Guru and Disciple

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Mahavideh Foundation

Page 65

The Guru and the Disciple
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The Guru and the Disciple
Questioner: But Dada is it not disrespectful to say that to a guru?
there is no substance in those who are affected by kashayas. Do you understand all that?
Questioner: Yes.
Dadashri: It is like this, if you do not disrespect him or tease his ego in order to test him, how long will you remain sitting there? Say you want the 'Double Horse' brand of silk; you go from one shop to another, in search of it and someone recommends that you go to the Khadi Bhandar, a storehouse of spun cloth. Now if you go there but do not make inquiries and just sit there, how long will you remain seated? Instead, you should say to him, 'Sir, if you have the brand of Double Horse silk, then I will sit even for six hours provided you have it. If he tells you he does not, then you have to get up and leave.
Nevertheless, even here you are making a mistake. Do not leave right away after testing the guru. When you tell him, 'Your gnan is not proper,' that statement hurts him and you incur a liability for being disrespectful. So you should tell him, Sir, I sometimes lose my mind and say inappropriate things.' He may tell you not to worry, but he still feels hurt by your statement. So you should keep some money in your pocket; ask him, 'Is there anything you need, a pair of glasses perhaps? Tell me what you need.' Or you can offer him a shawl. Tell him, 'Sir, please accept this shawl and bless me by placing your hand on my head.' He will be happy then. You know that when you test the rupee by hitting it against a rock, there are no karmic consequences, but here, with a living person, you will have a claim against you, so settle the situation by giving him a shawl. You will have to spend a hundred rupees in the process, but at least you will have escaped becoming trapped in that shop!
How long are you going to remain trapped like that?
The ultimate guru is the one who does not have any attachment or abhorrence (raag-dwesh). When you do not see any change or anger in his eyes if you were to take away the food you just served him, realize that he is the ultimate guru. Otherwise,
Dadashri:So we are not using these tactics for the purpose of his examination but rather to remain cautious. It appears bad if it is done for the sake of examination. However, you must be attentive for any changes in his eyes. Now when you remove the plate away from him and you see a change in his eyes, you should immediately tell him, 'I am bringing you the food in a silver plate.' This is the way to check out any changes in his eyes. We must check these things out, should we not?
What is the point of bringing home goods that you were cheated into buying? If you go out to buy a shawl, don't you have to inspect it? Don't you have to unfold and open it up to see if it is okay? Otherwise, when you bring it home and find a hole in it will people not question, 'Why didn't you check it before you purchased it?' That is why Shrimad Rajchandra says, 'Look before you make someone your guru; otherwise he will lead you astray.' Latching on to anyone who comes along will not work, will it? What happens when you get cheated like this? Therefore, you have to be vigilant everywhere.
The shepherd and the sheep
In the current time cycle of Kaliyug, you will not find a good guru and, what is more, the one you make your guru will eat you alive.
Questioner: That is true, but as an exception, can there not be at least one good guru?
Dadashri: There may be a good guru, but he would not have any understanding. So then what will you do with such a guru? Those who do understand are such that they will exploit others. Instead of that, it is better to sit at home and study the