"Without a Teacher..." - Vichar Sagar

ਵੇਦ ਉਦਧਿ ਬਿਨ ਗੁਰੁ ਲਖੈ ਲਾਗੈ ਲੌਨ ਸਮਾਨ ॥ ਬਾਦਰ ਗੁਰ ਮੁਖ ਦ੍ਵਾਰ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਅਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਨ ॥

The ocean of the Vedas, seems like salt water to one who studies without a teacher. [The same, when received as rain] from clouds that are the teacher’s words, is sweeter than nectar.

ਵਿਚਾਰ ਸਾਗਰ, ਕ੍ਰਿਤ: ਪੰਡਿਤ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਦਾਸ ਜੀ, ਤੀਸਰੀ ਤਰੰਗ

Vichar Sagar, author: Niścal Dās, Third Chapter

The Vichar Sagar by Niscal Das [1791-1863] is a monumentally influential Vedanta text, where even today it is present within the curriculum of Nirmala, Udasi and Taksal teaching circles.