A Comprehensive Collection - Swami Vivekananda

""HeWHAT HAVE I LEARNT? 529rights and means to gain knowledge, which vary accordingto tkeir different stations in life, yet it can be said in generalwithout fear of contradiction, that without tHs Mumukshala,realisatfon of God is impossible. J/hatis MwmukshatvamV It is the strong desire f Q^Moksha earnestyearifing to get out of the sphere oof pain and pleasureuttv disgust for the world. When that intense burningdesire to see God comes, then you should know that youare entitled to the realisation of the Supreme. *Then another thing is necessary, and that is, thedoming in direct contact with the Mahapurushas, and thusmoulding our lives according to those of the great-souledones who have reached the Goal. Even disgust with thewoyjji and a burningdesire for God are not sufficient.Initiation by the Guru is necessary. Why ? BecauF^ it isthe bringing of yourself into connection with that greatsource of power, which has been handed down throughgenerations, from one Guru to another, in uninterruptedsuccession. The devotee must seek and accept the Guruor spiritual preceptor, as his counsellor, philosopher, friendand guide. In short, the Guru is the sine qua non ofprogress in the path of spirituality.Whom then shall Iaccept as my Guru ? who is versed in the Vedas,without taint, unhurt by desire, he who is best of theknowers of Brahman." Shrotriya he who is not onlylearned in the Shastras, but who knows their subtlesecrets, who has realised their true import in their lives.Reading merely the various scriptures they have becomeonly parrots, and not Pandits. He indeed has become a,Pandit who has gained Prema (Divine Love) by readingeven one word of the Shastras." Mere book-learnedPandits are of no avail. Now- a- days, everyone wants to bea Guru ;even a poor beggar wants to make a gift of a34