16th November, 1936

Talk 282.

D.: Does the Tantrik sadhana bring about Self-Realisation?
M.: Yes.
D.: Which worship in Tantra is the best?
M.: It depends on temperament.
D.: What part does Kundalini ^[?] play in bringing about Self-Realisation?
M.: Kundalini rises from any lakshya ^[?] that you have. Kundalini is prana-sakti (life-current).

D.: Different deities are said to reside in different chakras. Does one see them in course of sadhana ^[?]?

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M.: They can be seen if desired.
D.: Does the path to Self-Realisation go through samadhi?
M.: They are synonymous.
D.: It is said that the Guru can make his disciple realise the Self by transmitting some of his own power to him? Is it true?

M.: Yes. The Guru does not bring about Self-Realisation. He simply removes the obstacles to it. The Self is always realised.

D.: Is there absolute necessity of a Guru for Self-Realisation?
M.: So long as you seek Self-Realisation the Guru is necessary.

Guru is the Self. Take Guru to be the Real Self and your self as the individual self. The disappearance of this sense of duality is removal of ignorance. So long as duality persists in you the Guru is necessary. Because you identify yourself with the body you think the Guru, too, to be some body. You are not the body, nor is the Guru. You are the Self and so is the Guru. This knowledge is gained by what you call Self-Realisation.

D.: How can one know whether a particular individual is competent to be a Guru?

M.: By the peace of mind found in his presence and by the sense of respect you feel for him.

D.: If the Guru happens to turn out incompetent, what will be the fate of the disciple who has implicit faith in him?

M.: Each one according to his merits.
D.: What are your opinions about social reform?
M.: Self-reform automatically brings about social reform. Confine yourself to self-reform. Social reform will take care of itself.

D.: What is your opinion about Gandhiji's Harijan movement?
M.: Ask him.
D.: Is it necessary to take bath if we touch dead bodies?
M.: The body is a corpse. So long as one is in contact with it one must bathe in the waters of the Self.

D.: If the advaita ^[?] is final, why did Madhvacharya teach dvaita ^[?]?

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M.: Is your Self dvaita or advaita? All systems agree on Self-
surrender. Attain it first, then there will be time to judge whose view is right or otherwise.

D.: Why do you not preach to the people to set them on the right path?

M.: You have already decided by yourself that I do not preach. Do you know who I am and what preaching is?

D.: Is the shaving of widows among Brahmins not cruel?
M.: This may be asked of Dharma Sastris or reformers. Reform yourself first and let us then see about the rest.