Guru is Responsible

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Dr. Venkata Rao, a visitor from Guntur, asked: A Guru asks his disciple to do things contrary to ethical principles. But the disciple, having accepted the person as the master, desires to please the master but his moral sense obstructs him. What should he do under the circumstances? 

M.: (No reply). 

D.: I shall make myself clear. The Guru asked his disciple to commit a theft and the disciple did not do it. The master then said, “I wanted to test you to see if you had completely surrendered yourself or retained your individuality. It is now clear what it is.” Is the Guru right in ordering the disciple that way? 

M.: (Still no reply). 

Another person observed: There are persons on whom I refuse to sit in judgement. Still I cannot help feeling if they deserve the appellation of Gurus. They appear bogus men. If they be really worthy they would not order the disciples in that way. 

M.: But the person says, “It is for a test.” 

The questioner continued: Should it be carried out? 

M.: Your original statement contains the answer to your question. 

Both the questioners jointly asked: The action is disagreeable. Can it be done? 

M.: The question might be referred to the person himself, i.e., the Guru. He is responsible for the situation.