How to select, serve and please guru (Spiritual master)?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krsna Prabhu ji. Dandavat and Pranamas. I have decided to accept a guru. Please guide me to select, serve and please guru properly to go back to Krishna. Thanks in advance. Hare Krsna!”
REPLY:
The Bonafide Guru-disciple system is always necessary and all we have to do is to make that system more effective and beneficial for today’s needs. All the sampradhayas and spiritual personalities support the need of having a guru and the scriptures also highlight the importance of guru. Even Krishna and Rama accepted gurus. Krishna too advises in Bhagavad Gita to surrender to a living guru.
Both the disciple and guru have to evaluate each other before accepting/ giving initiation as per the scriptures.
However, I strongly object fanatic decision of taking initiation from any guru. My point is that, accepting a guru is a natural thing. This desire naturally occurs in our heart and we start to look for a right guru. If we find a guru who can help us in advancing in devotion, we NATURALLY accept him. This is the process of selecting a guru.
(Is the Mercy of Guru and Krishna only for selected devotees? READ HERE!)
But, the NATURAL SELECTION is not happening in some cases. Though the devotee prefers a particular guru, he selects another one just because, that guru has more number of disciples in that particular region. Some devotees select a guru just because his friend has selected that guru.
One of a devotee known to me wanted to take initiation from a particular guru. But, most of that temple devotees were accepting another guru. When this devotee told them that he is going to accept his choice of particular guru, many other devotees (Not the admins) said that most of the devotees in that temple have accepted a particular guru whom they had accepted. So, this devotee too decided to accept that guru though his heart was with another guru.
If we accept a guru for such weak reasons or for no valid reasons, how can we develop faith with that guru?
(What is the meaning of getting initiated by a guru? How to get a guru? READ HERE!)
Another important thing is that a guru too has to ensure that the devotee is following all the regulative principles strictly, is visiting the temple regularly and doing some service, regularly chanting and most importantly, he is very humble and respects other devotees!
Srila Prabhupada has said that TODAY’S DISCIPLE IS TOMORROWS GURU. So, if a guru accepts some unqualified disciples, they may compete for a guru position and in future, there will be unqualified gurus. When such unqualified gurus increase in a society, it brings the disrepute to the spiritual organization they belong to. So, the selection of disciples should also be strict.
(How can I accept a guru without ascertaining his eligibility? READ HERE!)
So, as said by the scriptures, a guru should accept the disciples after thorough scrutiny and follow them PERSONALLY and regulate them if they violate. Only fortunate souls will get right gurus! All people can’t get right gurus!
So, my suggestion for you will be this:
If you like to accept a guru, first select a guru whom your heart naturally prefers. Read the writings of that guru and hear his lectures. Develop a natural preference/ affinity for that guru. Then accept him.
Once decided and accepted, take diksha from him and then meet that guru and humbly tell him:
“Kindly give me a service”
That guru is expected to ask: “Please tell me what talents and interests you have! Can you speak well? Can you write well? Can you distribute the books well? Can you do administration? Can you cook well? Can you do deity service? Which service do you feel that you can do effectively according to your nature and work schedules?” etc etc..
Then, you have to reply:
“I have this talent of ……………… and ……………….”
Now, that guru will consider that and direct you to be in touch with a senior devotee regularly and do the service that you have said comfortable for you. Or, if he finds another suitable and needy service, he may assign it to you.
(Are women Priests, Sanyasis and Gurus allowed in Sanathana Dharma? READ HERE!)
Now, after accepting that service that was okayed by your guru, dedicate your life for that service alone. Show your excellence in that service and make it a grand success. Because of your service, your temple should grow remarkably.
Now, the news of your performance will go to your guru. He will feel happy that you are fulfilling the directions given by him. So, your guru is satisfied and blesses you.
In addition to that, you should continue all the devotional practices sincerely without any offences. Continue to excel in the service you accepted from your guru and make him happy.
This is the way of pleasing your guru. If your guru is pleased, the Lord too will be pleased. So, you grow fast in the service of the Lord.
When you accept a bonafide guru whom your heart chose naturally, you have to avoid offences because, your every offence will affect the health of your guru. So, be strict in following the regulative principles and chanting. Do the accepted service properly.
Keep on informing your achievements to your guru regularly! Be always in touch with him either directly or over other modes of communications.
Fulfill the assurances you gave to your guru.
Thus your guru gets pleased.
Hope you are now clear about how to select, serve and please guru.
(I find no Guru in my locality to accept him as my guru. What to do? READ HERE!)