A Spiritual Sojourn

Yesterday I visited Guru ji's Ashram near Chattarpur Temple Complex. Here are my thoughts on the visit -

Aum namah Shivay,
     Shivji sada sahay,
Aum namah Shivay,
     Guruji sada sahay:

My visit was a result of the mass following which has built over the last 4-5 years about Guru ji and hence there was a natural curiosity to know this phenomena.

I must acknowledge that before my visit, I was aware that this curiosity was actually the antithesis of the phenomena ! Curiosity implies an inherent intent to question. Question everything - What is the basis of the faith which lakhs if not crores of devotees have in Guru ji ? Whether Guru ji had those attributes which make him a messenger of God or incarnation of Shiv ji which his devotees believe he is ? And so on....

I called it antithesis because this phenomena leaves no space for questions. It is a phenomena of complete surrender ! No questions asked ! Take it or leave it !! Period !!!

Yet a rationalist like me did go there yesterday, perhaps with questions in mind.

It took me 5 to 6 months to get convinced to go to Guru ji's Ashram. My acquaintances, who are ardent followers, would narrate one story after the other of the miracles which happened to whosoever came in Guru ji' s contact. I was given laboriously compiled books on Guru ji's immense spritual prowess leading to all kinds of miracles - right from getting VISAs to getting cancer cured. Over time these repeated stories started having the rub off effect on me.

Was my exploratory visit to Guru ji's abode also to some extent led by my desire to seek those miracles in my life ? I wouldn't deny that !

Yesterday was Thursday, 25th June 2015. I reached the Ashram at sharp 6 pm. The place is about 10 km from Chattarpur Temples complex. People reach there by all thinkable modes. Much before the Ashram begins, you are ushered into that environment by very energetic individuals in a highly methodical & professional manner. The entire process of getting into the Ashram, going through various rituals & having the sacred langar is managed in a clockwork precision way. All through one hears shabads from Sikh scriptures and Lord Shiva's mantras.

Very frankly, there was nothing very enhancing in the rituals. Yet very simple & without the complexities of an ennui laden religious process. Thousands of devotees as well as organisers seemed a part of an amazing pond of love, trust & surrender to their beloved Guru ji. It seemed like an endless pond of blessings in which countless souls were bathing without the pond seeming small. Yet, were all these people led by pure feelings of devotion or selfish motive of seeking success, prosperity and cure ? - I can't say !!

What was my take away ?

My rationalist being saw the following - I went to a place where all the people seemed insecure and were looking for 'tinkey ka sahara' - where needy people were longing for miracles to happen in their troubled lives ! The endowed somehow wanted to secure what they already have been blessed with and some greedy prayed for more perhaps.

On the contrary, my irrational being found all these people very secure - drenched in the abundant love for their Guru ji. Those countless ordinary souls who have no gyan or knowledge on how to seek or realize God were there in the Ashram in a state of complete surrender at the feet of Guru ji with unconditional love & trust in their God incarnate.

Interestingly I was closer to my Irrational Being !!!

Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Gita propounded two modes of seeking God - Gyan Yog & Bhakti Yog. The former is a tedious way of exploring the existence of the Creator & realising Him. This exploration may or may not get completed in one life time. The latter, comparatively simpler mode, talks of complete surrender without questioning anything. It is the latter which forms the basis of Guru ji's phenomena. A simple uncomplicated offering yourself at the feet of your Creator.
Is there anything wrong with this simpleton mode of seeking God ? Lord Krishna didn't think so. He in fact advocated this mode. Hindus' revered scripture Bhaagwat Katha dwells upon Bhakti Yog at great length and underscores its significance. Guru ji has led his devotees on the path of seeking God through Bhakti Yog as enshrined in our scriptures.

So I came back with images of innocence engulfing fear, quivering lips chanting Aum Namah Shivay in complete surrender, smiles which signatured complete trust in God through His messenger - their beloved Guru ji. These positive vibrations reinforcing an already blessed place made pious by Guru ji. Perhaps all these angelic vibes become potent enough to attract the Creator's blessings making miracles happen ! Just as a possible explanation though !!!

The baggage of my rational questions melted in the irrational heat of innocent samarpan at the Altar of the Almighty !

A human being has to spend on an average 70 to 80 years of his life fighting all sorts of problems, looking for solutions to those problems and inventing twigs of faith to latch on to.

As I treaded out of the Ashram pensively, I pondered - If a harmless act of faith makes your life seem more secure, even if psychologically, then why not !