Gurugita 029: GURU SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED FOR THE PURPOSES OF OBTAINING LIBERATION

On the contrary, a Self-realized Sadguru is totally independent. He has complete control over His mind. He can curb it or release it as per His wish. He can control himself totally or set himself free. Not just that. He can keep this entire world under His control. You may perhaps wonder who it could be possible? This is possible only because He is the cause behind this entire creation! He permeates each and every object in this universe.

Due to all these characteristics, Sadguru is an embodiment of infinite and unending bliss. He is nothing but a personification of pure bliss. Hence, those who worship Him are rewarded with pure, unending bliss. Bliss itself is completeness (paripoorna); it is unending (Ananta), permanent and all-pervading! This infiniteness, completeness, auspiciousness and bliss are known by a very profound statement in our sacred texts- Akhanda citghana rasam. This is the true form of a Sadguru!

When contemplated upon with the help of Guru mantra, He will manifest is this Supreme form. Towards this, He should be meditated only with the help of Guru mantra.

The next verse explains the purpose behind worshipping Him.

Namāmi sadguruṃ śāntaṃ pratyakṣa śiva rūpiṇam Śirasā yoga pīṭasthaṃ mukti kāṃyātha sidhayē Meaning- With the intent of being bestowed with liberation (mukti), I bow reverentially to that Guru who is eternally at peace, who is the visible manifestation of Shiva and who is established at the pinnacle of Yoga.

Sadguru has been called ‘pratyaksha shiva roopi’ i.e. visible manifestation of Shiva. Shiva implies auspiciousness and bliss. Here the term Shiva does not refer to the Lord but to liberation (moksha). In the liberated state, all attachments and illusions get absorbed and destroyed and all that is left is a state of calmness (shanti). This is why Shiva is called ‘shanta murty’. The karma of all births gets absorbed and only bliss remains!

The Guru who blesses with us with such calmness and liberation should be duly worshipped.

The next question that typically arises is- At which places in our body should our Guru be contemplated upon? With the belief that He is located in the thousand petalled lotus located on the top of the head (Sahasrara Padma) He should be worshipped.

Why should He be worshipped? With the intent that the desire in our heart is fulfilled He should be meditated upon. Which desire? Desires are endless and yet, it is true that every desire has an end point. Only upon fulfillment of a desire we realize that we have not reached a state of total contentment. In other words, we realize that we are not yet totally contented and have something more to achieve.