Salute to my Guru, Na'ma'ska'r.

What is Guru? The Sam'skrta word "Guru" has two parts. It is a compound word. "Gu" means darkness. "Ru" means dispelling entity. The one who dispels is called Ru. Guru means the entity who dispels darkness from the mind.

The tantrikas say that there are three kinds of gurus--adhama (lowest) guru, madhyama (mediocre) guru, and uttam (highest) guru. The lowest type of gurus discharge their duty merely by mouthing big words and teaching theoretically. They do not bother to see if their disciples are following their instructions sincerely or not. The mediocre gurus teach their disciples, no doubt, and also supervise their progress to some extent. But the best gurus teach their disciples properly, follow their progress meticulously, and if they find their disciples straying from the path of spirituality, they compel them to do their practice by creating circumstantial pressure.

The Tantrik scriptures describe the qualities of an ideal guru; tranquil; self-controlled; able to raise their own kundalini and that of others also; modest; soberly dressed; of exemplary conduct; well-established in society; pure in body and mind; adept in both spiritual theory and spiritual practice; superbly intelligent; maintaining a balanced family life; Established in dhyana (contemplation); well-versed in Tantra and Mantra; and able to reward and punish their disciples.

The Tantric scriptures also describe the qualities of an ideal disciple: tranquil; modest and humble; of pure soul; having reverence; capable of receiving ideas clearly; competent and ever ready to carry out the guru's command; able to raise one's own kundalini; having requisite knowledge and experience; of noble conduct; and having a balanced mind.

Every person is entitled to do sa'dhana'. Thus Sagun'a Brahma must appear to everyone in the form of a Sadguru. But if one does not have a keen desire for emancipation, one cannot claim this right; and that is why Sagun'a Brahma does not appear to everyone. When the desire for salvation becomes intense, only then do human beings attain Sadguru. Thus it is said, that only those who have reached the proper time in their evolution, are entitled to attain Sadguru and learn sa'dhana'.

By means of sa'dhana', one attains liberation. For this one will have to resort to a special method. Only one who knows this method can teach others; the spiritual aspirant must search for a competent teacher to teach the science of meditation. So in order to learn the spiritual science and attain salvation, is not the necessity of a spiritual guru undeniable? Otherwise, can anyone learn this spiritual science by oneself? If someone does not open the gate to a house--if someone does not loosen the chains from those who are enchained, their hands and feet can never free themselves in spite of the most vigorous efforts. In exactly the same way, it is impossible for one who is enchained by Prakrti to attain liberation from this vast prison of the universe.

Besides, it is not possible for anyone to learn the methods and strategies of anything, by oneself. It needs the help of a competent instructor who can teach well, and who can be followed. This sort of indispensable teacher is known as a guru. One should learn the methods of intuitional practice from such a guru. Hence without the help of the guru, it is not possible to attain liberation. The first and foremost requisite for attaining liberation is a guru.

Subha's'ita Sam'graha, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti