CHENNAI: Sosanam papa pankasya dipanam jnana tejasam, Gurupadodakam samyak samsararnava tarakam... The water of the guru’s lotus feet has the power to dry up the mire of one’s sins, to ignite the light of knowledge and to take one smoothly across the ocean of this world. In the earlier dialogue, lord Shiva revealed to mother Parvathi the cause of human birth. Lord Shiva continues to elaborate further on this truth through this sloka. When a human being fails to surrender at the lotus feet of the guru, does not perform sadhana prescribed by the guru, is not willing to transform himself through the teachings as prescribed in the scriptures as well as per the guidance of the guru, then he goes on increasing his bad karma instead of absolving them. Automatically, the proportion of good karma goes on reducing. When the bad karma exceeds 49 percent and the good karma is less than 51 percent, then the soul undertakes the birth of an animal and has to go through the process of evolution once again. The soul may be born as a dog, cat or any other animal that is domesticated by human beings. So, the soul may take several lifetimes to again take birth as a human being. Therefore, lord Shiva says — “Realise and be aware that this human birth is indeed the most auspicious and precious amongst the 8,40,000 species. Only through this body can an embodied soul attain liberation — mukti by grace, compassion and guidance of the guru. Therefore, seek refuge at the lotus feet of the guru.”
When we surrender at the lotus feet of the guru, the guru will extinguish our bad karma totally to zero percent and therefore, what remains is only our good karma. Remember the guru only absolves our bad karmas, but doesn’t increase good karma, since we have to transcend even good karma to attain mukti — liberation in life.
Many times, we come across people who are wealthy, rich and famous in the society. However, what most of them lack in life is mental peace, happiness and contentment.
This is because the proportion of good karma performed by them in their previous lifetime as well as in their present lifetime will be very high as compared to the bad karma. Although, they would have assumed a healthy and successful life if they are not aware of their thoughts, speech and action in their present lifestyle and if they go on performing adharmic deeds — unrighteous actions they will go on accumulating bad karma. Remember every action and non action always has an equal and opposite reaction.
That is why we should seek a guru to take us towards jnana — the light of wisdom of the guru. Even it is said that — “To that pupil who has approached his guru reverentially seeking his light of wisdom, the guru — wise teacher truly imparted that knowledge of brahman”.