"Ritualistic dharma gurus are mounting a ladder in the sky without a support." -- Buddha

Ritualistic dharma gurus claim to show the way to a union that they themselves don’t know or have not experienced. Their task is worthless and so are their lectures and rituals. Irrational dharma gurus are like a string of blinds clinging to one another. They can foresee neither the past, present or future. Their interpretation of sufferings, life cycles, rebirths, rituals and Vedas are ridiculous. It's only a child's play with words (Gita 16:18-20).

One can’t alter the course or the shape of a river by mere prayers alone. One must physically cross the river to get to the other side. The same is true for the river of delusion. It is not possible for these gurus to unite with Brahman while they superficially interpret Vedic scriptures, offer frivolous prayers, and crave recognition. Their minds are usually full of malice, sloth, and arrogance. This causes friction among devotees and leads to the creation of various factions and religions. Even while preaching about spirituality, they don’t relinquish the temptations of the senses. They are fully entangled in the five obstacles of lust, malice, sloth, pride and vanity. Their wisdom is as appropriate as a desert without water, a wilderness without a trail, or a gloom without a hope.

True saints like Mirabai know the path that leads directly to a union with the Lord. She knew the Krishna’s world (11:54) by actually experiencing it herself. She confronted the universe with courage and captured its real attributes. She has proclaimed Truth both in this gross universe and in its eternal spirit. Her love is magnificent not only in its origin and progress but also in its consummation. She revealed higher life in its purity and perfection. She showed us a sure way to freedom from the five monstrous sense organs. She overcame them by infusing love from every perspective. Her love has been far reaching, ever flourishing and infinite. There is not a single creature she has ignored.

Mirabai is a true manifestation of Krishna's Gita, which we revere to follow through Abhyasayoga. From now on, be vigilant of dangers created by fake gurus and rigid rituals. Let us make a pledge to rigorously follow morality and ethics with pure thoughts and unselfish deeds (2:55).

A true follower of  the Gita doesn't depend on undependable things such as superstitious pretensions, austerities, rituals, sacrifices, charity for show, etc., but depends upon self-­surrender, humility and total eradication of attachment to worldly affairs and enjoys life in helping others to see the light. Such a person is free from all delusions even of religions, self-appointed gurus, gods, and their organizations, institutions and denominations. In a sense, all major religions are "cults" when they form an attachment for their beliefs while promoting an aversion for others.

 --Swami Radhanandaji