How to Recognize a True Guru in the Age of Confusion

Disciple 1: Pranam, Gurudev.

Gurudev: Pranam, pranam. Tell me.

Disciple 1: Gurudev, Guru Purnima was just a few days ago. All the disciples and followers remembered their gurus, worshipped them, and performed rituals. Gurudev, in this context, I had a question: what is the way to distinguish between a real guru and a fake one?

Gurudev: That is a very significant question. You see, you have to search through many pebbles to find where Narayana (the divine) resides. When we search for a Shaligram Shila in the Gandaki River, we have to sift through countless stones. Out of a hundred thousand pebbles, perhaps one Shaligram Shila is found. No doubt about it. That is why it is said, "One must look to see in which pebble Narayana resides." The same applies to a guru. You must test him. You must test him at every moment—not just in one way, but in various ways—to see if he is honest or dishonest. A true guru has a certain dignity, and a false guru has another. By observing and interacting, you can understand if he is genuine.

Disciple 2: Should this testing be done before taking Diksha (initiation)?

Gurudev: Of course! You should observe him before taking initiation. I often hear people say after initiation, "My guru knows nothing, I have already taken initiation; can I take it again?" They come to me and ask, "Can I take initiation from you?" I ask them why. Once you are initiated, you cannot be initiated again. According to our Hindu traditions, once a woman is married, she doesn't marry again—well, it happens nowadays, so let’s leave that aside. Similarly, nowadays, people might have ten gurus or ten marriages. There’s no point in arguing about that. However, most people are being deceived. Firstly, the kind of guru you find depends on your own character. If you are a drunkard, you will look for a guru who drinks; then both of you can drink together. That is the kind of guru you will seek. A thief will look for a guru who is a thief—one who can give him a mantra to break locks. This is the reality. One finds a guru according to their own taste and nature. Someone who smokes marijuana will look for a guru who can shatter a pipe in one puff. They’ll say, "Look at my guru, he can clear a pipe in one go!" These things lead to confusion. You will find a guru according to your character. If your character is bad or if you are addicted to something, you will find a similar guru. You won't find a Sath-Guru (true/pure guru).

Disciple 1: How do we recognize a Sath-Guru?

Gurudev: Look, there are eight markers of the divine, and all of them are "Sath" (pure/true). Among them is Sath-Karma (pure deeds). The work you do, or the work the guru does, must be pure, not dishonest. If a guru performs deeds just to take money or belongings from people, that is not a good deed.

Disciple 2: You mean in exchange for money?

Gurudev: Yes, doing things for money is not right. It is not a pure deed; it is dishonest. If you help someone without taking money or treat everyone equally without a fee, that is a sign of a true guru. A dishonest guru will ask for money immediately after helping you. But even that depends on your luck; you might end up with a dishonest guru because you have a greed for money or want a quick fix. "How much? Fifty thousand? Okay, take it."

Disciple 2: Some devotees show off the jingling of their money everywhere, even to the guru. Then there are some who are very poor.

Gurudev: Yes, the poor ones come and say right away, "Gurudev, I have nothing. Please treat me if you can, otherwise, let it be." They come knowing that this Gurudev doesn't take money. But some people come with their money, thinking they can buy the guru. We have different "rates" for different categories—I'm joking, of course. For a doctor, there’s one rate; for a policeman, another; for a lawyer, another. It’s not the same for everyone.

Disciple 1: So, it depends on the person and the place?

Gurudev: I ask them, "How much will you give?" They might say they don't have a single penny. I say, "Then come in." This shows partiality in one sense, but in truth, it’s about Sath-Drishti (pure vision). One’s vision must be pure. One must look at everyone with an equal eye. Not just that, but avoiding Ku-drishti (evil eye) or Ku-vakya (evil speech). If a woman comes, one shouldn't look at her with bad intentions. A lot depends on your gaze. Do you understand? Like winking or suggestive talk—that is a sign of an evil eye. Your gaze should be pure. If I look at a woman, I should see her as a mother. This is how it should be. The vision must be pure. Then, the words I speak to you should not be deceitful; they should be truthful. Sath-Vakya (pure speech). With this same mouth, I might utter profanities, and with the same mouth, I chant the name of the Lord. It’s the same mouth. So, one must always remember that the words spoken must be pure. Sath-Vakya.

Gurudev: Next is Sath-Jeevika (pure livelihood). The way I earn my living must be honest. Using dishonest means or taking bribes is not a sign of a pure livelihood.

Disciple 2: Like cheating people?

Gurudev: Yes, cheating people, taking bribes, or instigating others—these are not signs of a pure livelihood. If someone has these traits, we cannot call them "Sath." Never.

Gurudev: Then there is Sath-Prajatna (pure effort). Whatever we do, we must do it with care and mindfulness. We say, "Effort must be made with caution." Whatever you do, you must maintain it with sincerity. Sath-Prajatna. "Gopaniyam prajatnena savadhana..." It means doing things secretly, with effort, and with caution. All three are mentioned. You must maintain this.

Gurudev: Then there is Smriti (memory). Our memory power is vast; memories from 50, 60, or 70 years ago are swirling within us. This memory should be pure, not dishonest. Sath-Smriti.

Gurudev: And finally, there is Sath-Samadhi (pure meditation). For those who enter a state of Samadhi—perhaps while talking, or walking, or sitting—it must not be fake. You might see someone coming from a distance and pretend to enter Samadhi. That is not desirable. That too must be genuine.

Gurudev: This is why we say, "Om Tat Sat." When you read the Gita, at the end of every chapter, it says "Om Tat Sat." What does it mean? It means "You be honest/pure." That is the final word. "Iti" means drawing a line—I’ve drawn the line, no more talk. Similarly, it is said: "You be honest." Every time you read a chapter of the Gita, it tells you: "Be honest, be honest. Speak the truth, be pure."

Disciple 2: Truth and sincerity.

Gurudev: Yes, truth and sincerity. These are the things being said. One who possesses these qualities can be considered divine. You can call him God. You can take initiation from him without hesitation. He won't give initiation for anything other than a Haritaki (a medicinal nut). He won't take money for initiation because God cannot be sold. The Beej Mantras (seed mantras) of God are what make everything work. Without a seed, there is no tree; without a tree, there is no fruit. So the seed is everything. We cannot sell that seed. Many people give initiation for 30,000 or 40,000 rupees; I know this, I’ve seen it. But we cannot do that. "Kanchanamulyam Haritakiphalam"—meaning the value of a Haritaki fruit is equal to the value of gold. That is what we say. During the time of Dakshina (offering), priests say this. So, a guru who has these qualities is a Sath-Guru. He is God. You can comfortably call him God if these eight markers are present in him. If you find these divine qualities in a human through observation and interaction—not by being impulsive or being swayed by flashy talk—then you should make him your guru.

Disciple 1: Gurudev, in some places, it is seen that people get hypnotized.

Gurudev: Yes, that happens. I am not denying it.

Disciple 1: Is this done through the guru's actions or rituals?

Gurudev: Look, there is no such mantra to subjugate you or make you speechless. At least, I don't know any, and I never do such things.

Disciple 1: Then how does hypnotism happen?

Gurudev: It’s a matter of the eyes. And you could say it’s a "Kriya" (a practice)—Sambohan Shakti (the power of hypnosis/fascination). This is associated with Ma Bagalamukhi. Anyone who can do it, does it, but it is very difficult. Very difficult. Everything related to hypnosis is through Ma Bagalamukhi. It shouldn't be done. I don't do it, and I tell people clearly. If someone asks me to subjugate someone for them...

Disciple 1: Vashikaran (subjugation)?

Gurudev: Yes, Vashikaran. I say I can't do it. I don't know it. I haven't learned those mantras, and my guru didn't teach them to me.

Disciple 1: Gurudev, what is meant by Rakshas-kal (demonic time)?

Gurudev: Rakshas-kal? First, tell me, who are the Rakshasas (demons)? Humans are the Rakshasas. Humans are demons. Do you understand? When is the time for humans to eat? From 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM—that’s when the "demons" eat. During this time, one should not perform Japa (chanting), worship, or any rituals. This is called Rakshas-kal.

Disciple 1: I see.

Gurudev: At that time, the demon wakes up—the demon within the human. Ravana was a Rakshas, but in human form. Rakshasas in human form. So, that is the time for demons to eat. After working all day, they eat between 12:00 and 2:00. That’s Rakshas-kal. However, this is more applicable here in West Bengal. In other places, it might be different. I’ve stayed in Delhi for a long time. In the morning, they might have two rotis, some vegetables, and a glass of milk, and then leave. They won't eat anything all day and then eat again at night. They used to tell me, "If you need to, go to Golpark, eat some fish, take a bath, and then come home." They followed that strictly. Anyway, that’s a different story. Since we eat everything—fish, meat, eggs—we don't leave anything out. If cooked well, we might even eat snake meat or human meat! Cow, goat, lamb, dog—there’s no question, plenty of that has been eaten already. So it’s no big deal.

Disciple 2: So, from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM is Rakshas-kal?

Gurudev: Yes, that’s when the "demons" eat. We call humans demons. During that time, no worship or Japa is done. Nothing.

Disciple 1: Gurudev, I’ve heard there are also "Rakshas flowers"?

Gurudev: Rakshas-ful? Possibly. There are many such flowers. Like the white hibiscus—they say it’s a Rakshas flower and shouldn't be used in worship. There are many flowers that shouldn't be offered to the Mother Goddess—anything that is hybrid. Like white hibiscus derived from red, or yellow hibiscus. These should never be offered. These are hybrids.

Disciple 1: Artificially created?

Gurudev: Yes. I forbid people from using these flowers. Don't give them.

Disciple 1: Gurudev, I’ve learned a lot from you today.

Gurudev: Tell me, anything else?

Disciple 1: No Gurudev, let’s end it here for today. Pranam, Gurudev.

Gurudev: Pranam.

Spiritual Insight

How to distinguish between a real guru and a fake one? Guru Baba Shyama Khyapa explains the eight markers of a Sath-Guru and the true meaning of 'Om Tat Sat'.