संत साहित्य · Dāsabodha · Dashak 5
Dashak 5 · Samāsa 2
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जे करामती दाखविती । तेहि गुरु म्हणिजेती ।
परंतु सद्गुरु नव्हेती । मोक्षदाते
je karāmatī dākhavitī | tehi guru mhaṇijetī |
paramtu sadguru navhetī | mokṣadāte
Those who display magical tricks — they too are called guru; but they are not Sadguru, the giver of mokṣa.
The broadest frame: a guru is not a Sadguru. Many teach, but only one confers mokṣa. **Crucial disambiguation — the 'guru' category is porous; the Sadguru category is narrow.**
Not every teacher is a Sadguru. The category 'guru' is wide; 'Sadguru' is narrow (those who confer mokṣa).
सभामोहन भुररीं चेटकें । साबरमंत्र कौटालें अनेकें ।
नाना चमत्कार कौतुकें । असंभाव्य सांगती
sabhāmohana bhurarīm ceṭakem | sābaramamtra kauṭālem anekem |
nānā camatkāra kautukem | asambhāvya sāmgatī
Showy assembly-captivating hypnotic powers, many *śābara* (mantra-tantric) spells — many marvels they describe implausibly.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
सांगती औषधीप्रयोग । कां सुवर्णधातूचा मार्ग ।
दृष्टिबंधनें लागवेग । अभिळाषाचा
sāmgatī auṣadhīprayoga | kām suvarṇadhātūcā mārga |
dṛṣṭibamdhanem lāgavega | abhiḷāṣācā
They teach medicinal formulae; the path of [alchemical] gold; eye-binding spells [for] the surge of desire.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
साहित संगीत रागज्ञान । गीत नृत्य तान मान ।
नाना वाद्यें सिकविती जन । तेहि येक गुरु
sāhita samgīta rāgajñāna | gīta nṛtya tāna māna |
nānā vādyem sikavitī jana | tehi yeka guru
Literature, music, rāga-knowledge; song, dance, tāna, māna; many instruments they teach — they too are a kind of guru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
विद्या सिकविती पंचाक्षरी । ताडेतोडे नानापरी ।
कां पोट भरे जयावरी । ते विद्या सिकविती
vidyā sikavitī pamcākṣarī | tāḍetoḍe nānāparī |
kām poṭa bhare jayāvarī | te vidyā sikavitī
Teach the pañcākṣarī mantra; various martial arts (tāḍī-toḍī); whatever fills the belly — such knowledge they teach.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जो यातीचा जो व्यापार । सिकविती भरावया उदर ।
तेहि गुरु परी साचार- । सद्गुरु नव्हेती
jo yātīcā jo vyāpāra | sikavitī bharāvayā udara |
tehi guru parī sācāra- | sadguru navhetī
Whatever one's caste-trade is, they teach it to fill the stomach — these too are gurus, but truly they are not Sadguru.
Even caste-trade teachers and literature-music teachers are *gurus*; but not Sadgurus. The difference: whether mokṣa-giving capacity is present.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
आपली माता आणी पिता । तेहि गुरुचि तत्वतां ।
परी पैलापार पावविता । तो सद्गुरु वेगळा
āpalī mātā āṇī pitā | tehi guruci tatvatām |
parī pailāpāra pāvavitā | to sadguru vegaḷā
One's own mother and father — they too are truly gurus — but the one who takes one to the far shore is a separate Sadguru.
Even parents are gurus — but not Sadguru. **Intimate relational authority ≠ soteriological authority.**
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
गाईत्रीमंत्राचा इचारू । सांगे तो साचार कुळगुरु ।
परी ज्ञानेंविण पैलपारु । पाविजेत नाहीं
gāītrīmamtrācā icārū | sāmge to sācāra kuḷaguru |
parī jñānemviṇa pailapāru | pāvijeta nāhīm
He who tells the meaning of the Gāyatrī-mantra is truly the family-guru (*kula-guru*); but without knowledge, the far shore is not attained.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जो ब्रह्मज्ञान उपदेसी । अज्ञानांधारें निरसी ।
जीवात्मयां परमात्मयांसी । ऐक्यता करी
jo brahmajñāna upadesī | ajñānāmdhārem nirasī |
jīvātmayām paramātmayāmsī | aikyatā karī
One who teaches Brahma-knowledge; who removes the darkness of ignorance; who unites *jīvātman* with *paramātman* — [that is the Sadguru].
The Sadguru's defining function: teach Brahma-knowledge, remove avidyā, unify jīvātman-paramātman. Three-part criterion.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
विघडले देव आणी भक्त । जीवशिवपणें द्वैत ।
तया देवभक्तां येकांत- । करी, तो सद्गुरु
vighaḍale deva āṇī bhakta | jīvaśivapaṇem dvaita |
tayā devabhaktām yekāmta- | karī, to sadguru
Between god and devotee there is dualism (*dvaita*); the Sadguru makes their seclusion one (*ekānta*).
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
भवव्याघ्रें घालूनि उडी । गोवत्सास तडातोडी ।
केली, देखोनि सीघ्र सोडी । तो सद्गुरु जाणावा
bhavavyāghrem ghālūni uḍī | govatsāsa taḍātoḍī |
kelī, dekhoni sīghra soḍī | to sadguru jāṇāvā
When the tiger of worldly life leaps and strikes the calf [separates the helpless one from its mother] — seeing this, he who instantly frees it — know him as the Sadguru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
प्राणी मायाजाळीं पडिलें । संसारदुःखें दुःखवलें ।
ऐसें जेणें मुक्त केलें । तो सद्गुरु जाणावा
prāṇī māyājāḷīm paḍilem | samsāraduḥkhem duḥkhavalem |
aisem jeṇem mukta kelem | to sadguru jāṇāvā
When a living being has fallen into the net of māyā, afflicted by samsāra-sorrow — one who liberates such a one — know as the Sadguru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
वासनानदीमाहांपुरीं । प्राणी बुडतां ग्लांती करी ।
तेथें उडी घालूनि तारी । तो सद्गुरु जाणावा
vāsanānadīmāhāmpurīm | prāṇī buḍatām glāmtī karī |
tethem uḍī ghālūni tārī | to sadguru jāṇāvā
In the great-flood of the river of *vāsanā* — when the being is drowning, gasping — one who leaps in and rescues — know as the Sadguru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
गर्भवास अति सांकडी । इछाबंधनाची बेडी ।
ज्ञान देऊन सीघ्र सोडी । तो सद्गुरु स्वामी
garbhavāsa ati sāmkaḍī | ichābamdhanācī beḍī |
jñāna deūna sīghra soḍī | to sadguru svāmī
Womb-dwelling extremely tight; the fetter of desire's bondage; giving knowledge, one who instantly frees — the Sadguru-Master.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
फोडूनि शब्दाचें अंतर । वस्तु दाखवी निजसार ।
तोचि गुरु माहेर । अनाथांचें
phoḍūni śabdācem amtara | vastu dākhavī nijasāra |
toci guru māhera | anāthāmcem
Breaking open the interior of the word, one who shows the essential object (*nija-sāra*) — that very one is the Guru, the maternal-home of the orphaned.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जीव येकदेसी बापुडें । तयास ब्रह्मचि करी रोकडें ।
फेडी संसारसांकडे । वचनमात्रें
jīva yekadesī bāpuḍem | tayāsa brahmaci karī rokaḍem |
pheḍī samsārasāmkaḍe | vacanamātrem
The limited poor *jīva* — he makes it Brahman *rokaḍā* (immediately); resolves samsāra's knot — by mere utterance.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जें वेदांचे अभ्यांतरीं । तें काढून अपत्यापरी ।
शिष्यश्रवणीं कवळ भरी । उद्गारवचनें
jem vedāmce abhyāmtarīm | tem kāḍhūna apatyāparī |
śiṣyaśravaṇīm kavaḷa bharī | udgāravacanem
That which is within the inner chamber of the Vedas — he extracts it, like a child's feeding-mouthful — he fills the disciple's hearing with uttered words.
The Sadguru extracts what is within the Vedas' inner chamber and feeds it to the disciple like a child. **Infantilization-as-pedagogy** — recognize the meta-level: the Sadguru does not dispense the Vedas wholesale; he digests them for the disciple's digestive capacity.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
वेद शास्त्र माहानुभाव । पाहातां येकचि अनुभव ।
तोचि येक गुरुराव । ऐक्यरूपें
veda śāstra māhānubhāva | pāhātām yekaci anubhava |
toci yeka gururāva | aikyarūpem
Veda, śāstra, mahānubhāva — when seen, it is one *anubhava*. That very one is the Guru-king, in form-of-oneness.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
संदेह निःशेष जाळी ॥ स्वधर्म आदरें प्रतिपाळी ।
वेदविरहित टवाळी । करूंच नेणे
samdeha niḥśeṣa jāḷī || svadharma ādarem pratipāḷī |
vedavirahita ṭavāḷī | karūmca neṇe
Burns doubt completely; upholds svadharma with respect; does not indulge in un-Vedic frivolity.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जें जें मन अंगिकारी । तें तें स्वयें मुक्त करी ।
तो गुरु नव्हे, भिकारी- । झडे आला
jem jem mana amgikārī | tem tem svayem mukta karī |
to guru navhe, bhikārī- | jhaḍe ālā
Whatever the mind accepts, he immediately [validates as] liberated — that is not a guru; he has become a beggar, fallen low.
The guru who validates whatever the disciple's mind accepts is not a guru — he has become a beggar. **Anti-validation-only teaching.
A guru who validates everything the disciple accepts — not a guru, a flattery-beggar.
शिष्यास न लविती साधन । न करविती इंद्रियेंदमन ।
ऐसे गुरु आडक्याचे तीन । मिळाले तरी त्यजावे
śiṣyāsa na lavitī sādhana | na karavitī imdriyemdamana |
aise guru āḍakyāce tīna | miḷāle tarī tyajāve
One who does not give the disciple discipline (*sādhana*); does not compel sense-restraint (*indriya-damana*) — even three such gurus for a penny, discard them.
A guru who does not give *sādhana* or compel *indriya-damana* (sense-restraint) — discard. **The guru without discipline is not a guru.**
If the teacher does not give you discipline or sense-restraint — discard. Teacher-without-discipline is disqualified.
जो कोणी ज्ञान बोधी । समूळ अविद्या छेदी ।
इंद्रियेंदमन प्रतिपादी । तो सद्गुरु जाणावा
jo koṇī jñāna bodhī | samūḷa avidyā chedī |
imdriyemdamana pratipādī | to sadguru jāṇāvā
One who teaches knowledge; severs *avidyā* at the root; prescribes sense-restraint — know him as Sadguru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
येक द्रव्याचे विकिले । येक शिष्याचे आखिले ।
अतिदुराशेनें केले । दीनरूप
yeka dravyāce vikile | yeka śiṣyāce ākhile |
atidurāśenem kele | dīnarūpa
Some are sold to wealth; some are fixated on the disciple; by extreme false-hope they become piteous.
Some gurus are sold to wealth; some are fixated on retaining disciples. Both are symptoms of unresolved *durāśā* in the guru himself.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जें जें रुचे शिष्यामनीं । तैसीच करी मनधरणी ।
ऐसी कामना पापिणी । पडली गळां । २४॥
जो गुरु भीडसारु । तो अद्धमाहून अद्धम थोरु ।
चोरटा मंद पामरु । द्रव्यभोंदु
jem jem ruce śiṣyāmanīm | taisīca karī manadharaṇī |
aisī kāmanā pāpiṇī | paḍalī gaḷām | 24 ||
jo guru bhīḍasāru | to addhamāhūna addhama thoru |
coraṭā mamda pāmaru | dravyabhomdu
Whatever pleases the disciple's mind, they accommodate; such a desire-possessed one has a noose around the neck — the flattering guru is the lowest of the low, a thief, a dull coward, a wealth-trickster.
The *bhīḍa-sāru* (flattery-guru) who accommodates whatever pleases the disciple's mind — lowest of the low, thief, wealth-cheat.
The flattery-guru (*bhīḍa-sāru*) is the lowest. Avoid.
जैसा वैद्य दुराचारी । केली सर्वस्वें बोहरी ।
आणी सेखीं भीड करी । घातघेणा
jaisā vaidya durācārī | kelī sarvasvem boharī |
āṇī sekhīm bhīḍa karī | ghātagheṇā
Like a physician of bad conduct who has ruined everything; and at the end dissembles — he has destroyed everything.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
तैसा गुरु नसावा । जेणें अंतर पडे देवा ।
भीड करूनियां, गोवा- । घाली बंधनाचा
taisā guru nasāvā | jeṇem amtara paḍe devā |
bhīḍa karūniyām, govā- | ghālī bamdhanācā
Such a guru should not be; one who falls in his heart from God; who by flattery tangles his disciple in bondage.
A guru who falls internally from God while using flattery to entangle the disciple in bondage — this is not a guru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जेथें शुद्ध ब्रह्मज्ञान । आणी स्थूळ क्रियेचें साधन ।
तोचि सद्गुरु निधान । दाखवी डोळां
jethem śuddha brahmajñāna | āṇī sthūḷa kriyecem sādhana |
toci sadguru nidhāna | dākhavī ḍoḷām
Where there is pure Brahma-knowledge AND the discipline of concrete action — that is the Sadguru-treasury, shown to the eye.
**The Sadguru signature: pure Brahma-knowledge combined with concrete practice-discipline (*sthūla-kriyā-sādhana*).** Knowledge + discipline both required.
**Sadguru = Brahma-knowledge AND concrete discipline.** Both required.
देखणें दाखविती आदरें । मंत्र फु । म्किती कर्णद्वारें ।
इतुकेंच ज्ञान, तें पामरें- । अंतरलीं भगवंता
dekhaṇem dākhavitī ādarem | mamtra phu | mkitī karṇadvārem |
itukemca jñāna, tem pāmarem- | amtaralīm bhagavamtā
Showing of visible objects with reverence; mantras whispered in the ear — only this much of knowledge, that is low-class — they have missed the Lord.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
बाणे तिहींची खूण । तोचि गुरु सुलक्षण ।
तेथेंचि रिघावें शरण । अत्यादरें मुमुक्षें
bāṇe tihīmcī khūṇa | toci guru sulakṣaṇa |
tethemci righāvem śaraṇa | atyādarem mumukṣem
One who has the mark of all three [knowledge + discipline + inner purity] — that is the Guru of excellent-signs; take refuge there, with extreme respect, if you are a *mumukṣu*.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
अद्वैतनिरूपणीं अगाध वक्ता । परी विषईं लोलंगता ।
ऐसिया गुरूचेनि सार्थकता । होणार नाहीं
advaitanirūpaṇīm agādha vaktā | parī viṣaīm lolamgatā |
aisiyā gurūceni sārthakatā | hoṇāra nāhīm
In *advaita*-exposition a profound speaker, yet lusting after sense-objects — with such a guru, fulfillment will not occur.
The great *advaita*-speaker who is lust-possessed — fulfillment cannot come through such a guru. *Talking-the-talk without walking-the-walk is a disqualifying signature.*
Speaks advaita beautifully but lusts — disqualified.
जैसा निरूपणसमयो । तैसेंचि मनहि करी वायो ।
कृतबुद्धीचा जयो । जालाच नाहीं
jaisā nirūpaṇasamayo | taisemci manahi karī vāyo |
kṛtabuddhīcā jayo | jālāca nāhīm
At the time of exposition, the mind too behaves windily; the resolved-intellect victory has not been attained.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
निरूपणीं सामर्थ्य सिद्धी । श्रवण होतां दुराशा बाधी ।
नाना चमत्कारें बुद्धी । दंडळूं लागे
nirūpaṇīm sāmarthya siddhī | śravaṇa hotām durāśā bādhī |
nānā camatkārem buddhī | damḍaḷūm lāge
In exposition, miraculous powers (*siddhi*); when hearing, false-hope afflicts [the disciple]; many wonders distract the intellect.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
पूर्वीं ज्ञाते विरक्त भक्त । तयांसि सादृश्य भगवंत ।
आणी सामर्थ्यहि अद्भुत । सिद्धीचेनि योगें
pūrvīm jñāte virakta bhakta | tayāmsi sādṛśya bhagavamta |
āṇī sāmarthyahi adbhuta | siddhīceni yogem
Formerly, jñānis, the dispassionate, devotees — they were like the Lord; and their powers too [were] wonderful, by siddhi-yoga.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
ऐसें तयांचें सामर्थ्य । आमुचें ज्ञानचि नुसदें वेर्थ ।
ऐसा सामर्थ्याचा स्वार्थ । अंतरीं वसे
aisem tayāmcem sāmarthya | āmucem jñānaci nusadem vertha |
aisā sāmarthyācā svārtha | amtarīm vase
Their power was such; our [mere] knowledge is vain; so dwells the desire-for-power within [us].
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
निशेष दुराशा तुटे । तरीच भगवंत भेटे ।
दुराशा धरिती ते वोखटे । शब्दज्ञाते कामिक
niśeṣa durāśā tuṭe | tarīca bhagavamta bheṭe |
durāśā dharitī te vokhaṭe | śabdajñāte kāmika
Only when false-hope (*durāśā*) completely breaks does the Lord truly meet [one]. Those who hold durāśā are twisted — mere word-knowers, desirous.
**Until *durāśā* (false hope) is completely broken, the Lord is not met.** Door-condition for contact with the Lord; until this is met, no amount of knowledge or power produces contact.
Until your *durāśā* (false-hope) completely breaks, you will not meet the Lord.
बहुत ज्ञातीं नागवलीं । कामनेनें वेडीं केलीं ।
कामना इच्छितांच मेलीं । बापुडीं मूर्खें
bahuta jñātīm nāgavalīm | kāmanenem veḍīm kelīm |
kāmanā icchitāmca melīm | bāpuḍīm mūrkhem
Many learned ones were made naked [exposed]; desire made them mad; in the very wanting they died — the poor fools.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
निशेष कामनारहित । ऐसा तो विरुळा संत ।
अवघ्यांवेगळें मत । अक्षै ज्याचें
niśeṣa kāmanārahita | aisā to viruḷā samta |
avaghyāmvegaḷem mata | akṣai jyācem
Totally desire-free — such a saint is rare; a view apart from all others; his [treasure] is imperishable.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
अक्षै ठेवा सकळांचा । परी पांगडा फिटेना शरीराचा ।
तेणें मार्ग ईश्वराचा । चुकोनि जाती
akṣai ṭhevā sakaḷāmcā | parī pāmgaḍā phiṭenā śarīrācā |
teṇem mārga īśvarācā | cukoni jātī
The imperishable treasure of all — but the limitation of the body is not removed; by that the path of Īśvara is lost.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
सिद्धि आणी सामर्थ्य जालें । सामर्थ्यें देहास महत्त्व आलें ।
तेणें वेंचाड वळकावलें । देहबुद्धीचें
siddhi āṇī sāmarthya jālem | sāmarthyem dehāsa mahattva ālem |
teṇem vemcāḍa vaḷakāvalem | dehabuddhīcem
Siddhi and power arose; by power, the body gained importance; thereby body-intellect (*deha-buddhi*) strengthened.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
सांडूनि अक्षै सुख । सामर्थ्य इछिती ते मूर्ख ।
कामनेसारिखें दुःख । आणीक कांहींच नाहीं
sāmḍūni akṣai sukha | sāmarthya ichitī te mūrkha |
kāmanesārikhem duḥkha | āṇīka kāmhīmca nāhīm
Abandoning imperishable joy, those who desire power are fools; no sorrow is like that of desire.
Abandoning imperishable joy for [temporal] powers is fool-behavior. *Siddhi-seeking as a trap.*
Seeking powers over imperishable joy is fool-behavior.
ईश्वरेंविण जे कामना । तेणींचि गुणें नाना यातना ।
पावती, होती पतना- । वरपडे प्राणी
īśvaremviṇa je kāmanā | teṇīmci guṇem nānā yātanā |
pāvatī, hotī patanā- | varapaḍe prāṇī
Desires other than for Īśvara — by that very quality many torments; creatures are overtaken by fall [into lower births].
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
होतां शरीरासी अंत । सामर्थ्यहि निघोन जात ।
सेखीं अंतरला भगवंत । कामनागुणें
hotām śarīrāsī amta | sāmarthyahi nighona jāta |
sekhīm amtaralā bhagavamta | kāmanāguṇem
When the body ends, power too departs; and in the end the Lord is missed — by the quality of desire.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
म्हणोनि निःकामताविचारु । दृढबुद्धीचा निर्धारु ।
तोचि सद्गुरु पैलपारु । पाववी भवाचा
mhaṇoni niḥkāmatāvicāru | dṛḍhabuddhīcā nirdhāru |
toci sadguru pailapāru | pāvavī bhavācā
Therefore desireless reasoning, firmness of resolve — that very one is Sadguru; he takes one across the ocean of samsāra.
The essence: *niṣkāma* reasoning + firm resolve — that IS the Sadguru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
मुख्य सद्गुरूचें लक्षण । आधीं पाहिजे विमळ ज्ञान ।
निश्चयाचें समाधान । स्वरूपस्थिती
mukhya sadgurūcem lakṣaṇa | ādhīm pāhije vimaḷa jñāna |
niścayācem samādhāna | svarūpasthitī
The chief sign of Sadguru: first, pure knowledge (*vimala jñāna*) must be present; the composure of resolution; the state-of-essential-nature.
Primary Sadguru sign: *vimala jñāna* + *niścaya-samādhāna* + *svarūpa-sthiti*. Three-level internal architecture.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
याहीवरी वैराग्य प्रबळ । वृत्ति उदास केवळ ।
विशेष आचारें निर्मळ । स्वधर्मविषईं
yāhīvarī vairāgya prabaḷa | vṛtti udāsa kevaḷa |
viśeṣa ācārem nirmaḷa | svadharmaviṣaīm
Above that, dispassion strong; conduct purely detached; cleanness in conduct in matters of svadharma.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
याहिवरी अध्यात्मश्रवण । हरिकथा निरूपण ।
जेथें परमार्थविवरण । निरंतर
yāhivarī adhyātmaśravaṇa | harikathā nirūpaṇa |
jethem paramārthavivaraṇa | niramtara
Above that, *adhyātma-śravaṇa*; *Hari-kathā-nirūpaṇa*; where *paramārtha* is investigated continuously.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जेथें सारासारविचार । तेथें होये जगोद्धार ।
नवविधा भक्तीचा आधार । बहुता जनासी
jethem sārāsāravicāra | tethem hoye jagoddhāra |
navavidhā bhaktīcā ādhāra | bahutā janāsī
Where *sārāsāra-vicāra* is present, there is the uplift of the world; there is the support for many people in the *nava-vidhā bhakti*.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
म्हणोनि नवविधा भजन । जेथें प्रतिष्ठलें साधन ।
हें सद्गुरूचें लक्षण । श्रोतीं वोळखावें
mhaṇoni navavidhā bhajana | jethem pratiṣṭhalem sādhana |
hem sadgurūcem lakṣaṇa | śrotīm voḷakhāvem
Therefore where the nine-fold devotion is established as discipline — this is the sign of the Sadguru; listeners, recognize it.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
अंतरीं शुद्ध ब्रह्मज्ञान । बाह्य निष्ठेचें भजन ।
तेथें बहु भक्त जन । विश्रांति पावती
amtarīm śuddha brahmajñāna | bāhya niṣṭhecem bhajana |
tethem bahu bhakta jana | viśrāmti pāvatī
Within: pure Brahma-knowledge; outside: devotion of steady practice. There many devotees find rest (*viśrānti*).
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
नाहीं उपासनेचा आधार । तो परमार्थ निराधार ।
कर्मेंविण अनाचार । भ्रष्ट होती
nāhīm upāsanecā ādhāra | to paramārtha nirādhāra |
karmemviṇa anācāra | bhraṣṭa hotī
Without the support of *upāsanā* (worship), paramārtha is groundless; without karma, *anācāra* — the fallen are [produced].
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
म्हणोनि ज्ञान वैराग्य आणि भजन । स्वधर्मकर्म आणि साधन ।
कथा निरूपण श्रवण मनन । नीति न्याये मर्यादा
mhaṇoni jñāna vairāgya āṇi bhajana | svadharmakarma āṇi sādhana |
kathā nirūpaṇa śravaṇa manana | nīti nyāye maryādā
Therefore: knowledge, dispassion, and bhajana; svadharma-karma and sādhana; kathā, nirūpaṇa, śravaṇa, manana; ethics, justice, propriety —
The full sadguru-signature checklist: knowledge, dispassion, bhajana; svadharma, sādhana; kathā, nirūpaṇa, śravaṇa, manana; ethics, justice, propriety. **11-item complete rubric.**
The full Sadguru checklist: knowledge, dispassion, bhajana, svadharma, sādhana, kathā, nirūpaṇa, śravaṇa, manana, ethics, propriety. 11 items. Miss one — distorted.
यामधें येक उणें असे । तेणें तें विलक्षण दिसे ।
म्हणौन सर्वहि विलसे । सद्गुरुपासीं
yāmadhem yeka uṇem ase | teṇem tem vilakṣaṇa dise |
mhaṇauna sarvahi vilase | sadgurupāsīm
If one of these is missing, it appears distorted; therefore all of them abide together with the Sadguru.
Missing any one — the whole appears distorted. The signs hold together as a system.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
तो बहुतांचें पाळणकर्ता । त्यास बहुतांची असे चिंता ।
नाना साधनें समर्था । सद्गुरुपासीं
to bahutāmcem pāḷaṇakartā | tyāsa bahutāmcī ase cimtā |
nānā sādhanem samarthā | sadgurupāsīm
He is the nurturer of many; he has anxiety for many; many disciplines [are] with the capable Sadguru.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
साधनेंविण परमार्थ प्रतिष्ठे । तो मागुतां सवेंच भ्रष्टे ।
याकारणे दुरीद्रष्टे । माहानुभाव
sādhanemviṇa paramārtha pratiṣṭhe | to māgutām savemca bhraṣṭe |
yākāraṇe durīdraṣṭe | māhānubhāva
Without discipline, paramārtha comes to be established but falls again; therefore those of far-sight, the mahānubhāvas [guard against this].
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
आचार उपासना सोडिती । ते भ्रष्ट अभक्त दिसती ।
जळो तयांची महंती । कोण पुसे
ācāra upāsanā soḍitī | te bhraṣṭa abhakta disatī |
jaḷo tayāmcī mahamtī | koṇa puse
Those who abandon conduct and worship appear fallen, non-devotees; burn their greatness — who asks of it?
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
कर्म उपासनेचा अभाव । तेथें भकाधेसि जाला ठाव ।
तो कानकोंडा समुदाव । प्रपंची हांसती
karma upāsanecā abhāva | tethem bhakādhesi jālā ṭhāva |
to kānakomḍā samudāva | prapamcī hāmsatī
The absence of karma and upāsanā — there *bhākaḍe* (wasteful talk) takes place; their pitiful gathering is laughed at by the worldly.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
नीच यातीचा गुरु । तोही कानकोंड विचारु ।
ब्रह्मसभेस जैसा चोरू । तैसा दडे
nīca yātīcā guru | tohī kānakomḍa vicāru |
brahmasabhesa jaisā corū | taisā daḍe
A guru of low caste — he too is a pitiable consideration; like a thief in the Brahmin-assembly, so he hides.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
ब्रह्मसभे देखतां । त्याचें तीर्थ नये घेतां ।
अथवा प्रसाद सेवितां । प्राश्चित पडे
brahmasabhe dekhatām | tyācem tīrtha naye ghetām |
athavā prasāda sevitām | prāścita paḍe
Seeing the Brahmin-assembly — one should not take his *tīrtha* (holy water); or eat his *prasāda* — it incurs expiation.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
तीर्थप्रसादाची सांडी केली । तेथें नीचता दिसोन आली ।
गुरुभक्ति ते सटवली । येकायेकी
tīrthaprasādācī sāmḍī kelī | tethem nīcatā disona ālī |
gurubhakti te saṭavalī | yekāyekī
When the *tīrtha-prasāda* is abandoned, the low-ness becomes apparent; the guru-devotion has been ruined, in an instant.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
गुरुची मर्यादा राखतां । ब्राह्मण क्षोभती तत्वतां ।
तेथें ब्राह्मण्य रक्षूं जातां । गुरुक्षोभ घडे
gurucī maryādā rākhatām | brāhmaṇa kṣobhatī tatvatām |
tethem brāhmaṇya rakṣūm jātām | gurukṣobha ghaḍe
Guarding the guru's propriety, brāhmaṇas are offended in reality; saving the brāhmaṇya, the guru is offended.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
ऐसीं सांकडीं दोहींकडे । तेथें प्रस्तावा घडे ।
नीच यातीस गुरुत्व न घडे । याकारणें
aisīm sāmkaḍīm dohīmkaḍe | tethem prastāvā ghaḍe |
nīca yātīsa gurutva na ghaḍe | yākāraṇem
Such *sāmkaḍī* (narrow straits) on both sides; there repentance arises. Therefore, guru-hood does not fit the low-caste.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
तथापि आवडी घेतली जीवें । तरी आपणचि भ्रष्टावें ।
बहुत जनांसी भ्रष्टवावें । हें तों दूषणचि कीं
tathāpi āvaḍī ghetalī jīvem | tarī āpaṇaci bhraṣṭāvem |
bahuta janāmsī bhraṣṭavāvem | hem tom dūṣaṇaci kīm
Even so, if one insists: one must fall oneself, and cause many to fall — this is a great fault.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
आतां असो हा विचारू । स्वयातीचा पाहिजे गुरु ।
नाहीं तरी भ्रष्टाकारु । नेमस्त घडे
ātām aso hā vicārū | svayātīcā pāhije guru |
nāhīm tarī bhraṣṭākāru | nemasta ghaḍe
Enough this reasoning; guru must be of one's own caste — or else fall-inducement happens definitely.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जे जे कांहीं उत्तम गुण ॥ तें तें सद्गुरूचें लक्षण ।
तथापि संगों वोळखण । होये जेणें
je je kāmhīm uttama guṇa || tem tem sadgurūcem lakṣaṇa |
tathāpi samgom voḷakhaṇa | hoye jeṇem
Whatever are the excellent qualities, those are the signs of the Sadguru; nevertheless for the sake of recognition, [the list] is told.
Recognition-utility — whatever are the excellent qualities, those are Sadguru-signs.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
येक गुरु येक मंत्रगुरु । येक यंत्रगुरु येक तांत्रगुरु ।
येक वस्तादगुरु येक राजगुरु । म्हणती जनीं
yeka guru yeka mamtraguru | yeka yamtraguru yeka tāmtraguru |
yeka vastādaguru yeka rājaguru | mhaṇatī janīm
One guru, one mantra-guru; one yantra-guru, one tantra-guru; one master-guru, one royal-guru — say people.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
येक कुळगुरु येक मानिला गुरु । येक विद्यागुरु येक कुविद्यागुरु ।
येक असद्गुरु येक यातिगुरु । दंडकर्ते
yeka kuḷaguru yeka mānilā guru | yeka vidyāguru yeka kuvidyāguru |
yeka asadguru yeka yātiguru | damḍakarte
One family-guru, one accepted guru; one knowledge-guru, one false-knowledge guru; one non-Sadguru, one caste-guru — [of] disciplinarian kind.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
येक मातागुरु येक पितागुरु । येक राजागुरु येक देवगुरु ।
येक बोलिजे जगद्गुरु । सकळकळा
yeka mātāguru yeka pitāguru | yeka rājāguru yeka devaguru |
yeka bolije jagadguru | sakaḷakaḷā
One mother-guru, one father-guru; one king-guru, one god-guru; one is called *jagad-guru* [of] all arts.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
ऐसे हे सत्रा गुरु । याहिवेगळे आणीक गुरु ।
ऐक तयांचा विचारु । सांगिजेल
aise he satrā guru | yāhivegaḷe āṇīka guru |
aika tayāmcā vicāru | sāmgijela
Thus there are seventeen gurus; apart from these, more gurus [still]. Hear their reasoning as it is told.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
येक स्वप्नगुरु येक दीक्षागुरु । येक म्हणती प्रतिमागुरु ।
येक म्हणती स्वयें गुरु । आपला आपण
yeka svapnaguru yeka dīkṣāguru | yeka mhaṇatī pratimāguru |
yeka mhaṇatī svayem guru | āpalā āpaṇa
One dream-guru, one initiation-guru; some say image-guru; some say self-guru — one's own self [as guru].
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
जे जे यातीचा जो व्यापारु । ते ते त्याचे तितुके गुरु ।
याचा पाहातां विचारु । उदंड आहे
je je yātīcā jo vyāpāru | te te tyāce tituke guru |
yācā pāhātām vicāru | udamḍa āhe
Whatever the caste-trade of [a person], so many gurus of that kind; the reasoning is vast.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
असो ऐसे उदंड गुरु । नाना मतांचा विचारु ।
परी जो मोक्षदाता सद्गुरु । तो वेगळाचि असे
aso aise udamḍa guru | nānā matāmcā vicāru |
parī jo mokṣadātā sadguru | to vegaḷāci ase
Enough — such many gurus, of many doctrines — but the *mokṣa-dātā Sadguru* is a separate one.
Seventeen or more categorized gurus exist; but the *mokṣa-giving Sadguru* is a separate and narrow category.
See translation. The guru-recognition rubric.
नाना सद्विद्येचे गुण । याहिवरी कृपाळूपण ।
हें सद्गुरूचें लक्षण । जाणिजे श्रोतीं
nānā sadvidyece guṇa | yāhivarī kṛpāḷūpaṇa |
hem sadgurūcem lakṣaṇa | jāṇije śrotīm
Many virtues of *sadvidyā*, along with compassion — these are the signs of the Sadguru — let the listeners know.
*Sadvidyā* qualities + compassion = Sadguru's signs.
Sadvidyā virtues plus compassion = Sadguru.