Shri Sai Charitra-Chapter 16

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The continuation of the qualifications for Brahma Jnana as directed by Shri Shirdi Saibaba goes thus:

(8) Purification of the mind. Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and disinterestedly the duties of his station in life, his mind will not be purified and, unless his mind is purified, he cannot get self-realization. It is only in the purified mind that Viveka (discrimination between the Unreal and the Real), and Vairagya (Non-attachment to the unreal) crop up and lead one to self-realization. Unless egoism is dropped, avarice got rid of, and the mind made desireless (pure), self-realization is not possible. The idea that 'I am the body' is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment therefore, if you want to get to be realized.

Sai Ram. Only if clean and clear the water, the sun is reflected properly. Similarly only in a clean and clear mind, Self realisation takes place through clear intellect. Sai Ram. If we cannot purify our own minds, we should surrender to Sri Sai Sadguru and He will purify our minds, just as a mother cleans up her soiled child. Sai Ram.

(9) The necessity of a Guru. The knowledge of the self is so subtle and mystic, that no one could, by his own individual effort ever hope to attain it. So the help of another person-teacher, who has himself got self-realization is absolutely necessary. What others cannot give with great labour and pains, can be easily gained with the help of such a teacher; for he has walked the path himself and can easily take the disciple, step by step on the ladder of spiritual progress.

Sai Ram. Guru is the Lamp that will light up the lamp of self realisation in us, the fire which will burn all the dross in us. Guru is absolutely essential and Sai Sadguru has assured us that He is with us always whether He is in His physical body or not. So, while it is good to have a living Guru, it is not really essential. Guru is beyond all the limitations of space and time. Sai Ram.

(10) Lastly the Lord's Grace is the most essential thing. When the Lord is pleased with any body, He gives him Viveka and Vairagya; and takes him safe beyond the ocean of mundane existence, "The Self cannot be gained by the study of Vedas, nor by intellect, nor by much learning. He, whom the Self chooses, by him it is gained. To him the Self reveals Its nature", says the Katha Upanishad.

Sai Ram. I have experienced this grace atleast twice in my life if not more times, when He brought me out of two major addictions. Sai Ram. Thus, I can assure the readers that Bhakti is the path to Mukti, liberation. Even now I keep wandering from the spiritual path often, but He, like a loving parent keeps pulling me back on to the path and is helping me. Sai Ram.