Within Śāktism, the guru is regarded as an indispensable mediator of the Divine Mother’s power, functioning as a living channel of Śakti and a concrete embodiment of her grace and wisdom. The guru is not merely an instructor of doctrine, but is often revered as a manifest form of the Goddess herself, a living example of the Śakti path. Through this reverential relationship, the disciple encounters the Divine Mother in a tangible, relational mode, which prepares the ground for deeper realization. The guru’s presence thus becomes a sacred bridge between human limitation and the boundless power of the Goddess.

A central function of the guru is initiation (dīkṣā), through which the disciple is formally introduced into Śākta practice and lineage. Mantras, yantras, mudrās, and complex tantric rituals are not self-devised but are transmitted by the guru, who “awakens” the mantra and links the disciple to a living sampradāya. This transmission includes shaktipāt, the bestowal or awakening of divine power, and is tailored to the disciple’s particular disposition and spiritual potential. In this way, the guru safeguards the integrity of practice, ensuring correct pronunciation, visualization, and understanding of the inner meaning of worship directed to the Divine Mother.

Because Śāktism often emphasizes kuṇḍalinī and other powerful tantric processes, the guru also serves as guide, protector, and interpreter of inner experience. The awakening and ascent of kuṇḍalinī-śakti can be transformative and intense, and the guru helps the disciple navigate its stages, avoid imbalance, and integrate experiences in a wholesome manner. Ethical and behavioral disciplines are set by the guru to prevent misuse of these potent methods and to protect the disciple from spiritual or psychological harm. In this protective role, the guru also assists in the purification of obstacles that might impede genuine progress.

Beyond ritual and discipline, the guru is the one who reveals the deeper, nondual vision at the heart of Śāktism. Through teaching and example, the guru interprets Śākta scriptures and philosophy, making their subtle meanings accessible to the disciple. Over time, the devotee is led from a dualistic stance—worshipping the Divine Mother as an external deity—to the recognition that guru, disciple, and Goddess are expressions of one consciousness, Cit-Śakti. The guru thus guides the movement from external devotion to the realization of inherent divinity and union with the Divine Mother as the ultimate reality.