Reminiscences

A well - educated man said to ShriMaharaj, "These days, everywhere, but particularly in the Hindu society, fake saints are rampant. While it is true that there can be no attainment of God without a guru, if one comes upon an impostor in trying to choose a guru, both worldly life and attainment of God are ruined. So can one do with­out choosing a guru  ?" In reply to this question ShriMaharaj said, "Some women die after marriage in their very first confinement. But has anyone given up marrying ? Or, because some women die from getting burnt while cooking, has anyone stopped cooking ? Like­wise, because one came upon an impostor on one occa-sion, one should not entertain the thought of not at all having a guru. Primarily, one should find out whether one has a need for God in one's worldly life. If one decides that there is no such need, one should conduct one's worldly life as best as one can. Then one should not at all think about the spiritual path. But if one is convinced that lasting happiness cannot be obtained without God, one should place before oneself a picture of one's favourite deity and set about practicing chanting its nama. Later one will feel a deep yearning that one should encounter God. When that happens the sadguru* will himself come to him, and one's mission will be accomplished. In the meantime, if someone tells one that some place is first -rate, one should go there and minutely observe the so -called guru there. One should observe whether or not detachment from money and women prevails. Besides, if one's mental attitude undergoes a change for the better in the company of that person, one should presume that there is something uncommon there. If someone performs im unusual trick or works a miracle but speaks against nama, one should definitely conclude that he has not encountered God. It is to a person who passes all such tests that one should decide whether or not to assign the position of a guru. After having taken so much care, there is no fear of coming across an impostor."

Sadguru ( a spiritual instructor and director)

Reminiscences

The number of ShriMaharaj's disciples was very large, and a good deal of food happened to be served regularly at Gondavale. Noticing this, a skeptical person said to Shri Maharaj, 'This is a time of shortages, but even then food is being served here as well as at any time before. This must be taking place not naturally but by the use of siddhis (supernatural powers). The tenets of religion deprecate the use of supernatural powers. How is this admissible?' Upon this ShriMaharaj said, 'A supernatural faculty is not being used here as you claim. Whatever takes place here is entirely by Rama's will. If you conduct your worldly affairs with a like sentiment, your worldly life will also keep going the same way it keeps going here. But let us assume for a moment that a supernatural fac­ulty is being used here. When one pilgrimages to a holy place one affirms a resolve. In the ritual, one returns to the Ganga the water one has taken from her. In a like manner, there is no wrongdoing in taking help of God to fimd and satiate the God residing in the hearts of the multitude. This suspicion of yours is a product of your identity with the material self, Dehabuddhi.'