The Secret Doctrine of Goddess Lalita
(Sri LalitaAṣṭottara Rahasyārthamu)
She who has assumed the form of the guru.
How do we know that Devī descended into the world as the messenger of śiva? This nāma answers this question. Devī descends into the world in the form of a Guru. She is not visible to us in Her real form, since she is śakti (power/energy). śakti in Her pure form cannot be perceived. Therefore, She appears to us in the form of an ācārya, teacher of Self-Knowledge. There is no difference between Devī and an ācārya. This is the meaning of the verse guru sākṣāt parambrahma (guru is the Supreme Consciousness Itself).
The formless appears in the form of a guru to uplift seekers who sincerely strive for Self-Knowledge. As the seeker gains Self-Knowledge and establishes in It, Devī frees him or her from the bondage of saṃsāra. It is our duty to seek and serve such teachers. Only with their blessing and guidance, we can attain our goal. When our efforts bear fruit, it means Devī ’s effort has borne fruit.