Believe it or not, this was the definition given about a spiritual master or Guru. Of course, you may protest that we are born in India and we know our ancient culture. Mention the word guru to any Indian and they will immediately think of Vyasa Mahamuni, Valmiki Maharsi, Devarsi Narada etc. But he or she will also be quick to add that these personalities belonged to the ancient past and are simply not available for guiding seekers in the 21st century. This mess is further compounded with guru ship-peddlers and social media influencer-gurus who very conveniently assert that the modern-day seeker should stay away from modern-day gurus. Hence the utterance “Gee You Are You” or G U R U – Anyone who simply puts you in touch with yourself is the real deal. Basically, modern day humanity has convinced itself of a major lie, that you need not depend upon anyone else for your spiritual growth except yourself.
However strange that it may sound, from the remotest part of undeveloped Africa or Asia to the urban jungles of the Western world or Hong Kong or Japan, there’s not a single establishment anywhere which can make you a doctor, lawyer, airline pilot, rocket scientist or data coder without you learning the basics from another expert in that field.
Sri Krishna puts the above eternal principle in the language of the Bhagavad-gita (4.34): “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
You can verify yourself that what was true five thousand years ago still holds water. Srila Prabhupada explains the topic further by stating: “Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding. Unless there is submission and service, inquiries from the learned spiritual master will not be effective. One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. In this verse, both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. Not only should one hear submissively from the spiritual master, but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries. A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore, when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.”
Before the battle of Kuruksetra began, Arjuna was reluctant to accepting any guidance from Krishna. In today’s language, he was his own guru, and what did he gain from that situation? Nothing but stress, angst and disappointment, and his life was like a rudder-less ship. Krishna also did not promote Himself as a World Teacher (jagad-guru) unless and until Arjuna specifically requested Him to do so. Only when Arjuna fulfilled the first condition of pranipata (“surrender”) did the original World Teacher begin the preliminary lessons of spiritual life.
No wonder, it’s said, “One who has his own mind as his guru has the worst of all disciples.”