According to the teachings in Chapter 39, what is the role of a Guru in overcoming Maya and realizing the Self?

According to the wisdom shared in Chapter 39, the Guru's role is not to 'give' knowledge, but to help a disciple remove the veil of Ignorance, also known as Maya or Avidya. This beginningless Nescience is what creates the delusion of the material world's reality and the sense of separation between the devotee and God. The path to receiving the Guru's help involves prostration, questioning, and service, which are the means to gain the Guru’s grace. This grace is described as an 'ointment' for the eye that, when applied, causes the veil of Maya to vanish. The Guru's teaching is compared to a fire that burns away the 'dross' of ignorance, revealing the brilliant 'gold' of self-existent Knowledge within.