तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया | उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: || 34 || |
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“Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Ask questions with reverence and render service to him. Such an enlightened one can impart knowledge to you because he has seen the Truth.”
Commentary:
Lord Krishna asserts the importance of following a spiritual master. With complete surrender, one should ask questions and offer service. A spiritual master is referred as a Guru – dispeller of darkness. There can be many teachers but only one Guru, who helps you overcome Maya and reveals the mysteries of the soul. Every religion talks about the importance of a master. The Guru is not one who just teaches, instructs and guides but a manifestation of the highest cosmic consciousness. His nature can only be felt intuitively and cannot be inferred only from his words, actions or body language.
To find a Guru, it may take many years or even births. When you want to know the Truth beyond the religious rituals, you will stumble upon spiritual textbooks. When books are not enough and you pray more to any one of your favorite Gods – Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Durga, Hanuman or any other God, that divine power will then help you to be part of Satsang – a group of souls on the spiritual path. As a spiritual nomad, you keep trying different paths. At the end, when you are still not happy and yet persistent in your prayers, then you do not have to go anywhere. The Guru will come to you as a living person or if he is not in the physical body, he will direct you to the specific path that is most appropriate according to your previous karma. This path will launch you on a spiritual projectile that exponentially hastens your growth.
How do you know that you met the right Guru or you are on the right path? The only guiding tool is your silent intuition – the more you follow the teachings, the more you will feel the progress regularly and a unique magnetic attraction that binds you to your Guru.
The qualities mentioned in this verse are important – surrender, humility, sense of urgency to seek answers and devotional service with gratitude.