Information about the Tradition of Gaddi and Mahant

In many villages or cities, after the death of a saint or spiritual figure, followers build a memorial at the site of their final rites. Over time, a statue of the saint is installed, and people begin visiting the site. Some followers start donating money, turning the memorial into a temple, and the descendants of the saint often become focused on acquiring wealth. They mislead others, claiming that by visiting the site, one can achieve salvation or receive the same blessings as when the saint was alive. They encourage people to believe that the statue embodies the saint, and without visiting, salvation is impossible.

However, just as a doctor's statue cannot heal patients after their death, similarly, a statue of a saint cannot deliver spiritual benefits. If someone falsely claims to carry the same powers as the deceased saint or to give initiation while deviating from the saint's original teachings, they deceive others for personal gain. Statues of saints or gods should be respected as memorials but are not objects of worship.

The tradition of appointing a mahant or head of a spiritual seat (gaddi) starts after the death of a saint. The mahant is initially a manager responsible for maintaining the saint's memorial, but often out of greed, they declare themselves as a guru, misleading devotees. Unfortunately, many sincere seekers waste their lives following these unqualified leaders instead of pursuing the true spiritual path. At any given time, only one true saint exists, while countless false saints and mahants obstruct the way to genuine spirituality.

Mahant Tradition and Its Deviation from True Bhakti

In the mahant-tradition, a rule has been established that the eldest son of the previous mahant inherits the position, regardless of his qualifications, knowledge, or character. This, however, contradicts the true path of devotion (bhakti), which can only be guided by a complete saint (Purna Sant), capable of truly leading souls toward salvation.

In some examples:

1. A two-year-old child was appointed to the gaddi (seat of spiritual authority). When the child grew older, he began giving naam-daan (spiritual initiation), even without the required wisdom or spiritual understanding. Another case involved a five-year-old child appointed as mahant after his father’s sudden death, and he was made guru at a young age, having no spiritual maturity.
2. In one tradition, a mahant died childless, so a temporary caretaker was appointed. Later, when a child was born in the family, the temporary mahant absconded with the gaddi and set up his own spiritual seat elsewhere, while the child, merely two and a half years old, was appointed the new mahant.
3. In another instance, after the eldest son left home, the younger son was appointed as mahant. Once a temple was established and offerings increased, disputes arose. The appointed mahant was killed, followed by his eldest son, after which the second brother was seated on the gaddi. The dispute led to further infighting, lawsuits, and the creation of rival spiritual centers, turning the peaceful environment into a chaotic battle for power and wealth.

Some mahants even take it upon themselves to "make saints" by giving individuals saffron robes, changing their names, and appointing them as spiritual leaders. These false mahants and self-declared saints mislead innocent souls, wasting their own lives and incurring severe sins while leading others astray from the true spiritual path.

When King Parikshit faced the threat of a snake bite, the need for a Complete Guru became evident, as the welfare of any being is unattainable without a Complete Saint. At that moment, all the sages refused to initiate King Parikshit or to recite the Shrimad Bhagwat Sudhasagar for seven days. Their reluctance stemmed from a fear of revealing their own inadequacies by the seventh day, and even Vedavyas, the author of the Shrimad Bhagwat, acknowledged his own limitations, choosing not to gamble with the king's life.

Maharishi Sukhdev was called down from heaven to guide King Parikshit. He initiated the king and recited the Katha for seven days, providing the best welfare possible under the circumstances. Today, however, many gurus, saints, mahants, and acharyas remain unaware of the true constitution of God, thereby committing grievous offenses.

In the current era, there is an overwhelming influx of individuals conducting Katha or reciting sacred texts and offering initiations, many of whom are uninformed about the deeper spiritual truths (Tatvgyan). This ignorance has allowed fake gurus and mahants to exploit the situation. Once the devotee community becomes knowledgeable about spiritual truths, these false saints and gurus will have no refuge and will be forced to flee to avoid exposure.