Sunday, November 22, 2009

Etiquette of Disciple with Respect to Guru

Hari-Bhakti-Vilaasa lists the following etiquette to be observedby the bona fide disciple in relation to his spiritual master:
1) He should fall down like an uprooted tree(dandavat) on seeing the guru. When the guruapproaches he should face himand when he leaves, heshould follow him.
2) He should not leave the guru'spresence without askingpermission.
3) He should not utter the guru's nameinattentively, but alwayswith respect. He should address him as om sri............Visnupada, and bowhis head and fold his hands in respect.
4) He should not imitate the gait, activities or voiceof the guru.
5) He should always hold the guru's wordsin great respect. Though he may bepunished by the guru, he should not take itunkindly.
6) He should not bear tohear criticism of the guru, the scriptures or theLord, but should leave theplace immediately.
7) He should not step on the guru's garland, bed,shoes, aasana, shadowor eating table.
8) He should not spread his legsbefore the guru, nor shouldhe yawn, laugh or make disrespectful noises beforethe guru.
9) He should notsit on an aasana or bed before the guru.
10) He should not worship others in preference to theguru. He should not give diksaa, give scripturalexplanations or show superiority in front ofthe guru.
11) He should not give orders to the guru, butobey him.
12) He shouldtreat the guru's guru with similar respect and heshould treat the wife, sonand relatives of the guru as the guru, but he shouldnot clean the body ofthe son, take his remnants or wash his feet.

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