Many people come from different countries to see Amma and to spend time with Her. Sometimes they don't understand even a single word of English, let alone any Malayalam, but this doesn't in any way diminish Amma's ability to convey Her teachings. In every action that She performs can be found a supreme teaching. "Actions speak louder than words" is a famous saying and one that Amma lives by.
Many people say "I love you, I love you" to each other, maybe even several times a day -- but that isn't true love. If it were true love, why would it have to be spoken? True love is felt; it isn't just heard. When the heart is full, there is nothing to be said; for true love is beyond words. It is conveyed in all of one's actions and overflows to encompass everyone around. This is why so many people are drawn to being with Amma. She is the essence of true divine love. It is something we have only heard about but have never really experienced. Amma shows us a glimpse of it. We get to taste just a drop of it.
The love that a Guru has for a disciple is the greatest love in this world. There was once a disciple who lived with his Guru, but his mind was still inclined towards worldly desires. So, the Guru sent him off to get married, to satisfy the cravings of his mind. He was to return after ten years.
Ten years later the disciple had several children and had become wealthy. His Guru visited him and reminded him to return to spiritual life after finishing his cravings. But the man said that his children were still young and needed him and that he wanted a few more years to raise them, and then he would return to the Guru.
Another ten years went by. The Guru came back to him. This time the disciple told the Guru that although his wife had died and his children had grown up, they still didn't know how to handle their responsibilities and might squander away all his wealth, so he needed a few more years for them to reach full adulthood and a sense of responsibility before he could leave them.
Seven more years went by. When the Guru came back to see him, a big dog was guarding the gate. The Guru recognized him. It was the disciple. He had died a few years earlier and, because of his attachment to his family, he had been reborn as a dog that guarded the house and his children. The Guru called the dog to him. The dog said, "Master, in just a few more years, I will return to you. My children are at the peak of their good fortunes and have some jealous enemies that I must protect them from before I can leave."
Ten years later, the Guru again returned. The dog had died and he could see that his disciple had taken birth as a venomous snake that was guarding the safe in the house. The Guru decided it was time to deliver his disciple from delusion. He told the disciple's grandson that a venomous snake was inside and that he should remove it. He was not to kill it but was to give it a good beating, break its back and return it to him. This was done.
The Guru fondly caressed the beaten snake and threw it around his neck and went off. He spoke to the snake: "Beloved disciple, no one has ever been able to satisfy their cravings by giving in to them. The mind can never be satisfied. Discrimination is your only refuge. Wake up! At least in your next birth you can attain the Supreme." The snake was amazed. "Gurudev, how gracious you are. Even though I proved so ungrateful to you, you have always followed me and looked after me and guided me back to your Lotus Feet."
There is none in this world as full of divine love as the Guru. No love in the world can be compared to the selfless love of a true Guru towards his or her disciple. Only Amma knows about pure love. She, like the Guru in the story, is ready to wait lifetimes for us. The mother that gave birth to us will love us for this one lifetime; only the love of the Guru will follow us life after life. That love will never wane. Let us not make Her wait too long for us.
Many people say "I love you, I love you" to each other, maybe even several times a day -- but that isn't true love. If it were true love, why would it have to be spoken? True love is felt; it isn't just heard. When the heart is full, there is nothing to be said; for true love is beyond words. It is conveyed in all of one's actions and overflows to encompass everyone around. This is why so many people are drawn to being with Amma. She is the essence of true divine love. It is something we have only heard about but have never really experienced. Amma shows us a glimpse of it. We get to taste just a drop of it.
The love that a Guru has for a disciple is the greatest love in this world. There was once a disciple who lived with his Guru, but his mind was still inclined towards worldly desires. So, the Guru sent him off to get married, to satisfy the cravings of his mind. He was to return after ten years.
Ten years later the disciple had several children and had become wealthy. His Guru visited him and reminded him to return to spiritual life after finishing his cravings. But the man said that his children were still young and needed him and that he wanted a few more years to raise them, and then he would return to the Guru.
Another ten years went by. The Guru came back to him. This time the disciple told the Guru that although his wife had died and his children had grown up, they still didn't know how to handle their responsibilities and might squander away all his wealth, so he needed a few more years for them to reach full adulthood and a sense of responsibility before he could leave them.
Seven more years went by. When the Guru came back to see him, a big dog was guarding the gate. The Guru recognized him. It was the disciple. He had died a few years earlier and, because of his attachment to his family, he had been reborn as a dog that guarded the house and his children. The Guru called the dog to him. The dog said, "Master, in just a few more years, I will return to you. My children are at the peak of their good fortunes and have some jealous enemies that I must protect them from before I can leave."
Ten years later, the Guru again returned. The dog had died and he could see that his disciple had taken birth as a venomous snake that was guarding the safe in the house. The Guru decided it was time to deliver his disciple from delusion. He told the disciple's grandson that a venomous snake was inside and that he should remove it. He was not to kill it but was to give it a good beating, break its back and return it to him. This was done.
The Guru fondly caressed the beaten snake and threw it around his neck and went off. He spoke to the snake: "Beloved disciple, no one has ever been able to satisfy their cravings by giving in to them. The mind can never be satisfied. Discrimination is your only refuge. Wake up! At least in your next birth you can attain the Supreme." The snake was amazed. "Gurudev, how gracious you are. Even though I proved so ungrateful to you, you have always followed me and looked after me and guided me back to your Lotus Feet."
There is none in this world as full of divine love as the Guru. No love in the world can be compared to the selfless love of a true Guru towards his or her disciple. Only Amma knows about pure love. She, like the Guru in the story, is ready to wait lifetimes for us. The mother that gave birth to us will love us for this one lifetime; only the love of the Guru will follow us life after life. That love will never wane. Let us not make Her wait too long for us.
The Only True Love - By Swamini Krishnamritaprana [Part II]
Aum Amriteswaryai Namah
Aum Amriteswaryai Namah
