Shri Lt. Col. M.B. Nimbalkar
Since the days of Upanishads, the necessity of a spiritual preceptor (Sadguru) for attaining God-Realization has been considered indispensable. For instance, the Mundaka Upanishad says:
To know That one should, holding sacrificial sticks in hands, go to a Guru who is both a scholar and established in Brahman
In Geeta, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna:
“Know that by long prostration, by question, and service, the wise who have realized the Truth will instruct thee in (that) Knowledge”.
Sant Tukaram from Maharashtra says the same thing:
“No shelter other than Sadguru is to be found. He turns the shishya (disciple) immediately into his own likeness”.
And Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa also reaffirms it:
“When going to a strange country one must abide by directions of the guide who knows the way. So, in trying to reach God one must implicitly follow the advice of one single Guru who knows the way to God.” (693)
Shri Sai Baba also confirmed the necessity of a Sadguru for Self-Realization. In Chapter 2 of Shri Sai Sat Charitra. We know how Shri Sai Baba convinced Shri Dabholkar that a Guru is a must, by ridiculously addressing him as “Hemadpant” on account of his hot discussion with Shri Balasaheb Bhate on the very first day of his arrival in Shirdi. Also in Chapter 32, the story of 4 aspirants
(including Baba Himself) in search of God and Baba’s ultimate success in Self-realization does to complete surrender to a Guru are explicit proofs of Baba’s views in the matter.
Thus, there is no question about the necessity of a Sadguru for Self-Realization. The question is whether he should be a living person, or whether a non-living person can be accepted. If an aspirant (sadhaka) can find a perfect Sadguru in flesh and blood,nothing like it. It is easy then for him to serve the Sadguru in person and secure his favors. He can listen to his talks and discuss any doubts with him. In rare and fortunate cases such as that of Swami Vivekananda, a Sadguru may procure a divine vision to his disciple by a mere touch of the hand alone (shaktipaat).
What to do if a living Sadguru is not available?
But how and where to find such a perfect preceptor (Sadguru)? Swami Vivekananda has rightly said:
“There are many Gurus who, though immersed in ignorance, yet, in the pride of their hearts, fancy they know everything and not only do not stop there but offer to take others on their shoulders and thus the blind leading the blind, both fall into the ditch.” (III. 47)
A perfect preceptor is he “who has himself crossed the terrible ocean of life and without any idea of gain to himself, helps others also to cross the ocean.” Finding such a Guru is like the fabled pearl-oyster succeeding in catching a drop of the marvelous Swati rain, to convert into a beautiful pearl.
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Hence, if one is not lucky enough to get such a perfect Master, an aspirant should consider any God or Goddess such as Shiva, Rama, Krishna or Durga as a Guru. Shri Ramakrishna has said, “Who is whose Guru (spiritual guide and teacher)? God alone is the guide and Guru of the universe.” (687). So, if one approaches God with sincerity, earnest prayers, and deep longing, He will surely guide him towards spiritual uplift and if really necessary will send a living Sadguru to him.
Alternatively, the aspirant should consider great saints, like Ramana Maharshi of Arunachalam, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa of Dakshineshwar, Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, or Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, who have cast off their mortal bodies, as Sadguru. These saints, although not living physically, do exist with subtle bodies in the universe and are able to contact and even appear before their devotees in person. Shri Sai Baba has said:
“Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb would be speaking, moving, and communicating with those who would surrender themselves wholeheartedly to Me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent from you. You will hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare.”
(Shri Sai-Sat- Charita, Chapter- 25)
Examples of non-living Gurus
In Maharashtra in early 17th century, Samarth Ramdas, a famous saint, and Guru of Shivaji the Great, did not have a living Guru. Instead, he considered Shri Rama (the 7th incarnation of Shri Vishnu) as his Guru and as a result Ramdas while inmeditation, received Mantropadesh from Shri Rama in person.
Other two examples are from this century and refer to Shri Sai Baba guiding His devotees in spiritual matters long after His samadhi. First one is about His Holiness Narasimha Swamiji, Founder-President of the All India Sai Samaj of Chennai (previously named as Madras), and who was responsible for the spread of Sai Cult in India especially, in the South in the 1930s. In his early life, Swamiji was a leading legal practitioner and a Member of Madras Legislative Council. In 1925 his son and daughter fell into a well unexpectedly and died. As a result, he developed great renunciation in life and set out in search of a Guru. He went to
Arunachal, Pandharpur, Nasik, Dwarka, Ked-gaon (Narayan Bet), and Sakori, and met living saints like Ramana Maharshi and others like Meher Baba, Narayan Maharaj, and Upasani Maharaj but was not satisfied. At last in 1933, he went to pay his homage to the samadhi of Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi and got attached there permanently. He met and interviewed more than 60 devotees who had personally seen Shri Sai Baba and after a great study and research wrote 4 volumes on the life of Shri Sai
Baba and a number of useful books on Charters and Teachings of Shri Sai Baba. He used to consider Shri Sai Baba as his sole Sadguru, so much so that whenever being photographed, he would sit with Shri Sai Baba’s photo on his lap. Thus, even 18 years after Baba’s Samadhi, Shri Narasimha Swamiji under Baba’s guidance and inspiration reached a very high state of spirituality
and was honored and respected as a great saint in the South.
Another example is about Mota Maharaj of Gujarat. He left his body recently i.e. in 1976. He had been in a state of liberation (jeevan-mukta) since 1939. He was initiated initially by Dhuniwale Dada of Saikheda and Upasani Baba who were living then. But he also used to consider Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur and Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, although not in their mortal coil then as one with the above living saints and used to address them as his Sadgurus only. Actually,there is a miracle in Mota Maharaj’s life. In 1938 (20 years after His Mahasamadhi), Shri Sai Baba appeared in person twice before Mota Maharaj Karachi, tested him as a disciple and explained to him in detail, the yogic process that is needed for Self-Realization. Then, on 29 th March 1939, Ram Navami Day at Kashi (Varanasi), Shri Sai Baba gave Mota, the great experience of non-duality and fixed him as a Self-Realized soul forever. No wonder Mota Maharaj in his autobiography says, “He (Shri Sai Baba) gave final touches to my spiritual progress.”
The above are the experiences of great spiritual giants. But even a person like me who is at the lowest rung of spiritual progress, get constant guidance and inspiration from Shri Sai Baba (who is not in body today) having considered Him as my sole Sadguru for the last 10-12 years. Required religious books have come to me automatically. Desires of visiting Shirdi and other far-off places of pilgrimage have been fulfilled unexpectedly without any physical strain or without any necessity of spending a single paisa. My difficulties in understanding Sanskrit scriptures and other philosophical books have been solved either during
my daily reading of Shri Sai Satcharitra or by a sudden flash of realization. Best of all, with Baba’s great grace, this humble person, who has been a soldier wielding a rifle all his life, has been inspired to wield a pen that too on philosophical and religious subjects and with quite a reasonable success. Isn’t this something as good as or more than being under the guidance of a Sadguru in flesh and blood??
Advantages of a non-living Guru
Actually, there are some advantages in having a Sadguru who is not in his mortal coil. Having no opportunity of seeing him in person, we usually form a mental picture of his personality and behavior by seeing his photograph or painting and by hearing about his divine qualities and miraculous powers. Thus, our faith and devotion to such a Sadguru are always great and unshakable. On the contrary, if the Sadguru is living, we are likely to be irked by his physical defects, awkward behavior, and dirty habits, if any, and thus there is a danger of our doubting his greatness and dignity and losing our faith in him. The real and great saints purposely behave in an irritating and crazy manner and ordinary persons cannot understand their import
Another advantage is that since such a Sadguru is not in their human form, we are not likely to be led away or cheated by his outward show or advertisement through his pet (and probably paid) followers. In the case of a Sadguru who has attained samadhi, his greatness is already known, fully tested, and there is no danger of being cheated. Some living Gurus fall a prey to great honor, rich comforts and heaps of money offered to them by their devotees and thus lose their spiritual status. They render themselves to be unable to lead their disciples to Self-Realization. There is no such danger of disillusionment in the case of a Sadguru who has already left his human body.
Importance of a disciple.
In spiritual matters, it is not enough to secure a perfect preceptor (Sadguru) only. The disciple or the aspirant himself must have acquired a status necessary to receive the favor. He should have real renunciation (non-attachment), should have conquered all the senses and have an earnest desire for Self-Realization. This is exactly what Shri Sai Baba told Bapusaheb Jog who asked Him as to when will Baba bless him (Sai Satcharitra Chapter. 44).
“I shall consider you blessed when you will renounce all attachments, conquer lust and palate, and getting rid of all impediments, serve God wholeheartedly and resort to the begging bowl (accept sanyas).”
And the same was illustrated to all the assembled devotees, when in Chapter 16-17, Baba disposed off a rich gentleman come to Him for Brahma-jnan (Self-Realization) saying,”Roll up your bundle of Brahma viz. currency notes. Unless you completely get rid of your avarice or greed, you will not get the real Brahma.”
And how differently Baba treated, Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Kaka Saheb Dixit, and Upasani? Baba Himself sent for Nanasaheb not once but thrice. To fetch Kaka Saheb He sent Madhavrao Deshpande to Ahmednagar and Upasani though not willing to stay on at Shirdi, Baba forced him to return in 10 days by using His divine powers.
So, if an aspirant is not able to find a suitable Sadguru, he should not get disappointed but without spending any more time and energy in search, should continue his sadhana incessantly. Swami Vivekananda has rightly said:
“It is a mysterious law of nature that as soon as the field is ready, the seed must come, as soon as the soul wants religion, the transmitter of religious force must come.’The seeking sinner meeteth the seeking savior’. When the power that attracts in the receiving soul is full and ripe, the power which answers to the attraction must come.” (IV 22-23)
Conclusion
Shri Sai Baba in Chapter 2 of Sai Satcharitra, after taunting Shri Dabholkar (Hemadpant) for his argument with Mr. Bhate,asserted that without a Guru there is no Self-Realization. Also in Chapter 32, Sai Baba narrated the story of four aspirants in search of God and concluded that a guide in the form of a Sadguru is essential for this purpose. But the same Shri Sai Baba in Chapter 44 has also said that after He discards His mortal body, His devotees can still attain Self-Realization by surrendering to Him completely.
“I feel indebted to him who surrenders himself completely to Me and ever remembers Me. I shall repay his debt by giving him Salvation (Self-Realization)….. So leaving out pride and egoism and with no trace of them, you should surrender yourself to Me who am seated in your heart.”
Similarly, in shloka 34 of Chapter 4 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna although Himself a Seer of Truth (and jagat-guru) advises Arjuna to approach the wise who have realized the Truth. But the same Lord Krishna has later asked Arjuna to surrender completely to Himself and promised to save him from downfall.
Sarva dharmaan parityajya
maam ekam sharanam vraja
ahatn twam sarva paapebhyo
mokshayishaami maa suchah
— (Ch. 18/66)
(Abandoning all Dharmas (of the body, mind, and intellect) take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate thee from all sins; grieve not.)
Thus, Shri Sai Baba Himself and Lord Krishna too have solved the question of aspirants who are unable to find a living Sadguru.
When such great authorities are available to us why should we have any doubts or get disappointed? Moreover, to Sai Devotees, I would accost them in the following words of Shri Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) addressed to Shri Kaka Saheb Dixit who had become despondent on reading the discourse of nine Nathas on Bhakti in Chapter 2 of Ekanathi Bhagawat.
“It is a pity that one who by his good luck got such a jewel (Guru) as Baba, should cry out so abjectly. If he has unwavering faith in Baba, why should he feel restless? Where is the cause for fear and anxiety?” (Chapter 45, Sai Satcharitra)
By Lt. Col. M.B. Nimbalkar
Source: Shri Saileela Magazine
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