Guru Shishya Ka Swarup Evam Ant Sambandh

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Guru Shishya ka Swarup evam Ant Sambandh" by Kshullak Dhyansagar, based on the provided pages:

The article, "The Nature and Inner Relationship of Guru and Disciple" by Kshullak Dhyansagar, published in Jinavani on January 10, 2011, explores the profound and sacred bond between a teacher and their student from a spiritual perspective, emphasizing the qualities required in both and the transformative power of their connection.

The Guru-Disciple Relationship: A Sacred Bond

The relationship between a guru and disciple is described as a sacred bond of faith and love. While it might seem like a form of bondage, it is ultimately a bond that ends the cycle of infinite bondage. The guru elevates the disciple from the material world to the realm of emotions, from where they can take flight into the spiritual world. The foundation of this emotional realm is compassion, and its pinnacle is universal love. Similarly, the spiritual world's gateway is the realization of one's oneness, with witness consciousness as its elevated peak. In this spiritual expanse, dualities like "I and you," "mine and yours," "pleasant and unpleasant," "happiness and sorrow," "big and small," "attachment and aversion," "acceptance and rejection" dissolve. The perceived superiority or inferiority of oneself is deemed an illusion, and true understanding of oneness cannot be achieved without dispelling this illusion.

Qualities of a True Guru

A true guru possesses a multitude of virtues, including:

• Knowledge
• Absence of ego (Nirabhimanta)
• Selflessness (Nihsvārtha)
• Compassion (Karuna)
• Simplicity (Saralta)
• Unwavering nature (Nirvikarta)
• Purity of conduct (Ācharaṇ mein shuddhatā)
• Unconditional love in their eyes (Nihsvārtha prem)
• Boundless compassion in their heart (Aparimit karuna)
• Pure conduct (Shuddha ācharaṇ)
• Profound experience (Agādha anubhav)
• Divinity and auspicious aura of celibacy (Brahmacharya kā divya tej)

Gurus are described as messengers of peace who dissolve the "nectar of non-violence" in their lives. They are yogis within and without, not hedonists, as luxury and spirituality are diametrically opposed.

Qualities of a True Disciple

The disciple, in turn, must possess virtues such as:

• Dedication to the guru (Samarpaṇ)
• Humility (Vinayashīltā)
• Receptiveness (Grāhitā)

When both guru and disciple embody these virtues, the relationship reaches its zenith.

The Role of the Guru in Overcoming Illusion and Ego

The article highlights that success often leads to ego, while failure leads to self-doubt. Similarly, wealth can create a sense of strength, and adversity a sense of weakness. The loneliness of a helpless, crisis-stricken person is not the oneness of the spiritual world, as they are unaware of their inner essence and entangled in the external. Mere verbal understanding of spiritual truths doesn't resolve inner turmoil. This is where the guru's role becomes indispensable, as they hold the secret to untangling these complexities.

Surrender and Discipline

The journey from duality to non-duality is impossible without the dissolution of ego, which in turn is impossible without surrender to the guru. Materialists might view surrender as subjugation, quoting "There is no happiness even in dreams when one is dependent." However, the article clarifies that forced surrender is subjugation, but surrender born of devotion is different, as it lacks the suffering of dependence. Gurus do not rule over disciples; disciples willingly follow their discipline. This is not a rigid rule but a path to liberation from suffering, and viewing it as suffering is a grave error.

The Guru as a Purifier and Healer

The guru, like a skilled sculptor shaping uncarved stone, purifies the disciple. Both guru and disciple uphold the dignity of their roles by never transgressing the boundaries of righteous conduct. The disciple's truthfulness and faith lead them to reveal even their deepest flaws to the guru. The guru, in turn, never exposes the disciple's faults, even at the risk of their own life, understanding that publicizing an offense hinders reform. A disciple who is shamed might abandon their faults but lose their moral compass or become secretive. The guru protects them from such downfall. Gurus do not hate sinners but help them hate their sins. Their affection can transform a murderer into a saint.

The Guru as a Guide to Life and Liberation

Gurus guide disciples out of the narrow confines of mere existence into the art of building a life. They show the path to nirvana. The guru is an extraordinary physician, the disciple the patient, karma the disease, and restraint and spiritual practice the medicine. Just as each illness requires a different treatment, each disciple needs individualized guidance. A wise disciple understands that when a guru spends more time or offers encouragement to a particular student, it's not favoritism but a necessary intervention for a complex "illness." If a guru shows unmerited grace, it is the disciple's good fortune, as gurus are discerning of true worthiness. Envy is a stain on discipleship.

The Importance of Faith and Humility

Discipleship is synonymous with the dissolution of ego. Gurus can transform the fallen into the pure, but they cannot help the arrogant disciple who considers themselves wiser than the guru. Pride in intellect leads to argumentation, and faith is impossible without moving beyond the sphere of argument. Without faith, there is no devotion, and without devotion, no surrender. Consequently, the guru-disciple relationship becomes impossible. Life's mysteries remain unsolved without a guru. A young writer rightly stated, "One whose life has no guru, their life has not begun."

Discipline and Emotional Purity

Conquering the senses and mind is not the work of the self-willed. Therefore, gurus use strict discipline to make disciples tolerant of hardship. The comfort-seeking individual is not fit for spirituality. Those who haven't transcended the sensory world cannot find space in the spiritual realm. The sensibilities of those engrossed in worldly pleasures become deadened, preventing them from even entering the realm of emotions. Without entering the emotional realm, purification cannot begin. Negative emotions like hatred, sadness, despair, envy, hurt, and stress are dissolved by positive emotions such as pure love, compassion, truthfulness, selfless service, and devotion. To foster this emotional purity, gurus sometimes encourage with affection and at other times chastise with difficult penances. The guru's dedication to the disciple's upliftment incurs a debt that can only be repaid through attaining liberation.

The Guru's Grace and the Disciple's Gratitude

The grace of the guru is unique, akin to a sacred festival. A disciple remains forever indebted, unable to repay the guru's benevolence. Saint Kabir warned, "Choose a guru knowingly, drink water after filtering. Choosing a guru without thought leads to rebirth in eighty-four million life forms." This is a caution to those about to dedicate their lives to a guru. Hasty decisions can lead to profound regret. Therefore, it is beneficial to consult ancient scriptures regarding gurus.

Scriptural Wisdom on the Guru

The article cites various scholars and scriptures:

• Acharya Pujyapada Swami (5th Century): In 'Ishtopadesh', states that worshipping the ignorant leads to ignorance, while seeking refuge in the knowledgeable bestows knowledge.
• Acharya Gunabhadra (9th Century): In 'Atmanushasan', describes a guru as one possessing complete scriptural knowledge, pure conduct, the ability to explain to others, great effort in propagating the right path, praise from scholars, absence of pride, knowledge of societal norms, gentleness, detachment, and other monastic virtues.
• Acharya Vāḍībhasiṁha Suri: In 'Kshatra-Chudamani', defines a guru as one purified by the Three Jewels (right faith, right knowledge, right conduct), loving, helpful, adhering to dharma, and capable of saving from the ocean of existence. A disciple is one devoted to the guru, fearful of the cycle of birth and death, humble, righteous, intelligent, tranquil, vigilant, and well-behaved.
• Acharya Samantabhadra (2nd Century): In 'Ratnakaranda', praises ascetics who are free from desires, devoid of worldly pursuits and possessions, and engrossed in knowledge, meditation, and austerities.
• Guru Gita: Describes gurus as pure, tranquil, virtuous, of few words, free from desire and anger, righteous, and masters of their senses. A guru possessing cleverness, discernment, spiritual knowledge, purity, and a pure mind shines brightly.

The Guru's Responsibility and Discernment

The article emphasizes that a guru who doesn't sometimes act strictly with their disciple cannot be considered a true guru. A quote from 'Atmanushasan' illustrates this: "The guru who conceals the disciple's known faults is indirectly promoting them. If the disciple dies with these faults, what benefit can the guru provide? I do not consider such a one a guru. However, the one who, upon seeing even minor faults, exaggerates them and criticizes openly, thus keeping me constantly alert, that is my true guru." This highlights the guru's responsibility to correct even minor flaws to prevent greater ones.

The Tyajya Guru (Rejectable Guru)

The 'Guru Gita' defines a rejectable guru as one who is ignorant, a liar, and a deceiver. One who doesn't know how to find inner peace cannot grant it to others. Gurus with self-interest, envy, competition, partiality, base desires, and artificiality cannot benefit anyone.

The True Purpose of Initiation (Deeksha)

The act of bestowing initiation is a sacred beginning to righteous conduct. The disciple offers self-surrender, and the guru facilitates their self-upliftment. The primary goal of initiation is spiritual progress, not display. A true initiating guru meticulously considers the substance, place, time, and inner disposition of the aspirant, assessing their physical, familial, and social circumstances, selecting a pure place and auspicious direction, and choosing a scripturally sound time. They also evaluate the aspirant's worthiness and detachment through knowledge of omens and other means. Emotionalism and haste hinder the attainment of the desired goal.

The Disciple's Qualities for a Meaningful Initiation

The guru's affection is inspiring. Without it, even simple practices seem insurmountable, while with it, walking on thorns feels like walking on flowers. Initiation is not just a change of attire but a change of heart. Five qualities that make a disciple's initiation meaningful and a guru's task easier are: truthfulness, detachment, tolerance, monastic practice, and not being a burden to others. Lack of discernment is a hindrance to initiation, as without understanding what is to be done and what is not, one can become neither here nor there. An unattached individual might perceive initiation as a burden or misuse their position. The guru understands all this. "What is unknown to the guru about the disciple? The ocean knows how much water is in the drop!"

The Ultimate Surrender

Even accomplished individuals can become attached in the end. Therefore, the disciple's heartfelt desire is to surrender their life at the guru's feet. It is a great fortune if the guru's presence is there in one's final moments; otherwise, dying with devotion to the guru is also highly valuable. The saying, "The guru's umbrella shade should never be discarded anywhere," is beautiful. Even in the absence of the guru's physical presence, devotion to the guru is beneficial.

The Rarity of True Gurus and Disciples

The text emphasizes the rarity of both pure-hearted gurus and devoted disciples. It references the negative examples of Brahmin Vāyuputra (who insulted his uncle, the educational guru, for becoming a monk) and Guru Dronacharya (who, in the guise of guru-dakshina, cut off the thumb of Ekalavya, whose devotion was unparalleled). Selfless gurus and surrendered disciples are blessed. A young poet rightly observed in a couplet: "Alas, such pure scenes are rare in the world, where the guru is without self-interest and the disciple is dedicated."

Guru Devotion vs. Personality Cult

Guru devotion is the power that brings one closer to the guru's extraordinary virtues. It is not attachment to a particular saint but respect for a virtuous personality. The value of emotion is greater than advertisement, as true surrender is not boastful. Promoting one's own guru's fame while denigrating others is not love of virtue but individualism, which breeds partiality and sectarian hatred. The division of humanity in the name of saints, scriptures, or sects is not spirituality but the spread of bitterness. True guru devotion is characterized by humility, not ostentation. Criticizing others does not prove one's superiority; superiority is the absence of faults. Faultlessness is achievable only through self-examination, which is impossible without a guru. It is easier to have one's feet worshipped than to be worshipped. Excellence comes from virtues, not from a position. The transformation of desire is not the same as freedom from desire. Only the guru can show the true path.

Western and Indian Perspectives on Gurus

The article also includes insights from Western scholars:

• Linda Goodman: In 'Star Signs', analyzes the word "GURU" as "G-you, U-you, R-are... U-you!" signifying recognition and affirmation.
• Robert E. Swoboda: True gurus rigorously train their disciples to excel in every life test, prioritizing the disciple's growth over their comfort. They seek dedicated disciples, not just a crowd.
• Dr. Paul Brunton: Despite the decline of truth in external showmanship, Indian saints still embody spirituality. Seemingly simple or eccentric seekers possess profound inner experiences. Mistaking every sadhu for an illiterate or hypocrite is a grave error.
• Joseph Sparty: The best guru is one who eventually becomes unnecessary, inspiring the disciple's highest development and making them self-reliant, clear, creative, thoughtful, impartial, obedient, and disciplined. When the disciple's understanding surpasses the guru's, the guru has achieved complete success.

Indian Philosophical Views:

• Jinendra Varni: A vow taken without the witness of experienced gurus is bound to be broken.
• Swami Muktananda: The greatness of a guru lies in the fact that they have found what the disciple is searching for.
• Kathopanishad: The Self (Atma) is not attained through discourse, intellect, or extensive learning, but only by the one whom the Self chooses.
• Narendrasenacharya: In 'Siddhantasara', states that those who wish to cross the ocean of existence without a true guru are foolish, as they desire life without the absence of the karmas that sustain it.
• Rayanasara: All the endeavors of disciples detached from all possessions but devoid of guru devotion are futile, like sowing good seeds in barren land.

The Guru as the Source of Liberation

The Guru Gita states that nothing is greater than the guru – not truth, not austerity, not knowledge. The guru's image is the basis of meditation, their feet the root of worship, their words the root of mantra, and their grace the root of liberation.

The Guru's Grace for Inner Peace

Yogi Gorakshanath states in 'Siddhasiddhantapaddhati' that without the guru's supreme grace, inner peace is rare.

The Transformative Power of the Guru's Presence

Lord Krishna tells Upamanyu that the mere sight, touch, or conversation of the guru immediately bestows consciousness that destroys worldly bonds.

The 'Guru' as the Ultimate Mantra

The Guru Gita considers the word 'Guru' as the ultimate mantra, stating that while seven crore great mantras can cause mental confusion, the two-letter word 'Guru' is the sole supreme mantra.

The Consequences of Disrespecting the Guru

A verse quoted in the commentary of 'Ashtapahud' states that those who do not believe in, worship, or praise the guru will remain in darkness even when the sun rises.

The Unfathomable Glory of the Guru

Acharya Ramamurti Tripathi writes that one can never repay the immeasurable compassion of such great souls. The article concludes by quoting a poetic sentiment: "Even if the ocean were ink, all languages were script, the earth was parchment, and the pen was a branch of the wish-fulfilling tree, and Mother Saraswati continued writing forever, she still could not fully describe the guru's greatness."

In essence, the article provides a deep and multifaceted exploration of the guru-disciple relationship, emphasizing the guru's role as a spiritual guide, purifier, and source of liberation, and the disciple's crucial qualities of surrender, humility, and devotion. It underscores that this sacred bond is the linchpin for spiritual growth and ultimate salvation.