Questioner: Is there a sure and definite way to recognize a true Guru?

Dadashri: The way to recognize one is if you were to swear at him, he would not just simply forgive you, but his forgiveness would be spontaneous and natural. Even if you were to hit him, he would forgive you. He will forgive you no matter how much you insult him. Furthermore, his forgiveness is spontaneous. A real guru does not want anything from you. He does not have to ask you for anything and he will have answers for all your questions. If you happen to provoke him, he will not lash back at you. Even if you make a mistake, he will not get angry or snap back at you. If he did that, he would be like a cobra with fangs. These are all the things you can recognize him with.

Before you make anyone your Guru, you should test him first. What is the point in making any Tom, Dick and Harry your Guru?

Questioner: How can you tell what any of the Gurus are like?

Dadashri: Have you seen the old Rupee coin of the bald King Edward with the Queen’s imprint on it?

Questioner: Yes.

Dadashri: Now if people were to see those rupee coins today, they would not trust that currency but that currency is still acceptable is it not? Nevertheless people tap the rupee against a stone to test its authenticity. If it rings, they will put it in their pocket and if it is a fake, they will discard it. Similarly just as you test the rupee coin, you should always test the guru.

Questioner: We should give them an examination?

Dadashri: A Test! You do not know how to give an examination. How can a child take the examination of a professor?

Questioner: What is the difference between an examination and a test?

Dadashri: There is a tremendous difference between the two. In a test you only have to say, ‘Sir, I do not feel that anything you say is true.’ That is all you have to say. His test will quickly materialize. He will ‘strike’ back at you. Then you should know that ‘this one has fangs.’ This ‘shop’ is not for me. So you should change your ‘shop’. Would you not know when you have to do that?

Questioner: But Dada is it not considered disrespectful to say this to a guru?

Dadashri: If you do not show this disrespect, then how long are you going to sit there beside him? For example, if you want a good quality silk like the brand name Double Horse, you have to shop around for it and someone may even tell you where to go. You would even be willing to wait at the shop that sells it. Similarly you have to ‘shop around’ for the right guru.

Nevertheless you would be making a mistake and being disrespectful if you only tell him ‘Sir I do not think you are right’. You cannot just leave the guru based on the understanding I am giving you. You would hurt him by talking to him this way and so you must make amend by saying ‘Sir, sometimes I loose my head and I don’t know what I am saying’. Most likely he will tell you that it is okay, but even then he would continue to feel hurt. So you should keep some money at hand and ask him if he needs anything. You should know from this testing however, whether the Guru is begrudging you. And if that is the case, then buy him a gift of some kind. You will lose some money but at least you will not become trapped in that situation. Besides how long will you remain trapped in such situations?

Your ultimate guru will be the one who is without raag-dwesh (attachment or hatred). If you serve a guru his dinner but then take away his plate, if there is no change visible in his eyes, if there is no sign of annoyance in his eyes, then you should know that this is the final Guru! There is nothing worthy in those whose eyes have any sign of annoyance. Do you understand?

Questioner: Yes, yes.

Dadashri: So it is not for the intention of an examination but you should keep a lookout for such things. If your intention is to merely examine him, it does not look good. But you have to be on your guard and question ‘Why is there a change in his eyes?’ Surely you have to investigate this! Of what use is bringing home merchandise that you know is counterfeit? When you go out to buy something, surely you need to check it! Will you not need to do so? You have to inspect it closely. And if it turns out to be damaged, will people not ask, ‘Why did you not check it before you bought it?’ Will they not say this? That is why Shrimad Rajchandra has said to look carefully before you make anyone your Guru. Do some investigation. Otherwise you will be led astray. If you just cling on to anyone that comes along, then it will not be of any use to you, right? What can be done if you allow yourself to be cheated? That is why you have to look from all the angles.