Published Feb 24, 2026 | 1:06 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2026 | 1:41 PM
Madras High Court judge GR Swaminathan
Synopsis: Madras High Court judge Justice GR Swaminathan recently remarked that rationalists who call people fools, incompetent and barbarians for treating the Guru as equal to god, are the real fools, incompetent and barbarians. The judge claimed that Gurus have a strong positive aura, and when one is in proximity with a Guru, his aura takes away the negative energy surrounding a person.
Madras High Court judge Justice GR Swaminathan recently remarked at a “Guru Vandanam Utsavam” organised by the Hosur Satsangh that rationalists who call people fools, incompetent and barbarians for treating the Guru as equal to god, are the real fools, incompetent and barbarians.
“In Tamil Nadu, there are certain rationalists who call us unworthy (Ayogya), fools (muttal) and barbarians (kaattumurandi) for treating Gurus as Gods. But I am saying, those who are saying so are the real unworthy, fools and barbarians,” Justice Swaminathan said in a speech given in Tamil, reported LiveLaw.
The judge had recentlysaid that he would carry Sanatana Dharma close to his heart for the remainder of his term as a judge of the high court.
While speaking, the judge recalled an incident when he was returning after his daughter’s graduation ceremony in Punjab.
The judge said that when he and his wife went to Patiala for his daughter’s graduation ceremony, the road was filled with mist, making visibility limited. He said everyone had advised them not to go back on the same day, but he decided to leave. However, he said that his car tyre got punctured.
Justice Swaminathan said that while his wife, who knew how to change the tyre, and the car driver were fixing the issue, he chanted “Gurunatha” for over 30 minutes, which gave him courage.
The judge said people may see different people as Gurus, but the teachings of all Gurus are the same, adding that God was an abstract thing, but a Guru is the living presence of God.
He added that while we couldn’t touch the feet of God, it’s easy to touch the feet of the Guru. He stated that the entire incident changed him and made him understand that in a helpless situation, one can find strength through the blessings of the Guru only.
The judge said that in Tamil Nadu, some people who call themselves rationalists consider people who revere Gurus as Gods as fools, incompetent, and barbaric.
“But it is they who don’t see Gurus as Gods, who are the real fools, incompetent and barbarians,” he said.
The judge claimed that Gurus have a strong positive aura, and when one is in proximity with a Guru, his aura takes away the negative energy surrounding a person.
He added that by organising the function, the Satsangh has not just organised an event to respect the Gurus, but given people a chance to cleanse themselves using the Guru’s positive aura.
The judge also stated that after seeing all the people who have been working for Dharma, he has gained the courage to complete his remaining tenure of four years.
