A short story by Baba

An aspirant of a spiritual realization went off into a jungle and was plodding across the infested region, through the thick undergrowth, when he heard the angry roar of a lion. He climbed a tree to escape from the beast, but the lion saw him among the branches and roamed round and round the trunk in terrific rage.

On the tree, he was attacked by a bear and so, he slid down the roots that descended from one of the branches of that banyan tree. Luckily, there were two roots hanging from the branch, so that he could hang on in midair clinging to them, one in each hand. Just then, he saw two rats, onewhite and the other black, which were gnawing at the base of the roots, endangering his life with every bite.

While in this perilous state, a honeycomb which was full of sweet nectar situated on one of the top branches leaked a few drops which fell his way. So, the unfortunate man put out his tongue to catch a drop so that he may taste the delicious honey. But no drop reached his tongue. In despair and terror, he called on his Guru, “O Guruji, come and save me.”

The Guru who was passing by heard his appeal. He sped to the rescue. He brought a bow and arrows and slew the lion and bear, frightened off the rats and saved the disciple from the fear of death. Then, he led the man to his own Ashram and taught him the path of liberation.

This is the story of every one of you. This world is the jungle in which you roam. Fear is the lion, which drives you up the tree of Samsara, worldly activities. Anxiety is the bear that terrifies you and dogs your steps in Samsara. So, you slide down into attachments and binding deeds, through
the twin roots of hope and despair. The two rats are day and night which eat away the span of life.

Meanwhile, you try to snatch a little joy from sweet drops of egoism and mine-feeling.Finding at last that the drops are trivial and out of reach, you shout in the agony of renunciation, calling on the Guru. The Guru appears, whether from within or without, and saves you from fear and anxiety.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Chinna Katha)

Who is a Guru?
Today we are celebrating Guru Poornima. Poornima means full moon day. Then who is a guru? Modern gurus whisper a mantra into the ear and stretch their hand for money. Such people are not fit to be called gurus.

Gukaro Gunateetha, Rukaro Rupavarjitha

One who is attribute-less and formless is a true Guru. A Guru is necessary to make you understand the formless and attribute-less divinity. Since it is difficult to get such Gurus, consider God as your Guru.

Divine Discourse, Guru Poornima, 2001, Prasanthi Nilayam

Significance of Guru Poornima?
Guru is one who illumines the path to divinity. Poornima stands for the cool full moonlight. Full moon stands for a mind with total illumination. It is spotless, blemish less. Even if there is a trace of blemish in the mind, it will lead to darkness. It cannot give you total bliss.

Embodiment of Love!
Let your mind be filled with the radiance of divine love. Acquiring mere textual knowledge is of no avail. What you have studied is only a fraction of the total knowledge. Yet you feel proud about it. Your worldly education is insignificant compared to divine wisdom. You cannot attain God with your education, power and wealth. He is accessible by Love and Love alone. You can experience Him only when you develop Love. Devotion means to Love God wholeheartedly.

Embodiments of Love!
What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Poornima? You must understand that God is in you, with you, around you, above you, below you. In fact, you are God. Recognize this truth in the first instance. Do not entertain excessive desires and become beggars. Do your
duty sincerely. That is the true sadhana. When you are in office, do office work only; do not think of your family matters. Likewise, when you are at home, take care of the needs of your wife and children. Do not make your home an office. But today because of too much work in office, people
take office-papers to their homes to complete their work. They are thus facing difficulties because they mix up their office work, household work, business and spiritual matters.

Divine Discourse, Guru Poornima, 2002, Prasanthi Nilayam

Once you have secured a Guru, leave everything to him, even the desire to achieve liberation. He knows you more than you yourself ever can. He will direct you as much as is good for you. Your duty is only to obey and to smother the tendency to drift away from Him. You may ask, how are
we to earn our food, if we attach ourselves to a Guru like this? Be convinced that the Lord will not let you starve; He will give you not merely money but even Amritha, not only food but the nectar of immortality.

You must make the best use of this Guru, as you must, of this Puttaparthi itself. You must acquire here the skills for winning shanti and santhosha (peace of mind and contentment), the grace of God, the lessons of sadhana, the fruits of sathsang (company of holy men); do not fritter away your energy and time, seeking sensory satisfaction in ungodly company. You pray, not for grace, but for petty impermanent pleasures; you do not try to know the ordinances of God and decide to follow them.

Divine Discourse, Guru Poornima, 1964, Prasanthi Nilayam