Saturday, August 19, 2017
Sri Dasbodh (1.4) Sadguru Stavan
Sri Dasbodh (1.4) “Sadguru Stavan -Praise unto the Sadguru”
Sri Samartha now extols glory of the Sadguru. In fact, description of the attribute less, formless Brahmam (Nirgun-Nirakar) as well as that of Sri Ganesh and Sri Sharada becomes conjectural, since nobody may have actually ‘seen’ all those. Sadguru too is a ‘Principle’ and not any specific person as such. Indeed, the only description for such entities is that those are indescribable! Nevertheless, humans keep trying by furnishing various ‘visible’ similes for those, such as the Sun, moon, ocean, sky, earth and so on !
Sri Samartha begins his discourse while making obeisance unto the Sadguru in the above mentioned context thus –
1. Sri Sadguru is indescribable. However Sri Samartha says that Maya cannot touch even the fringe of His Form. Entire knowledge one possesses is restricted to the radius of Maya; therefore, ignorant beings like us are unable to understand true Form of Sadguru. Thus it is not possible to describe the same.
2. ‘Shruti’ (Veda) is the mother of ‘Atma-Vidya’ (Knowledge of the Self) . She tried to describe the Divine Principle. However, she had to rest content by saying desperately, ‘That Form cannot be grasped, just can not be grasped; or, It is not like this, It is not like this’ and keep quiet ! In that case how can we fools understand His True Form !!
3. I prostrate unto Form of Sadguru remotely, since I do not understand His mind. Sri Samartha prays, “ O Gurudeva, please extricate me beyond clutches of Maya”!
4. I nurtured an impossible desire to praise Sri Guru. I was confident that Maya shall assist me to attain success. However, it turned futile.therefore I have only to say this – “O Sadguru Swami, please stay whatever You Are !”
5. I sincerely hoped to praise You with the power of Maya; however, just uttering Your Name made her revert back bashfully and I was helpless !
6. All this is undoubtedly true. However, one has to create an image, a symbol in order to understand the Divine Lord. Likewise, I shall describe grandeur of Sadguru in spite of His Form being unfathomable, taking help from Maya.
7. Man contemplates upon the Lord as per his own imagination. Therefore I shall now venerate Sadguru following this dictum.
8. Hail unto the Sadguru that envelops entire universe yet still remains as remainder; the very root cause of the universe; the best of Purusha; very flag-post of Liberation itself and verily friend to the humble and meek.
9. Darkness vanishes at Sunrise. Likewise, influence of the irrepressible Maya disappears while Sadguru decides to bless an individual and showers His Grace.
10. It is true that darkness does not exist as long as the Sun shines; however, after Sunset its effulgence vanishes and night approaches leading to darkness in entire cosmos.
11. However, Sadguru Swami is not like that. He uproots ignorance altogether, destroying its entire whereabouts. That releases beings from cycles of birth-death-births.
12. Pure gold never spoils and convert into iron; likewise, disciple of Sadguru is never afflicted by doubt and suspicion since his mind is immaculate.
13. Or else, a rivulet merges into the Ganges and becomes Ganges itself. Then, it will be impossible to separate it from the Ganges.
14. People call that rivulet as a brook before it merges into the Ganges ; similarly, a disciple is an ordinary person before he meets and associates with Sadguru. Nevertheless, he becomes one with Sadguru on meeting Him. He begets authority or prerogative of the Sadguru.
15. The legendary ‘Parees’ converts iron into gold. However, touching that converted gold to another piece of iron does not convert it into gold. That means, the Parees does not grant Parees-ness to iron. However, the disciple who surrenders unto the Sadguru fully and completely can advise and emancipate many others. This means that the surrendered disciple earns Guru-ness. Gold cannot convert iron into gold through its touch. Therefore, simile of Parees is not applicable to Sadguru.
16. It is not proper to compare Sadguru with ocean ; ocean water is salty. Even if ‘Ksheersagar’ (ocean of milk) is taken as simile, it spoils at the end of millennium . Therefore that simile is also useless.
17. If one were to compare Sadguru with colossal Meru mountain, the simile would be out of place since the latter is static, motionless, hard rock. Sadguru is not like that. He is vibrant, His heart is very soft, He is compassionate.
18. It would be improper to compare Sadguru with sky. After all Sky is just a void, empty space. Sadguru transcends that void, negating this simile.
19. If we say that Sadguru is immobile, fearless and serene like the earth, it does not stand to reason ; because, at the time of total deluge (‘Kalpanta’) the earth will disintegrate but Sadguru shall be unbroken.
20. It is incorrect to say that Sadguru is like the Sun. After all, how much is the radiance of the Sun ? Shastra s have mentioned limitations of Sunlight, but Sadguru is unlimited.
21. There is no limit to effulgent Jnyana of Sadguru; He is infinite. Therefore the Sun falls short as simile. Now, a simile to Shesha the legendary is also futile since he holds load overhead.
22. A simile to water is equally untenable. Water is fickle and dries up after some time but Form of Sadguru is permanent and never destroys.
23. If we compare Sadguru to Amrit (Nectar) , those heaven dwellers who quaff Amrit all the time are no way immortal ; those too must tread pathway to death ! Those are just named as Amar (immortal). However, the ones receiving grace of Sadguru are immortal in true sense.
24. It is incorrect to say Sadguru as Kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree); because it grants only that, which is wished for. However, Sadguru transcends entire human imaginations ; therefore Kalpataru becomes valueless as compared to Sadguru. In fact, Sadguru is attainable only after jettisoning all imaginations. Hence this simile too is negated.
25. If one says that Sadguru is akin to Chintamani th e gem capable of annihilating entire worries and anxieties, it is not justifiable. The one pampering worries nurtures importance of the gem. Sadguru does not allow any form of anxiety lingering in the mind of His disciple. The one having no desires whatever would not think of milking Kamdhenu the wish-fulfilling celestial cow ! Thus this simile too is futile.
26. It is not proper to say that Sadguru is very rich and affluent. Entire wealth in the world is perishable. However, the imperishable ‘Moksha-Laxmi’, wealthy Goddess of Liberation itself, keeps waiting at the doorstep of Sadguru.
27. Heaven, its Lord Indra and his wealth perish after a time; however, Grace of Sadguru once attained never destroys. Hence this simile is negated.
28. Gods such as Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar do perish; nevertheless, only status of Sadguru persists as imperishable forever.
29. Entire Nature (Srushti) being perishable, none of the visible objects in the world can compare with the eternal and permanent Sadguru. Meddling of the five mega elements (‘Pancha-Mahabhoota’) does not occur with Form of Sadguru.
30. Therefore Sadguru is indescribable. Inability to describe in spite of frantic efforts to describe His Form in itself should be considered His description ! Indeed, experiencing Form of Sadguru is an internal state; only those established in their inner Self can understand significance of that state. Therefore whatever I spoke about the Sadguru during this narration will be understood by only those established in their inner Selves.
Hari Om Tat Sat
Sri Samartha now extols glory of the Sadguru. In fact, description of the attribute less, formless Brahmam (Nirgun-Nirakar) as well as that of Sri Ganesh and Sri Sharada becomes conjectural, since nobody may have actually ‘seen’ all those. Sadguru too is a ‘Principle’ and not any specific person as such. Indeed, the only description for such entities is that those are indescribable! Nevertheless, humans keep trying by furnishing various ‘visible’ similes for those, such as the Sun, moon, ocean, sky, earth and so on !
Sri Samartha begins his discourse while making obeisance unto the Sadguru in the above mentioned context thus –
1. Sri Sadguru is indescribable. However Sri Samartha says that Maya cannot touch even the fringe of His Form. Entire knowledge one possesses is restricted to the radius of Maya; therefore, ignorant beings like us are unable to understand true Form of Sadguru. Thus it is not possible to describe the same.
2. ‘Shruti’ (Veda) is the mother of ‘Atma-Vidya’ (Knowledge of the Self) . She tried to describe the Divine Principle. However, she had to rest content by saying desperately, ‘That Form cannot be grasped, just can not be grasped; or, It is not like this, It is not like this’ and keep quiet ! In that case how can we fools understand His True Form !!
3. I prostrate unto Form of Sadguru remotely, since I do not understand His mind. Sri Samartha prays, “ O Gurudeva, please extricate me beyond clutches of Maya”!
4. I nurtured an impossible desire to praise Sri Guru. I was confident that Maya shall assist me to attain success. However, it turned futile.therefore I have only to say this – “O Sadguru Swami, please stay whatever You Are !”
5. I sincerely hoped to praise You with the power of Maya; however, just uttering Your Name made her revert back bashfully and I was helpless !
6. All this is undoubtedly true. However, one has to create an image, a symbol in order to understand the Divine Lord. Likewise, I shall describe grandeur of Sadguru in spite of His Form being unfathomable, taking help from Maya.
7. Man contemplates upon the Lord as per his own imagination. Therefore I shall now venerate Sadguru following this dictum.
8. Hail unto the Sadguru that envelops entire universe yet still remains as remainder; the very root cause of the universe; the best of Purusha; very flag-post of Liberation itself and verily friend to the humble and meek.
9. Darkness vanishes at Sunrise. Likewise, influence of the irrepressible Maya disappears while Sadguru decides to bless an individual and showers His Grace.
10. It is true that darkness does not exist as long as the Sun shines; however, after Sunset its effulgence vanishes and night approaches leading to darkness in entire cosmos.
11. However, Sadguru Swami is not like that. He uproots ignorance altogether, destroying its entire whereabouts. That releases beings from cycles of birth-death-births.
12. Pure gold never spoils and convert into iron; likewise, disciple of Sadguru is never afflicted by doubt and suspicion since his mind is immaculate.
13. Or else, a rivulet merges into the Ganges and becomes Ganges itself. Then, it will be impossible to separate it from the Ganges.
14. People call that rivulet as a brook before it merges into the Ganges ; similarly, a disciple is an ordinary person before he meets and associates with Sadguru. Nevertheless, he becomes one with Sadguru on meeting Him. He begets authority or prerogative of the Sadguru.
15. The legendary ‘Parees’ converts iron into gold. However, touching that converted gold to another piece of iron does not convert it into gold. That means, the Parees does not grant Parees-ness to iron. However, the disciple who surrenders unto the Sadguru fully and completely can advise and emancipate many others. This means that the surrendered disciple earns Guru-ness. Gold cannot convert iron into gold through its touch. Therefore, simile of Parees is not applicable to Sadguru.
16. It is not proper to compare Sadguru with ocean ; ocean water is salty. Even if ‘Ksheersagar’ (ocean of milk) is taken as simile, it spoils at the end of millennium . Therefore that simile is also useless.
17. If one were to compare Sadguru with colossal Meru mountain, the simile would be out of place since the latter is static, motionless, hard rock. Sadguru is not like that. He is vibrant, His heart is very soft, He is compassionate.
18. It would be improper to compare Sadguru with sky. After all Sky is just a void, empty space. Sadguru transcends that void, negating this simile.
19. If we say that Sadguru is immobile, fearless and serene like the earth, it does not stand to reason ; because, at the time of total deluge (‘Kalpanta’) the earth will disintegrate but Sadguru shall be unbroken.
20. It is incorrect to say that Sadguru is like the Sun. After all, how much is the radiance of the Sun ? Shastra s have mentioned limitations of Sunlight, but Sadguru is unlimited.
21. There is no limit to effulgent Jnyana of Sadguru; He is infinite. Therefore the Sun falls short as simile. Now, a simile to Shesha the legendary is also futile since he holds load overhead.
22. A simile to water is equally untenable. Water is fickle and dries up after some time but Form of Sadguru is permanent and never destroys.
23. If we compare Sadguru to Amrit (Nectar) , those heaven dwellers who quaff Amrit all the time are no way immortal ; those too must tread pathway to death ! Those are just named as Amar (immortal). However, the ones receiving grace of Sadguru are immortal in true sense.
24. It is incorrect to say Sadguru as Kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree); because it grants only that, which is wished for. However, Sadguru transcends entire human imaginations ; therefore Kalpataru becomes valueless as compared to Sadguru. In fact, Sadguru is attainable only after jettisoning all imaginations. Hence this simile too is negated.
25. If one says that Sadguru is akin to Chintamani th e gem capable of annihilating entire worries and anxieties, it is not justifiable. The one pampering worries nurtures importance of the gem. Sadguru does not allow any form of anxiety lingering in the mind of His disciple. The one having no desires whatever would not think of milking Kamdhenu the wish-fulfilling celestial cow ! Thus this simile too is futile.
26. It is not proper to say that Sadguru is very rich and affluent. Entire wealth in the world is perishable. However, the imperishable ‘Moksha-Laxmi’, wealthy Goddess of Liberation itself, keeps waiting at the doorstep of Sadguru.
27. Heaven, its Lord Indra and his wealth perish after a time; however, Grace of Sadguru once attained never destroys. Hence this simile is negated.
28. Gods such as Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar do perish; nevertheless, only status of Sadguru persists as imperishable forever.
29. Entire Nature (Srushti) being perishable, none of the visible objects in the world can compare with the eternal and permanent Sadguru. Meddling of the five mega elements (‘Pancha-Mahabhoota’) does not occur with Form of Sadguru.
30. Therefore Sadguru is indescribable. Inability to describe in spite of frantic efforts to describe His Form in itself should be considered His description ! Indeed, experiencing Form of Sadguru is an internal state; only those established in their inner Self can understand significance of that state. Therefore whatever I spoke about the Sadguru during this narration will be understood by only those established in their inner Selves.
Hari Om Tat Sat
