A few days ago, while on my evening walk after an early dinner, I stopped at a fellow’s shop to sit for a while. His neighbour, who runs a gosadan (cow shelter), and known to me since few months had recently broken his arm when a herd of cattle rushed toward the gate, breaking it while he was leaning on it. I had come there to offer sympathy and a helping hand, but he was not there at that moment. A few months earlier, his 14‑year‑old son had passed away from a rare disease.
I had often noticed a mysterious dark mixed glow in this man’s eyes. Despite his suffering, he is a devout follower of Lord Shiva and every year he, along with his entire team, arranges food (langar) for pilgrims during the month‑long Manimahesh Yatra in the hills.
While sitting there, I said to the shopkeeper that perhaps the neighbour was under bad stars or some evil influence and that he might visit a nearby city yoga guru to remove this effect. The shopkeeper immediately denied the efficacy of yoga for removing evil spirits.
I told him, “I have myself evaded such a spirit.”
He asked, “How?”
I explained: “Whenever that spirit tries to come in my dream, my guru appears there and tells it to leave me and come to him. I simply put my dhyana on my guru and pray for the peace and liberation of that spirit. It is not evil, but who would want to frequently encounter something paranormal?”
Hearing this, he softened a little.
Then he asked, “Who is your guru?”
I replied, “It should not be told to anyone.”
He asked again, “But it must have some form?”
I said, “Yes. Sometimes my guru appears as my Dadaji, sometimes as Shiva, and sometimes as Narayana, depending on the situation.”
Hearing this, and being himself a member of the Manimahesh team, he began speaking as if he knew more. He said, “Shiva cannot be worshipped. Shiva is Mahakaal. He doesn’t save, he destroys as per one’s Karma. One can become Shiva but can’t worship him. One has to become Shiva to gain benefit.”
I wondered silently: How can one become one’s favourite deity without first admiring, honouring, and worshipping it?
Then he added, “Only a Satguru can save from evil spirits, not others.”
Again, I reflected: He first opposed yoga but now he praises the Satguru — and a Satguru becomes functional only through yoga and dhyana.
That small conversation once again highlighted for me the importance of open discussion to grow and to deepen understanding.
Demystifying Kundalini 