The Hindu : One must have full faith in one's Guru

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 08, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

One must have full faith in one's Guru

CHENNAI JUNE 8 . Of what use are the austerities and other spiritual exercises observed by a person when he is not able to defend if challenged by another who has enormous muscle power? This question is familiar from non-believers. How sages and saints, with their moral strength acquired by their strenuous practices, had remained fearless when attacked by men with mere physical might has been mentioned in our sacred texts. One example was that of the military force exercised by an emperor who wanted to possess a sacred cow from a sage as it could feed any number of guests at a short notice. When the sage refused to part with it the king sent his armed men to "seize" it but the former planted the holy staff in front of them when they could not advance any further. Such was the power of penance.

The Ramacharitamanasa (Tulasi Ramayan) incorporates an episode to throw light on this aspect. When Rama was engaged in a duel with Ravana, Vibhishana, the former's devotee, asked Him how He could defeat the mighty demon who was seated in a chariot while Rama was without one. "You have not even footwear and armour. How then You expect to conquer him?"

Rama's reply as follows was astounding, said Swami Musafir Anand in a lecture. "The chariot which leads to victory is unique — diligence and fortitude being its wheels; truth is its enduring banner; right conduct is its standard; meditation is the expert driver; non-attachment is the shield; contentment, the sword; charity the sharp axe; intellect, the lance and wisdom, the sturdy bow; a pure and focussed mind is the quiver whose arrows are control of the senses, tranquillity and endeavour. Only one who does not have such a vehicle need fear of defeat. One who owns such a chariot of spirituality will have no enemy in the world." All these divine qualities were attained by Rama by His service to His teacher.

A disciple should have faith in his Guru. Once a teacher told his pupil that he would be always with him. "Wherever you go you will find two pairs of footprints." "But when I am in trouble, I find only one set" said the pupil. "During such a time you thought you are capable of walking by yourself and so I used to carry you on my shoulders and there was thus only one pair, that was mine."

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