THE DASBODHA BY: SADGURU SHREE SAMARTH RAMDAS ...

Shree Samarth says that even if both of them are the correct persons
but they fail to have a dialogue about the real knowledge of the self or the Atman then it is of no
use either. Furthermore even when the disciple is convinced about the preaching of the Guru but is
unable to maintain the Sadhana the same fate awaits him. Shree Samarth further states that this
yield of the spiritualism has to be very industriously obtained and then maintained for the fear of
the loss of it which is the greatest loss if anything lost in this Maya can be termed as a loss.
The Sadhak should continue the Sadhana even after getting the
ultimate knowledge of the self, through the blessings of the Guru; as slight negligence may allow
the Maya to intrude and subsequently divert the Sadhak from his hard earned path. Therefore Shree
Samarth says that pursuance of spiritualism is a comprehensive way of leading one’s life. The parts
within this way are companionship of the Guru, Saints, Sages and Rishis, virtuous deeds and strict
adherence to the religion whereas Sadhana, desire for the real knowledge and worship are its outer
parts. The Atman reveals itself where both of these bloom fully. Absence of any of these leads to
chaos where the disciple can’t be held responsible because it is the solemn duty of the Guru to
improve the disciple even if it requires a total metamorphosis in the disciple’s interior as well as the
exterior for the Guru is capable of anything imaginable and even beyond that. Shree Samarth says
that the converse isn’t true at all. By this he subtly suggests that howsoever great the disciple may
become he can’t and shouldn’t aspire to become the Guru.
Shree Samarth says that in the Guru-disciple relation Guru is the
major player as he is the one who is responsible for the development of the disciple. Now he tells
how the disciple should be. The main attribute of a good disciple is that he should have total faith in
the Guru and whatever he does or says. The disciple should be calm in any given situation, humble,
pure at heart, in possession of high moral character, ethical values, Vairagya, should realize his
mistakes and never commit the same again, should be utterly faithful, highly industrious, able to
concentrate on the abstract, very courageous, charitable, devoted to spiritualism, without jealousy,
an avid reader of all the religious philosophies, virtuous, careful in everything, intelligent,
thoughtful, independent, full of love, lovable, able to behave according to the demands of the
situation yet never leave the path shown by the Guru, able to discern between what is good and
what is not and behave accordingly, a troubleshooter, brave, having conviction in his thoughts and
deeds, a great Sadhak, worshipper of the God, able to survive any physical and mental strain, a
friend of everyone, student of the knowledge of the Parbrahma and should have total belief in the
existence of the God. All his senses should be concentrated and directed towards the Guru
constantly with a feeling that the Guru is the only person who matters for him and whatever he does
or tells is for the good of him which makes the mind of the disciple readily moldable by the Guru to
acquire the ultimate knowledge of the self or the Atman or the Parbrahma.
He should not be a materialistic person or a very rich one. He should
have experienced grief in his life and known what it is to lead life despite the unbearable grief.
There is a reason why Shree Samarth says this. The very rich live life without much thought going
into it, because, that is hardly ever demanded in their life. They have only experienced happiness
and haven’t seen the naked realities of life which any grief presents with. Who then in such a
position would want to tread on the path of spiritualism relinquishing the happiness (Or so they
think!) they already have? They most commonly say, “The ultimate bliss? What I am in today is the
ultimate bliss, you don’t agree because you don’t have it!” It is almost futile to change the mindset
of these people which is like hitting your head over a hard rock in the hope that the rock would