Offering gratitude unto the Holy feet of the Guru is true Gurudakshina !

1. Once, Ms. Kaimal (Sanatan seeker in Kerala) met me casually. We offered Namaskar to each other and went our separate ways. Later, I learnt that her bhav (Spiritual emotion) awakened just from our momentary meeting. Why did her bhav awaken even though we hardly knew each other and met in the passing ? Seekers have immense bhav towards Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale, and the Guru Principle is present in every seeker in the subtle. I perceived that the bhav of Ms. Kaimal awakened due to the Guru Principle in me.

Only Guru takes care of us by dwelling in our heart and leads us on the Path of spiritual practice, literally holding our hands. He takes care of our well-being. In such a situation, how can we be proud about ourselves ?

2. A Guru named Vedadharma called His disciples one day and said, “I have committed a sin in my past birth. To overcome this sin, I will be going to Kashi. You take me there. When I take atonement with my body, you take care of me”. At that time, Deepak, a disciple, said to Him, “Swamiji, you just have to order and I will take care of you with all my strength”. The Guru said, “Because of the sin, I will get leprosy, my body will lose flesh. I might even go blind and become handicapped. You will have to take care of me for 21 years”. Deepak still agreed.

Later, the Guru had leprosy; puss, worms and blood would ooze from His body. In addition, the Guru developed epilepsy. Once, when Deepak brought food in alms for the Guru, He got angry over the amount and threw it on the road. The next day, Deepak brought large amount of alms. The Guru got angry once again because the alms did not include a sweet dish; He stood up to beat Deepak. Deepak brought everything the Guru asked for; however, the Guru threw all the food and abused Deepak. He said, “You should clean my excreta and urine regularly. Why do you not ?”

Deepak saw the form of Lord Vishwanath in the Guru and continued to serve his Guru with devotion and loyalty by regularly bringing alms. God was pleased with Deepak and told him to ask for a boon. Deepak asked for the blessing that more devotion for the Guru develop in him.

The Guru was satisfied with what Deepak asked for and He too blessed Deepak. In fact, the Guru was feigning His suffering from leprosy to test the disciple. He was indeed a great Ascetic and was absolved of all His sins.

Do we have such bhav to serve the Guru like the ideal disciple Deepak ? We are not doing anything for the Guru; it is the Guru who is doing everything for us.

According to the words of the Maharshi in a Nadi-reading, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale is taking upon Himself the demonic assaults on seekers. As per the shloka – ‘Yogakshem Vahamyaham’, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale is taking care of us. The seekers staying in Sanatan Ashrams are being provided with all facilities, right from Prasad (Holy sacrament – food) to comfortable residential arrangements only due to Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale’s grace. He has made many samashti sevas (Seva to spread Spirituality) available to seekers for their quick spiritual progress. He is teaching spiritual practice everyday through the medium of Holy texts and Sanatan Prabhat. He is pointing out mistakes and personality defects of seekers with love, thus enhancing their seekership qualities.

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has kept a noble objective for the seekers – establishment of the ‘Hindu Nation’, which would be ideal in all respects. What else do you expect the Guru to do for you ? Do we offer gratitude unto Him at every step ?

We pray unto Your Holy feet O’ Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale ! You are bestowing upon us whatever is necessary for our welfare without our asking. Let us always remain in a state of gratitude unto Your Holy feet forever ! – Sanatan’s Saint, H.H. Sandeep Alshi (Ramnathi Ashram, Goa, 6.5.2016)

Source : Fortightly Sanatan Prabhat

Leave a Comment