The greatest key to progress in the spiritual path
One evening Gnani Purush Dadashri and Pujya Niruben
were sitting alone after a satsang. Dada looked at Niruben and
with a smile asked, ‘Niruben, will you accept and agree to follow
a simple instruction of mine?’ ‘Of course Dada’ replied Niruben.
‘Find and make just one disciple of yours’, said Dadashri. Niruben
experienced puzzle and bewilderment. All her years at the feet of
the Gnani, she had learnt only one message. His aphorism was
that she had to be a shishya (disciple) of all living beings….in
order to progress in the path of enlightenment. She also had never
so far negated any word of the Gnani said, ‘Let me remain as
shishya, at your feet Dada. I have no desire to make or have any
disciple. This is what you have taught me.’ Dada smiled further
almost enjoying Niruben’s bewilderment. “Try and understand
my request. I am asking you to make only one, just one disciple.
No more!” He said, “Make Niruben your disciple.” Dada told
her.
What an extraordinary statement from The Gnani! Just as
the sun establishes its presence when clouds move away, the
greatness of this sutra and its phenomenal meaning began to take
hold within Niruben. Pujya Dadashri explained further, “Just as a
master takes care of his disciple, attending to his welfare, making
sure that he does not slip, constantly in contact and conversation
with him for his benefit, guiding him to higher and higher levels,
always being there as a friend and a guide; You will attend to your
disciple named Niruben . Do you understand?”
“Oh ho ho Dada! You have done a wonderful thing!”
responded Niruben. At that time, Niruben realized that The Gnani
had just given to her and the world one of the greatest keys to
progress in the spiritual path. She experienced the true meaning
of the term, “Sahajatma Swaroop param guru...- the natural
State of the Self is the ultimate guru.”