What qualities should we look for in a true Guru? As we celebrate the holy Gurupoornima, Bhagawan reveals and explains to us today.
The true Guru is one, who has no ego or selfishness, and who can raise the shishya (disciple) to his own level. Donning the saffron robe, mouthing a few mantras and expounding some texts are the signs of many gurus these days.
The signs of a true Guru are large-heartedness, absolute selflessness, purity in living, freedom from acquisitiveness, absence of envy, and equal-mindedness in his conduct towards everyone. Freedom from envy is an essential quality in a Guru or shishya, because envy is the root cause of many evils.
The Guru’s role is to lead the shishya on the Godward path. He must teach the shishya the true purpose for which each of his sense organs is to be used – his eyes, his tongue, and his limbs. All the senses are to be used for discovering and experiencing the Divine. This was what Tyagaraja and Pothana commended in their songs. Every action in daily life should be turned into an act of devotion to God.
– Divine Discourse, Jul 13, 1984.
Your true guru is God alone. He is the only one who can dispel the darkness of ignorance and light the lamp of Wisdom. – BABA
