Twenty-Four Gurus

Chapter 7, 8, 9

Sukadeva Goswami continued narrating the conversation between Krishna and Uddhava. Krishna confirmed He was indeed leaving the world.

He urged Uddhava to embrace sannyasa and plan his departure too, since Kali-yuga would soon begin. Uddhava, feeling himself lowly and unqualified, requested an injection of transcendental knowledge to awaken his natural detachment.

Krishna first explained how an intelligent person can observe the world around them and decipher powerful lessons to elevate their consciousness. To illustrate this, He narrated the story of an avadhuta brahmana who was wandering carefree in deep spiritual ecstasy. When Maharaja Yadu questioned him on how he attained such an enlightened state, the brahmana replied by delineating the 24 gurus through whom he received profound spiritual instruction. Some key lessons from these gurus are below (not an exhaustive analysis):

• Earth: One should remain undisturbed by aggressors and instead be absorbed in selfless service to others.

• Air: Though surrounded by material objects, and situated within a material body, one must learn to remain aloof and untouched.

• Sky: The individual soul and Supersoul never mix with anything nor can be divided by anything.

• Water: Saintly persons are purifying and pleasing, constantly travelling and enlightening others with the beautiful sound of their words.

• Fire: One should absorb things and yet remain untained by them – saintly persons, for example, can incinerate the karmic reactions of their followers and remain unaffected.

• Moon: Apparent changes in the body do not affect the soul, which remains constant and unchanged.

• Sun: One should accept material objects and then utilise them at the appropriate time, remaining unsullied in the process.

• Pigeon: One must be careful of excessive affection and attachment, which inevitably causes suffering.

• Python: One should avoid excessive endeavours for material preservation, and instead remain focused on one’s real spiritual self-interest.

• Ocean: Regardless of success or failure, prosperity or struggle, one must remain steady and serene.

• Moth: One must not fall prey to the allurement of sense objects, of which attraction to the opposite sex is foremost.

• Honeybee: One must guard against greed and over-consumption, only accepting what is required for his daily maintenance.

• Elephant: One should carefully avoid exploiting and enjoying the opposite sex, lest they create more complexities for themselves.

• Honey Thief: If one acquires wealth and greedily stores it, he will inevitably be plundered.

• Deer: Saintly renunciates should avoid mundane entertainment in the form of singing, dance or music.

• Fish: Failing to control the urges of the tongue will likely cause one’s spiritual downfall.

• Pingala: Having unsuccessfully tried to enjoy the material world, one should develop a detachment from the illusory pursuits of material family, friendship and love.

• Kurara Bird: By renouncing attachment and possessiveness, one experiences spiritual happiness.

• Child: One who gives up concerns of home, children and reputation can wander freely without any anxiety.

• Young Girl and Bracelets: When people live communally there is inevitably conflict, disagreement and frivolous conversation.

• Arrow Maker: Through yoga practice one must steady the mind and focus it on the Supreme Lord without deviation.

• Snake: One should avoid making complicated practical arrangements, and rather accept a simple lifestyle for maintenance of the body.

• Spider: The Lord utilises His energies to create the cosmic manifestation, which eventually reenters within Himself again.

• Wasp: Whatever one constantly meditates on, that he will surely become.