Guru and Disciple

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Mahavideh Foundation

Page 20

The Guru and the Disciple
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The Guru and the Disciple
past lifetimes, I must have been with a guru and that is why this Gnan manifested in this lifetime!
But I had no inkling that such a phenomenal Gnan would come about. Nevertheless, it exploded completely at Surat Station. Then it occurred to me what an extraordinary science this was! It occurred to me that everyone's punya must have come into fruition: someone has to become a nimit, right? People began to think, "This Dada has experienced this Gnan so spontaneously and easily", but that is not the case. In my previous life, I had made someone my guru and this is the result of that. So, nothing can be accomplished without a guru. The succession of gurus will always be there.
The Importance of a living Guru Questioner:Can a guru guide his disciple even though he is not present?
Dadashri: A guru is only useful if he is living and present otherwise, he is of no use; then that guru cannot help you. How can a non-living guru help you? If you have met the guru, if you have spent ten or fifteen years together with him, if you have served him for several years and became one with him (ektaa), you will still reap some benefit from that guru even if he has passed away. Otherwise, he is of no use, no matter how hard you try.
Questioner: So the gurus that we have not seen cannot help us at all?
Dadashri: There will be some benefit. You will gain the benefit of your concentration of energy (ekagrata), however, that benefit will be only worldly in nature. As compared to a nonliving guru, a less-qualified living guru is better.
Questioner: If a guru has taken samadhi (left the world); can he help us later?
Dadashri: If you had developed a relationship with him
when he was alive, if you had won his love and received his blessings, then if that guru passes away, it will still be beneficial. You have to have met him at least once. Those who have not seen or met a guru will not get their work done and after he dies, then no matter what you do, even if you bang your head on the monument of his samadhi, you will attain nothing.
Here images and idols of neither Lord Mahavir nor Lord Krishna will help you. Only the one who is living and present can help you. People have worshiped Lord Krishna and Lord Mahavir for so many lives. Do you think people have ever lacked in their worship? They have become weary from all their worship. Despite going to the derasar (Jain temple) every day, they have not attained dharmadhyan (contemplation or meditation without any adverse effects, internal or external). And even here there is a time limit. Medicines too are subject to an expiration date. You are aware of that, are you not? You know what an expiration date is, don't you? That rule is also applicable here. But people keep singing and chanting the names of those who have already departed long ago and they do this without any understanding.
Questioner: Why is there so much expectation from and importance of a living guru?
Dadashri: In the absence of a living guru, nothing can be attained. Everything will be futile. One will benefit at the relative worldly level because, for that amount of time, he is involved in doing good work and thus benefits from it. If a guru were present here, he would show you your faults and you would remove them. You do not need a guru when you can see all your faults on your own. I am the only one in the whole world who can see his faults and, therefore, do not need a guru. Otherwise, everyone needs a guru. And, it is pointless singing praise of those that have departed.
Questioner: So a picture or a murti (idol) cannot be a substitute for a guru?