Guidelines from the Kurma Puran on the conduct of a Brahmachari (Disciple)

1. Sitting in the presence of the Guru

A. The disciple should, with good conduct and self-restraint, sit before the Guru only after He gives permission.

B. Should not sit too close to the Guru.

C. Should always sit at a lower level than the Guru. Furthermore, should not sit casually while the Guru is looking.

D. Should not sit with legs outstretched in the Guru’s proximity. Also should not yawn, laugh, or make unnecessary noise in the Guru’s presence.

E. Should not share a seat, bed, or vehicle with the Guru.

F. The disciple should sit with the Guru on a bull, horse, camel, or similar means of transport, as well as at the temple premises, on a stone slab, a rock, a mat, or a platform.

2. Conversing with the Guru

A. The disciple should use a gentle and pleasant tone while speaking with the Guru.

B. Should not answer back to the Guru (should not contradict or challenge Guru’s assessment).

C. Should not worship the Guru when the Guru is away, is angry, or is in the company of a woman.

3. Conduct with the Guru

A. The disciple’s conduct should always be centred around the Guru’s welfare.

B. Should renounce lust, anger, greed, gossiping, excessive sleep, and similar tendencies.

C. Should not receive the Guru’s instructions or converse with the Guru while his back is towards Him, whether standing, sitting, eating, or lying down.

D. Should not go anywhere without the Guru’s permission.

E. Whenever the Guru proceeds, the disciple should follow Him.

F. Should work for the Guru’s welfare and serve Him according to His instructions.

G. Should offer to the Guru whatever he receives.

4. Conduct with the Guru’s family members and revered individuals

A. The disciple should be devoted to the Guru’s Guru as well.

B. Should serve the Guru’s wife with the same reverence as the Guru.

C. Should treat the Guru’s wife, children, relatives, and family members with the same reverence as the Guru.

5. Sinful acts to avoid

A. The disciple should never step over the Guru’s nirmalya (Withered flowers and leaves, which have been offered earlier to a Deity), khadava (Wooden footwear, generally worn by Ascetics), footwear, seat, bed, or shadow.

B. Should not utter the Guru’s name in His presence. Moreover, he should not imitate the Guru’s gait or speech.

C. If the Guru’s teachings are being refuted or the Guru is being spoken ill of, the disciple should either cover his ears or leave the place.

D. Sage Manu has advised that a Guru who is arrogant and unable to distinguish between right and wrong should be renounced.

– Paratpar Guru Pande Maharaj, Sanatan Ashram, Devad, Panvel, Maharashtra. (15.7.2016)

(Ref. : Brahmacharicha Achar, Kurma Puran; PN Joshi, Pages – 244, 245)

Recommended for a Brahmachari

1. The Brahmachari should study after performing achaman (Sipping water from the cupped palm thrice while uttering the first three of the 24 Names of Shri Vishnu and releasing the water into a plate from the palm while uttering the fourth Name) and facing north.

2. He should wear the sacred kusha (or darbha which is a type of grass used in rituals involving sacrificial fires and rituals for the departed souls such as Shraddha), perform three Pranayamas, become purified, and then chant Om.

(Ref. : Brahmacharicha Achar, Kurma Puran; PN Joshi, Pages – 244, 245)

In 2005, Paratpar Guru Pande Maharaj started staying in Sanatan’s Ashram at Devad, Panvel, Maharashtra. Since then till March 2019 He tried to improve the management of the Ashram, helped Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale in editing Spiritual Texts, guided seekers in spiritual practice, performed spiritual healing on seekers suffering from distress caused by negative energies, etc.