Natural Growth – In Gita Verse 18.68 For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the song of God, holds profound spiritual significance. In Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.68, the importance of disseminating the sacred teachings of the Gita to those who are spiritually inclined. The act of sharing this divine knowledge is not just an altruistic endeavour but a pathway to attaining divine grace and ultimate union with the Supreme.
The Bhagavad Gita is a celestial melody, akin to the Ganga of heaven brought to earth through Arjuna. It is a spiritual river meant to quench the thirst of those whose hearts yearn for divine wisdom. For those content with worldly pleasures and knowledge, forcing the Gita upon them is unnecessary. Their time for spiritual awakening will come when they realise the limitations of earthly satisfaction and seek the divine nectar that only the Gita can provide.
The Gita’s teachings are not for everyone. To truly appreciate its divine music, one must be prepared, both intellectually and spiritually. This preparation involves a deep sense of reverence, an attitude of celebration, and a feeling of awe. Only then can the divine lines of the Gita be truly heard and appreciated. These lines are not ordinary; they are imbued with divinity and offer a taste of the otherworldly.
When someone is ready to receive this divine knowledge, Krishna encourages us to share it with them. The person who helps another drink from the Gita’s wisdom becomes exceedingly dear to Krishna. This act signifies bringing another soul closer to God, immersing another heart in divinity, and guiding a lost traveller back to their spiritual home. It means facilitating the attainment of peace, happiness, and nirvana for another part of existence.
Krishna emphasises the rarity and significance of finding a true spiritual teacher. There is a well-known Sufi saying, “When the disciple is ready, the Master arrives.” This adage highlights that a deep, earnest desire for spiritual growth and a commitment to the path are essential for attracting a true Master. When a person realises the need to transcend their unconscious and conditioned life, a guide mysteriously appears to show the way.
The journey of spiritual evolution progresses through three stages: student, disciple, and devotee. A student learns intellectually and relates to the guru on an intellectual plane, marking the beginning of the spiritual journey. If the student develops trust in the guru, they can relate emotionally, becoming a disciple. This emotional connection fosters a deep communion between the disciple and the guru.
As a student, one perceives the guru as a teacher. Upon becoming a disciple, the guru is recognised as a Master, and a unique kind of love arises at the emotional level. This love signifies that the seeker is now on the spiritual path. The student may not be aware of their status and might think of themselves as a disciple or devotee, but their actions are still guided by logic. The disciple operates through love, while the devotee moves through trust, which is the culmination of love.
The highest state is that of a devotee, where the Master and the disciple are no longer separate. This union transcends mere communion, representing a profound unity. In this state, the Master is perceived as a divine being. For instance, Buddha is called ‘Bhagwan,’ not in the Christian sense of God, but as a recognition of his transcendental energy. The Master embodies the divine on earth, representing a bridge between the known and the unknown.
Sufi stories illustrate this spiritual journey beautifully. Junnaid, a renowned Sufi, once narrated his experience with his Master, who did not acknowledge him for three years. Despite this, Junnaid persisted, sensing the Master’s divine presence. After three years, the Master finally looked at him, signifying that Junnaid had transitioned from a student to a disciple. Another three years passed before the Master smiled at him, a gesture that deeply impacted Junnaid’s heart, moving him further along his spiritual path.
Finally, after nine years, the Master kissed Junnaid’s forehead, declaring him ready to spread the divine message. This kiss symbolised the ultimate recognition and merger of the disciple with the Master. Junnaid’s transformation from a student to a devotee and eventually to a Master himself exemplifies the profound spiritual evolution that Krishna describes.
Krishna’s teachings highlight that a student begins the journey unconsciously, a disciple starts gaining consciousness, and a devotee reaches a state of such heightened consciousness that it transcends awareness. The Master’s recognition is crucial, as the devotee’s union with the Master signifies the culmination of the spiritual journey. This spontaneous and natural growth from devotee to Master embodies the essence of the Gita’s divine wisdom.
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