by his/her Divine Preceptor and faithfully serves him, he/she can get out of the clutches of maya and become eligible for shelter at Krsna's lotus feet." guru krsna-rupa hana sastrera pramane gure-rupe krsna krpa karena bhakta-gane [C.C. Adilila, 1.45] "According to the deliberate opinion of all revealed scriptures, the spiritual master himself is another form of Lord Krsna. Lord Krsna Himself in the form of the spiritual master delivers His devotees." siksa-guruke ta jani krsnera svarupa antaryami, bhakta-srestha, -- ei dui rupa [C.C. Adi, 1.47] "One should know the instructing spiritual master to be the Personality of Krsna, Lord Krsna manifests Himself in both forms, one as the 'Antaryami', Supersoul, and as the Rasik Saint, the pure devotee of the Lord." jive saksat nahi tate guru caitya-rupe siksa-guru haya krsna-mahanta-svarupe [C.C. Adi, 1. 58] "Since the seeking soul is not yet evolved enough to have the spiritual experience of the Lord as the Divine Supersoul, He appears before the surrendered soul in the form of Rasik Saint. Such a saintly Preceptor is none other than Krsna's own form of Divine Grace." -------------------- guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM -------------------- Jaya Sri Radhey! , pyari_h <no_reply> wrote: > Namaste all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Namaste all. I have posted many messages before on 'Guru Purnima' in relation to 'Sadguru' and spiritual sadhana. Here are a few more thoughtful verse from Scriptures. Padma Purana (6.128.269) bhaktir yathA harau me'sti tad-variSThA gurau yadi | mamAsti tena satyena svaM darzayatu kezavaH ||269|| If my devotion to my guru is even stronger than my devotion for Lord Hari, then may this truth cause Lord Hari to reveal himself to me. HBV 4.358: bhaktir yathA harau me'sti tadvan niSThA gurau yadi mamAsti tena satyena svaM darzayatu me hariH If my commitment to my guru is as strong as my devotion for Lord Hari, then may this truth cause Lord Hari to reveal himself to me. HBV 1.28 kRpayA kRSNa-devasya tad-bhakta-jana-saGgataH bhakter mAhAtmyam AkarNya tAm icchan sad-guruM bhajet By the mercy of Lord Krishna, when one hears the glories of devotional service through the association of his devotees and begins to feel a desire for it, one should approach a true spiritual master. 11.2.37 bhayaM dvitIyAbhinivezataH syAd IzAd apetasya viparyayo 'smrRtiH tan-mAyayAto budha Abhajet taM bhaktyaikay ezaM guru-devat AtmA Fear arises when a living entity mis-identifies himself as the material body because of absorption into the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the invidual soul thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as an eternal servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called mAyA. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotion of the Lord, accepting the guidance of God-realized Rasik Saint, whom he should realize as his worshipable Deity and as his very life and soul. Jaya Sri Radhey! > Lord Hari is the exotic tree of sandalwood. > Like the wind, the Saints carry its fragrance. > > Lord Rama is the magnificent, unfathomable ocean. > God-realized Saints are the wandering thick clouds > bringing cool and fresh raindrops to your door step. > > Lord Ramacandra said: > > Sometimes God out of His Mercy and without any reason for the > affection bestows on him a human body, a raft to carry him across the > ocean of mundane existence, > > with My Grace for a favourable wind and a worthy Saint, Realized > Preceptor for a helmsman to steer the course of this strong boat- a > combination of which, though hard to win, has been made easily > available to him.' > Divine Love (Bhakti) is independent and a mine of every Blessing! But > men cannot attain without the fellowship of Rasik Saints. > > Saints for their part are inaccessible without a stock of meritorious > deeds; it is their fellowship in any case that brings to an end the > cycle of births and deaths. > > There is only one deed of merit in the world and no other- to adore > the feet of the God-men (Saints) in thought, word and deed. Heavenly > gods and sages are propitious to him who with unfeigned devotion > serves the God-realized Saints.' > DEVOTION, dear brother, is INCOMPARABLE and > the very SOURCE of BLISS, but it can ONLY be > obtained by favor of the virtuous Rasik Saints. > Who is deeply ENAMOURED of the lotus feet of the Holy Rasik Saints > and who follows with dedication and commitment in thought, word > and deed recognizing NONE but Me as his Guru, Father, Mother, > Brother, Spouse, God and All, becomes steadfast in My Service. > > Only purity of the heart is the direct road to Me, God. > The crafty, clever and the wicked never attract Me, Him. > > (from Sri Rama Carita Manas) > > Jaya Sri Radhey! > > guruH kRpAlur mama zaraNaM vande'haM sadguru caraNaM > gopIprema bhAva bharaNam vande'haM sadgurucaraNaM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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