Vivekachudamani - Post 21

  Verse 15    

अतो विचारः कर्तव्यो जिज्ञासोरात्मवस्तुनः ।
समासाद्य दयासिन्धुं गुरुं ब्रह्मविदुत्तमम् ॥ १५ ॥

ato vicāraḥ kartavyo jijñāsorātmavastunaḥ |
samāsādya dayāsindhuṃ guruṃ brahmaviduttamam || 15 ||

 

(Therefore, a true seeker of the Self should learn to enquire and meditate after duly approaching a Guru who is himself established in the experience of the Self and who is an ocean of kindness.)

 

For the reasons so far given, it should be the endeavour of a true seeker to find a true Master and approach him duly to get initiated into the methods of enquiry through the process of meditation. 

Atah vichara kartavyaḥ. In the 13th sloka, Sankara said Vicharah alone will give knowledge.

And this vichara should be done by whom? jijnasu; by a person seeking knowledge. 

Jnatum icchuhu iti jijnasuhu; these are beautiful words in Samsr̥kit; ‘jij’ conveys the meaning of desire; jijnasuhu means desirer of knowledge; mumukṣuhu means desirer of moksha; tipadiṣuhu means desirer of studying.

So jijnasuhu vicharaḥ kartavyaḥ; one who is desirer of knowledge of the self. In short, desirer of self-knowledge. 

The word 'samasadya', by duly approaching is a simple word full of suggestions. It pinpoints the mental attitude with which a seeker should approach the Master in order that he may derive the maximum benefit during his association with the Teacher.

Sankara stresses; gurum samasadya; never make independent enquiry; but by approaching a guru. What is the definition of a guru; gr̥ nati atma tatvam upadisati iti guruḥ; to teach, to communicate; to consistently impart knowledge. 

गु gu means darkness; र ru means remover; गु र is equal to darkness remover; and what is darkness, ignorance; गु means ignorance; र means remover; and therefore guru means darkness remover; 

And what are the qualifications of the guru? 

Two are mentioned. Brahmavit uttamam; he is the greatest brahma jnani; brahmavit means brahma jnani; uttamam means greatest brahma jnani; and uttama indicates nishta; 

Sankara  mentions another qualification: dayasindhum; who is an ocean of compassion; Daya, compassion; sindhuḥ means samudrah; daya samudruh; kripa sagarah; karuna sagarah;

A Guru should not only be a man of Self-experience, but he should also have a large heart full of kindness and sympathy for all types of seekers. 

Swami Chidananda, Disciple of Swami Sivananda, writes on Guru Kripa,

“We have been told by our scriptures that guru kripa is a wonderful, mysterious factor that will enable the aspirants to seek and to attain the summum bonum of life, Self-realisation, darshan of God, or moksha. 

But then, how can we receive it? How should we conduct ourselves if we are to be ready to receive this grace? By discipleship. For, the question of Guru and guru kripa arises only for the disciple. For those who are not of the category named disciple, it is said that mercy, compassion, grace and ashirvad will be given, but not guru kripa. 

Inasmuch as guru kripa takes us to the highest state, discipleship is qualifying ourselves to attain that highest state or the realisation of ourselves as satchidananda. 

The best thing is to humbly leave everything to the Guru:

“I do not know whether I am a disciple or not. Therefore, O Ocean of Mercy and Compassion, pray make me a proper disciple. Generate in me that mumukshutva that makes me a disciple, and give me the spirit of willing obedience. 

Help me in trying to follow thy instructions. Help me in trying to mould myself upon the pattern set up by thee.”

This must be our constant prayer. And by this alone shall we be able to draw the kripa of our Guru and make our life fruitful. And the perfect way of praying is trying our best to be a real disciple.”

 

Love.