Page 21 - Light of Divinity

Light of Divinity

His only interest is to take the disciple Godward. Whether he moves
mountains of karmas out of the disciple’s way to do this, whether he
heals him of disease or of mental plagues that is his wish. These are
only means to the end of leading the disciple to God.

The Guru selflessly spends a huge amount of energy and time
in fashioning a disciple. The journey up the spiritual mountain is
no picnic. Spirituality, as the Satguru transmits it, is not a comfort-
giving philosophy. It is no cosmetic cream that can make our social
faces and psychological masks look more beautiful for the moment.
It is not a set of rituals and rites that we can fulfil to gratify ourselves
or to flatter God. The spiritual terrain is a life-consuming affair. It is
not a path that once tread can be walked out of. Once you are with a
Guru, once you accept his stewardship, you must go where he leads
you.

The Guru is our only chance to reclaim our divinity. He is the
ladder that leads to God. He is the one who grants us self-realization.
Everything in his hands is a device—from how he escapes the crowd,
to how he positions his relationship with us. But at all times he is
our Guru. No matter whether he is joking or lending an ear to the
happenings of the day. He is our Guru, first, foremost and last. And
only through pleasing him, or through attempting to please him,
shall the disciple succeed in getting to his cherished goal. Remember
also that the Guru is not to be literally emulated. There is a story
of Adi Shankara and a disciple who used to imitate each and every
action of the great master. On a pilgrimage, the master stopped to
take some alcohol from the hands of a peasant. The disciple, close
on his heels, did so likewise (and probably with great enthusiasm).
Some distance ahead, the great Vedantist stopped again. Molten iron
was coming out of an iron foundry. Unconcernedly, Shri Shankara
asked for the liquid, cupped his hands and took a long sip. The
disciple was disarmed. He could not follow his master now!

The Guru’s words have to be followed in letter and spirit no
doubt. Yet, the disciple should not imagine himself to be the Guru
under any condition. It is much better to be continually engaged in
lovingly remembering the Guru. That way the Guru and the disciple
are always linked in spirit.

Spirituality in the hands of the Guru is a weapon to disarm our
ego. Unless we are ready to be thus mercilessly exposed, do not seek
a Guru or say you follow him. If you come to a Guru, rest assured

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