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he is likely to misinterpret their contents; he might go astray and become bare knowledgeable. The remote Lords are not going to come and tell him that he has not correctly understood the texts; nor will they be able to guide the disciple about the obstructions lying on the path of liberation. The scriptural texts simply describe the path; but the essence of the path is at the heart of a Guru, who has treaded on that path. A knowledgeable and enlightened Guru can point out the aspirant's mistakes and tiy to bring him back on the right path. It is therefore said that the secret of soul lies at the heart of a live Guru. Unless one is convinced of it, he would not be able to conceive of the true nature of soul.
Sadgurunä Upadesh Van, Samajäy Na Jin Roop; Samajyä Van Upakär Sho? Samajye Jin Swaroop.
The omniscient state cannot be understood unless explained by a true Guru. Without understanding there is no benefit; and understanding leads to omniscience. (12)
Explanation & Discussion:
What has been said in the previous stanza is made more explicit in this stanza. It states that the aspirants cannot grasp of their own accord the true nature of the omniscient state. The worldly soul has always identified itself with the body and its relations. How can it comprehend the bodiless state of the liberated souls or the state of the omniscient Lords? Though being embodied, the omniscient Lords stay beyond the bodily sense. It is very difficult to comprehend the state of those Lords, unless it is explained by an enlightened Guru. The following verse of the saint Kabir is relevant in this respect.
Guru Gobind Dono Khade, Kisko Lägun Päy? Balihäri Gurudevki, Jinhe Gobind Diyo Batäy.
It means: Whose feet shall I fall at if God and Guru are both standing before me? The higher beneficence comes from the Guru, because he helped in recognizing God.
A devotee may pray and worship the omniscient Lords. He may also think that the Lords have rendered obligation by describing the true path, and recite the appropriate verses in token of his devotion. Does he get benefit merely from that? The whole purpose of worship is to get on the path treaded by the Lords. But if one does not know the true state of the Lords, how can he understand the path treaded by them? What benefit would he then get merely by worshipping the Lords?
If he comprehends the state of the omniscient Lords by getting explanation from a true Guru, he can also understand the path of liberation indicated by the Lords. Then he will surely go ahead on that path and attain the liberation. In other words, he will attain the state that the Lords have attained. It is therefore said here that right understanding will lead to omniscience.
Ätmädi Astitvanä, Jeh Nirupak Shästra;
