Spiritual Master Is Necessary - Prabhupada 0689

690401 - Conversation - San Francisco

So spiritual master is necessary and his direction is necessary. That is the system of disciplic succession. In the Bhagavad-gītā also, Arjuna is surrendering. He was Kṛṣṇa's friend. Why he surrendered himself, "I am Your disciple"? You see in the Bhagavad-gītā. He had no necessity. He was personal friend, talking, sitting, eating together. Still, he accepted Kṛṣṇa as spiritual master.

So that is the way. There is a system to understand. It is specifically mentioned, śiṣyas te 'ham: "I am Your disciple now." Śiṣyas te 'haṁ śādhi māṁ prapannam (BG 2.7)

"You kindly instruct me." And then He began teaching Bhagavad-gītā.