How does it help us to be attached to any Mahaan?

First, do not get attached to anyone. Do not follow anyone. Just learn to flow along with life. A Mahaan’s guidance will help you reach this state faster.

Getting a true Mahaan to guide you on the right track, is by itself a blessing. It will happen only if it is destined to be so. There are two types of shepherds - one who works for wages, the other is the owner. If the cattle are watched over by a person working for wages, and a wolf comes to prey on the cattle, the guard will escape in a bid to save his own life; he will not bother about the cattle. But if the cattle is being tended by the owner himself, and a wolf stalks, the owner will not think twice about risking his life to save the flock.

Similarly if you attain a true Mahaan, you have the protection of a good shepherd. You will be safe from any wolf that stalks. The Mahaan will guide you on the right path, whether he is physically present or not. He serves mankind impartially and selflessly, showering his love on them, and guiding people gently on the right path.

One day, some travelers in a ferry got drunk and mocked at a hermit seated beside them. There was an oracle from the skies, 'Swamiji, if you instruct, I will rock the ferry and drown them.' The miscreants immediately went to the holy man and apologized. The saint pleaded with the Almighty,' Shiva, can you do this, being God? If you decide to rock the ferry, you might as well transform these people's mind and lead them unto You'.

That is the true frame of mind of a Mahaan. He is in constant prayer for the well-being of society at large.

That is Siva Shankar Baba's state. Samratchana has been brought into existence by God's Grace, with the purpose of guiding people on to the proper path to realize the divinity within them. If you utilize this golden opportunity, you will taste success in everything you do. I do not teach philosophy and confuse you. I mould seekers in the spiritual path, and that automatically takes care of their worldly needs too.

Hurdles form the foundation of life's achievements. One has to wade through whirlpools in the struggle of life. The human fish have to thrive despite these whirlpools, because life is all about survival of the fittest. The extent to which a human being submits gracefully to life's pressures and obstacles determines the height to which he can elevate himself. Whosoever rose above the limitations of the body, caring not for rest or petty pleasures of the world, but toiled unceasingly, those names are inscribed in the pages of History. Nothing else endures.

( Baba's replies to other questions continues next week....)