Five Reasons To Appreciate The Guru

By krishnasmercy on May 8, 2023 • ( 0 )

“For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.68)

Download this episode (right click and save)

य इदं परमं गुह्यं
मद्-भक्तेष्व् अभिधास्यति
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा
माम् एवैष्यत्य् असंशयः

ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ
mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati
bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā
mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ

1. Life is easier in anonymity

“Even for celebrities it was easier. I am talking about a mere twenty years ago. They did their show or film. They put in the work, in front of the camera. When they got home, they were more or less free to do as they pleased. Their personal life did not get dragged into the showbusiness side.

“Today, people appear to intentionally choose to live in front of the camera, from morning until night. There is no such thing as privacy. Because there is video involved, there is ample room for criticism. Make a joke that does not sit well with the prevailing media narrative of the day, and you are finished. You will have a permanent black mark on your record.

“The guru could choose the life of privacy, and the comfort it affords. They can live in peace, worshiping the Supreme Lord, following the rules and regulations. They will not invite scorn. They will not even hear any criticism, as they are disconnected from most of society.”

2. They know all of the mistakes I will make

“The guru is so patient with me. I will make one mistake after another. Due to my immaturity, I have the tendency to offend. I fail to show respect when it is needed. I behave callously. I have too much fun, instead of applying the appropriate level of seriousness.

“Nevertheless, the guru stays with me. They have seen all the mistakes. They have likely committed many themselves. They will not cancel me. They will not leave my side. If there is no opportunity for personal, direct association, they will leave behind a volume of written instruction. In this way, I will never be alone.”

3. They sacrifice personal comfort for the welfare of others

“A guru could take shelter in a dhama. They could decide to live in Jagannatha Puri, Vrindavana, Mathura, or some other holy place and never leave. This way, there is the guarantee that the end of life will be auspicious, at least in terms of surrounding environment.

“Instead, the guru takes risks. They put themselves out there. Their own disciples might fail to be grateful. They might decide to poison the guru, to take over the institution that was established through bold sacrifice and supreme benevolence.

“The guru is not afraid of such risks. They see the suffering. They understand the difficulties of life. They do not want others to waste the time in this valuable human form of body. They will do anything to help bring others into the transcendental light.”

4. They speak the truth

“If you think about it, cancelling someone is not difficult. It is one of the easiest things to do. If I see someone walking down the street, I could criticize them based on attire. Since they wear certain clothes, I now hate them. I will hold that mark against them, no matter what else happens.

“Imagine, then, the consequences of speaking the truth. The guru risks being cancelled within the first five minutes of their basic presentation. They still choose to push forward. They are not afraid of the consequences. Better that people hear the truth than live a false happiness of ignorance.

“I am suffering because I need the truth. I need someone who is willing to offend, on occasion. My way of life is based on maya. This is illusion. I need help in order to see clearly. I need someone who is not compromised, whose livelihood is not dependent on conforming to the standards set by corrupt leaders and institutions.”

5. They are dear to the Supreme Lord

“The guru is so dear to the Supreme Lord. There is direct confirmation in Bhagavad-gita. The person who explains the supreme science achieves devotional service. They go back home, back to Godhead. Of this there is no doubt.

“If someone is dear to Krishna, they are dear to me. Perhaps my opinion doesn’t matter much. Who am I to judge others? Who am I to say who is good and who is bad? I know that the guru is everything to me because of what they have given. They are my direct link to transcendence. And as long as I can help it, I will never give up that connection.”