Wednesday,
September 14th, 2016
Washington/Toronto
Getting
Guidance
I
had delivered a class based on a verse from the book, the Bhagavatam, 11:7:38,
at the temple in Potomac. The entire
chapter seven is very instructive as it expounds upon the concept of guru—the concept of giving
guidance. It is in this text that Sri
Krishna shares the example of how a sadhu
learned about life from gurus known
as the mountain and the tree. I will
simply copy the purport to the verse.
“Great mountains bear
unlimited quantities of earth, which in turn gives sustenance to innumerable
forms of life such as trees, grass, birds, animals, and so on. Mountains also
pour forth unlimited quantities of crystalline water in the form of waterfalls
and rivers, and this water gives life to all. By studying the example of
mountains, one should learn the art of providing for the happiness of all
living entities. Similarly, one may take excellent lessons from the pious
trees, who offer innumerable benefits, such as fruits, flowers, cooling shade
and medicinal extracts. Even when a tree is suddenly cut down and dragged away,
the tree does not protest but continues to give service to others in the form
of firewood. Thus, one should become the disciple of such magnanimous trees and
learn from them the qualities of saintly conduct.”
Here
Sri Krishna tells of two gurus, or teachers, that we find in nature. It is through the words of the sadhu that we discover, in addition to
the mountain and the tree, there are other elements which become instructors,
totalling twenty-four. This is an
incredible, educational offer to all of humanity and that’s why the book,
Bhagavatam, is such a gem.
May
the Source be with you!
5
km
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