XXV

What one should ask from Godman

The Master is the mouthpiece of God. He is the Pole at which God manifests His Godhood. He is the bathing ghat or beach where a person can safely enter into the sea for a dip. He is like a switch, which has in it the concentrated energy of the powerhouse. The Son and the Father are one and administer the same Law.

I and my Father are One,

sayeth Christ.

Clothed in Heavenly Light, He radiates Light into the world.

I am the Light of the world, and he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life.

St John 8:12

God or a Godman is the Treasure House of Naam. Naam is God's Master-instrument with which He created the Universe and with which He is sustaining it. The moment He withdraws this power of His, the result is disintegration, dissolution and death.

Saint John calls It Word:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of man. And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

St John 1:1-5

A prophet, a Saint, an apostle is truly the repository of God's Power. He is the veritable abode of God Himself:

God comes into the world in the garb of a Sadh (Saint).

Guru Arjan, Maru M5

Whoever then has a longing for God must hasten to a true Saint and seek God from Him. Nothing but the Saving Grace of the Master can work a true transformation in the worldly-wise man, fully identified as he is with the sensual plane.

I think of Thee and lovingly long for Thee, I pray to the Saints to manifest Thee in me.

Guru Arjan, Malar M5

I pray to the Sadhs for I hear God is of His devotees, Nanak has an intense longing for Him, oh! have mercy.

Guru Arjan, Todi M5

Separate for ages, unite now Oh Lord, this is the greatest desire of my heart. Hear my prayers through the Master, Nanak has no other wish but this.

Guru Ram Das, Maru M4

I pray to the Saints for union, that is what Nanak asks for.

Guru Arjan, Suhi M5

The souls that have realized the Lord, I shall inquire of them, in all humility, I shall supplicate to know the Way to Him.

Guru Nanak, Telang M1

Saints are the representatives of God, and to them we pray, we are but filthy worms, oh Satguru, grant us the Light of Naam.

Guru Ram Das, Gujri M4

Bhai Gurdas has given us a beautiful specimen of prayer for the Sikhs:

I am a depraved sinner and a heretic, a thief, a gambler and a housebreaker, a thug that lives on illicit gains, a constant prey to all kinds of lusts, a slave to the five passions, viz., lust, anger, greed, attachment and egoism, a betrayer, an ungrateful wretch, abhorred by all. Oh ye, with all these faults, and still more, remember the Satguru for He is compassionate indeed.

War 36, Pauri 28

Once this relationship of Master and disciple is established, the latter becomes fully dependent upon Him. The acceptance of the disciple by the Master means acceptance of the entire responsibility of his Karmic debt or burden, including Pralabdh (fate or destiny), Kriyaman (actions or deeds performed from day to day), and Sanchit Karmas (the storehouse of unfructified karmic impressions). Like an official liquidator, it is now His job to liquidate the debts of the disciple, wind them up and free him from them so as to put him on his feet again for the second birth leading to the life of the spirit.

We are now of the Master, a bond-slave unto Him, oh Nanak! with the relationship of Master and servant, save us now.

Guru Ram Das, Suhi M4

I long for an eternal friend, ever true, from end to end.

Guru Arjan, Gauri M5

I pray to the Satguru to lead me to the Friend, by meeting Whom, peace descends and death vanishes.

Guru Nanak, Sri Rag M1

Oh Master! may I live by beholding Thee, and my life's aim be fulfilled. Oh fulfil my prayers that I may live by Thy Word, may I ever abide under Thy protection, whose value only the blessed few may know, and that too only through the Master's Grace.

Grant this boon, oh my Beloved, that Thou may ever dwell in my mind. Nanak has but one wish alone, that he may never forget the fountainhead of all virtues.

Guru Arjan, Suhi M5

Everything is in Thy Controlling Power, oh Destroyer of fear, so saith Nanak, save the ignorant, oh Merciful One.

Guru Arjan, Bilawal M5

Seeing that the whole world is being consumed in invisible flames of fire, I come to Thy feet, I pray, oh perfect Master, save us as Thou wilt.

Guru Amar Das, Vadhans M3