Many months ago, I was introduced to the verses called "Guru Ashtakam". That time I did not know the meaning of the words. But they held such a grip on me. Once the verses started everything surrounding me looked sacred. Ants crawling on the floor seemed like manifestations from a divine source. I later took my music player to Dhyan Yatra and was hearing this looking at the Himalayas. They appeared so intimately connected!
Later, I came to learn about the meaning of these verses. These words were written by Adi Shankaracharya. The essence of the poetry is this: "If there is no devotion to your Guru, there is no way out of the trap!". Listen to the verses here - you can also read and understand its meaning on the same page.
The meaning makes me very happy! It means that whatever the intelligence, astuteness I have, whatever tricks I play fooling others, whatever wealth I accumulate, whatever praises I receive - at the time of reckoning, I have to bow down! There is no trick route! I don't want it any other way either.
Yesterday was Guru Poornima - a day to pay your gratitude to the Guru. Honestly, I don't even need to have a Guru. The fact that there existed one, *just one*, even just once in the whole timescale of humanity is enough! And if you happen to know and have one, you cannot even begin to comprehend how fortunate you are!
Personally, in the scale of evolution, I would place God one step behind the Guru.
