Happy Guru Purnima Day

Who taught you first lesson in your life? Your parents, right? They are special. Who taught you the basics to you? Your teacher, right? They are special too. In Indian culture a teacher has a special place. The one who helps you in self-realization is called Guru in Indian cultures & religions be it Jainism, Buddhism or Hinduism. This Guru is considered even more important than the Gods themselves. Saint Kabir said –

(Hindi) गुरु गोविन्द दोऊ खड़े, काको लागूं पायं।
बलिहारी गुरु आपने, गोविन्द दियो बताय।।

Translitaration –

Guru gobind dou khade, kaake lagoon paay
Balihari guru aapne, gobind diyo batay

(A simple translation) – Almighty (the God) and Guru both are standing right here, who should I bow to? Oh master (Guru) I bestow/pray/offer to you; you showed me the path to the almighty.

Guru is special because he showed you the path to the almighty.

This is somewhat confusing way – yet very interesting – of Saint Kabir, he says Guru you showed me to bow to the almighty (when the disciple reached the destination). The other is I (the disciple) bow to you because you showed me the path.

Both ways this is a wonderful cuplet of saint Kabir.

I had the privilege of meeting few enlightened masters in my life. It has been my experience that when you are near the master (Guru) your questions dissolve. You do not have anything to ask anything to complain about. This happened to me whenever I met Dada ji (at least three times in my life time). I happened to meet Guruji (Sri Sri Ravishankar) last year. When you get to meet an enlightened master at least for the time being when you are around him/her you wont have any questions and desires that feeling is out of the world.

Happy Guru Poornima.