The disciple's self-surrender to the Guru and the Guru's grace are interrelated. Surrender draws down the Guru's grace, and the grace of the Guru makes the surrender complete.
The Guru's grace works in the form of Sadhana in the aspirant. If an aspirant sticks to the path tenaciously, this Is the grace of the Guru. If he resists when temptation assails him, this is the grace of the Guru. If people receive him with love and reverence, this is the grace of the Guru. If he gets all bodily wants, this is the grace of the Guru. If he gets encouragement and strength when he is in despair and despondency, this is the grace of the Guru. If he gets over the body-consciousness and rests in his own Ananda Svarupa (the form of bliss), this is the grace of the Guru. Feel his grace at every step, and be sincere and truthful to him.
How the GURU Teaches?
The Guru teaches through personal example. The day-to-day conduct of the Guru is a living ideal to the disciple who is observant. The life of the Guru is a living sermon to the sincere disciple. By constant contact, the disciple imbibes the virtues of his Guru. He is moulded gradually. Study the Chhandogya Upanishad. You will find that Indra stayed with Prajapati for a period of a hundred and one years and served him whole-heartedly.
The Guru alone knows the spiritual needs of his disciples. He will give Upadesha (spiritual advice) according to the disciple's temperament and evolution. This Upadesha should be kept a secret. Discussion among disciples will lead to criticism of the Guru and slackness in Sadhana. There will be no spiritual progress. Follow the Guru's Upadesha to the very letter. Remember it is meant for you only. The other disciples have received Guru- upadesha, too. Let them follow it. Do not impose the Upadesha you have received on others.
