Fourteen Qualities of the Guru & Fifteen Qualities of the Good Disciple Taken from the Nyasa Vimsati by Vedanta Deshika (1268-1370) As included in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa by Gopala Bhatta Goswami (1503-1578) Fourteen Qualities of the Guru - Sat-sampradaya siddham – He is firmly established in the sampradaya - Sthira dhiyam – His mind remains firmly fixed, even in debates based on deceitful reasoning - Anagam – Free from sin, and never swerves from shastra - Srotriyam – Fully conversant with the Vedas and Vedanta - Brahma nistham – He has resolute devotion to God, free from blemishes - Sattvastham – Dominated by sattva guna - Satya vacam – Free from deceitful speech, he always tells the truth - Samaya niyataya sadu vritya sametam – Adept at anushtanams (prayers and religious practices). - Dambha asuyadhi muktam – No inauspicious characteristics such as egoism or jealousy - Jita visayi ganam – Does not engage in conduct prohibited by the Bhagavat shastras. Has controlled senses - Dirgha bandhum – He is a friend and guide for all those who have sought his refuge, always seeking their welfare, and lifting them up to the ultimate destination - Dayalum – Has spontaneous compassion and kindness for his disciples - Skhalite sasitaram – Corrects his disciples and recommends improving actions for them - Svapara hitaparam – Determines what is mutually good for him and his sisya (disciple) and acts accordingly Fifteen Qualities of the Good Disciple - Sadh buddhi – Good intelligence - Sadhu sevi – He has the disposition to mingle with, and serve, the sadhus - Samucita carita – He is marked for his righteous conduct, both personal and social - Tattva bodha abhilasi – Has an eagerness to learn spiritual teaching - Susrusu – He excels in helping the guru in his seva - Tyakta mana – He has become humble or at least free from the gross manifestations of pride - Pranipatena para – He has implicit obedience to the guru and bows down in his presence - Prasna kala pratiksa – He waits for the right time to clear his doubts about what he has learned from the acarya - Santa – He is peaceful and self-controlled - Danta – Controls both his mind and speech - Anasuya – Free from jealousy - Saranam upagata – Always eager to hear ‘instructions of divine grace’ from his guru - Sastra visvas Sali – Has total faith in shastra - Paristam prapta – Ready to undergo any tests set by the guru for assessing his state of preparedness to be accepted as a deserving disciple - Krita-vid sisya – He will be a grateful disciple for all that is to be received from the acarya. Vedanta Deshika concludes: “Tattvata – abhimatam sikshaniya.” (Truly, such a person with these qualities is fit for instruction by the acarya).
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:50:50 +0000
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