"Guru and God both appear before me. To whom should I prostrate? I bow before Guru who introduced God to me" – Kabir
When Swami Vivekananda first visited Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he asked ‘I have read the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures several times, I lecture and give discourses on the Gita and Ramayana. Do I still need harbor of a saint; do I still need a guru?’
Ramakrishna didn't reply to Vivekananda's question. After a few days Ramakrishna called upon Vivekananda and handed him a parcel to be delivered at a nearby village a few hours away by the sea route. Early morning the boat and sailor would be ready and all he needed to do was to go to the village and deliver the parcel to the designated person.
Vivekananda agreed and decided to start early. He found the boat and the sailor ready to put out to sea. Suddenly, upon sitting in the boat, Vivekananda realized that he didn't know the road to the village. He inquired of the sailor who had no clue, either. Vivekananda decided to go back to his guru to ask him the shortest way to the village.
Upon this Ramakrishna said, ‘Narendra, this is my reply to the question you asked me when we met the first time: Today, you have the medium (the boat), you have the resource (the sailor), you have the road (the sea), you know what to do (deliver the parcel) and you also know where to go but you don't know the way. Likewise you have read all the scriptures, and you can conduct wonderful discourses on them.
However, to realize the wisdom of scriptures one needs a guru, someone who has already traversed that path so that he can guide you through the journey and encourage you to not give up.’
Swami Vivekananda then famously said, “The father and mother gave me this body; but the Guru gives me rebirth in the soul”
Celebrated annually on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha of the ShakhaSamavat by the Hindu calendar, the day is celebrated, to promote devotees to express their appreciation towards their Gurus. Each year, Gurupūrṇimā is the day that many people set aside as the day to make their gurudakṣinā offering, and by doing so, it is also a chance to connect with and spend time with their gurus. Through this practice, the flow of wisdom, and the cycle of giving and receiving is maintained and honored.
Everyone, at some point in time, has felt the need for a Guru. Since none of us are endowed with perfect enlightenment, a Guru is one that helps bridge this gap within us and pours onto us the rich knowledge and expertise, he has acquired over the years.
We need a Guru to mentor and train us. Be it at math, karate or investing- everyone who’s a master in their field has had a guru, including leading investors.
The legendary Benjamin Graham, author of “The Intelligent Investor”, mentored Warren Buffet and Buffet claims this book changed his life.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, renowned trader, investor, is a protégé of RK Damani.
Vijay Kedia, an Indian investor based out of Mumbai, has been in the trading industry ever since he was 19! Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, often referred to as the Warren Buffet of India, mentored him.
In our investment journey, the Guru or Advisor is required to play two major roles; Help in identifying the opportunity and mitigate risks associated with investing. In our daily routine, busy with our profession and exposed to extremely voluble media, both the roles cannot be accomplished without devoting sizeable time and energy. That is where the Investment Guru comes in. People believe that a financial advisor is an investment manager but I always say the larger role of an advisor is that of an “investor” manager. A good financial advisor doesn’t only manage an investor’s money but also his or her emotions so as to maximise returns by optimizing the risk-return matrix.
An advisor (Guru) is like the Google maps.
Imagine you are stuck in a traffic jam & you take the easiest route not knowing where you are headed.
Google maps tells you all the possible routes, the possible blockages on the route & how much time you will take to get there by different routes & different modes.
It also warns you in case there is a possible blockage along the route at any time and suggests an alternate route to reach your destination in the least possible time.
Even though I know the way and the routes to my destination, I always consult Google maps before starting my journey and keep on consulting it along the way, because it tells me the fastest route, changes direction in case required (Review and Change in Asset allocation) and helps me reach my destination (goal) with least amount of blockage (volatility)
We all need a Guru, (Also check out my earlier blog on the subject: Do you need a financial Advisor (Guru) for more insights into the subject.)
Celebrate Guru Purnima, Consult your Financial Advisor today for a smooth journey to achieve your goals and please don’t forget a suitable “Guru Dakshina” so that the cycle of giving and receiving is maintained.
Happy Investing!
Stay Blessed Forever
Sandeep Sahni
Note: All information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute any professional advice or service. Readers are requested to consult a financial advisor before investing as investments are subject to Market Risks.
About The author
Sandeep Sahni
Sandeep is an alum of IIM Lucknow with a Post Graduate Degree (MBA class of 1988). His also an alum of Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University (B.Com. Hons. Class of 1985.)
Sandeep's investing experience and study of the Financial Markets spans over 30 years. He is based in Chandigarh and has been advising more than 500 clients across the globe on Financial Planning and Wealth Management.
He has promoted “Sahayak Gurukul” which is an attempt to share thoughts and knowledge on aspects related to Personal Finance and Wealth Management. Sahayak Gurukul provides financial insights into the markets, economy and Investments. Whether you are new to the personal finance domain or a professional looking to make your money work for you, the Sahayak Gurukul blogs and workshops are curated to demystify investing, simplify complex personal finance topics and help investors make better decisions about their money.
Alongside, Sandeep conducts regular Investor Awareness Programs and workshops for Training of Mutual Fund Distributors, and workshops and seminars on Financial Planning for Corporate groups, Teachers, Doctors and Other professionals.
Through his interactions and workshops, Sandeep works towards breaking the myths and illusions about money and finance.He also writes a well read blog;
He has also conducted presentations, workshops and guest lectures at Management institutes for students on Financial Planning and Wealth Creation.He can be reached at:+91-9888220088, 9814112988
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