ॐ
श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः||
गुरुर ब्रह्मा
गुरुर विष्णु गुरुर देवो महेश्वरः |
गुरुः साक्षात्परब्रह्मा तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः ||
गुरुः साक्षात्परब्रह्मा तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः ||
ॐ
Traditional compositions in the classical
music traditions of India quite often contain deep philosophical, devotional
and spiritual meanings. Let us explore one such composition which honors the
guru (गुरु - preceptor).
The lyrics of the attached composition are:
गुरु बिन ज्ञान न पावे |
मन मूरख सोच सोच काहे पछतावे ||
सदगुरु की संगत करले रे ज्ञानी |
तब गुणीजन में गुणी कहावे ||
guru bina jñāna na pāve
man murakh soch soch kāhe pacchtāve
sadguru ki sangat karle re jñāni
tab gunijan mein guni kahāve
One cannot acquire knowledge without the
guru.
Why does the stupid and regretful mind
ponder on useless thoughts?
Be in the company of a great guru, O
seeker.
Then shall you attain wisdom and be
counted among the wise ones.
Video credits:
Ramakant Gaikwad (Vocalist: Patiala Gharana), Pandurang Pawar (Tabla), Gayatri Gaikwad (Harmonium)
Raag Marwa (evening melody) - Teentaal (16 beats) in madhya laya (medium tempo)
Let us unpack the translation to bring out
the deeper, more esoteric meaning behind the bandish (fixed
composition).
The guru is the one who cultivates the
seeker's mind, body, and ātmā (आत्मा) so that the seeker is equipped with the
tools needed to achieve the ultimate reality of सच्चितानन्द (satcitānanda). The guru
first gives दिक्षा (dīkṣā -
holy initiation), followed by शिक्षा (śikṣā - regimented
instruction) and then tests one during परिक्षा (parīkṣā - critical examination). It is
believed, that during initiation, the noble guru gives away half of his/her spiritual
power. Our vedic culture does not believe in selling knowledge and so the guru
does not present the student with a fee structure. However, once the education
of a student is completed, he/she is expected to honor his/her guru by presenting
the guru with an honorarium (गुरुदक्षिणा - gurudakṣiṇā)
of either the guru’s choice or what the scriptures prescribe (e.g. offering a
milk-giving cow). The entire process up to this point is known as the गुरु शिष्य परंपरा (guru-śiṣya paramparā).
One is then ready to embark on साधना (sādhanā - intense spiritual practice) as a
साधक (sādhaka
– practitioner) to achieve the सिद्धी (siddhi - special accomplishment) of satcitānanda. The guru’s generosity never ends. When the
able student is initiated, the guru gives half of his/her spiritual power.
During teaching, the guru pours his/her heart out for the student to help the
student reach his/her full potential. The guru uses creative methods to test
the student. When the student is ready to go on his/her own sādhanā, the guru continues to shower
his/her blessings on the student. Now, the true meaning of guru
bina jñāna na pāve
