According to Chapter 18, what is the multifaceted role of the Guru in a person's life?

Chapter 18 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra presents the Guru in a supreme and multifaceted role, essential to every aspect of a devotee's life. The text explicitly states that the Guru is the mother, the father, and even the protector when God is angry, highlighting the Guru's unparalleled importance. Furthermore, the Guru is described as the director of worldly activities and the guide for spiritual pursuits like pilgrimages and penance. As Chapter 18 elaborates, the Guru is also the teacher of righteousness and detachment and the spokesperson for the sacred Vedas and Shrutis. Ultimately, the Guru is portrayed as God manifest—Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara.