Significance of Guru

Guru provides proper guidance to the seeker of knowledge, in the Atma-Gyan (self-realization ) and Brahma-Gyan (the realization of the ultimate- Brahman).  Guru dispels the darkness caused by ignorance.  (‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘ru’ means, its removal). God is extremely simple. But our minds are so complicated. That is why we need a Guru -- not to teach us about our path, but to teach us about our mind, and to get us through the mind to that absolute simplicity, which is God.

The Guru Gita further explains that “The form of the Guru is the object of meditation, the feet of the guru are the object of worship, the words of the Guru are the mantra and the grace of the Guru is the means of liberation”.

 Guru Paduka Stotram by Adi Shankara

Pray with complete devotion and surrender yourself to Shirdi Sai Baba.  By chanting even the first Slokha of Guru Paduka Stotram, our Sadguru Sai, will help us cross this samsara Sagara(the endless ocean of life).

Guru Paduka Strotram pdf in Sanskrit

Anantha samsara samudhra thara naukayithabhyam  guru bhakthithabhyam,

Vairagya samrajyadha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.    1

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which are like a boat, which helps me cross the endless ocean of life,
Which endows me, with the sense of devotion to my Guru,
And by worship of which, I attain renunciation

Kavithva varasini sagarabhyam, dourbhagya davambudha malikabhyam,

Dhoorikrutha namra vipathithabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 2

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which is the ocean of knowledge, resembling the full moon,
Which is the water, which puts out the fire of misfortunes,
And which removes distresses of those who prostrate before it.

Natha yayo sripatitam samiyu kadachidapyasu daridra varya,

Mookascha vachaspathitham hi  thabhyam ,namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.3

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which make those who prostrate before it,
Possessors of great wealth, even if they are very poor,
And which makes even dumb people into great orators.

Naleeka neekasa pada hrithabhyam, nana vimohadhi nivarikabyam,

Nama janabheeshtathathi pradhabhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 4

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which attracts us, to lotus like feet of our Guru,
Which cures us, of unwanted desires,
And which helps fulfill the desires of those who salute.

Nrupali mouleebraja rathna kanthi sariddha raja jjashakanyakabhyam,

Nrupadvadhabhyam  nathaloka pankhthe, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 5

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which shine like gems on the crown of a king,
Which shine like a maid in the crocodile infested stream,
And which make the devotees attain the status of a king.

Papandhakara arka paramparabhyam, thapathryaheendra khageswarabhyam,

Jadyadhi samsoshana vadaveebhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.  6

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which is like a series of Suns,  driving away the dark sins,
Which is like the king of eagles, driving away the cobra of miseries,
And which is like a terrific fire drying away the ocean of ignorance.

Shamadhi shatka pradha vaibhavabhyam,Samadhi dhana vratha deeksithabhyam,

Ramadhavadeegra sthirha bhakthidabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.7

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

Which endows us, with the glorious six qualities,
Which gives the students, the ability to go in to eternal trance,
And which helps to obtain perennial devotion to the feet of Vishnu.

Swarchaparana makhileshtathabhyam, swaha sahayaksha durndarabhyam,

Swanthachad bhava pradha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 8

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru

Which bestows all desires of the serving disciples,
Who are ever involved in carrying the burden of service
And which helps the aspirants to the state of realization.

Kaamadhi sarpa vraja garudabhyam, viveka vairagya nidhi pradhabhyam,

Bhodha pradhabhyam drutha mokshathabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 9

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru

Which is the Garuda ,which drives away the serpent of passion,
Which provides one, with the treasure of wisdom and renunciation,
Which blesses one ,with enlightened knowledge,
And blesses the aspirant with speedy salvation.

Let us understand about the need for Guru from Satcharitra

(Chapter II English Version)

On the first day of my (Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias “Hemadpant”  author of the Original work sai Satcharitra in Marathi) arrival in Shirdi, there was a discussion between me and Balasaheb Bhate regarding the necessity of a Guru.  I contended, “Why should we lose our freedom and submit to others?  When we have to do our duty, why a Guru is necessary?  One must try his best and save himself.  What can the Guru do to a man, who does nothing but sleeps indolently”.  Thus I pleased free will, while Mr. Bhate took up the other side, viz. destiny, and said, “Whatever is bound to happen, must happen, even great men have failed, man proposes one way, but God disposes the other way.  Brush aside your cleverness,  pride or egoism won’t help you”.  This discussion, with all its pros and cons went on for an hour or so, and as usual no conclusion was arrived at.  We had to stop the discussion ultimately as we were exhausted. 

Then, when we went to the Masjid with others, Baba asked Kakasaheb Dixit the following:

“What was going on in the (Sathe’s) Wada?  What was the discussion about?”  and staring at me, Baba further added, “What did this ‘Hemadpant’ say?”

Hearing these words, I was much surprised.  The Masjid was at a considerable distance from Sathe Wada, were I was staying and where the discussion was going on.  How could Baba know our discussion, unless, He be Omniscient and Inner Ruler of all?

Next day, after Hemadpant’s meeting with Sai Baba, Kakasaheb went to baba and asked, “Baba, where to go?”  Baba said, “High up”.  Then, when he asked, “Where is the way?”  Baba said, “There are many ways leading there, there is one way from here (Shirdi) also.  The way is difficult.  There are tigers and wolves in the jungles on the way”.  Kakasaheb asked, “But Baba, what, if we take a guide with us?”  Baba answered, “Then, there is no difficulty.  The guide will take you straight to your destination, avoiding wolves, tigers and ditches etc., on the way.  If there be no guide, there is the danger of your being lost in the jungles or falling into ditches.   “

And further more about Guru, from chapter XVIII & XIX

Baba says “My guru never taught me any Mantra then, how shall I blow any Mantra in your ears?  Just remember that Guru’s tortoise-like loving glance gives us happiness. 

Do not try to get Mantra or Upadesh from anybody.  Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and actions and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life).   Look at Me whole-heartedly and I, in turn, will look after you.  Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth, nothing but the truth.  No Sadhana or proficiency in the six Shastras, is necessary.  Hav faith and confidence in your Guru.  Believe that, Guru is the sole Actor or Doer.  Blessed is he, who knows the greatness of his Guru and thinks him to bethe Trimurthi - Hari (Lord Vishnu), Hara (Lord shiva) and Brahma (Lord Brahma), incarnate.”

Sai Baba, our Sadguru, we surrender completely to you.  Accept our humble prayers offered with devotion and guide us with the knowledge of self-realization.

Acknowlegements:
http://sanskrit.safire.com/pdf/GURU_GITA.pdf
Shri Sai Satcharitra