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The Importance of Spiritual master


The importance of a spiritual master in one's life is as inevitable as food. In ancient times in India there used to be a spiritual mentor of each king called Rajguru, at whose behest the king discharged his duties, to the result Bharat was regarded as the master guide by the whole world. It was regarded as the golden bird. It was only India who had the capacity to lead the entire world with its natural prosperity and economic abundance. These mentors had a towering personality at once just and transparent, full of patriotism, social welfare and spiritual attainment. They never acted out of any personal interest. These ethos of personal and public morality continued for centuries and thus the Indian culture spread far and wide. The excavations at different places bear the testimony of this great Indian civilization and culture. Different articles found in these excavations such as idols, images, coins, bangles, pieces of earthen pots etc. indicate not only its ancient nature but also the categorical difference from other alien civilization and culture.
Some intellectuals observed that the spiritual masters yielded a great power and influence on society and even the king held them in high esteem and followed their commands. They decided to take unfair advantage of the situation; and tried to institutionalize the system raising organizations with fake spiritual master at the head of organizations. This system came handy to grind their axes and became popular in the due course. People started accepting them with the same reverence and faith. However, they succeeded though largely in imitating and copying the external dress and appearance and even in acquiring the bookish knowledge of spiritual texts, tone and tenor in their sermons speeches and precepts but the intrinsic spiritual content alluded them. To the result today such fake spiritual masters have become synonyms of hypocrisy, blasphemy and fraud. Its realty very sinistorous to defile such sacred word and institution of venerable spiritual master for sheer pecuniary greed. But, its glory and greatness is still kept intact by the true accomplished saints. the worthy inheritors of the great legacy of ancient seers, keeping themselves away and above all sorts of narrow consideration continued to guide humanity. It is but for their efforts, India still has the same potentiality to lead the world and usher in the state of welfare for the entire mankind.
These spiritual masters who guided the powerful kings led a simple life but of high moral character. It was so because they had realised the God and had overcome all human frailties. Such seers alone can guide a society in right direction. The Kings also in turn and under the guidance of these masters led a simple life of righteousness and dispensed justice fair for all. We see them these days in T.V. serial only.
In ancient times every King had a spiritual master as patron. They could restrain the King from doing injustice. This system continued smoothly for thousands of years. The king and every citizen discharged their duties and responsibilities very carefully. This was the reason that when Ram returned to Ayoudhya after fourteen years in exile, he found Ayoudhya as prosperous as before. It was because of seer's ethical guidance and direction from time to time that so much of love was lost among the members of the family, and every one meticulously observed his, her personal limitations. Shri Ram was senior to his brothers though hardly by few hours still there was an exemplary love and respect among each other. Today this is an exceptionally rare experience.
Arjun regarded Urvashi as his mother and accepted her curse but remained unmoved. He took Uttara as his daughter even as he remained morally consistent. When the secret was revealed and the king proposed her for marriage Arjun accepted her as daughter in law. It was due to education by his master that Shivaji had regained the fort lost by his father to Mughuls when he was just twelve years of Age. At present we see children of this age have simply no manners how to behave in society.
Is it possible in the present context in the absence of such direction and guidance by saints and seers. In the present atmosphere all these things seem only as fragments of imagination. But, the leaders of today can bring back those glorious days if they decide under the guidance of saints and seers any society any where in the world can lead a peaceful, prosperous life, beneficial to the humankind. They foster amiable relations sympathy and cooperation. If there is ability and capacity to guide the mankind. it is certainly and only with the saints and seers in that society, who have perceived the supreme and who have nothing with them of their own. Such saints, seers have never created any rifts or differences in society. Such saints alone are the well-wishers of humanity. We get plenty of so called fake sages who try to impose their thoughts and principles on society but those who integrate people of the world together in common bond of fraternity are very rare.
Rubies are not found bags full, swans do not fly in flock;
Lions do not breed litter of cubs, saints never travel together.
A saint, who has become one with God can alone give anything and every thing. such examples in scriptures are humourous. Man satisfies his different desires by his faith in different Gods and Goddesses and gets by destroyed. But, from saint he gets not only the material pleasures but also the greatest joys along with absolute emancipation. All accomplished saints from any clan or country have achieved success from the guidance and direction from their spiritual masters, All the kings and emprors who are regarded as ideals in the society have been the result of motivation and guidance by saint and seers of their times.
Jayant, the son of Indra the king of deities when he became a prey to anger of Rama for humiliating mother Seeta, and was disappointed by Brahma, Vishnu Shiva and all the guards of four quarters and was running, it was the seer God Narad who sent him to Rama on promise to be forgiven. No one had this capability except a seer.
When Seeta's mother sent her to worship. Goddess Parvati to get a boon for the desired groom for her; satisfied by her worship and adoratin Parvati said, Seeta, you have forgot the boon given to you by your spiritual master seer Narad. You will get the desired groom as a result of the same boon. Goddess Parvati herself had the similar experience and had got lord shiva as groom for herself as the result of boon from seer Narad; also her spiritual master. Parvati had an indomitable faith in words of her spiritual master. On the strength of that faith she assured Seeta and it came verbatimly true in getting the desired groom for Seeta.
Once, the God in playful moments changed Naradji's face with a monkey's face. Shiva's minions(Ganas) knew this and were laughing at Naradji. When Naradji saw his face in water he got very angry even at the God saying that you would be as restless for woman as I was and the persons who you would request for hep would be like me, monkey faced. He cursed all the Ganas to become demons. when they opologised and prayed for mercy. he should them the way to salvation by God.
Bo you demons deceitful sinner,
Take this reward, now noone willl dare sneer a seen.
One should never use sarcastic words about saints. They are the means of emancipation not recreation. Sanak, Sanandan, the seniors to Naradji had also similarly cursed Jay, Vijay the gaurds of God Vishnu to become demons. Neither Shiva nor Vishnu helped their guards, in order to make while the words of saints come true the God had to take incantations as directed by saints for emancipating their guards. Thus, saints were the cause of many incarnations of God.
Once while making a mention of an event , Kagabhushundiji; who is the devotion personified tells to Garudji that once I committed a mistake for which I had to take thousand births additionally. What I was to get thousand years before, I got it after thousand years. Tempted by the worldly way I also regarded enlightened masters as ordinary beings did not show them a due respect. Like others, I also thought that there is a difference between the spiritual master and the supreme God. I thought. I have already received all the knowledge and secret formulae from the master, now I would attain the God. With this feeling and belief I was chanting the spiritual formula 'Om Namah Shivaya'. In the meantime my master happened to arrive there, but because of my achievement and ego, I failed to get up and give him the due respect. Lord Shiva, himself whom I was propitiating did not like this arrogant behaviour of mine and cursed me to take thousand births again and relegated me from the category of his devotees and placed me in a mean category. On hearing this curse from lord Shiva, I began to tremble out of fear, the kind master took pity on me and prayed Bhagwan Shiv to gorgive me. Overcome by his prayer, Bhagwan Shiv graced me with a boon that knowledge given to me by my spiritual master will remain intact and that I would not suffer from any pains in my births and deaths.
I had an ego and was proud of my knowledge which made me commit such a great mistake. After being punished from Bhagwan Shiva I realised the importance of the spiritual master. If you are in meditation don't make a mistake like Kagbhusundiji; because the very purpose of meditation is the meeting of the spiritual master, who awakens your mediation. one should pay due respect and serve him to his best of ability and capability. Infact the fruition of your endeavor and meditation is the satisfaction and happiness of the spiritual master. It is not that we welcome, regard or salute him only after worship or meditation is over. We should immediately meet and welcome him first leaving everything howsoever important. This is the true reward of taking human life.
If God is angry an enlightened sage (Sadguru) can still be your saviour
But if the master becomes angry, no one in the world can dare interfere.
Those who ignore and disregard saints and spritual masters, such individual or society is destined to decay like Ravan, Kansa, Duryodhan, Jarasandh and Parikshit.
Once like Kagbhusundiji, Nal the son of Kuber, the treasurer of Gods and Kuber out of pride of their wealth, handsomeness and youth disregarded seer Naradji. As a result of this they had to take birth in the form of Yamalarjun tree. To make the words of the saint come true, Bhagwan Shri Krishna had to get himself fastened to a mortar. There is a similar story of a young Gandharva, who out of pride of his handsomeness onece insulted a seer like Ashtavakra and had to take birth as snake named Aghasur. Later on out of grace of the same seer and his asking Bhagwan shri Krishna emancipated him. Revered Paramhansji Maharaj used to say, Ho, there are no Riddhi-Siddhi (supernatural powers) it is the supreme, who makes the words of a saint; whom he has accepted as his own; come true.
So goes the story. Once sere Ashtavakra Maharaj was treading through a forest slowly unmindful, unconcerned of everything. A Gaudharva youth happened to come from other side. He was very handsome. Seeing crooked body of Ashtavakra he burst into laughter and he said Ah! what a majestic gait, what a swing of waist! what a beautiful face etc. The seer however, continued to go ahead unmindful of all his comments. When he saw that the seer had no effect of his comments, he blocked his way and repeated the same words. The seer still did not utter a word and look to different way. The Gandharva youth again came infront and repeated the same words. It was too much now for the seer to put up with his extreme arrogance. He said you would also hereafter walk swirling. You are proud of your appearance and body so you would swirl like snake and creep on earth. At once he turned into a python named Aghasur. After, requesting for pardon and forgiveness, the seer look pity and relieved him with a boon for emancipation by Bhagwan Sri Krishna. In pride of some achievement which is perishable, one should not show disregard for a seer. The greatest achievements of the world are prone to decay someday. They dont contribute in the development of our soul in any way.
Once the king Parikshit in pride of royalty threw a dead snake on a saint in meditation and humiliated him. The saint had no knowledge of king's presence and was engrossed in deep meditation. The king thought that the saint does not want to give me the due respect and therefore pretending to be in meditation. Expressing his anger he returned to his palace. The saints are always innocent and simple by nature. He did not say anything. But his disciple hurled a curse saying, the arrogant who has committed this disparaging act shall die of snake bite on the seventh day. The pride of Kingship thus became the cause of Parikshit's destruction. one should not expect respect of any kind from saints who ensure our safety of everything wealth, life, family, present and future. Such saints can never even think of humiliating anyone. Their remonstration itself is a kind of forgiveness. He can considerably reduce the impact of some severe impression and make its effect tolerable.
Once sage Durvasa reached Dwarika, the lord Krishna welcomed him very warmly. Satisfied by his hospitality, he said to Shri Krishna that he was anxious to see Dwarikapuri, Asking for a chariot yoked by him and Rukmini. Shri Krishna at once called for the chariot and bore the yoke on their shoulders. The seer whipped them both so much that both of them started bleeding profusely but none of them uttered a single word of pain or woe.
The people of Dwarika felt very unhappy seeing this and were calling the saint very unkind. The blood was coming out from Rukmini's body and yet the saint continued whipping them. The reason and the result of this event was revealed to Bhagwan Shri Krishna during the great war of Mahabharat only. The most powerful weapons even could not even cause a scratch anywhere on his body except the sole of his feet, which had remained out of the reach of saint's whip. later on this was used by Shri Krishna as an excuse to give up his body when an arrow of a hunter had hit his sole of feet while resting under a tree. This was also brought about to make the words of the saint come true and thus uphold his spiritual strength.
Once two young princes from Yadu clan tried to make fun of a saint. The prince who was very handsome was dressed in a woman's attire tied an iron ball on his stomach. They went to the saint and said that you are omniscient, tell if she would give birth to a male or a female child. The saint realized that out of pride of their power and riches, they were making him their laughing stock. They have no respect for saints. He said who so ever was born of her would be the destroyer of the Yadu Clan. They were terribly frightened and went to Shri Krishna and told him the whole story. Shri Krishna rubbed that iron ball like sandal wood and threw the last small piece into the river. A fish swallowed this piece. A fisher caught this fish and sold it to a hunter. When he cut the fish he found this piece of iron and he fixed it on his arrow. It was the same arrow which had struck the sole of Sri Krishna's foot. The iron dust, however got collected on the river bank and grew into a strange variety of grass on the day of Holi festival they consumed liquor and played with colors whole day. In the evening they went to river to wash out the colour and take bath. Drunk as they were already they started quarreling on some issue. This turned into fierce fighting. They pulled this grass, hard and prickly and started thrashing each other, and lay there all dead.
During Seeta's wedding on hearing king Janak's vow all the kings present there tried to propitiate their adorable Gods bowing and saluting before trying their hands at the bow, but did not succeed. They tried again putting their collective strength of their adorable deities but to no avail. On his turn Shri Ram first saluted his spiritual master and keeping his adorable form in his heart succeeded.
A little less faith towards the master who is the redeemer from all bondage of this material world and the doer of the supreme good, made Naradji suffer from curse to go through all forms of birth. It so happened. once Naradji set out in search of the spiritual master at the behest of the God. The God had already told him that the first man you meet in the morning would be your spiritual master. Naradji was going along the bank of Ganga He saw a person coming with a net and a few fish. Naradji turned his face with repulsion as he thought himself to be the son of Brahma(Creator). On asking by the God, Naradji called the person as a fisher man and expressed his inability to accept him as his master. The God said you did not trust my words and had a feeling of doubt about a saint. This sin will make you go through innumerable lives. When Naradji prayed for the way out for redemption, the God asked him to go back to the spiritual master for reparation. The God also warned not to make any mistake again. The next day the same person met Naradji again. This time Naradji lay prostrate before him with due veneration to a saint. Reading thoughts in Naradji's mind, he said look here I am just an humble fisherman; you are a great seer; why should yo do all this? Naradji apologised and begged for forgiveness. The saint was pleased. when Naradji saw that there was no net or fish. He stood with folded hands and expressed his wish to know about this mystery. The most gracious master said Naradji, that this seemingly net is but the most mysterious knowledge in which I catch the virtuous souls and keep fish, the nimble minds with me. It is only then an exercitant, meditator can reach across this illusive world.
" Devotion to Ram is water, and my mind is like fish".
Once his doubts were settled Naradji told him the whole truth as a result of which he had to pass through countless life froms. The spiritual master asked Naradji to get in writing all kinds of life forms from God. When Naradji returned with the paper with all life forms, he spread out that paper asking Naradji to roll over it to and fro, and declared to all your births are cancelled. Now free from any worry just meditate upon God. Thus Naradji by the grace of the spiritual master got rid of all forms of life in a moment and in one go.
Once, while recounting the glories of accomplished saints before Bahulawash, the king of Janakpur and Shrutdev a great scholar, Lord Shri Krishna said, Ah! king, these saints after purifying places of pilgrimages and deities have come here with me to grace people and different planets and spheres. The power the places of piligrimages and the Gods to make something or a person sacrosanct is received from these saints. Therefore, if you wish for my grace then worship them first. This will naturally amount to my worshiping. I am more pleased by adoring them than by any invaluable offering or worshipping. What more should I say then that I myself follow them with the sole invaluable offering on worshiping. What more should I say then that I myself follow them with the sole intention that the dust blown by their feet continuously falls on my body which gives me great delight, and adds to my glory. There is an anecdote from 'Shri mad Bhagwat'. Once King Rahugan was going in a palanquin in search of spiritual master. On way one of the palanquin bearer fell sick and another was required. The great saint Jad Bharat who was meditating lost in delight while traveling. He saw and without any hesitation or asking joined the other bearers. Being careful about small creatures to be trodden over, palanquin swayed to and fro. This made the king angry. Jad Bharat said the road is for the traveller and load is to them who want to bear load. Hearing these words, the king asked the bearers to stop and lying prostrate before Jad Bharat said Ah Sir! I am going in search of spiritual master, I wander if you are not the same. He said I don't fear Indras's ''Vajra' nor even the trident of Shiva, Vishnus's 'Sudarshan Chakra' and not even the Yamraj, deity of death and his staff, as much as I fear causing humiliation to any saint. Because irreverence of a saint brings about destruction of the whole clan and prosperity and the virtues of many lives, and one has to suffer in hell for many lives. Therefore pardon me for my misdeeds, bless me and emancipate. The homily from Jad Bharat emancipated the king Rahugan and he realised himself.
All great men who have guided the society attained the supreme state of blissful contentment by the grace of their spiritual master. such saints have always guided the society by their experiences in every age.
No one can reach across the ocean of this world
Even if he be the Brahma(creator) or Shiva (destroyer).
If you are graced by God in life, it's well and good if not, never mind it would come. To get the grace of God or not does not very much matter. But the grace of the spiritual master in life carries a great importance because without his grace no living being of this world can not sail accross the sea of this world. These are the words of great seer Sahjo bai. Like all other great saints she also perceived the God and guided the contemporary society. Guru Nanakdevji while recollecting his experiences says-
'Ek chale gaye....
He says some people have already departed from this world, some others are waiting. Those who have remained behind have also to leave one day. But those who have remained behind have also to leave one day. But those who did not serve the spiritual master to get rid of sorrow and unhappiness, they will have only to repent; coming in this world repeatedly, sheddingtears of repentence, as this human body is meant to receive the grace of the spiritual master to redeem oneself from unhappiness.
Let us see what saint Kabir has to say-
'Main bhi bhaga....
Saint Kabir says, I also got traditions and customs with my birth. I was also seeking my emancipation through them. But as a result of my virtuous deeds I came by the spiritual master. He gave me a jewel named after Ram (Ram Mani). I traversed my course in its light and with the grace of my spiritual master, I reached my destination. Had I not received the grace of the master I might have taken millions of years to free myself from sorrows of life. At that time I saw these traditionalist orthodox people in conflicts with each other. I saw them observing imaginary rites and rituals but none had perceived the God, because all of them were over powered by greed and hatred and with desires, attachment and jealousy perception of God is impossible. so Shri Krishna commanded Arjun that desires and jealousy are ingrained in indulgence of senses and in indulgence of senses and sensuousness. They are the great enemies of a devotee. Never allow them to dominate otherwise you will never attain your goal.
Indriyasye...
Even saint Kabir was always eager to meet such saints who can redeem people from worldly woes and he realised his desire when one day Swam Ramanand ji accepted him as his disciple. Meerabai also was emancipated likewise by the grace of the spiritual master saint Raidas. Referring to such saints Kabir says-
Ram Bulaba ...
The joys and happiness are no better than the proximity of saints. Where are such saints to be sought? Who are absolute source of emancipation, the very basis of happiness? How are they to be recognised? Arjun had asked these questions to shri Krishna.
Sthitpragyasy....
Ah! Keshav, What are the distinguishing features of an attained saint established in trance. How does that accomplished saint speak, sit and walk?
Settling Arjun's inquisitiveness Bhagwan Shri Krishna said-
Prajhati.....
Arjun, When a person during practice of virtue renounces all sorts of desires from his mind and rests contented spiritually in his soul; during such period, he is called equanimous, that is one who has become free from the cycle of birth and death. Describing other identifying features of such an accomplished saint. Shri Krishna says.
Dukheswan...
Arjun one whose mind is not disturbed in unhappiness and remains totally detached in happiness and is renunciated, such accomplished persons are free from fear. Persons who have attaied this state of mind are called equanimous. Bhagwan Shri Krishna further clarifies this state says-
Aapoorya....
Arjun many rivers join the ocean after causing a great havoc from flood. In summer these rivers are considerably reduced. But the ocean remains unaffected as it is. Similarly the pleasures of the material world are subdued in an attained person without deviating him such a person only attains the state of supreme peace rather than one who yearns for sensuous pleasures of the material world are subdued in an attained person without deviating him. Such a person only attains the state of supreme peace rather than one who yearn for sensuous pleasures.
In every age, there has been the desire of virtuous souls to know about and meet such accomplished sages. There is an event that occurred during Bhagwan Ram's life. All the four brothers were sitting is the shade of a mango grove. Hanumanji was standing and waving fan. In the mean-time four brothers Sanak-Sanandan were seen coming towards them. Bhagwan Ram stood up himself to welcome them. He spread out his own Pitambar (yellow loin cloth) and personally looked after them, carefully during their stay, earning for himself the fortune of serving the saints.
Dekhi Ram...
After the saints had left the place, all brothers were puzzled by one thought. It was the dress in which mother Seeta was kidnaped, similar dress was the cause of destruction of the family of King Pratapbhanu. It was again this dress in which Laxman's death was conspired. And again Bhagwan Shri Ram is adoring and caring for the similar dress. How should we then recognize an emanicpatory saint? All the brothers posed this question through Hanumanji.
Jor Pani...
Bhagwan Ram said, Hanuman you know that there is no difference between me and Bharat. On hearing these words Bharat at once held the feet and requested Shri Ram praying him thus-
Santan ki mahima....
Prabhu, Scriptures have sung about the glories of saints variously. You have also spoken about them repeatedly you have a great regard and love for them. We are anxious to listen about their distinguishing attributes to recognise them. Hearing these words, the lord Shri Ram Spoke thsu
Santan ke ....
Prabhu Shri Ram said, Bharat, saints totally detached from desires, who are store house of virtues and who regard others weal and woe as their own free from any malice, anger and ego, equiposed in pleasure or pain, free from fear, are very kind of nature are endowed with devotion for me in thought, words and action free from delusion (Maya). Such saints who respect every one are as dear to me as Bharat. They are endowed with supreme peace and are always genial, and homogeneous. They are counter poised in censure or praise reposed in love at my feet. Such benign saints are as dear to me as life. One who has all these attributes is a saint. I like such a saint very much. Seer Naradji had also asked about saint and how they are to be recognised. Shri Ram had tried to satisfy him saying-
Naradji I am feeling in you the qualities of saints which don't just please me but subjugate me to them. What are those qualities which please God? They are told by God himself.
Such saints have already conquered passion, greed, anger, pride, allurement, and are free from sins, desires. They are firmly established in immovable supreme and are the abode of virtuosity and happiness. They are always conscious of their mind and behavior so that no viciousness could come in society. Free from ego full of righteousness, and stable in thought and action they are the very embodiment of Dharma. They have no place in where they live. They are always kind full of humility, free from influence of the power of delusion (Maya) dispenser of the experience of God and always genial above envy, the ocean of kindness.
Shri Ram said, Naradji, how long should I describe the virtues of saints. Even goddess Saraswati and Shrutis can not describe them. Shri Ram however, no where has said that one who discriminates people, shows magical tricks and follows traditions can be a saint. A saint has no place for traditions in his life; because it is absolutely impossible to please God through them. They are only the different ways of life of a contemporary society. Saints are above and beyond such contemporary infirmities. The God is always subdued by such saints whether it is the field of devotion or of physical world or social and any other, the contribution of saints for its development, adn emancipation has always been expected by the society and will always remain in future. The decay of mankind at persent is due to the lack of proper direction by the saints. History bears testimony to the fact that as and whenever the teachings of seers have been neglected or ignored the decay of humankind is noticed. Saints, wherever they are born, whatever be their appearance, black or fair and their dress they are adorable and worthy of reverence.
If a thought of deer can make someone a dear, a thought of fish a fish; thought of a woman or man a woman or man, then one who thinks about saints must become a saint, from where he will receive an inspiration to be free from all sorrows and unhappiness.
Saat samudra...

1. Even If I make water of seven seas as ink, and all the forest wood my writing pen, All the earth writing paper, the glories of the spiritual master can not be written down.
2. Taking unhappiness in place of happiness, putting mind at rest Kabir says when will I meet such a loving saint.
3. At the call of Ram Kabir started weeping, The happiness of the company of saints will not be available now in heaven.
4. A fake master is different than the transcendent. Only when the transcendent master meets, he takes to the right destination.
Every man who comes in the proximity of accomplished saints, first tries to find out his caste and place of birth, If his previous convictions agree than he joins him otherwise he finds out some excuse and leaves. No race, community, or association in the world has any alternative to happiness and peace. Who so ever has found supreme peace and happiness, detached himself from wrong traditions and practice and forgot their original caste and association. Only then they could make this life conducive to achieving their goal.

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