Right Behaviour (Etiquette) for disciples in the Presence of Guru!
We have read the qualifications for a guru elaborately. Now, Let us read the Qualifications of a Bona Fide Disciple from Hari-bhakti-vilasa.
A disciple should follow some etiquettes in front of his guru. Every disciple or an aspiring devotee should know that.
(Guru Puja & Worship of Gurus – Importance! READ HERE!)
Rules of Right Behaviour (Etiquette) for disciples from Hari-bhakti-vilasa
(1) He should fall down like an uprooted tree (dandavat) on seeing the spiritual master.
(2) When guru approaches he should face him and when he leaves, he should follow him.
(3) He should not leave the spiritual master’s presence without asking permission.
(4) He should not utter the spiritual master’s name inattentively, but always with respect.
(5) He should not imitate the gait, activities or voice of the spiritual master.
(6) He should always hold the spiritual master’s words in great respect.
(7) Though he may be punished by the spiritual master, he should not take it unkindly.
(GURU SEWA – HOW TO SERVE GURU? READ HERE!)
(8) He should not bear to hear criticism of the spiritual master, the scriptures or the Lord, but should leave the place immediately.
(9) He should not step on the spiritual master’s garland, bed, shoes, asana, shadow or table.
(10) He should not spread his legs before the spiritual master, nor should he yawn, laugh or make disrespectful noises before him.
(11) He should not sit on an asana or bed before the spiritual master.
(12) He should not worship others in preference to the spiritual master.
(13) He should not give dikha, scriptural explanations or show superiority in front of the guru.
(14) He should not give orders to the spiritual master, but always obey him.
(15) He should treat the spiritual master’s spiritual master with similar respect.
(16) He should treat the wife, son and relatives of the spiritual master as the spiritual master, but he should not clean the body of the son, take his remnants or wash his feet.
(Vapu Seva & Vani Seva to Guru- Details! Which is more important? READ HERE!)
Every disciple should be aware of the Right Behaviour (Etiquette) for disciples in the Presence of Guru!