Satguru

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Hindu swastika

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Satguru or Sadguru means true guru. (Sanskrit सदगुरू sat=true), literally: true teacher. The term satguru distinguishes itself from other forms of gurus, such as musical instructors, scriptural teachers, parents, and so on. The satguru is a title given specifically only to an enlightened rishi whose life's purpose is to guide initiated sishya along the spiritual path, the summation of which is the realization of the Self.

Contents

[edit] Ancient and traditional sources

In the Guru Gita, Shiva says to Parvati[1]:

  • The body, the senses, the Prana, wealth, one’s own relations, the self, wife etc., all these should be surrendered to the Satguru. (38)
  • One who cuts asunder, for the disciple, the eight kinds of attachment (doubts, pity, fear, shyness, censure, position in society, high birth and wealth), by the sword of mercy and bestows absolute Bliss is called Satguru. (57)
  • Just as the ocean is the king of waters, the Param Guru(Satguru) is the King among Gurus. (179)
  • A Param Guru is free from attachment, etc; peaceful, always contented in Himself, independent, and one who considers the status of *Brahma and Vishnu like a blade of grass. (180)
  • One who is independent at all times and places, who possess an unshakable mind and always blissful, who experiences the homogenous essence of the Self, such a one is the Param Guru. (181)
  • One who is free from the feeling of duality and non-duality, who shines by the light of His self-realization, who is able to destroy the deep darkness of ignorance, and is omniscient, He is a Param Guru. (182)
  • By whose mere Darshan, one attains calmness, cheerfulness, and peace and steadfastness, and peace of mind, such a one is Param Guru. (183)
  • One who looks upon his own body as a corpse, and his Self as the non-dual Brahman, and who has killed the infatuation for wealth and women, such a person is a Param Guru. (184)
  • Family traditions, wealth, strength, shastras, relatives, brothers, - none of these are useful to you at the time of death. Satguru is the only saviour. (188)

The Kularnava Tantra (XIV/65) states,

It is very rare to find a Satguru who can give Shaktipat and rare to find a disciple worthy of receiving it. One gets such a Guru only as a result of past meritorious actions.

In the Upanishads, five signs of satguru (true guru) are mentioned.

In the presence of the satguru; Knowledge flourishes (Gyana raksha); Sorrow diminishes (Dukha kshaya); Joy wells up without any reason (Sukha aavirbhava); Abundance dawns (Samriddhi); All talents manifest (Sarva samvardhan).

In one of Kabir's songs the satguru is described as the real Sadhu:

bhâi kôî satguru sant kahâwaî

Hs is the real Sadhu, who can reveal the form of the Formless to the vision of these eyes;

Who teaches the simple way of attaining Him, that is other than rites or ceremonies;

Who does not make you close the doors, and hold the breath, and renounce the world;

Who makes you perceive the Supreme Spirit wherever the mind attaches itself;

Who teaches you to be still in the midst of all your activities.

Ever immersed in bliss, having no fear in his mind, he keeps the spirit of union in the midst of all enjoyments.

The infinite dwelling of the Infinite Being is everywhere: in earth, water, sky, and air;

Firm as the thunderbolt, the seat of the seeker is established above the void.

He who is within is without: I see Him and none else.

—[2]

Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha quotes Yoga Vasistha,

A real preceptor is one who can produce blissful sensation in the body of the disciple by their sight, touch, or instructions.

—[3]

According to Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, a Hindu Satguru is always a sannyasin, an unmarried renunciate.[4] However, the definition of Satguru elsewhere does not include this stricture[5] and there are numerous counter-examples as well, for instance: "Tukaram, a Hindu Sadguru, is known to have had a family. The Qutub Moeinuddin Chisti also had children. The Sadguru Kabir had a son, Kamal, who was very devout." [6]

[edit] Other usages

[edit] Analogous concepts

  • The Sufi concept of the Qutub (literally, pole, tower, lighthouse) could be viewed as analogous to the satguru. The Qutub is the shaykh who provides a focus for spiritual teachings[8]. Other terms include Pir and Sarkar.
  • Jacques Vigne, in his book Indian Wisdom, Modern Psychology and Christianity asserts that John the Baptist might be looked upon as someone very much like a satguru. [9]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Shri Guru Gita. Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  2. ^ Songs of Kabir LVI, I. 68 - Translated by Rabindranath Tagore New York, The Macmillan Company (1915)
  3. ^ Tirtha, Swami Shankar Purushottam (1992). Yoga Vani: Instructions for the Attainment of Siddhayoga. New York: Sat Yuga Press, 27. 
  4. ^ Subramuniyaswami, Satguru Sivaya. Living with Siva, glossary. Himalayan Academy Publications. ISBN 0-945497-98-9
  5. ^ God Speaks, Meher Baba, PUB Dodd Meade, 1955, 2nd Ed. pp. 150,158,196, 291
  6. ^ Meher Prabhu, Bhau Kalchuri, Manifestation, Inc. 1986. p.92 - Footnote 1
  7. ^ Lewis, James R. Seeking the Light, p.62. Mandeville Press, ISBN 0-914829-42-4
  8. ^ Ahmed, Nazeer. Islam in Global History: From the Death of Prophet Muhammed to the First World War, Xlibris Corporation, ISBN 0-7388-5966-4
  9. ^ Vigne, Jacques (1997). Indian Wisdom, Modern Psychology and Christianity, Part II, Ch. 1. B. R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 81-7018-944-6. Available online
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