36 The Guru and the Disciple
key . A master key is a tool the guru has that will not allow him to sink . It is a key , an understanding , which their gurus give them confidentially . The great gurus , the Gnani Purush , give this key confidentially ; they give this key in the form of understanding , which tells them , ‘ If you work with your disciples in this way , you will not sink and neither will anyone else .’
Questioner : In order to become a guru you need a master key , so what is that master key ?
Dadashri : The Gnani Purush gives him an understanding and an assessment of what he is . The Gnani tells him , ‘ You are not a guru . You are a guru only by name . You are nameless ( anami ). Remain laghutam ( smallest of the small ) and then be a guru — then you will stay afloat and keep others afloat .’ These people don ’ t even have a master key and yet they proclaim themselves as gurus . One should attain the understanding ; one should attain the master key from the Gnani Purush then there will be a safe side for him and his followers .
People ask me , ‘ What are you ?’ So I tell them , “ I am a Laghutam Purush . There is no other living being smaller than me in this world .” Now , can such a laghutam person sink in any way ?
Questioner : No , he cannot .
Dadashri : Laghutam ! It means one may feel the lightweight of the guru , but he will not sink . And if others sit with me , they will not sink because the Gnani Purush himself is laghutam , and is experienced and therefore he can take everyone to the other side . He has swum across the ocean of the worldly life and is completely capable of helping others do the same .
The Difference between a guru and a Gnani
Questioner : Please explain the difference between a guru and a Gnani Purush ?