The Appropriate Guru Dakshina

Throughout his life, Guru Maharaj nourished us with nectar and took upon himself all the misery of our lives. He relieved several Hari Bhaktas (devotees of the Lord) from deadly diseases that could not be treated even by current medical science. He showed the way to many who lived aimlessly and inspired them to become staunch Hari Bhaktas. We have lost the priceless association of such a Sadguru, and our responsibilities have doubled.

At the outset, we need to accept the truth that he hasn’t left us but resides in our hearts and places of worship or dev mandirs at home. The shastras emphasize that the soul neither takes birth nor dies; it just takes one body and leaves it over a period of time.

We are given this human body and celebrate the fact that we are born. When we vanish and merge with the pancha tatwas (the five elements), we express our unhappiness. Excess of everything is considered bad. We begin to express our love to inanimate things and attach ourselves to them. Our attachment to other living beings is reasonable, becoming the basis of joy and despair. Gyanis (learned and evolved) and devout people receive inspiration at every onset of form and conduct themselves accordingly.

They do this even in the most ordinary things. Our meeting with Guruji’s physical form and his departure are unforgettable and remarkable. These events are certainly very special to us. The discourses of Guruji have been etched in our minds and remain for eternity as they are the very source of his form. Considering his discourses and sayings as everything in life and conducting oneself accordingly is the only duty of a righteous follower or sadshishya. At some point in time, they will certainly come down to this earth to guide all their followers. They come not just to give us houses, shops, or children, but to guide us on the right path in life.

Once, someone asked Guru Maharaj Ji why he gives everyone what they aspire for when they come to him. Guru Maharaj explained that it is not clever to ask a hungry man to sing in praise of the lord. The man would just take away the mala around your neck and go away. Guru Maharaj said he fills their stomachs because he needs to act upon the instructions of the Lord, and at some point, they will make time for singing bhajans. He also said that the followers of the Ramanuja Sampradaya are blessed with the grace of Sriman Narayana and are bestowed with dharma, artha, kama, and moksha according to their desires.

Guru Maharaj always called himself the trumpet of the lord. A trumpet, though small, communicates the messages of the Lord. Have you ever seen such a simpleton of a saint in your life? Such great saints come down to this earth only once in a while. There are many saints, each special in their own way, but the specialty of our Guru Maharaj was that he kept himself far away from just speaking. His simplicity established itself in the hearts of several followers. Today, thousands of people bow their heads at his feet in devotion and faith. Their faith has also moved towards God.

Our sampradaya is the Gurumukhi Sampradaya, also known as the acharya sampradaya. The philosophy of this sampradaya is distinct and was not established by any human form of life but by Sriji or Sri Lakshmidevi herself. Hence, this sampradaya is also known as the Sri Sampradaya. Despite this being a Gurumukhi Sampradaya, Guruji made the Lord the foundation. He always inspired his followers to remain in service of Sriman Narayana. A Gurubhakt perceives the Guru and the Lord with all faith and fervor. The Guru is supposed to be the form of the Lord to all his followers. When one asks for fulfillment of desires from the Lord, his wishes are fulfilled. Receiving assurance also calls for a celebration.

Assuring everyone here, I would like to say that if you have faith in Guruji in all your mind, speech, and action and think of him, he will be able to fulfill your desires as ever before. The greatness of Gurudham also plays a significant role. People have a lot of faith in Vaishnava Devi, facing all difficulties to reach Jammu because of the significance of the place.

It resonates with the voice and discourses of Guruji, and the Sri Lakshminarayana Divya Dhaam, the Sri Siddhadata Ashram, established by him has emerged as a pilgrimage for millions of followers. The Ashram, too, is significant with the Shri Vaishnava Devi temple.

At this particular pilgrimage established by him, we must resolve to imbibe the values from Guruji’s words and conduct our lives meaningfully. This is the most appropriate Guru Dakshina in return for his service to us.

Acharya Shri

“SERVICE IS A PERMANENT AND MOST IMPORTANT ACTION OF OUR LIVES, THE FRUIT OF WHICH TOO IS PRE-ORDAINED AND PERMANENT.”

Summary

The passage reflects on the teachings and legacy of Sri Guru Maharaj, emphasizing that although he is no longer physically present, his spiritual presence continues to guide his followers. Guru Maharaj dedicated his life to alleviating the suffering of others, leading them toward devotion to Hari (God). His simplicity and profound teachings left an indelible mark on his disciples, who now carry the responsibility of living by his teachings. The text underscores the importance of faith in the Guru, adherence to his guidance, and the significance of service to others as a path to spiritual fulfillment. The passage concludes by urging followers to continue living by the values taught by Guru Maharaj, seeing it as the most fitting tribute to his legacy.

Important Points

1. Guru Maharaj’s teachings and spiritual presence continue to guide his followers even after his physical departure.
2. He alleviated suffering and inspired many towards devotion to Hari (God).
3. His simplicity and teachings have left a lasting impact on his disciples.
4. The Guru’s discourses are eternal and should be the foundation of a follower’s life.
5. The sampradaya (spiritual lineage) emphasizes service and devotion to Sriman Narayana.
6. Guru Maharaj fulfilled his disciples’ material needs to guide them toward spiritual practices.
7. The Ashram, established by Guru Maharaj, serves as a pilgrimage site, reflecting his legacy.
8. Faith in Guru Maharaj and adherence to his teachings will continue to fulfill the desires of his followers.
9. The best way to honor Guru Maharaj is to live by his teachings and values.