Steve,
For a non-classical method, you might look one of Anantadas's
hagiographies, the Kabir Parachai, where Kabir becomes a disciple
of the guru Ramanand in a novel way: Kabir hides on the bathing
ghats of the Ganges where he knows Ramanand will come in the morning for
his bath. When Ramanand approaches, he trips him, causing the Guru
to tumble down the stairs crying out, "Hey Ram!". Thus
Ramanand's mantra is transmitted to his accidental disciple, thereby
initiating Kabir. Supposedly, Kabir had to follow this unorthodox
path because he would otherwise have been refused initiation due to his
low birth and ambiguous religious status, between Muslim and Hindu.
Like I said, not a "traditional" way, but perhaps a critique of
tradition.
Christian Novetzke
Columbia University
At 04:24 PM 5/9/00 -0400, you wrote:
At 11:55 AM 5/9/00 -0400, Steve Brown
wrote:
>Friends;
>
>i am curious about the methodology of finding a guru in
classical
>hinduism...How does one look? when does one know he/she has
found their guru?
>how does one approach this guru? is this discussed in the
Dharmasuutraas? I
>ask only for my own purposes...not scholarly, those of seeking out a
guru. any
>help you can provide will be of immense help and quite
appreciated
There is a lot that can be said on this topic. Here are just a
couple
verses I'm aware of:
The following is one verse from Padma Purana:
sat-karma-nipuno vipro, mantra-tantra visaradah,
avaisnava guru na syad, vaisnavah sva paco guruh
A brahmana (priest or intellectual) with all brahminical qualities
and
abilities is not qualified to be a guru unless he is a devotee of
Lord
Vishnu (the Supreme Lord). While a devotee of Lord Vishnu, even if
born in
the lowest class, is qualified to act as guru.
And one from Bhagavad-gita 4.34
tad viddhi pratipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire
from
him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls
can
impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes,
Chris Beetle