Gurugita 021: Path of Sadguru belongs to all traditions

Remember that when having the darshan of any great Mahatma, the disciple should think that his own Guru has come in this new form. He should not treat the Mahatma as yet another Guru of his. He should not seek Yantras and Mantra-initiation from Him.

These were the instructions given to Indra by Lord Datta. At a much later point of time, Datta preached the same to Emperor Kartaviryarjuna.

There are many who are eager to know whether this ‘path of Guru’ is closer to Vaishnavism or Shaivism. The answer to this I have already given in the earlier episodes. Just because the phrase ‘Shivaya gurave namah’ appears in Guru Gita, there are many who argue that it is closer to Shaivism. Yet, in the 141st hymn of Guru Gita the phrase ‘Krishnāya klesha hārine’ appears. In fact, since this Guru Gita initiation has its origin in the request placed by the Divine Mother, this hymn is sacred even to the śākteyas- the worshippers of Divine Mother.

If Guru Gita is equally dear to the worshippers of Vishnu, Shiva and Devi, why is emphasis laid on Shiva in this hymn? Remember that Guru Gita emerged as a discussion between Shiva and his consort Parvati. As Shiva is Parvati’s Guru, He is referred to as Guru in the hymn.

Another aspect that emerges from this conversation between Shiva and Parvati is that in reality, for every woman her husband himself is the Guru! To highlight this, Shiva preached Parvati. In case the husband lacks the capacity to initiate the wife into the spiritual path, then the couple should approach the same Guru and seek initiation from Him. Even in such circumstance, the Guru will initiate the wife through the medium of her husband. He will initiate the woman in the presence of her husband and while thinking about him. This is the stipulated tradition. He will also bless the wife through the medium of her husband.

A Sadguru is a kshipra prasadi i.e. He grants boons instantly. No other God can shower boons as quickly as the Guru does. Amongst the Gods, Shiva holds the title- kshipra prasadi. He is pleased with trivial offerings and hence, is addressed as Bhola Shankar (innocent). To emphasize that Sadguru showers boons as quickly as Shiva, He is compared to Lord Shiva in this hymn.

Let us understand the other aspect. Due to the influence of illusionary energy (Maya), the indivisible Pure Consciousness has split as Puruśa and Prakriti. From this, the three attributes of Nature known as sattva, tamas and rajas emerged. From them, the world which consists of name and form emerged. In this world, names such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi and tasks such as creation, sustenance and dissolution have come into existence.

Brahma, who has action (rajas) as his primary tool, took up the task of creation. When He noticed that the living entities being created by him were slowly slipping into the state of darkness (tamas), He was agitated. He was anxious to save his children and rescue them. He pondered over it and understood that only that force which was over and above the three attributes of Nature (trigunas) could save people from this calamity. Immediately he stimulated the intellect of his mind-born son Atri and His shadow-born son Kardama Prajapati. He did this stimulation purely through his contemplation.