Suno! Suno! Sadhuji! – 1
The Preceptor
Sixteen year old Sadhana was sitting in the backyard seriously trying to mould some clay.
Kirtana, Sadhana’s Mother, came up to her and asked, “Sadhana! What are you trying to do?”
“Ma! I saw Archana aunty mould some clay into Hanumanji! Am trying too… But it seems so tough! She did it effortlessly.”
“Sadhana! Come along with me, let me tell you.”
Both of them came and sat in the hall and Kirtana continued,
“Sadhana, just as you go to a school to learn your subjects, any art has to be learnt from some teacher. It’s the teacher who would know the nuances of an art and it is in his guidance and with his blessings that we attain perfection in any art.”
Sadhana nodded and asked,
“Is this the same reason why we seek the blessings of a Guru before doing any spiritual activity too ma?”
Kirtana smilingly nodded and continued,
“Yes dear! It is at the Feet of a Guru, that spiritual knowledge dawns. A Guru, tells you the way. Not stopping at it, he warns you on the pitfalls and saves you from them. Let me sing a beautiful song composed by the great Sant Kabir. He depicts the Samsara in this kirtan and emphasizes the need for a guru…”
Kaun batAvE BHAt Guru bin
badA vikat yama ghAt (Guru bin )
Kabir says,“Who can show us the way to eternal bliss other than a Satguru? It’s a path filled with so many obstacles!”
“Sadhana! The scriptures depict the world as an ocean with unfathomable depth where we might have to face innumerable storms and whirlpools. World is also shown as a forest filled with many perils. Kabir says, ‘It is a terrible valley of death! Beware and don’t try to walk alone in this path! It is wise to have a leader who knows the way to reach the destination. A Guru knows the way. He serves a boatman to take us across the ocean of Samsara. He is the guide who can show us the way out of this forest of life.’”
In Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana , King Muchukunda says
“BhavApavargo bhramatho yada bhavEjjanasya tarhi achyuta satsamAgamaha
Satsangamo yarhi tadaiva sadgathau ………
“Oh Lord! Its only when you decide to take one across this Ocean of Samsara (transmigration), that you give him the company of Saints!” And the Lord Himself says that it is the Guru who serves as the boatman to sail one across this ocean of transmigration.”
BhrAntiki pahADi nadhiyAn bheechmo ahankArki lAt
Mada matsarkI dharabarasat mAyA pavana ghanadhAt (Guru bin)
“Many are the obstacles in this path. There is a huge mountain in the form of illusion which would misguide you. Your ego would not let you understand the wrong steps you are taking and would lead you to a downfall. Rain showers in the form of pride and jealousy pour incessantly during this journey through the valley and they are supported by the winds of Maya!”
Guru bin….With such gory obstacles how can we tread this path without a guru?
“Sadhana! The mountain of illusion blinds us from seeing the right path. It could easily take us to a path which is seemingly right but could take us astray. The ego would not let us accept that we have chosen a wrong path! Pride and jealousy will only fan our ego. They would further blind the path. A guru would lovingly show the right path and that too the best suited one. He would check our ego and not let it raise its hood. He would make us understand the higher truths and thus free us of pride and jealousy.”
kAma krodha do parvatTADE lobh chor sanGAt
kehat kabir suno bhAi sAdo kyon karna vo bhAt (Guru Bin)
There are two hillocks in the form of desire and anger. The path is infested with thieves in the form of greed. Say Kabir, Oh pious souls! Give ears! Why would you want to tread this path without a guru?
“Sadhana! The two hillocks of desire and anger are not easy to climb over! Every step up would mean three steps down at times. Greed would loot us on our way and we would be bankrupt of spiritual wealth. But with the helping hand of a guru, the climb uphill and the walk through the thieves infested forest would be a safe one. In his loving presence, all desires would be directed towards the highest purpose. He would show us the dangers of the lovely scenes seen by us and would cut greed and desire at their root.”
‘Sadhana!’ Kabir says, ‘Why try to take this path without the help of a guru?’
Come let’s sing this song together!
Kaun batAvE BHAt Guru bin badA vikat yama ghAt (Guru bin)
BhrAntiki pahADi nadhiyAn bheechmo ahankArki lAt
Mada matsarkI dharabarasat mAyA pavana ghanadhAt (Guru bin)
kAma krodha do parvatTADE lobh chor sanGAt
kehat kabir suno bhAi sAdo kyon karna vo bhAt (Guru bin)