Continuation of verse 2.

5. Surrender to a realized Guru. It is important to notice the revelation here. It says surrender to a realised Guru. This means surrender to Guru through mind. Guru is the one, who not merely gives mantras. Mantras are to be properly placed as a seed within the one who is being initiated and due to efforts of the student, the mantra begins to sprout. Guru should not initiate too many mantras. It is always ideal to stay with one mantra. In exceptional cases two or three are acceptable. Guru should also impart knowledge of Brahman, a few months after initiation. Asking the disciple to go after too many rituals is not good for the student, who seeks wisdom from his Guru. The Guru Disciple relationship is very important in seasoning a person in his spiritual pursuit. There are two types of Gurus. The first type of Guru initiates one into mantra and allied rituals. Plenty of such Gurus are there today. They are like masters in a high school. They have a role to mould their disciples by laying a strong foundation. The next type is like a professor who guides us, while pursuing our doctorate. The professor cannot teach you from the basics and will only share his experience with you. This type of Guru is called Sat-Guru which means a Guru who has realised the Brahman. Self-realization can be taught only by these types of Gurus. They will impart knowledge only on the Brahman and the ways and means to realize Him. They are extremely rare to find. Such people are known as wise men and they are referred to, by Krishna. Guru-disciple relationship should never be by way of mass contacts. A guru should have direct contact with his disciple.  Disciple should have the absolute freedom to contact his guru without any hindrance. Guru-disciple relationship is a sacred relationship. The knowledge of Brahman cannot be imparted in an assembly or mass gatherings. It should be a one to one commune between guru and disciple.  What we are witnessing today is the exhibition of one’s oratory skills. All one has to do is to make a self-proclamation, grow beard and wear orange or red robes. They are not gurus that Krishna is talking about. Guru should have the capacity to initiate people, even when they are not present in person. There are facilities available today, to digitally interact. When such facilities are available, it is not appropriate to ask a student to travel all the way to the Guru’s place. Guru should not be indulging in too many rituals. When his disciple is ready, he should impart knowledge of the Self, thus showing the way for Self-realization. A Guru will be interacting with each one of his students differently and this is based on the inherent quality of each of his students. Therefore, one should not attempt to compare Guru’s teachings and should concentrate only on what he has been taught to him. It is not at all advisable to have too many Gurus. One should stay with one Guru and should evolve with him.

6. Worship Guru’s pādukā. Pādukā means sandals, normally given by a Guru to his student who stays at a distance. This pādukā is just not Guru’s sandals. It represents Guru himself. Sincerity, dedication and love for one’s Guru is important in moving forward in spiritual path. It is very important that we choose the right Guru and once chosen, he has to be respected perpetually.

7. Remain with OM. Rig Veda (I.164.39) subtly refers to ॐ. This verse says, “The Supreme Lord is omnipresent like space and eternal like his word… {word here is explained as ‘upon which akṣara, the indestructible syllable, the supreme position (parame vyoman) of all the gods (viśvedevāḥ} taking their seats}…..the one who understands this comes close to Him and those who do not know this cannot reach Him.” Taittirīya Upanishad (I.viii.1) says, “om iti brahma; om iti sarvam; …..” which clearly says that there is no difference between ॐ and Brahman and this statement is further emphasized by the next verse which  says ॐ is everything (omnipresent). This goes to prove that without ॐ, Brahman cannot be attained. Praśna Upanishad (V.6 and 7)) says, “He who meditates on three letters of AUM (ॐ) attains Brahman. If you meditate on ॐ as Brahman, it takes you to the higher worlds. It is again through ॐ that you attain the state of peace and fearlessness and you overcome age. You attain immortality and become one with Brahman.” There are quotations from Śivapurāṇa. It says, “ॐ, known as praṇava is so called because it is the ideal guide to liberation (mokṣa), by diffusing karma of those who recite and worship it……” There are innumerable references to ॐ and its importance towards attaining liberation.

8. Understand the conveyance of Upanishads. Studying and understanding Upanishads is the only way to acquire knowledge. Revelations of Upanishads are explained in detail in this link. Knowledge to realize Brahman is revealed through various Upanishads. Spiritually evolved Guru will always help his students in explaining their revelations.

Further Readings:

SĀDHANĀ PANCHAKAM - 1

SADHANA PANCHAKAM - 2

SADHANA PANCHAKAM - 3