Gurusaka'sha - "Near the Guru"

The word gurusaka’sha means literally “to be near the guru, under His enveloping, loving wings, or umbrella, or shelter”. It is only the protection of the guru that transforms the razor sharp edge of the spiritual path into a path strewn with roses and as broad as the universe.

Baba has given us a practice of meditation that should be performed first thing in the morning. This practice is called gurusaka’sha, and Baba has said that the practice is “another meaning” of that word. No doubt, though the name of the practice is derived from the literal meaning – since the practice does establish one in the guru’ shelter. By remembering the guru, one receives infinite peace and commitment, as well as the urge and the strength to fulfill the duties he has given us.

At the break of dawn, when one has just awakened, before doing anything else, one should sit up and visualize the guru, performing vara’bhaya mudra’ [Gesture given by a spiritual master. Both palms are open. The left hand rests on the left thigh (vara mudra’), the right hand is raised (abhaya mudra’)], at the guru cakra. One should first visualize the guru from the top down. One should then address the guru lovingly, and for an extended period. This is gurusaka’sha.

Some sadhakas like to mentally recite the gurusaka’sha shloka during gurusaka’sha:

Pra'tah shirasi shukle'abje dvinetram' dvibhujam gurum;

Vara'bhayakrtahastam' smarettam' na'mapu'rvakam.

Early in the morning one should meditate on the Guru in vara'bhaya mudra' with two hands and two eyes seated on a white lotus in Guru cakra, and remember Him by chanting His holy name.

The visualization of the guru in vara’bhaya mudra’ mobilizes positive microvita. Gurusaka’sha is an ancient practice of Tantra.