In our this Vedic way of life, to accept guru is essential. Even big, big ācārya . . . even Kṛṣṇa, He accepted guru, Sandipani Muni. Lord Caitanya accepted guru, Īśvara Purī. They are perfect, but still, the ways They are showing because They are ācārya. Kṛṣṇa is teaching, taking the part of the ācārya, so He is also accepting, although the fact is as soon as went to, within a few days He learned everything. That is stated in our Kṛṣṇa book. Within a few days He became expert warrior, expert magician, expert yogī, every . . . so many things, all arts. But He learned from a guru. He is perfect Himself, Kṛṣṇa. He is called Yogeśvara. He knows all the yoga process, but still, in order to teach us, because He is playing the part of a teacher, He shows us that you must learn from guru: "I am learning from guru."
So any science, you cannot learn it automatically by yourself. No. That is not. Then we shall create so many mental speculators, so many things. That will be not a science. Even all scientists, they accept a formula from an authority, "Law of gravitation." They accept it. Then their physical, so many things they discover. But accept one formula. Just like this formula is given by Sir Isaac Newton. So they accept guru.
So from all practical point of view, the things which are unknown to us, we have to accept a guru. For things unknown to us. Now, there is another verse: parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ (SB 5.5.5). Abodha-jātaḥ. We are all born ignorant. Is it not? What do you think? Are you not born fools? Is it not?
Guest (2): Jñānena . . . (indistinct) . . . not . . .
Prabhupāda: No, no. I mean to say, take our present position. You were born, I am born, he is born, everyone. Are we not born foolish? What do you think?
Haṁsadūta: The only sense is cry . . .
Prabhupāda: So many ways we do not know. There is some trouble, I am crying, child is crying, and the mother knows that, "He is suffering. Give . . ." seeking the help of the mother. Then we are going to school. The father is training, mother is training. Are you not born foolish? In the Bhāgavata says, abodha-jātaḥ: "born foolish." Everyone is born rascal. So if he does not take help from the authorities, how he can make progress? You have become lawyer by sitting at home?
Guest (2): No, no. I take tests for many time. I look at books and I take test for one year, twelve, fourteen hours.
Prabhupāda: That is the process. So how can you deny to understand the supreme science—you can do it independently? No, that is not possible. Therefore it is the verb, the form, gacchet. It is called vidhiliṅ. You know Sanskrit? Yes. This form of verb is . . . perhaps you also know: gacchet, kuryāt, gadyat. These are vidhilin. Vidhiliṅ means that is compulsory. Is it not?
Devotee: Yes.
Prabhupāda: He knows Sanskrit very well. Compulsory. Therefore it is said gacchet, compulsory. Tad-vijñānārtham . . . tat, the transcendental knowledge; vijñāna, that is science. Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum eva niścayate (MU 1.2.12). Eva is niścayate. Eva means "certainly." And again gacchet, "must go." Now, just like to be educated one must be admitted in a school. Must be. Now, what kind of school he has to select, that is another thing, but he must. That's a fact. Similarly, you have to accept a guru.
Now, whom you will accept a guru, that is another thing. But you have to do it. That is the injunction of all śāstras. Vedic process is like that. This upanayana, the sacred thread, upanayana. Upa means near, and nayanam means bringing. Anayanam, coming or going, like that, nayanam. So "to go near the spiritual master," upanayana.