Today we speak about the Parama Guru, the highest of the Gurus. A Parama Guru is also called a “Sadguru”, the true Guru. Yesterday we spoke about how this Guru becomes a Teacher and Saviour to students and I just want to go back to that verse of yesterday.
The Role Played by the Parama Guru
It is very important to look at the role that this Guru plays above all the other Gurus. I need to say that when we discuss Karana Guru, Vihitah Guru and Bodhaka Guru, this Guru can cover all of those functions. Sometimes this Guru can also cover the Suchaka Guru, teaching you about worldly things. So the Parama Guru has the power to take on all the roles of the earlier spiritual Gurus and also take the supreme role of the Parama Guru.
Akhandaika rasam brahma nitya muktam niraa mayam
Swasmin san darshitam yena sa bhavedasya deshikah
“One who enables the student to see within himself the one homogeneous essence that is ever-free, that one essence of the Self inside, that is free from pain. This immortal Brahman (which is that space) becomes the Saviour and the Teacher.”
Qualities of the Parama Guru
Guru Gita has given a few verses dedicated to describing the qualities of the Parama Guru. Today I have chosen the following verses which we will study.
Jalaanaam saagaro raajaa yatha bhavati Paarvati,
Gurunaam tatra sarveshaam raajaayam paramo guruh
“Just as the ocean is the king of the waters, so also such a supreme teacher becomes the king amongst all teachers.”
I want to continue to the next verse that describes the quality of this Guru which is important for us to look at.
Sarva kaala videsheshu swatantro nishchalo sukhee,
Akhandaika rasaavaada trpto hi paramo guruh
“One who is independent at all times and ‘climes’, one who possess an unshakable mind and is ever happy, who enjoys the Akhandaika rasa - the homogeneous essence of the Atman and is satisfied in it. Such a one is a Parama Guru.”
Parama Gurus are Independent and Unmoved by Surrounding Situations
Let us look at the qualities of the supreme teacher who is described as “the king among teachers”. It says that this Guru is independent of all that is happening at any time and in every ‘clime’. It doesn’t matter what the surrounding situation is, this Guru is independent and unmoved by what is happening outside. This is a very important quality. When we see teachers become disturbed by what is happening around them and they become caught up in it, we have to think and ask the question of these teachers - “Are they the Parama Guru?”
It is important to see that no matter what happens around them, no matter how disturbing events can become, you see an independent space inside of this person who continues to look with that same quality every time. That is one of the qualities of the Parama Guru. It says “unshakable mind,” so the mind is not swayed by what is happening around them. When you see teachers whose minds are swayed, you immediately know that that is not the quality of the Parama Guru.
Parama Gurus are Established in the Divine State Inside
Guru Gita says, that the one who is established in this Akhandaika rasa of the divine inside - that brahma consciousness, who is ever in that blissful state inside - it describes it as homogenous - meaning the same, ever contented, ever happy, ever satisfied. Such a being wants nothing from anyone, wants nothing from the world, and lives in contentment and happiness.
When you see teachers who ask you for things, ask you for money, ask you for your service for selfish gain, those who want to take your power away, then you need to ask yourself questions. True Gurus, Parama Gurus are established in that space where they want nothing from anyone, they are already happy inside. Their attitude, their outlook is to give not to take. So this is what Guru Gita is saying about the Parama Guru.
Beware of Those Who Carry Power in the Brow Chakra
We have spoken about leaders who have the eyebrow chakra open, it gives them mental power, it gives them the sense of influence, it gives will and focus. But when the lower chakras are not cleansed and they still carry impurities then this power at the brow can be influenced by these lower qualities. These teachers need to continue their development if they are to progress on the spiritual journey. Often you see how these teachers get caught up in all kinds of things - in making money, in pleasure, in power seeking. So one has to be very careful of those who carry that power of the brow chakra and observe whether you want to follow that kind of teacher or not.
The Quest to Find the Parama Guru
In my own journey, my quest was for the Parama Guru, I wanted to be in the company of the one who was completely free. Every time I met a teacher I was constantly on the alert – “does this person carry this state?” My ultimate test of this was the influence that it had on me. “How do I feel in the presence of this teacher? Is it bringing me into a pure state inside? Is it bringing me into a deep state of love and peace? Is it bringing me into a deeper spiritual awareness?” These were my questions when I came into the presence of such a teacher. I wanted to be in the presence of someone who could lead me into this beautiful state of inner freedom. Of course eventually I found such a teacher, who led me into the inner space to find the ultimate Guru inside of us. In such teachers where the brow chakras are open, the need is to go completely to the crown.
Parama Guru – is Established in the Crown
I need to say to you that the Parama Guru would have transcended the brow centre and would have entered the crown, staying in the crown. When you stay in the crown chakra, that is when you can become independent of everything around you, but you need to be established in the crown chakra.
What happens when you come to the crown chakra? The ego becomes completely in service to the higher self, no trace of selfishness, it becomes completely in service to the higher self. That is what you see in the great teachers, they are completely in service to the Universe. They become a pure channel of the divine in interacting with the world.
There is a saying that says:
“Through the eyes of such, the divine looks into the world.
Through the voice of such, the divine speaks to the world.
Through the divine touch of such, the divine touches the world.
Through the footsteps of such, the divine walks in the world”.
It shows divinity in full manifestation through human form. Such beings have lost that sense of selfishness, they have transcended it, they have given it up and they have gone beyond it. Those are the Gurus who are worthy of being followed if you want to take the ultimate step - the Parama Guru.
Are We Ready for the Parama Guru?
Of course you can have all the Parama Gurus around you but if you are not ready, if you are not receptive, you’ll find fault with every one of them. So then another question comes – are we ready? Are we receptive as a seeker, as a student?
Later on we will deal with that. For now I want to stay with the qualities of the Parama Guru that makes this type of Guru such a powerful and necessary Guru in our world.
