Guru Gita Discourse Twelve

Gurucharanam Saranam

Yadamghri-kamala-dwandwam Dwandwa-taapa-nivaarakam
Taarakam Bhava-sindhoscha Tam Gurum Pranamaamyaham

I salute that Guru, the pair of whose lotus feet remove the suffering owing to the consciousness of binaries and take us across the ocean of worldly life.

Suffering is the mental agony and agitation arising out of the dualities in life. Absence of food is the cause of suffering for a hungry man. When food is availed, the suffering ends but only to reappear. This is the truth of all sensory joys and pleasures. Like night follows day, sorrow follows all pleasures derived out of the mind body mechanism. So long as we are unable to transcend the contradictory experiences arising out from the interplay of sensory perceptions, human relations and aspirations in life, we would not savor peace of mind and experience tranquility of the Self. The way to tranquility is to fix our mind on the neutral point between sorrow and pleasure. What is that neutral point in us? It is the ever lasting consciousness in us concentrating on which one attains peace. Spirituality is this knowing of the self and nurturing it.

Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru affirmed that every soul is born subject to the cosmic rules and regulations. Life takes birth under 12 constellations, 27 stars and 9 planets in the solar system carrying unique spiritual rays that affect human life and character. This cosmic regulation is not a random arrangement but is decided by the karmic qualities and evolutionary status of the soul. Then there are the strong karmic, spiritual and ancestral bonds and debts the soul is tied with from previous lives. A Guru of transcendental experience knows the soul of the disciple. By the sword of his grace, he cuts these bonds and lifts the disciple to transcendental bliss. Through the service to Guru, the soul gets gradually purified of all impurities and inimical influences. Only then, the disciple can hope to reach the realm of spiritual experience. Therefore, in the three worlds, only the lotus feet of Guru, who is knowledge manifest, can remove the pangs of suffering and limitation of the soul.

Worldly life is compared to an ocean because of its impenetrable depth, unpredictable currents, and dangerous threats. It is perennial, riddle-some and difficult for one to swim over to the other end of this ocean called life. But the Guru of transcendental vision enables the inquisitive and enthusiastic disciple to cross over this difficult ocean. The peace and tranquility of the spirit definitely lies beyond the turbulent waters of life.