'Nama kirtnam and Nama japam' - 'performance of these two are not sadhanas to attain God; dhyana, yoga and severe penance have to be performed for the attainment of God,' is the opinion of many people. These people who hold such opinion should then be greater than the Nayanmars (the 63 prime devotees of Lord Siva), azhwars (the 12 prime devotees of Lord Vishnu) and the great people who have given us the Shastras!
When we look into the 'pathigams' (praises on Lord Siva) of Nayanmars we find that they speak of the glory of 'Siva Nama' in several places. The whole of the 'pathigams' contains only the glory of 'Nama'. Only songs in praises of the Lord, oozing and melting with love (for the Lord) are found in these 'pathigams'. In the case of azhwars' 'pasurams' (praises on Lord Vishnu) also we find that they speak only on the greatness of 'Bhagavan Nama' (the Name of the Lord). The need to sing the praises of Bhagavan is also spoken in them. Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi who advocated atma vichara (Self-enquiry) to all has in many places spoken on the glory of doing japa of 'Bhagavan Nama'.
In the same way our Shastras have also, in several places, spoken on the glory of uttering the Name of the Lord as also the need and the glory of singing the praises of Bhagavan. People, who possess knowledge of the Shastras, however, seem to accept only those as the words of the Shastras that speak of ways that are extremely difficult to tread. 'If any easy way has been spoken of, it cannot be the words of the Shastras,' so do they conclude. If some hard to follow ways such as, 'fast ('vrata') for 45 days, bathe early morning, bathe in the evening, have food only once a day, do not have food at all', are advocated then people applaud, 'Oh! Is this not the Shastras?' But if the same Shastras say, 'chant the Name of the Lord and you can attain Him,' these people do not accept the Shastras!
Man feels that only the most difficult is the highest. The mind ('manas') of man concludes that the most difficult way is the best way. This is a very wrong notion. There can be an easy, simple way. And this easy way can bestow the highest on us. The very same Shastra that has prescribed tough ways of 'tapas', 'yoga', 'dhyana', 'vedanta vichara' has also prescribed and spoken the glory of 'Bhagavan Nama kirtan' - the glory of uttering the Name of the Lord and singing the praises of the Lord.
In the same way, 'Guru is not needed to attain God, we can attain God on our own', is the opinion of many. But Srimad Bhagavatam tells us that Krishna - 'Poorna Brahma sanatanam', 'Poorna Avatar' (perfect Incarnation) who is known as 'Krishnam vande Jagadgurum', lived with Guru Sandeepani to acquire knowledge. What is the need for Krishna who is the Jagadguru (The Teacher of the Universe) to seek a Teacher and learn from him? God, through His Avatar, shows us how we should conduct ourselves. Though Krishna was Himself the Guru to the whole world - had offered the Gita, is non-pareil in knowledge - He sought a Guru and learnt from him just to show us that that each and every man born in the world should certainly approach and learn from a Guru. In the Ramayana we find that Rama had Vasishta as His Guru. Though God Himself comes down to the earth in all the Avatars, He seeks a Guru and we find the beauty of Bhagavan receiving 'upadesa' from a Guru.
The Vedas say, 'seek a Guru!' The Shastras says, 'seek a Guru!' In the Gita also Bhagavan says, 'Tad Viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya!' - approach Jnanis who know the 'tattva' (philosophy) and through them learn the true 'tattva'. From this we can understand that all - the Vedas, the Shastras, the Itihasa-puranas, Bhagavat Avatars, Holy Texts - speak on the need for a Guru; hence, to say that Guru is not needed is only our opinion and not that of the Shastras, the Vedas and the Mahans.
We spoke on the glory of Namasankirtanam. We spoke about the glory of Guru. Who should be our Guru at this Age? He should be one who, conscious of the situation prevailing in this era, bestows 'upadesa' to the 'sishya' taking into account the state of the 'sishya' and his capability at this Age.
When we look at the conditions prevailing today, the state of our mind, etc. we find that our mind has lost its strength. Today, most of us are without 'mano balam' (strength of mind). Under such circumstances, the only way that all can easily follow is 'Bhagavan Nama kirtan' (chanting the Name of the Lord).
Therefore, who is a Sadguru?
The one who calls all the people in this Kali Yuga and gives the ‘upadesa’, “Utter the Name of the Lord. You can attain God!”
Only such a one is a Sadguru.
God is for all. Each and everyone have the right to attain God. 'Bhagavan Nama kirtan' which is the easiest way of attaining that God and performance of 'Bhagavan Nama' japa is universal way; all can say Bhagavan Nama; there is no bar for this; no one can stop it; all are children of God. Therefore, under the conditions prevailing today we can attain God following this great way. Only the one who advocates this 'marga' (of 'Nama sankirtan') to us is verily the highest Guru. Only He can show God to us. He is verily the Avatara Purusha.
Who is an Avatar? It is the objective of the Avatara 'purushas' to give 'upadesa' as befitting the Yuga, time and conditions. So, people should be given 'upadesa' as befitting today's circumstances. And that is the 'upadesa' of Nama kirtan. The path ('marga') of the day is 'Nama kirtan'. It is only to speak on this 'marga' that innumerable Mahans have been coming down in this Kali Yuga.
-Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji (An article from Nama Dwaar)
Guru Poornima Wishes to all.
