Spiritual life begins by guru-susrusah, [SB 7.7.30] by serving guru.” [Rupa] Gosvami said, adau gurvasrayam: “The first beginning is to take shelter of the bona fide spiritual master.” Sad-dharma-prccha: [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.74] “Then inquire from him about the spiritual path.” Sadhu-marganugamanam: “Follow the previous acaryas.” These are the steps. Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna said, sisyas te ‘ham sadhi mam: “Now I become Your disciple. Teach me.” And these rascals are more than Arjuna — “There is no need of guru.” Huh? He says, sisyas te ‘ham [Bg 2.7]. Why? He was already friend. Why he should submit himself as disciple? That is the beginning of spiritual life.

Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk – December 10, 1975, Vrndavana