Just as Kirtan-Sadhana has been made the special Kali-Yuga Sadhana for quick God-vision, even so herein you have the new Yoga, a Yoga most eminently suitable for this age of doubt and scepticism, pride and egoism. It is Guru-Bhakti Yoga. This Yoga is marvellous. Its power is tremendous. Its efficacy is most unfailing. The true glory Of Guru-Bhakti is indescribable. It is the Yoga par excellence for this age, which makes God appear here before you in flesh and blood and move with you in this very life. The hard Rajasic ego is the arch enemy of the Sadhaka. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the surest and best Sadhana to destroy arrogance and to dissolve the vicious ego. Just as a particular deadly germ can be annihilated only by a certain specific chemical germicide, even so, to destroy Avidya and Ahankara, this unique Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the peerless specific. They are the gravest ‘Mayacide’ and ‘egocide’. They become quite powerless and no longer afflict the fortunate soul who saturates himself with the spirit of Guru-Bhakti Yoga. Blessed indeed is the man who earnestly takes to this Yoga; for he will obtain crowning success in all other Yogas. TO him will accrue the choicest fruits of perfection in Karma, Bhakti, Dhyana and Jnana.
The qualification for taking to this Yoga is the simple trio of sincerity, faith and obedience. Be sincere in your aspiration for Perfection. Be not vague or half-hearted. Then have perfect faith in the one you have accepted as your Guru. Do not allow even so much as a shadow of doubt to approach you. When once you have reposed absolute faith in him, then know that what he instructs you is indeed for your highest good. Therefore, obey his word implicitly. Follow his teachings to the letter. Be earnest in doing thus, and take my word: you will attain Perfection; I assure you emphatically.
Now then an exposition of Guru-Bhakti-Yoga.
1. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is total self-surrender to Satguru.
2. The important eight limbs of the Guru-Bhakti Yoga are: (i) the real lasting aspiration to practise Guru-Bhakti Yoga; (ii) absolute faith in the thoughts, words and action of Satguru; (iii) doing Sashtanga Namaskara with humility and repeating Guru’s name; (iv) perfect obedience in carrying out Guru’s commands; (v) doing personal service to Satguru without expectation of fruits; (vi) daily worshipping of the lotus-feet of Satguru with Bhava and devotion; (vii) self-surrender or dedication of Thanu, Mana and Dhana in the cause of divine mission of Satguru; (viii) meditation on the holy feet of Satguru for obtaining his benign grace, and hearing his holy Upadesa and sincerely practising it.
3. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is a Yoga by itself.
4. It is not possible for an aspirant to enter the spiritual path that leads to the union with God unless he practises Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
5. He who understands the system of Guru-Bhakti Yoga Philosophy can only surrender to his Guru unconditionally.
6. The highest object of life, i.e., Self-realisation, is achieved through the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
7. Yoga of Guru-Bhakti is the real safe Yoga which can be practised without any fear.
8. The essence of Guru-Bhakti Yoga lies in utter obedience in carrying out the Guru’s orders and translating his teachings in life.
9. The aim of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is to free man from the thraldom of matter and fetters of Prakriti and make him realise his absolute independent nature, through complete surrender to Guru.
10. He who practises the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti can annihilate the egoism without any difficulty and he can very easily cross the quagmire of Samsara.
11. Guru-Bhakti Yoga bestows immortality and eternal bliss on one who practises it sincerely and regularly.
12. Practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga gives peace and steadiness of mind.
13. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the master-key to open the realm of elysian bliss.
14. The goal of life is to obtain the benign grace of Satguru by practising Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
15. With humility approach the adorable feet of Satguru. Do prostrations to the life-saving feet of Satguru. Take shelter under the lotus-feet of Satguru. Worship the sacred feet Of Satguru. Meditate on the holy feet of Satguru. Offer the valuable gifts on the sanctifying feet of Satguru. Dedicate your life to the service of glorious feet of Satguru. Become the dust of the divine feet of Satguru. This is the secret of Guru-Bhakti Yoga
16. Self-surrender to the sacred feet of Satguru is the very foundation of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
17. All that is wanted of you is sincere and earnest effort in the path of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
18. Devotion to Guru is the greatest factor in the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
19. Faith in the Guru is the first rung in the ladder of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
20. The cream of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is absolute (blind) faith in the thoughts, words and actions of the Brahma-Nishtha Guru who is well-versed in the sacred scriptures.
21. The highest and easiest Yoga to practise in this age is the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti.
22. The greatest point in the philosophy of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is to identify the Guru with the Absolute.
23. The practical aspects of philosophy of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is to realise the oneness of Guru with his Ishta-Devata.
24. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is not a system which can be taught by lectures or correspondence courses. The student should live under a preceptor for many years and lead a rigorous life of austerity, discipline, celibacy and practice of deep meditation.
25. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the Science of all sciences.
26. Guru-Bhakti Yoga confers immortality, eternal bliss, freedom, perfection, perennial joy and everlasting peace.
27. The practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga induces non-attachment and dispassion for worldly objects and bestows Kaivalya Moksha.
28. The practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga will help the disciple to control the emotions and passions, and will give him power to resist temptations and to remove the disturbing elements from the mind and make him fit to receive Guru’s Grace which takes him to the other shore of darkness.
29. The practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga bestows immortality, supreme peace and perennial joy.
30. The practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga will enable you to get rid of fear, ignorance, pessimism, confusion of mind, disease, despair, worry, etc.
31. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the transformation of the ego-sense which consists in transmutation of individual feeling, willing, understanding, determining into infinite Consciousness.
32. The Sadhanas laid down in the Guru-Bhakti Yoga are very simple and sure ways to take to the other shore of fearlessness.
33. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is a method of strict discipline achieved through the grace of Guru.
34. Service of Guru without expectation of fruits and ever-increasing devotion to the lotus-feet of Guru is the integral Sadhana according to the Guru-Bhakti Yoga system of philosophy.
35. He who practises Guru-Bhakti Yoga without ethical perfection, devotion to Guru, etc., cannot obtain the grace of Guru.
36. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the foundation of all other Yogas, viz., Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, etc.
37. He who has turned his face from the path of Guru-Bhakti Yoga goes from death to death, from darkness to darkness and ignorance to ignorance.
38. Practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga offers a clear definite path for the realisation of the highest end of life.
39. Practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is open to one and all. All great souls, all masterminds have done great work through the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
40. Guru-Bhakti Yoga includes all other Yogas. Without taking recourse to Guru-Bhakti Yoga nobody can practise other Yogas which are hard to tread.
41. Guru-Bhakti Yoga school of thought gives great importance to obtaining Guru-Kripa through Acharyopasana.
42. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is as old as Vedic and Upanishadic time.
43. Guru-Bhakti Yoga teaches the way to wipe out all pains and sorrows in life.
44. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the only unfailing remedy for the ills of life.
45. The path of Guru-Bhakti Yoga brings fruits quickly only for a worthy disciple.
46. Guru-Bhakti Yoga ends in the annihilation of ego and attainment of bliss immortal.
47. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the best Yoga.
48. Shyness to do Sashtanga prostration to the sacred feet of Guru is a great hindrance in the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
49. Self-sufficiency, self-justification, vanity, self-control, self-assertion, procrastination, obstinacy, fault-finding, evil company, dishonesty, arrogance, lust, anger, greed and egoism are the great stumbling-blocks on the path of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
50. Annihilate the fluctuating potency of the mind through ceaseless practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
51. When the dissipated rays of the mind are collected by the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga you can work wonders.
52. Guru-Bhakti Yoga cult greatly stresses upon the service of Guru for attaining the purity of heart, to meditate and realise.
53. A true aspirant rejoices in the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
54. First understand the philosophy of Guru-Bhakti Yoga, then put it into practice. You will succeed.
55. A very effective way of rooting out all evil qualities is to put into practice sincerely the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti.
56. Absolute faith in the preceptor is the root of Guru-Bhakti Yoga tree.
57. Ever-increasing devotion, humility, obedience. etc., are the branches of the tree. Service is the flower. Self-surrender to him is the immortal fruit.
58. You are bound to succeed in the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga if you have a firm faith and devotion to the life-saving feet of Satguru.
59. True and sincere surrender unto the Guru is the essence of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
60. Practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga means an intense pure love for Guru.
61. No progress in the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti is possible without honesty.
62. Live in a quiet place with higher spiritual vibrations under a Guru who is a great Yogi or adept. Then practise under him the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti. Only then you can attain success in the Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
63. The ringing note of the Guru-Bhakti Yoga is unconditional self-surrender to the lotus-feet of the Brahma-Nishtha Guru.
64. According to the Guru-Bhakti Yoga school of thought Guru and God are one; hence total self-surrender to Guru is very essential.
65. Self-surrender to Guru is indeed the highest rung in the ladder of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
66. Service of Guru is a sine-qua-non in the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
67. Grace of Guru is the end or goal of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
68. A pig-headed student cannot have any definite progress in the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
69. Evil company is an enemy of a disciple who wants to practise Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
70. Give up sensual life if you want to practise the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti.
71. Everyone who longs to transcend misery and obtain joy and happiness in life should sincerely practise Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
72. True lasting happiness can be had by taking recourse to Guru-Seva Yoga. But not in external perishable objects.
73. Is there no escape from the unceasing cycle of births and deaths, pleasure and pain, joy and misery? Listen, O disciple, there is one sure way; turn away your mind from the sensual objects which are perishable and take recourse to Guru-Seva Yoga which takes you beyond dualities.
74. Real life begins when a man takes recourse to Yoga of Guru-Bhakti which bestows on the practitioner the everlasting happiness here and hereafter.
75. Practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga gives you immeasurable and immense joy.
76. Guru-Bhakti Yoga bestows on the practitioner longevity and bliss eternal.
77. The mind is at the root of Samsara or world-process. The mind is the cause for bondage and freedom, pleasure and pain. This mind can be controlled only by practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
78. Guru-Bhakti Yoga confers immortality, eternal bliss, freedom, perfection, perennial joy and everlasting peace.
79. The avenue to the supreme peace begins from the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
80. Whatever may be acquired by asceticism, by renunciation, by other Yogas, by charity and auspicious acts, etc., all these are speedily acquired by practising Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
81. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is an exact science that teaches the method of overcoming the lower nature and attaining the supreme bliss.
82. Some people think that Guru-Seva Yoga is an inferior type of Yoga. They have thoroughly misunderstood the secret of spirituality.
83. Guru-Bhakti Yoga, Guru-Seva Yoga, Guru-Sarana Yoga, etc., are synonymous terms. They are one and the same.
84. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the king among all Yogas.
85. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the easiest, surest, quickest, cheapest and safest way for God-consciousness. May you all attain God-consciousness in this very birth through the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga!
86. Take recourse to Guru-Bhakti Yoga and regain your lost divinity.
87. Practise Guru-Bhakti Yoga and go beyond all that which cause duality and sorrow.
88. The practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga bestows on the disciple supreme peace, joy and immortality.
89. It is very easy to tame a wild tiger, lion or elephant. It is very easy to walk over the fire or water. But it is very difficult to surrender to the lotus-feet of Satguru unless a person has real aspiration to practise Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
90. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is control of mind and its modifications through the service of Guru.
91. Perfect unconditional self-surrender to Guru is the sure way to attain Guru-Bhakti.
92. The foundation of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is based on absolute faith in Guru.
93. If you really want God turn away from worldly enjoyments and take recourse to practice of Yoga of Guru-Bhakti.
94. Continue the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga without any interruption.
95. Practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga alone can make one fearless and ever happy in all walks of life.
96. Seek the immortal blissful Atman within through the practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga.
97. Make the Yoga of Guru-Bhakti the only purpose, aim and real interest in life. You will reach supreme happiness.
98. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is an auxiliary to knowledge or Jnana.
99. The chief aim of Guru-Bhakti Yoga is to control the unruly senses and the wandering mind.
100. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is one of the ancient systems of Hindu culture which leads man to eternal happiness and blissful union with God.
101. Yoga of Guru-Bhakti is a system of spiritual and mental self-development.
102. Yoga of Guru-Bhakti seeks to release man from the clutches of matter and restore him to his original state of divine glory and immortal bliss.
103. The practice of Guru-Bhakti Yoga makes the body and mind free from defects and diseases.
104. Yoga of Guru-Bhakti bestows on the practitioner physical and mental efficiency.
105. Guru-Bhakti Yoga makes a man free from suffering, pain and old age and confers longevity and everlasting bliss.
106. Guru-Bhakti Yoga includes every discipline, physical, mental, moral and spiritual which leads to self-mastery and Self-realisation.
107. Yoga of Guru-Bhakti is the science and art of mastering the forces of mind.
108. Worship the Guru with the flowers of faith and devotion.
109. Satsanga with the Guru is the first pillar in the temple of Self-realisation.
110. Grace of God takes the form of Guru.
111. To see the Guru is to see God.
112. Blind is the man who has not seen the Divine Master.
113. There is but one religion, the religion of devotion and love to Guru.
114. Devotion to Holy preceptor arises when you have no worldly hope.
115. The company of spiritual teacher will simplify your struggle.
116. Rest in Guru and do the right.
117. Have faith in your Guru’s grace and do your duty.
118. Disobedience to Guru is digging your own grave.
119. A Satguru is a continuous blessing for a disciple.
120. The heart of a Jagad-Guru is a shrine of beauty.
121. Goal of life is Service to Guru.
122. Every unpleasant incident in life is a test of your trust in Guru.
123. Disciple considers the actions. Guru weighs the intentions and motives.
124. Doubt in the Guru’s action is the greatest sin.
125. Never try to appear before your Guru what you are not.
126. Obedience is the law of life for a disciple.
127. Don’t miss any opportunity to serve your Divine Teacher.
128. Be sincere and earnest when you serve your Divine Preceptor.
129. To love Guru is to serve Guru.
130. To live is to serve the Divine Master.
131. Obedience to Guru is better than reverence.
132. Obedience to preceptor is better than sacrifice.
133. Adapt, adjust, accommodate with your Guru under all circumstances.
134. Don’t talk much before your preceptor.
135. Pure love to Guru is true obedience to Guru.
136. Give the best things to your teacher first.
137. Disciple must be free from envy, jealousy, pride, without attachment, firmly devoted to Guru, free from impatience and intent upon knowing the Truth.
138. Disciple should not find fault with his own Guru.
139. Disciple should not indulge in unnecessary or idle talks before his Guru.
140. The preceptor should be regarded as the main or lower piece of the two pieces of wood (Arani) used for kindling the sacred fire, and the pupil the upper one; instruction is the piece (middle portion) that connects them and knowledge is the union that brings happiness.
141. The pure wisdom which is thus acquired from the Guru removes the Maya or delusion.
142. He, who through the favour of the Guru knows that the one Lord has become many through Maya, knows the truth and understands Vedas.
143. With the axe of knowledge sharpened by the one-pointed devotion acquired by the service and worship of the Guru do thou calmly and steadily cut asunder the tree of Samsara.
144. The preceptor is at the helm of life-boat and God is the favourable, wind that drives that.
145. When a man becomes disgusted with the world and is endowed with dispassion, when he is able to reflect what his preceptor has taught him, his mind abandons its evil disposition by virtue of the repeated exercises in meditation.
146. The purity of the Mantra arises, properly knowing it from the preceptor.
147. As man is under the beginningless ignorance he cannot have Self-realisation without the preceptor. He who knows Brahman only can impart the knowledge of Brahman.
148. A wise man should worship only with undying devotion knowing the Guru to be one with the Lord and Atman.
149. Disciple should have sincere devotion to his Guru and to the Lord.
150. The disciple should serve his Guru obediently, attentively and sincerely and learn the Bhagavata-Dharma or duties of the devotees of the Lord from him.
151. Disciple should serve the Guru as his God, which is a sure way of pleasing the Lord of the Universe and becoming fit for His Grace.
152. Disciple should practise non-attachment and keep company with his Divine Master.
153. Disciple should first obtain the Grace of his preceptor and follow the path pointed out by him.
154. A disciple should dwell in the house of the preceptor with control over the senses and study the scriptures.
155. The disciple should eat the food, rich or poor, good or bad, more or less, which comes from the Guru’s holy hand.
156. The lower nature of mind must be thoroughly regenerated. The aspirant says to his preceptor, “I want to practise Yoga. I want to enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi. I want to sit at your feet. I have surrendered myself to you.” But he does not want to change his lower nature and habits, old character, behaviour and conduct.
157. This change of the lower nature is not easy. The force of habit is ever strong and inveterate. It demands great strength of will. The aspirant often feels helpless against the force of old habits. He will have to develop his Sattva and will to a considerable degree by regular Japa, Kirtan, meditation, untiring, selfless service and Satsanga. He must introspect and find out his own defects and weaknesses. He must live under the guidance of his Guru. The Guru finds out his defects and points out suitable ways to eradicate them.
158. You must equip yourself with the four means of salvation and then approach a Brahma-Srotri Brahmanishtha Guru. You must clear your doubts. You should tread the spiritual path through the aid of the spiritual illumination imparted by your Guru. You should live with him till you are moulded properly. Personal contact with a realised soul is highly elevating. If you are sincere and earnest, if you have burning desire for liberation, if you strictly follow the instructions of your preceptor, if you do constant and intense meditation, then there is no doubt that the highest goal can be achieved within six months. Take my word for it. It will really happen.
159. The world is full of temptations. Therefore neophytes should guard themselves very carefully. They should sit at the lotus-feet of their Guru’s till they are completely moulded, till they get established in deep meditation. Happy-go-lucky aspirants who are independent from the beginning, who do not pay attention to the words of their preceptors are hopeless specimens. They lead an aimless life and are drifted here and there like the plank in a river.
160. The obstinate disciple clings to his old habits. He will not surrender to the Lord or personal Guru.
161. If the disciple really desires to improve himself, he must be frank with himself and straightforward to his Guru.
162. He who is disobedient, who breaks the discipline, who is not straightforward to his Guru, who cannot open his heart to his preceptor or spiritual guide, cannot be benefited by the help of Guru. He remains stuck in his own self-created mire or mud and cannot progress in the divine path. What a great pity! His lot is highly lamentable indeed.
163. The disciple must make total, unreserved, ungrudging self-surrender to the Lord or Guru.
164. All that the teacher can do is to tell his disciple the method of knowing the Truth or the Path, that leads to the unfoldment of intuitional faculty.
165. The aspirant who is endowed with the four means of Salvation, hears the Srutis and the significance of “Tat Tvam Asi” Mahavakya at the feet of his Guru, and then reflects deeply on what he has heard.
166. Fix the mind on the form of Lord Hari or Lord Siva or Lord Krishna or your Guru or any saint like Lord Buddha or Lord Jesus. Again and again try to call this mental image of the picture. All thoughts will die. This is another method, the method of Bhaktas.
167. Obedience is precious virtue, because if you try to develop the virtue of obedience, the ego, the archenemy on the path of Self-realisation, slowly gets rooted out.
168. To have complete obedience to Guru is a difficult task, but by trying with sincerity it becomes easy.
169. Even ordinary action requires great pain, so in the spiritual path, one must be prepared to subject oneself to some sort of discipline and try to cultivate obedience to the Teacher.
170. Far more than worship, garlanding and other outward manifestations of one’s inner Bhava of adorations and worshipfulness, obedience to Guru is greater.
171. Obedience to Guru shows true reverence unto him.
172. Obedience means trying to act in the way in which the Guru would like one to act.
173. Supposing one finds that Guru will not like a certain thing, then one must not do it. It is also obedience.
174. Guru-Seva Yoga is the Yoga of selfless service rendered to the Guru.
175. Service of the Guru is service of humanity.
176. Guru-Seva removes the impurity of the mind. It is a potent purifier of the heart. Therefore serve the Guru with Bhava and feeling.
177. Service of the Guru prepares the mind for the reception of Divine Light, Knowledge and Grace.
178. Service of the Guru expands the heart, breaks all barriers. Service of the Guru is effective Sadhana for purity of heart.
179. Service of the Guru keeps the mind ever dynamic and alert.
180. Service of Guru helps one to develop divine virtues such as mercy, humility, obedience, love, faith, devotion, patience, self-sacrifice, etc.
181. Service of Guru destroys jealousy, hatred and idea of superiority.
182. He who serves his Guru will overcome ‘I-ness’ and ‘mine-ness’.
183. The disciple who serves his Guru really serves himself.
184. There is indescribable joy and peace in the practice of Guru-Seva Yoga.
185. Live to serve the Guru.
186. Get up 4 a.m. This period is favourable for meditation on the form of Guru.
187. The disciple must lead a contented life when he lives in the house of the Guru. He must have perfect self-restraint.
188. Disciple must speak gently, sweetly and truthfully before his Guru and he must not use vulgar or harsh words.
189. Disciple should not back-bite his Guru.
190. He who back-bites his Guru goes to the Raurava hell.
191. He who lives to eat is a sinner but he who eats to serve his Guru is a true disciple.
192. He who meditates on Guru wants very little food.
193. Study of sacred scriptures without service to Guru is only a waste of time.
194. Study of holy scriptures from Guru without giving Guru-Dakshina to him is only a waste of time.
195. The mere reading of Vedantic texts, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras without fulfilling the Guru’s wishes will neither bring good nor knowledge.
196. After serving a long time, a pure and calm mind becomes your Guru.
197. Study philosophical books as much as you like, deliver lectures throughout your global-tour, remain in Himalayan caves for thousands of years, practise Pranayama for years, do Sirshasana for the whole life, you cannot attain emancipation without the Grace of Guru.
198. The Grace of the Guru will itself in a mysterious manner enable the disciple to perceive directly the Brahmic principle within, though it is impossible for the spiritual preceptor to point Brahman as this or that, or for the disciple to understand how it is prior to his direct perception.
199. Let your mother, father and elders be your Guru.
200. Shampoo the feet of your Guru if he permits.
201. Every one should cognise the Self within himself through his own Jnana with the aid of a Guru and an understanding of the true significance of the Vedantic texts.
202. Even though one has a Guru or spiritual preceptor, it is only through his own efforts he should destroy all desires, Vasanas, egoism and attain Self-realisation.
203. To approach a Guru you must be a proper Adhikari. You should possess Vairagya, Viveka, serenity, self-restraint and Yama.
204. If you say “There is no good Guru,” Guru also says “There is no good disciple.” Equip yourself with the qualifications of a disciple. You will get a Satguru.
205. Guru is your redeemer and saviour. Adore him and worship him always.
206. Gurudom is a deadly curse.
207. Prostrate daily before your Guru who is Existence, Knowledge, Bliss Absolute.
208. Disciple should always remember the form of his Guru, always repeat his Guru’s holy name, carry out his orders and should think of nothing other than him. Here underlies the secret of Sadhana.
209. One should adore his Guru as there is no other thing greater than the Guru.
210. The Guru’s Charanamrita dries up the ocean of Samsara and enables one to acquire essential wealth of Self.
211. Guru’s Charanamrita quenches the thirst of a disciple.
212. Remember your Guru and saints of all the times when you sit for meditation. You will get their blessings.
213. Hear the wise words of great souls and follow them.
214. Do those actions that are pronounced to be right by Sastras and Guru.
215. Guru is absolutely necessary to show the path to Peace.
216. ‘Vahe Guru’ is the Guru-Mantra for the followers of Guru Nanak. Read Grantha Sahib. You will come to know the greatness of Guru.
217. Ever remember Guru by worshipping him; thou shalt find happiness.
218. Sraddha is faith in the scriptures, in the words of Guru, in Isvara and in one’s own self.
219. The highest Sadhana is to serve Guru without expectation of any fruit.
220. Sravana is hearing of the Srutis by sitting at the lotus-feet of Sat-Guru.
221. Service of Guru is a great purifier.
222. Guru’s Grace is necessary for Self-realisation.
223. Have devotion to Guru as much as you have to the Lord. Then only Truth will be revealed to you.
224. Stick to one Guru at all times.
225. Isvara is Adi-Guru who is not conditioned by space and time. From eternity to eternity He is the Guru of mankind.
226. Guru is absolutely necessary to awaken the Kundalini Sakti from its dormant state.
227. The beginning of discipleship is killing of egoism.
228. The key to discipleship is Brahmacharya and service to Guru.
229. The garb of discipleship is devotion to Guru.
230. The mark of discipleship is dedication of life to the lotus-feet of Guru.
231. The royal road to discipleship is regular meditation on the form of Gurudev.
232. The foundation of discipleship is utter obedience to Guru Maharaj.
233. Mumukshutva is burning longing for, to meet, the Guru and serving him.
234. Worship of gods, the twice-born, the spiritual teachers and the wise, purity, straightforwardness, celibacy and non-injury are called the austerity of the body.
235. Prostrations to Brahmins, holy preceptors and the wise, celibacy, non-injury, constitute physical Tapas.
236. Service of parents and preceptor, the poor and the sick, is also bodily austerity.
237. Adaptability is a rare virtue or noble quality, by which the disciple adapts or fits himself with his Guru, whatever his nature may be.
238. Now-a-days the vast majority of aspirants do not know how to adjust and accommodate themselves with Guru-Bhais.
239. The disciple must know how to adapt and adjust with his Guru.
240. Humility and obedience are necessary for developing Guru-Bhakti.
241. When the disciple does not know how to adapt himself with his co-disciples who are living under the same Guru, friction comes and he will displease his Guru.
242. The captain of a ship is ever alert. A fisherman is ever alert. A surgeon in the operation-theatre is ever alert. Even so a thirsting hungry disciple should be ever alert in the service of his Guru.
243. A drowsy, dull, heavy, inactive, sluggish, stupid-minded disciple cannot serve his Guru to his satisfaction.
244. A disciple who is endowed with the virtue of application gets success in the service of his Guru. Prosperity and immortality are his attendants.
245. Disciple should have aspiration or burning desire to serve his Guru.
246. Devotion to Guru is the one true aim of all right human aspirations.
247. Disciple should have an attentive ear when he studies under a Guru and he should have an attentive eye when he serves him.
248. Disciple should behave well with his Guru, parents, elders, saints and sages of all climes.
249. To behave well means to conduct well oneself with his Guru.
250. Guru can know the nature of the disciple and the nature of his mind from his behaviour.
251. Good behaviour with his holy master is a passport to the abode of bliss.
252. Disciple should not be whimsical when he serves his Guru.
253. Behaviour is expression of practical knowledge which is derived from the service of one’s Guru.
254. Divine virtues and noble qualities cannot be purchased from the shops. These can be acquired through faith, devotion and service to Guru for a long time.
255. Even if you are a man of great erudition and rich, you must be very humble before Guru and great souls.
256. A disciple, who is not learned but who is an embodiment of humility, is very much loved by his Guru.
257. If you want to drink water at the tap, you will have to bend yourself. Even so if you want to drink the spiritual nectar of immortality which flows from the holy lips of Guru you will have to be an embodiment of humility and meekness.
258. Guru’s Grace descends upon those who feel utterly humble and faithful to him.
259. There is no better flower than humility to worship the lotus-feet of the Master.
260. Faith is confidence and trust in Guru.
261. Faith is belief in statements, utterances, actions, writings and teachings of one’s holy preceptor and great souls.
262. Faith is firm conviction of the truth of what is declared by preceptor by way either of testimony or authority without any other evidence or proof.
263. Have perfect faith in Guru and surrender your entire being unto Him. He will take care of you. All fear, obstacles and tribulations will vanish in toto.
264. Firm faith in Sat-guru elevates the soul, purifies the heart and leads to Self-realisation.
265. Disciple’s motto must be intense faith in the Teachings of the Guru.
266. Obedience is willingness to obey the commands of Guru and elders.
267. Only the disciple who obeys his Guru can have command over his lower self.
268. From obedience to Guru springs all other divine virtues such as humility, devotion, egolessness, etc.
269. True obedience to Guru neither procrastinates nor questions.
270. Obedience to Guru is the mother of success in all undertakings.
271. True obedience to Guru is the performance of what is commanded by him and abstaining from what is prohibited.
272. A hypocritical disciple obeys his Guru from fear. The true disciple obeys his Guru with pure love, for love’s sake.
273. Let the disciple’s first lesson be obedience to Guru.
274. Goodness is a river that flows from the Lotus-Feet of the Lord by the path of obedience to Guru.
275. If the heart of the disciple is not satisfied, it shows that obedience to Guru is not fully observed by the disciple.
276. Your offerings please Guru according to your zeal and Bhava and not according to their nature.
277. The disciple should serve his master with great zeal and care.
278. If an aspirant will not serve his Guru with faith and devotion all his vows and austerities will certainly leak out as water from an unburnt pot.
279. Control of mind and senses, meditation on Guru-Bhagavan, patience while serving him, forbearance, devotion to the preceptor, contentment, compassion, cleanliness, truthfulness, straightforwardness, humility and obedience to the Guru are the characteristics of a good disciple.
280. The seeker after truth should dwell in the house of his preceptor with control over his senses and mind, and should study the scriptures under him with great faith and reverence.
281. He should observe strict Brahmacharya, and should offer worship to the preceptor.
282. A disciple should regard the preceptor as God Himself and should not look upon him as a man.
283. He should not find out defects in the preceptor because Guru represents all the gods.
284. Disciple should bring alms to the preceptor and must feed him with great faith and devotion.
285. Disciple should shun all comforts as poison and should surrender his body in the service of his Guru.
286. Disciple should offer Dakshina to his preceptor after studying scriptures and with his permission he should return to his home.
287. He who uses ‘Gurudom’ as a means of livelihood is a destroyer of religion.
288. The main duty of a Brahmachari is wholehearted selfless service to his preceptor.
289. Tapas, pilgrimage, charitable gifts, are not so helpful to attain Guru’s Grace as personal service and utter obedience to him.
290. The Vedas, direct perception, sayings of Guru and inference are the four proofs of knowledge.
291. All works bear the seed of sorrow but not service rendered to Guru.
292. At any time disciple should be ready to give up wealth, enjoyment, comforts, happiness and even his own body to carry out Guru’s commands.
293. He who surrenders his Thanu, Mana and Dhana at the feet of his Master develops Guru-Bhakti.
294. Whatever promotes devotion to the feet of the Master is highest Dharma.
295. Niyama consists of Japa of Guru-Mantra, doing austerity while serving Guru, faith in the words of Guru, Acharya-Sevana, contentment, purity, studying the scriptures and Guru-Bhakti or surrender to Guru.
296. Titiksha is the bearing of grief or affliction while carrying out Guru’s command.
297. Tyaga is the giving up works which Guru prohibits.
298. The disciple can control his mind by doing personal service to Guru.
299. That food which is left by Guru after his meal is the most Sattvic food.
300. Guru is the veritable God on earth and he is the true friend and reliable relative.
