It is said that the mere presence of a Sadguru is enough to rescue the universe. Such is the awesome nature of his power, might and glory. He must be approached with genuine devotion. It is necessary to bend the ego, touch his feet and ask for guidance. A supplication made in humility is certain to invite the grace of the guru. The seeker should maintain a respectful distance and address the master with humility.
The Sadguru’s instructions must be scrupulously followed both in letter and spirit. It is said that neither the study of scriptures nor a pilgrimage to holy places, neither rituals nor penance, can provide a gateway to salvation. It is the grace of the Sadguru and the Sadguru alone that can guarantee release from the endless cycles of birth and death.
Sadguru Murali Krishna is fond of saying speech is symbolic of the Goddess Saraswati.
When we use harsh language, it is tantamount to abusing the presence of the Goddess in us. In Sanatana Dharma the Supreme Being is said to perform five essential functions -- creation, preservation, destruction, veiling and grace. The first three are more commonly known as Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively.
The veiling aspect of the Lord is known as maya or cosmic illusion. It is the power through which all that is actually impermanent appears permanent to our eyes.
As Lord Krishna declares in the sacred Bhagavad Gita, it is only by the grace of the Supreme Self that the illusion is capable of being lifted. Accordingly God’s grace is essential to successfully go beyond the endless cycles of birth and death that the ordinary soul is subject to.
In other words, in the unmanifest state the Supreme Being is known as Brahman, having neither name nor form.
This can be said to be God as *nirguna or without form or attribute. In the manifest state, however, the Supreme Being is none other than the Guru. This can be said to be God as *saguna or with form and attribute.
This is why the Guru is extolled and venerated in our scriptures. Guru, God and the Supreme Self are therefore essentially one and the same! It is also for this reason our scriptures are emphatic in their assertion that there is no salvation or *moksha without the grace of the Guru. Every Sadguru who has adorned this universe has firmly and unambiguously asserted this supreme truth.
It is said that the experience of samadhi or pure consciousness cannot be secured by the five senses because this is a state beyond the mind, senses and intellect. It is a super conscious state in which the distinction between seer, sight and seen vanishes. In such a state there is no mind. There is only subject.
This perhaps explains why it is so hard for human beings to comprehend this state. Sri Ramana Maharishi once said that just as an ordinary mortal finds it difficult to do without thoughts, a *jnani or realised soul finds it extremely difficult to have any thoughts! A Sadguru permanently resides in this blessed and exalted state.
This is why it is said that such Mahatmas are unable to perceive the world or its inhabitants as being apart from themselves. This is why it is called a state of absolute *sat (being), *chit (consciousness), *ananda (bliss).
The Article Is Taken From The Book The Global Mission Of Sadguru Sri Sharavana Baba