Recognising a mahatma

The question is often asked: Is it possible to recognize a Mahatma? Can a Mahatma be fully understood? Are there clear signs that distinguish a Mahatma from an ordinary individual?

Experiences of devotees inform us that a Mahatma can never be understood. Devotees of Ramana Maharishi could never predict his responses to questions from devotees. If they tried, they would invariably fail. The same applied to Shirdi Sai Baba and the same applied to the late Sathya Sai Baba. Swami Vivekananda had doubts about Sri Ramakrishna even towards the very end of the Master’s life. He wondered for example how an avatar could become so sick and helpless! Sri Ramakrishna read his mind, responded to him and restored his faith.

The same applies to living masters like Mata Amritanandamayi, Shree Ma, Srimad Sai Rajarajeshwari Amma, Narayani Amma and Sadguru Sri Sharavana Baba. The exalted state in which they dwell cannot be grasped by the human mind or intellect as it is a state beyond the mind.

According to Amma, enlightenment “is a state of mind, a spiritual attainment, into which you can withdraw yourself and remain absorbed whenever you want. After you tap into the infinite source of energy, your capacity to feel and express everything gains a special unearthly beauty and depth.” Mahatmas can only be experienced. The turbulent nature of the human mind makes it impossible to understand a Mahatma. Amma explains: “It is most important for a seeker of Truth to know that he or she cannot recognise a Satguru (True Master). There are no criteria to do that. A drunk can recognize another drunk. One miser can recognize another miser. They are all the same mental caliber.”

“But no such criteria are available to recognize a Satguru. Neither our external eyes nor our mind can behold a great being. Special training is needed for that. That is sadhana or spiritual practice. Only constant sadhana will help us gain the power to penetrate and go beneath the surface of the mind.”

“The mind always has expectations. The very existence of the mind is expecting. A Mahatma will not comply with the expectations and desires of the mind. In order to experience a Master’s pure consciousness, this nature of the mind must disappear.”
Genuine experience calls for stilling the mind and opening the heart. The hearts opens when the flow of thoughts ceases.