The Spiritual Master tells us that a spiritual aspirant’s life is similar to that of a soldier. The soldier’s aim is to defend his country and even die for his motherland. He says, “I will fight for my motherland till my last breath.” Similarly, the aim of a spiritual aspirant is to live for the service of humanity and achieve his highest aim Godhood or Krishna consciousness.
In Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna in the shlok 3/19
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर ।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पुरुषः ॥
भावार्थ : इसलिए तू निरन्तर आसक्ति से रहित होकर सदा कर्तव्यकर्म को भलीभाँति करता रह क्योंकि आसक्ति से रहित होकर कर्म करता हुआ मनुष्य परमात्मा को प्राप्त हो जाता है ॥3/19॥
QUALITIES
1. RESILIENCE [meaning strong, tough, hardy, तितिक्षा] –
A soldier should be such that he can tolerate the extremes of climate, day and night, rain and snow laden mountains, tough times and pain. Similarly a spiritual aspirant must attain the quality of equanimity. Under his Spiritual Master’s guidance he learns to tolerate the opposites of life such as happiness and sorrows, life and death, achievements and misfortunes, praise and reprimands.
In Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna in the shlok 2/38
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ ।
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥
भावार्थ : जय-पराजय, लाभ-हानि और सुख-दुख को समान समझकर, उसके बाद युद्ध के लिए तैयार हो जा, इस प्रकार युद्ध करने से तू पाप को नहीं प्राप्त होगा ॥2/38॥
2. DEDICATION [meaning commitment, diligence, sustaining power, निष्ठा] –
Self discipline is required when a soldier has to operate in a jungle and there is no commander over him while patrolling, it is the time to see his integrity and loyalty towards the task appointed to him. He should also know how to take decisions on his own at that time.
E.g. a lot of leeches (जोंक) are found in the jungle which stick to the skin and suck the blood. A soldier must carry his alum and salt to get rid of this blood sucking insect. A soldier cannot remove his socks and shoes while on duty how so ever worst the climatic conditions are.
Similarly, a spiritual disciple requires discipline in his life. He must be sincere to his work and spiritual practices. Performing regular exercises, pranayam, doing naam jap, reading a holy book regularly all require dedication and commitment. Laziness and procrastination is escapism from life. Those who do not have any drive and dream to do something in life are lethargic. Passionate and energetic people never sleep too much. They work passionately towards their goal. To start is easy, to end is easy but to maintain anything requires effort.
- Being judicious- Everyone carries his food, clothing, first aid kit and ammunition with him. There is no food available in the jungle. They eat whatever they carry. A soldier has to be judicious about the ammunition he carries and when to use them. If his bullets are finished then he cannot ask for more from his colleague. He has to go on a self contained basis. Obedience to orders and training to use ammunition is required.
Similarly, a disciple must be judicious to keep a balance between his work and his bhajan. How much to eat, sleep, speak, work is to be decided such that a balance is maintained.
Preserve yourself because you are a trained manpower. Trained manpower is a big resource of our country. A lot of money is spent to train each soldier. He is taught to take action and extricate. “He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.”
The spiritual master devotes his time, energy and money on a disciple for many years in order to make him. The spiritual disciple must feel obliged and not drift away from Guru’s abode. Each disciple is precious. So, he should not betray or dessert his Guru on small pretexts, small excuses or emotional turmoil of mind. He must learn to watch his monster mind and overcome it.
3. PUNCTUALITY –
The work should be done timely. If you are late, you are late. I was late “because”, such excuses are not accepted. Punctuality is an important part of the life of both the soldier and the spiritual disciple.
4. TEAM WORK –
One man cannot win the battle. Everyone’s talent is used in the team. The slogan ‘ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL’ explains us that we will complete the task with togetherness and will not leave any member of our group in times of crises. If a soldier has been injured in a group, he should be attended and brought back along with the team. He cannot be left alone to die.
Similarly, a group of spiritual aspirants should march ahead as a team and not singularly. There should not be any feeling of jealousy, insecurity, attachment or hatred. Develop the virtues of compassion, care, kindness and love. Human nature is that we are interdependent. Unless we stick together we cannot win.
The concept of BUDDY TEAM is that in a section of ten people, pairs are made such that there are 5 groups. The two people will take care of one another and at the same time they will all be looked after by each other. When one is on guard the other can rest or cook food for him.
Similarly, Spiritual Master guides us that all members of the team should segregate and do their respective duties. If one serves food, the others can have their meal so that group 2 can replace group 1 for serving. When group 1 rests, group 2 works and vice versa.
5. MENTAL RESILIENCE [being strong and balanced mentally] –
If the senior or commander scolds or punishes the soldier, he should not lose his balance and become intolerant. He must remember that his aim is to serve the nation.
Similarly, when Spiritual Master scolds or becomes strict with the disciple, he must remember that the Master is guided by the Divine providence and whatever he says is for his growth and development only. Things may appear to be harsh but they have a meaning.
The spiritual aspirant must remember his aim- “My Master is my highest well wisher under whose guidance my aim is to be one with God or God realization”.
‘Aadar vyarth ka aadambar , anadar koi maainey nahi rakhta’
(आदर व्यर्थ का आडम्बर, अनादर कोई मायने नहीं रखता)
6. OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS OF THE ONE WHO IS ABOVE YOU –
Whatever is commanded has to be done. There are no if’s or but’s. Similarly, disciple must learn to say Yes to Guru and No to his mind.
7. DISCIPLINE, ORDERLINESS AND TEAM SPIRIT are required.
8. PHYSICAL FITNESS
It is a very important aspect of a soldier’s as well as a spiritual aspirant’s life. Only if we are healthy can we serve the nation.
Guru makes the disciple a SANT SIPAHI.
Bahut hi accha blog bhagwanji. Aapke prem ke anant anant anant shukarane. ??
Guru bhagwanji ko hirday s naman h anant anant shukrane hai bahut hi achchha blog h,Guru hi hame sachcha sant sipahi banate hai,hey nath,hey mere prabhu sari kripa aapki hi h
Aapki athak mehnat h kitni mahima gau kitna karu gungaan ek jibh ya h meri gun Guru k beshumar.
Its inspiring us shukrane bhagwan ji, we feel proud on our soldiers who give their lives best part for all that is why they are equelly important n lovable to god, same as a bhakt। shukrane हैं to add us in your life।
May these qualities menifist in my life.
Thanks a lot Guruji
Anant Shukrane guru bhagwan ji avam guru maa ji.
Very true and heart touching lines-
“My Master is my highest well wisher.”
Is ek line ki hum apne andar tak bitha lein.
Blessed to be in your Divine guidance of Guru Bhagwanji. May these qualities manifest in my life . This is possible only by your Divine grace Guru Bhagwanji.
A million thanks to Guru Bhagwanji and Guru Maa.
Guru ji, this was such a great analytical comparison and explanation of the soldier’s and an spiritual aspirant characteristics and attributes..this way I could also see that there are so many attributes we are missing and those should be prerequisite for becoming a true spiritual aspirant… Very very thankful to you for providing such a detailed thoughtful explanation..Guru Bhagwaan ke Shukrane hai…???
?गुरु भगवान को हृदय से नमन है,गुरु के प्रेम के अनन्त शुक्राने है। ?
तप,तप,तप
मन का तप,वाणी का तप,शरीर का तप ये तीनों तप Soldier और साधक दोनों के जीवन में होते है।ये तप भी गुरु ही कराते है सिखाते है।गुरु के शुक्राने है,जिन्होंने भगवत प्राप्ति का Aim हमें दिया।
??
Guru bhagwanji ko naman hai. Very beautifully portrayed and compared the life of a soldier and his sacrifices with a sadhaks journey towards nirvana.
Gurubhagwanji ko hirday se naman h.
Guru hme sant sipahi bnate hain.
Shukrane hain Gurubhagwanji Gurumaaji k.
Gurubhagwanji ko naman h……we are the soldier who will define our destiny and be one with god under the guidance of gurubhagwanji and gurumaaji….bahut hi acha article… gurubhagwanji k Shukrane h
Guru bhagwan ji iss post se soldiers ki life ke bare me smajh aayi bhagwan ji apni kamiyo par drishti gayi ki abhi hame bhi bahut mehnat karni hai aur apke prem me sab ho jaayega aap pal pal hame jaga rahe ho hmaari unnati kar rahe ho aise guru ke bali bali jaau
Guru bhagwan ke anant anant shukrane hai
Guru bhagwan ke shukrane hai bhagwan ji iss post se apne sadhak aur soldiers ki life ko bataya usse bahut utsah aa raha hai aur jaha jaha kami hai waha apne drishti karwa di bhagwan ji apke prem me badte rahe aisi kirpa banaaye rakhna
My revered Guru maa and Guru Bhagwanji
At the feet of you, I bow my hands with folded hands.Very Fantastic and motivational blog Bhagwanji, for this Blog………
In single line we will says Fullllll offf Joshhhh
While I was reading this Blog my heart was filled with excitement (full of josh )Through the excellent example, you explained how a seeker in the guise of a Guru becomes a true soldier. The points which mentioned by you …. perfect for our life … which will help us a lot in our spritual journy.
Shukrane Shukrane Shukrane ???♀️
No doubt Guru do hardwork to make us soldier to fight vd our own bad qualities..always thankful to guruji for their unconditional love nd blessings..i hope we all will respect their efforts for making us gud human being.. shukarne always????
Gurubhagwanji ke anant anant shukraane hain
Just like soldiers protect the nation , our guruji provides us guidance of to embark on the divine journey and always help us to achieve our spritual goal.
Guru bhagwan y ke bhut shukrane hai
Bhagwan ji bhut accha artical laga
Really this article help us to set our goal.we should be passionate about our job wht ever we do..superb article …very big thanks for giving us so much guidence ??
Radhey Radhey Guru Bhagwan ji, Aapke anant shukrane.Aapne ek soldier aur spiritual aspirant ki duties ko bahut hi sahi aur sateek tareeke se bataya hai. Aapki athak mehnat ko naman hai.Aap hame har tarah se josh, utsah aur umang se bharpur kar rahe hain.Aapke shree charno me koti koti naman hai.
Guru Bhagwan ji ko naman hai.Bahut hi sunder blog hai.Guru hi hame suchha sant sipahi banate hai.
गुरु भगवान जी के अनन्त शुक्राने हैं।गुरु भगवान जी आपने हमे soldiers के तप , मेहनत एवं लगन के बारे बताया।संगठन में रहने का संदेश दिया।उनके अनुशासन मजबुत एवं दीलेर इरादो के बारे में जाना ।हमारी ये ही प्रार्थना हैं कि हम भी अपने निश्चय में पक्के हो।गुरु भगवान जी की कृपा के अनन्त शुक्राने हैं।
Many many thanks to our Mentor , True Guide for our Real journey as a spiritual aspirant . Proud and humbled to a soldier in Guru Bhagwan ji ‘s army – the word fills our hearts with renewed energy .
Shukrane.
Thank you very much for this alerting article , one of the points that I really liked is that we must learn to face our battles because those who you do face their battles extricate themselves. Certain points like Mental Resilience and connection of our mentor with us who is guided by the divine providence, are very fascinating and interesting.
Guru bhagwaan ji avam Guru Maa ji k charnon me sat sat naman hai???? Guru bhagwaan ji k Aanat Aanat shukrane hai???? To make All of us Sant Sipahi????
Many thanks to Divine Gurubhagwanji for such a precious article .
It will help us to understand spiritual aspirants duties
Many many thanks to my Mentor for giving a very elaborate and well compared article on a soldier to a spiritual aspirant….. To make all of us a Sant Siphai.
Guru bhagwanji avm guru maaji ko shat shat naman hai
Bahut hi acha blog hai
Proud to be an indian