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Guru Purnima Message
by Sri Swami Krishnananda

On this holy, most blessed Sri Guru Purnima, we place within our hearts the great Sri Nara-Narayana Bhagavan, whose grace spreads through the whole Earth as threads permeate a cloth, who is stationed in sacred Badrika Ashrama, as tradition goes, who is the original incarnation of Sriman Narayana; to these twin forces of Nara and Narayana we give our prostrations. Prostrations to Bhagavan Sri Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, the original Guru of all Gurus, after whom this day is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Uninterrupted by the time process, this great Guru blesses all creation. Salutations and prostrations to Worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj who is our immediate Guru, whose presence is not merely in this ashram but everywhere in this country and in the world.

The Gurus form a fraternity of their own, and all those who have reached the apex of experience are termed the Gurus of humanity. Leadership of a cosmic cosmopolitan society is vested with this great organisation of the Gurus. In this realm of divine ordinance, blessing and compassion that is bestowed upon all mankind, the Gurus shine as resplendent stars in the firmament of Spirit. They are not human beings, though we may concede that once upon a time they assumed the form of human nature. Now they are disembodied, and therefore capable of performing more effective action. Because of the disembodied nature of these Gurus, they permeate all existence. Because of the subtlety of their existence, they can manifest themselves at any moment and at any place. It is believed, in our tradition, that the moment we think of them they are here in front of us, because it does not take time to materialise that which is not really material in form. So if our prayers at this time arise from the deepest recesses of our hearts, these Gurus' blessings will be upon us for ever and ever.

They permeate us, and do not stand above our heads and bless us. When divine beings want to protect us, they do not stand beside us with a stick like shepherds; they enter us and protect us. Standing near us with a stick and then guarding us is one thing, but entering us and permeating us and then guarding us is another thing altogether. This is a mystery in the operation of divine forces. They work internally, though they can also work externally. They can provide us with our daily bread externally; they also can give peace of mind internally. Bhagavan Sri Krishna proclaimed the great ordinance of the constitution of the universe. Ananyas cintayanto mam ye janah paryupasate, tesham nityabhiyuktanam yogaksemam vahamyaham: “Those who are undividedly united with Me, I bring them succour, provide them with all their needs.” When it was said in this manner, the meaning is external as well as internal protection. Externally God shall give us bags of rice and wheat, sugar and milk and honey, which He shall do instantaneously. He shall also live in our brains, which is a greater protection than rice and wheat.

Such power these Gurus have; they bless us from within and without, in every way and every form, completely. But it is necessary for us to learn the art of invoking them. Sunlight is energising, but if we are sitting inside a cave under the earth, the forces of sunlight will not benefit us. We have to keep ourselves open to the influx of the forces of the sun in order that this blessing may be upon us. We have gone into the cave of this physically bound egoistic existence and shut ourselves up so that the influx of the rays of the benedictions of these Masters may not enter us at all. Nature's forces and God's forces are shut off by the affirmation of egoism, but they are compassionate enough to even lift this egoism up into a divine personality and make it a resplendent ambassador of God's performance.

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Monday, July 3rd is Guru Purnima.

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The following articles have been posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

• Guru, God and Ashrams
• Total Thinking

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Sri Guru Gita
Translated by Sri Swami Narayanananda

In spite of much that has been told and written on the concept of the Spiritual Guru, still there exists a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding in the minds of many seeking souls.

This book "GURU GITA" with original verses and lucid commentary in English undoubtedly serves not only as a great boon to dispel at once the confusion and misunderstanding of all such sincere aspiring souls but also infuses in them unflinching faith and devotion towards their Guru which is the fundamental prerequisite for attaining the Supreme Bliss. Above all, the Real Nature of Sadguru, which is akin to the nature of the Supreme Being, is very beautifully depicted in this great book "Guru Gita" which unfailingly serves as a beacon light to all those sincere seekers who are already treading the spiritual path. "Guru Gita" forms the dialogue between Uma and Maheswara from Skanda Purana.

दुर्लभं त्रिषु लोकेषु तच्छृणुश्व वदाम्यहम्‌।
गुरुब्रह्म विना नान्यः सत्यं सत्यं वरानने॥ २१॥

durlabhaṁ triṣu lokeṣu tacchṛṇuśva vadāmyaham |
gurubrahma vinā nānyaḥ satyaṁ satyaṁ varānane || 21||

21. The Guru is Brahman and no other than Brahman Itself, O Parvati. I declare this Truth to you. Listen to my words and believe, for this Truth is unknown to any one else in all the three worlds.

Notes: Durlabham means "Rare". It refers to the declaration "Guru is Brahman". The Guru who is really qualified and who is capable of imparting the knowledge of Brahman is rare. He is attainable with difficulty and by the Grace of God particularly.

For more information, please see: Sri Guru Gita

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WORK TO BANISH WORRY: A certain lady described to the Master the unfortunate loss of her daughter and how she was trying to bear the grief.

The Master at once said, “You must work. You must keep yourself fully occupied.”

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“If an aspirant in Kashmir meditates upon his Guru or spiritual guide at Uttarakashi, Himalayas, a definite connection is established between him and the teacher. The Guru radiates power, peace, joy and bliss to the student in response to his thoughts. He is bathed in the powerful current of magnetism. The stream of spiritual electricity flows steadily from the preceptor to his disciple, just as oil flows from one vessel to another. The student can imbibe or draw from his teacher in proportion to his degree of faith. Wherever the student sincerely meditates upon his teacher, the teacher also actually feels that a current of prayer or sublime thought proceeds from his student and it touches his heart. He who has the inner astral sight can clearly visualise a thin bright light between the disciple and the teacher, which is caused by the movement of the vibrations of Sattvic thoughts, in the ocean of Chitta.” – Swami Sivananda

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