Guru or a teacher is essential for every individual. There is an element of ignorance in every individual and whilst we all perform many activities in our lives, many of the things we do could be considered wrong and could cause us to lose the opportunity of living a good life. A Guru can be our teacher, can remove this ignorance and can also bring in the light, that is wisdom.
Many people ask if it is necessary to have a Guru in order to attain the goals of spirituality. Some people think that surrendering to a Guru is a form of bondage. Currently we are like a King who one night dreamt he was a beggar and then became depressed. The Guru is the one who wakes us up from the sleep of ignorance that is the very cause of that sorrow. Even if we have forgotten a poem we have learnt as a toddler, it all comes back upon hearing someone recite the first few lines. Similarly, our current state is one of forgetfulness - a spiritual forgetfulness and the guru's teaching hold the power to awaken us.
There is a tree in every seed. But for that tree to emerge the seed must first go under the soil and break open. Similarly, even though we are that infinite Truth, unless the shell of the ego breaks open we will not experience that reality. The Guru is the one who nurtures this process.
If a sapling is to grow into a tree, it needs the most conducive environment. It needs to be watered at the right time, fertilised at the right time. It needs to be protected from various pests. The Guru does the same thing for his disciples, on a spiritual level, nurturing them and protecting them from the various obstacles and pitfalls.
Just as a filter purifies water, the Guru purifies the disciple's mind, removing the ego. The Guru tries to completely remove the ego from the disciple.
Surrendering to a guru's instructions is a path to Supreme freedom and everlasting happiness. The guru's only goal is to completely free his disciple from sorrow. When the Guru scolds him, the disciple may feel a little sad, but the Guru scolds with only one aim - to uproot and destroy all the disciple's negative tendencies and awaken him to his True Self.
Our SADGURU ARCHNA DIDIJI is not a mere individual. She is the PARAMA TATTVAM - the Supreme Principle. She is the embodiment of Truth, Renunciation, Love and Dharma. In the presence of a Sadguru, the disciple is able to imbibe all the Guru represents and liberate himself. This is the greatness of the Guru's presence.