Why do we need a Guru? Explanation by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj

After detaching the mind from the world, and before surrendering to God, there is need of a divine entity, without whom one cannot attain the Supreme goal.  That entity is a God-realized Saint or Guru.  It is the Guru, who decides which path is best for each devotee to surrender to God.  Again, it is he who dispels all doubts faced by the aspirant on the path.  Mere detachment is not enough to attain God.

The Bhagavad Gita states:
                                 tadviddhi praṇipātena paripraśhnena sevayā upadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ 
                                                                   jñāninastattvadarśhinaḥ
Shree Krishna says to Arjun, "Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master.  Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him.  Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth.”

The Ramayan also says:
                                        guru binu bhava tarai na koī”; “guru binu hoī ki jñāna”
“Without the guidance of a Guru, one cannot cross over the ocean of material existence.”  Again it says, “Without the guidance of a Guru, one cannot attain the knowledge of God.”  Thus, the unanimous view of all scriptures is that we must surrender to a Guru in order to know the unknown entity called God.

Watch this video lecture by Shree Maharajji on the topic, "Who is a Guru" with 

English Subtitles:

Happy Radhashtami!

  kīrtī ghara prakaṭīñ kīrtī kumārī
Shree Radha Rani has manifested herself in the palace of queen Keerti.

brahmādika svastyayana paṭha kara, astuti kari śhruti chāri
To celebrate this most auspicious occasion, Lord Brahma and other celestial gods are reciting the Vedic hymns and all the four Vedas in their incarnate forms are singing glories through their sacred texts.

nāradādi viradāvali gāvata, kahi jai bhānudulari
Sage Narad and others are singing her praises and proclaiming loudly, “All glories to the darling daughter of king Vrishbhanu.”

tāṇḍava nṛitya śhivaśhaṅkara, sudhi budhi deha bisāri
Lord Shankar is jubilantly performing his ‘tandav’ dance, completely oblivious of his body.

umā ramā brahmāṇī ādika, ārati kuñvari utāri
Uma (Parvati, wife of Lord Shankar), Rama (Mahalakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu) and Brahmani (wife of Lord Brahma) are performing the arati of the daughter of Keerti.

lakhata ‘kṛipālu’ gyānijana ikaṭaka, puni puni kahi balihāri
Says Shree ‘Kripalu’, “The gyanis (worshipers of impersonal, formless God) are looking at Radha Rani spellbound. Out of ecstasy, they repeatedly shout, ‘Balihaar’ (We sacrifice ourselves on this personal form of God that is the source of supreme divine bliss).”

Shree Maharajji sings and explains the divine appearance of Radha Rani.  

Watch the video with English Subtitles.