5.1 What Is The Need Of A Teacher?

First we have to examine the need of a teacher in Vedanta. A teacher is required in gaining any knowledge. But for the knowledge of brahman, there is no other way. Take an example. I have a friend from childhood. We have not met for years, but have corresponded via mail. I went to his house, but he did not recognize me. I don't tell my name and behave in a familiar manner with him, He is surprised with this. As soon as someone told him my name, he immediately hugged me. Now consider this. I was in front of him all this time. But it is one thing to be in front of the eyes, and it is another thing to recognize what is in front of your eyes.
 
Our self, which is brahman, is not out of sight (paroksha). It is not anywhere far from us. It is there with us all the time, while sleeping-waking sitting-standing. It is ever available. There is no possibility of its separation. But we are unable to recognize this ever available self. If we would have been able to recognize it while being established in it, then it would have happened in sleep or in samaadhi. We are unable to recognize it even though it is near, so we need someone who can reveal it to us. So long as someone does not tell us that "you are that brahman", we will not have knowledge of it.
 
The Ishvara who is out of sight can be attained through worship. You can sit and be one with him for a while. Through practice, you can attain samaadhi. By achieving your goals you can attain objects, or you can go to heaven. But none of these can get your the self. It will not happen even by learning the scriptures. Here, that which is searching is what is being searched. "Aapan khel aapahi dekhe". Therefore, without someone to reveal it, the immediate knowledge of the self cannot happen. The shrutis of the Chhandogya make it clear:
 
"He who has attained it from the teacher only knows it" (6.14.2)
 
"Science learned from the sages is prized" (4.9.3)
 
The self cannot be attained through discourses, memory, repeated listening or self-study. You need a teacher for this. In this manner, approaching the teacher is a requisite in Vedanta.