Those who are endowed with Discrimination and Dispassion and who strive hard to attain Liberation really seek the Knowledge of Brahman, and the guidance of the Sadguru is indispensable for them. So it is very much essential for Sadhaka that he must know the meaning of the Guru-Tattva and he must follow the same. No one who is not devoted to the Sadguru can attain Knowledge of the Self, even though he may be an expert in Yoga or Tapasvi who can mortify his body with the hard penance or Karmakanda or an expert in Mantra-Tantra, Sastras, and sacrifices. The absence of egoism, together with all traces thereof, is the qualification for the Grace of the Master. The descent of knowledge of Brahman in a disciple indicates that he has achieved the Grace of the Master. All services are therefore only preparatory to Knowledge and Sadguru’s Grace. The whole technique of Guru-Seva lies in knowing the heart of the Sadguru and serving him in a way that pleases him. Actually, Service of Sadguru is very important, but also difficult. Moved by pride and egoism, everyone here engages himself in some work which is creative of bondage and caught helplessly in the wheel of birth and death, and goes on moving. One should worship that Sadguru in whom the five kinds of Grace are ever present ( Creation, Maintenance, Destruction, Punishment, and Blessings).
Sadguru Shri Avadhootanand Maharaj, Nisargadatta Ashram.