Homage to the Guru

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.. gurvashhTakaM ..

 

janmaanekashataiH sadaadarayujaa bhaktyaa samaaraadhito

bhaktairvaidikalakshaNena vidhinaa santushhTa IshaH svayam.h .

saakshaat.h shrIgururuupametya kR^ipayaa dR^iggocharaH san.h prabhuH

tattvaM saadhu vibodhya taarayati taan.h saMsaaraduHkhaarNavaat.h ..

 

The Supreme Lord, moved by the devout and reverential homage of his

disciples in accord with scriptural prescriptions in countless former

births, incarnates out of compassion in the form of a Guru; he thereby

comes within the orbit of sight, freely transmits to them the wisdom

concerning Ultimate Reality, and enables them to cross over the ocean

of sorrowful samsara, the realm of conditioned existence.

 

shariiraM suruupaM tathaa vaa kalatraM

yashashchaaru chitraM dhanaM merutulyam.h .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 1..

 

One's vesture may be superb, one's consort likewise, one's reputation

resplendent and renowned, and one's riches like unto Mount Meru; but

if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what

then, what then, what then?

 

kalatraM dhanaM putrapautraadi sarvaM

gR^ihaM baandhavaaH sarvametaddhi jaatam.h .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 2..

 

Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such; home and kindred; the host

of all these things may be there; but if one's mind be not centred

upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

shhaDaN^gaadivedo mukhe shaastravidyaa

kavitvaadi gadyaM supadyaM karoti .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 3..

 

The Vedas with their six limbs and the knowledge of all sciences may

be on one's lips; one may possess the poetic gift and may compose fine

prose and poetry; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet

of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

videsheshhu maanyaH svadesheshhu dhanyaH

sadaachaaravR^itteshhu matto na chaanyaH .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 4..

 

I am honoured in other lands and I am prosperous in my homeland; in

the paths of righteous conduct there is none who surpasses me; thus

one may think; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of

the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

kshamaamaNDale bhuupabhuupaalabR^indaiH

sadaa sevitaM yasya paadaaravindam.h .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 5..

 

One may be constantly extolled and one's presence highly honoured by

hosts of emperors and rulers of this world; but if one's mind be not

centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

yasho me gataM dikshu daanaprataapaa\-

jjagadvastu sarvaM kare yatprasaadaat.h .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 6..

 

My repute has travelled in all directions through my philanthropy and

prowess; all the things of this world are in my hands as rewards for

my virtues; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of

the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

na bhoge na yoge na vaa vaajiraajau

na kaantaamukhe naiva vitteshhu chittam.h .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 7..

 

Consciousness cannot be confined to enjoyment or to yoga, nor indeed

to multitudes of steeds, neither to the face of the beloved nor to

riches; yet if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the

Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

araNye na vaa svasya gehe na kaarye

na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye .

manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme

tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h .. 8..

 

My mind does not dwell upon the forest nor even upon my home, nor in

what is to be accomplished, not upon the body, nor upon what is

auspicious; yet if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of

the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

 

gurorashhTakaM yaH paThetpuNyadehI

yatirbhuupatirbrahmachaarii cha gehii .

labhedvaaJNchhitaarthaM padaM brahmasaMGYaM

guroruktavaakye mano yasya lagnam.h ..

 

Whoever, hallowed by holy merit, ponders the above octad extolling the

Guru, whose mind is centred upon the words of the Guru, whether such a

person be an ascetic, sovereign, student or householder, attains the

desired goal, the consummation of union with brahman.

 

http://sanskrit.gde.to/doc_deities_misc/gurvashtakam.itx