The Guru Lineage    

Thus said Banda:
I’m happy to hear there’s a place for me there:
My heart sings in most grateful ecstasy rare.
I want to be there with the sacred sages
And be given the wisdom of all the ages.
But I don’t understand how the wisdom is passed
So it remains pure from the first to the last.
Tell me, how is the lineage passed on through the ages?
And what are the ways to discern the true sages?

Thus spoke Guru Gobind:
The guru lineage has a mysterious route.
It is passed on in ways most know little about.
The guru is drawn to the disciple who’s ready-
Whose heart, mind, and soul are completely steady.
When the disciple attains to a lofty estate,
He presents himself at the innermost gate.
The gurus dwelling behind its keyless door
Attend to his callings as he does implore
The supreme Lord to admit him within.
And they, by his persistent love, determine
If he should enter. Then they open the portal
Whose threshold is seldom seen by any mortal.

Succession is passed on in only this way-
Bonds of birth or position don’t hold any sway.
All succeeding gurus in our great tradition
Have attained to their status upon that condition-
That they’re enlightened and have been anointed
By the line of the sages who them have appointed
To be caretakers on earth of the sacred teaching
That they cherish and want to maintain as far-reaching.
So the passage of power is thus carefully guarded
Lest any part of the heritage be somehow discarded
Or misused, distorted, diluted, or poorly fare
From lack of capacity on part of the heir.

The signs of a sage can be rightly perceived
When one-pointed mind remains undeceived
By projection or by unconscious desire
That keeps him ensnared in delusion’s dark mire.
A sage, first of all, is without selfish motive:
The divine shines within as an eternal votive.
His posture’s aligned and is perfectly still.
He can always help students by strength of his will.
Desires are vanquished; he is never perturbed;
His insight is pure and his mind undisturbed.
His awareness is constantly merged in the One:
Ego or barriers-of them he has none.
To him, all are equal shrines of the Divine,
And he dwells in infinite rapture sublime-
Yet he is active and serves all with love,
Reminding them of the Truth here and above.
His wisdom and knowledge of eternal law
Inspire others with devotion and awe.
But his major hallmark is the pure flow of love,
Which he bestows equally on all from above.

The role of the sage is upholder of dharma,
He helps burn the seeds of all impure karma.
He invisibly influences the chain of events
And many a man-made disaster prevents.
It is his nature to share divine light,
Reducing the pain of humanity’s plight.
His presence on earth is a soothing, kind balm
That always gives peace and emotional calm.
He knows the potentials of those whom he guides,
And he shares with them secrets; from others he hides.
He gathers his students into his fold,
So that to them sacred words may be told.
And he plants in their hearts the seed of the Divine
That will blossom and reach to the top of the spine.
He guides all in his grace to the ultimate One,
And keeps coming back till the whole task is done.
He serves men in the world, yet he dwells in the void
And dispenses the nectar of love there enjoyed.
For humanity, roaming in the vale of despair,
There is no other solace that can even compare
With the sage’s mere presence on this plane of existence.
Who can venture to count all his forms of assistance?

Thus said Banda:
Thy words are like nectar, and I thirst for more.
They refresh my spirit, its hope to restore.
Bestow on me now, my most revered Lord,
The gift of thy teaching-let it be poured
Over my being by grace of thy word.
Speak of the guru so my heart is stirred!

Thus spoke Guru Gobind:
Without guru to teach us, we in darkness walk;
We lose our way, get distracted, or balk.
Without guru’s help, self-conceit we can’t burn;
Without his wise guidance, the Divine we can’t earn.
He knows the true way, from inside guides our steps,
And bids us to tread the path our heart accepts.
Through faith in the guru the true Self is known;
By his words and actions the true path is shown.
Let his words, like seeds, grow, watered by love,
So they reach from your heart to the Truth above.

The guru’s word is the breath of life;
The guru’s word gives reprieve from strife.
The word of the guru is the sound within;
The word of the guru is the highest hymn.
The word of the guru is the music sublime,
The word of the guru pervades beyond time.
The guru’s word a great secret resolves:
There is but one God, round which all revolves.
The guru’s the Lords of the divine Trinity.
And he’s the same as Mother Divinity.
Who follows the guru with heart, mind, and soul
Becomes one with the Lord and one with the Whole.

But remember, the guru is not a mere person;
Do not that mistake let your progress worsen.
He is not personality, not outward appearance,
But a wise inner force we give our adherence:
The guru resides within our very spirit,
But only those who listen in stillness can hear it.
So always stay inwardly tuned to his voice,
And give to the world so all can rejoice.
Hail to the guru who dwells within all!
His transmuting spirit does good men enthrall.
‘Pon the word of the guru can one safely cross
the great ocean of life, whose waves do him toss.
So constantly pray and remember his love;
Inspired you’ll be from within and above.