182
Aptavani-4
(20)
The Guru and The Gnani
The True Guru
Questioner: I already have a guru from before, so can I
make you my guru now?
Dadashri: You need two gurus. The worldly (sansari)
guru teaches you about the shubha-ashubha (what is beneficial
and what is harmful in life); whilst here I free you from the
shackles of shubha-ashubha. In truth, this is not a gurupad
(position or a state of guru). You will not find anything
detrimental (badhak; obstructive or harmful) here; there are only
sadhak (conducive to attaining moksha) things here.
Nevertheless, you do need a guru in the worldly life (sansar).
If you have his blessings, they will be useful to you for your
happiness in the world (bhautik sukh). However, ‘this’ (Gnan)
goes beyond the material things of this world. Those others are
considered worldly (laukik) gurus.
Questioner: What is a worldly (laukik) guru?
Dadashri: Someone who teaches you good things is a
worldly guru. What can improve your current worldly life? It all
happens based on the planning that was done in our past life.
Therefore, you receive good parents and good grounding in
your upbringing. You come prepared with everything from your
past life. The Gnani’s grace is silent. He would never say
outright things like, ‘May you be wealthy’ or ‘May you have a
son’. Through the Gnani’s grace, you attain moksha!
Questioner: If everyone is going to moksha anyway,
then why would we need a Gnani?