Do not move away from a Sadhu or your Guru because he did not/does not speak to you

Nama Article 16th May 2008

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Do not move away from a Sadhu or your Guru because he did not/does not speak to you.

 

Kabirdas explains, "We move with our neighbours, friends and relatives. If some misunderstanding arises with them feel happy and blessed. Just drop that relationship because if they are affectionate towards you, you will not come out of it. If any misunderstanding arises with Sadhus/your Guru, do not give it up as a blessing but somehow try to earn back their association. Do everything to earn their Grace back. Kabirdas gives a wonderful example for this - 'we go to the market and buy a 'măla' (chain) made of ordinary beads worth some 5 or 10 rupees for our child. When this breaks we throw it away as it is not of much worth. However, when the diamond or gold necklace bought for the child gets cut, we repair it and keep it safe. Relationship with other people is akin to the chain made of ordinary beads while association with Mahans is akin to diamond or gold necklace. Do not feel happy and blessed if their association gets cut. Go repeatedly to their Presence and somehow manage to bring about reconciliation.' He speaks on the glory of Satsangh and Sadhus. The reason for this is that he yearned very deeply for a Guru and attained Him with lots of difficulties.

 

Kabirdas, in spite of belonging to Islam religion, was attracted to Rama Năma. He desired to receive upadesa of this Mantra from Ramananda, a great Mahatama in Kăsi.

 

Kabirdas dressed up only as befitting his religion. Everyday he would go to the gates of Ramananda's ashram and await him. He would plead with everyone who walked out of this gate, "I desire to receive upadesa of Rama Năma from the Guru. Please recommend my case to him." But, none seemed to help him. Instead they advised him to chant the Mantra of his religion. He would plead, "No! My heart desires only Rama Mantra. Please speak about me to the Guru." Not at all discouraged by the words of others, he would stand at the gates of the ashram all through the day, everyday, without fail. He never once felt that he should not return here as none seemed to help him. For months he stood at the gates of the ashram, awaiting the Grace of the Guru. Mahans have no sleep. The 'Atma', remaining as a 'Săkshi', watches the body taking rest. This is a kind of 'nishtai'. Humans are caught in the three states of 'jagrat' (waking), 'swapna' (dream) and 'sushupti' (dreamless sleep). But, Mahans are in the fourth state of 'turiya'. Therefore, there is no sleep for them. When Ramananda was in this state, he heard the conversation between his 'puja murtis' Rama and Lakshmana. Rama told Lakshmana, "Oh! Lakshmana! Let us leave this ashram!"

 

Lakshmana asked the brother, "Brother! Why do you wish to leave this ashram?"

 

Rama explained, "There is a person coming to the gates of this ashram every day desiring to receive upadesa. But, none seem to help him. Why then should we remain here?"

 

Immediately, Ramanada pleaded with Rama, "Oh! Lord! I was not aware of this till now. I will find out and give upadesa to this person. You should not leave this ashram. You must remain here, please."

 

Early the next morning Ramananda took his 'kamandalu' and japa măla and wearing the 'Păduka' (Holy sandals) walked to Hanuman ghat on the banks of the Ganges for his bath. Kabirdas was lying on the steps leading to the river, weeping, "Today, too, I have not received upadesa of Rama Năma. I have not been able to receive the Grace of the Guru!" He lifted his head when suddenly the Păduka worn by Ramananda hit his head! Mahans always have the Lord's name on their tongue. Since, his foot hit against something in the dark, Ramananda uttered, 'Rama! Rama! Rama!' The Sun had not yet risen but Kabirdas looked at this Sun that was Ramananda! Ramananda stood there lustrous like the Sun! Kabirdas's heart leaped with joy as he heard Rama Năma uttered from the lips of the Guru. He thought, "I desired upadesa of Rama Mantra from the Guru. But, how blessed am I that I have received it at the banks of the Ganga with the blessings of the Guru's Păduka touching my head!" From that moment onwards Kabirdas began incessant japa of the 'Tăraka Mantra'. Due to his deep bhakti he attained the highest state.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare