By Sai Baba : What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima?

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What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima? By Sai Baba

Eight types of Gurus and their functions There is only one Guru. There cannot be

two Gurus Significance of The Holy Guru-Purnima Day By Swami Sivananda ("The

Cave of Vasishta" memories for the devotees and the residents of Sivanand

ashram - Sai baba's visit) Serving the Guru according to scriptures

 

GURUR BRAHMA,GURUR VISHNU,GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARAHGURUR SAAKSHAAT

PARA-BRAHMA,TASMAI SHRI GURUVE NAMAH.

Summary of the Mantra

The Guru is Brahma (The God of Creation)The Guru is Vishnu (The God of

Sustenance)The Guru is Shiva (The God of Annihilation)My Salutation to such a

Guru, who is verily the Supreme God

 

Embodiment of Love!From this day of Guru Purnima, make your hearts sacred. Just

as you wave away the mosquitoes that bite you, brush aside any difficulties

that assail you. Do not be depressed by sorrow nor be elated by happiness.

Develop equanimity and strive to attain Divinity.Here Bhagawan sang the Bhajan,

"Vahe Guru Vahe Guru Vahe Guru Ji Bolo …" and then continued the discourse.There

is only one Guru. There cannot be two Gurus - inner Guru and external Guru. Guru

is one who treads along the path of Truth. He is truth himself.“ Gurur-Brahma

Gurur-Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheswara;Guru Sakshat Param Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave

Namaha. ”

(Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara. Guru is verily the supreme

Brahman. So, salutations to the Guru.)You are the embodiment of Divine Trinity

- Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara. Hence, Guru is not separate from you. You are

everything. Let your concentration not waver. Let it be steadily fixed on your

goal. Be he a student, a celibate, a householder or a renunciant, the goal is

one and same for all. Contemplate on the principle of So-ham that your inner

voice teaches. Say Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahma). There is nothing wrong in this

statement. Some people have a mistaken notion that to say so, is a sign of

egoism. In fact, that is not ego at all. It is your right. To think that you

are a mere human being amounts to demeaning yourself. You are the embodiments

of God. Develop such faith and become God. There cannot be any bad qualities in

God. So, you should lead a pure, steady and selfless life. See good, speak good

and do good. You should be an ideal to everybody. No benefit accrues from

worship if you do not purify your heart. You are worshipping Swami and have

been visiting Swami for a number of years.But is there any transformation in

you? You are coming and going without any aim. Such people need not come here

at all. Wherever you are, do your Sadhana. When you come here, you should

imbibe divine feelings and become divine. Gradually reduce your attachment to

the world. The world will not go with you when you die. You cannot even take

away a fistful of dust. You can take only the virtues you have cultivated.

Respect your teachers, elders and parents. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava,

Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (revere your mother, father, preceptor

and guest as God). Consider everyone as God. There is God even in a dog. Have

faith that God is all-pervasive. There is no greater Sadhana than this. When

people develop such faith, the whole nation will be blessed with plenty,

prosperity and all auspiciousness. Fill your heart with divine feelings. This

is what you have to learn today.(selection from the Divine Discourse delivered

by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Babain Sai Kulwanth Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 24th

July 2002on the occasion of GuruPoornima Day)

Sankaram Sankaracharyam Kesavam Badarayanam;Sutra-Bhashya-Kritau Vande

Bhagavantau Punah PunahI adore Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, Bhagavan Vyasa and Sri

Sankaracharya. I again and again prostrate to Sri Vyasa who wrote the Vedanta

Sutras, and to Sri Sankaracharya who wrote the commentaries thereon (Guru

Vandanam).The full-moon day in the month of Ashada is the extremely auspicious

and holy day of Guru-Purnima. On this Ashada Purnima Day, sacred to the memory

of the great sage Sri Vyasa Bhagavan or Sri Krishna Dvaipayana, Sannyasins

settle at some place to study, do Vedantic Vichara, and discourse on the

thrice-blessed Brahma Sutras composed by Maharshi Vyasa. Sri Veda-Vyasa has

done unforgettable service to all humanity for all time by editing the four

Vedas, writing the eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata. We can

attempt to repay this deep debt of gratitude we owe him only by constant study

of his works and practice of his teachings imparted for the regeneration of

humanity in the iron age or Kali Yuga. In honour of this divine personage, all

Sadhakas and devotees perform Vyasa Puja on this day; aspirants worship their

Guru. Mahatmas and Sadhus are honoured and entertained, and acts of charity

done by all Grihastis with deep faith and sincerity. Chaturmasa for Sannyasins

begins from this day. Sannyasins stay in one place during the rainy season for

four months, study the Brahma Sutras, and practise meditation.Significance Of

The Guru-Purnima DayMark fully the deep significance of this great day. Ashada

Purnima heralds the Chaturmasa, or the setting in of the eagerly awaited rains.

The water, drawn up and stored as clouds in the hot summer, now manifests in

plentiful showers that usher in the advent of fresh life everywhere. Even so do

you all begin seriously to put into actual working all the theory and philosophy

that you have stored up in you through patient study. Commence practical

spiritual Sadhana right from this day. Generate fresh waves of spirituality.

Let all that you have read, heard, seen and learnt become, through Sadhana,

transformed into a continuous outpouring of universal love, ceaseless loving

service and continuous prayer and worship of the Lord seated in all beings.Live

on milk and fruits on this day and practise rigorous Japa and Dhyana. Study the

Brahma Sutras and do some lakhs of Japa (Anushthana or Purascharana) of your

Guru Mantra or Ishta Mantra, during the Chaturmasa. You will be highly

benefited.As the day of Guru-Puja or worship of one’s preceptor this is a day

of pure joy to the sincere aspirant. Thrilled by the expectation of offering

his reverent homage to the beloved Guru, aspirant awaits this occasion with

eagerness and devotion. It is the Guru alone that breaks the binding cords of

attachment and releases the aspirant from the trammels of earthly existence.

The Sruti says: “To that high-souled aspirant, whose devotion to the Lord is

great and whose devotion to his Guru is as great as that to the Lord, these

secrets explained, become illuminated.” Guru is Brahman or Isvara Himself. He

guides and inspires you from the innermost core of your being. He is

everywhere.Behold The Entire Universe As Guru-SvarupaHave a new angle of

vision. Behold the entire universe as Guru-Svarupa. See the guiding hand, the

awakening voice, the illumining touch of the Guru in every object in this

Creation. The whole world will now stand transformed before your changed

vision. The Virat Guru will reveal all the precious secrets of life and bestow

wisdom. The Supreme Guru, manifest in visible Nature, will teach you the most

valuable lessons of life. Worship daily this Guru of Gurus, the Guru who taught

even Avadhuta Dattatreya. The silent all-enduring earth with its lofty

forbearance, the shady fruit-bearing tree with its willing self-sacrifice, the

mighty Banyan tree (Pipal) reposing with patience in the tiny seed, the

dripping drops whose persistence wears away the rocks, the planets and the

seasons with their orderly punctuality and regularity are divine Gurus to him

who will look, listen and receive.Purify And ProgressBecome a personification

of receptivity. Empty yourself of your petty ego-sense. All the treasures

locked up in the bosom of Nature will become yours! You will have progress and

perfection in an amazingly short time. Become pure and unattached as the

mountain breeze. As the river flows continuously, steadily and constantly

towards its goal, the ocean, by moving every moment of your life towards the

Supreme State of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss, let all your thoughts, all your

words, all your actions be directed only towards the Goal.The moon shines by

reflecting the dazzling light of the sun. It is the full-moon of Purnima-Day

that reflects in full splendour the glorious light of the sun. It glorifies the

sun. Purify yourself through the fire of service and Sadhana, and like the full

moon, reflect the glorious Light of the Atman. Become the full reflectors of

Brahmic splendour, the Light of lights. Make this your goal, to become a living

witness to Divinity, the brilliant Sun of suns!Tat Tvam AsiBrahman or the

Supreme Self alone is real. He is the Soul of all. He is All in all. He is the

Essence of this universe. He is the Unity that never admits of a duality under

all the varieties and diversities of nature. Thou art this immortal,

all-pervading, all-blissful Brahman. Thou art That—Tat Tvam Asi. Realise this

and be free.Remember the four important verses of the Brahma Sutras: (i)

Atha-Ato Brahma-Jijnasa—Now, therefore, the enquiry into Brahman. (ii)

Janmadyasya Yatah—From which proceed the origin, etc. (iii) Sastra-Yonitvat—The

scriptures being the means of right knowledge. (iv) Tat Tu Samanvayat—But that

because It is the main support.Now sing: Jaya Guru Siva Guru Hari Guru

Ram,Jagad-Guru Param Guru Sat-Guru Syam.Remember and adore Sri Vyasa and the

Brahma-Vidya Gurus. May their blessings be upon you all! May you all cut

asunder the knot of Avidya and shine as blessed Jivanmuktas, shedding peace,

joy and light everywhere!

What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima?

God has no specific name. All names are attributed by man to God. Each name,

like Padmanabha, Hiranyagarbha, and Hiranmaya, has a profound inner meaning.

Spirituality is meant to explain the principle of Divinity and the inner

meaning of the names attributed to Him. One who follows the spiritual path

should make efforts to understand and experience the principle of Divinity and

propagate the same. But, man today has not really understood what spirituality

means. He is under the mistaken notion that spirituality means merely offering

worship and prayers to God and performing rituals. People should be taught the

inner significance of spirituality and various names and forms attributed to

Divinity. Your heart should melt and flow toward God. Only then can you attain

His grace. People may talk as they please; do not be carried away by them.

Unmindful of hardships and difficulties, hold on to the principle of divinity

and reach the goal of life. Today, people lack the will and determination to

reach the goal of life. How can those who do not understand the goal of life,

attain it? True love cannot be fragmented. One cannot have love for God as well

as for ephemeral objects and relationships. The love which is fragmented is

artificial only. You have only one heart. You cannot break it into pieces and

distribute to various people. It is not like a laddoo or sugar cane, which can

be broken into pieces and distributed. It is the eternal truth. It is nectarous

and full of bliss. Ignoring the immortal bliss within, people tread the worldly

path thinking that bliss lies therein. It is only a figment of their

imagination. He is a true devotee who makes efforts to attain God with full

faith and determination without caring for trials and tribulations. Divine

Discourse: July 13, 2003What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of

Guru Purnima? You must understand that God is in you, with you, around you,

above you, below you. In fact, you are God. Recognise this truth in the first

instance. Do not entertain excessive desires and become beggars. Do your duty

sincerely. That is the true Sadhana. When you are in office, do office work

only; do not think of your family matters. Likewise, when you are at home, take

care of the needs of your wife and children. Do not make your home an office.

But today because of too much work in office, people take office-papers to

their homes to complete their work. They are thus facing difficulties because

they mix up their office work, household work, business and spiritual matters.

Right from this day, try to reduce your attachment to the world to the extent

possible. Be happy and make others happy. Do not hurt anybody. Consider

difficulties as passing clouds. You have developed family relationships and

there are bound to be some worries. But do not be perturbed by them. When you

look at the vast sky, you find many clouds. Likewise, in the sky of your heart

there are clouds of attachment. They just come and go. Do not worry about them.

What is the shape of worry? It is a mentally created fear. It is the result of

your imagination. Every man is bound to encounter difficulties and losses. We

should face them with courage. From this day of Guru Purnima, make your hearts

sacred. Just as you wave away the mosquitoes that bite you, brush aside any

difficulties that assail you. Do not be depressed by sorrow nor be elated by

happiness. Develop equanimity and strive to attain Divinity. Divine Discourse:

July 24, 2002Today we are celebrating Guru Purnima. Purnima means full moon

day. Then who is a Guru? The modern Gurus whisper a Mantra into the ear and

stretch their hand for money. Such people are not fit to be called Gurus.

Gukaro GunateethahaRukaro Rupavarjithaha (one who is attributeless and formless

is a true Guru.) A Guru is necessary to make you understand the formless and

attributeless Divinity. Since it is difficult to get such Gurus, consider God

as your Guru. Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswara;Gurur Sakshat Para

Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is

Maheswara. Consider Guru as your everything. In this world, everything is a

manifestation of Divinity. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is

Brahman). All are the embodiments of Divinity. In fact, all that you see is

nothing but the Divine Cosmic Form (Viswa Virat Swarupa). Sahasra Seersha

PurushaSahasraksha Sahasra Padh (With thousands of heads, thousands of feet and

thousands of eyes, Divinity pervades everything). This means all the heads, all

the feet and all the eyes that we see in this world belong to God. When the

Vedic statement, Sahasra Seersha... was made, the population of the world was

only a few thousands, but now it runs into a few hundred crores. In those days,

people considered everybody as Divine. They believed in the Vedic dictum, Sarva

Bhuta Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachchati (salutations to all beings reach God).

Easwara Sarva Bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). Isavasyam Idam

Sarvam (the entire universe is permeated by God). Divinity is not restricted to

a particular place. God is here, God is there and He is everywhere. You are

developing differences out of delusion, but Divinity is One and only One. It is

the duty of a Guru to propagate such principle of oneness. Divine Discourse:

July 5, 2001Today we are celebrating the festival of Guru Poomima. Who is Guru?

'Gu' stands for Gunatheeta (attributeless). 'Ru' signifies Rupavarjita

(formless). There is another interpretation for the word Guru. 'Gu' signifies

darkness and 'Ru' denotes that which dispels darkness. (Gukaaro Andhakaarasya,

Rukarasthannirodhakaha). So, God, who is attributeless and formless, is the

true Guru. In the word 'Bhagavan', the letter 'Bha' stands for effulgence. An

ordinary electric bulb illumines only a limited area, but God who is all

pervasive illuminates the entire creation. Divinity shines forth in everybody.

So, do not hate anybody. Guru is one who dispels the darkness of ignorance,

arising out of body attachment. Body is but an instrument. God has given you

the body to take to the Path of action. Body is God's gift. Deho Devalayah

Prokto jeevo Devah Sanathanaha (body is the temple and the indweller is God)!

Consider all bodies as temples of God and offer your salutations. Salute even

your enemies. Sarva Jeeva Namaskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchathi and likewise

Sarva Jeeva Tiraskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchathi (whomsoever you salute, it

reaches God and whomsoever you censure, it also reaches God). Give up

ignorance, light the lamp of wisdom in you and ultimately merge in the Divine.

This is Swami's message for you today. Develop love. Through love alone can you

annihilate the mind and through love alone can you get cured of any disease.

Only love can eradicate the evil qualities in you. So love all. Love the

Hridaya, not the physical body. Love the Divinity that is installed in your

heart. Body, mind, intellect and senses are merely instruments, you are the

master. So, master the mind and be a mastermind. Never become a slave to your

mind. Contemplate on the Divine day in and day out. That alone can bring about

transformation in you. You may chant any name, contemplate on any form; but

understand the truth that God is One and only one. Divine Discourse: July 16,

2000Today is Guru Poornima. What is its significance?Guru Brahma Guru

VishnuGuru Devo MaheswarahGuru Sakshath ParabrahmaThasmai Sri Gurave Namah.The

Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are within us. That is why I often say

you are not one, but three. This is the meaning of the three words Bhur,

Bhuvah, Suvah in the Gayathri Mantra. Bhur means Bhuloka (earth). The earth is

made up of materials. Therefore, the human body, which is also made up of

materials, is called Bhuloka. This can also be referred to as materialization.

Bhuvaha means life force.(Prana) It is this life force that makes the body

move. It is known as vibration. Suvaha means wisdom. This is known as

radiation. The Veda declares: Prajnanam Brahma. This Prajnana is nothing but

radiation. Human being is a combination of materialization, vibration and

radiation. You don't need to search for God outside. Turn your vision inward.

There you will find God. Today is full moon day. The Veda says: Chandrama

Manaso Jathaha Chaksho Suryo Ajayatha Mukhadindrascha Agnishcha. Moon is the

presiding deity of the mind. That day is Poornima in the true sense of the

term, when the mind is filled with pure love. Let your mind shine brilliantly

like the moon on a full moon day. This is possible only when you fill your mind

with love. Fill your hearts with love. There is no wealth, no Dharma, no

meditation greater than love. I expect all of you to live in unity like

brothers and sisters. If you become the embodiment of love, you will become

divine. Divine Discourse: July 28, 1999What is the significance of the Guru

Purnima, which we are celebrating today? People consider a person who imparts

knowledge as a preceptor. But most of them are mere teachers, not preceptors

(gurus). There is only one guru and He is God. The letter "Gu" signifies one

who transcends all attributes. "Ru" signifies one who has no form. Only God can

be regarded as one who is beyond attributes and forms. In another sense, the

term "Guru" means one who dispels ignorance. Although one's mother, father and

preceptor are to be adored as divine beings, they are not God. God should be

worshipped as mother, father, preceptor, kinsman and friend. Father, mother,

and preceptor dwell in their respective abodes. But God dwells in your heart.

Love the Lord who resides in your heart. All other objects of love are

impermanent. People should understand the distinction between worldly love and

spiritual love. Worldly love is based on the desire to receive. Divine love

yearns to give. God's love goes on giving. This is the true mark of divinity.

It is a sign of purity. Spirituality is opposed to the ways of the world.

Worldly activities cannot always be avoided. But if whatever is done is made an

offering to please God, it gets sanctified. Whatever you achieve, treat it as a

gift from God. You will then realize your true humanness. True humanness

consists in the unity of good conduct, good thoughts and good speech. Never

depart from truth. Let love flow freely from your heart. Divine Discourse: July

9, 1998The term "Guru" means one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. "Gu"

means one who is beyond attributes (gunas), "Ru" implies one who is beyond

forms (rupas). This refers only to God. That is why the "Guru" is hailed as

Brahma, Vishnu or Siva. Only God is the true Guru. All others are merely

teachers, like the teachers of different subjects in a college. "Guru" is the

one who reveals the "Guri" (target) to the disciple. "Guri" here refers to the

Atmic Principle. Divine Discourse: July 20, 1997Today is described as Guru

Purnima Day. This is not quite correct. The day got its name because of some

gurus who wanted to have an occasion for receiving offerings from their

disciples. The right name for this day is Vyasa Purnima. Vyaasa was born on

this full moon day. He completed the codification of the four Vedas on this

day. He completed the writing of the eighteen puranas on this day. Owing to the

passage of time Vyasa Purnima came to be called Guru Purnima. When this Self is

within you where is the need to search for someone to teach you? A teacher who

teaches others has had a teacher himself. The one who has no Guru above him is

the true Guru. The Sanskrit stanza which hails the Guru as Brahma, Vishnu and

Maheswara and as Parabrahman is misinterpreted. The right approach is to

consider Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara as the Guru. These three are symbolised

by the three gunas: Brahma is Rajas, Vishnu is Sathva and Siva is Thamas. The

whole cosmos is constituted by the three gunas. The three gunas are present in

man. The trinity are present in the form of the three gunas in every human

heart. Divine Discourse: July 30, 1996Embodiments of Divine Atma: Today is Guru

Purnima. What is meant by Gurutwa? Truth in the world is Gurutwa. Observe truth

with steady feelings and with a selfless heart. That truth is your protection.

That truth is your armour. Truth will follow you and protect you. Satyam Naasti

Paramo Dharma - there is no Dharma higher than Truth. Dharmo Rakshati

Rakshithaha - if you protect Dharma, that Dharma will in turn protect you. Do

not waver by this agitation. Keep your truth as you aim. Fill your heart with

sanctity. Love every one. Do not hate anybody. Then only true divinity will

originate in you. Divine Discourse: July 3, 1993Who is a true Guru? What is the

truth underlying the Guru principle? Is he the one that teaches worldly

education? Is he the one that explores the properties of matter, a Guru? Is he

the one that describes in detail Natural Sciences, a Guru? No, they are only

teachers. A true Guru is the embodiment of Brahmaanandha (transcendental

bliss). A true Guru is one who enjoys and confers changeless supreme happiness.

He is beyond space and time; and there is nothing higher than Him. He is the

very form of truth and infinite. He has neither birth nor death, neither

beginning nor end. He is God Himself: He is the Guru. Guru is Brahman. He is

the Creator; He Himself is the creation and He is the One that exists in the

creation. The universe is filled with Brahman. It becomes clear that the One

who Himself has become the universe is the Guru. Guru is Vishnu. Who is Vishnu?

Vishnu is one who has the quality of pervasiveness. He is the Doer and also what

is done. The universe is the action, God is the Doer. God is the consciousness

behind the cause and effect. The whole universe is the form of Vishnu. This

Vishnu is the Guru. Guru is Maheshvara. Who is Maheshvara? He is the one who

rules all beings in the Universe. He commands and ordains everything in the

universe in the right manner. Sun-rise and Sun-set go on according to His

command. Seasons, rain, the day and night are His commands. Eeshvara is one

that makes everything--follow its discipline without any lapse. Guru is not one

who merely teaches. A Guru is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He is God

himself. Gurupuurnima means full moon without any defect or lacuna. Moon is

nothing but mind. When the mind is completely perfect, it sheds light.

Gurupuurnima is not performed by circumambulation and offerings to the Guru.

What is the real offering? It is the offering of one's love. To know that God

exists everywhere is circumambulation. If you understand these terms, everyday

is Gurupuurnima. There is only one Guru, that is God and there is no other

Guru. Contemplate on that Guru. Divine Discourse: July 14, 1992

Eight types of Gurus and their functions Today is the sacred day of Guru

Purnima. Bharatiyas have held the view that one should try to sublimate one's

life by seeking a Guru and acting according to his teachings. There are eight

types of Gurus: Bodha Guru Veda Guru Nishiddha Guru Kaamya Guru Vaachaka Guru

Soochaka Guru Kaarana Guru Vihita Guru Bodha Guru teaches the Sastras and

encourages the pupil to act up to sastraic injunctions. The Veda Guru imparts

the inner meaning of the Veda s, establishes the pupil in spiritual truths and

turns his mind towards God. The Nishiddha Guru imparts knowledge about rites

and duties and shows how one's welfare here and in the hereafter can be

ensured. The Kaamya Guru makes one engage himself in meritorious deeds to

secure happiness in both the worlds. The Vaachaka Guru imparts knowledge of

Yoga and prepares the disciple for the spiritual life. The Soochaka Guru

teaches how the senses are to be controlled through various types of

discipline. The Kaarana Guru reveals the unity of the jivi and the Atma. Vihita

Guru clears all doubts, purifies the mind and shows how Self-realization can be

attained.Of these eight Gurus, the Kaarana Guru is the foremost. Through

various teachings and practices, he helps the individual to progress from the

human to the divine consciousness. Only the divine can act as such a teacher.

All other Gurus can be helpful only to a limited extent. On this Guru Purnima

day I do not intend to give you any Ashtaakshari (eight letter) or

Panchaakshari (five-letter) mantra based on any particular deity's name. Nor am

I enjoining you to study any Upanishad, or the Gita or the Brahma Sutras. There

is a simple five-letter pronouncement "God is" ("Devudunnaadu," in Telugu).

Make this your sheet anchor. If you go on reciting it, thinking over it, acting

up to it and conveying it to others, immersing yourself in the bliss of this

experience, you will be making the greatest contribution to the welfare of the

world. Consider this mantra as the message for this Guru Purnima and proclaim

it in all circumstances and at all places with all the conviction and strength

you can command. The world can be turned into an earthly paradise if you

strengthen your faith in God and demonstrate it in your actions. You must have

the courage and determination to face any kind of problems and difficulties. By

propagating this mantra you can promote the love of God and the fear of sin

among the people. The mantra "God is" can be more powerful than a mantra based

on any particular deity's name. From today, develop your faith in God; engage

yourselves in dedicated service to society and make your lives purposeful and

helpful to those in distress or need. Remember that whomsoever you may serve,

you are serving God. This is my benediction for all of you. Divine Discourse:

July 21, 1986

Serving the GuruAccording to scriptures

(1) Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6/23) :Advocates worship to the Guru in the same

manner as the deity - God, to attain all there is to attain on the path of

God-realization:

Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau |Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha

prakashante mahatmanaha ||

(2) Bhagavad Gita (4/34) :The disciple should humbly pose questions to the Guru

and please him by serving him. He will then impart the knowledge of God, so

ordain the wise sages.

(3) Shrimad Bhagvatam :Bhagwan Rushabhdeva advocates his sons: Obeying the

Anuvrutti - unvoiced wishes - of God and Guru is devotion.

(4 ) Vachanamrutam (Vadtal 5) :The aspirant should offer equal and intensely

loving service to God and His sadhu. Then, despite being the lowest type of

devotee who is destined to become a great-devotee after either two births or

four births or ten births or even a hundred births, he can become a great

devotee in this birth. Such is the fruit of serving God and His sadhu equally."

The phrase "great devotee" signifies moksha-salvation

 

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