Page 51 - Wisdom Unfurled

outward form, learning or eloquence, may be at the lowest level as regards practical attainments. Knowledge, therefore, is no criterion of a true mahatma or yogi. Similarly the real test of a mahatma or guru is not his miracles but experience on the path of realisation. The popular meaning of a mahatma as a great individual does not appeal to me. I would define amahatma as the most insignificant being or rather a neglected figure, beyond all feelings of greatness, pride or egoism, dwelling permanently in a state of complete self- negation.
There are some who hold the view that knowledge being the preliminary stage of realisation is essential and indispensable. I do not agree with them on the ground that knowledge is only an achievement of the brain, whereas realisation is the awakening of the soul; and hence, far beyond its scope. Therefore a real teacher is not one who can explain to us the soundness of the religious dogmas or who can prescribe to us do’s and don’ts. What we stand in need from a guru is the true impulse to effect the awakening of the soul, and his direct support in the course of our further march on the path of realisation. Such a man we have to seek for, if we aim at success. Now it is evident that while judging a man to be our spiritual guide, we must take into account not his learning or miracles but his practical achievements in the field of realisation. A man who is himself free can free you from eternal bondage. If your guru is not free from the bondage of samskaras, maya or ahankar, it is not possible for him to free you from those bondages.
Transmission
By the grace of my Master I shall try to reveal a great secret or mystery, which the people in general do not know. It is a great wonder when a great personality like Lord Krishna, Swami Vivekananda or my Master changes the entire course of a man’s life. It is absolutely necessary for us to find out such a guide who can life us higher and higher by his power. This mystery is known as pranahuti – the power of transmission. This is power working through the channels of pure mind. Pranahuti is effected through the power of will which is always effective. If a trained in spirituality exerts his will to mould be mind of the trainee, it will be effective and yield excellent results. Many swamijis who start the profession of gurudom as soon as they put on the ochre coloured uniform, complain that although their disciples listen to them with interest yet they remain as crooked as the tail of the dog afterwards. The reason is obvious. Either the swamiji does not exert his will or he has got no power. They prescribe many laborious and brain-taxing practices and leave their disciples to their own fates. Neither the teacher knows the result of the practices nor does the disciple care to use his discrimination. The result is grossness and dullness of intellect on the part of the disciple, and corruption,