BANGALORE: Introspecting on why our mind is in a state of turbulence and flux today, we come to understand that it is because we do not have interest in the scriptures. Due to this, both our mind and the intellect are scattered. Therefore, we must perform sadhana in a state of total calmness and marinate our mind in Smriti, the scriptures, and Shruti, listening to satsanghs of the Guru. Then the mind will have pin pointed concentration — ekagrata.
Today, some of us may be well-versed in the scriptures in a scholarly manner, however, we don’t know how to practically use these treatises and adapt the truths declared in them.
Only through the Guru do we realise the essence of truth and adapt them to eliminate the delusion in us. Consequently, Lord Shiva says, “Shaiva, shakta treatises and other scriptures bring about the downfall of our deluded mind, leading us to discrimination or discernment.”
Therefore, we must never deviate from our scriptures. Scriptures refine, define and fine-tune our lifestyle. This holy scripture of Shri Guru Gita is an aid for happy, prosperous and healthy living.
Why do we need Guru Gita? Just as a torch is an aid to sight, this scripture is an aids us to lead an empowered life. The Guru charges this torch known as scriptures by talking, discussing and discoursing on them. The knowledge imparted by the Guru helps us remove our problems. It accomplishes what we need every moment. Further, the Guru consolidates the energy of the soul in us. It is like sowing a seed in a plot of land. The knowledge is the seed. We eat a fruit and let the seed grow into another tree which bears more fruit not only for us but others as well.
Guru is a nursery which not only provides plants and seeds but also tills your garden until the plants start growing. The scriptures and the teachings of the Guru reveal techniques which are the knowledge, skill and power required to evolve into the higher self, to experience that Guru is Brahman.
Once we fathom that the Guru is Brahman, then with unshakable faith and belief, we must continue to head towards following the teachings of the Guru through His Satsanghs. Gradually we feel, “Yes! There is a change in the way I think, there is progress in my life, there is certainly more peace in me”. This motivates us to follow and practise more of the teachings of the Guru with commitment to our ‘Self’. We begin to start seeing looking at life with more dignity and awareness. We are now assured that we are transforming for the better. Recognising our interest and involvement, the Guru initiates us into a mantra or teaches us a spiritual practice or a sadhana technique. As we go on this path of sadhana under the guidance of the Guru, huge reserves of karma that we have accumulated and have been lugging around for several lifetimes slowly start reducing. As the intensity of our sadhana increases, proportionally, we begin to experience peace and contentment now and then.
Now, our spiritual journey of life has begun and this spiritual journey integrates the Energy at the Lotus Feet of the Guru and Brahman, the cosmic energy, is consolidated there. We appreciate that it is indeed a great blessing that we have been given a human body to fulfil the purpose for which we have been born — to realise our true self with the grace of the Guru.