In the popular story from Mahabharat, where Guru Dronacharya asks for Eklavya's thumb as Guru Dakshina, Dronacharys is viewed as cruel and self-centred. The perception is that this boy, who had learned the skill on his own and was good at it, was made to give it up for the vested interest of Dronacharya.
There is an intricate connection between time, the mind and events. Liberation is freeing the mind from time and events. While you cannot ignore all that is happening around you, you cannot afford to get consumed by it either. Often it is past events and mistakes that occupy the mind, causing pain and regret. Reviewing events in time with the right perspective frees your mind and also provides valuable lessons.
So, when the wise ones look at the story of Dronacharya and Eklavya, they find a completely different perspective. If it were not for this incident, nobody would have ever known Eklavya. Dronacharya uplifted Eklavya from just being a student to becoming an epitome of discipleship. He blessed Eklavya with immortality by asking him for his thumb. So when people think of devotion, they think of Eklavya, not Arjun.
Dronacharya took the blame on himself and uplifted his student. That is why, even if it appears that the guru is wrong, if your devotion is sincere, you can never be wrong. It may seem that Dronacharya was partial, but he uplifted Eklavya and preserved his dharma. His duty was to maintain the law of the land.
You are lost on the street. There is rain, thunder, wind and cold; you need shelter. You look around and you find a door. You come to the door because it is more inviting, more charming, and more joyful than anything out on the street. When you enter the door of the master, you come Home. You see the world from a new perspective. You can still hear the thunder and see the rain, but it no longer disturbs you. The world looks much more beautiful - not a nasty place, but a place filled with love, cooperation, and compassion. Your fear drops.
When you can see the whole world through the eyes of the master, it is a sign that you have come to the master; you have entered the door. This is the purpose of having a master.
When you meet an enlightened guru, these five things happen: knowledge flourishes; sorrow and lack disappear; joy wells up for no reason; abundance grows, and all talents manifest.
The greatest fortune in this world is to be a disciple or a devotee. Those who have become a disciple or devotee understand the value of it. There is a magnificent word in Sanskrit for a disciple. It is called antevasi. It is the one who dwells in the heart of the guru. It's not just that the master is in the heart of the devotee. The devotee also dwells in the heart of the master. There is nothing other than the guru. You dwell inside the guru all the time. What else does one want? When one experiences being surrounded by unconditional and unique love all the time, no lack remains in life. It's all bliss.
Everyone has some 'guru-hood' in them, just like there is fatherhood or motherhood in you. Consciously or unconsciously, you are all gurus to somebody. You give advice, guide people or give them love and care. When you do this without expecting anything in return - that is living the guru principle. The relationship between the seeker, guru and the Divine is like the beginning, middle and end of the same line, or the seed, plant and tree. There is no difference between the Divine, the self and the guru. They are all one. 
Authored by: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
