This morning we had the idea that it would be nice for us and for you all to recite every day a special prayer in which Sri Adi Shankarakaria is telling about the importance of the Guru ant attaching our mind to his Lotusfeet:
Guru Ashtakam
SHAREERAM SUROOPAM THATHA VAA KALATRAM
YASASCHARU CHITRAM DHANAM MERU TULYAM
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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 the Guru? Really of what use is all this, what use, what use?
KALATRAM DHANAM PUTRA POUTRAADI SARVAM
GRUHAM BHAANDAVAA SARVA METTADHI JAATAM
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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 what use, of what use, of what use indeed?
SHADANGAADHI VEDO MUKHE SHASTRA VIDHYAA
KAVITVA AADHI GADHYAM, SUPADHYAM KAROTI
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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?
VIDHESESHU MAANYAHA, SWADHESESHU DHANYAHA
SADHAACHAARA VRUTTESHU MATTO NA CHA ANYAHA
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM
I am honoured 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?
KSHAMAA MANDALE BHUPA BHUPAALA BRINDIHI
SADA SEVITAM YASYA PAADAARAVINDAM
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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 realised?
YASHO ME GATTAM DHIKSHU DHAANA PRATAAPAATH
JAGADVASTU SARVAM KARE YATPRASAADAATH
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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 within my easy reach? For, the virtue and quality that count ultimately is only one’s unflinching loyalty and devotion towards the Guru whose blessings are the ultimate factor for realisation of Truth by a devoted seeker.
NA BHOGE, NA YOGHE, NA VAA VAAJIRAAJAA,
NA KAANTAA MUKHE NAIVA VITTESHU CHITTAM
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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 absorbed 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 VAA SVASYA GEHE NA KAARYE
NA DEHE MANO VARTATE ME TVANARGYE
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH 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?
Phalasruti (Result of reading):
GURORASHTAKAM YAH PATETU PUNYADEHEE
YATIR BHUPATIR BHRAHMACHAARI CHA GEHI
LABHED VAANCITAARTHAM PADAM BRAHMA SANJNAM
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME
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.