There is no certificate to declare ‘this is an Avadhoota’ or ‘this is a Guru’. In fact, Lord Krishna is the only Guru. Those who have attained oneness with Krishna are Avadhootas. Another name of Avadhoota is Digambara. The colloquial meaning of this name is ‘one who is naked’. The real meaning is ‘one who pervades the entire universe’.

When the disciple qualifies to grasp the teachings of Guru, the teachings will come to him automatically. As long as the disciple harbours desires in his mind, he will not qualify to receive the teachings. We see many people asking, ‘Give me upadesha. Dispel my ignorance. I do not want anything else’. It must be borne in mind that even this desire should vanish! When the disciple comes to that level, a silent vow of Guru itself becomes the teaching.

(Bhaktimala Oct 1997)