Stories abound about ParamGurus who performed miracles in the lives of their disciples. We enjoy reading such stories and get inspiration from them. It is always good to hear or read about how an ignorant person was suddenly transformed into a wise man.
ParamGuru is one who lifts the weight of ignorance and darkness from the life of disciple. The ParamGuru is full of knowledge, inner experience of truth and reality, overflowing with love and compassion. He is there to help the disciple and teach him how to live a complete life in the material world and also the spiritual world. He enables the disciple to realise the love and compassion of God and the Supreme Reality. He initiates the disciples into spiritual practices to help the disciple to purify himself and finally merge himself with the Supreme. We have seen and read about the grace of the Param Guru which transforms an uninformed man into an astute person who lives life with courage and love.
The ParamGuru is compared to the Philosopher’s Stone. The Philosopher’s Stone is a legendary stone which is supposed to turn base metals like lead into gold. It is also supposed to be an elixir or amrit which grants rejuvenation of body. It is also supposed to grant heavenly bliss and ultimately, immortality. Because of it powers, it is the central symbol of western alchemy.
When the Philosopher’s stone comes in contact with base metal like lead or iron, it turns them into gold. Gold is far more precious than lead or iron. Gold is also rare and not easily available. It is highly prized and valued. Similarly, when an ignorant person comes in contact with the ParamGuru he turns into a wise person who knows how to live in the right way in this world. Such a person is an asset to society. He has been transformed, like iron into gold. Wise people are rare and valued in Society.
This comparison of the Philosopher’s Stone and the ParamGuru is incomplete and inaccurate. When the Philosopher’s stone comes in contact with a base metal, it turns the base metal into gold. But it does not transform the base metal into a Philosopher’s Stone. It is not able to transmit its own properties to the base metal. When a foolish person comes into contact with the ParamGuru, he becomes wise and knowledgeable. The ParamGuru transmits his own properties to the disciple and makes him like himself – makes the disciple into another Guru. This is possible as the ParamGuru teaches the path of self realisation. Therefore a ParamGuru is more precious than the Philosopher’s Stone.
The ParamGuru creates many wise disciples. He also produces several Gurus like himself. These wise disciples and Gurus serve the society and mankind. These in turn produce others who continue the lineage and service to mankind. The ParamGuru is indeed more valuable to society and sought after than the Philosopher’s Stone
