Guru A Light In Life

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Guru: A Light in Life" by Dr. Ashok Kavad, based on the provided pages:

The text "Guru: A Light in Life" by Dr. Ashok Kavad emphasizes the profound importance and unique role of a Guru in an individual's spiritual and moral development, distinguishing the Guru from teachers, coaches, and mentors.

The article begins by highlighting the distinct functions of various guides:

• Teachers expand worldly knowledge and are architects of material life.
• Coaches deepen skills, particularly in practical areas like sports.
• Mentors help individuals understand themselves by analyzing strengths and weaknesses.
• Gurus, however, are the beacons for a spiritually aligned life, guiding individuals toward the world beyond the material.

A key distinction is made that while one can have many teachers, there can only be one Guru. The Guru's role is to help realize the spiritual self, the true self. Without a Guru, one might succeed in temporary material life, but true success in the spiritual journey of life and in future lives is impossible. The analogy of removing the sun from sunrays, mud from a pot, or cause from effect is used to illustrate that without the Guru's teachings and philosophy, spiritual existence is incomplete.

The Guru is described as the beacon for a spiritually aligned life and the guide to liberation. The text points to the Namaskar Mahamantra, where Arihant (who shows the path to the pure self) is revered before Siddhas (liberated souls), underscoring the Guru's foundational role. The relationship with a Guru is characterized by deep love, reverence, surrender, and faith, offering the first glimpse of divinity. The Guru dispels the darkness of ignorance, enlightening the seeker with clarity to distinguish right from wrong.

Who can be a Guru: A true Guru is defined as one who is actively on the path of liberation and also guides others towards it. They must be pure and possess great qualities to facilitate this spiritual progression in their disciples.

What a Guru does: The Guru is likened to a sculptor who chips away unwanted material from a rock to create a statue. Similarly, the Guru helps disciples identify and shed negative qualities and elements, allowing the true and pure self to emerge. The Guru is compared to the moon, providing brightness even in life's dark phases, unlike millions of stars which only sparkle.

True Qualities of a Right Guru: The Jain tradition specifies that a true Guru must:

1. Have completely renounced the material world.
2. Have totally renounced family relationships.
3. Have taken a vow not to harm any living being by any means.
4. Have self-purification as their sole life aim.

The Upanishads describe five signs of a "Sat Guru": in their presence, knowledge flourishes, sorrow reduces, joy increases, abundance dawns, and talents manifest. The text quotes "Guru Stuti" equating the Guru with Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, signifying their divine role. Finding such a Guru is considered the greatest blessing.

Benefits of having a Guru: In a Guru's presence, individuals are drawn towards their true self. The Guru teaches disciples to observe themselves, analyze their thoughts, alter their direction, manage emotions, and choose expressions and suppressions, leading to self-consciousness and self-upliftment. The Guru "opens the gates of paradise." The capacity for self-observation, analysis of experiences, and behavioral modification is presented as a unique human gift. The text links "Deva" (Atman), "Guru" (light/brightness), and "Dharma" (utilization of light in life).

Accepting a Guru is easy, but practicing their teachings is challenging. Surrendering unconditionally to a Guru brings several benefits:

1. Life is not wasted.
2. Success is achieved.
3. Wandering in life ceases as life is guided by the Guru.
4. Ego is diminished as success is attributed to the Guru's blessings.
5. Thoughts become firm and clear due to the Guru's light dispelling ignorance.

Conversely, the Dasavaikalika Sutra warns that criticizing a Guru prevents liberation, and the Shree Bhagavati Sutra illustrates Goshalaka's suffering in hell due to misbehavior towards a Guru.

Gratitude: The text emphasizes expressing gratitude to God for showing the Guru and to the Guru for showing God, citing Kabir's verse: "Guru and God stand side by side, Whose feet should I touch? O Guru! I offer myself at your feet, since you showed me the path to God!"

The article concludes by commemorating the centenary year of Acharya Shree Hastimalji Maharajsaab, identifying him as an ideal Guru who embodied all prescribed qualities, helped himself and others excel, and served as "A Light for Life."

A Light for Life: Ultimately, a true Guru helps the seeker achieve their ultimate objective, which for all souls is liberation. The Guru does not keep the disciple but guides them to attain the pure form of the soul, "Siddhatva," being a true light for the soul.