The student approaches the teacher, almost in tears, and seeks that much grace of the master as can be had by just a look from even the corner of his eyes. What is he afraid of? Sri Adi Sankaracharya echoes the cry of the student in the Vivekachoodamani, “O master, I am being roasted in this compulsive fire of change and transition. Not just being burnt, but the air called fate is kindling the raging fire and making it spread too. I’m afraid and I surrender. Surround me from all sides and protect me from death. If not for you, I don’t know of another refuge.”
Who is this Guru that the student is addressing? As we hear the prayer of the student, we also understand the qualities of the Guru. His mind is calm and his heart is big with compassion. Such saints do walk on this earth and they tread like the spring season, working for the welfare of the world. They have crossed the roaring and fearsome ocean called existence and, without any specific reason or expectation in return, they also help others to cross it.
Such saints help others in removing difficulties in their life just as the cool rays of the moon cool the earth and the beings living on it after the scorching rays of the sun have scalded it during the day.
These masters are soaked in the bliss of that biggest ever existence called consciousness. Their mind is pure and cool. O teacher, you are one such saint. With your nectar-like words taken out of drinking the joyous scriptures, sprinkle cool thoughts upon me who has been burnt in the raging fire of existence. Those who manage to fall within the graceful gaze of such a guru for even a moment are indeed blessed, the student chants.
He has some questions that he places before the Guru. How will I cross this ocean of existence? What is the path I can take? What are the means? I don’t know about all this. Please protect me with your grace. How may I put an end to this sorrow of samsara or change, on this earth?
Is that the great one at whose feet the student falls and cries relaxed in his response? No, it is rather immediate. The Guru looks at the seeker, who has reached his holy feet—tossed and fried in the heat of change and transience—with a cool gaze filled with compassion and immediately shows his hand of blessing and protection.
Here comes an injunction from the Master Sri Adi Sankaracharya to all teachers. When such a student comes seeking understanding of what hitherto went unnoticed, who is learned in the books of knowledge, who desires liberation intensely, who is good of nature, who does what is told, whose mind is peaceful and calm—be immediate in drawing such a person to the true essence with compassion.