Aptavani-4
183
Dadashri: First, you must arrive at the Central Station
(the Self), only then can you make such a statement. Every living
being (jiva) has been around from time immemorial, but it is
only when one meets the Gnani Purush that one arrives at the
beginning of the end.
Questioner: So, is there a need for a guru on the path
of moksha?
Dadashri: Yes, so many people say that there is no need!
That would be like snuffing out a light. The guru is a light, but
wouldn’t you have to recognize the guru? When you believe that
darkness is light, how can you attain anything?
All these acharyas-maharajs (religious teachers and
heads) are considered gurus. Who is a sadguru? It is someone
who has attained the Self (Sat). If he has attained such a state,
he will not become irritated with you, if you do something
wrong. And the Gnani Purush is one who has swa-purusharth
(constant awareness and conduct as the Self). The Gnani
Purush is considered the wonder of the world.
Questioner: How can we recognize a Gnani?
Dadashri: Say to the (so called) ‘gnani’, “Sir, help me
solve my problem,” and if he says to you, “Go and do this
much,” then you should tell him, “Sir, I have been doing that for
such a long time, but it has not got me anywhere.” If you try to
get a small child to run errands for you, is he likely to do it? Only
adults have to do that. In the same way, if you meet a Gnani
Purush, ask him directly what you want. A real guru is the one
who gives you liberation from the worldly life (sansar). There
are many other kinds of gurus, but what are they good for? You
would even need a guru who knows the directions, if you
wanted to go from here to the station.
Worldly Gurus
These worldly gurus may not be Gnanis, but do you