Sri gurubhyo namaha.
The Guru Ashtakam (Octad to the Guru) along with an english translation of the content. The first eight verses form the octet and the ninth verse is the Phalashruthi or the verse describing the merits of reading the Guru ashtakam.
The Guru Ashtakam is composed by the most revered Adi Shankaracharya himself and the english translation of the content is from an online source.
Sareeram suroopam thadha va kalathram,
Yasacharu chithram dhanam meru thulyam,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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, what
thence, what thence?
Kalathram Dhanam puthrapothradhi sarvam,
Gruham Bandhavam Sarvamethadhi jatham,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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?
Shadangadhi vedo Mukhe sasra vidhya ,
Kavithwadhi gadhyam , supadhyam karothi,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha kim. 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?
Videseshu manya, swadeseshu danya,
Sadachara vrutheshu matho na cha anya,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha kim. 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?
Kshma mandale bhoopa bhoopala vrundai,
Sada sevitham yasya padaravindam,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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?
Yaso me gatham bikshu dana prathapa,
Jagadwathu sarvam kare yah prasdath,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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 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?
Na Bhoge, na yoge, Na vaa vajirajou,
Na kantha sukhe naiva vitheshu chitham,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha kim. 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?
Aranye na vaa swasya gehe na karye,
Na dehe mano varthathemath vanarghye,
Manaschenna lagnam Gurorangri padme
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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 my mind be not
attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what
thence, what thence, what thence, what
thence?
Guror ashtakam ya padeth punya dehi,
Yathir bhoopathir , brahmacharee cha gehi,
Labeth vanchithartham padam brahma samgnam,
Guruor uktha vakye,mano yasya lagnam.
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.
Om tat sat.
An adventure set in the lofty heights (and dangerous depths)of Hindu thought. Insider tips? Relax, dissolve your preconcieved notions & get chanting.And by the way, dont believe all that you hear! A rudimentary knowledge of Sanskrit, Tamil and a fleeting accquaintance with the puranas and other such texts might come in handy. Wisdom takes courage.
3 comments:
Dear BABA,
When I was reading the 'Guru Ashtakam' today, I ran into a thought and wanted to discuss with you.
I felt that this mantra dwells in detail to discipline the one who is affluent in the society. I didn't feel there is any mention to the impoverished. Why is this ? What is the motive ?
With all reverence,
Ananda
Sri gurubhyo namaha.
@Ananda
Ananda, I dont really think that this ashtaka (octet)is meant to discipline the affluent. What it does is mention the various objects the human mind/psyche strives towards and collectively measures them against the merit/import of the Guru. On such measuring, the acharya finds that all else (a handsome body,affluence in society,the gift of poesy or the mastery of the vedas,fame, fortune, a beautiful wife and great sons,etc)are worth nothing if the mind does not dwell at the lotus feet of ones guru. It can be understood that all the fortune of obtaining a guru and holding steady and fast to his lotus feet is a much higher fortune than obtaining any of the other innumerable acchievements. It can also mean that, even one who has accheieved all the above mentioned qualifications (even such a highly fortunate and meritorious one)should still be at the lotus feet of his guru.
The last two verses focus on the fickle and insatiable nature of the mind (na bhoge na yoge....)and notes that if such a fickle mind be not attached to even the gurus feet (the best and the steadiest of anchors)then it is not worth commenting on (what thence?what thence?)
Finally the phala shruti (the verse describing the merits of reciting this ashtaka)declares that the one who recites this ashtaka - be he an ascetic (one without anything),king (one who has everything),house holder (one who is deep in the midst of the wheel of samsara) or a student (one who is a brahmachari), will obtain the final state of Brahman (when his/her mind in fixed and steady in the teachings of the guru). This if we note makes this ashtaka and the fixing of the mind on the lotus feet of the guru relevant for all the four ashramas or stages of life (viz. brahmacharya,grihasta,vanaprasta and sanyasa) and also to the four varnas (viz.brahmana,shatriya,vaishya,shudra).
Thus, having the good fortune to recieve the grace of a guru in ones life is a bigger fortune than obtaining all else put together. As you can be sure that the guru is the begenning and the end and he is verily the path in between - at the lotus feet of the guru and in his grace lies the doorway to salvation or the state of supreme Brahman. When even the ultimate state of Brahman hood is even realised through the grace of the guru, need we say anything about the smaller and transitory merits like a handsome body, good wife, fortune and fame etc?
It seems brilliant idea to me is
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