Curiosity is the ornament of a disciple, and the ability to listen is the disciple’s greatest art. A seeker can become an ideal disciple only when they possess the capacity to listen to their guru’s words with an open and receptive mind.
When an individual approaches a guru as a seeker, they are not immediately granted discipleship. They must undergo a period of testing, which does not necessarily involve a demonstration of their knowledge or debating skills. Instead, the seeker must cultivate the qualities embodied by Lord Ganapati, with his large ears and expansive belly.
These distinctive features symbolize the seeker’s ability to absorb and assimilate knowledge, just as Ganapati is renowned for his capacity to listen and comprehend. A true disciple must learn to listen attentively to their guru’s words, digest them, and reflect upon their meaning.
When a seeker’s intellect is fueled by the guru’s words, it is transformed into prajna, or higher wisdom. The scriptures describe such an individual as prajnavan, or one who possesses discerning wisdom.
King Janaka, for instance, was not ignorant, for he had studied the scriptures and was well-versed in them. However, his understanding remained worldly until he encountered the sage Ashtavakra, who shattered his doubts and introduced him to the concept of non-duality. This realization of non-duality is the ultimate power, the pure consciousness that underlies all existence.
This transformation was possible only because King Janaka, despite being a powerful ruler, possessed the humility and receptivity to absorb the truth. He approached Ashtavakra with an open mind, seeking to understand the ultimate reality.
Listening is indeed an art, and King Janaka became a master of this art. This anecdote serves as a testament to the importance of cultivating the qualities embodied by Lord Ganapati, particularly in the context of spiritual growth.
In many spiritual traditions, the seeker is initially guided to worship Ganapati in various forms, allowing them to understand and internalize his attributes. This is particularly significant, as Ganapati resides in the muladhara chakra, the foundation of the spiritual journey.
The path of meditation involves awakening the consciousness from the muladhara to the ajna and sahasrara chakras. By establishing Ganapati’s presence in the muladhara, the seeker creates a powerful foundation for their spiritual journey.
Thus, the seeker who has successfully established Ganapati’s energy in the muladhara will experience a profound and transformative beginning to their spiritual journey.
Om 🪷🔯🔱💥
