What is the need of Guru?

Many people tell that to reach the self there is no need of a Guru! they advice to consider God as the Guru. It may be true for those enlightened souls. But the case of a novices in spiritual path is different. They need a Guru for many reasons.

Only a person who has seen the Kailash can take you to Kailash, easily. The reason is simple - He has seen Kailash. You can lit a lamp only from another lamp. Similarly only an enlightened soul can enlighten other souls.

There are so mnay scriptures. They are like forests. There are so many ways in and out; most of them are ambigous. It is too tough to get the required knowledge by travelling through the scriptures. A Guru can easily impart knowledge to you which is relevant and make your path easy!

In the presence of the Guru, you understand your short comings. Only a guru can show you your own defects. In the absence of guru, you will never be able to do that, for the nature of ego is that!

And know that all the great souls on this planet had their gurus! Lord Krishna sat at the feet of His Guru Sandipani. Lord Rama had Guru Vasishtha whogave Him Upadesa. Lord Jesus sought John to be baptised by him on the banks of the river Jordan.Even Devas have Brihaspati as their Guru. Even the greatest among the divine beings sat at the feetof Guru Dakshinamurti.


Cases of those who had attained perfection without study under any Guru should not be cited as authoritative against the necessity for a Guru; for, such great men are the anomalies of spiritual life, and not the common normality. They come into existence as spiritual masters as a result of the intense service, study and meditation practised in previous births. They had already studied under the Guru. The present birth is only its continuative spiritual effect. Hence, the importance of the Guru is not lessened thereby.

A beginner can never have the concept - GOD as guru. He needs a Guru to take him to that concept - GOD.