महामनुस्तवः

THE GURU

If the Mantra is the sound-body of the Deity, who can reveal the Mantra except the Deity itself? Ultimately, it is the Deity that leads the devotee to itself. But all are not in a position to get the direct guidance from the Deity. Certain rare souls who come to earth as already prepared or perfected beings need no outside help. They rely on their inner Voice, on the God within them and advance very rapidly. But for all the others the Deity acts through a human agency, the Guru.

Knowledge is handed over without a break through means of initiation. And for this perpetual movement, continuous guidance, the Tantra gives the name augha, flood or current. The Aughas are three in number, Divyaugha, Siddhaugha and Manavaugha, the divine guides, the accomplished or semi-divine companions on the way and the mortal mentors. If man is ready, he is caught in this current and led by the current with-out any effort. When the seeker is earnest, the Guru appears on the scene to guide him.

So the Guru is not a mere human being. To mistake him as such is a sure way to spiritual downfall. He is the delegated power of the godhead on earth and to the disciple he is God himself. If a Mantra has to be effective, it has to be initiated through a Guru. Then, by the grace of the Guru all follows. If the disciple is destined to advance far ahead, the Guru’s grace and the Mantra’s force lead him on to further Gurus, so that he may acquire the requisite knowledge at various stages³⁸

How can Siddhi in the Mantra be attained? The disciple should be pure in mind imbibing all the various qualities of the elders in the field. He should be drenched in the compassionate gaze of the Guru. More than his personal effort, the Guru’s Grace accomplishes the sadhana. He should rely entirely on the Guru and be a constant servitor at his lotus-feet. To such a disciple comes the great Siddhi.⁴⁰

In the cult of Sri Vidya the importance of the Guru cannot be overemphasized, where so much depends upon the guidance of the Guru and the grace of the Goddess.