Gurus-24 Spiritual Teachers

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 18:36

“I have many Gurus," (spiritual teachers) the Avadhuta smiled in reply to King Yadu who questioned him about his state of contentment and supreme bliss. "They rest in my buddhi - buddhyu pasritah". Actually it was his buddhi (intellect) that was his Guru. He observed everything and drew the right lessons from them. But he does not say, "I learned these lessons..." because it can become a matter of pride; instead he gracefully accepts all those from whom he learned as his Gurus. "I have twenty- four Gurus", said the Avadhuta. Externally, it is twenty-four; seen from within, it is only one Guru.

He listed the five elements, the sun and the moon, animals, birds, insects, and so on. We will see them one by one. All of us have the freedom of choice in learning. We may not learn the same lessons as the Avadhuta, but what we learn should be the right lessons. Being a sannyasi, he learned what was appropriate for him. If you are a student or a householder, you have to learn the lessons that are suited to your state (asrama). Further, one should learn the right lessons, and not get perverted ideas. A boy listened to the stories of Krishna. Asked about what he learned from the stories, he said, "I learned that you can kill your uncle!" We must have the viveka (discrimination) to learn the right lessons from all our experiences and observations.

1. Earth: Of the Gurus, The first Guru pointed out by the Avadhuta was the earth, 'Prthivi'. The earth sustains all beings and nourishes them. Even when people dig with sharp instruments and trouble her, she forgives them. We must learn patience and forgiveness (ksama) from her. The mountains and trees which are a part of the earth, give of themselves for the welfare of all beings; we must also learn to dedicate our lives for the service of others.

2. Air : The wind roams everywhere, visits all kinds of places, but never gets attached to anything or stops anywhere. So our Shastras say that we must move in the world unattached like the wind - asaktah vayuvat caret. Air is verily Brahman (pratyaksa brahma); without it we cannot live. Air purifies everything. The moment we open the windows of a closed room, the breeze sweeps in and purifies it. And yet it remains unseen, quiet, unobtrusive.

3. Space: Akasa( space) gains its name from the fact that it accommodates everybody and every thing- avakasat akasah. We must learn to accommodate and accept others in our lives. Our heart should be large enough to have place in it for everyone. Also, we must remember that our true nature as the Self is vast and unlimited like space and everything exists in it.

4. Water: Water is cool and refreshing. It removes our exhaustion.
When we drink it, it energises us, and when we bath in it, it purifies us.
The presence and company of Mahatmas has the same soothing and purifying effect on us.

5.Fire: Fire is bright and brilliant, ever moving upward. It consumes everything, purifies them by burning, but remain unaffected by whatever it touches. You have to become like fire, striving higher and higher in your quest, undeterred by anything and untouched by worldly temptations, converting all experiences into fuel for the fire of Knowledge.

To be continued To be continued