Devotee : What is Guru Kripa (Guru's Grace) ? How does it lead to Self-Realization ?
Sri Bhagavan : Guru is the 'SELF'.....Sometimes in his life a man becomes dissatisfied with it, and, not content with what he has, he seeks the satisfaction of his desires, through prayer to God,etc. His mind is gradually purified until he longs to know God, more to obtain His Grace than to satisfy his worldly desires. Then, God's Grace begins to manifest. God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee, teaches him the Truth and, moreover, purifies his mind by association. The devotee's mind gains strength and is then able to turn 'inward'. By meditation it is further purified and it remains still without the least ripple. That calm expanse is the SELF.
The Guru is both 'external' and 'internal'. From the 'exterior', He gives a push to the mind to turn 'inward', from the 'interior'. He pulls the mind towards the SELF and helps in the quieting of the mind. That is Guru Kripa. There is no difference between God, Guru and the SELF.
D.: In the Theosophical Society, they meditate in order to seek the Masters to guide them.
Sri Bhagavan : The Master is 'within'. Meditation is meant to remove the ignorant idea that He is only 'outside'. If He be a stranger whom you await, He is bound to disappear also. Where is the use for a transient being like that ? But, as long as you think you are separate or that you are the body, so long is the Master 'without' also necessary, and He will appear as if with a body. When the wrong identification of oneself with the body ceases, the Master will be found as none other than the SELF.
D.: Will the Guru help us to know the SELF through initiation,etc. ?
Sri Bhagavan : Does the Guru hold you by the hand and whisper in the ear ? You may imagine him to be what you are yourself. Because you think you are with a body, you think He also has a body to do something tangible for you. His work lies 'within', in the spiritual realm.
D.: How is the Guru found ?
Sri Bhagavan : God, who is immanent, in His Grace takes pity on the loving devotee and manifests Himself according to the devotee's development. The devotee thinks that He is a man and expects a relationship as between two physical bodies. But the Guru, who is God or the SELF incarnate, works from 'within', helps the man to see the error of his ways and guides him in the right path, until he realizes the SELF 'within'.
D.: What should the devotee do then ?
Sri Bhagavan : He has only to act up to the words of the Master and work 'within'. The Master is both 'within' and 'without', so He creates conditions to drive you 'inward' and at the same time prepares the 'interior' to drag you to the Center. Thus, He gives a push from 'without' and exerts a pull from 'within', so that you may be fixed at the Center.
You think that the world can be conquered by your own efforts. When you are frustrated externally and are driven 'inwards', you feel : "Oh ! There is a 'Power' higher than man !"
The ego is like a very powerful elephant which cannot be brought under control by any less powerful than a lion, which, in this instance, is no other than the Guru, whose very look makes the elephant-like ego tremble and die.
You will know in due course that your glory lies where you cease to exist. In order to gain that state, you should surrender yourself. Then, the Master sees that you are in a fit state to receive guidance, and He guides you.
`RAMANA MAHARSHI`
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from " MAHARSHI'S GOSPEL " , pp. 26--27
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