DEVOTION TO THE GURUGurvashtakam
The Supreme Lord, moved by the devout and reverential homage of his disciples in accord with scriptural prescriptions in countless former births, incarnates out of compassion in the form of a Guru; he thereby comes within the orbit of sight, freely transmits to them the wisdom concerning Ultimate Reality, and enables them to cross over the ocean of sorrowful samsara, the realm of conditioned existence.
1. One's vesture may be superb, one's consort likewise, one's reputation resplendent and renowned, and one's riches like unto Mount Meru; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
2. Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such; home and kindred; the host of all these things may be there; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
3. The Vedas with their six limbs and the knowledge of all sciences may be on one's lips; one may possess the poetic gift and may compose fine prose and poetry; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
4. I am honoured in other lands and I am prosperous in my homeland; in the paths of righteous conduct there is none who surpasses me; thus one may think; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
5. One may be constantly extolled and one's presence highly honoured by hosts of emperors and rulers of this world; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
6. My repute has travelled in all directions through my philanthropy and prowess; all the things of this world are in my hands as rewards for my virtues; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
7. Consciousness cannot be confined to enjoyment or to yoga, nor indeed to multitudes of steeds, neither to the face of the beloved nor to riches; yet if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
8. My mind does not dwell upon the forest nor even upon my home, nor in what is to be accomplished, not upon the body, nor upon what is auspicious; yet if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
9. Whoever, hallowed by holy merit, ponders the above octad extolling the Guru, whose mind is centred upon the words of the Guru, whether such a person be an ascetic, sovereign, student or householder, attains the desired goal, the consummation of union with brahman.
Rendition by Punarvasu Hermes, December 1988 |