Guruvashtakam - Eight verses of devotion to ones Master

Adi Sankara wrote a number of Vedantic hymns for imparting knowledge of self and the supreme being.He also composed number of hymns to foster Gurubhakti.On this day of Guru Poornima, what would be better than to read the Guruvashtakam by Jagadguru Sri Adi Sankara.

ùarèram surupam tathá kalatram
yaùaùcáru citram dhanam merutulay
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (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, when thence, what thence?

kalatram dhanam putrapautrádi sarvam
grham bándhaváç sarvametaddhi yátam
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (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?

úaãañgádivedo mukhe ùástraivdyá
kavitvádi gradyam supadyam karoti
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (3)

The Vedas with their six auxiliaries and knowledge of sciences may be on the 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?

vidùeúu mányaç svadeùeúu dhanyaç
sadácáravrtteúu matto na cányaç
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (4)


`In other lands I am honoured; 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?

kúamámanãale bhüpabhüpálabøndaiç
sadá sevitam yasya pádáravindam
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (5)

One's feet may be adored 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?

yaùo me gatam dikúu dánaprata
jagadvastu sarvam kare yatprasádát
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (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 reward of theses virtues'; but if one's mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

na bhoge na yoge na vá vájiráau
na kántámukhe naiva vitteúu cittam
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (7)

Not in enjoyment not in concentration, not in the multitiudes 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?

araïye na vá svasya gehe na kárye
na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye
manaùcenna lagnam gurorañghripadme
tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim tataç kim (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 one's mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

gururaúûakam yaç patthet puïyadehi
yatirbhüpatirbrahmacárè ca gehè
labhedváòcitártham padam brahmasamjòam
gururuktavakye mano yasya lagnam.(9)

That virtuous person who reads this octad on the Guru, and whose mind is fixed on the savings of the Guru - whether he be an ascetic, king, student, or householder, attains the desired goal, the state which is called Brahman.

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