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SEPTEMBER 2014
PRABUDDH JEEVANS
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which grows stronger day by day, that one must have service and contemplation. The awarness of being in especial fitness to find a guru. A guru comes unsought the abode of guru is valid. But the abode of guru is in to him who has it. I lack such fitness. I have described one's own heart; therefore it is necessary to purify the Gokhale as my political guru. He has satisfied all my heart, which is possible only through ceasless service.' expectations of a guru in that field. I never doubted or The cause of the attachment and aversion we see questioned the propriety of his views or instructions. I in the world is people's habit of observing one another's cannot say that of anyone as a guru in religious mat- defects. That whose only aim is enjoyment in life is ters. 28 Mahatma Gandhi told, 'I could not enthrone bound to be filled with such feelings. I should, therehim in my heart as my Guru. The throne has remained fore, like to see a bond of frindship between husband vacant and my search still continues. I believe in the and wife, instead of one of sensual enjoyment. I know Hindu theory of Guru and his importance in spiritual that it is difficult to cultivate such a relationship, but realization. I think there is a great deal of truth in the nothing is too difficult for determined effort. The vow doctrine that true knoweledge is impossible without a requires the bride to say that the bridegroom is her Guru. An imperfect teacher may be tolerable in mun- quru and her god. I had wanted this time to alter the dane matters, but not in spiritual matters. Only a per- vow in this regard, but refrained from doing so for fear fect inani 1 deserves to be enthroned as Guru. There that that might confuse people's minds. I intend to omit must, therefore, be ceaseless striving after perfection. the word 'guru' in future, because it is not right that a For one gets the Guru that one deserves. Infinite striv- husbsnd should regard himself as a guru or god. Anying after perfection is one's right. It is its own reward. one who serves another does become a guru or god The rest is in the hands of God.
without his claiming to be one. This, however, does Thus, though I could not place Raychandbhai on not mean that today's vow is not binding. Rukmini has the throne of my heart as Guru, we shall see how he accepted you as her guru and god, understanding quite was, on many occasions, my guide and helper.'16 well the meaning of the vow. You should, therefore, be Three moderns have left a deep impress on life, and worthy of her turst. Take care of her as you would of a captivated me; Raychandbhai by his living contact; flower. Tolerate the differences in outlook and manTolstoy by his book The Kingdom of God is within you; ners which may arise from the fact of you two belongand Ruskin by his Unto This Last. But of these more in ing to different provinces. May the bond between their proper place.29
Marwar and Gujarat which has been formed grow and The Importance of finding a guru who can impart bear happy fruit. May your relationship become an ideal transcendental knowledge is emphasized in Hinduism. for other's?'31 Mahatma Gandhi told, 'I got your letter. One of the main Hindu texts, the Bhagwad Gita, is a A good book too can be a revered guru. But God is the dialogue between God in the form of Krishna and his only true guru. When we learn to feel His presence in friend Arjuna. Not only does this dialogue outline many our heart, we shall have met the revered guru whom of the ideals of Hinduism, but their relationship is con- we seek. '32 sidered an ideal one of Guru-Shishya. In the Gita, Some Hindu denominations hold that a personal reKrishna speaks to Arjuna of the importance of finding lationship with a living guru, revered as the embodia guru: Acquire the transcendental knowledge from a ment of God, is essential in seeking moksha. The guru Self-realized master by humble reverence, by sincere is the one who guides his or her disciple for it. Mainquiry, and by service. The wise ones who have real- hatma Gandhi described, "Guru (teacher) is Brahma, ized the Truth will impart the knowledge to you. In Hin- he is Vishnu, he is Mahadev, he is the great Brahman duism, the guru is considered a respected person with itself. I bow to that guru." 33 Mahatma Gandhi told, saintly qualities who enlightens the mind of his or her "This refers ofcourse to the spiritual teacher. This is disciple, an educator from whom one receives the not a mechanical or artificial relationship. The teacher intiatory mantra, and one who instructs in rituals and is not all this in reality, but he is all that to disciple who religious ceremonies. Mahatma Gandhi told, “There is finds his full satisfaction in him and imputes perfection peace only in being faithfully engaged in a worthy en- to him who gave him a living faith in a living God. Such deavour. There is no way to knowledge except through a guru is a rarity atleast nowadays. The best thing there
