The Divine Name Part-1 By Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji

[Guest guest]

Radhe Krishna To All,

 

" 'Matru devo bhava, Pitru devo bhava, Ãcharya devo bhava, Atithi devo bhava'

are the words of the Upanishads, 'Look upon your Mother, Father, Master and the

Guest as verily God.'

 

A parallel saying is found in the Tamizh language, too. However, it reads as

'Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam!' - Mother, Father, Master and God!

 

Mother, Father, Master and the Guest - so goes the hierarchy. It is verily the

mother who shows the child his father. And, the father takes the child to the

Guru. And, then comes the guest - 'atithi'. Well! The question arises, 'can an

ordinary man, who comes home for food, be greater than the spiritual Master who

offers knowledge?' Hence, from this one should be able to comprehend the real

import of the word 'guest' ('atithi'). It does not refer to an ordinary person.

Most people are unable to realize the true import behind this.

 

It is sad that in today's world a father will not guide the son to the Guru.

Why? An average man fears his son visiting Temples or Satsang (company of Holy

men). He desires his son to lead a 'normal' (worldly) life. He wishes his son to

limit his prayers to worldly ambitions only. 'Oh, yes, let him be devoted to

God. But, it should be within limits!' says he. And, what about Satsang? It is a

'NO' without doubt!

 

Now, let us look into the real significance of 'Mãtru devo bhava, Pitru devo

bhava, Ãchãrya devo bhava, Atithi devo bhava'-

 

A young man who has no awareness of even the term 'Guru' visits a Guru on the

invitation of his friend. The Sadguru gives him a warm welcome. Very kindly the

Guru enquires of this new visitor, " Have you had your lunch, my son? You have

come here in the hot sun! " These kind motherly words of the Guru touch the heart

of the young man. He thinks, 'Oh, how loving he is, as is a mother. He is

concerned about my health.' On his subsequent visits, too, the Guru speaks to

him in such motherly way. The young man visits the Guru now and then; He looks

upon him verily as a mother ('Mãtru devo bhava').

 

Days pass and one day the Guru enquires of this young man, " My son, what do you

do for your living? Oh, you run a business? Well, what sort of a business? Is it

doing well? How much do you earn out of your business?

Is it enough to take care of your needs? "

Hearing these words of the Master the young man feels, 'oh, he is like a

father.'

Is it not the father who is anxious about the son's income? These words touch

the young man's heart. He begins to frequent the Master. He now looks upon the

Guru as verily a father, too ('Pitru devo bhava').

 

Days pass by. Drawn by the kindly, affectionate treatment of the Master the

young man visits him regularly. One day the Guru points out to the young man,

'Oh, my son! Time is passing by. You have lots of relatives and friends. You

possess good health. You are intelligent and capable. You earn quite a lot and

are leading a comfortable life. But have you not thought of the day that every

one has to face? Everybody who has taken birth in this world has to face that

day - that final day. And, on that day none of these - the relatives and

friends, the good physique, the wealth, the intelligence - would help you. You

would realize this at that final hour. It would then be too late. Should you not

give a thought to it now? " ('Ãchãrya devo bhava')

 

The young man asks at once, " Oh, Gurudev! What should I do? Please show me the

way. What is the qualification required to tread on the path that you would

show? "

 

The kind Master says, " My son! I will show you the way. To walk on this path one

needs only one qualification. "

 

The young man asks anxiously, " What is it Gurudev? "

 

The Guru, " Nothing! 'You should have no qualification whatsoever' is the

qualification! "

 

The young man exclaims, " Gurudev! "

 

The Guru, " Yes, son. 'Incapability' is the qualification! You should realize

that you are incapable (of treading any spiritual path). AND, THAT IS THE ONLY

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED. If you feel that you are capable of practicing this or

that path then you do not qualify for this path that I am going to show you. "

 

The young man, " Gurudev! Please show me the path that you speak of. "

 

The Guru, " HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE!

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE! "

 

this is the way, my son! Chant this Divine Maha Mantra that has been advocated

by our Shãstras. It is the easiest way to attain the Supreme Lord. Just chant

this always. You can chant this anywhere and any time. "

 

!!! Will Continue !!!

 

Regards

 

Please Chant

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

 

and be happy

 

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