Servant Versus Minister

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Servant Versus Minister

 

It is said that when the disciple is ready for the Guru, the Guru reveals himself to the disciple. Examples to this effect are abound in Sai stories. While everyone is entitled to Sadguru's grace, it does not come without efforts on part of the disciple. Baba also used the analogy of the tree in blossom to explain how rare are the blessed ones that remain until the end, their pursuit fructified. On a similar note, His Holiness Shri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Sri Datta Peetham explains the will of Sadguru in imparting the wisdom to the persistent few;

Tava shishyohamityukte rnate siddhyati shishyataa Prabhunaa hi pradaatavyaa mantritaa dasataathavaa

 

"Just because you claim that you are a disciple, you do not become one. Whether it is the post of a minister or of a soldier, isn't it the king who makes the decision?"

 

The first part of the above Sookti (the moral) tells in no uncertain terms that you do not become a disciple just because you claim to be one. Agreed, it does not confer disciple-hood. What does one need to do to become a disciple? The second part of the Sookti gives the answer. It says 'studentship is not something that you can earn by your efforts. It is something that a Guru has to confer out of compassion'. What should one do to become eligible to receive Guru's compassion? The Sookti does not answer this question directly. Instead, it does so figuratively. How is it done?

A king received several applications for the post of a minister and servants. The king selected one candidate for the post of the minister. He also selected a few persons as servants. Being a king, he did not need the approval of anyone to confirm their appointment. No one is above the king. The person should satisfy the king. There are no other criteria here. Similarly, even in the case of a Sadguru, there is no one above Him. To decide if you are fit to become a disciple is his left to Him. No one can question it. You should satisfy Him. Only then, you will become His disciple. Among the many applicants, not all may possess the qualifications required for the post of the minister. Even if they possess minimum qualifications, the king may give them at least the job of servants. If they do not have even minimum qualification, the will simply remain ordinary. Similarly, if you have the ability to satisfy the Guru, the Guru will bestow studentship to you. Although many aspirants have the qualifications, the king can make only one person his minister, and among the remaining applicants, he will chose a few people as servants. Similarly, the Guru bestows studentship only on a few. If you do not have the required qualifications, you will remain a devotee. However, you will be a devotee who is constantly longing to become a disciple by enhancing your qualification. If you do not have this attitude, you will just remain a wanderer, traveling back and forth. This meaning is figuratively implicit in the second part of the Sookti. There are two words - Mantritaa and Daasataa (Mantri=Minister, Daasa=Servant). Here, the word Mantri does not merely mean minister. It also means 'one who is engaged in spiritual pursuit through Mantra'. What does this meaning imply? It implies that the Guru, who has blessed you, knows as to which path is good for you - the path of spiritual pursuit or that of Bhakthi (devotion) and decides accordingly.

It also implies that unless the Guru makes some decision, you will not get the status of studentship. You will become a disciple only after the Guru decides. If the Guru becomes compassionate about you, He will show you the path. For the Guru to show you compassion, you must first become eligible. How to earn that eligibility? From the above discussion, we have come to know that the Sookti does not give a direct answer. Let us see were the answer is hidden in the Sookti. By indirectly saying that the Guru will show you either the path of Upaasana (spiritual practice) or Daasya Bhakti (path of surrender and devotion), it gives you a hint about how one can enhance one's eligibility. The previous step to the path of Upasana is Nama Sankeertana. The step preceding the path of surrender/devotion is listening to discourses on mythological scriptures and serving the devotees. To do this, one does not require a formal initiation. Anyone can do this.

You must develop a natural interest in these. Once you become interested and begin to make conscious effort to enhance that interest, you will get the eligibility of becoming a disciple. When you get the qualification, you, (who used to serve the devotees) will automatically become eligible to serve the Guru. If you were hitherto engaged in Nama Sankeertana, you will become eligible to step in to the path of Upasana. Either way, you will rise from the level of a devotee to become a disciple. This is the way of satisfying a Guru and becoming his disciple - is the indirect message hidden in the Sookti. By the grace of the Guru, after having acquired the status of a disciple, one should continue to carry on one's pursuit in accordance with the directions of the Guru. One should not forget that the pursuit would go on only as long as one has the blessings of the Guru. One should strive to become eligible to get more blessings. One should also realize that

the blessings of the Sadguru are both the means and the fruit of pursuit.

Can a minister ever think, "I have become a minister now? Why do I need the king's benevolence?" Even after becoming a minister, his duty continues to be that of pleasing the king. This is the purpose of comparing the status of a disciple to that of the minister. That is, the disciple should continue to do things that please the Guru. This is the hidden meaning of the Sookti. By the grace of Lord Dattatreya, may this message reach your heart and may you all become good disciples of the Sadguru. Jaya Guru Datta