Finding the right Guru is one of the major quests of life for us. A Guru is a person who has realized God and has the Divine Light blazing in him. He is ‘ heavy’ with knowledge and wisdom and guides his disciples to attain their highest potentials in this world as well as the spiritual world. A Guru is innately aware of the needs and the potential of the disciple. He guides the disciple in the right track and helps him to work and attain his latent qualities. A disciple who is willing to trust, work hard and be guided by his Guru can achieve the glorious goal of serving and helping others, living a good life and finally reaching God. Every Guru knows who his disciples are and what they need. He helps and guides his disciples in all possible ways. When a person needs another Guru to achieve his highest, the Guru will guide him to the right teacher and thus help him to walk in the right track. The goal of a Guru is never to collect crowds around him to flatter him and pay him obeisance. The goal of every Guru is to bring out the highest in his disciples.
Shivaji Maharaj was caught in a bad situation right from his birth. The Moguls had invaded and taken over most of India and were forcibly converting Hindus into Islam. The Hindus suffered terribly at the hands of the Moguls. They had to pay the Jazia tax in some places and in most places in the country, they had lost their freedom of religion, movement and livelihood. Shivaji became a leader of the Marathas. His mother groomed him from his very birth for this purpose. He was brought up on the highest ethics, ideals and principles of the Ramayana, tales of bravery and valour. He was taught swordsmanship and political science and made ready to be the leader of the Marathas.
Shivaji spent his time uniting the Marathas and defending Maharashtra from the Moguls. He was tired and needed Divine guidance. He was in search of help – of the guidance of a Guru. He had heard of the great Tukaram and planned one day to visit him. That evening, Tukaram was holding a discourse. People from all the surrounding areas had gathered to hear the nectarine words of Tukaram. They forgot themselves when Tukaram sang the name of Vithal. The peace and quiet of the surrounding added to the enchanting surreal conditions in which Shivaji met Tukaram.
The satsang came to an end with Tukaram singing the ‘mangala’. Shivaji got up from his seat and bowed down at the feet of Tukaram. He said: I am blessed to hear your divine discourse and the truth that you speak of. I realised that my kingdom is insignificant compared to the Sankeertan of Lord Vittala. O Maharaja, I offer unto you my kingdom and my sword. Please relieve me of my barren responsibilities and let me spend the rest of my life in Sankeertan of Lord Vitthala. Please teach me Nama- Sankeertan.
Tukaram was a realised saint and Siddha. He could see through the mind and emotions of Shivaji Maharaj. He was not happy nor was he surprised. He saw the great potential in Shivaji and knew that Shivaji was the right leader to lead the people of Maharashtra to independence and self reliance. Shivaji was not meant to hold the tamboora ( musical stringed instrument) in his hands. His hands were meant for the sword. He patted Shivaji on the back and said: Please get up. Your guru is the great Samartha Ramdas Maharaj. Please go to him for guidance on how to rule the kingdom. Follow his advice and you will be successful. He is your real guide and Guru.
Tukaram could have accepted Shivaji as his disciple and become famous and rich. He would have the entire Maratha Kingdom at his feet with all its wealth. But it was his duty as a Saint and wellwisher of Hindus to guide Shivaji to his right Guru. Shivaji went to Samarth Ramdas who accepted him as his disciple and guided him. Under his guidance, the fame of the Maratha kingdom rose to great heights and the people were well taken care of. When the nation is under distress, people should serve the nation first and in doing so achieve their own personal salvation. The right guru always gives proper guidance.
