DISCOURSES & TALKS BY MEHER BABA

TYPES OF SPIRITUAL ADVANCED SOULS

15 April, 1924

The conversation turned to the types of spiritually advanced souls or Maha Purushs, who after traversing the spiritual planes realize God and become perfect. Baba explained:

The game of atya-patya was played many centuries ago in India by rishis [ascetics] and munis [silent recluses] who invented the game to represent spirituality. The middle line [extending vertically end to end] represents maya, and the other straight lines represent lust, anger, greed, et cetera.

One type of Maha Purush, who goes beyond lust, anger and greed, crosses over to the next side — meaning he realizes God and stays drowned in infinity. This type of Realized person is of no direct help to others in gaining that which he has gained. 

Another type of Maha Purush is he who, crossing through all the lines, reaches the other side and returns to the original starting point — passing through all the lines once more. This 'going back' is for others. So this one who returns is called a salik (Sadguru, Qutub), who in the twinkling of an eye can take others to the Goal.

Thus, after emancipating himself from maya, a Sadguru has again to involve himself in maya to release others. As Swami Vivekananda says, "He is the real guru who brings himself down to the level of his disciples." For example, suppose a pearl is lying hidden under a heap of filth. To take it out, one has to thrust his hands in it. Likewise, the Sadguru has to involve himself in the filth of illusion; but he is never soiled by it.

Lord Meher On-line page 496-7

Lord Meher Vol.2 p.611