GURU PUJA SPECIAL EDITIONhis soldiers, for misbehaving with him. Stilpo, in
turn, replied that Demetrius needs to swap his mode
of action. He should seek this apology from the rest
of the people in the town because by looting their
belongings and everything that they had, he has
devastated their lives. And, in his (i.e. Stilpo’s) case,
Demetrius should rather carry out this loot to the
best possible extent, to steal every bit of what he
(Stilpo) has... because Stilpo’s only possession is
Stilpo’s knowledge. On stealing it, Demetrius will
instead be saved from devastation!
WHAT SHOULD BE THE CHOICE
OF OUR COMPANY: A PERSON WITH
OUTER INFLUENCE OR THE ONE
WITH INNER EXCELLENCE?Once, a courtesan boastfully said to Socrates:
“My influential skills have the strength to pull a vast
size of followership in no time. They can pull your
followers too, while mine will be least interested to
be in your proximity.”
That courtesan had thought that her statement
would provoke Socrates and he would strongly
deny it. Instead, to her surprise, Socrates showed
complete agreement through his expressions and
concisely replied- “Actually, you land people down
at the base of the steep slope that is known to many
(and appeals many); whereas I ascend them to the
vertex of the same slope i.e. “the temple of virtue”, a
road familiar to few.”
Socrates' statement carried several insights,
which are worth elaboration–
l A true spiritual mentor shows the path of
evolution of the Self, which culminates at the
zenith of goodness or virtues, i.e. a being
reaching “the temple of virtue," getting
established in the Divine. And, such genuine
mentors are not available in bulk; they are rare
JULY 2019 AKHAND GYANETERNAL WISDOM 33
to be found.
l Only they can be his followers who are ready to
tread the upward course, which certainly
demands effort, patience, and a strong
determination... because ascension uphill is
difficult and it takes time.
l Also, Socrates’ agreement to the courtesan's
remark that she can pull his followers intends
to imply that those who do not follow the path
of virtue diligently and sincerely, i.e. disobey
the guidelines of the teacher, they cannot climb.
They fall prey to those who propose methods
which resonate with their sensory pleasures
only.WHAT IS TRUE FRIENDSHIP?It is probably difficult to derive the correct
answer to this question, if we survey this
materialistic world, which is thickly populated with
selfish and egoistic people. On the contrary, if we
throw a glance at the world of true spiritualists,
comprising of true Mystic and true seekers of the
Divine, then a classic definition comes up!
Diogenes, a Greek saint, beautifully and
incisively described true friendship as, “One soul
residing in two bodies.” Verily, he quoted these
words with reference to the divine companionship
of a true Spiritual Master and a genuine disciple.
Here is a fabulous expression of friendship, as
composed by Rumi in love for his divine companion,
his Master, Shams Tabrizi:
“Have you ever seen any lover
who was satiated with this passion?
Have you ever seen any fish that
had become satiated with this sea?
In separation, the lover is like
a name empty of meaning;
but a meaning such as belovedness