Even if guru is lustful, angry, greedy, attached, without discretion or
unsightly, still, he should be considered to be Bhagavan's own form. One,
who thinks otherwise of guru, the bestower of knowledge of Bhagavan, has
the mentality of an elephant who after bathing, drops dirt on his own head.
Such a person remains impure.
It has never been seen, heard or thought till date that, without guru's
grace, someone could attain divine knowledge. Knowledge does not manifest
in a person who does not have guru. He can attain nothing. Therefore a guru
is of the utmost of importance for maintained.
In purana, there is a narration from ancient times: Once Naradji travelled
to Vaikunth to have Bhagvan's darshan. After having darshan and completing
discussions, Narad took leave. Bhagvan called one of his sevaks and asked
to cleansed the spot where Narad had sat. Seeing this, Narad was quite surprised
and inquired, 'why did you have place cleansed where I was sitting?' Bhagvan
replied' Naradji, you have never made anybody as your guru. Such a person
is highly impure and without salvation. The place where you sat had become
unconsecrated'. Hearing this Narad was struck with shame and asked 'What
should I do? By what procedure should I make a guru?' Bhagavan instructed'.
Do this; While leaving here, go in a straight direction. You should take
the very first person whom you meet on the road, as your guru. Never doubt
him in any way'. Naradji took his leave and he walked away along the road,
he met a hunter. Naradji spoke to him, 'Grace me and make me your sevak'.
The hunter replied', Brother, I'm a hunter. I'm not a worthy in any way.
How could I possibly give you a guru mantra?' Naradji insisted', I'm not
going to listen to any thing that you may say. Just give me a guru mantra'.
Because of Narad's obstinance, he placed a tulsi mala around narad's neck
and instructed'. 'Repeat Bhagavan's name’.
After having taken hunter as a guru in this manner, Naradji went back to
vaikunth so as to give good news to Bhagvan. While walking, he thought with
remorse', Oh ! I've taken a tulsi mala from that hunter. How could I get
salvation from such a Guru? However it has been done on Bhagavan's orders,
I had no alternative".
Reaching vaikunt's gate Naradji announced, 'Bhagavan I've taken a guru as
you ordered'.
Bhagavan replied, 'Stop, Do not enter Vaikunt's gate'. Naradji was astonished
again and asked, 'But Bhagavan ! now I've made a guru according to your
orders. What offence have I committed?
Bhagavan explained', Naradji, formerly you were unsacred because you had
no guru. Now you have taken a guru but then, you have doubted him. You started
feeling irreverently towards him. Therefore, you are prohibited from entering
Vaikunth'. Naradji realised his mistake and felt deep remorse. He asked
Bhagavan, 'I have committed a dreadful offence. How can I be absolved of
this sin?' Bhagavan replied, 'There is only one way. You will have to take
repeated births in the eighty-four lakhs species of creation.' Naradji became
alarmed. He pleaded with Bhagavan, How could that be possible? I was ignorant.
Guide me'.
Bhagavan moistened the ground and began drawing lines in all directions.
He explained'. This is the eighty-four lakhs species'. Narad was clever.
He devised a plan and began rolling on the ground where the picture was
drawn and declared 'Maharaj! I've been liberated from it'.
12.1
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