Prem Rawat's Teachings about the Perfect Master - In His Own Words

Boulder, Colorado, August 18, 1971

What is the difference between a Satguru and an Avatar?
Same. What is the difference between H₂O and water? Some people say "Mercy," "Lord of Mercy." Some only say "Lord," some say "God," some say "Lord Christ." Same thing.
Elan Vital, Winter 1977, Volume I, Issue 2

Denver Ashram, Colorado, 18 September 1971
And man is attracted, and as he is attracted, he is taken away from that world of God - away, away, away, away till he is now in a miserable position. He cannot think what he is, who he is, and so many things. That's why man was taken away from God, but it was only his fault that he was being attracted. But, because God has made so many things, again God comes in the shape of a Perfect Master, and again takes them to the same position they were in before. People who really have this Knowledge and meditate upon this, nothing seems to be new for them - it really is very ancient.
And It Is Divine, Volume 1, Issue 1, November 1972

Denver Ashram, Colorado, 18 September 1971
Holy Ghost is the Perfect Master, Sons are we, and He is the Father. People who are existing on this earth are the Sons of God.
Then Jesus, was He just the Son of God?
Yes, yes, He was a Perfect Master. See, what is the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost is the same spirit as God. But when It has to take a human form It comes into that Holy Spirit. When God takes human form He is Perfect Master. Perfect. Because, except for God, nobody's perfect. So when He is the Perfect Master, He is Himself.
And It Is Divine, Volume 1, Issue 1, November 1972

Fernbank, London, 14 March 1972
All saints have said that before you go to Satguru to ask for and receive this Knowledge, you must have a guileless heart, a heart filled with devotion and love for this Knowledge. Ask, request, and if He is pleased with you He will shower His grace upon you and give you the Knowledge, and if not, He will not. He is almighty. He is going to give you the Knowledge. He is Guru. In Western languages He is called Perfect Master. Who is perfect? He is perfect.
Divine Light, Volume 1, Number 8, May 1972

Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 April 1972
Every satsang is a discussion on one subject, and that is the true Knowledge which brings peace of mind. Many great saints got fantastic experiences from this wonderful Knowledge and just wanted to spread it to all people. In every age a great saint like Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Mohammed, and Christ has taken birth on earth for this purpose, to give this Knowledge to other people, because, in their time, the truth had declined, spiritual understanding had been lost. As far as spiritual matters go, they were ages of darkness.
I don't mind the difficulties that are being put against me. Whenever he comes to the world the Perfect Master has to tolerate many difficulties. I have come to spread this Knowledge and that is what I am going to do. Understand this and believe it. Are you hesitating to receive this Knowledge? Why? It is very simple Knowledge. It will give you complete peace mind. It will give you infinite bliss. Do not complain later on that you were never told about this Knowledge. Again and again, I do nothing but to tell you all to take this Knowledge.
Who Is Guru Maharaj Ji?

Los Angeles' Embassy Hall, USA, June(?) 1972
See, people were waiting for Jesus to come before. Before he came they were waiting for him as anxiously, or more, than we are waiting today. But when he came and was standing on this place, and people were passing by, some said, "Oh, we believe he's the Perfect Master," and some said, "No, he can't be Perfect Master." Because you see, so far we say, "Perfect Master is going to come." This is an intellectual thing. Because we think he isn't here, and he is going to come. But Perfect Master is always with us. If Perfect Master is God -- see, it says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and the Word was made flesh. And the flesh was Jesus." And if it were the Word that always had existed, how could Jesus come, and how could Jesus go? He was there with them before, and he is with us now. Why are we waiting? Otherwise, he is not Perfect Master; he is not God. He cannot do anything to us, or if he does, and if he is perfect, he is with us, now, in our hearts. Because he's the Word. Because it says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh." And then the flesh was sent here to us.
And It Is Divine, Volume 1, Issue 10, August 1973

Denver, Colorado, August 1, 1972
Guru Maharaj Ji, what would happen if you were to die suddenly, if you were to be killed suddenly in an auto accident or a fall or anything like that? What would happen?
What would happen? How should I imagine? This is one of the crazy things that goes on with people. They sit in their chairs and think, "What will happen if I suddenly die?"
Isn't it passed on? Would you not have to bestow it upon someone else?
That is the difference between a man who has perfected himself in this Knowledge and between an ordinary man. He knows what is going to happen to him next.
Are you perfect within this Knowledge? Do you know?
I am perfect within this Knowledge, yes. I know this Knowledge perfectly.
You are the Perfect Master?
I don't say that I am Perfect Master. Why do you try to compel me to say that sentence? I did say I have perfected myself in this Knowledge.
What I have heard is that it is passed on. That there is always a Perfect Master on Earth. And that it must be passed on. Like from John the Baptist to Jesus Christ. Now if you died suddenly, you would not have passed this on to anyone else?
I just told you. That's the main difference between a Perfect Master and an ordinary man. He knows what is going to happen to him next. Perfect Master does not leave his body by anybody else's will. He leaves his body by his own will. That's why, if there were an ordinary man on the cross, he would have been dead. But Jesus Christ rose back. He got back from there. Because he is the highest supreme authority and even death is under him. Death works under him. Understand? That's why there was no death to him. He was able to come back. If it were you, maybe you would have never been able to come back from there.
Elan Vital, Volume 4, Issue 2, Summer 1980

1972
Why does a Perfect Master have to have a living body to give Knowledge? Why is it necessary?
Are you feeling thirsty? Can you see that photo of Lord Shiva? You see the water coming out from the top of his head? Drink that water. Drink, drink! Can You? You can't drink that water. It is a picture. You need everything living. If you have doubts, you cannot ask Lord Krishna questions. That's why you need a living Master, for the circumstances of the world today. When Jesus was here there were no nuclear bombs. But now there are nuclear bombs, and the Perfect Master, the Perfect Savior, has come to save you from nuclear bombs.
The Questions, Who Is Guru Maharaj Ji?

A reporter for a Boston newspaper conducted this interview with Guru Maharaj Ji in 1973
Jesus himself revealed this Knowledge to people. I have realized that Knowledge so I know what they are talking about in the Bible, and what they are talking about in the Koran. I know what they are talking about in the Gita, I know what they are talking about in the Ramayana. Because I have known that perfect Knowledge that they are talking about. Would your role be analogous then to John the disciple or to Jesus the Christ? Well, I just don't put myself in any of those. I'm just a humble servant trying to preach this Knowledge to people. A humble servant of ... Of God. Of this most Supreme Energy. I don't say I am a Messiah, I don't say I'm a prophet, I don't say all those things. They are said of you. People say, people say ... actually the most common thing they say about me is that I am a Perfect Master. And what they mean by Perfect Master is the one who can reveal perfectness. Like one who teaches you math, you call him a math master, one who teaches you science, you call him a science master, one who can teach you perfectness, you call him a Perfect Master. And I can teach them what is perfectness, so they call me Perfect Master. Q: The Knowledge can be realized through that spirit?
A: No. It has to be revealed. By a Perfect Master.
Q: By a living Perfect Master?
A: By a living Perfect Master. I was going to give you an example of Kennedy and Johnson. When Kennedy left his body, they didn't say all right, Kennedy is still going to be President. They put Johnson in.
Q: I've never understood what you are in India. Your father was also Perfect Master.
A: Yes, he was Perfect Master, and then, when he left his body he commanded me to continue his job.
Q: But didn't your father have a following before there was a Divine Light Mission?
A: Before there was a Divine Light Mission, there was a Guru to my father also.
Q: Then there has been a steady succession of Perfect Masters.
A: There have always been Perfect Masters coming into this world.
Q: Will there be another one?
A: Yes. After me.
Light Reading, © 1980, Divine Light Mission, Inc.

Guru Puja (Worship) Festival in Alexandra Palace, London, July 13, 1973
And as a matter of fact, I am the Perfect Master because I can reveal them this peace. I'm not saying that I am bodily perfect, I am not perfect because of this reason or that reason, but because I can reveal them this Knowledge, which is perfect.
The Golden Age Magazine, July 6 - July 27, 1974

Public Program, Hans Jayanti Festival, Orlando, Florida, Afternoon, 9 November 1975
When we take all the history of all the Perfect Masters coming into this world trying to reveal this perfect Knowledge, combine it together and put it in one book, in one page, in one sentence, it sounds crazy. That is when everybody goes and says, "Jesus. How could there be people like that?" This is when the people turn around and say, "They must have been out of their mind." And, they were.
And It Is Divine Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 1 and Light Reading, 1980

Seattle, Washington, February 12, 1974
It's really nice to see you. And the reason that we have all assembled here is because, you might say fortunately, we have a relationship. And the relationship is that the Knowledge which is within inside of us has been revealed. And thus, it makes a relationship. It forms a relationship which virtually cannot be broken. It is like this, that if somebody comes when you are drowning in the river, and saves your life, now immediately there is a relationship that's formed. And that relationship is not of a brother, is not of a husband, is not of a sister, is not of a wife. But the relationship is something else. And it is greater than all the relationships that we have formed and we have created. That is the greatest relationship that ever can be formed between two people. And you call Him your Saviour. And it's like, the love you have towards Him is greater than you have towards your parents. It's greater than anything. And this is the reason why devotees love their Lord so much. Because there has been a relationship formed which is virtually unbreakable. Because why does a Guru come here? Why does a Perfect Master, why does a Lord, come here? To save His devotees from drowning in that ocean of this materialistic world. And if really we are lost in it, man, forget it. Just forget it. Because, its not only hard, but impossible, to come out of it.
Elan Vital, Autumn 1977, Volume 1, Issue 1

Hans Jayanti, 1974
This is the joy, this is the wonderful, beautiful experience those saints had, those fortunate premies had, who were able to realize the Perfect Master. Like John was able to realize Christ. Like Arjuna was able to realize Krishna. Like Hanuman was able to realize Ram. They could understand that their Saviour, that their Father, that their shelter was still there, and that they could still run to it. Premies, it's said that in this world we have always needed a Saviour, because this world has constantly been changing and changing and changing and changing.
And It Is Divine, Volume 2, Issue 7

Interview at Lucknow, India, April 14, 1975
"It is funny and ridiculous to say they have removed me from office as if it is is a public office to which I was elected or appointed," Maharaj Ji said. "Nobody creates a guru. He is self existent. Nobody can make a guru except the Guru Maharaj Ji himself." However, he declined to answer his mother's charges that he had started drinking alcoholic beverages, had begun eating meat instead of remaining a vegetarian, and had shown too much interest in sex. The guru, who flew into Lucknow on Saturday after a journey from the United States, showed visible dismay when he talked about his mother. "Mothering means caring and loving," be said "If my mother denies that to me, then my goal becomes supreme and takes over. "I am not leaving my job. These accusations have not changed me. These will result in only further perfecting of the perfect master. The guru said he planned to return to the United States soon without going to see his mother. The Divine Light Mission, which has its U.S. headquarters at Denver, Colo., claims 500,000 American followers and eight million in India.
Associated Press Writer, RANGASWAMY SATAKOPAN

Guru Puja Festival Caracas, Venezuela, July 23, 1975
And so premies, the Perfect Master comes, and he comes in the human body. I mean, he doesn't have to. All he has to do is have a body that's as huge as the world -- and even bigger, as the universe -- and then pick up the whole world on his little finger and say, "You guys want to live, or should I blow you away?" He could do that, because we call him Almighty. And if we call him Almighty, it's a jazz for him to do this. It wouldn't take him anything. Because he's perfect. And he could just very well do that and say, "Look. If you don't realize this Knowledge, all I am going to do is -- boomp! -- and you are never going to know what hit you." But he doesn't do that. Why? He bears up with everything in this world. Look at us humans; look at the people of this world. Every time he comes, they say, "Forget it, he is not the one; he can't be the one. He doesn't have Knowledge. This is some crazy thing." And I mean, if really this ever happened, that the Almighty, the All Perfect, just picked up the whole world in his hand and said, "Should I kick your ...
Elan Vital, Volume II, Issue 2, Summer 1978

Holi Festival, Miami Beach, Florida, Friday 6th April, 1979.
Because what created the problem when Jesus came? Okay, it was people and their craziness. Of course, it's always that. But what kind of blanket did they hide themselves under? What kind of a blanket did they pull up? "Look. Here it says this can't be it." And it very clearly said, "Look, there is going to be a Messiah coming, a teacher coming, a Perfect Master, a Saviour, coming." And people, out of the blue, went, "This can't be it. This can't be him. This can't be the Messiah."
The Golden Age, Issue 53

Holi, 7th April 1979
And what an opportunity, what a setup, what a stage is then, in fact, created. We all come. All the devotees get together and with that sincere love, pray to Guru Maharaj Ji, pray to that Savior, pray to that Perfect Master to help us.
Elan Vital, Summer 1979, Volume III, Issue 2

Holi 79, Miami Beach, Florida, 7th April, 1979
What I'm trying to say is that in this world this is exactly the way it is. Everybody in this world, not knowing, is yet very thirsty for that Creator, for that Perfect Master to come, to bring that peace and to bring that joy, to bring that happiness, to bring that tranquility that we all need. And we don't know that. We don't know that that's what a Perfect Master is going to bring us. But a savior, obviously knowing the necessity of being saved ... It's like the prayer of the devotee, "Oh come, save us. Save me in this world." And Guru Maharaj Ji then comes.
- Holi Festival '79

Royal Albert Hall, London, May 28, 1979.
A lot of people have this attitude, "Why do we need a guru?" You don't need a guru. You don't. Because if you are saying; "guru" in the connotation that you have home-brewed, then you don't need that person. Obviously a lot of people think that guru is a person who has a beard, long hair, is old, has wrinkles on his face, and lives in the Himalayas. On every sixth full moon in the year he drops down, sits under the banyan tree, stays there for twenty minutes and then goes back to the Himalayas. If that's your translation of a "guru" then you definitely don't need a guru. Then you need a Perfect Master. And whatever your head says, "This is what it is. This is what it is. This is what it is - Perfect Master ..." A lot of people have asked that question over a period of time, "Are you perfect? Are you the Perfect Master? Are you perfect?" There is a vast, vast difference in those questions. Perfect is one thing. The body cannot be perfect. Anything that was created once, anything that had a beginning, anything that once was not, is stamped imperfect and shall never be perfect. Ever. But only that Knowledge is perfect. And the one who can teach us, one who can guide us, is the Perfect Master, the perfect guide, the perfect teacher. And that's what we need in our lives. We need somebody to show us the Light.
Light Reading, 1980

Guru Puja, Miami Beach, Florida, Saturday, 21st July 1979
How can Guru Maharaj Ji listen to anybody's suffering? If we complain to Guru Maharaj Ji, then we are wrong. Because Guru Maharaj Ji has already offered the solution to us. How can you complain to Guru Maharaj Ji? You know, the case is, Guru Maharaj Ji already has his hands out and is saying, "Come on in." How can you knock on a door that's already open? And yet in our imagination, in our dreams, there is a door. And that door is locked. And you are doing everything right, but it's the other end - it's Guru Maharaj Ji - that's goofing everything up, because that's the way your mind has it figured out. Maybe Guru Maharaj Ji one day is going to come around to every nine thousand or ten thousand seats in this auditorium and -bam! bam! bam! - kick everybody in the butt. We're going to stand up and fly, and it will be the ultimate thing, some cosmic experience. Something similar to the beginning of the movie Who is Guru Maharaj Ji? - the psychedelic footage. All these lights and all these things happening. (In the original version of that movie, it was really something.) Our cosmic experiences. What is cosmic? It's easy to look it up in the dictionary but it's kind of hard to attain it. Cosmic experience.
The Golden Age, October 1979, Number 55

Miami Beach, Florida - July 25,1980

And even today - that Savior that comes in this world ... What will be that Savior's number one enemy? What will he have to fight? I mean, he doesn't have to fight you and me. He doesn't have to fight human beings. If he starts fighting human beings, whom is he going to save? What does he fight? He fights with our concepts. He fights with our ideas. Because we have all these ideas, "This is the way it should be. If it is not that way, then it isn't what it should be."
And what we need - truly, truly, truly need - in this lifetime, for all of us, is a Savior. ... We have Knowledge. It's the most incredible thing for a human being, to be fulfilling the purpose of this human life. What more can be expected of a human being? ... How fortunate really we are that we have Knowledge, that we have a solution, that yes, we are saved.
I don't know where all these concepts come from. To me, here is my life. This is a precious life. Jesus came to save the ones on Earth, not in heaven and not in hell. On Earth. A Savior comes to save us right here. Those Perfect Masters that have come, have come to save human beings.
Elan Vital, Winter 1980, Volume IV, Issue 4

Divine Light Mission even released a song, titled "You Are My Perfect Master", produced in 1978 on a cassette tape called "Only One Love" by "One Foundation".

Whenever I need your love, you're there to satisfy me
Whenever I feel alone, you're there to walk beside me
Whenever my illusions shatter, your love will always guide me
Your grace is like an endless wind, blows away my troubles
Giving me the strength to carry on

Chorus: You are my Perfect Master, perfect lover too
The answer to my every question
Always comes from you
You are the giver and the keeper of my soul

Whenever the darkness falls I feel your hand rest in my hand
Whenever my heart calls to you, you're there to understand me
Whenever I'm down on my knees, you're there to lift me higher
Your guiding light that shines inside me, penetrates my blindness
Lighting up the way to take me home

Chorus

You were always there when I needed you
You were always ready, ready to take my hand
Your grace is like an endless wind, blows away my troubles
Giving me the strength to carry on

Chorus

The video opens with a pretty straightforward statement about Prem Rawat's role on earth, a song called 'You Are My Saviour', long version @ 4 :55 or 'You Are My Saviour', a short version @ 1:38. The song is played over scenes of Prem Rawat driving one of his many expensive cars and flying in one of his helicopters.

During the playing of that song Prem Rawat's wife is shown crowning him with the crown of Krishna whose costume he is wearing and then doing full pranam (lying on the ground in front of him) and kissing his feet in adoration.