Song2 of Guru Gita: Guru-Ashtakam

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Song 2 (track 2) of Guru Gita, rendtion of Adi Sankara's "Guru-Ashtakam"

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SarIram surUpam tathA vA kalatram yaSaScAru citram dhanam merutulyam |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

Body is handsome, wife is attractive, fame spread far and wide, wealth enormous

and stable like mount Meru; but of what consequence are all these, if the mind

is not riveted in devotion to the lotus feet of Guru? Really of what use is all

this, what use, what use?

 

kalatram dhanam putrapoutrAdi sarvam gruham bAndhavA: sarvametaddhi jAtam |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

Wife, wealth, son, grandson, and the like, house, relations, even if all these

are there fate is certain, of what consequence is one's life if his mind is not

devoted to the feet of Guru? Ascertain, what use is any possession, person or

object? Of whatuse, of what use, of what use indeed?

 

shaDangAdivedo mukhe SastravidyA kavitcAdi gadyam supadyam karoti |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

All the vedas are mastered and ever present on the lips; likewise, knowledge of

all the sciences is well gained. The ability to write prose or verse is also

present. Even then, of what ultimate benefit is all this, if one's mind does not

devoutly rest on the feet of Guru? by whose grace along can one's soul be

liberated? Of what use, of what use, of what use indeed?

 

videSeshu manya: svadeSeshu dhanya: sadAcAravrutteshu matto na cAnya: |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

I am honored well even in far off places, held in high esteem in my own

locality; in good conduct and noble deeds there is no one to excel me. If one

has occasion to think like this, of what avail is it if the mind is not steeped

in devotion and humility towards the feet of the Guru from whom alone can flow

wisdom and immortality?

 

kshamAmaNDale bhUpabhUpAlabrundai: sadA sevitam yasya pAdAravindam |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

Your feet may be worshipped constantly even by the great kings and emperors of

the world for reason of your greatness and scholarship; but of what real

consequence is that if the mind is not graced by the blessing of unflinching

devotion to the Guru, by whose loving 'touch' alone can redemption and peace be

realized?

 

yaSo me gatam diskhu dAnaptratApAt jagadvastu sarvam kare yatprasAdAt |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

Of what avail if one has enough merits to think my fame has already spread in

several places due to my unique generosity and a result, all things of the world

stand wihtin my easy reach? For, the virtue and quality that count ultimately is

only one's unflinching loyalty and devotion towards the Guru whose blessigns are

the ultimate factor for realization of Truth by a devoted seeker.

 

na bhoge na yoge na vA vAjirAjau na kAntAmukhe naiva vitteshu cittam |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

The mind may have turned away from external delights through dispassion and from

attainments like Yogic concentration, possessions like horses and the like, the

enchanting face of the beloved, in short, the entire wealth of the earth; yet it

will be of no real merit if the mind is not absorved in piety and devotion to

the feet of Guru. Bereft of this devotion, of what benefit is anything, of what

benefit, of what benefit?

 

araNye na vA svasya gehe na kArye na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

The mind may have lost its charm to live in forests, and likewise in the house;

may have lost all desire to achieve whatever; even the concern for the body's

welfare may have been outlived; the most invaluable treasure of the world may

not hold any allurement. Even then, of what avail are all these if the supreme

devotion to the Guru is not held by the aspirant? Determine, of what use? of

what use?

 

anarghyANi ratnAni muktAni samyak samAlingatA kAminI yaminIshu |

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim tata: kim ||

 

Even if I find in my possession precious stones or pearls and well decorated and

dressed lovable bride, yet if my mind is not absorved in devotion to the lotus

feet of the Guru, of what use is any other possession?

 

gurorashTakam ya: paThetpuNyadehI yatirbhUpatirbrahmacArI ca gehI |

labhedvAnchiArtham padam brahmasamnjnam, guroruktavAkye mano yasya lagnam,

guroruktavAkye mano yasya lagnam... labhedvAnchiArtham padam brahmasamnjnam,

padam brahmasamnjnam ||

 

Whoever reads, studies and recites this Ashtaka on Guru and remains devoted and

attentive to the sayings of the Guru, he, no matter if he is a holy person,

ascetic, king, neophyte, or householder, attains his coveted object, namely the

supreme abode of Brahman, the unassailable seat of immortality.

 

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Guru madhye stitham Vishvam.

Vishva madhye stitho Guruhu.

 

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Guruve Buddhi Saakshine.

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Shivaya Gurave Namaha.

Aum Shantih Shantih Shantih.

Jaya Guru Datta. Sri Guru Datta.