Sage Sankara states that the Knower of the Atman (i.e., a Gnani) "bears no outward mark of a holy man" (VC-Stanza 539).
It means the Gurus, Swamis, and Yogis who identify themselves as holy people are not Gnanis.
Sage Sankara:~ Those who identify themselves as holy people are not Gnanis.
Sage Sankara: ~ "Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread." (Select Works of Sage Sankara" also his commentary on Brihad)
Thus, the above passage proves that all those who were the sanyasin robes are wearing it for the sake of bread belongs to the religion; they are nothing to do with the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. There is no need to criticize and condemn the Gurus, yogis, and swamis because they are needed for the welfare of ignorant masses in the dualistic world.
Those who are seeking truth need not follow any Guru or any teaching.
The one who thinks of himself as a Guru and the one who thinks of himself as a chela (disciple) will not be able to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana because both of them accepted themselves as the body. And all their understanding, practices, knowledge are based on the false self (ego or you).
There are so many in the guise of Gurus and Godmen with criminal records who indulge in cheating rapes, murders. Whoever identifies himself as Guru or Goldman is not A Gnani.
The Gurus and Godmen who promise instant enlightenment or Self-realization are not Gnanis. Mixing religion with the Atmic path is like mixing oil in the water.
Seekers from the west mistake whoever calls them as gurus are Gnanis, thus their mission of seeking the truth is misguided by such Gurus.
Remember:~
Religious Gurus are not Gnanis, they propagate only religion. Religion is not spirituality.
Religious Gurus do not propagate wisdom, but they are meant for guiding ignorant populace in practical life within the practical world.
Many Religious Gurus are serving humanity by giving free education and maintain love and harmony in the society, but they are nothing to do with the Advaitic path of wisdom. The guru is nothing to do with Advaitic wisdom. A Gnani never identifies himself as a Guru.
Swami Vivekananda himself said: ~ “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher, but your own Soul.”
There are two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the more advanced seeker who seeks to know the ultimate truth or Brahman. The Guru and Guru Paramparas are meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. However, there is no need to follow any parampara and follow any Guru those who wish to realize the truth which is beyond the form, time, and space. We should not mix religion with spirituality because religion is based on the ego and spirituality is based on the Soul.
Religion is concerned with its paramparas, not truth whereas spirituality is concerned only with the truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space. Religion is not spirituality. : ~
Santthosh Kumaar
