The guru is god himself

In the hallowed traditions of Sanatana Dharma, the guru is accorded the most exalted position.

It is said that the invisible and formless Brahman assumes name and visible form to inspire devotion among seekers of truth. It is also said that it is easy to get a guru but very difficult to get a good disciple. But it is not easy to come under the guidance of a Satya Guru or a Parama Guru, otherwise known as a Sadguru.

This is why it is said that it is the guru who finds the seeker and not the other way around. When spiritual maturity dawns upon the seeker, the guru seeks the aspirant out and guides him or her along the path of liberation. Such guidance is essential for a seeker. It is impossible to advance upon the spiritual path without the grace of the guru.

Such grace is indeed indispensable. Shirdi Baba would often affirm this truth and infuse His devotees with confidence by saying: “Why fear? I am here!”

The late Sri Hanumat Kali Vara Prasad, otherwise known as Babuji, once observed: “The sweet and enlightened self (spirit) is there in everybody. That enlightened self or spirit is the Paramatman and it is not different from you. Just as the sweetness is there in the sugar cane, the sweet and enlightened self is there in you. But man, steeped in illusion and ignorance, visits several places of pilgrimage to have darshan of God though God is all pervasive.

Though he visits holy places, he cannot see Krishna Jyoti. The plant lies embedded in the seed. If you sow the seed in the soil and water it, it will grow into a tree or plant. Its fruit relieves you of your hunger. In the same manner, if you sow the seed of mind in the soil of detachment and pour the water of devotion, it will grow into a plant of wisdom (jnana) offering the fruit of salvation. People who depend on Him will be relieved of their spiritual hunger by consuming the fruit of salvation.”

Lord Dakshinamurthy is considered the primal Guru. A youthful manifestation of Lord Shiva, He was once approached by the four sons of Lord Brahma including Sanaka, Sanadana, Sanatana and Sanatsujata to clear their doubts about self-realisation. The Lord answered them with silence. The yogis immediately understood that the three attributes of purity, activity and indolence need to be given up. So must the duality between “I” and “You”.

This is why it is said that silence is the most powerful and effective means of initiation; the other three include sight, mantra and touch. It is in that deep abiding silence that God is experienced.