Principles of Spirituality
Path of Guru’s grace (Gurukrupayoga)
Mechanism of the Guru’s Grace (Gurukrupa)
The success of any activity depends upon the mechanism of the various components constituting that activity. Just as the nuclear bomb is more powerful than the atom bomb, so also is the subtle more powerful in comparison to the gross. Given below is an example of the principle that when one proceeds from using gross means to using more subtle means, the result is more powerful.
Physical (Gross)
Perceiving the enemy’s whereabouts with the five senses, for instance, visually or aurally sensing the enemy or his movements, a gunman can shoot him with a gun. However, if the enemy hides behind something and remains there motionless, then the gunman will not be able to shoot him and therefore, cannot kill him. Here, only a physical weapon is employed to kill one’s enemy. If mere physical means do not help in achieving one’s target, they should be combined with subtle means as described below.
A combination of physical means and a mantra (subtle)
In ancient times, arrows were shot from a bow only after chanting* a mantra. Due to the mantra, the name of the enemy would get recorded on the arrow and regardless of where the enemy hid in the three regions (trilokas), namely, the earth (bhu), nether region (bhuva), and heaven (svarga), the arrow would certainly kill him. This was due to the energy of the subtle means (mantra) accompanying the weapon (arrow). At times, in spite of employing both the physical and the subtle means, one does not achieve much success. At such times, a subtler means, which is more powerful mantras, would be used as given below.
Mantra (subtler)
This is the next higher level where an enemy can be vanquished just with a mantra without using physical weapons like guns, bows and arrows, etc. This concept is used many times in worldly life to gain a specific worldly benefit. For instance, for getting a suitable partner in marriage, prosperity in business, etc., various mantras are prescribed. At times, however, even mantras do not yield results. In such cases, the next step is implemented.
The resolve (sankalpa) [even subtler]
Even a mere thought like, “May it be so”, in the mind of an evolved person (saint) is sufficient for the occurrence of an event. Nothing else is required. However, this is possible only in the case of a saint whose spiritual level exceeds 80%. Only when a Guru makes a resolve, “May this disciple progress spiritually”, does the disciple make real spiritual progress. This itself is termed as the Guru’s grace (Gurukrupa).
The presence (most subtle)
In this final step, one does not even have to make a resolve. Mere presence, proximity, or company of the Guru is sufficient for a disciple’s spiritual practice and progress to occur automatically.