Guru Purnima-Serving the Guru

Again the scriptures guide the aspirant (1) Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6/23)  Advocates worship to the Guru in the same manner as the deity – God, to attain all there is to attain on the path of God-realization:Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau |Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha prakashante mahatmanaha || (2) Bhagavad Gita (4/34)  The … Read more

The Guru in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya

In accordance with the injunctions from shastras of Hindu Dharma cited above, Bhagwan Swaminarayan too considers the Guru as foremost; to be venerated as one venerates God. In His Vachanamrutam He uses the terms Sadhu and Satpurush synonymously for the true Guru. Gadhada III.27: “The scriptures advocate five attributes of: Nishkam, Nirlobh, Nirman, Niswad and … Read more

Guru Purnima-Skanda Purana – Guru Gita

A famous verse known by heart by all Hindu children glorifies the Guru: Gurubrahma Guruvishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraha |Guruhu sakshaat Parambrahman tasmai Shrigurave namaha || “The guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), veneration to the Guru who is Parabrahman manifest.”The second line of the couplet does not literally mean that the Guru becomes Parabrahman – … Read more