From the Editor’s Desk
The presence of a true Guru in one’s life is a rare and divine blessing. Vedic scriptures offer deep revelations about the Guru’s role as the guiding light who leads the soul from darkness to spiritual clarity. In this issue of JKYog’s E-Journal, Samarpan, we highlight select verses from the Bhagavad Gita that glorify the Guru’s virtues, aimed at enriching our understanding, strengthening our faith, and kindling deeper love and devotion.
Drawing upon the Vedic wisdom (tattva jñāna) as illuminated by Shree Swami Mukundananda ji, this Guru Purnima edition is a humble expression of our heartfelt gratitude for the precious gift of divine knowledge. His unwavering mentorship, boundless compassion, and spiritual insight have become the foundation of inner growth for countless seekers, making Him an irreplaceable presence on their journey toward the Divine.
Vedic Wisdom & Application
Theme of the Month
The Guru Tattva: Insights from the Bhagavad Gita to Deepen Devotion
Reflection Questions
- How does the Bhagavad Gita extol the virtues of a Guru?
- How do souls get connected or disconnected from a Guru?
- What knowledge can disciples contemplate when they cannot understand the actions of their divine Guru?
The soul’s journey toward the Divine is not meant to be traveled alone; it would lead to a Dead End. It is an indisputable fact that true spiritual knowledge is not acquired by intellectual effort. It follows a descending process of knowledge, which is revealed from the higher to the lower, i.e., from God to Guru to disciple. In contrast to material knowledge, which is mastered through experimentation and inference, spiritual truths are grasped through a Guru’s grace in an established Guru-disciple relationship. This process retains its purity, power, and transformative capacity. Without this divine channel, the eternal wisdom would become distorted or lost over time.
All Vedic scriptures have extolled the virtues of a true Guru. The perfect illustration of the descending process of knowledge is presented in the Bhagavad Gita. This sacred scripture eloquently establishes the Guru’s (i.e., Shree Krishna’s) role in shaping the aspirant’s (i.e., Arjun’s) consciousness. Let us review a few selected scriptural gems of wisdom that glorify the Guru’s position in guiding souls toward a transcendental state of divine love bliss of God.
How does the Bhagavad Gita extol the virtues of a Guru?
Vedic wisdom affirms that without the grace and guidance of a true Guru, one remains lost in the web of ego, doubt, and illusion. The Bhagavad Gita, though often perceived as a dialogue between Lord Shree Krishna and Arjun, also stands as a profound testament to the sanctity of the Guru-disciple relationship, where Shree Krishna, the Jagadguru or Spiritual Master of the World, embodies the highest ideal of mentorship.
Some verses that form the core of the nature, qualities, and necessity of a Guru are described. These verses present the foundational scriptural basis for Guru Tattva – the eternal principle of surrendering to one who has perceived the Truth.
While some Verses describe the Guru’s state of realization and instruct the seeker in how to approach such a being, others emphasize the Guru’s role in preserving the purity of spiritual knowledge and inspiring aspirants through personal example. Together, these verses form a luminous thread within the Bhagavad Gita, one that, when followed, leads the soul from information to transformation and from dry knowledge to heartfelt devotion.
- God Becomes the Guru of a Surrendered Disciple: In the spiritual journey, the presence of a true Guru is indispensable. Our Vedic scriptures emphasize that the Guru is not merely an academic instructor but a divine representative of God – a guide who illumines the path, dispels ignorance, and awakens love for the Supreme. When the material mind is overwhelmed with apparently unsolvable problems, the Guru becomes the guiding light to pull the disciple out of the bottomless pit of darkness. Like Arjun pleaded to Shree Krishna to guide him, so must we souls:
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभाव:
पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेता: |
यच्छ्रेय: स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे
शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् || 7||
karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah
prichchhami tvam dharma-sammudha-chetah
yach-chhreyah syannishchitam bruhi tanme
shishyaste ’ham shadhi mam tvam prapannam
I am confused about my duty, and am besieged with anxiety and faintheartedness. I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please instruct me for certain what is best for me (2.7).
Arjun’s words signify sincerity, the absence of ego evident in his acceptance of his mental frailties, and a firm conviction that a divine Guru is capable of relieving him of his anxieties and faintheartedness. If our intent to seek a Guru’s guidance is pure and devoid of hypocrisy, the guidance will no doubt follow.
- Approach the Guru with Humility and Servitude: This concept is fundamental and foundational for disciples who seek true spiritual knowledge, for only a humble and service-oriented heart becomes a worthy vessel to receive the divine knowledge, wisdom, and grace that the Guru imparts. We can learn how to approach a true Guru from Shree Krishna Himself.
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: || 34||
tad viddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya
upadekshyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darshinah
Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth (4.34).
This verse defines the Guru-disciple relationship – a sacred exchange rooted in humility (i.e., praṇipātena), inquisitiveness (i.e., paripraśhnena), and service (i.e., sevayā). The Guru is not an academic tutor but a tattva-darśhinaḥ – a seer of truth. Swamiji beautifully explains that it is only by the magnanimous graces of God that a soul comes in contact with and deeply connects with a true Guru.
A Guru’s grace is not for sale. It can only be attracted by humility, simplicity, reverence, genuine inquiry, and an attitude of servitude toward the Guru as an expression of devotion. Service to the Guru is a quality of divine knowledge and reflects a willingness to dedicate oneself to spiritual guidance and progress.
The exquisitely beautiful Guru Ashtakam, composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, drives home this fundamental notion. One can possess all kinds of material assets, siddhis, or even renounce all worldly possessions, but the eternal truth is that unless one’s mind is devoted to the Lotus Feet of the Guru, none of the accomplishments will amount to anything.
- Divine Disclosure: When the Guru Chooses to Reveal the Secret Path: This verse reveals profound wisdom regarding the pre-requisites for absorbing divine knowledge from a Guru that can remove the darkness of ignorance and bring one to the light of knowledge. As Shree Krishna explained to Arjun:
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे |
ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् || 1||
shri bhagavan uvacha
idam tu te guhyatamam pravakshyamyanasuyave
jnanam vijnana-sahitam yaj jnatva mokshyase ’shubhat
The Supreme Lord said: O Arjun, because you are not envious of Me, I shall now impart to you this very confidential knowledge and wisdom, upon knowing which you will be released from the miseries of material existence (9.1).
A disciple may humbly serve the Guru, but to develop unflinching faith in the Guru’s teachings, it is fundamental to understand the Guru Tattva from the Guru Himself. A divine Guru is non-different from God. If the mayic disciple scorns or is jealous of the Guru upon revealing the nature of His true self, then the knowledge will not only not benefit the disciple but push one into deeper darkness. Thus, it is critical to understand that even though the Guru appears before us in the human form, He is the essence of divine knowledge.
This is beautifully illustrated in the life of Devadatta, a cousin and former disciple of Lord Buddha. He is a historical example of someone whose jealousy toward his enlightened teacher led to complete spiritual ruin. Initially, he practiced spirituality under the Buddha, but later, Devadatta grew envious of His spiritual influence and attempted to harm Him and create a schism in the Sangha. He demanded that the Buddha retire and hand leadership over to him and proposed extreme ascetic rules to gain followers. Devadatta also attempted to murder the Buddha multiple times by releasing a wild elephant, dropping a boulder, etc.
Buddhist texts narrate how Devadatta's fall was sealed by this grave offense against his own Guru and spiritual master. The Buddhist principle treats this narrative with gravity, not merely as a biographical account, but as a doctrinal caution; spiritual ambition untethered from humility and reverence is inherently corrosive.
This teaches us that envy clouds the intellect, hardens the heart, and makes the soul unfit to receive divine grace, even if one has access to a true Guru.
- The Transformative Power of Hearing Divine Knowledge from the Guru: The esoteric knowledge of Vedic scriptures is not easily comprehensible even to highly intelligent beings or those filled with pride. Shree Krishna explains to Arjun that those who contemplate the knowledge that He imparted with faith will be a believer and benefit from its teachings.
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नर: |
सोऽपि मुक्त: शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् || 71||
shraddhavan anasuyash cha shrinuyad api yo narah
so ‘pi muktah shubhanl lokan prapnuyat punya-karmanam
Even those who only listen to this knowledge with faith and without envy will be liberated from sins and attain the auspicious abodes where the pious dwell (18.71).
The essential ingredient is faith in the Guru. Seated in the hearts of disciples, God perceives their deep desire and commitment and graces the disciple with the gift of knowledge that transforms one from within. Swamiji has narrated the beautiful account of Sananda, a simple and humble disciple of Jagadguru Shankaracharya, whose complete faith in his Guru’s Vaani and teachings resulted in attracting his Guru's grace, which transformed him from an illiterate disciple to Padmapada, one of the four main disciples of his Guru (p. 834).
- Seeing the Divine in All – The Vision of a Realized Guru: True Gurus exemplify sama-darśhitva, i.e., equal vision toward all living beings. Their realization dissolves all dualities, seeing the same divine essence in all beings. This inner vision springs not from scriptural philosophy but from direct realization of the Absolute Truth.
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि |
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिता: समदर्शिन: || 18||
vidya-vinaya-sampanne brahmane gavi hastini
shuni chaiva shva-pake cha panditah sama-darshinah
The truly learned, with the eyes of divine knowledge, see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (5.18).
Swamiji beautifully explains that one with an equanimous vision perceives the Divine in all living beings, and does not discriminate between people of different caste, creed, and other socially divisive factors. A true Guru is one such entity that perceives God in all and all in God; thus, they do not feel repelled by anyone. By surrendering to such a saint, we begin to awaken the same vision within ourselves.
Swamiji beautifully explains this concept in His commentary on the Ishavasya Upanishad in Mantra 7. The consciousness of saints, and by implication, a true Guru, is aligned with that of God. Therefore, the Guru’s elevated state is free from delusion and sorrow. Being situated in divine knowledge, He perceives God in every element of His creation, including material souls (pp. 76-78).
A beautiful anecdote from the life of Saint Namdev illustrates this point. One day, Sant Namdev was eating his meal when a dog suddenly appeared, grabbed a roti from his plate, and ran off. Most people would have been annoyed or angry, but not Sant Namdev. Instead of reacting harshly, he immediately ran after the dog, saying lovingly, “Wait! Let me put some ghee on that roti. Krishna, what will You do with dry roti?”
Sant Namdev’s vision was so purified that he made no distinction between species, forms, or appearances. The incident profoundly illustrates the state of a soul who lives in constant God-consciousness, as taught in the scriptures.
- From Instruction to Empowerment – The Guru's Final Act: After bestowing Arjun with the most confidential spiritual wisdom, Shree Krishna stepped back as the Guru and lovingly said:
इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया |
विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु || 63||
iti te jnanam akhyatam guhyad guhyataram maya
vimrishyaitad asheshena yathechchhasi tatha kuru
Thus, I have explained to you this knowledge that is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish (18.63).
This verse reveals an essential quality of a true Guru; He does not enslave but empowers. Even after unveiling the knowledge that was deeper than all secrets, Shree Krishna left it to Arjun to use his own inner discernment and act accordingly. As the Guru, He revealed the truth, removed Arjun’s ignorance, and then stepped aside to let the disciple choose whether to act in accordance with the teachings or otherwise. This is not indifference but a divine form of detached love that trusts the transformation of the soul.
How do souls get connected or disconnected from a Guru?
The connection with a Guru is indeed a grace from God, however, maintaining that connection requires personal responsibility and effort. As mentioned above in the Bhagavad Gita’s Verse 4.34, Shree Krishna emphasized that divine knowledge is bestowed only when a disciple approaches a God-realized Guru with humility, inquiry, and service. This suggests that a soul connects with a true Guru not by chance, but through divine arrangement and inner readiness. When the soul becomes free of envy (Bhagavad Gita, 9.1) and sincerely longs for truth, the Lord Himself orchestrates the meeting with a spiritual master.
On the other hand, when someone gets disconnected from their Guru, it can be perceived as a result of one's karm, ignoble thoughts, and deeds. Each person is responsible for their own spiritual elevation. If we find ourselves drifting away from our Guru, it may reflect our own actions or lack of commitment to the spiritual path.
Disconnection from the Guru arises when the soul becomes proud, skeptical, or disrespectful. Shree Krishna warned that this supreme knowledge should not be shared with those lacking in faith or devotion (Bhagavad Gita 18.67). Swamiji logically explained that God only reveals His most confidential knowledge to those who are free from envy toward Him or His representatives (i.e., the Guru). Those who are inwardly resentful, skeptical, or prideful block the flow of divine wisdom. In essence, connection with a Guru is a divine privilege, preserved by humility but lost through arrogance. Grace flows only into hearts willing to receive it.
Moreover, it is important to recognize that throughout our lifetimes, we may have different Gurus, and it is natural to seek out those who resonate with our spiritual needs at different stages of life. Evaluating the impact of various saints on our spiritual journey can help us understand where we stand spiritually. Ultimately, God leads us to a Guru when our aspiration for spiritual growth is strong enough, and if we feel disconnected, it may be an opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual practices and desires. In essence, the journey with a Guru is deeply personal and intertwined with our karmic journey.
What knowledge can disciples contemplate when they cannot understand the actions of their divine Guru?
When disciples struggle to understand the actions of their divine Guru, it is essential to approach the situation with humility and a willingness to learn. The relationship between a disciple and a Guru is profound and requires a deep respect for the Guru's wisdom and experience. Disciples should recognize that the transmission of spiritual knowledge is not a mechanical process; it is a sacred exchange that flourishes in an atmosphere of service and devotion.
Approaching a Guru with reverence and inquiring submissively is crucial. This means letting go of doubts and being open to the lessons that may come from the Guru's actions, even if they are not immediately clear. The Guru's actions may sometimes transcend our understanding, but they are always aimed at the spiritual growth of the disciple. By serving the Guru and maintaining a humble heart, disciples can cultivate the right mindset to receive the deeper truths that the Guru imparts, ultimately leading to liberation from material bondage.
God is the director of the Guru's actions. The body is that of the Guru, but everything is the work of God. God does not meet disciples directly but comes to us in the form of a Guru. We must keep this knowledge at the surface and remember to nurture only divine sentiments toward the Guru. Thus, an understanding of the Guru Tattva is crucial.
Conclusion: Honoring the Divine in the Guru
The Bhagavad Gita glorifies the Guru as crucial for spiritual progress. The glorification is not meant to inspire sentimentality or blind allegiance; it is a call to deepen our inner transformation through tattva jnana. In the Vedic framework, jnana (i.e., knowledge) sown into a receptive heart becomes the seed of shraddha (i.e., faith), and faith naturally blossoms into bhakti (i.e., devotion and love).
The Guru is God’s gift to the soul. Through verses that glorify His wisdom, the scriptures guide us not just to respect the Guru, but to love and surrender to Him, as He is non-different from God.
For a sincere seeker, the Guru is a protector, guide, and the very embodiment of grace. The Guru stands beyond mortal comparison; He is worthy of worship, worthy of surrender, and worthy of any sacrifice that a material soul can make.
Tools for Your Personal Growth
Utilize this tool as an integral part of your spiritual journal to contemplate this very important aspect of Guru Tattva. A downloadable version is available for you.
If you need to speak with anyone about this topic or your practice, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Please also give us some time to respond. Thank you.
Gems of Wisdom from Swamiji
Here are a few YouTube video titles with related links and books where Swamiji has described concepts and tools to protect your spiritual assets.
- An UNTOLD Story of Shree Krishna that'll Awaken your Divinity | Swami Mukundananda | BG 5.18
- BG 4.34 | 3 Steps to Your Spiritual Success in Krishna Consciousness
- Mukundananda, S. (2025). Ishavasya Upanishad. Rupa Publications Pvt Ltd: New Delhi, India.
- Mukundananda, S. (2024). Spiritual Secrets from Hinduism: Essence of the Vedic Scriptures. Rupa Publications Pvt Ltd: New Delhi, India.
- Mukundananda, S. (2022). Bhagavad Gita – The Song of God, Westland Publications: Chennai, India.
- Mukundananda, S. (2021). 7 Divine Laws to Awaken Your Best Self, HarperCollins Publishers: Noida, India.
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JKYog’s Bhagavad Gita Krishna Bhakti App
With portends of war and chaos everywhere today, the world seems like a fiery cauldron of uncertainty. Specifically, we are reminded constantly of the fragility of human life and the golden opportunity we have been afforded to engage in divine service.
We all fear death - the fear of death or abhinivesh is one of the five kleshas or afflictions hindering spiritual growth as per Maharshi Patanjali:
- Avidya – ignorance of the true Sel
- Asmita – egoism or identification with the false self
- Raga – attachment to pleasure
- Dvesha – aversion to pain
- Abhinivesh – deep-rooted fear of death or strong clinging to life
One who surrenders the ego to God's will and realizes the eternal nature of the soul overcomes the fear of death. According to the Shanti Path of the Ishavasya Upanishad, God is complete and perfect. Hence, the world He has created is perfect and complete as well. This perfection does not mean the absence of suffering. Instead, it indicates that the world is perfect according to the purpose for which it was created, namely, the growth of the souls to ultimate spiritual perfection over a continuum of lifetimes, overcoming various challenges. Realizing that the external world in God's care is perfect for our growth enables us to give up anxiety and to surrender to Him.
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