Now, Śrīla Gurudeva has gone to his eternal abode. Before he gave darśana to everyone openly. Now his pastimes are also going on, but only very fortunate souls can witness and be connected to them. Those who are fortunate have seen Śrīla Gurudeva and met with him. Now he has disappeared. But when Śrī Guru disappears, it doesn’t mean that he has died or left this world, nor does it mean that he is no longer able to meet with us. This is a misunderstanding.
Ordinary people leave this world and cannot return by their will. They have no power to do so. By their own karma they get this body and then they leave when their scheduled time is finished. They have no strength or power to come back and meet with anyone. It is true that there are those who get ghost bodies and are able to remain. They move in this world in subtle bodies and disturb many people. But when the Guru-varga leave their physical bodies, it is not that they move in this world with subtle bodies like ghosts. Mahā-bhāgavatas come and go from this world in accordance with God’s will.
Suffering in separation from them, the devotees bitterly weep. Sanātana Gosvāmī Prabhu, Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhu, and all the Gosvāmīs give their darśana and help to a soul who cries to them in separation.
Why would Gurudeva be an exception from this? He will also come if called in this way.
What does this mean? Simply if you desire it, God’s mercy, the service of Śrī Guru, and the help of the Vaisnavas is not far away. But if we neglect them and are happy with everything in this world without them, then there is no need for them to give us darśana.
In this world, babies always have eagerness, “How can I meet with my parents?” Other than parents, they don’t think about anyone or anything. But when they become a little older they think that it would be ve good if their parents left for the old-age home.
This is the nature of conditioned souls. They learn something from the Guru-varga, and preach it to some other people. After some time, people respect them, and help them in material ways. Then they start to think, “Gurudeva is unnecessary. What will he do? I am all and all. I have all power. I know nice kīrtana. I am a very good cook and I speak such nice hari-kathā. So many people follow me. I am helpful for everyone. I don’t need Gurudeva.” They have no desire for Gurudeva’s darśana or the help he gives.
They do not realize that whatever they possess has been given by Śrīla Gurudeva and that if they leave or forget him, it will all be lost.
They don’t think of the future. They have gotten some knowledge, have learnt some verses of śāstra, but they have no realization. If they had realization, they would not be distance from Guru and Vaiṣṇavas.
They have no realization and therefore have no separation. If you always need help, will you remain alone? If you always cry and weep for help, then how will the Guru-varga stay distant from you? If you cry and weep for them, they will not stay away. They will come and help.
Like a mother for her babies, the Guru-varga always help their followers. But now we don’t have any need.
Madhyama-adhikārīs are also content in this world. They chant harināma with knowledge of śāstra and can easily achieve anything they desire in this world. Therefore they are not unhappy. Kaniṣṭha-adhikārīs have relation with the Deity and their own followers. They have no deep tension or separation in absence of Śrī Guru. But the high-class disciple, who is at least on the first stage of an uttama-adhikārī, will understand the kindness of Guru Mahārāja, and will cry in separation from him day and night. Madhyama and kaniṣṭhas won’t think so much of Śrī Guru. Sometimes, if there is a problem, they will think of him, but when help comes, they will again forget him. They cannot weep in separation from him morning to evening. Seeing this, Gurudeva will feel, “Oh, they have no need for me,” and he won’t reveal himself to them.
Especially on Śrīla Gurudeva’s appearance and disappearance days, we should remember his specialties and glories, and how he magnanimously helped us all. On these days especially, we should cry and call out for his further help and pray to be always connected to him.