IGNITING YOUR SPARK
Why does the Avatara not start his teachings once he has taken birth? The incarnation, coming from this vastness and embodying himself in this little body, he, too, has to open himself up. He, too, has to know who he is. He also has to take a bath after travelling through all these dust storms of the universe. And then, the moment comes when he knows who he is, and his mission begins.
That is why Buddha did not start teaching until quite a good age; Jesus did not start teaching until he was 30. The same applies to Krishna, Mahavir, and Moses.
This demonstrates the total humanness of even an Avatara. The real Avatara never forgets the fact that he has become human. Within himself, he knows that he is Divine and is established in that knowingness. He is established in Divinity, yet he behaves like an ordinary human being. The reason for this is that in order to touch and open the hearts of other humans, he has to show himself as a human, too.
The real Avatara does not require worship. He loves love and devotion and the love and devotion that is accorded to the incarnation, he returns tenfold. He inspires that love and dedication in you. You are doing nothing. If you look at it factually, you are doing nothing. He inspires that. He lights that little spark, and it is up to us, the people, to let that spark become a big flame so that love and devotion grow. For whose benefit? It is not the benefit of the incarnation – he does not need to evolve, but the people need to evolve.
If he had to give you the flame, the total fire, you would not benefit. He will give you the spark and say, “Right, you tend it and make it burn. Let it consume you; let it burn away the dross, the dirt.” And in doing it yourself, you are purifying yourself, which is the spiritual path.
… Gururaj Ananda Yogi: Satsang US 1979 – 07
