Section 2 19
गुरु के लक्षण एवं प्रश्नविधि | Characteristics of a Guru and Questioning Method
Summary (in English)
This collection of verses describes the characteristics of a true guru and the method of seeking spiritual knowledge from them. A guru is depicted as learned, sinless, unattained by worldly desires, and the ultimate knower of Brahman, embodying peace and compassion (sloka 33). The disciple is encouraged to approach the guru with devotion and humility, serving them and, upon receiving their grace, inquiring about the knowledge of the self (sloka 34). The subsequent verses express a deep plea for divine grace, likening the guru or a divine being to a compassionate savior who can deliver the seeker from the suffering inherent in samsara (slokas 35 to 40). The peaceful and selfless nature of saints, who help others without expecting anything in return, is emphasized, paralleling their aid to the soothing presence of the moon on an earth scorched by the sun (sloka 37, 38). The ultimate path to salvation is portrayed as reliant on divine grace, underlining the aspirant's complete surrender to the compassionate guidance of a higher power.
सारांश
यह श्लोकों का संग्रह एक सच्चे गुरु के लक्षणों और उनसे आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान प्राप्त करने के तरीके का वर्णन करता है। गुरु को विद्वान, निष्पाप, संसारिक इच्छाओं से मुक्त, ब्रह्म का सर्वोच्च ज्ञानी, शांति और करुणा का अद्वितीय प्रतीक बताया गया है (श्लोक 33)। शिष्य को भक्ति और विनम्रता के साथ गुरु के पास जाने का प्रोत्साहन दिया जाता है, उनको प्रसन्न कर आत्मज्ञान की जिज्ञासा करनी चाहिए (श्लोक 34)। अगले श्लोकों में एक दिव्य कृपा की गहन याचना की गई है, गुरु या दिव्य सत्ता की उपमा एक रक्षक के रूप में दी गई है जो संसाार के दुःख से त्रस्त साधक को उद्धार कर सकते हैं (श्लोक 35 से 40)। संन्यासियों के शांत और निःस्वार्थ स्वभाव को रेखांकित किया गया है, जो दूसरों की निःस्वार्थ सहायता करते हैं, जैसे चंद्रमा की शीतलता तप्त धरती को शांति देती है (श्लोक 37, 38)। मुक्ति के मार्ग को दिव्य कृपा पर निर्भर बताया गया है, जो साधक की उच्च शक्ति के करुणामयी मार्गदर्शन पर पूर्ण surrendering पर आधारित है।
Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)
- śrotriya (श्रोत्रिय)
- brahmavit-tamaḥ (ब्रह्मवित्तमः)
- śānto (शान्तो)
- ahetuka-dayāsindhu (अहेतुकदयासिन्धु)
- ātma-jñāna (आत्म-ज्ञान)
- prapatti (प्रपत्ति)
- kāruṇya (कारुण्य)
- bhava-sindhu (भव-सिन्धु)
Topics
- Characteristics of a Guru
- Method of acquiring self-knowledge
- Divine grace and its role in spiritual upliftment
- Nature and actions of saints
- Plea for salvation and liberation from samsara
Categories (वर्गीकरण)
- Listing characteristics (of a Guru)
- Teaching a method (approaching the Guru)
- Plea for divine grace
- Nature of enlightened beings
S-V-O Tuples or Propositions as Text
| Subject | Verb | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Guru | is | learned in scriptures |
| Guru | remains | free from sin |
| Disciple | should worship | Guru with devotion |
| Devotee | seeks | salvation from divine |
| Saints | help | others selflessly |
| Devotee | is terrified by | samsara |
| Saints | remove | suffering like the moon |
Slokas & Translations
Sloka 33
श्रोत्रियोऽवृजिनोऽकामहतो यो ब्रह्मवित्तमः । ब्रह्मण्युपरतः शान्तो निरिन्धन इवानलः अहेतुकदयासिन्धुर्बन्धुरानमतां सताम् ॥ ३३ ॥
Translation: He who is learned in the scriptures, free from sin, unaffected by desires, supreme knower of Brahman, detached, peaceful, like a fire without fuel, is an uncaused ocean of compassion and a friend to the sincere surrenderers.
Sloka 34
तमाराध्य गुरुं भक्त्या प्रह्वप्रश्रयसेवनैः । प्रसन्नं तमनुप्राप्य पृच्छेज्ज्ञातव्यमात्मनः ॥ ३४ ॥
Translation: By worshiping the Guru through devotion, humility, and service, and after acquiring his grace, one should ask about the knowledge of the self.
Sloka 35
स्वामिन्नमस्ते नतलोकबन्धो कारुण्यसिन्धो पतितं भवाब्धौ । मामुद्धरात्मीयकटाक्षदृष्ट्या ऋज्व्यातिकारुण्यसुधाभिवृष्ट्या ॥ ३५ ॥
Translation: O Lord, friend of the humble, ocean of compassion, raise me from the ocean of worldly existence with your glancing eyes that shower the nectar of profound grace.
Sloka 36
दुर्वारसंसारदवाग्नितप्तं दोधूयमानं दुरदृष्टवातैः । भीतं प्रपन्नं परिपाहि मृत्योः शरण्यमन्यद्यदहं न जाने ॥ ३६ ॥
Translation: Save me, terrified and suffering in the inescapable forest fire of worldly existence, being tossed by misfortune, for I know no other refuge than you from death.
Sloka 37
शान्ता महान्तो निवसन्ति सन्तो वसन्तवल्लोकहितं चरन्तः । तीर्णाः स्वयं भीमभवार्णवं जनान् अहेतुनान् यानपि तारयन्तः ॥ ३७ ॥
Translation: The peaceful and great saints reside like the spring, working for the welfare of the world, and help people cross the formidable ocean of existence selflessly.
Sloka 38
अयं स्वभावः स्वत एव यत्पर श्रमापनोदप्रवणं महात्मनाम् । सुधांशुरेष स्वयमर्ककर्कश प्रभाभितप्तामवति क्षितिं किल ॥ ३८ ॥
Translation: It is the nature of the great souls to naturally tend to the removal of others' suffering, just as the moon cools the earth scorched by the harsh rays of the sun.
Sloka 39
ब्रह्मानन्दरसानुभूतिकलितैः पूर्तैः सुशीतैर्युतैः<br />युष्मद्वाक्कलशोज्झितैः श्रुतिसुखैर्वाक्यामृतैः सेचय । <br />संतप्तं भवतापदावदहनज्वालाभिरेनं प्रभो<br />धन्यास्ते भवदीक्षणक्षणगतेः पात्रीकृताः स्वीकृताः ॥ ३९ ॥
Translation: O Lord, shower upon me the nectarine words, enriched with the experience of bliss, fulfilling and refreshing, to quench the burning heat of worldly suffering. Blessed are those who become worthy of your glance, even for a moment.
Sloka 40
कथं तरेयं भवसिन्धुमेतं का वा गतिर्मे कतमोऽस्त्युपायः । जाने न किञ्ज्चित्कृपयाव मां प्रभो संसारदुःखक्षतिमातनुष्व ॥ ४0 ॥
Translation: O Lord, how can I cross this ocean of existence? What means or path is available to me? I know nothing; please, out of compassion, alleviate the suffering of worldly existence.