गोविन्द भाष्य (श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण - अचिन्त्यभेदाभेद वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

"One who approaches a bona fide spiritual master can understand everything
about spiritual realization."*
In the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad (1.2.12) it is said:
tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet
"To learn the transcendental subject matter, one must approach a spiritual
master."*
Saṁśaya (doubt): is the result obtained merely by hearing the scriptures from
the spiritual master, or must that hearing be accompanied by the attainment of the
spiritual master's mercy?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): The result is obtained merely by hearing the
scriptures. Why would one need to attain the spiritual master's mercy?
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives
His conclusion.
Sūtra 44
pradāna-vad eva tad uktam
pradāna—gift; vat—like; eva—indeed; tat—that; uktam—said.
It is like a gift. That is said.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
When the spiritual master is pleased with a person that person is able to hear
the scriptures and follow the path of spiritual advancement. In this way one attains
the Lord. By merely hearing the scriptures and following the spiritual path one will
not be able to attain the Lord. Therefore it is said that the spiritual master's mercy
is essential. The prefix "pra" in this sūtra hints at the word "prasāda" (mercy). The
lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself explains in the Bhagavad-gītā
(13.8);
ācāryopāsanaṁ śaucam