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Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji (Maharajaji) talks about the the journey of recognising our guru.
One who is educated at a higher level can judge another who has a lower level of education or a higher level. When we are seeking a guru, we are able to gauge who will be able to take us to a higher level of evolution.
If a person is not greedy or in a rush to attain the fruit of a sadhana in the form of a siddhi, without making the appropriate effort, then he can recognise if the guru considered would be able to take him to a higher level that that of his own, towards Paramatma. There might be five or seven such capable gurus. Then also, if the sadhaka has a very sophisticated intellect he is attracted to the guru who is meant to be his according to the samskaras of his previous birth.
Maharajaji narrates the story of his first darshana of a Dharma Samrat Svami Sri Karpatriji Maharaja. He had run away from home to pursue his quest. He finally reached the Ram Leela Maidan in Delhi, where Dharma Samrat Svami Sri Karpatriji Maharaja and the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Matha – Svami Krishnabodha Ashramji Maharaj were present. Maharajaji ‘s elder brother took him to meet Dharma Samrat Svami Sri Karpatriji Maharaja. As soon as he saw him, he recognised Sri Karpatriji Maharaja as his guru. That very moment, he surrendered to him entirely even though his sannyasa diksha was much later in 1974.
No matter where our guru is, as the fruit of the sadhanas of our past birth and present birth, one is able to find him, ultimately.
When you walk through fog, you must not be afraid. Wherever you are standing, there is always a visibility of about ten meters. Slowly, you can proceed. If you have practiced even little bit of austerity and self control in your past birth, you will be able to assess who is capable of taking you to your destination.