Insight in spiritualism

1. GURUTATVA
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. We have many preferences and priorities. We have
different role models. We have different individuals
whom we respect. We find different idols in society. In
the quest of truth we find many phenomena to adore.
Usually there is confusion and hence conflicts in our
lives.
The spiritual literature usually affirms that guru is the
ultimate. There is nothing beyond guru. But there are
others who maintain that KULADEVATA is most
important. There are many other opinions as well.
For many of us; accepting guru as the ultimate sounds
difficult to accept and digest; in view of the human form
of the guru. The guru (and even prophet or incarnation)
in human form with though stupendous, yet limited
accomplishments when compared with eternal,
omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God.
Often there is a nagging question as to whether the
KULADEVATA should get preference or a guru?
While KULADEVATA is usually accessible to many
Hindus; this phenomena is usually not found in many
Hindus and Non-Hindus. Further, there is perennial

3. confusion about guru; in view of their credentials and
capacity to guide us to God.
For those who have access to KULADEVATA and guru;
there is a dilemma about whom to give priority.
Objectively looking at it; the KULADEVATA as well as
the human form of the guru are the products of the same
omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God.
Whom should we give preference?
In the course of practicing NAMASMARAN according to
the advice of our guru; we gradually realize that
kuladevata is a bounty of the omniscient, omnipotent and
omnipresent God; through which we are oriented to
Him; and the guru is the bounty through whom we get
closer to Him.
Later; through NAMASMARAN; we realize that; the
essence of KULADEVATA and the essence of guru; is
actually extremely pleasant, empowering, vitalizing and
immortalizing bounty; very much present and evident in
our conscience.

4. This perception gradually gets culminated in the
realization that this essence of KULADEVATA, guru
and all the deities and adorable entities; is the same as
GURUTATVA.
This GURUTATVA; is truly the direct communion with
God.
This can be (though not exactly, accurately or
appropriately) compared with motherhood and
fatherhood. We love and adore our mother and father
and in the course of maturity; begin to worship the
motherhood and fatherhood in nature.
GURUTATVA is a universal, eternal and the most
sublime relationship between us and God. When we
follow, dedicate and consume ourselves in the preachings
of our guru; we actually imbibe or get merged into the
source of our consciousness and our conscience; the
GURUTATVA; the most pleasant communion with; and
the bounty of God!