KNOWLEDGE

THE GURU
IN THE GITA
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Copyright © 2020 Bhakti Event GmbH.

First edition, published in 2020 by Bhakti Event GmbH.

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THE BEGINNING OF SPIRITUAL LIFE?

athāto brahma jijñāsā

Now one should inquire about Brahman
Vedānta-sūtra, 1.1.1
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THE AIM OF SPIRITUAL LIFE

nārāyaṇa-paro yogo
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ tapaḥ
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ jñānaṁ
nārāyaṇa-parā gatiḥ
All different types of meditation or mysticism are means for
realising Nārāyaṇa. All austerities are aimed at achieving
Nārāyaṇa. The culture of transcendental knowledge is for
getting a glimpse of Nārāyaṇa, and ultimately salvation is
entering the kingdom of Nārāyaṇa.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 2.5.16
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THE GURU IS THE FOUNDATION OF SCRIPTURE

yasya deve parā bhaktir

yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāśante mahātmanaḥ
The truths of the Scriptures, when taught, shine forth only in
that great soul who has supreme devotion to God, and an
equal degree of devotion to the Spiritual Master. They shine
forth in that great soul only.
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad, 6.23
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KṚṢṆA’S INSTRUCTION IN THE GITA

tad viddhi praṇipātena

paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
One should approach a spiritual Master with submission,
extensive enquiry and service. Such realised souls can instruct
you, for they have seen the Truth.
Bhagavad Gītā, 4.34
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SUMMARY

• Spiritual life begins as a search for the Supreme

• All practices and ideas are ultimately only to realise Nārāyaṇa
• Scriptures are our guides on this journey into the unknown
• However, scripture can only truly be grasped by those who
have deep and equal faith in God and in the Spiritual Master
• Kṛṣṇa instructs that to perceive the Truth, one should request
shelter of one that has the vision of this Truth – the guru
• The guru is to be approached with three qualities
submission, inquiry and service
KNOWLEDGE

THE GURU
IN THE GITA