Yet more reflections on Guru Tattva (III)
There is something about being chained to your guru. When you sell yourself to your guru, then you are bound to be brought back to him, even if in some cases you try to renege. The prodigal son who returns is twice as dear. I wanted to use the example of runaway slaves, but that is unfortunately a little incorrect politically, triggers the wrong kinds of response. But bhakti, dāsya , is voluntary slavery to the will of God. The will of God is primarily mediated through Guru-tattva. Guru-tattva is that aspect of God that occupies itself with the education of humanity. Guru-tattva is the manifestation of intelligence, individually and cosmically.. You can find a discussion of this verse here (towards the end): sei bhakta dhanya, ye nā chāḍe prabhura caraṇa sei prabhu dhanya, ye nā chāḍe nija-jana “Glorious is that devotee who does not give up the shelter of his Lord, and glorious is that Lord who does not abandon His servant." durdaive sevaka yadi yāya anya sthāne ...