KNOW THE GURU

(Sayings of Swami Sivananda)

Guru leads man to God. Guru, mantra (mystic formula) and devata
(deity) form a unity. Guru is present in the mantra which he enlivens
and communicates. The mantra is the body of the devata. The guru is
the embodiment of the deity that is invoked.

True guru is living God. Devotion to guru trains your heart and
prepares for devotion to the Lord. Gurus are plenty but good
disciples are very rare. When the disciple is ready the guru appears.
He who has a guru can alone know Brahman and the knowledge received
from a teacher, alone becomes perfect.

Initiation is necessary to go along the spiritual path. Guru shows
you the path. When you are initiated your body and mind become
purified. The highest spiritual wisdom experienced by the seers of
truth in ancient times, has been passed down to the present day,
through an unbroken line of traditional teachers.

Have self-control, tranquility, sincerity and humility. Then
approach the spiritual preceptor. Then alone you will be benefited.
Hear silently - anything that your guru may say - hear with faith and
bhava. Adapt yourself to his ways. He who serves the preceptor and
follows his instructions gains the greatest benefit. He who speaks
ill of his guru and does not follow his instructions loses most.

A perfect guru is learned in the scriptures and is desireless. He is
a boundless ocean of mercy. He is a full knower of Brahman. He is a
friend and a guide to those who have surrendered to him.

Guru is the word. The word is guru. Though God is indescribable you
can see and realise God through the guru.

Here are the characteristics of a real guru. If you find them in any
man accept him at once as your guru. A real guru is one who has full
knowledge of the self and the vedas. He dispels the doubts of
aspirants. He has equal vision and balanced mind. He is free from
likes and dislikes, joy and sorrow, egoism, anger, lust, greed,
pride, etc. He is an ocean of mercy. In his presence one gets peace
and elevation of mind - all doubts are cleared. The guru does not
expect anything from anybody. He has an exemplary character. He is
full of joy and bliss. He is in search of real aspirants.