Within the Kularnava Tantra, the guru–disciple relationship is presented as the very axis around which the entire tantric path turns. The guru is not treated as a mere instructor but is revered as a direct manifestation of Shiva, the supreme reality, so that honoring the guru is tantamount to honoring the deity. This identification of guru-tattva with Shiva-tattva makes reverence, devotion, and service to the guru central acts of worship. Disrespect or disregard toward the guru is portrayed as a serious spiritual error, because it amounts to a failure to recognize the divine presence that guides the path to realization.

The text insists that authentic tantric knowledge and realization cannot be attained through self-study or scripture alone; a qualified guru is indispensable. Entry into the path is sealed through initiation (dīkṣā), which is described as a kind of spiritual death and rebirth, in which the guru transmits not only teachings but also spiritual power (śakti). Mantras, rituals, and higher practices are said to become truly effective only when empowered by this transmission, and the guru’s grace is held to purify past karmas and open the way to liberation. In this sense, the guru functions as the living conduit through which the tradition’s transformative energy flows.

The Kularnava Tantra also sets forth clear qualifications for both guru and disciple, underscoring that this relationship is not casual but highly disciplined. A true guru is expected to be self-realized, firmly grounded in scripture and mantra, ethically steady, compassionate, and established in a legitimate lineage. Correspondingly, the disciple is expected to embody faith, devotion, sincerity, purity of intention, and a willingness to maintain secrecy regarding esoteric teachings. Complete surrender, unwavering trust, and faithful service to the guru are portrayed as powerful means of inner purification and receptivity to grace.

Finally, the guru is depicted as the indispensable guide who leads the disciple through the complexity of tantric ritual toward non-dual realization. While external rites and practices are carefully transmitted, their deeper meaning is revealed progressively, in accordance with the disciple’s maturity and readiness. The guru removes obstacles, clarifies the inner significance of practice, and gradually unveils the non-dual truth in which Shiva, guru, and disciple are recognized as one reality. In this way, the guru–disciple bond becomes both the method and the living symbol of the non-dual realization that the text upholds.