Acharya Prashant addresses a questioner's concern regarding the necessity of total surrender to a preceptor and the tendency of followers to treat a guru as a living God. He observes that the questioner approaches the relationship with the truth from a utilitarian perspective, similar to a consumer in a shopping mall or a student choosing electives. This mindset seeks to take only what is useful while retaining one's own identity and ego. Acharya Prashant explains that one does not simply receive teachings; rather, in the presence of a true teacher, one must lose their sense of self. He notes that most people only receive words from scriptures like the Gita because words are safe and do not demand personal transformation, whereas the presence of Shri Krishna is dangerous to the ego. He further explains that the depth of what one receives from a guru depends on one's own qualifications and spiritual practice. While a beginner may only be capable of grasping linguistic expressions and concepts, those who have undergone self-purification and disciplined practice can access something beyond words. He advises the questioner to start wherever they are, even if it is just with words, but to maintain the humility not to judge those who have developed the capacity for deeper devotion. Referring to Nanak Sahib, he emphasizes that if one cannot yet reach the divine directly, one should at least respect and bow to those who are truly devoted. The vast amount of spiritual literature exists precisely because most people require words to begin their journey toward the truth.
