The Need of Satguru

 It is essential to seek the refuge of, and live in the vicinity of a Satguru, for the search of the self; for the elimination of delusion; to relieve the burden of actions; to become immersed in the ocean of knowledge; and to enjoy the bliss of freedom.

 No amount of learning, study of the scriptures or sadhana can be accomplished without having a Satguru. Therefore it is an absolute must to have a Satguru. One faces not one or two, but thousands of problems in the battle of life. How can one protect his spiritual treasure without the shelter of a Satguru?

 Imagine the joy of a lost traveler on coming across an expert guide, or of finding some cool shade in the scorching mid-day sun in a desert. Imagine the joy of finding a torch while walking in a dark new-moon night, or of a drowning man on getting a boat, or an extremely thirsty man on finding a water-hut of cool, sweet water. Similar is the remarkable bliss experienced by a sadhaka desirous of liberation when he meets the Satguru.

 There is no place for an appeal in obedience and questioning in self-surrender.

 The chakor moonbird (a bird of the pleasant species) is enamored of the full moon and goes on contemplating it as long as the moon shines. It loves the moon and nothing else. A sati (chaste woman) has nobody in her life other than her husband. O You who are free from attachment, O spiritual Guide, O loving teacher, O Gurudeva! Pray let there be nobody other than you in my life.

 The key to all kinds of supernatural powers is the guru’s grace. All that is needed is the competence to assimilate the Guru’s grace. Then see what the Guru’s grace doesn’t do? The Guru’s grace enhances and purifies the intellect. The Guru’s grace enhances not only the power of memory, but also the power of self-study. The Guru’s grace does away with passion and fondness for the material objects, and kindles love for the Supreme Consciousness. By the Guru’s grace, attachment towards the world diminishes, while love for detachment increases. The Guru’s grace eradicates sorrow and brings joy. The Guru’s grace dries up the sea of attachment and replaces it with the ocean of equanimity.

 This body will not be worn out by rendering service to the Guru. The ashes left behind after the cremation of a body weighing about 70 kg will not even weigh around 3kg. Nor will they be of any use to anybody. Therefore a body such as this should be utilized in the service of the Guru.

 Satgurudev is the only one who brings to us the knowledge of the Absolute Truth, endows us with the experience of the Absolute Reality and the realization of the grandeur of Truth.