Sunday, September 20, 2009

How does the Guru's grace (Guru Krupa) function?

The success of any activity depends upon the functioning of the various components constituting that activity. Just as the hydro­gen bomb is more powerful than the atom bomb, so also is the subtle in comparison to the gross. This point will be illustrated by the example of the various methods employed to destroy the enemy, given below. The more progressive the step, the more effective it is.

A. Physical (gross)

Perceiving the whereabouts of the enemy with the five senses, for instance sensing the enemy or his movements, one can shoot with a gun. However, if he hides behind a struc ture, motionless then the gunman will not be able to shoot him and therefore cannot kill him. Here, only a physical weapon is employed to kill. Different substances are used for different functions, for example different tablets are used as medicine for different disease causing germs, etc. Therefore if mere physical means do not help then they should be combined with subtle means as described below.

B. A combination of physical means and a mantra (subtle)

In the ancient times, arrows were shot from a bow only after chanting a mantra. Due to the mantra, the name of the enemy would get recorded on the arrow and no matter where the enemy hid in the three regions (trilokas) that is the earth (bhu), nether region (bhuv) and heaven (svarga) the arrow would certainly kill him. This was due to the energy of the subtle means (mantra) which accompanied the weapon (arrow). The motive behind chanting mantras while preparing medicines in the Ayurveda is the same. Similarly when removing a spirit responsible for possession blackgram (udid), marking nut (bibba), lime, needles, etc. are used to the accompaniment of mantras. Nevertheless, at times inspite of both the physical and subtle being present, one does not achieve much success. At such times a more subtle means, that is more powerful mantras should be used as given below.

C. Mantra (more subtle)

In the next step an enemy can be vanquished without using physical weapons like guns, bows and arrows, etc. In order to achieve certain things, for instance marriage, riches, etc. various mantras are prescribed. At times, however, even mantras do not yield results. In such cases the next step has to be implemented.

D. The resolve (sankalpa) [even more subtle]

Even a mere thought like ‘May it occur’ in the mind of an evolved person (saint) is sufficient for the occurrence of an event. Nothing else is required. However, this is possible only in the case of a saint whose spiritual level exceeds 80%. Only when a Guru makes a resolve ‘May this disciple progress spiritually’ does the disciple make real spiritual progress. This itself is termed as the Guru’s grace (gurukrupa). A disciple cannot make spiritual progress without it as otherwise the adi (one with a beginning) illusion persists.

E. The presence (most subtle)

In this final step one does not even have to make a resolve. Mere presence, prox imity or company of the Guru is sufficient for a disciple’s spiritual practice and progress to occur automatically.
This has occurred because of Me But I have not done it.
He who has realised this is liberated From the cycles of birth and death.

- Shri Bhavarthadipika (Shri Dnyaneshvari) 4:81
Literal and implied meaning : In ‘This has occurred because of Me’, ‘Me’ refers to The Supreme God principle within oneself. ‘But I have not done it’ implies absolving oneself of the sense of doership. A beautiful example to illustrate this is the sun which awakens everyone and makes the flowers bloom, when it rises. This happens simply with its existence. The sun does not ask anyone to wake up or the flowers to bloom. The mission of a Guru of a spiritual level of more than 90% is of this nature. 
The Guru’s grace operates based on points ‘D. The resolve (sankalpa) and E. The presence’ given above.

What should one do to be blessed by a Guru (Guruprapti) and His grace ?

The only virtue responsible for being blessed by a Guru quickly and the constant bestowal of His grace thereafter, is intense motiva tion for Liberation (mumukshutva) or intense yearning for a Guru. A youth strives to win a girl’s heart by constantly contemplating on what he should do to please her. Similarly, one should make all efforts to acquire the Guru’s grace so that the Guru calls one His own. One should constantly strive day and night to do whatever one can to please Him. In the Kaliyug, being blessed by a Guru or His grace is not as difficult as it was in the previous three yugs (eras). A salient point to be noted here is that one cannot be blessed by a Guru without bestowal of His grace. A Guru is already aware of who His future disciple will be. One should undertake the spiritual practice mentioned in the following points in order to acquire the grace of the Guru. The points are enumerated in ascending order of importance. Along with the practice of these points one should also try to develop the qualities of a disciple which are described in ‘Science of Spirituality : Vol. 3 - The Disciple, point 9. Qualities’.


(Ref: Sanatan's Publication - 'Path of Guru's Grace (Gurukrupayoga)')