Srila Prabhupada Vyas Puja Part IV What is the Identity and Function of Sri Guru?

By: Mahanidhi Swami

In the form of the Vyasa-deva, Bhagavan Çré Krishna hasrevealed the hidden meaning of the Vedas to the ignorantconditioned souls of Kali-yuga by compiling the SrimadBhagavatam, the sun-like spotless Purana. While in a state ofsamadhi Vyäsa-deva realized the esoteric teachings of theBhagavata Purana by the mercy of his spiritual master, SriNarada Muni, who learned the spiritual science from LordBrahma.

Vyasa-deva is the greatest acarya because he wasdirectly empowered by the Supreme Lord to make the Vedicwisdom available in the present age. Without Vyasa-deva wewould be nowhere, wallowing in the mud of ignorance; trappedin the darkness and illusion of material sense gratification.

Srila Vyasa-deva is the divine propagator, a shaktyavesh avatara, in whom the divine power of transcendental knowledge has been infused. Vyasa-deva has been directly empowered and directed by the Absolute Truth to preach the word of God.

Sri Guru, the spiritual master is the living spokesman, thecontemporary representative of Vyasa-deva. The enlightenedspiritual discourses given by the bona fide guru are based onhis constant and uninterrupted realizations of the activities ofthe Supreme Absolute Truth, Çré Krishna, as described by SrilaVyasa-deva in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

The true guru is the enlightened guide, the merciful master,the messiah of harmony. He not only teaches the science ofGod, but he demonstrates practically by his pure actions thathe is the dearest servitor of the Supreme Lord. Sri Guru thinks,speaks and acts only in terms of his eternal relationship withthe Absolute Truth. The sad-guru has perfect knowledge of thepersonal Godhead, and he constantly associates with the Lordin a most direct and intimate bond of divine love.

The divine guide is fully competent to dispel the darkness ofignorance and remove all doubts from his disciple. He is capableof delivering his disciple to the beautiful lotus feet of Lord ÇréKrishna in the spiritual sky. Sri Guru has the power, granted byGod, to establish the bewildered conditioned soul in his eternalposition as a loving servitor of the Supreme Lord Krishna.

Sri Guru manifests in two forms: the quiet director orParamatma within the heart, and the external preceptor whoteaches us by realized knowledge and spotless behavior. Bothgurus help bewildered souls reach spiritual perfection. However,in the conditioned state one cannot hear the wise counsel ofthe inner guide. Therefore, the external manifestation of theParamatma as Sri Guru is my only hope.

Srila B.R. Sridhara Swami once said, “Sri Guru is the divine messenger of immortal hope and joy in this mortal and miserable world.” Acaryas say the spiritual master is Çré Krishna’s krpa-shakti murti, the very form of Lord Krishna’s mercy and love freely accessible to the suffering souls.

Sri Guru is the spiritual counterpart of the famous ATM machines which leading banks scatter around major cities to offer “Any Time Money” to eager customers thirsty for cash. So just how is Sri Guru an ATM? To anyone, at any time and anyplace the spiritual master gives the true wealth of Çré Krishna’seternal loving service. Therefore, Sri Guru is a Krishna conscious, walking ATM machine giving “Any Time Mercy.” The mercy of Sri Guru is freely available to all who are willing to accept it.

Being completely surrendered to the Supreme Lord, Sri Guruis always engaged in Krishna’s service, and helps others to do the same.

Sri Guru ki jai!

mahanidhi swami