The True Guru ****

“Aummm…… Aummm…. Aummm..”
Roger Pendleton sat cross legged, amidst the thousand other sadhaks. There was absolute silence. Absolute peace. In front, on a slightly raised platform, sat Swami Satgunananda. He was an embodiment of love and compassion. He was the spiritual beacon , guiding the lives of the thousands who were his devotees. At this ashram , in the foothills near Darjeeling, Swamiji , as he was fondly known, guided his devotees in managing their lives. “Go inwards. Find your God. He resides within you. He is waiting for your call.” Swamiji would urge. But many could not find this inner source. They wanted answers from Swamiji. Sometimes he obliged. He knew they were just children. Finding their way in the vast spiritual wilderness.

Roger, like many other devotees, also sought advice and solace from Swamiji. Every year, he spent many months at the ashram. For much of his 50 years on this planet , Roger had led a Godless life. He had been unprincipled, and ruthless, with little consideration for truth or right living. Eventually, he found himself on the receiving end. His business partners, his family members, even his wife and son had conspired to cheat and swindle him, until he was left with almost nothing. That was when he turned to God. He decided to travel to India, and soon found Swamiji. Roger found peace, at last.

***

Swamiji Satgunananda had many disciples, and chief among them was Adbuthananda and Vedananda. Swamiji never lost an opportunity to show his pleasure with the spiritual progress shown by his two favourite devotees. It was said that Swamiji was grooming them to succeed him. Swamiji was rumored to be in his nineties, although he looked barely 70. As for their part, Adbuthananda and Vedananda were the humblest beings in the ashram. They were constantly at the beck and call of Swamiji, and took upon themselves the most menial tasks in the ashram. Vedananda would not think twice before scrubbing the community toilets at the ashram. And Adbuthananda could often be seen sweeping the grounds before dawn, keeping it spic and span. They were model devotees, for everyone to emulate. Then one day, all of a sudden, Swamiji attained Samadhi.

***

Roger was in Birmingham when he heard about Swamiji’s Samadhi. He felt a strange feeling of loss. But by then, he had understood Swamiji’s words. “Go inwards. Find your God. He resides within you. He is waiting for your call.” Roger knew that Swamiji had been preparing his devotees for this day.

***

Two years later, Roger decided to make a trip to the Ashram in Darjeeling. When he arrived, he was surprised to find the Ashram closed.

Some enquiries led him to Vedashram, located not far away, and led by Swamiji Vedananda. He found many familiar faces, and was soon enjoying the familiar peace and joy. Soon it was apparent that Adbuthananda was nowhere to be seen. Curious, Roger asked, and was surprised to be told that Adbuthananda had broken away, and started his own Ashram, in nearby Swarampore.
“But why did he do that ? Weren’t both Adbuthananda and Vedananda model disciples of Swamiji ? Weren’t they the anointed successors ? ”
“We don’t know. All we know is that Swami Vedananda is our Guru now.”

***

Roger traveled to Swarampore. On an idyllic hillside was the beautiful Adbhuthashram. Inside, devotees sat in peaceful meditation. Swami Adbuthananda’s devotees recognized Roger, and invited him in. Roger enjoyed several peaceful days at the Ashram. Then, one evening, Swamiji Adbuthananda gestured to Roger. As they sat together. Roger decided to ask the question that continued to bother him.

“Swamiji. I was at the Vedashram earlier, and the devotees there believe that Swamiji Vedananda is their Guru. And here, the devotees consider you as their Guru. Who is the true Guru ?”

Swamiji smiled. “I am sure you have not forgotten what our Swamiji Satgunananda always said. He always urged devotees to find their own God. Within themselves. But until we do, we need our Gurus. For the devotees here, they see me as their Guru. For those at Vedashram, Swamiji Vedananda is their Guru.”

purnamadah purnamidam
purnaat purnamudachyate
purnasya purnaamadaya
purnameva vashishyate

Translation:
That is complete, this is complete
From that completeness comes this completeness
If we take away this completeness from that completeness
Only completeness remains.