How to Recognize a Guru
Concept: Puri Peethadhishwar Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj
It is difficult to understand which Guru should be believed. Who is real and who is not. Is there any way where we can find real knowledge? This is a question of every heart and mind who is searching for a path. This answer was given by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahabhag of Puri Peetham. Here I am sharing his concept to understand the way to find a way.
When Kula Gurus (family traditional mentors) were present, these kinds of problems were not there. They were tested. Don’t you go by Taxi? Do you ever ask the person who is in the driver’s seat, whether he knows driving or not? Do you ask for a driving license? When traveling by train, if somebody asks for the same? If someone asks then, that person will be considered mad. I am telling you as per the modern sight. You should believe to the governance when it comes to the authenticity of a Pilot, taxi, etc.
Where can we find the lineage of Gurus from the Sanatana Parampara? There could not be a problem in such matters, which we face recently. A person who has completed intermediate education can only judge the ability of a person who has completed intermediate, not above.
Who has passed the intermediate level, can judge the people who have less ability than an intermediate passed out. The same is applicable for different levels of educational qualification. The person, who duly wishes for the fruit, it has to be achieved through particular means. He can understand whether one can take him to the level of Paramatma or at least higher than his own stand now.
Let’s say there are 5 or 7 of such kind. His intellect is so pure that by the impression of earlier birth he is attracted to his Guru which he deserves. Puri Shankaracharya Ji saw a Sanyasi at Delhi for the first time in his life. He left home. At Rama Leela Maidan, there was his Guru Swami Karapatriji Maharaj and Krishnabodha Ashram Ji, Shankaracharya Mahabhag of Joshi Math. His elder brother took Acharya to the meeting and showed Karapatri Ji to him. Having seen Karapatri Ji, Acharya thought that: “he is my Guru”. At that moment he was surrendered to him. Acharya took Sanyas Diksha in 1974.
So where ever may be the Guru, by the austerity and wealth of good deeds one is able to find him. Even in the fog, you should not get afraid. Where ever you are, there is always visibility of 10 meters. That is why if anybody has done a little bit of austerity, self-control in his earlier birth, he receives the power as the capital by which he can calculate whether one is able to take him to the destination one wish for.
Narayana !!!
