Sunday, March 27, 2011

Guru Sishya Bandham - Surdas story


This time let us know a story about the Guru Sishya (disciple) relationship.



Surdas is an eager student who wants to learn about Spirituality. He met a Guru who accepted him as his disciple. The Guru was impressed by his urge and dedication to know about spiritual practices. As a Guru, he found that Surdas is hampered by his quality of getting angry easily, which prevents him from learning. Thus the Guru decided to make him shed his anger, and then teach him. He knew only then Surdas will be able to understand and learn better.



So, the Guru asked Surdas to chant his favourite Lord's name while doing all his activities, for one month and then meet him. Surdas consciously chanted Krishna Nama when he does all his activities. The day after a month, he woke up early, had his bath and rendered his daily prayers and went to meet his Guru. On his way to Guru's ashram, a sweeper on the street carelessly put dirt on his clothes. Surdas furiously scolded him for that and told that he had to go and bathe again. He then met his Guru and to his surprise the Guru told that Surdas is not yet ready to learn and he has to chant and do his chores for another month.



Surdas returned sadly thinking that he might not have chanted with utmost devotion and concentration. From then, he chanted Lord Krishna's name wholeheartedly while doing his chores.

After a month, he eagerly started to his Guruji's ashram and same thing happened again. The same sweeper mistakenly pushed along his dirty broom over Surdas. Surdas became really agitated and blamed the sweeper of doing it consciously. After bathing, he met his Guru and heard the same sentences from him.



One month passed away and this time the same incident happened when Surdas went to meet his Guru. However, this time the sweeper after seeing Surdas, reminded of Surdas's harsh words towards him and deliberately poured some dirt onto his head. To the sweeper's surprise this time Surdas addressed him softly saying "Thank you. You are my master. You made me to overcome my anger." The sweeper felt bad for his action.



This time as Surdas approached his Guru's hermitage, he could see his Guru standing in front of the hermitage welcoming him. Guru told Surdas that he is now ready to teach him. Surdas could now understand the process he went through.



There are many good values that we could imbibe from this story. Firstly, a Guru knows what a student is lacking of and knows the ways that would teach him (though it is a hard way).

Secondly, as a student, he should have utmost faith in Guru's words and follow them with devotion. Thirdly, sometimes in our lives, we might come across unpleasing incidents, but we should always be open to learn some lesson from that experience. Fourthly, Chanting Lord's name will create a change in our attitude and lives.



Here is a beautiful song of Surdas which most of you would have watched in ever enjoyable Shri Krishna serial in Doordarshan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keCiSa5hBB8



Another, Surdas bhajan with lyrics is below.



Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi (3)

( My eyes are thirsty for the vision of Lord (Hari).

Have not seen the lotus shaped of my Lord, so I remains sad day after day.)

Dekhiyo Chahat Kamal Nain Ko..
Nisdin Rehet Udaasi
Akhiyan Nisdin Rehet Udaasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi

(My only want is to see the Lotus eyed Lord...This is the only thought each day sadly for me..)


Kesar Tilak Motiyan Ki Maala..
Brindavan Ko Vaasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi..
(Lord Krishna who has a Tilak of Kesar (Saffron) on his forehead and wearing a neclace of sparkling gems (pearls)... The Lord Krishna who lives in Brindavan..)


Kahoke Manki Kovu Na Jaane..
Logan Ke Man Haasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi..
(Nobody knows what is his (Lord Krishna's) divine leela, each individual's imagination making them all happy in the lord's thoughts.. Surdas - the poet) am sad as I am unable to bear this pain of not having your darshan..)


Surdas Prabhu Tumhare Daras Bin..
Layho Karvat Kaasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi..
Akhiyan Hari Darsan Ki Pyaasi..

(I (Surdas - the poet) am sad as I am unable to bear this pain of not having your darshan..)



Listen to the Carnatic version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPs823Lfc4U

Listen to Hindustani version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDXrE_4PHo&feature=related



Story Courtesy: www.balsanskar.com

Lyric Courtesy: www.hindi-bhajan-song-videos.com

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