Real Saints vs. Frauds: How to Recognize a True Sadhu

Mahakali and Param Brahma

Interviewer: Pranam, Gurudev. Hiraq Roy wants to know: Are Mahakali and Param Brahma one and the same?

Gurudev: They are definitely one. Param Brahma is within you. Just examine yourself. Through the path of meditation (Dhyana), you will realize this.

Gurudev: She who is Mahakali is also Param Brahma. Don't you see? Brahma originates from within humans. Brahma doesn't originate from within Kali or Tara. We say "Brahmamayi Tara" or "Brahmamayi Kali," but the real Brahma is within you. You must seek it out. Through meditation and Yoga, you must find it. There is an entire world inside you.

Gurudev: You may not realize it yet, but if you go into deep meditation, you will see many things. There are things within your body that, once awakened, are equal to Param Brahma. One needs to awaken these. That is why we practice meditation (Dhyana), chanting (Japa), and penance (Tapasya). The goal is to attain Him—to attain Param Brahma. That Param Brahma is sleeping within you. Awaken Him. Otherwise, how will you meet Brahma?

Gurudev: Your Brahma is asleep while the Mother is awake; that cannot be. Whether you call her Mahakali, Durga, or Tara—they are all Param Brahma. But unless you become Param Brahma yourself, you won't understand them. Awaken your inner Brahma, and you will become acquainted with them.

Gurudev: Your inner Brahma is asleep. Awaken Him through meditation and chanting. It takes a long time. It's not something that happens today and you quit tomorrow. To taste this essence, it takes a lot of time, my son. Casual attempts won't work. Why else is a true sage born only once in a million or ten million? This is the reason. Awaken your Param Brahma. Once He wakes up, you will realize that the one before you is also Param Brahma. But if one is awake and the other is asleep, it doesn't work.

The Difference Between a False Saint and a Real Sadhu

Interviewer: Gurudev, I'm moving to the next question. Sudeb Chowdhury wants to know about a rather interesting topic: What is the difference between a "Bhondo Sadhu" (fraud/fake saint) and a real Sadhu? How do we recognize them?

Gurudev: To recognize them, you must interact with them. You have to talk to them, go to them, and test them. Ask them questions. Many will try to avoid them, saying, "I'll tell you later" or "It's okay." But a real one will be able to answer your questions instantly.

Gurudev: He who is honest (Sath) is a Sadhu. Sainthood is in the mind, not in the body or the clothes. We call those wearing certain clothes or Rudraksha beads "Sadhus," but many have no real knowledge. If you ask them a question, they won't be able to answer properly and will try to avoid you. This is the reality. The country is full of frauds.

How to Identify the Original

Gurudev: How do you recognize the original? To know the original, you must spend time, observe, and understand. You must spend a long time with them to know their true nature. You can't judge someone just because they wear red clothes and Rudraksha. A Sadhu is one in mind, a person of honest character, honest thoughts, honest associations, and honest labor.

Gurudev: Those who possess "Sath" (Truth/Honesty) are Sadhus. It is said repeatedly: "You be honest." Speak the truth. These are the signs of a Sadhu. You can't just see someone and decide they are a Sadhu. Many Sadhus come here, but I have rarely found one or two with whom I felt at peace talking.

Interviewer: That is possible for you, Gurudev, because you are a great Sadhu yourself. But common people often follow whoever they see.

Gurudev: Then they will be deceived. They will make mistakes. You must test a Sadhu. Burden him with questions. You'll see him running away because he can't answer. Ask some pointed questions, and he will try to dodge them. The one who gives you an instant answer to your question is a true Sadhu. A Sadhu is in the mind.

Character and Honesty as Spiritual Marks

Gurudev: If there is no character, how can you recognize them? People see someone giving a flower and get impressed—this is common. But they aren't real Sadhus. Defining a Sadhu is very difficult, my son. Very difficult. I have seen many who say they have seen many Sadhus but haven't seen one like me. Why? Because I am an honest person. I don't care about clothes. I don't call anyone. Whoever comes, comes. I don't even call people over the phone.

Gurudev: And those who make a business out of God cannot be called Sadhus. Those who show you God and take money from you are definitely not Sadhus. They are frauds. They create an appearance so that people think, "Oh, he is a great Sadhu." They use clothes or a polite demeanor to appear like saints. But ask them questions, one after another, and they won't be able to answer. We give answers instantly. Whatever you ask, we answer immediately. But this needs to be tested. Otherwise, you'll fall into the trap of a fraud.

The Rarity of Real Sadhus

Gurudev: I get many calls about these fake sadhus. What can I say? If you don't understand this and just mix with them, you will suffer. A real Sadhu is seen only by rare luck. If your luck is very strong, a real Sadhu might appear before you. I see many "Sadhus" here, but I don't give them all importance. I can tell by talking whether they are real or not.

Gurudev: They have some common scripts like, "My son, call upon God," or "There is no other way." These are common subjects. You get impressed because you don't know the depth. You also need to reach a certain level to recognize them.

The Silent Language of Real Sadhus

Gurudev: A real Sadhu will never let himself be caught easily. When real Sadhus talk to each other, they speak through their eyes, not words. They use very few words. Many Sadhus just exchange a glance, and that's it. One should never ask a Sadhu about his past life (Purvashram). And you shouldn't test them either, because you won't know who is real and who is a fraud. If you behave badly with a real Sadhu, he might do something to you, and you won't even realize it.

Interviewer: But you just said we should test them. How do we do that?

Gurudev: Test them by interacting with them, observing them, and talking to them. Yes, exactly. You must talk and ask questions that aren't usually asked. A real Sadhu will sit calmly and answer. One who isn't real won't give an answer. Frauds use common phrases, but they won't speak directly like we do. They will get annoyed and leave.

Understanding the True Nature of Sadhus

Gurudev: Understand one thing: a Sadhu has no "relationship" with God in the way people think. A Sadhu who constantly chants "God, God" loudly isn't necessarily real. Those who dress up and wear beads are hard to recognize. If you fall for them, you get cheated. And then you say, "He wasn't a real Sadhu." It's better not to judge their past.

Gurudev: India is a land of saints. They exist. But if your luck isn't good, you won't find a real one. And he won't tell you anything anyway. If you find a real one, he will just give you a glimpse (Darshan) and leave. That is enough for you. One glimpse of a real Sadhu clears everything. A real one won't talk much.

Raj Yog and Bhakti Yog

Interviewer: Gurudev, there was another question. Pinaki Banerjee wants to know: What are Raj Yog and Bhakti Yog?

Gurudev: What is Raj Yog? The Yoga of Kings. The rituals and prayers we perform with grandeur—that is Raj Yog. The way kings perform them. This is also mentioned in the Gita. The conduct of a king in worship is Raj Yog.

Interviewer: Is this "Yog" only for rituals?

Gurudev: No, it's for everything. It's applied to Sadhus too. Sadhus sometimes adopt a royal attire (Rajbesh). When there is an empowerment ceremony (Raj-Abhishek), they wear royal clothes. When they perform rituals with grandeur, it's Raj Yog. Essentially, acting like a king in spiritual practice is Raj Yog.

Interviewer: And Bhakti Yog, Gurudev?

Gurudev: This is the real one. God is attained through Bhakti Yog, not Raj Yog. Ramprasad said, "I didn't find You through rituals. You came through the tears in my eyes." So, Bhakti Yog is the essential one.

The Path of Devotion

Gurudev: Have you heard Manna Dey's song? "How many drops of tears have you shed to say you love? If your feet don't bleed from the thorns on the path, how can you say you love? How many nights have you stayed awake?" These apply to spiritual seekers. How many nights have you spent for God? How much has your blood shed in your love for God? People just cry out for show. Performing rituals with great pomp often brings ego to the mind. There is an ego in Raj Yog. Ramprasad mentioned this.

Gurudev: You should worship with devotion. The path of Bhakti is the greatest. God belongs to the devotee. God is not "in" the devotee. The devotee "owns" God. God will appear to the devotee in the way the devotee desires. There is no difference between the devotee and God. For one who prays with devotion and tears, God will surely appear. This is Bhakti Yog.

Gurudev: Raj Yog is different—it's acting like a king. Feeding 500 people, doing this and that, playing drums—that is Raj Yog. Announcing to everyone that there is a prayer at my house, come and take the offering—that is the conduct of a king. But Bhakti Yog doesn't need all that. One sits with the Mother at night and cries. To understand the Mother, you must stay awake at night. That's why that song is so relevant: "How many nights have you stayed awake?"

Suffering and the Tests of God

Gurudev: What sorrows have you endured to say you love? God gives sorrows. He tests you. How much have you endured? His strikes are heavy. Very few Sadhus have endured those strikes. Those who have, know. That's why we say Bhakti Yog is greater than Raj Yog. Devote yourself, cry to the Mother day and night. She will surely show mercy.

Gurudev: But in Raj Yog, she might not. Raj Yog, as I said, is like: "I have a ritual at my house," telling everyone, announcing it on mics, feeding 2,000 people. Grand rituals. Then ego starts growing in the mind. It is better to do it quietly. Bhakti is the best path. There is Gyan Yog, Bhakti Yog—these are different. Don't mix Raj Yog with them.

The Challenge of Knowledge in Modern Times

Interviewer: Gurudev, we listened to your discussion today. If our viewers send more small questions like this, we can continue.

Gurudev: This used to happen before, when we did YouTube Live. Many questions came, and I used to give instant answers. I didn't ignore anyone. But now the Live sessions have stopped. There's a lack of people to manage it, so I can't do it. It would be good if we could. They would ask these questions in the comments.

Gurudev: Now it's difficult. I am old now, and my body has various ailments. I can't speak properly sometimes, and I forget half the things. So it's a bit hard for me. My memory isn't what it used to be. As you age, your memory fades. It's true for everyone, including me.

Interviewer: Gurudev, what you're saying is true, but the knowledge we and our viewers are gaining from you makes us very satisfied. They appreciate it repeatedly.

Gurudev: It's natural to be satisfied. If I learn something I didn't know, it brings joy. I might wander in five places, and no one gives a proper answer. When I get a proper answer to my question, I accept it. One needs a proper answer that satisfies the heart. People ask various questions from their hearts. If you can give them the right answer, they have nothing more to say. They accept it. There is no trickery or exaggeration here. Give the proper answer in a proper way. Everyone is wandering with some question in their heart. If they don't get a proper answer, they won't accept it.

God Cannot Be Bought in the Market

Gurudev: Just saying "God, God" isn't enough. How many people actually know what God is? Nowadays, it seems God can be bought in the market. Tara can be bought. Kali can be bought. Durga can be bought. So many people are making a business out of it.

Interviewer: Those are idols you can buy, but the real essence isn't there.

Gurudev: That's what I'm saying. You can buy Tara or Kali from the market. You give a thousand rupees, and Tara comes to your house. You give two thousand, and Kali comes. Then there are rituals. Someone looks at your forehead and says you have a "curse of widowhood." He tells you to leave your house.

Real-Life Examples of Fraud Exploitation

Gurudev: Today, a police officer came. Someone had advised him to leave his house. He asked me, "Where will I go if I leave my house?" I told him he doesn't need to leave. This happened just this evening. He was telling me this. I told him I would take care of it and he wouldn't have any trouble. He shouldn't leave the house. He said he bought a house and was told to leave it. There was some unrest in the house, which I handled.

Gurudev: This is what happens. You go to someone, and they immediately say, "Oh my god! I can't do anything about this. If my Guru were here, I would have told you to go to him, but he is dead." Then they won't let you go. They make you desperate. Finally, a deal is made: "Give 11,000 rupees, and I will fix it." And they set conditions that a person can't follow: "Don't sit on a chair," "Don't sleep on a bed," "Don't be with your husband."

Gurudev: You have to follow the "divine order." Do you know how many families have been destroyed this way, falling into the trap of these frauds? And how would you understand? You were in a crisis, and the fraud appeared at that time. They target houses where there are no men, only women. They gather information and enter.

Interviewer: Gurudev, we learned a lot today through these three questions. It was very good. I hope our viewers liked it too.

Gurudev: I will answer such small questions. For those who think we don't see the comments—we see both good and bad comments. I answer both. I answer the person who leaves a bad comment and the one who says something good.

Interviewer: Pranam for today, Gurudev.

Gurudev: Pranam.

Spiritual Insight

The distinction between a true saint and a fraudulent one lies not in external appearance, but in character, honesty, and the ability to provide authentic spiritual guidance. A real Sadhu is transparent, answers questions directly, and never commercializes spirituality. In this age of spiritual charlatans, the greatest protection is one's own discernment, sustained meditation practice, and understanding that devotion (Bhakti Yog) always triumphs over ostentatious display (Raj Yog). True God realization comes through tears of authentic devotion, not through rituals performed for show or money extracted from vulnerable seekers. The inner Brahma must awaken to recognize the Divine in all beings.