Mumbai, 4 March 1978. Pramukh Swami Maharaj attended a yuvak assembly on the rooftop of the BAPS Mandir in Dadar. Swamishri replied to their questions.
Q: What should we do when we face insurmountable miseries and difficulties in life?
Swamishri: Associating with the Gunatit Sant will give you peace. He will help you to overcome them.
Q: What should youths bear in mind when promoting satsang to others?
Swamishri: You must be living it. If you have conviction you can pass it on. If you live by the niyams and imbibe the jnan then others will accept them.
Q: When you call us and give prasad we feel good. But do you still have affection for us if we fail in our exams?
Swamishri: The Satpurush’s affection is not reduced. He does what is good for everyone. Two people can be highlighted, but not 50. But he has affection for all, no animosity. There is no distinction. In some circumstances, someone may be highlighted, but that does not mean his affection for others is less.
Q. Those who do not have association with the Satpurush excel, but often blessings given to us do not bear fruit. Why?
Swamishri: If God or His Sadhu do not do what we want that does not mean they are not God or His Sant. They will certainly liberate the jiva. There is no doubt in that. Worldly wishes may sometimes be granted, and sometimes not. Maharaj cured the illnesses of others, but Muktanand Swami remained ill. They are focused on doing what is for our jiva’s benefit. If one practises satsang for one’s jiva’s liberation, then worldly problems will not distract. Their blessings may not bear fruit, but their affection for us does not waver.
Q. The Satpurush is omniscient (antaryami). So why is it necessary to confess one’s mistakes to him?
Swamishri: The Satpurush is all-knowing, but Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj used to say, “Tell the antaryami seven times.” We know him as omniscient, but a barrier remains. By confessing, that barrier is removed and one experiences inner peace and joy.
Q. What if one develops animosity while doing seva for satsang?
Swamishri: If things do not happen as per our wish then animosity arises. If the aim is to please God and guru then animosity will not develop. Those who want to please them have no problems.
Q. You and the sadhus observe celibacy. So how will women be liberated?
Swamishri: Shriji Maharaj has said, “If the women believe me to be antaryami and offer devotion, I will liberate them.” The sadhus and householders need not worry about the liberation of women. That can lead to problems, even if one has attained the brahmic state. The liberation of women is in the hands of Bhagwan. If you try to mediate, you will encounter problems.
Sankari, 5 February 1973, Swamishri satisfactorily answered the questions posed by a youth.
Q. How can a mumukshu recognize a true guru?
Swamishri: A guru who fully observes the five qualities – nirman, nirlobh, nisswad, nissneh and nishkam – and is engrossed in devotion to God is a true guru.
Q. To recognize such a guru one has to stay with him and that requires time. By what quality can a guru be recognized from the outset?
Swamishri: If his darshan gives you inner peace, know him to be a true guru. Otherwise, one still has to seek his company and that requires time. Such qualities may not be obvious from the outset, but by associating with him his qualities become fully known. Also, someone may at first seem imposing, but by associating with him, such virtues may not be seen. So, keeping his company is necessary to identify him.
Q. If a guru is no longer alive, but has imparted jnan (spiritual wisdom) to people and records of his discourses and beliefs are available, can liberation be attained by reading them and attaching with the guru?
Swamishri: Liberation is attained only through a manifest guru. Because that guru dispels doubts, removes spiritual ignorance and destroys one’s drawbacks. Reading the wisdom of the gurus and bonding does benefit, but does not lead to moksha. The Gita, Bhagvat and other shastras are written by such distinguished personalities, but merely reading them does not remove the ignorance of spiritual aspirants. So, only through a manifest guru does one attain kalyan.
Q. India is home to many devas, dharmas and avatars. There are many conflicts as a result. This causes disputes and divisions. So, what is the need for this new dharma and avatar?
Swamishri: Dharma is sanatan (eternal) and all the avatars are of one Bhagwan. The disputes are due to incomplete knowledge. A true guru sees all equally. My guru has visited all mandirs, honoured everyone and for him wherever he looked, he saw God. So one who is wise should associate with such a guru.