Guru Gita Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Verses 146 to the 182 divulge the secret to living with God, and explain the fruits of reciting the Guru Gita. When we treat the Guru as we would want to treat God, then we receive the blessing of living with God. When we chant the Guru Gita with the desire for liberation, we will get liberation. When we recite with a worldly desire, the desire will be fulfilled by either giving us what we want, or by the removal of the desire. Either way, the Guru Gita acts as the Cow which fulfills all wishes.

In this session, Swamiji answers questions from the devotees and offers insight into the relationship between the Guru and Disciple. He teaches us how to come into harmony with the Guru and how to sincerely surrender to the Guru’s example.

This podcast is part two of Swamiji answering the questions from devotees online and in the temple. Among some of the beautiful answers, Swamiji says, “When we effectively apply knowledge to our circumstances and evolve a greater harmony, we are exercising wisdom, and that’s the goal.”

For every desire which an individual pursues, there is someone who sets an example and demonstrates the means to its attainment. Every time an individual becomes inspired to take a new course of action, a “guru”, who is the example, conveys that inspiration. The ancient rishis maintained three primary desires: 1) dharma – to attain an ideal of perfection; 2) artha – to procure that amount of material necessary to the attainment of that ideal; and 3) kama – to become free from all other desires. The perfection of these three desires leads to moksha, which means liberation, otherwise known as self-realization.

In class two, Swamiji translates verses 1 through 15, and explains each verse in depth. The discourse begins with Shiva and Shakti, who are united on Mount Kailas. The Goddess asked Lord Shiva, “Please give me initiation of the Guru.” Lord Shiva’s response commences the instruction of how to become a true disciple. Swamiji explains the importance of integrating the wisdom of the Guru Gita into our daily lives. If we study this text, and we do not make changes in our lives, then we are wasting our time.

In this class, Swamiji translates verses 16 to 30 and explains the importance of surrender and devotion to the Guru. It is customary for a devotee to point the highest part of his or her own self towards the lowest part of the Guru. Bowing to the Guru’s feet puts the devotee in a position conducive to receive the Guru’s blessings because the laws of gravity cause the blessings to flow down. This is why the Guru’s feet are so venerated. Lord Shiva, the Supreme Guru, states in the Guru Gita: “Not contemplating anything but Me, makes the highest status easy. Therefore, all efforts should be made to please the Guru.” Swamiji interprets this by emphasizing the importance of letting go of selfishness in order to unite with the Guru.