When The Blind Lead the Blind

The Search for truth makes us look for a guru who can guide us in the right direction. But can we be sure that the guru knows where the truth lies?

Today, so many people feel frustration and hopelessness in their life that they are in a rush to find someone who can give them a mantra of hope, of happiness. Such people end up with pseudo-masters. Ninety percent of these so-called gurus are not real masters; they are pretenders. But they have huge followings, thanks to TV, where anyone can spend money and attract large crowds with false promises. This is the greatest crime in the name of religion and spirituality. About such people, Guru Nanak said: “Andha andha thelia, dono koop pedant” (“The blind lead the blind and both fall into the ditch.”)

Osho recounts a beautiful incident from Nanak’s life. the enlightened master was passing through Lahore. A pseudo-mystic, a false Sufi, a pretender there had a great following. When he saw Nanak, he was afraid, though there was nothing to be afraid of. Nanak was alone with his disciple Mardana. Mardana would play a musical instrument and Nanak would sing. They were innocent people.

An informer told the pseudo-teacher: “A great master has come. He is staying outside the city and many people have already started going to him.” The pseudo-Sufi was certainly worried. He sent a cup full of milk, so full you couldn’t put another drop into it. The disciple who had to take it to Nanak said, “What does this mean?”

The pseudo-Sufi said, “You don’t worry about the meaning. Take it to Nanak and let us see what happens.”
Nanak was offered the cup and told, “The Sufi master sends his salutations.” Nanak told Mardana, “Just there, nearby, are wildflowers. Pick one.” Mardana couldn’t understand what was happening. Nanak put that wildflower in the cup and gave it back to the messenger. All he said was, “Take this to your master.” Again, he said, “But I don’t understand!” Nanak said, “Your master will.”

The Sufi had sent the cup full of milk to say: “Here, there is no need for any other master. The place is full of Sufis. You are not welcome—go elsewhere!” But Nanak floated a flower in the cup, to say: “You need not be worried about me. I will not disturb anything. Even in a full cup, I will simply float like a flower. I am above—you need not worry. You can continue your shop, I will not take your customers.”

The Sufi was completely exposed to his disciples, because they could compare the presence of these two persons. They sat with Nanak and immediately, as if an arrow had penetrated their beings, some strange joy arose in them, which had never happened with that so-called Sufi. Soon, he himself came to Nanak to beg forgiveness.

And Nanak said, “Who am I to forgive you? Ask forgiveness from existence itself. You have been deceiving thousands, delaying their enlightenment. Your crime is great, though nobody will call it a crime because it is so invisible.”