Doing what Guru says liberates

Of course, Shastras recommend virtue and importance of Satsang (being in the presence of evolved one’s) but this alone will not do. One needs to do what Guru says.

On 4th of February we were with Shri Raj Supe in Bangalore. When some of persons accompanying me talked of some discontinuity in their spiritual practices. Shri Supe narrated a few happenings from the life of Muktanandji. After meeting a number of Gurus, Muktanandji met Nityanandji and was given a mantra. After a couple of days, Nityanandji directed him to go to some other place. Muktanandji felt that he lacks in merit otherwise why has he been asked to leave the Ashram when many others are living there for more than a decade? But he went and did what he was asked to do. A few years later he visited the Ashram again and was asked to go back again. A few years passed and it was Guru Poornima day. Thousands of devotees thronged the Ashram to participate in the celebrations. Nityanandji told them, “Nityanand has arisen in Muktanand! Go there and offer your pooja to him.”

Next day we went to Mungale Sir. He asked my wife about writing of “Shri Ram Ram Ram” (this practice was given by Supeji). She said, “Yes, I am writing but when there are guests or I am out of station, on some days I am not able to write. But on other days I write much more than what is prescribed (minimum of 4 pages a day).” He said that there should be no break in writing. If one is very busy, one may write it only a few times. He further added that before she starts writing, she should offer a fragrant flower to the copy and touch it with her head. This has some Tantrik significance (this direction may be specific to her).

A day after we were with Gaur Saheb. I mentioned these discussions to him. In that context he added that once he had advised one of his acquaintances to keep photo of a Guru in his place of prayer. The person was not willing to do that and said instead he would keep his (Gaur Saheb’s) photo. To that Gaur Saheb had to tell him that if he considers him as Guru, why does he not follow what he is saying!

Of course when we do what Guru says, his presence (even when one is not in physical proximity) makes the practice potent.

Doing what Guru says leads one to liberation from all attachments (attachments to one’s preferences and prejudices, moha of the persons and possessions) and consequent suffering – freedom from slavery of one’s own mind!