In the early 1970s, Guruji used to say "Guru knows where his shishyas is, but shishya is not capable of finding his Guru, howsoever hard he may try.” One by one, Guruji collectecd his shishyas. Some had links with him from the previous births and some were picked up from the present birth and thus he formed a Shiv Parivar.
In Guru parampara, disciples of a Guru are referred to as ‘shishyas’, but Pujya Guruji was the rarest of the rare Gurus who declared that he does not make ‘shishyas’, he makes ‘Gurus’ and that is why his ‘shishyas’ are also addressed as ‘Guruji’.
Some of the Gurubhais are ‘sadhaks’ of a very high level who have been continuing ‘sadhna’ from the previous births, while others are making steady progress. This reminds me of Guruji’s words: “Wherever you left your ‘sadhna’ in the previous birth, you have to continue it further from that level in the present birth, till you attain salvation.” To achieve that ultimate goal, it is absolutely essential to rise above ‘kama’, ‘krodha’, ‘lobha’, ‘moha’ and ‘ahankara’. Regard yourself an ‘Atman’. This body is just a temporary abode of the soul. But what is important to know is that it is in this abode alone that you are capable of practising ‘dhyaan’ (meditation) and evolve your ‘atman’ to be one with the ‘Paramatman’ – which is attainment of ‘nirvana’, the eternal quest of every soul.