Explaining the Guru Tatvam

The Guru Gita is a sacred scripture that was authored by Sage Veda Vyasa. It is an integral part of the Skanda Purana which is one of the lengthiest Puranas. It consists of a conversation between Lord Shiva and His Divine Consort, Devi Parvathi.

The Divine Mother request Lord Shiva to explain what is meant by the term "Guru" and the Lord responds by explaining the Guru principle, its majestic power, the appropriate ways in which the Guru ought to be worshipped and benefits of chanting the Guru Gita. It consists of 352 verses.

It is a revelatory text. In this text, Lord Shiva explains that the self-realised master is no different from the Supreme Self.

He further says that if Shiva is angry, it is the Guru who saves you but if the Guru is angry, not even Shiva can save you. Such is the awesome power of a Mahatma.

An individual comes into contact with such a Guru due to the good deeds performed in previous lives. This positive karma helps the seeker to firmly stick to the path of liberation pointed by the Guru. It is faith, patience, obedience and surrender that constitute the essential ingredients of the relationship between the Guru and the disciple.

What are the qualities of such a Guru? One who is independent at all times and places, who possesses an unshakable mind and is always blissful, who experiences the homogenous essence of the Self, only such a blessed one can be qualified to be known as a Sadguru. Such a being is completely free from the feeling of duality and non-duality.

He shines by the light of His self-realisation. He is able to destroy the deep darkness of ignorance; He is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. Such a Guru is known as a Parama Guru.

By His darshan (look with devotion or compassion), the seeker attains calmness, cheerfulness, peace and steadfastness of purpose. Such a Guru is capable of granting peace of mind by instructing his devotees to control their thoughts, words and deeds by aligning them to righteousness and truth.

He looks upon his own body as a corpse because he has successfully transcended body consciousness and conquered the senses.

This is why the wise insist that we must live in this world as if everything we have is on rent. This includes not only our household effects and possessions but also our loved ones. None of them are useful to us at the time of death. The Sadguru is the only savior because he is the ultimate boatman who is capable of helping the seeker to successfully navigate the turbulent waters of worldly existence.