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Guru Purnima Special: Why do we need a true Guru?

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
24 July 2026
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Guru Purnima Special- Why do we need a true Guru? by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripal

(Excerpt of a speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

Can anyone acquire knowledge without a teacher? The answer is obvious. Nothing in this world can be learned without someone to teach us. Even the knowledge of a single letter cannot be acquired on our own.

If we need a teacher to understand even the visible world around us, how much more do we need a Guru to realise God, who is beyond our direct perception?

Suppose you wish to learn just one letter of the alphabet. How would you do it? You may say, “I will look at a book and learn the letter ‘A’.” But how will you know that the symbol is called “A”? Who will tell you its name? Someone has to teach you. That teacher is called a Guru.

In fact, there is not a single thing we can know without someone teaching us. We cannot even know who our own mother or father is unless someone tells us. A mother lovingly says to her child time and again, “I am your mother, and you are my son.” But what does “mother” mean? What does “son” mean? The infant has no understanding of these relationships. At that stage, he knows nothing of the meaning of the words “mother,” “father,” or “child.” Everything has to be taught. 

From that very moment until old age, whatever knowledge we acquire comes through a teacher. Much of it is learned simply by observing others. We watch how our elders speak and think, “I should sit like that.” We listen to the way they speak and try to speak in the same manner. We observe how he eats and gradually learn by following his example. 

In this way, we are constantly learning from those around us, often without even realising it. At the same time, much of our knowledge is acquired through formal instruction. After all, no one earns qualifications such as a B.A. or M.A. without the guidance of teachers. 

The need for a Guru on the spiritual path is even greater. Yet this naturally gives rise to another important question: How does one find a true Guru?

Can a student who does not even know the alphabet determine whether his professor is competent to teach him? Suppose the teacher tells him to pronounce the Hindi letter ‘ka’ as ‘gha.’ Having accepted him as his teacher, the student has no basis for questioning him, for he has no way of knowing whether what he is being taught is correct.

Similarly, an ordinary seeker, who lacks spiritual knowledge, cannot rely on his own judgement to determine who is a genuine Guru. And this is precisely where the difficulty lies. It is for this very reason that so many sincere seekers are misled today.

There is an abundance of self-proclaimed gurus. They grow a beard, apply a tilak, don saffron robes, and suddenly become “Guruji.” Having memorised just a single Vedic mantra – perhaps Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – they begin initiating disciples, despite possessing little or no real spiritual knowledge.

Their followers then enthusiastically promote them, saying, “Our Guruji is extraordinary! You must go to him. Tell others about him too.” Through false claims, exaggerated publicity, and word-of-mouth promotion, they continue attracting more and more disciples. Sadly, this is the reality we see in our country today.

Even highly educated and wealthy people, lacking true spiritual discrimination, fall into this trap. One person says, “Guruji blessed him, and he became a millionaire.” Another says, “Guruji blessed them, and they were blessed with a son. I have seen such things with my own eyes.”

Hearing such stories, others begin to think, “Then I too should go there.” Drawn by these claims, they place their faith in such gurus, only to find themselves misled.

Some so-called gurus even initiate thousands of people at once through a microphone. Addressing a large gathering, they simply say, “Repeat after me: Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. You have all now become my disciples. Keep my photograph in your homes and worship it. My photographs are available here, buy one.”

This is what is happening today. People are being deceived and led astray.

But suppose that, after some time, a person realises he has been deceived. What then? The so-called guru has already warned him, “Once you have accepted a guru, you can never abandon him. To do so would be a grave sin.”

The disciple now feels trapped. “What is done is done,” he thinks. It is much like a worldly marriage. Once a marriage has taken place, it cannot simply be dissolved without legal proceedings and considerable difficulty. In the same way, people become bound to such gurus and feel there is no way out.

So, once again, the question remains: How does one find a true Guru? Read here.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.