Day 7, Sri Datta Vaibhavam
Sri Guru Datta Vaibhavam Saptaham
Day 7, August 7
It is already 7 days since we have started this Guru Datta Vaibhavam. It is all spoken by our Guru, not us. Time flies. Today we have completed 1 lakh of Datta Homa. We also had Chandi Homa and Anagha vratham puja. It was really nice. From tomorrow, Appaji will start the Sundara kanda discourse. We spoke about many topics and stories for the last 6 days. We learnt and discussed how one should treat Sadguru. Today's topic is about Self surrender. There are 9 types of Bhakthi. Among them, the last one is self surrender to Guru. Nothing is mine, body, education, wealth everything is His. For that self surrender, you need to give up ego. In Yoga Vasishta we heard about how one should give up ego. We heard how Vasishta speaks of the pride, ego. Today we will discuss more. One Bangalore devotee has sent in a paper something interesting, which I want to share with you all. You should learn to share anything that is good. This is about the difference between a Guru and a teacher. Both are required. No one is less than other. We need a teacher to learn alphabets in our life. Teacher bears a lot of our mischief and behaviour. They are more patient. Nothing changes in their lives. Nowadays seeing the children carrying so many books is scary. In our times, we used to leave our bags back at school but today it is different. The world is very competetive. Syllabus keeps changing. A teacher is very important. There are some who have never entered a school. Sadguru goes to them also, meaning even an illiterate also can beget Guru's grace. This means He is higher than anything else.
Here is what that devotee had sent. Let us see this now.
A teacher takes responsibility for your growth. A Guru makes you responsible for your growth.
A teacher gives you things you do not have and require. A guru takes away things you have and you do not require.
A teacher answers your questions. A Guru questions your answers
A teacher helps you get out of the maze. A Guru destroys the maze.
A teacher requires obidience and discipline from the Pupil. A Guru requires trust and humility from the pupil.
A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey. A Guru strips you *** and prepares you for the inner journey.
A sadguru prepares you for the inner journey. This means that He strips of all your body attachments, like the feelings of 'I am the body', the affliction on sense organs, the release of ego etc. He is taking for a holy knowledge bath. He moulds you for the inner journey. We need such journey. When we know this the outer world will be easily understood. Without knowing the inner world how long will your run outside? What will you catch in outer world?
A teacher is the guide on the path. A Guru is a pointer to the way. He will make you concentrate on the goal you have to reach.
A teacher sends you on the road to success. A Guru sends you on the road to freedom.
When you are forced to be a Engineer or doctor, it is to keep you on the path to sucess. Guru says this is your story, you can be what you want to be. Anyone can be what they want to be. This is the freedom granted by Guru and He tells you that you are Parabrahman.
A teacher explains the world and its nature to you. A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you.
We speak about all but dont know about ourselves. This is not good in spiritual world. Guru explains our nature to ourselves.
A teacher makes you understand how to move about in the world. A Guru shows you where you stand in relation to the world.
A Guru tells your realationship with the world. Not that you have to be like this. Why did you come to this world? Why are you here? Why did you get this birth? A Guru explains all these things. You will not get these things in any book. Only sadguru's words gives these things.
A teacher gives your knowledge and boost your ego. A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego
A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego. He fills you with knowledge and make you proud about the knowledge you possess. Ego, as far as knowledge is concerned is ok, but this ego should not lead to our downfall. A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego. Guru says, all you have is half knowledge. You are in illusion that your knowledge is true knowledge. You are seeing ignorance as knowledge. Poision appears as nectar to you. Guru gives you knowledge to differentiate between poison and nectar.
A teacher instructs you. A Guru constructs you.
A Guru builds you and makes you ready. He constructs you. A new world is built in devotee or disciple.
A teacher sharpens your mind. A Guru opens your mind.
A teacher sharpens your mind- he polishes it. It is necessary and good. The mind is sharpened to the extent that it is applied. A Guru opens your mind-- The mind extends or envelops the world. This is not to insult teachers. Seeing only teachers words they are very good. Here we are trying to differentiate. We need instructions. All will not get sadguru. In such cases teacher is sadguru. Lord Datta has walked in the form of a teacher. Many teachers have pupils who transformed. Take the example of Abdul Kalam. he showed his gratitude towards the teacher who helped him to be what he is today. Never forget those who have helped you. This is Sanatana Dharma.
A teacher shows you the way to prosperity. A Guru shows you the way to posterity.
A teacher reaches your mind. A Guru touches your spirit.
A teacher gives you knowledge. A Guru makes your wise.
A Guru makes you wise. He makes you as an experienced soul. It is easy to get knowledge but difficult to get wisdom. It is very important to experience the knowledge you have gained. Sadguru makes you experience it.
A teacher gives you maturity. A Guru returns you to innocence.
A teacher gives you maturity. If you are immature, he makes your intellect grow. A Guru returns you to innocence. He sends you back to the childhood innocence. What is the realationship between Sadguru and us? He is our mother, father, relative and friend. This should be our regular prayer to sadguru. Innocence is satge where we are always pure. A sadguru takes you back to that state of childhood innocence.
A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems. A Guru shows you how to resolve issues.
A sadguru teaches you with experience how to get out of dangerous situtations. This is His greatness.
A teacher is a systematic thinker. A Guru is a lateral thinker.
He gives complete knowledge on many things at one go. A Guru sends message to many with only one word.
A teacher will punish you with a stick. A Guru will punish you with compassion.
A teacher leads you by hand. A Guru leads you by example.
When a teacher finishes with you, you celebrate. When Guru finishes with you, life celebrates.
When the course is over you are thankful to the teacher. When the discourse is over, you are grateful to Guru.
Let us honour both, the teachers and the Guru in our life.
All this is told in Guru Gita. But looking at these as differences makes it more interesting. When you hear greatness of Guru, your hands should automatically join and clap. This will define your level of involvement. Else what is the use of coming for a satsang ?
When Sadguru is not available physically to solve any problems or issues, when you have a doubt or a problem, please keep a Ramayana book. That will give you solution for everything. What does life celebration mean ? It is a stepping stone for other good things to happen. Whenever you speak, please remember your Guru and the others who have helped you to achieve something.
Teacher's day is celebrated during Chaturmasya every year. Today, we thought we will discuss about ego, but this came up interestingly. On Sunday we will discuss on ego if possible.
Jaya Guru Datta !