Nature of Guru

Sri Ramakrishna

oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, March 16, 2009, 12:43

Confusions and differences of opinion abide in the minds of people about the theory of Guru. Our Puranas and Tantras abound with apparently many conflicting opinions about the theory of Guru. In order to understand these it is necessary to groom our mind with certain fundamental principles.

First principle—Guru and Ishta (Chosen Deity) are 'one' and identical, and He who is Ishta is indeed the Parameshwara (Supreme Principle): Guruh Vishveshvarah sakshat tarakam Brahma nischitam (Gurugita, 14). No matter in whatever form we accept our Ishta, which can indeed be different, but all of them are forms of Parameaswara. Parameshwara, the Supreme Principle, cannot become two. Even Upanishads state this unequivocally.

A question has been raised in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad—How many gods are there? It has been replied (3.9.1): Trayashcha tri cha shata, trayashcha tri sahasra—'Three hundred and three, and three thousand and three." It signifies that the gods are indeed innumerable. These gods are but different manifestations of the only 'one' God. Countless may be the number of gods but they are but 'one' in essence. Thus in the process of questions and answers gradually the number of gods is tapered down to 'one': Eko deva iti, prana iti, sa Brahma tyadityachakshate (3.9.9).

1All the forms that we know and see around, the others we do not know and the newer forms that may take shape in the future—all are forms of that 'one' Parameshwara. Rupam rupam pratirupo babhuva (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 2.5.19 & Katha Upanishad, 2.2.9). We forget this and consider them different. That is precisely why conflicts arise in us. We tend to imagine certain God more powerful, some other God less powerful. But if we remain firm in our conviction that all gods are but 'one', that they are different forms of Parameshwara then all conflicts are set at rest.

In this regard we should bear in mind another principle. We began by saying that Guru and Ishta are one. Ishta is the form that we accept for our sadhana. That Ishta is only different manifestation of that 'one' and second-to-none. Parameshwara. It follows thus—if Guru and Ishta are identical, then everyone"s Guru is that 'one' Parameshwara. But normally we identify an individual human being as our Guru. We think—my Guru is 'one', someone"s Guru is another. Thus in imagining individual Guru for individual persons, the number of Gurus becomes innumerable. But the truth is that the 'one' Parameshwara is manifested in all the Gurus like the 'one' is manifested in all the gods. Thus Guru and Ishta are identical—if we remain firm in this conviction then no confusion shall ever visit us.

About the author

Swami Bhuteshananda

Revered Maharaj was the twelfth President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
The translation of the Bengali article that was published in the 6th Issue of 98th year of Udbodhan—Asada 1403 BS, on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Translator is Sri Dharitri Kumar Das Gupta.

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