Guru Ashtakam - Adi Shankacharya. With explanations.

Guru Ashtakam was written by Adi Shankaracharya. It explains us the need for Sad Guru and that we need to attach our mind to the Guru's Lotus Feet. Complete surrender to Guru is the path to spiritual gain, that's the message this ashtakam (Octet) tells all. Explanations to each shloka is also given.

Guru Ashtakam can be understood as an introspection by a person who has achieved all that he can achieve of worldly matters and has reached the understanding that the absence of devotion to the lotus feet of Guru makes all else worthless. To such a sincere seeker, the Guru appears, in the final shloka, with reassuring calm and serenity, with benedictions promised for earnest effort.

Shareeram suroopam thadha va kalathram,
Yasacharu chithram dhanam meru thulyam,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padme
Tatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 1

Even if you have a pretty mien, a beautiful wife,
Great fame and mountain like money,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Kalathram Dhanam puthrapothradhi sarvam,
Gruham Bandhavam Sarvamethadhi jatham,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padme
Tatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 2

Even if you have a wife, wealth, children grand children.
House , relations and are born in a great family,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Shadangadhi vedo Mukhe sashtra vidhya ,
Kavithwadhi gadhyam , supadhyam karothi,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padmeTatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 3

Even if you are an expert in six angas and the four Vedas,
And an expert in writing good prose and poems,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Videseshu manya, swadeseshu danya,
Sadachara vrutheshu matho na cha anya,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padmeTatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 4

Even if you are considered great abroad, rich in your own place,
And greatly regarded in virtues and life,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Kshma mandale bhoopa bhoopala vrundai,
Sada sevitham yasya padaravindam,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padmeTatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 5

Even if you are a king of a great region,
And is served by kings and great kings,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Yaso me ga tham bikshu dana prathapa,
Jagadwathu sarvam kare yat prasdath,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padmeTatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 6

Even if your fame has spread all over,
And the entire world is with you because of charity and fame,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Na Bhoge, na yoge, Na vaa vajirajou,
Na kantha mukhe naiva vitheshu chitham,
manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padmeTatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 7

Even if you do not concentrate your mind,
On passion, Yoga, fire sacrifice,
Or in the pleasure from the wife
Or in the affairs of wealth,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

Aranye na vaa swasya gehe na karye,
Na dehe mano varthathemath vanarghye,manaschenna lagnam, Gurorangri padme,Tatat kim Tatat Kim, Tatat kim Tatat kim. 8

Even if your mind stays away in the forest,
Or in the house, Or In duties or in great thoughts
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use? )

Phalasruthi:
Guror ashtakam ya padeth punya dehi,
Yathir bhoopathir , brahmacharee cha gehi,
Labeth vanchithartham padam brahma samgnam,
Guruor uktha vakye,mano yasya lagnam

Result of reading:
That blessed one who reads this octet to the teacher,
Be he a saint, king, bachelor or householder
If his mind gets attached to the words of the teacher,
He would get the great gift of attainment of Brahman