Of late there has been a proliferation of godmen in Hinduism, offering salvation and performing miracles.
There are corporate Gurus, whose background is murky, who address world leaders, in the garb of Hinduism.
Their qualification is a few words of Hindu thoughts, some quotes and slick marketing.
There are Gurus for Yoga.
Yoga has become a school exercise!
Idiots like me imagine one has to follow Patanjali, who lays down strict code of conduct ad diet for yoga sadhana.
Today what one needs is a few mumbo-jumbo , basic lines in yoga and slick marketing.
Horrible!
Self styled godmen.
Please check my Posts on yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Hinduism does not approve of Prophets, Godmen.
Sanatana Dharma, Hinduism is personal.
It does not allow brokers between you and God,after all He is your father.
You do not need a broker to talk to your father.
Nor does Hinduism believe in Prophets.
Vedas and Smritis do not approve of or condone these Godmen or Prophets.
There is no concept of Prophet or Godmen in Hinduism.
One strives to realize Oneself.
Paths travelled by great men are shown.
They are only indicative.
Each Man/woman has to find His/Her salvation.
It is purely personal and determined by one’s disposition, Swabhava.
No one can convert any one , in the real sense ,against his swabhava, Nature.
Lord Krishna, in The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, towards the close of the discourse to Arjuna, in the battle field of Mahabharata, says to Arjuna,
I have briefed you the secret of secrets, you decide what to follow, according to your nature, after analysing what is good for you’
This comes from Lord Krishna, an Avatar of Vishnu!
Arthur osbourne records thus on his discussion with Ramana Maharishi, the great Saint of this century.
When asked about his not accepting Sishyas , Disciples,Ramana Maharishi replied.
‘Who is a Guru and who is a Sishya?
All are Brahman.
and if you are hungry, only you should eat, not Me.
So search for reality on you’
- Though the article has received acceptance, there have been some comments in Facebook communities and by way of personal omments to my mail ID, about me questioning the Guru system of Hinduism
What I have written here is about Godmen and Prophets, who have no place either in Sruthi and Smriti.
However the Guru systemws practised during the Veidc and subsequent periods to teach Vedas and guide individuals in the Dharmic path, with no intent on the part of the teacher to ern money.
And the concept of Guru, Acharya and Updhyaya are laid down.
Excerpt from my earlier Post.
‘
Vedas have Chapters.
One who teaches these parts is called Upaadhyayaa.
He takes compensation for this service.
‘एकदेसम तु वेदस्य वेदान्गान्यबी वा पुन:: यूअध्यापथि वृथ्यर्थं उपाध्याय: स उच्च्यथे I’-Manu Smriti.
Whereas one who does Brahmopadesam at the time of Upanayana and follows up with Teaching of the vedas is Called Acharya.
Guru is one who seeks you out, if your yearning is sincere.
He knows your yearnings ,assesses your capacity and initiates you in the process that suits you, for individuals are unique ,so are the paths to Realization.
Guru is the Mentor while others are facilitators to study Veda
If people believe in Godmen and at later date they come to know that they have been misled, there is no point in blaming Hinduism as Hinduism, I repeat does not approve of Godmen and Prophets.
It may be of interest to note that even Lord Rama and Krishna were not worshiped in the same way we worship them today, during their time.
They were respected because of their actions, in the case of Krishna ,He was even abused!
Everyone was ( at least many were) engaged in following Dharma as enshrined in the Vedas and were attempting to realize self.
https://ramanisblog.in/2015/07/15/rama-not-worshiped-in-krishna-mahabharata-times/
https://ramanisblog.in/2015/07/18/whom-did-lord-rama-worship/
I’m not a Vedic scholar, so I can’t quote anything, but I’m happy to see Hinduism explained as the personal form of devotion that it is. For a religion that equally glorifies the pristine Parvati and the iconoclastic Kaali, it’s hard to believe that there are rules set in stone of whom to worship and whom not to.
Dear Mr Ramanan,
There is definitely a Divine purpose behind everything, everyone. Nothing can come into existence without His Will. I am sure you agree with me that there as many Maargaas of salvation as the number of souls. Dnyaana, Karma, Bhakti and Karma are, simply speaking, broad classifications.
That is the beauty of this creation.
Ekam Sat Viprah Bahuda Vadanti.
Vedas give more importance to Guru than God. Our mantras say – Gurur Brahma, Vishnu….Maheshwara.., Matru Devobhava, Pitru Devobhava.
The interpretation you have chosen may definitely be suitable for you. And in all ages, there have been people like you, who criticized the saints, Naath-panthi’s, Guru’s, Avataars during the age they lived in.
“So called’ intellectuals/literaries and strict ritualists/disciplinarians have always been the first ones to criticize. All this is necessary too. It will may a few people think deeper, analyze their beliefs/faith and eventually help them progress spiritually.
Once again you will agree with me that Parabrahman/God is beyond logic/intellect/Vedas.
I humbly suggest that you do not fall into the trap of judging people’s faith AND/OR communicating who are Godmen/Prophets/Gurus etc, which is all a part of Parabrahman’s divine plan. People whom you are calling Godmen, Gurus are helping lakhs of people through their activities and samsthana’s, especially in today’s Kaliyuga.
Who are we to judge what is right and who are needed in HIS Creation??
Why don’t you only suggest “what works better for you now”, so that like-minded people can benefit instead of declaring who are Godmen/prophets/Gurus… or how people should attain salvation??
Kindly note – I am not criticizing you at all. This is just a humble suggestion. You will ultimately do what you think are qualified to do or Bhagavan wishes you to do.
By the way Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev is supposed to be rebirth of a great Yogi Sribrahma (Samadhi in Trichy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyMTWxI1bm8
Sri Sri Ravishankar is supposed to be re-incarnation of Maharshi Mahesh Yogi.
I believe in my own experiences and belief. You need not believe all this. This is just FYI…
If I have failed in communicating my belief, samskaras or my understanding of Sanatana Dharma, it is Bhagavan’s wish.
Humble regards…
What i meaning here of Brahman, in this case?? If we seek the physical reference of a guru, which is realtive, so it’s in contrast to what brahman stands for. “So Hum” does it signifies, any relative ? “Trikal Badhitah Yat tat Satyam”, again is there any relative? No!!
It actually shattered my conception to seek a relative solace, as raman maharshi said, and suggested, Enquiry be the path, so we must should enquire within.
Search yourself. You are your Guru