Sri Gurv-astaka

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I've found this somewhere on the web...

 

 

SRI GURV-ASTAKA

(by Sankaracarya)

 

1. One's body may be handsome, wife beautiful, fame, excellent and

varied, and wealth like unto Mount Meru; but if one's mind be not attached

to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what

thence?

 

2. Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons, etc., all these; home, relations -

the host of all these there may be; but if one's mind be not attached to the

lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

3. The Vedas with their six auxiliaries and knowledge of sciences may

be on one's lips; one may have the gift of poesy; and may compose good prose

and poetry; but if one's mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru,

what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

4. "In other lands I am honored; in my country I am fortunate; in the

ways of good conduct there is none that excels me" - thus one may think; but

if one's mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence,

what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

5. One's feet may be adored by constantly by hosts of emperors and

kings of the world; but if one's mind be not attached to the lotus feet of

the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

6. "My fame has spread in all quarters by virtue of generosity and

prowess; all the things of the world are in my hands as a reward of these

virtues"; but if one's mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru,

what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

7. Not in enjoyment, not in concentration, not in the multitudes of

horses; nor in the face of the beloved, nor in wealth does the mind dwell;

but if that mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence,

what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

8. Not in the forest, nor even in one's own house, nor in what is to be

accomplished, nor in the body, nor in what is invaluable does my mind dwell;

but if my mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence,

what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

9. That virtuous person who reads this octad on the Guru, and whose

mind is fixed on the sayings of the Guru - whether he be an ascetic, king

student, or householder - attains the desired goal, the state which is

called Brahman.