"So this knowledge [is] required, how to find out real guru and how to surrender unto Him. The guru does not mean that I keep a guru. So as order-supplier: 'My dear guru, I am suffering from this. Can you give me some medicine?' 'Yes, yes. Take this medicine.' 'Yes.' Not that guru. If you are suffering from some disease, you go to a physician. It is not guru's business to give you some medicine. A guru's business is to give you Krishna. Krsna sei tomara, krsna dite para. A Vaisnava is praying guru: "Sir, you are devotee of Krishna. You can give me Krishna if you like.' This is the position of sisya. Guru's business is how to give you Krishna, not any material things. For material things, there are so many institutions. But if you want Krishna, then guru's required. Who is, who requires a guru?
tasmad gurum prapadyeta
jijnasu sreya uttamam
sabde pare ca nisnatam
brahmany upasamasrayam
[SB 11.3.21]
Who requires a guru? Guru's not a fashion. 'Oh, I have got a guru. I shall make a guru.' Guru means one who's serious. Tasmad gurum prapadyeta. One has to seek out a guru. Why? Jijnasu sreya uttamam. One who is inquisitive of the Supreme. Not guru make a fashion. Just like we keep a dog, fashion. Similarly, we keep a guru. That is not guru. 'Guru will act according to my decision.' Not like that. Guru means one who can give you Krishna. That is guru."
(Srila Prabhupada lecture, London, August 7, 1973)
.
.
