September 7, 2026
We cannot do without the Guru on the spiritual path. We cannot do even without the material objects like food, clothes, and shelter. These are like the crutches with which the lame man walks. We cannot renounce them all of a sudden. We must develop inner strength, dispassion to a high degree, before we can be content with chance alms, the shade of a tree, or near nudity.
If these are like crutches, then the Guru’s guidance is like the light on the path. Even if we can give up the crutches, we cannot walk the path without the light. We have to traverse strange lands, in complete darkness. Guru's light alone can guide us. Even if we have attained a high degree of perfection in bhakti, it is not safe to renounce the Guru. There is fear of downfall till the last moment.
Even when one is established in God it is necessary that one should remain there till the body falls, otherwise there may be a downfall. Moreover, according to Kenaupanishad, one can never be aware of God realization. One who has really realized God does not know that he has. One who thinks or feels he has realized God, has not. Hence, at no stage can we renounce the Guru. To the devotee, guru and God are one.