Guru, Sadhu, Shastras

We worship Gita, Ramayan along with Deities which is great. Because glories of Lord are like that and book contains them. But there is need to open them and read them also. If you don't read scriptures you are not utilizing them. The mud road in village if not utilized gets covered with weeds and grasses. Then the problem starts in finding the correct road and direction. Similarly all confusion about scriptures is because we don't use them and hence their meaning gets covered for us. Ultimately all of us have to take care of ourself. Question arises since the meaning is already covered how we can say that by reading our understanding will be clear. Understanding must be as God wanted it to be understood. For this purpose we need Guru. There is clear instruction of cross verification, Guru, Sadhu, Shatras. Guru is suppose to guide disciple but there are cases when Guru (or person we understood to be Guru) can mislead. For that reason we have to verify with Sadhus and Shatras. There is fine line in challenging Guru and verifying/clearing your doubt. This is the difference between blindly following anyone (which is so common) vis-à-vis intelligently following Guru.

Who is Guru? Anyone who speaks about Lord Krishna and His activities is Guru. Guru is not person but it is the empowerment provided by Lord himself to individual Jiva to act as Guru. There is a spiritual element called Guru-Tattva which is present in Guru. Just as we can develop mode of goodness within us or mode of passion by our activities similarly we can become Guru also but only by mercy of Lord. Because Guru Tattva is under control of Lord Himself and by His freewill he makes someone Guru unlike modes of goodness, passion, ignorance which are control led by Maya. So Guru is Jiva like us but have special mercy of Lord. That’s why Guru is one as it represents Guru-Tattva. There is difference between Acharya (teacher) and Guru. Teacher can be anyone who teaches any art like fighting, science etc. But Guru is one who teaches about spiritual life and he is the Jiva empowered by Lord Himself with Guru-Tattva.

What are scriptures? Scriptures are those which are spoken or compiled by God, His representatives. Scriptures are detail and meant for person at various stage of spiritual evolution. Many scriptures many seem to give different instruction but we need to understand for which level of person that instruction is meant for. Some scripture mention eating goat meat but it is meant for certain class of people. There are Vedas for people in mode of goodness, for people in mode of ignorance and for people in mode of passion. There are instructions provided for all class of people how to elevate themselves spiritually. Hence scripture are those which are meant for elevating all of us spiritually to our final destination, abode of Lord.

Who is Sadhu? Well it is clearly describe by Lord Krishna in Gita. Lords devotees, Gurus, follower of Lord Krishna are all Sadhus.