Keep the Light of Faith burning within You
The subtle powers of the Sadguru works in so many ways that it is difficult to explain them all in detail. In short, the Sadguru plays His divine role at different levels, at different places, and at different points of time in the life of the devotee. It is the Guru who attracts the disciples towards him. For this, He alone chooses the time and method. Such power of attraction of the Guru reaches the devotee in the form of thought waves. The disciple becomes overjoyed and excited and gets attracted towards Him. As a result, he becomes eager to meet the Guru. Due to the newly evoked feeling of purity in his heart, the devotee yearns to come closer to the Master. When such a relationship gets established, the Guru always keeps the devotee in His focus wherever He be. The Guru who is ever aware of the past, present, and future of the devotee starts to protect him in various ways. The Sadguru does so in order to create a favorable condition, both material and mental, for the spiritual evolution of the disciple.
As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat,
Guru maali ta bruksha shishya | Jatane badhaanti bishesha ||
Purnataa aasile brukshare | Phala, pushpa brukshare dhare ||
When the Guru plays the role of a gardener, the disciple plays the role of a tree. He (the Gardener) rears the sapling (disciple) with due care and caution. When the tree is fully grown, it bears flowers and fruits.
Maatiku kholibaara pare | Maatiku maali saphaa kare ||
Separi bhaktara sanskaara | Saphaa karanti Gurubara ||
After digging a hole (in the garden), (initially) the gardener cleans it (at first). Similarly, the Guru cleans (removes) the mundane impressions (of the past lives) of the devotee.
Baidyara bhali Gurubara | Karanti kete upachaara ||
Nijara dibya kriyaakari | Shuddha tattwa dianti bhari ||
The Guru is like a doctor who prescribes different treatments (for the spiritual evolution of the devotee). He infuses the (devotee) with pure spiritual elements through certain religious rites.
Sources:
1. Baba – The Devotees’ Questions by Dr. C B Satpathy
2. Shri Guru Bhagavat Vol.2 by Dr. C B Satpathy