Guru is like an axe who cuts the attachments deep within one’s heart. Real diksha means that he has no attachment to anything of this material world.
– Subhag Swami
Kabir – The couplet
पावक रूपी साइयां, सब घाट रहा समाई ।
चित चकमक लागे नहीं, ताते बुझि बुझि जाइ ||
transliterated:
Pãwak roopi sãiyãn, sab ghãt rahã samãi |
Chit chakmak lãge nahin, tãte bujhi bujhi jãi ||
Translation:
The guru, like the fire, burns as bright everywhere without differentiation |
But the soul, without the flintstone (of the guru) to light it, stays dark and lifeless||
My understanding:
Even the best and most powerful of automobiles needs the driver to insert the key and start the ignition before it comes to life. And yet, that is not enough – without the right person steering it, the automobile, despite all its capabilities, stays underutilized, or worse, ends up on the scrap heap.
The individual soul is in a similar plight. We need to be shown the path by one who can guide us without expectation. And we need constant course correction to ensure we stay on the right path, overcoming the distractions of desire and misdirection.
So it is our primary job to find the right guide (guru) and then submit without reservation to the provided instruction and guidance. This is the safest way to find true purpose in life.