Narayanasramam

[Guest guest]

Role of the Guru in Spiritual Pursuit by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

 

Spiritual life definitely implies turning to the one great source

within, to find all the interest, delight, inspiration, creativity and

fulfillment there. For one given to spiritual seeking, this kind of

inner turn, this subjective devotion and affinity, is an indispensable

development.

 

Normally devotion or bhakti is taken to be a clinging to an external God

sensorily and emotionally. Impelled by such an addiction, the devotee indulges

in ceremonial worship, praise and adoration of his beloved Deity. But in

spiritual life, such flair loses its relevance. The usual religious practices,

can at best be mere preliminaries.

 

True devotion must have its relevance and focus in the mind and

intelligence, their subtle pulsations. Everything about these comes to

be observed, evaluated, improved and refined at every stage. Such inner

attunement and refinement alone will mean true seeking and a clear means for

spiritual attainment.

 

An important part of spiritual wisdom, says Krishna, is the

preservation of unflinching or unswerving devotion to the Teacher. The

external God could be an object of faith to begin with. But, when a

devotee like Arjuna stands as a seeker, aspiring for shreyas (lasting

goodness and fulfillment) , one like Krishna, who can take up the role

of a Teacher, alone can fulfill the quest.

 

Obviously, for such a seeker, the external God or faith does not arise

at all. He is driven and empowered by his quest. He places it before

the Knower Teacher, with resolve and pious resignation.

 

It is for the Teacher then to tell the seeker in very clear terms, what he has

to do, as does Krishna to Arjuna. The seeker then has to pin his attention on

whatever is heard from the Teacher and imbibe it

wholeheartedly. He has to make it a full, vibrant, wholesome pursuit.

That determines the degree of his success. No desultoriness,

distraction or distrust should intercept his commitment!