Love of the Guru for the disciple is eternal and selfless. He is one with the Light and his love for his disciples is pure and divine. His love is not exhibited in flowery languages or public gestures. We are in loving relationship already with our parents, brothers, sisters, partners, family members and friends. These are physical and social relationships which are bound by ego and selfishness. In such relationships, there are barriers which have to be surmounted on a regular basis. The loving relationship between the Guru and disciple is different altogether. Though it begins at the social level, it transcends the social planes into the spiritual plane.
The relationship of a Guru with a disciple is neither emotional nor rational. It is of a psychic nature. A devoted disciple is always able to feel the presence of the Guru without any disturbance to this daily routines or work he does. The moment the disciple thinks of the Guru, his mind becomes calm and connection is established with the Guru and is easily felt. The relationship between a Guru and disciple is greater and longer lasting than a normal social relationship as it is beyond physical realms and not bound by emotions, negative reactions, selfishness and ego. The Guru is connected to a disciple with a love that transcends all boundaries of time and space.
When a Kundalini Guru gives diksha of Shaktipata to the disciple, with his touch of fire, he brings forth all the past pains and karmas and burns them. The burdens of many lifetimes are burnt in an instant and the pathway is made clear for the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti. The aura of the disciple is cleansed and becomes brighter. The negativity of the disciple touches the Guru and he is affected for some time. His physical health deteriorates for a short while and he heals himself out of this state. The negativity of the disciples linger in the same area, polluting the place. Most of us are extremely selfish by nature and impure in our conduct and speech. Knowing all this, the Kundalini Guru still permits their presence in his aura of radiance and heals them endlessly, taking on their karma and suffering for their sake. By doing so, he paves the way for better inner communication and contact with disciple, deeper meditation and quicker progress in the path to God.
Sri Ramakrishna had a very loving relationship with his disciples. There is a very touching story of the Great Guru with disciple Shashi who later became Swami Ramakrishnananda. In middle of 1885, Sri Ramakrishna had developed throat cancer and was undergoing treatment in Shyampukur, Calcutta. He had been advised to move out of the smoggy, congested Calcutta to a clean, quiet country place.
Shashi’s love for his Master was extraordinary. He followed his Guru like a shadow. All those who were with Sri Ramakrishna and taking care of him were his disciples. All of them had great love for him. But Shashi was special. He served his Guru with body, mind and soul. The Guru gives love to all his disciples equally but it is also the receiving capacity of the disciple which matters. Sri Ramakrishna gave love to all but Shashi lived in a state of the bliss of love of his Master.
Once, Shashi was busy throughout the day, attending to Sri Ramakrishna and did not find time to wash and clean the Master’s commode. When the Master was asleep, in the middle of the night, he quietly left the room and went out to complete his work. When he returned, he saw Sri Ramakrishna standing next to the clotheshorse, picking up a woollen shawl. Shashi felt bad that he had not checked if his Guru was feeling cold and given him his shawl. Because of his lack of attention, his Guru had to get up in the middle of the night and stagger across the room to get himself the shawl. With great remorse, he sought forgiveness from his Guru.
Filled with love and concern, Sri Ramakrishna held out the shawl to Shashi and said in a feeble voice: I felt cold as you went out wearing a thin shirt on such a cold night. So I picked up this shawl for you. Please take it.
Shashi was overwhelmed and drowned in the divine love of his Guru. Such is the love of a Guru for his disciple. Let us be sincere and dedicated to our Guru and earn his love and grace through the practices of SitaRam mantra, meditation and following his teachings.
