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“What is God? Is it easy to know God? Have you known God?”

Sri Swamiji:

“God is a ‘feeling’. From the tiny grass to Lord Brahma, everyone, through various ways, is incessantly searching for happiness. But, that happiness is not to be found in external things. Even if it appears to be found in externals things, it is not permanent. Therefore, when we search for happiness we find that it is found to be within ourselves! To experience this joy within us is to ‘feel’ God. To be in this joy is only knowing God. This joy is verily God.

For the query, ‘Is it easy to know God’, I would like to say that through Guru one can succeed in deeply experiencing this joy or Godliness.

I have to speak on another matter also here. What is happiness? Though all reject neem leaf, as it tastes bitter, the camel relishes it! Just as happiness in relation to food differs as per the taste of each creature, happiness in the world differs from creature to creature. The search for God begins when you question yourself, ‘What is happiness?’”

“How does Guru help in knowing God?”

Sri Swamiji:

“I have already said that God is a ‘feeling’. When a Guru (Teacher) is required even to know the ‘stula’ (physical), i.e. to learn to make anything, for example, to make a wooden doll one has to learn from someone who knows how to make it, then, what to speak of subtle things? Certainly, one needs a Guru to know God.

This subtle feeling is contagious. When we visit a house of death the mind, affected by the atmosphere there, experiences sorrow for many days. When we visit some marriage function we meet with our friends and relatives. The happiness experienced in this atmosphere remains with us for some days. Similarly, if the subtle feeling of God has to be experienced it is enough if we speak with one who is in this experience. It is even enough if such a person just looks at us. Such a person from whom this ‘feeling of God’ overflows is called the Guru.

Such Gurus are few in number. One has to recognize such a Jnãni amidst quacks. Joy of a Jnãni is eternal. The sorrow of a death house or the joy of a house of marriage is not a permanent one. While such temporary sorrow and joy affect us deeply then what to speak of the physical closeness, look and touch of a Jnãni whose joy is an eternal one? One should understand that it would at once go deep within us. All the other trees that stand around a sandalwood tree catch on its smell. Likewise, those who are around the Jnãni who knows God will also come to know God and Love is born in him.”

“Please explain how should one behave towards a Guru?”

“A person does not become a Guru for the mere reason that he is able to read your past, predict your future, perform miracles or appear differently. One who knows not God cannot show God to another. When he is filled with doubts, he cannot certainly clear others’ doubts.

There is nothing to be known by an ‘Uttama Guru’ (True Guru) either in this or in the spiritual world. Only such a Guru can raise others to his status. Many may feel that there is no need for a Guru. But, they do not feel that for education no teacher, school, college or a University is necessary. On the other hand we feel the drastic need for all these.

When a girl comes of age, a suitable groom is searched out for her. None calls it wrong. A woman needs the company of a husband and a man the company of a wife. In the same way, the need of the company of a Guru is a must for one who desires to know God.

Many are of the opinion that the company of a Guru is for those who do not possess self-confidence. None opines that consulting an architect to build a house or a financial consultant for investment is wrong. On the other hand it is the right way. How can it be called wrong if we seek the company of one who has a better know-how and is able to provide proper advice on a matter required by us? How then can the question ‘Why should I be totally obedient to the ‘Uttama’ Guru that I have sought’, rise up? Children should be obedient to the parents, a wife to the husband, citizens to the ruler and labourers to the Management. These are all disciplines to be followed for maintaining order in the society.

The Shastras say that one should look upon the husband as verily the form of God, whatever is his status. (But, this does not mean that a husband should label himself as God!) Likewise, one who has sought a Guru should look upon him as verily God Himself. Before accepting one as a Guru, we should think a lot on this matter. But, once we have decided on accepting him as our Guru, we should not change even a little but remain with deep confidence in the decision taken. Our interaction with him should not be like our interaction with humans. We should never feel angry with him, quarrel with him, ignore or criticize him. We should feel happy by repeatedly thinking of his compassion. We should be able to read his wish and be ready to execute it even before he instructs us. We should look at every matter connected with the Guru with deep reverence.

We should follow the path (‘mãrga’) that the Guru follows. We should, as far as possible, try to follow the Guru’s ‘upadesãs’ (advices). If we are unable to follow it, we should atleast feel deeply sorry for it. We should explain our position to the Guru without hiding anything. Only then can he help us.”

“In life, once we have been used to dealing with others in a rash and egotistic manner, is it possible for us to move in all humility towards the Guru? What is way to learn this?”

“Bhagavãn Ramana Maharishi used to say, ‘A man’s ego will get totally beaten up in the presence of an ‘Uttama Guru’ just as an elephant shivers from head to foot on seeing a Lion in its dream!’ Therefore, we need not take any special effort or follow any special practice to attain this. This will come about automatically!”

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