Guru Tatva Vichar: Importance of Sadguru

1. Guru Tatva Vichar: Importance of Sadguru FINDING A GENUINE GURU is not an easy task. There is so much sham and hypocrisy everywhere that when you go to a so-called baba (an imposter), he will not give you the spiritual knowledge that you want to seek. Instead, he will advise you to go on a pilgrimage or read some religious text, like Hanuman Chalisa, etc. You would spend all your life following such advice with little sense of purpose. Once Haridas, a devotee, and Jayadev, the author of Geet Govind met. Haridas wanted. to know from Jayadev how and where he could meet God. Jayadev replied, that if he could find a Saint, it would amount to meeting God. There is no difference. Haridas asked him further, "Maharaj! It means if somebody is able to find a Saint, he has found God. It is okay but even after he has found a Saint, he is not free from the bondage of Maya and has not received bliss. Why is it www.jkp.org.in

2. so? If one attains God, one is immediately freed from the bondage of Maya, and bliss is bestowed on him." Jayadev replied, "If God appears before you with his flute in His hands, it will not do you any good. Even if you are able to talk to Him, it will be of no use. It is because your intellect is under the influence of Maya, you can not consider God as God. Similarly, if somebody does not understand the importance of the Saint, he will gain nothing out of his meeting with him. The degree of benefit that he will get is directly proportionate to the degree of importance that he gives to the Saint. So about the IMPORTANCE OF THE SAINT. the more you realize the more benefited you will be. If you have seen the Saint just once, this itself is a special grace for you. No amount of rituals, sacrifices, charity, and penance can get you the association of a Saint. It may be possible for one to see God, but it is not so with the Saint as he is greater than God. If somebody says that he spent some money and could see a Saint, he is under the wrong impression. Any amount of money, however big will not work. If the Saint has talked to him for a minute in a day and looked at him with affection just once, it is enough. If a person happens to meet the Prime Minister and shake his hand and that moment is captured in a photograph how proudly that person goes about declaring boastfully that he often meets the Prime Minister. Now think, if a person can understand how important and valuable the association with a Saint is, his love and affection, his touch, etc., he will have nothing else to do to attain his goal. To reflect upon that rare achievement is enough for God's realization endlessly. Conclusion: Finding a real Saint or Sadguru is crucial for one's spiritual www.jkp.org.in

3. development, as Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj explains. Finding a genuine Saint in a world full of fakes and shallow teachings is like discovering God Himself. The degree of benefit from this association is directly equal to the priority one accords it because the Saint is not simply a guide but also a direct link to the Divine. Such a connection transcends material prosperity and has a value that is impossible to quantify in terms of money or other belongings. Even a brief encounter with a Saint is a rare and priceless grace that has the power to alter one's spiritual journey. In fact, it is more important than any material success, such as meeting a prime minister, and should be treasured with the utmost respect. In the light of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's teachings, we must understand that finding and cherishing the association of a true Sadguru is the key to transcending Maya, experiencing true bliss, and ultimately realizing God. It is a priceless gem on the road to self-realization and a holy relationship that guides the seeker to everlasting spiritual fulfillment. To know more about Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's teachings visit our website www.jkp.org.in