The Prophet: The Incarnation of the Supreme Lord
A Prophet is not just a wise teacher, nor merely a saintly figure; He is the Supreme Manifestation of the Creator in human form. He is Purushottama, the One who embodies the Supreme Father, the Infinite encapsulated in the finite. This profound truth is emphasized by Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra, who says:
“He within whom all the resources of the world—knowledge, love, and activity—are spontaneous, and by the inclination towards whom the scattered lives of men and all the diversities of the world find a final solution, is the God of men!” (Satyanusaran)
A Prophet is the visible form of God’s wisdom and love, manifesting in human form to nurture existence and guide humanity toward higher becoming. The physical body of a Prophet is finite, yet His influence is omnipresent, His wisdom eternal, and His existence never-ending.
Recognizing the True Prophet
Identifying a Prophet is not an intellectual exercise; it requires devotion, perception, and a sincere quest for truth. The Prophet reveals Himself to those who seek Him with a heart full of love and surrender. Sree Sree Thakur clarifies:
“The lover alone can know Him; so, keep the company of lovers and worshippers of existence. He must manifest Himself.” (Satyanusaran)
However, there are three key characteristics that distinguish a Prophet from impostors:
He must be the fulfiller of all past Prophets (Aapurayamana). He does not negate past teachings but harmonizes and fulfills them according to time, place, and individual needs.
He must preserve and nurture the instincts of every being (Baisistyapaali). A true Prophet does not suppress diversity but ensures that every entity evolves while maintaining its distinctiveness.
He must resist evil in all its forms. He stands as the ultimate warrior against degeneration, falsehood, and disintegration.
A Prophet is not a self-proclaimed entity, nor is He established through votes or institutional titles. He emerges naturally, as a living necessity for the world’s sustenance, guiding all toward existence and growth.
Following the Prophet After His Physical Demise
The finite body of the Prophet may perish, but His omnipresent, all-nurturing wisdom remains the guiding force for all who seek Him. However, after the physical departure of a Prophet, degeneration often seeps in. The resisting force against evil diminishes, and misinterpretations of His teachings become rampant.
To prevent such distortions, Sree Sree Thakur provides clear guidance:
“In case of conflict between ‘Shruti’ (the direct sayings of the Prophet) and ‘Smriti’ (interpretations by followers), ‘Shruti’ must be upheld.” (Dhruti Bidhayana, Part 1:275)
This means that any individual, even if they are Ritwik, Acharya, or Purohit, must not be followed if their interpretations deviate from the direct sayings of the Prophet. The original wisdom of the Prophet is the sole guiding light.
Who Remains the Ista (Worshipable Ideal)?
Even after the Prophet's departure, He remains the Ista (Supreme Ideal and object of meditation) until His next incarnation. Sree Sree Thakur emphasizes:
“Purushottama (Prophet) is the Ista and to be meditated on. Even after His demise, He remains the Ista and the object of meditation till He incarnates again.” (Alo. Pras. Vol.11; 25-2-48:51)
Thus, no disciple, successor, or family lineage can replace the Prophet. Any individual claiming to be the new Ista without being the Prophet Himself is misleading and dangerous.
The Continuation of the Initiation System
The initiation process must continue exactly as prescribed by the Prophet. A Prophet never alters eternal principles, but He ensures their adaptation according to the needs of time, place, and individual.
Sri Sree Thakur clarifies:
“After the demise of Purushottama, be initiated in the initiation process prescribed by the Prophet through a Ritwik who follows the Prophet; and follow and meditate the Prophet until He reincarnates.” (A.P. Vol.2, 27-12-41; 243)
Thus, the Ritwiks (initiators) are only carriers of the Prophet’s message—they are NOT Gurus. The Prophet remains the only Guru till His next incarnation.
The Corruption After Sree Sree Thakur’s Physical Departure
Despite Thakur’s strict warnings, misinterpretations and distortions crept into the Satsang system after His physical departure. The fundamental principle of ‘unicentricity’ (Ek-Nishtha)—which is the core of spiritual hygiene—was compromised.
The Misinterpretation of Heirship
One of the most misleading distortions has been the worship of a specific lineage of Thakur’s sons (Rev. Borda) as heirs to His power. This is against the very principles of Thakur, who never appointed any family-based spiritual successor. Such hereditary claims are false and have led to multiple distortions in the initiation process, meditation techniques, and the Ishtabhriti system.
Thakur clearly warned about this in multiple texts, including Adarsha Vinayak, Dhriti Bidhayana, Satyanusaran, and Chalar Sathi. He emphasized that:
“The Prophet alone is the Guru. No one else can replace Him.”
Yet, some individuals with selfish motives have modified Thakur’s original rituals, texts, and even the initiation process to serve their own interests.
Distortion of Literature
One of the greatest betrayals has been the manipulation of Thakur’s literature for personal or commercial gain. Thakur preserved His writings meticulously, ensuring that His words remained intact for future generations. He warned:
“The jewel that has been delivered by the mercy of the Supreme Father will remain as the fodder for hundreds of years, nay, for some thousands of years.” (Alo.Pras. Vol.21: 19-9-52: 183)
However, certain individuals altered the original texts, modifying words to suit their own agendas. But Thakur’s wisdom, like the Phoenix, rose from the ashes, proving that truth cannot be permanently distorted.
The Role of an ‘Ishtabaahi’ (Carrier of the Ideal)
In the Satsang way of life, the company of true devotees is crucial. The word Satsang itself means “company of existence”. It is the duty of every Satsangee to associate with someone who provides the undistorted interpretation of Thakur’s teachings.
Such a person is called an Ishtabaahi—a person whose love for Thakur is uncompromising. While we must unconditionally surrender to Thakur alone, we must conditionally surrender to an Ishtabaahi who helps us remain aligned with Thakur’s original wisdom.
How to Identify an Ishtabaahi?
An Ishtabaahi is not self-proclaimed. He is one who:
Lives uncompromisingly by Thakur’s teachings.
Has unwavering adherence (Ishta-Nishtha) to the Prophet.
Resists distortions and never compromises on the original wisdom.
He radiates the qualities of Thakur in him as per his distinctive characteristics and impart them into others
Still he is not perfect neither does he claim to be - and he says this time and again to remind ourselves.
Even while listening to an Ishtabaahi, we must always keep our glasses of ‘Ishta-Nishtha’ on and verify if his words align with Thakur’s original sayings.
Conclusion
The Satsang way of life is not about institutions or family lineages. It is about unwavering adherence to the Prophet alone. Misinterpretations will always arise, but truth prevails when we return to the original sayings of the Prophet and adhere uncompromisingly to His path.
Thus, let our surrender be solely to the Prophet, and let our adherence be to His original, undistorted wisdom.
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