ATTRIBUTES OF THE DISCIPLE (SHISHYA LAKSHANA)

Just as tantra lays down great standards for the Guru and prescribes divine attributes, it also prescribes the attributes of a shiShya.  The competent guru should first examine an aspirant for the existence of the prescribed attributes and only then proceed to initiate him/her.  In the matters of choosing a disciple, though the guru is endowed with unlimited freedom (sarvasvatantra), seldom does the guru transgress the laid down rule to initiate someone, unless, there divine indications.  Further, tantra also strictly prohibits initiation of shishyas with certain qualities. 

First let us see the lakShaNa-s of shiShya-s who qualify for dIkSha.  KularNava details the attributes of aspirants who are fit to receive dIkShA from the competent guru. 

sacchiShyam tu  kuleshAni   shubhalakShaNasaMyutam |

samAdhisAdhanopetaM   guNashIlasamanvitam ||

O kuleshAni ! (the guru should accept as his shiShya, only a person who) he is a true disciple, endowed with auspicious features with regard to the sAmudrikA lakShaNa and who is endowed with the capacity to enter into samAdhi and who possesses good qualities and character,

svacchadehAmbaraM  prAjnaM  dhArmIkaM shuddhamAnasam |

dRDhavrataM   sadAcAraM    shraddhAbhaktisamanvitam ||

who maintains cleanliness of body and dress, who is wise, possessed of righteous thoughts and purity of mind, who is steadfast in the observance of religious rites, who has good conduct and is gifted with faith and devotion,

 

dakShamalpAshinaM   gUDhacittaM  nirvyAjasevakam |
vimRshyakAriNaM  vIraM  manodAridryavarjItam ||
 

who is competent, eats less (i.e. eats to live and does not live to eat J), who has the capacity to think deep, renders service without any expectations, capable of examining things, who is adept, and who is devoid of impoverished mind,

sarvakAryAtikushalaM svacchaM sarvopakAriNam |

kRtajnaM   pApabhItaM ca   sAdhusajjanasammatam ||

 

who is skillful in all the works, clean, and helpful to everyone, knows what is right, afraid of committing sins, and who has the approval of the holy and good people,

AstikaM  dAnashIlaM ca sarvabhUtahite  ratam |

vishvAsavinayopetaM dhanadehAdyavancakam ||

 

who has faith in god, charitable, devoted to being kind to all creatures, who is trustworthy, and endowed with humility, and who is not deceitful in regard to personal matters and wealth,

asAdhyasAdhakaM shUramutsAhabalasaMyutam |
anukUlaM   kriyAyuktamapramattaM   vicakShaNam ||

who is capable of achieving the impossible, valorous, cheerful, strong, pliable, active, attentive and clear sighted,

 

hitasatyamitasmerabhAShaNaM  muktadUShaNam |
sakRduktagRhAtArthaM caturaM buddhivistaram ||

who is a person of few words, ie speaks less to preserve the truth (like satyAya mitabhAShiNAM…... raghuvamsha) with a pleasing countenance / smile, who is free from blames, who is capable of grasping anything uttered even once, who is clever and possesses high degree of intelligence,

 

svastutau paranindAyAM vimukhaM  sumukhaM  priye |
jitendriyaM  susantuShTaM  dhImantaM  brahmacAriNam ||

 

who treats criticisms and praises alike, who has control of his senses,  contented,  learned, and who is in the pursuit of knowledge of Brahman is fit to be a disciple in this mArga.


tyaktAdhivyAdhicApalyaduHkhabhrAntimasaMshayam |

gurudhyAnastutikathA devArcAvandanotsukam ||

 

who is free from worry and anxiety, disease, unsteadiness, grief, delusion & doubt, who takes interest in the meditation on the guru and eulogizing him and in the worship of deities

gurudaivatasambhaktaM kAminIpUjakaM param |

nityaM gurusamIpasthaM gurusantoShakArakam ||

who is a devotee of the guru and devata, who is a worshipper of shakti, who is always by the side of the guru and makes him happy.

 

manovAktanubhirnItyaM paricaryA samudyatam |

gurvAjnApAlakaM devi gurukIrtiprakAshakam ||

who is engaged in attending to the guru by mind, words and deeds and who obeys the orders of the guru, and who spreads the glory of the guru,

 

guruvAkyapramANajnaM gurushushrUShaNe ratam |

cittAnuvartInaM preShyakAriNaM kulanAyike ||

 

who knows that the guru’s words are pramANa (authority) for shastra, who is given to the service of guru, whose action follows the mind of the guru, who functions as the guru’s servant, O kulanAyike !

 

jAtimAnadhane garvavarjitaM gurusannidhau |

nirapekShaM gurudravye tatprasAdAbhikAGkShiNam ||

 

who in the presence of the guru, does not pride upon his class, honour or wealth, does not covet the guru’s wealth and always in expectation of the blessings of the guru

kuladharmakathAyogi yoginIkaulikapriyam |

kulArcanAdinirataM kuladravyAjugupsakam ||

 

who is fond of recital of kuladharma, who is a favourite of yogis, yoginis and kaulikas, who is devoted to kula worship and who is not averse to the kuladravyas,

 

japadhyAnAdinirataM mokShamArgAbhikAGkShiNam |

kulashAstrapriyaM devi pashushAstraparAGmukham |

who is devoted to japa, meditation and who is eager to know about the path to salvation, who is fond of kulashAstra and who shuns pashushAstra.

 

ityAdilakShaNopetaM guruH shiShyaM parigrahet ||

A guru should accept only a person endowed with the above qualities, as his shiShya.