[Advaita-l] Question? - Is Guru necessary?

[Sudhakar Kabra]

PraNAms to all

Shree Subbuji just posted - How one can get under the grace of a Guru? 
Here is a question I want to pose it to all.
//// Making a small attempt.   //////

Q. 1: Do we really need a guru? 
Shastras says so - therefore we need one. Or Do we really need to have one understand Shastras? 
//// Consider this example (as once given to us long time back)
I want to go from Chennai to Mumbai by car. I start but don't know the directions. So switch on the GPS system, follow its directions, see milestones and signage and proceed on journey thinking that I will be able to make it.
Here the GPS may be considered equivalent to the Guru who keeps giving directions. The milestones and sign posts are the shastras (pointers) to the destination.
So both are necessary for the accomplishment of the journey.    /////


We do not have old gurukula system of education. We have now Missions and Missionaries. We have now internet and on-line discussion, talks on yu-tube or all other means to understand the shaastras. 


//// As time passes, depending on present day circumstances, the system of understanding and teaching also changes. /////


All we need to know is Brahma Satyam, Jangan mithyaa and jeevo brahma eva na aparaH. This can be learned by listening to many teachings available on line. 


//// I would say listening and understanding are two different things.One may listen but the question is of understanding and feeling it to core.This is a major difference.      //////



I understand that we need to have shraddha - Does Shraddha comes with 'Guru or in the very teaching itself (shastra) 


//// Shraddha comes as I proceed to drive further on the journey. How?
By reading the milestones showing distance covered. By some other signals like hoardings changing from Tamil to Marathi, by stopping on way and talking / seeing other people also taking the same direction to Mumbai, boards like stay at this place in Mumbai etc.     //////




Q2. Do we need a live guru or on-line guru? I find many claim that Bhagavan Ramana Mahasrhi is our guru; but he is not there in Physical form to teach. His teachings are available - so are other on-line teachers too. 


//// On-line teachers are mostly one way interactions. Face to face has a greater impact. Even if a shishya nods as yes understood, the guru has the wisdom to see directly whether the shishya has really got it or needs further elaborations. He may question immediately or give examples to make it further clear.
So physical presence was always emphasized in guru shishya parampara. Difficult to beat Arjuna and Krishna in this regards.
Those who claim Ramana Maharshi, Ramkrishna Paramhamsa and others as guru are truly getting inspired by hearing or learning about their teachings. They may be very advanced by following it in their life. This inspiration is what they call the guru.         //////////



Claim: We need a teacher who himself is self realized? Well, since there are no litmus to evaluate a particular teacher is self-realized or not we cannot go by that rule as long as we have the faith in the shaastras and understand clearly the explanation.


///// Present day scenario with intellect falling to the lowest level, self realized masters are not easily available. Does that mean one is doomed? No.Anyone who is a better intellect higher than the students level will suffice to proceed further.In a school an ordinary level teacher suffices and need not be a PhD on the subject.Gautama Buddha did the same and had changed many gurus on his way to nirvana.        /////////



I would like hear from eveyone those who are looking for a guru and those who found their gurus and those who do not think they do not need one (as JK - says - even though his follower want to follow!)

Q. We have many who do not have gurus as we know - starting with Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi himself. That he had Guru in the last life is only justification for the axiom that one needs a guru, since we do not Bhagavan's last janma to make a claim
The sadhana chatushtaya sampaathi does not necessorily for subtle inquiry does not demand a guru - it says Shraddha - Is Shraddha in the teachings available in may ways now - not sufficient.


///// The sadhana chatushtaya sampathi is the qualification of the driver driving the car. the more skilled he is the faster or easier will be the journey to self realization (Mumbai in the example)

Shraddha as mentioned above is the feeling or realization that the goal will be reached with my effort. The more we come closer, the more it is strengthened.          ///////////


What do you think? I am posting this to both groups to see the responses. 

A small thought on the post. RegardsSudhakar

Hari Om!
Sada 

    On Friday, January 29, 2016 9:11 AM, kuntimaddi sadananda via Advaita-l <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
 

 PraNAms to all

Shree Subbuji just posted - How one can get under the grace of a Guru? 

Here is a question I want to pose it to all.

Q. 1: Do we really need a guru? 

Shastras says so - therefore we need one. Or Do we really need to have one understand Shastras? 

We do not have old gurukula system of education. We have now Missions and Missionaries. We have now internet and on-line discussion, talks on yu-tube or all other means to understand the shaastras. 

All we need to know is Brahma Satyam, Jangan mithyaa and jeevo brahma eva na aparaH. This can be learned by listening to many teachings available on line. 

I understand that we need to have shraddha - Does Shraddha comes with 'Guru or in the very teaching itself (shastra) 

Q2. Do we need a live guru or on-line guru? I find many claim that Bhagavan Ramana Mahasrhi is our guru; but he is not there in Physical form to teach. His teachings are available - so are other on-line teachers too. 

Claim: We need a teacher who himself is self realized? Well, since there are no litmus to evaluate a particular teacher is self-realized or not we cannot go by that rule as long as we have the faith in the shaastras and understand clearly the explanation.

I would like hear from eveyone those who are looking for a guru and those who found their gurus and those who do not think they do not need one (as JK - says - even though his follower want to follow!)

Q. We have many who do not have gurus as we know - starting with Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi himself. That he had Guru in the last life is only justification for the axiom that one needs a guru, since we do not Bhagavan's last janma to make a claim

The sadhana chatushtaya sampaathi does not necessorily for subtle inquiry does not demand a guru - it says Shraddha - Is Shraddha in the teachings available in may ways now - not sufficient.

What do you think? I am posting this to both groups to see the responses. 

Hari Om!
Sada





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