Guru Gita: Glories of Sri Guru

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#GuruGita #GuruTattva #GloriesOfGuru #WhyHaveAGuru
The “Guru Gita” appears in the Skanda Purana as a dialogue between Sri Siva
and Parvati-devi. Excerpts are included here to increase everyone’s appreciation
of, gratitude toward, surrender and devotion to their individual wisdom teachers
who in this world are the only sources of peace, happiness, fulfilment and
liberation.
Jai Guru!

One day on Mt. Kailasa, Sri Siva Sankara said: “O Parvati-devi! All sastric
study, japa, vratas, tapas, tirtha yatras, yajnas and dana are a fruitless waste of
time without knowing the truth of Sri Guru, guru-tattva. (19, 20, 21)

“Sri Guru is non-different from Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Without a doubt, the
wise should rise out of ignorance by seeking knowledge of Bhagavan and one’s
self from Sri Guru. (22-23)

Drinking the water from Guru’s feet will destroy all one’s sins, ignite the light
knowledge, and carry one smoothly across the bhava-sagara, ocean of worldly
existence. (25-26)

Sri Krishna resides in the mouth of the Guru because by his teachings one
attains Krishna. And the disciple will attain this transcendental knowledge by
guru-bhakti. One should meditate on Sri Guru at all times, just as a devoted wife
thinks only of her husband. (30, 32)

The letter ‘gu’ means darkness and the three gunas [tamas, rajas, sattva] and
‘ru’ means light. Because Sri Guru has transcended the gunas by the light of
spiritual knowledge he’s called Guru. (35) One should surrender one’s body,
wealth and family to the sat Guru. (38)

Worship Sri Guru because he embodies the essence of Vedanta and Srutis. And
by his mere remembrance all knowledge will automatically arise in one’s heart.
(39, 40)
In all adversities only Guru can help you. (42)

If Bhagavan is angry with you, Guru can save. But if Guru is angry none can
save. (46) Neither men, women or devas averse to Guru’s seva will ever be
liberated from samsara. (53)

Without Guru’s infinite grace, peace of mind can’t be attained even after
studying millions of scriptures. (56) Whoever vilifies Sri Guru goes to hell for
as long as the sun and moon shine on earth. (58) Wise disciples should never
speak proudly or tell a lie before Guru. (60)

One who speaks rudely or insultingly to Guru is born in a desert or as a jungle

demon. (61) If you hear someone speaking ill of Sri Guru, then immediately
leave that place. (72) The Guru is one who instructs the disciple about Sri
Krishna, and reveals Krishna in his heart like one lamp lighting another. (75)

By the grace of Guru, transcendental knowledge appears in the disciple. (76)

That happiness, which is found ONLY in serving Guru’s lotus feet far surpasses
all the happiness in the Vedas, mantras and tantras. (89, 90)

By the glory of Guru diksa, all actions bear fruit and one attains everything. But
without Guru one is a number one fool. (102) One should abandon a Guru who
is devoid of knowledge or speaks untruth [apasiddhanta]. (104)

Those who fail to serve Sri Guru suffer in terrible hells. (150) Knowledge,
wealth, strength, good fortune are all useless without the grace of Guru. (151)
One who has Guru Bhakti blesses his father, mother, family, and the entire
earth. (152)

Guru is Bhagavan; Guru is dharma, and the greatest penance is unshakable faith
in Guru. Thrice I repeat this: “There is nothing greater than Guru.” “There is
nothing greater than Guru.” “There is nothing greater than Guru.” (154)

O Parvati, one becomes free from the cycle of birth and death by pleasing Guru.
(157) All places of pilgrimage are present at the holy feet of Guru. (159) The
true Guru removes all afflictions from the disciple’s heart. (162)

One gets proper Guru by the grace of Krishna. And upon attaining one, the
disciple never again becomes bound in samsara for he/she liberated forever.
(173) Just by darsana of a real Guru, one attains joy, peace and steadiness in
life. (183)

By chanting the Guru’s name, without a doubt countless lives of sins are
destroyed. (187) At the time of death nothing and no one can save one but Sri
Guru. (188) One purifies one’s entire dynasty and pleases all the devatas by
satisfying Sri Guru. (189)

Those without Guru diksa will never know Bhagavan and remain like animals.
(191) All attachments, doubts and karmas are destroyed by the grace of Guru.
(193) He who does not respect and honor the Guru will take innumerable births
as a dog and then become a candala. (202)
One should always drink the Guru’s foot bath water, eat his remnants, meditate
on his form and repeat his name. (210) There is nothing in the universe greater
than Guru. Therefore, one should worship the Guru. (211)

Even if the disciple has no knowledge, just by Guru bhakti one will attain
liberation. If one maintains unbroken devotion for Sri Guru, then no other
sadhana is needed. (212)
Jai Gurudeva! Guru Gita ki jai! Saba Guru Gana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!