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10 Mart 2011 frauft 86
Guru : A Light in Life
Dr. Ashok Kavad
This article shows importance and attributes of a Guru for the real development of moral spiritual life of a person. It also shows difference among a teacher, a coach, a mentor and a Guru.-Editor
Importance of Guru:
We need teachers to expand our knowledge. We need coaches to deepen our skills. We need mentors to reveal us to our self; we do need guru to realize our spiritual self.
There can be multiple or many teachers, but only one guru. Teachers teach and help us in expanding our knowledge of material world. They are the architects of materialist life. Whereas guru is the beacon to a spiritually aligned life. Teachers are guide to this world. They guide us how to live in this world by providing information, techniques, ideas and knowledge for this material world. Similarly coaches help us in improving skills in various sports. Whereas, Guru is guide to the world beyond.
Mentors help us to revere us to ourself by analyzing our strength and weaknesses. But guru is one who makes us to realize our spiritual self-the true-self.
We need teachers, coaches, mentors and guru the Becons, to go beyond the horizons. We can succeed in our temporary material life without guru, but we can not succeed in our journey of life, the spiritual life without the help of guru. Unless we acquire our true spiritual self we cannot succeed in the lives to come.
If we remove sun from sunrays nothing remains. If we remove the mud from the pot, nothing remains. If we remove cause from the effect nothing remains. Similarly if we remove teachings and our philosophy from the guru nothing remains.
Guru, the guide and philosopher, is the beacon for the spiritually aligned life. Guru is the one who shows us the path of liberation. In Namaskar Mahamantra due to this quality of Arihant, showing us the path of attaining pure self is being first revered even before siddhas, the pure liberated souls. The relationship with guru is of deep love, reverence, surrender and faith. Through him we first get the glimpse of divinity. Guru removes the darkness of ignorance from the minds of seeker. He by removing darkness enlightens the seeker with Brightness. With the help of enlightenment one can understand what is right and what is wrong. Who can be Guru:
Thus guru can only be one who is on the path of liberation and also shows us
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| 10 thai 2011 | जिनवाणी
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87 the path of the same. He should be pure and of great quality, so that he can help us to attain the same. What he does:
Guru is similar to a sculpture, who removes all unwanted material from a rock or stone and creates a statue or idol. Similarly guru helps us in identifying the bad elements or qualities and by shredding all those unwanted or bad elements from us, a true and pure self will emerge one day or other.
It is said, millions of stars cannot give brightness, they can only sparkle, but one Moon can give brightness. Guru is like the moon to give brightness even in the dark side of our life. True Qualities of Right Guru:
Jaina system prescribes that a true guru is one who should have 1. Renounced the material world in full, 2. Renounced the family relationships in Total, and 3. Taken a vow not to disturb any living organisms by any means and who should have taken the path of self purification as the only aim of his life.
Before accepting any one as guru, we should be very selective and confident. Upanishads prescribe five signs of sat guru.
In the presence of sat-guru a) Knowledge flourishes b) Sorrow reduces c) Joy increases d) Abundance dawns and e) Talents manifest.
In fact it is said in Guru Stuti, “Guru is Bramhaa, Guru is Vishnu and Guru is Mahesha”.
One, who has found such a guru in his life, is the most blessed person in this world. Benefits:
In the presence of a guru, we feel pulled towards our own self. Guru guides us to stand apart from our self and watch our self. He helps us in studying our thoughts and alters the direction of our thoughts. He helps us to watch our own emotions and choose our expressions and suppressions and makes us self-conscious. As a result, by our own awareness, we lift our self by us. He, the guru, opens our gates of paradise.
One of the greatest gifts to mankind is that man can practice selfobservation. Man alone can analyze his own experiences and improve himself. Man alone can study his own behavior and either appreciates himself or changes his
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________________ 88 Portaluut 10 Hai 2011 behavior. The three most prominent concepts of the spiritual world are, "Deva, Guru and Dharma". The self being atman is described as Deva, the light or brightness being provided by Guru and the same being utilized in life is known as Dharma. It is easy to accept guru and it is different to practice what guru has preached. In Shimoga, Mahasatiyanji Shri Sangeetaji said that the following benefits accrues to one who accepts and surrenders to guru unconditionally: 1. He will not be wasting his life. 2. He will be successful. 3. He will not be wandering in life, since the control of his life is in the hands of guru. He will not have ego. It is because any success he will always accept that it was all because of his blessings. 5. He will be firm and clear in his thoughts. It is because he has got the torch which emits light and removes the darkness of ignorance. On the other hand Dasavaikalika Sutra warns all those who criticize guru. It says that those who criticize guru will never attain liberation. We can also learn from Shree Bhagavati Sutra that Goshalaka due to his misbehavior has to suffer in Naraka [Hell] two births with maximum life duration. Gratitude: We should convey our thanks to god for showing us our Guru and Convey our thanks to Guru For showing us our god. That is why Kabir said, "Guru and God stand side by side Whose feet should I touch? Oguru! I offer myself at the feet, since you showed me the path to God!" It is a great opportunity to remind and cherish the benefits attained due to the blessings and teachings of this great Guru viz., Aacharya Shree Hastimalji Maharajsaab, in this birth centenary year. He fulfilled all the true qualities prescribed in scriptures. It was a great opportunity to get his blessings and teachings. An Ideal Guru in all respects. He not only excelled him self but also created excellent. ALight for Life: A true guru is one who helps the seeker to achive his ultimate objective. The ultimate objective of all the soul is to attain Liberation. Guru doesn't keep the disciple with him but he makes him to attain the pure form of soul being siddhatva. A true Light for the Soul. 33, Montieth Road, Egmore, Chennai. 600008. Jain Educationa International For Personal and Private Use Only