The Silent 'A': Why the Guru Reveals Our Ignorance
The Leela
In the sacred precincts of the Dwarkamai, a profound interaction unfolded between the Master and his learned disciple. One day, Shree Nanasaheb Chandorkar, one of Baba’s supreme devotees, was sitting by Baba, gently massaging His feet. Lost in devotion, Nanasaheb was softly muttering something under his breath.
Noticing this, Baba asked, "Nana, in such a soft voice, what are you speaking? Speak a little louder so that even I can listen."
Obeying the command, Nanasaheb recited the verse he was chanting—a profound shloka from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 4, Verse 34): "Tat viddhi pranipātena paripraśhnena sevayā, upadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśhinaḥ."
Baba asked for the meaning. Nanasaheb, well-versed in Sanskrit and scripture, humbly explained the traditional interpretation: "If you approach a knowledgeable person (Gnani) humbly, offer service, and ask respectfully, they will preach Knowledge (Gyan) to you."
Baba listened but then threw a curveball that shattered conventional logic. He said, "Nana, take a closer look. Before the word 'Knowledge' in the verse, isn't there a silent 'A' (sigmoid) hidden there? If we accept that hidden 'A', the word becomes 'Agyan' (Ignorance). If the Guru preaches Ignorance instead of Knowledge, what then is the meaning?"
Nanasaheb was stunned. The scriptures always spoke of attaining light and wisdom. Why, he thought, would a realized soul preach ignorance?
? The Conflict / Doubt
How can a Guru, who is the embodiment of light, preach Agyan (Ignorance)?
Nanasaheb was confounded by the idea that the purpose of surrendering to a Master is to receive instruction on ignorance rather than Brahma-Gyan (Divine Knowledge). In a world that values the accumulation of information and "positive thinking," the notion of focusing on one's own darkness seemed contradictory and counter-intuitive.
The Revelation
Baba’s teaching pierced through the superficial layers of intellectual vanity to reveal the ultimate truth of the Self.
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Knowledge is Eternal, Not Created: Baba explained that the Soul (Atma) and Divine Knowledge are self-existent and self-illuminating, like the Sun. They are not "created" or "invented" by a Guru. If Knowledge had a beginning, it would also have an end. Since the Soul is eternal, Knowledge is already present within.
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The Covering of Ignorance: If the Sun is always shining, why don't we see it? Because of the clouds. Similarly, the Soul is covered by layers of Agyan (Ignorance)—our desires, ego, and worldly attachments. The Guru does not "give" light; the Guru helps remove the covering.
"Knowledge (Gyan) is self-existent, self-illuminating. No one can stop that light. You just have to remove the covering."
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The Role of the Sadguru: A true Master is not one who merely adds to your library of information, but one who ruthlessly points out your ignorance. Like a doctor diagnosing a serious illness (like cancer) so the patient takes the medicine diligently, the Guru makes the disciple aware of their spiritual disease.
"A true Sadguru is the one who can show the disciple his own ignorance... and create such deep yearning about the ignorance such that he will not get peace till he comes out of it."
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Information vs. Transformation: We often mistake gathering information about "Universal Bliss" or "Liberation" for actual spirituality. This merely inflates the spiritual ego. True progress happens when we stop hiding behind imaginary words and honestly face the vices and ignorance we live in 24 hours a day.
Scriptural References
📖 Sai Satcharitra Adhyay 39 & 50; Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Shloka 34.
Watch the Discourse
In the sacred precincts of the Dwarkamai, a profound interaction unfolded between the Master and his learned disciple. One day, Shree Nanasaheb Chandorkar, one of Baba’s supreme devotees, was sitting ...
Leela Narration
In the sacred precincts of the Dwarkamai, a profound interaction unfolded between the Master and his learned disciple. One day, Shree Nanasaheb Chandorkar, one of Baba’s supreme devotees, was sitting ...