Satguru
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Satguru or Sadguru (Sanskrit: सदगुरू) means true guru. The term distinguishes itself from other forms of gurus, such as musical instructors, scriptural teachers, parents, and so on. The satguru is a title given specifically only to an enlightened rishi/sant whose life's purpose is to guide initiated shishya along the spiritual path, the summation of which is the realization of the Self through realization of the God.
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[edit] Ancient and traditional sources
The recommendation says that the first and the foremost qualification of the True Master (Satguru) is that he must have known the True Lord (God) himself. [1]
In one of Kabir's songs[2] the satguru is described as the real sadhu:
"He is the real Sadhu, who can reveal the form of the Formless to the vision of these eyes; Who teaches the simple way of attaining Him, that is other than rites or ceremonies; Who does not make you close the doors, and hold the breath, and renounce the world; Who makes you perceive the Supreme Spirit wherever the mind attaches itself; Who teaches you to be still in the midst of all your activities. Ever immersed in bliss, having no fear in his mind, he keeps the spirit of union in the midst of all enjoyments. The infinite dwelling of the Infinite Being is everywhere: in earth, water, sky, and air; Firm as the thunderbolt, the seat of the seeker is established above the void. He who is within is without: I see Him and none else."[3]
Vashishta, Lord Rama's Guru was the satguru in Treta yuga. Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha quotes Yoga Vasistha:
"A real preceptor is one who can produce blissful sensation in the body of the disciple by their sight, touch, or instructions."[4]
According to Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, a Hindu satguru is always a sannyasin, an unmarried renunciate.[5]
However, not all writers include this stricture.[6] For instance, "Tukaram, a Hindu satguru, is known to have had a family. Moinuddin Chishti also had children. The satguru Kabir had a son, Kamal, who was very devout." [7]
[edit] Other usages
- In Sikhism, Satguru symbolizes a mediator and directs one toward God.
- In path to self-realization, Satguru is the one who initiates followers into the path.
- In Sant Mat and Advait Mat the living Satguru is considered the path to God-realization[8].
[edit] Analogous concepts
- The Sufi concept of the Qutub (literally, pole, tower, lighthouse) could be viewed as analogous to the satguru. The Qutub is the shaykh who provides a focus for spiritual teachings.[9] Other terms include Pir and Sarkar.
- Jacques Vigne, in his book Indian Wisdom, Modern Psychology and Christianity asserts that John the Baptist might be looked upon as someone very much like a satguru.[10]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Adi Granth: 286
- ^ LVI I. 68. bhâi kôî satguru sant kahâwaî
- ^ Songs of Kabir LVI, I. 68 - Translated by Rabindranath Tagore New York, The Macmillan Company (1915)
- ^ Tirtha, Swami Shankar Purushottam (1992). Yoga Vani: Instructions for the Attainment of Siddhayoga. New York: Sat Yuga Press. pp. 27.
- ^ Subramuniyaswami, Satguru Sivaya. Living with Siva, glossary. Himalayan Academy Publications. ISBN 0-945497-98-9
- ^ God Speaks, Meher Baba, PUB Dodd Meade, 1955, 2nd Ed. pp. 150,158,196, 291
- ^ Meher Prabhu, Bhau Kalchuri, Manifestation, Inc. 1986. p.92 - Footnote 1
- ^ Lewis, James R. Seeking the Light, p.62. Mandeville Press, ISBN 0-914829-42-4
- ^ Ahmed, Nazeer. Islam in Global History: From the Death of Prophet Muhammed to the First World War, Xlibris Corporation, ISBN 0-7388-5966-4
- ^ Vigne, Jacques (1997). Indian Wisdom, Modern Psychology and Christianity, Part II, Ch. 1. B. R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 81-7018-944-6. Available online
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