Chapter-9, Verse 6

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 9.6

कृत्वा मूर्तिपरिज्ञानं चैतन्यस्य न किं गुरुः। निर्वेदसमतायुक्त्या यस्तारयति संसृतेः॥६॥

6. He who apprehends the True Nature of Pure Consciousness, by complete indifference to the world, by equanimity and by logical reasoning and thus saves himself from the round of birth and death - is he not really the spiritual guide ? 

The qualification of a great Teacher is not his great knowledge of Vaidika content. Knowledge of the scriptures (śrotriyatvam) is, no doubt, an added beauty in a spiritual Teacher. But the essential qualification for a Teacher is his own inner awakening, accomplished by the three means – of indifference, of equanimity and logical reasoning. 

According to Aṣṭāvakra, Brahmaniṣṭhatvam, the direct experience of the Self, is the most valid qualification for a Teacher. 

In the Guru Gītā we are advised: ‘Even to reject an incompetent and an ignorant Guru.’ (jñāna-hīno gurutyājyo mithyāvādi viḍaṁbakaḥ ~ Guru-gītā)

‘He who knows no peace himself, how can he bring peace into bosom of others.’ (sva-viśrāntiṁ na jānāti para-śāntiṁ karoti kim? ~ Guru-gītā - 101)