Guru, Spirituality & Life

Guru is not the body, Guru is not a book, Guru is not magic or miracle. The divine sound “Shivoham Shivoham” resides within. Worship Guru Vyankatesh every day. While explaining this, Narendranath Maharaj says that the Guru Principle (Gurutattva) is not dependent on the Guru’s body, words, appearance, or outward actions. The body follows the laws of nature, but Gurutattva is vast, subtle, pure, and untouched.

To explain the nature of Gurutattva, Maharaj narrates a profound incident. Sage Durvasa, though thin, would eat food equal to a thousand disciples. The disciples were confused, but remained silent. One day, Durvasa desired to meet Shri Krishna. He told a disciple: “Go across the sea. Take a handful of water and say: ‘If my Guru has never eaten a single grain in his entire life, let the sea give me a path.’” Terrified, the disciple thought this impossible, yet he obeyed. Miraculously, the sea split and granted him a passage. After meeting Krishna, he feared returning. Krishna smiled, called His son, and instructed him: “Tell the sea: ‘If my father is a lifelong brahmachari, give me a path.’” Though the disciple doubted this too, the sea parted again. He returned safely.

Maharaj explains that what the Guru does with the body is not the whole truth. Gurutattva is far beyond physical appearance. What the world calls “miracles” are actually the natural results of deep sadhana, yogic mastery, and a purified inner state. A true Guru never displays powers for show, because Gurutattva is directly linked to the Supreme.

People often think: *“If the Guru eats, sleeps, or has human tendencies, he cannot be a Guru.”* Maharaj clarifies: Where there is a body, the body will behave as a body. But the Guru is not the body. The Guru is the pure Self — untouched, eternal, and free.

A beautiful illustration comes through Hanuman. When Sita Mata gifted him a necklace of pearls, Hanuman broke each pearl and threw it aside. Shocked, Sita asked why. Hanuman replied: “If my Rama is not inside it, I do not want it.” When challenged whether Rama resided in him, Hanuman tore open his chest, revealing Rama and Sita in his heart. This is total surrender, and when surrender becomes complete, spirituality becomes complete.

Maharaj warns that some misuse their intelligence, deceiving themselves and others. Such people never attain peace, because ego keeps the mind restless. Overthinking blocks spirituality: “Intelligence dominates your consciousness.” The remedy is simple:

• do daily spiritual practice,
• avoid postponing,
• follow Guru’s instructions,
• and treat practice like eating and sleeping — essential, not optional.

Through this, attraction toward the Guru grows, and the mind becomes steady.

• The Guru is not the body but a pure spiritual principle.
• Spirituality is not miracle-seeking; it is inner experience.
• True growth arises from surrender, not analysis.
• Daily practice brings stability, clarity, and inner bliss.