Attitude and Approach to Higher Learning

Knowledge is acquired through book learning, question and answer sessions, practical learning and experience. Knowledge gives humility; humility gives character and worthiness to the student. A worthy student creates wealth through his work. Wealth should create dharma or righteousness in life. And when a person lives in dharma or righteousness, he lives in happiness. And we all wish to live in happiness. Knowledge confers on us a bundle of blessings which helps us to live our material lives well. Knowledge of the Vedas and other sacred texts confer on the students all the above blessings and also show the way to self realization. 

Mere theoretical knowledge or book knowledge is of no use. Knowledge should be internalized through experience. Else the complete blessings of knowledge are not made available to us. We see arrogance in people around us when they acquire higher education. Pundits/priests and religious speakers sprout sacred texts without an ounce of internal experience. Such people cite verses, recite words without truly understanding them and this serves to inflate the ego. The ego loves to prove it is superior by making points and regurgitating passages in order to show off superior knowledge. Such people try to manipulate and dominate others and instil fear in them. The right attitude to acquisition of knowledge and right methods of usage must be instilled in students from the very beginning.

A systematic syllabus from a young age of three prepares a student who works hard on regular basis to acquire higher knowledge at the age of twenty plus. The level of preparation and mental attitudes needed to master the four Vedas are much higher and difficult. The four Vedas contain several thousand stanzas each and in the days  of yore were learnt by hearing and rote. To master the four Vedas from a Divine Being in a period of four mornings is a highly impossible task. Such a task is possible only where the student has prepared his receptivity though right living, guru seva and taking the holy name of God and is blessed by Guru and Divinity. This is the story of such a student – Sathyakama and his Guru Gautama.

The great sage Gautama had a number of disciples in his ashram. He also kept many cows to provide milk and butter for needs of the ashram. Once due to drought the cows suffered terribly from lack of water to drink and grass to eat. The Guru requested that one of his disciples should volunteer to take the cows to a far off green valley and stay there till the calamity of drought was over and then return back with the cows. None of the students were ready give up the comforts of the ashram and live alone amongst cows in a strange far off land. None of them volunteered for the task except Sathyakama. The Guru blessed the boy and sent him with 400 cows and instructions that when the herd multiplied to a total strength of one thousand he should return.

Sathyakama took the cattle safely to the green valley. He would wake up at dawn, have his bath and offer worship to the Sun God and recite his prayers. Throughout the day he took care of the cows and chanted the name of God. He performed the service to cows as service to Guru and God. He never felt lonely as he mentally lived in the company of God and Guru. The holy vibrations which emanated from him attracted Indra, the Chief of Gods. He was pleased with the boy's attitude and seva to Guru and decided to bless him. He appeared in front of the boy and informed him that the herd had become healthy and also multiplied to a total of one thousand and that He had come there to take him back to his Guru’s ashram.

Sathyakama prostrated to Lord Indra and gathered the cows and started back to the Guru’s ashram. Sathyakama and Lord Indra had to spend four nights in four different places. Every morning Lord Indra taught Sathyakama  the essence of one Veda. Thus by the time he reached his Guru's hermitage he had the mastered the four Vedas. His face glowed with a strange splendour as a result of the Vedic illumination that he had received from a Divine Being. Lord Indra disappeared after showering His grace on the young boy.

Sathyakama walked into his Guru's hermitage with 1000 cows. He was given a warm welcome by the Guru and other disciples. He fell at the feet of his Guru and sought his blessings. The Guru had divine insight of what had happened. He blessed the boy for his Guru Seva and announced to all the fact that Sathyakama had pleased Indra, the Lord of Heaven, with his love and loyalty to the Guru and was made capable of receiving the vast knowledge of the four Vedas.

The right attitude and approach to seva will bless us also in acquiring and using higher learning in the correct way.

Aruni and the Flooded Fields

In the olden days, the disciples of the Guru lived with the Guru in his ashram. They studied there and also performed other chores given to them by the Guru. Most ashrams were self sufficient units. They had cows for milk, gardens for vegetables, fruits and flowers, forests for collection of wood for fire and fields for growing cereals and pulses. The disciples did a variety of jobs and  kept the ashram running smoothly. The physical work and responsibility given to them made the disciples physically strong and hardy and also mentally mature and able to cope up with work given to them in a dependable manner. There was no distinction made between the students for the work allotted. They could come from any rank in life. All were treated equally.

Besides the visible growth and progress in the disciples there is another development which takes place but which is not normally apparent. This gets highlighted when certain unusual happenings take place. A disciple who is loyal, loving and follows the Guru’s dictates to the letter, develops at subtle levels. The physical body blossoms with fresh air, good food and hard physical labour; the mental body develops with the acquisition of knowledge at the ashram and the subtle body develops when the disciple works with great love for the Guru and is implicitly obedient and loyal.  This development over a period of time prepares the subtle body of the disciple so that when the Guru commands or blesses, there is a sudden metamorphosis and the student stands completely transformed. Consider this case:

Rishi Aayod Dhaumya lived in his ashram with cows, gardens and fields. He was famous as he was pious and powerful and took care of his disciples like a mother cares for her children. He had a number of disciples in the ashram under his care. One of these was a disciple named Aruni. Aruni was very humble and loved his Guru greatly. He was hardworking and performed the chores given to him as Guru Seva. He unquestioningly followed the orders of his Guru with a smiling face.

Once the Guru sent Aruni to take care of the fields. As Aruni reached the fields the skies opened up and the rains poured. The fields filled up quickly with water. Now there were mud walls on sides of the fields to hold the water in and prevent the outflow of water and soil loss. As Aruni was checking he saw that the force of the water had increased and there was a breakage in one of the mud walls. Water and soil were flowing out  of the fields with great force. Aruni feared that the loss due to soil erosion would be terrible. He tried his best to stop the flow of water. He put mud and stones in the hole to stop the water flow. But it was of no use.  Aruni recalled the Guru’s instructions – to take care of the fields. So he placed himself as a stopper in the hole and prevented the water from flowing out. He remained cold and stiff all night in that place but he protected the fields of the Guru.

In the morning when all the disciples gathered for the morning prayers, Aruni was not present. The Guru and some of the disciples rushed in the direction of the fields calling out to Aruni. Aruni heard his Guru calling him and stood up shivering with cold. Touching his Guru’s feet he asked – Gurudev, what are your instructions for me?

The Guru looked around and understood what Aruni had done to save the fields. His heart was filled with love and compassion. Love and Grace started flowing from the Guru to the disciple and Aruni was transformed. He got the knowledge of all scriptures automatically.  The Guru gave him a new name Uddhalak Aruni.

Aruni became a great learned sage. He worked for welfare of society. He organised innumerable community feeding programs. He systematized Vedic and Upanishadic thoughts. All this was due to the blessings of his Guru.

The Kitchen Help who became a Guru

The Guru loves and guides all disciples equally. But all disciples are not equally receptive. Only those disciples who have great love, loyalty and obedience towards the Guru are receptive to the Grace of the Guru. Just studying scriptures and doing prayers does not make a good disciple.  Absolute faith and discipline defines the worthiness of a disciple.

In the lineage of Guru Nanak- the Sikh Guru- was Guru Ram Dass. He was the fourth Sikh Guru. He had many disciples who could be considered as good and worthy. All the disciples went about doing their daily work and attending the discourses of the Guru. His youngest son Arjan Dev was also a disciple. Guru Ram Dass had given him the task of working in the kitchen and cleaning the utensils.  Arjan Dev performed his Guru Seva with utmost dedication.  He never questioned why he was asked to do this lowly task. The kitchen of the Guru was always open and anyone who came in at any time was given a hot meal. Arjan Dev was always busy scrubbing vessels.

The other disciples thought lowly of Arjan Dev. They teased him. They said: Arjan, stop scrubbing vessels and come and attend the discourses.  You cannot please the Guru with your current behaviour. Come and do other Guru Seva. Then you can please the Guru!   Arjan Dev replied: My duty is to obey the Guru. I do not aim to please him by doing other things.

The other disciples gave up on Arjan Dev and left him alone. The Guru had great Love for Arjan Dev due to his love, loyalty and obedience. Time passed by. The Guru and other disciples were busy in discourses, religious congregations and other work.  Then there was need to send a disciple to Lahore for doing the Guru’s work. The other disciples urged the Guru to send Arjan Dev. They wanted Arjan Dev out of the way and each one wished to be the next successor of the Guru. Arjan Dev quietly accepted the Guru’s dictum and went to Lahore.  He missed his Guru very much and wrote two letters to the Guru. The others in the Ashram hid the letters. When the third letter came in the Guru saw it. He understood that Arjan Dev had written to him before and that others plotted to have him removed. Seeing Arjan Dev’s love and loyalty he had him recalled from Lahore and declared him as his successor.

The utter loyalty and obedience which Arjan Dev had for his Guru made the Guru choose him as his successor over many others who were physically closer to the Guru and perhaps more well versed in scriptures.  Guru Arjan Dev became a great Guru.  He was the embodiment of Godly devotion, Selfless Service and Universal Love.  He contributed to the welfare of society .He was responsible for  the construction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He collated and compiled the teachings of the previous Gurus and called it the Gurubani. He installed the Gurubani in the Golden Temple. He stood steadfast for the principles he believed in and in the end he sacrificed his life and attained a unique martyrdom in this history of mankind. 

When the kitchen help received the blessings of his Guru, he was transformed into one of the Greatest Gurus of the Lineage.  

Guru Seva - Deepak

The Guru showers love equally on all of his disciples. But the disciples should have the capacity to receive and hold his love.  There is no favoritism or discrimination on part of the Guru when he showers his love and blessings on all. The Guru is like the Sun. The Sun shines equally on all. But if someone insists on sitting in a room with all doors and windows closed, he will not receive the sunlight. The Sun cannot be blamed for this. When a disciple has great love for his Guru, is loyal to him and does Guru Seva in the right spirit, he becomes a worthy vessel for holding the Guru’s love and blessings. This is one such story – the Story of Deepak and his Guru Veddharma.

Guru Veddharma lived in his Ashram on the banks of the Godavari River in North India. He had many disciples and loved all of them equally. Once he wanted to test and see which of his disciples loved him truly. He called all of them and announced: in my last life, I committed a big sin. In this life due to my tapas and other spiritual practices, I have burnt off some of the bad karma. I have to undergo the balance soon. It will affect me in the form of a disease which will cripple me. It will stay with me for two years after which I will be normal. I intend to be in Kashi during this period. Which of you will come with me and serve me during this period?

None of the disciples volunteered except Deepak. Deepak was a loyal disciple of the Guru. He loved his Guru very much and saw God in the Guru.  He told Guru Veddharma: I will come with you and serve you these two years in Kashi. The Guru said: think before you offer. I will be very sick and bedridden. It will not be easy to take care of me. I will be blind and lame for two years. Deepak replied: I am not afraid. But can I go to Kashi for two years, take your sickness and suffer instead of you?  The Guru was very pleased to hear this offer from Deepak. But he refused it. He said: Each of us have to suffer the consequences of his karma. I alone will suffer for my karma. But you can come and serve me.

In a short time they left for Kashi. And within a few days of reaching Kashi, Guru Veddharma’s body developed boils and he became lame and blind. Deepak went to the nearby homes and asked for alms to take care of both of them.  The Guru was in great pain and very irritable. He would get angry and shout at Deepak for no reason. But Deepak was patient and smiling. He put up with all the tantrums of the Guru and served him  with loyalty and love. 

Seeing Deepak’s Guru bhakti and Guru Seva, Indra, the Lord of Gods appeared. He offered a place in Heaven to Deepak. Deepak replied that the highest paradise was at the feet of the Guru and doing seva to the Guru and he sent Indra away. After some time, pleased with Deepak’s Guru Seva, Lord Shiva appeared. He asked Deepak to seek a boon of his choice. Deepak said: let me consult my Guru.  Deepak asked his Guru if he could ask Lord Shiva to cure him. The Guru  refused and it was not acceptable. So Deepak sent Lord Shiva away.

After some days Lord Vishnu appeared. He was pleased by the fact that Deepak saw God in his Guru and served the Guru.  When he blessed Deepak with a boon, Deepak asked for the boon of Guru Bhakti. The Lord duly blessed him and said: You have raised importance of both God and Guru with your bhakti and seva.

Deepak continued serving his Guru. His Guru was aware of all the Divine Beings who had come there and Deepak’s responses to all of them. Deepak had passed the Guru’s test. Guru Veddharma blessed him with knowledge, name, fame and long life. 

When a disciple is given a task or seva by the Guru, he should focus on it wholly and complete it. Whatever be the temptation which comes in the way as reward or appreciation, he should not abandon the Guru Seva. Guru Seva done without ego and for  love for Guru gives the highest blessings.

Blessings of Guru Seva- Kalyan

The Supreme Power of God upholds the Universe and Creation. It is not possible for mere mortals to understand what or who God is, what are His rules, how He operates, what are His qualities and why He does certain actions which are beyond our comprehension. Only God can teach us about Him. So God manifests in the form of Guru to teach mankind about Him. God is Guru. And Guru is God. A Guru who has overcome his ego and merged himself with God is God Himself. Doing service to such a Guru is service to God. And the blessings and rewards of such seva are astounding. See the story of Samarth Ramdas and Kalyan:

Samarth Ramdas was a powerful and well known Guru.  He lived in Sajjangad which was on top of a hill. There was no source of water in the fort. The daily requirements of water for the Guru and his disciples had to be carried from the village at the bottom of the hill. This work of carrying and filling water for the requirements of all persons  in the fort was done by a disciple named Kalyan. Kalyan had great love for his Guru and did the task of carrying and filling the water as Guru Seva. All other disciples sat at the feet of the Guru and acquired knowledge from holy books and through question and answer sessions. Kalyan rarely sat at the Guru’s feet to study. He was busy from dawn to dusk carrying and filling the water at the fort. He was the Guru’s favourite and all the students were jealous and envious of Kalyan. They felt that since they sat at the Guru’s feet and studied hard and had more knowledge than Kalyan, the Guru should hold them in high regard.

Samarth Ramdas was aware of the feelings of the other students towards Kalyan. He waited for the right opportunity to show them the value of Kalyan.  One day during a study session, the Guru asked a tricky question to the students. None of them were able to give the answer. At that time Kalyan was passing by carrying buckets of water. The Guru called out to him and asked him the same question. Kalyan gave the correct answer effortlessly. 

The other students were astounded. They asked the Guru: how is it that Kalyan knows the answer to this question? We sit with you day and night and study and learn. We were not able to answer the question. Kalyan never sits with us and studies. Yet he gave the right answer! Samarth Ramdas replied:  Kalyan does Guru Seva with the right understanding and approach. For him, service to the Guru and taking care of needs for water for the persons here in the fort is doing service to God. He does this work cheerfully and willingly. He does not hold a grudge that he carries water all day long and that you sit here comfortably and study. You know only theory of spirituality. For you  the dictum ‘serve all like you serve God’ and 'Guru is God' are only words. Kalyan has realized the truth of these dictum by practice. He is doing the service with the right attitude and understanding. The blessings of God and Guru pour over him.  Therefore he has all knowledge! Samarth Ramdas later on made Kalyan his  official writer for noting down all his songs and teachings. Samarth Ramdas authored many books like the Dasbodh  and Shri Manache Shlok which are read and revered even today. Kalyan was his pen.

Listening to lectures and reading books by saints and others gives us only book knowledge. Theoretical knowledge is of no use. It is like knowing the recipe of making a tasty dish. We may know the ingredients, the method and have a description of taste of the final dish. But just knowing this will not assuage our hunger. We need to eat the actual dish and relish the taste and food to fulfil our hunger. 

Do daily japa of the SitaRam Mantra and meditation. Follow the teachings of the Guru.  It does not matter if you are physically near the Guru or live far away.  Be mentally close to the Guru by thinking of him.  Do your work and follow the practices given to you. This is the best Guru Seva you can do and you will reap the blessings. Whatever is lacking in your life will be granted and you will have contentment. Guru seva is like the Kamadhenu – the Holy Cow which grants all the wishes. Do the Seva of Guru for sake of doing Seva. Do the seva for love of the Guru. This is the highest level of Seva possible.

Guru Seva

Guru Seva is service to the Guru. When a disciple loves his Guru he does service or seva to the Guru. The Guru Seva which is common to all disciples is following the teachings of the Guru and practising the spiritual techniques regularly and in a disciplined manner. All disciples do not have physical or geographical proximity to the Guru. Hence they cannot perform personal seva to the Guru. So wherever the disciple may live, in whichever station of life he maybe, whatever be his job or livelihood, a disciple can serve his Guru by following the instructions and teachings of the Guru.

True Guru Bhakti or love for Guru is implicitly following the teachings of the Guru.  A disciple who practises the teachings of the Guru will rise above the inner shortcomings of lust, anger, pride, attachment and vengefulness. He is an example to others about the blessings which flow from the Guru. He blossoms spiritually and his  fragrance of love and service identifies and glorifies His Guru. 

There are some disciples who have proximity or contact with Guru. The Guru may ask them to do some work for him. This is also Guru Seva. It can be any work. It could be sweeping the Ashram, washing clothes, watering the plants, buying groceries, cooking food, massaging the Guru’s feet or receiving the visitors. The disciple should do the task he is asked to with sincerity and dedication. He should not look at the task given to another and seek to do it. There should be no feelings of inferiority of self or favoritism on part of Guru or any other negative feelings in the mind of the disciple. Any task given by the Guru is sacred and must be performed to the best of one’s ability. Every disciple is given a task or seva which is decided by the Guru as per the karmic needs and also personal abilities of the disciple. No disciple should feel jealous or want to do the work  given to another. Doing what  work is allotted by the Guru to us with love and loyalty are the best seva we can do.

The blessings from Guru Seva complete and fill up the areas which are lacking in the life of the disciple. Guru Seva brings upon the disciples blessings in form of health, good life partner, progeny, work, wealth, knowledge, intelligence, superhuman abilities, blessings of Gods and merger with Absolute. 

Rama did Guru Seva to Vasistha Rishi and pleased him.  His Guru taught him about mantras to be used for specific purposes  in battles. He also rewarded Rama with knowledge of chakras, nadis and Kundalini Shakti.  He gave Shaktipata to Rama and later on Rama passed on this knowledge of Shaktipata  to Laxman and Hanuman. Hanuman is Chiranjeevi. It means he has eternal life.  Hanuman waits even now to give this knowledge to the worthy for the benefit of mankind. It is believed that Dhyanyogi Parmeshwardasji who is Guru of my Guru is the form of Hanuman who has passed on the knowledge of Kundalini Maha Yoga for the evolution of mankind.

Krishna also performed Guru Seva at the Ashram of his Guru Sandipani. He cleaned and swept the floors, gathered water and firewood and articles for pooja. Though he was an Avatar of Lord Vishnu , he was meek, humble and obedient. He performed all the work given by His Guru like any other ordinary student.  As a result he was able to master sixty four arts in sixty four days. This is blessings for the Guru Seva performed with the right attitude.

Those who do Guru Seva must do the service with the right spirit, willingness and obedience and without feelings of jealousy towards others who are in constant contact with Guru. Those who are far away and do not have direct contact with the Guru must do their mantra japa and dhyana regularly and follow other rules of spiritual practices taught to them. Guru Seva bestows the highest possible rewards. 

Guru Seva is a reward in itself. Always do seva to the Guru with body, mind and soul.