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are still unhappy, roaming around with long faces? It is not until the guru makes us aware of his presence and shows the path that we realize him, until then we know him not. Therefore, the status of guru is considered even higher than God. It is asked if guru and God are both standing together, whom will you worship first? The answer comes to worship the guru first because he is the one who has introduced you to God. Somebody has said, if one looks for an object or an example which is equivalent to a sadguru it is really hard to find one. There is a rare stone called paras mani or the philosopher's stone which has the capacity to turn iron into gold just by mere contact. But the sadguru is even one step ahead as he turns iron (the disciple) not only into gold but into another philosopher's stone.
You can see how Swami Satyananda has converted Swami Niranjanananda into another satguru and left all his mission on his shoulders. The real guru does not want the disciple to serve his feet life long, but makes him universally respected. You are also invoked to dedicate your lives to the discovery of the inner self and universal welfare. First, realize yourself, then spread the message to everyone and guide them. Therefore, guru is greater than God, greater than the philosopher's stone. Remember, if you have devotion for God but not for the guru, then his teaching will bear no fruits.
Yasya deve paraabhaktih yathaa deve tathaa gurau, tasyaite kathitaa hyarthaa prakaashante mahaatmanah.
If one has intense devotion for God and a similar intensity of devotion for the guru, then one will go on realizing, whatever guidance is given. One will achieve the fruits very quickly. The esoteric meanings of the Upanishads will be as clear as child's play. But the one who does not have that intensity of devotion for the guru's holy feet, no matter how much instruction is given, it will all flow down the drain. The meanings will not be illuminated.
I have closely observed the sannyasins of this place. I have found that the devotion to guru in their hearts is unparallelled, and from that everybody should receive inspiration. May your bhakti remain forever of the same intensity, may you be dedicated to guru more than to God and walk on the path illumined by him, this is my heartiest blessing and auspicious greeting to you all. It is my wish that Bihar School of Yoga will become the most wonderful school in the whole world. No, I
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