Chaturbhuj Das Ji was giving a spiritual discourse. In the discussion, he mentioned that when someone takes diksha (or initiation), it marks a new birth for them, and their past sins no longer apply to them. Meanwhile, a thief who had stolen from a merchant was fleeing. Soldiers were chasing him. The thief reached the place where a satsang (or spiritual gathering) was taking place, with thousands of people sitting there. He quietly sat down among them.
When the king’s soldiers arrived, they saw the spiritual discourse happening. They thought, “There is a discussion on devotion happening here, why would a thief stay in such a place?” and they left. This way, the thief was saved. At the same time, in the satsang, it was being discussed how taking diksha leads to a new birth and erases past sins.
The Thief Takes Guru Diksha
When the satsang ended, the thief went to Chaturbhuj Das Ji and asked, “Maharaj, is it true that all sins are erased when one takes diksha? I am a great sinner — a thief, violent, and there is no sin I haven’t committed. If I take diksha, will I become sinless?”
Chaturbhuj Das Ji replied, “Yes, after taking diksha, you will become sinless.” The thief pleaded, “Then please give me diksha.” Chaturbhuj Das Ji thought to himself, “This person is truly deserving of diksha, for he is very sinful and violent in nature — but now he desires change.” He immediately gave him diksha — shaved his head, put a tulsi bead necklace around his neck, and applied the tilak.
The Thief Gets Caught
The day after receiving initiation, the thief was roaming about fearlessly. The wealthy merchant was out with his guards, searching for the thief. Suddenly, he spotted the very same man. He told his guards, “Hey! That’s the thief.” The thief was captured and brought to the royal court.
The king asked, “Did you commit the theft?” The thief replied, “Not in this birth.” The merchant said, “Your Majesty, I’m not talking about some past life. It happened just yesterday. This man stole from my house.” The thief said, “I can swear that I have committed no theft in this birth.” The merchant replied, “I, too, can swear that he stole yesterday. He’s just disguised himself as a saint — shaved his head, applied a tilak — but he’s the same thief.” Now both stood firm on their oaths.
The Test of Truth
At that time, the traditional method of verifying truth was as follows: a piece of iron would be heated. A peepal tree leaf would be placed on the accused’s hand, and a thin cotton thread would be tied over it. The accused would then be asked to hold the hot iron in that hand. If the cotton thread didn’t burn and the accused managed to walk seven steps and throw away the hot iron, they would be deemed truthful.
This same test was applied to the thief. Inwardly, he recalled, “My Guru had said that initiation gives one a new birth.” Then he declared aloud, “I have not committed any sin in this birth.” He walked seven steps holding the hot iron and threw it away. Astonishingly, the cotton thread remained intact — it neither burned nor broke.
Revelation of the Truth – The Thief’s Integrity
At this point, the king turned to the merchant and said, “You called him a thief? You’ve committed the offense of accusing such a great saint of theft! You deserve the death penalty!” As soon as the mention of the merchant’s execution came up, the thief immediately spoke, “Your Majesty! No, he is also right. Please do not sentence him to death, for he is not the criminal. The real criminal is me.”
The king asked in astonishment, “How can you be the criminal now? It has already been proven that you committed no theft in this birth.” The thief replied, “You are right, I haven’t committed any theft in this birth. But the truth is, I did steal just yesterday. The merchant is right. However, after that, I received spiritual initiation. And initiation is like a new birth. That is why I can say with full sincerity that I have not committed any sin in this birth.” Hearing this, the king was deeply moved and said, “I must meet the saint who transformed the life of even a thief like you.”
Conclusion: The True Impact of Spiritual Initiation
All past sins are destroyed after spiritual initiation, provided no new sin is committed afterward. This story clearly shows that initiation marks the beginning of a new life. But it is only effective when a person sincerely resolves never to sin again. This thief, after receiving initiation, never lied or stole again. He said, “Whatever I did before, I did — but I will not do it again.” Because of this sincere transformation, all his past sins were erased.
However, if someone continues to sin even after initiation, their sins become even more deeply rooted. Such sins must be suffered, and they also affect the spiritual teacher. If a disciple keeps sinning and the Guru neither punishes nor disowns him, the blame also falls on the Guru, for having initiated an unworthy person.
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
