Answer
A guru is definitely necessary for spiritual life. However, one cannot simply accept anybody and everybody as a guru. There must be proper discrimination and understanding.
The scriptures, as well as Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, clearly explain the qualifications of a genuine guru and how one should properly choose. Although there may appear to be many choices, one should not become confused by accepting many different authorities indiscriminately.
You cannot simply select anyone according to sentiment or convenience, nor should you keep too many spiritual authorities in a way that creates confusion in your understanding.
The proper understanding is that Srila Prabhupada is the diksha-guru and shiksha-guru for guiding one’s spiritual life and Krishna consciousness. In this sense, he is everything for one’s spiritual advancement. One should clearly understand this point.
Of course, this does not mean that for every material subject you approach Srila Prabhupada directly. For example, if you want to learn mathematics, you approach a mathematics teacher. In school there is a designated teacher for that subject, and you learn accordingly.
Similarly, different people may help in practical matters, but as far as spiritual life and transcendental knowledge of Krishna consciousness are concerned, Srila Prabhupada is the guru and primary authority. This understanding should remain clear and fixed
