Interviewer:
Pranam, Baba. Today, we want to discuss a specific topic. The word "Guru" carries a very vast and profound meaning. We see many people coming to you—some you have initiated, others not—but they all call you "Gurudev," "Baba," or "Dadu." Most call you Gurudev, even those who have come for the first time and have no prior initiation. We want to understand the true meaning of the word "Guru," and the difference between a "Sadguru" (a true guru) and an "Asadguru" (a false guru).
Guru:
Look, people seek a Guru for the satisfaction of the soul. Once a person completes their worldly education and grows up, they look for a good Guru. Now, finding one is a matter of luck and destiny. You might find a good Guru, or you might find a bad one. Sometimes you might end up in a place full of dishonesty rather than truth.
Guru:
Finding a good Guru depends 100% on your "Karmaphal" (the fruits of your actions). If your heart is pure and you have faith in God, you will find a good Guru. Your karma determines whether you find a true guide or a false one. A false guru will lead you down a bad path, but a "Sadguru" will not.
Guru:
For a Sadguru, it doesn't matter who comes to him. If someone calls me "Gurudev" just once—like a little girl who came from Malda today—I am moved. It feels good to hear. Whoever comes, they call me Gurudev or Baba, and I never turn anyone away. I do my work for them. I like being called that. However, I do get angry sometimes. If I sense that someone's "Prarabdha" (predestined fate or past karma) is not right, I can tell. I might even use harsh language and tell them to get out. That is the truth.
Guru:
When people come and fall at my feet, I am not swayed by that. I look at their "Karmaphal." Based on that, I treat them. I might call some names or pull others close. That is a trait of a Sadguru. A true Guru is simple and straightforward; there is no deviousness in him. He doesn't care if you are rich or poor, or if you have money. He loves the call of the heart. Just as a mother loves when her child calls her "Ma," we love it when someone calls us "Gurudev" or "Baba."
Guru:
Now, let's look at the word. In the language, "Gu" represents darkness or the unknown, and "Ru" represents light. One who brings you from darkness into light is a "Sadguru." His job is to light the lamp within your heart.
Guru:
To receive a Guru's blessings, you must stay at his door like a devoted dog. If he shows grace—"Ahetuk Kripa" (causeless or unconditional grace)—then you are blessed. Some people receive this grace without effort, while others do not. We give grace carefully. For example, Ramakrishna Paramahansa gave Vivekananda "Ahetuk Kripa." This means you don't need "Japa," "Tapa," or "Dhyana" (meditation or rituals); you receive it simply through the Guru's grace. If you get that, you are truly fortunate.
Guru:
Let me tell you a story about an "Asadguru" (a false guru). There was a man who used to visit a Guru every day, but the Guru never acknowledged him. The man would sit at a distance and pray with great devotion, but the Guru ignored him because he was poor. However, when wealthy people came with money, the Guru would welcome them warmly, sit them close, and talk to them.
Guru:
The poor man observed this for a long time. He had deep faith that the Guru would bless him one day, but it never happened. Finally, he resolved, "I won't go to the Guru anymore. I will go to the fields, plow the land, and earn my living." He started farming and, over time, became very wealthy. His granaries were full, and he had gold and riches. He thought, "The Guru didn't bless me, but I still received the grace of God and the Mother."
Guru:
Word reached the Guru that the man he used to ignore was now incredibly wealthy. The Guru couldn't believe it at first, so he sent a messenger named Madan to check. Madan returned wide-eyed and said, "Gurudev, you cannot imagine how much wealth he has!" The Guru immediately prepared his bullock cart to visit the man.
Guru:
When the Guru arrived, the man's wife was overwhelmed. She didn't know the Guru had previously ignored her husband. The Guru, however, wasn't looking at them; he was eyeing the property. He said, "Madan was right! My child, your wealth is all due to my blessings." The wife believed him. The Guru then began eyeing her clothes and jewelry. He said, "Ma, I've never been able to give my wife clothes like the ones you're wearing." She replied, "Don't worry, Baba, I'll give you two sarees when you leave." He did the same with her gold necklace, and she promised to give that too.
Guru:
Then he went to the granary and saw sacks of rice. He lied, saying, "Ma, you eat well, but I have no money and often go hungry." He was very cunning. She promised to send a bullock cart full of rice to his house. After a heavy meal and taking some money, the Guru was ready to leave.
Guru:
The man's wife told her husband, "Please, hitch the bullocks for him, he is old and needs to get home." The husband replied, "Wait a moment." He took a sickle and started sharpening it. He kept checking the blade. His wife was angry, thinking he was disrespecting the Guru. But the husband knew exactly what kind of person the Guru was.
Guru:
Once the cart was loaded with all the "gifts," the husband came and fell at the Guru's feet, pretending to cry. He said, "Gurudev, everything I have is because of you." The Guru, feeling proud, said, "See? I told you that you'd have great things." Then the man said, "Gurudev, I've heard people say 'Guru-Podo-Bhorosa' (Faith is at the Guru's feet). I have sharpened this sickle because I want to cut off your two feet and keep them here since you've 'given' me so much." He grabbed the Guru's feet and moved to strike. The Guru was so terrified that he jumped off the cart and ran away, leaving everything behind!
Guru:
This is what an "Asadguru" is like. A "Sadguru" never feels jealousy. He wants his disciples to be successful and wealthy. If he hears his disciple has done well, he is happy. He won't ask for ten thousand or five thousand rupees. He might jokingly ask, "You've done so well, won't you feed me?" but it comes from a place of joy, not greed.
Guru:
Let me tell you another story of a "Sadguru." A Guru visited two friends who were very devoted. They asked for initiation, and the Guru said, "When the time is right." He gave each of them a handful of seeds and said, "I am going away for a while. Keep these seeds safe, and I will initiate you when I return."
Guru:
One friend took the seeds, wrapped them tightly in cloth, and locked them in a box so they wouldn't get lost. The other friend thought, "If I just keep these, they will be useless. I should plant them." By the time the Guru returned, the first friend opened his box to find the seeds had turned to dust. But the second friend had a whole sack of seeds harvested from the original handful.
Guru:
The Guru said, "I gave you a handful, and you gave me back a sack. But you," he said to the first friend, "turned them into dust." He initiated the friend who had multiplied the seeds.
Guru:
You see, there are two types of seeds. There are the seeds of the Mother (spiritual seeds) and the seeds of the trees (worldly seeds). If the "soil" of your heart is prepared, the spiritual seed I give you will grow into a great tree. If you work hard with worldly seeds, you will have a great harvest. Both require effort. A Sadguru is never jealous of his disciple's progress.
Guru:
Gurus and disciples often share a bond across lifetimes. You might think that once you die, the bond ends, but it is a "Parampara" (tradition/lineage). You will return, and the Guru will return. We often tell our disciples, "You were my disciple in a previous life." You might have forgotten, but we haven't.
Guru:
Sathya Sai Baba used to say, "I am Narayana, and you are the 'Banar Kul' (the monkey clan/devotees)." Just as the monkeys protected Rama, he said his devotees would protect the path of truth. Different Gurus have different ways of speaking, but a Sadguru will never criticize or abandon a disciple. He has deep love and faith in them.
Guru:
Like you, Kaushik. You got a job at a bank. You used to come here and ask me if things would ever get better. Now that you have this job, my heart is full of joy. You told me you might not be able to come as often for these recordings because of your work. I told you, "Don't worry about the episodes. Go to the bank and do your work well." Your success is my joy. Whether a disciple becomes wealthy or follows the spiritual path, the Guru's joy is in their growth.
Interviewer:
So, the relationship between a Guru and a disciple is like a pyramid, or rather, like a family. Just as parents are happiest when their child succeeds, a Guru is even happier than the disciple himself.
Guru:
Exactly. A Guru is equivalent to a father and a mother. We say "Saha Sadhanostute"—he is both. He fulfills the duties of both parents. My heart is full because you are working at such a great place now. You used to worry, but I prayed to the Mother for you. You are a good person, and the work got done.
Interviewer:
Friends, today you heard from Gurudev about the difference between a true and a false Guru. Just as a mother knows the true heart of her child, a Guru knows who comes to him with a pure heart and who comes with ill intentions. You might think he doesn't understand, but he understands everything. How you are treated by him is often a reflection of your own karma. Through these stories, we've understood the profound significance of a Guru. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru:
Pranam.