Divine Life Society, Rishikesh
(24.7.1964 – Rishikesh)
Salutations and worshipful Pranams to Lord Sainath whose form is to be an object of our meditation, whose feet are to be adored, and whose Grace grants us supreme Divine beatitude!
Guru is one who has destroyed the cravings of his mind and who knows how one must destroy it. The only thing that stands in the way of our spiritual realization is our own mind and it is to remove this obstacle that one comes to the Guru and surrenders himself unto him. But, then, Guru-Kripa has not only to be bestowed, not only to be given; it also must be received. In receiving it, we immortalize ourselves, divinize ourselves. We must be ready to receive it; then it will flow into us and raise us to the highest realm of immortality, eternal light, and infinite bliss. But, then, how can we receive it? How should we conduct ourselves if we are to receive this Grace?
Carry out the teachings of the Guru; and this should be our Sadhana day in day out. There may be certain inner qualifications which are necessary for the full and effective reception of divine grace. Even after having attained all the qualifications of the ideal devotee, we have to wait in humility and in patience. There is no loss here, for the goal is immortal life, freedom. If we have become willing servants and willing, obedient devotees, then it is the natural law that Guru-Kripa may come in an unpleasant form. It may come in the form of a series of disappointments. We may think that Guru has not bestowed his Kripa upon us; but that disappointment itself will be his Kripa. We are not fit to judge whether we are ready to receive Guru-Kripa or not, and what form it would take. The best thing is to humbly leave everything to the Guru.
“I do not know whether I am a devotee or not. Therefore, O ocean of mercy and compassion, pray make me a proper devotee. Generate in me that Mumukshutva which makes me a devotee and give me the spirit of willing obedience. Help me in trying to follow thy instructions. Help me in trying to mould myself upon the pattern set up by thee”. This must be our constant prayer. And, by this alone shall we be able to draw the Kripa of our Guru and make our life fruitful. The perfect way of praying is trying our best to be real devotees.
Beloved Sai devotees, to send this message to you, is a great privilege and a joy to me. It is a rare blessedness to think of Lord Sainath, a rarer blessedness to speak about Him, to glorify and praise Him and a supreme good fortune to worship Him. To meditate upon the Guru is the greatest blessing that can come into the life of a seeking soul.
Worship is the means of approaching the Invisible. It takes us closer to the Intangible Divine Essence in which form Sai Baba now abides after setting aside in 1918 the physical form in which He dwelt. By regular worship, the seeker strengthens his spiritual bond with the Guru even beyond the time of his physical existence. By preserving such a bond, the Sai-devotee can draw upon himself the continued Guru-Kripa. He is blessed with guidance and protected by His benedictions in a mysterious way. Adore thy Guru and pay homage unto Him who has opened thy eyes to the glorious purpose of life, and who has shown you the true path to blessedness and bliss. This is your foremost duty now.
The most holy Guru Purnima is a great annual occasion that provides you an invaluable opportunity of re-establishing this vital inner contact with Lord Sainath. It is a day when all the devotees earnestly put forth special efforts to experience their oneness with the Nirakara Guru Tattva. Renew this contact. And then plunge into a period of spiritual Sadhana. Crown that Anushthana with an inspiring worship of His glorious radiance abiding in His Samadhi at Shirdi. May Lord Sainath’s grace be upon all!
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