॥ Shri Hari ॥

Pre-Eminence of a Disciple

in Attaining Salvation

(Kalyaan mein Shishya ki Mukhyataa)

Tvameva Maata Cha Pita Tvameva

Tvameva Bandhusha Sakhaa Tvameva

Tvameva Vidyaa Dravinam Tvameva

Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva

Swami Ramsukhdas

Pre-Eminence of a Disciple

for Attaining Salvation

(Kalyaan mein Shishya ki Mukhyataa)

In case when a Guru is a (Mahanta) head of a particular sect, in case where he possesses millions of dollars, then in order to gain that wealth, there is pre-eminence of a Guru. When the Guru accepts a disciple, then only the disciple will get the money. Without the consent of the Guru, a disciple cannot take the money from the Guru. Therefore, for obtaining wealth, the role of a Guru is prominent, but to gain knowledge and to attain salvation, the disciple alone is of primary importance. If a disciple does not have a deep yearning for his salvation, then a Guru can’t help him attain salvation, but if a disciple has a deep hunger for his salvation, then even without being accepted as a disciple by the Guru, he will attain salvation.

. Swami Ramanandaji refused to initiate Kabir as his disciple. So one day Kabir lay down on the stairs of Pancaganga. When Ramanandaji passed from there to take a bath, he unknowingly stepped on Kabir. And he uttered “Ram- Ram.” Kabir accepted the name “Ram” as his Guru mantra (given by the Guru for the disciple’s spiritual guidance) and started his spiritual practice. As a result, Kabir became a universal saint amongst all the other saints. In another incident, Dronacharya refused to accept Ekalavya as his disciple. So Eklavya made a statue of Dronacharya, and treating it as his Guru, started learning archery and as a result became even more perfect than Arjuna in archery. Therefore, it is not essential that by engaging in a formal Guru-disciple relationship only, you attain salvation. If that was the case, have all those persons who have made someone their Gurus, attained salvation? Have they attained God? The one by whose teachings and guidance, we attain salvation, is the true spiritual guide for us, whether we consider him a Guru or not or whether he treats us as his disciple or not, and even if the Guru is not aware of this. Dattatreyaji talked about his 24 Gurus but did any one of them say to him that I am your Guru and you are my disciple? A Guru should be such that he remains unaware that he has a disciple.

Narayana ! Narayana !! Narayana !!!

From “Is Salvation Not Possible without a Guru?” in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji

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