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The Guru and Sanaatanadharma go together. The aspirant, saadhaka, seeks the unification with the Divine with the aid and blessings of his Guru, who makes the ascent both possible and easy. The Guru, preceptor, is one, who out of love and compassion for his sishya, disciple, guides and leads him forward to attain moksha, liberation or salvation.

Guru Gita Part - 2

61. Agni shuddha samantat,
jvaalaa parichakaadhiyaa;
Mantra raajamimam manye,
aharnisham paatu mrityutah.

O Goddess! I hold that this king of mantras, ‘Guru’, being pure as (gold) refined in fire, and tested thoroughly from all the sides in the flames of reason, always protects one from death.

62. Tadejati tannaijati,
taddoore tatsameepake;
Tadantarasya sarvasya,
tadu sarvasya baahyatah.

He (the Guru) moves and moves not; he is far as well as near, inside as well as outside everything.

63. Ajo’hamajaro’ham cha,
anaadinidhanah svayam;
Avikaarasya chidaananda,
aneeyaan mahato mahaan.

(He realises): “I am unborn, ageless, without beginning or end, established in My own Self. I am unchangeable, embodying the bliss of Consciousness, an atom larger than the cosmos.”

64. Apoorvaanaam param nityam,
svayam jyotir niraamayam;
Virajam paramaaäkaasham,
dhruvam aanandamavyayam.

That tatwa or nature is beyond all primeval things, everlasting, selfluminous, taintless and completely pure; that is the supreme ether, immovable, blissful, imperishable.”

65. Shrutih pratyaksha maitihyam,
anumaanasha chatushtayam;
Yasya cha atmatapo veda,
deshikam cha sadaa smaret.

Always remember the Guru. His spiritual power can be discerned through the four sources of knowledge – the Vedas, direct perception, sacred historical tests, and inference.

66. Mananam yadbhavam karyam,
tadvadaami mahaamate;
Saadhutvam cha mayaa drishtvaa.
tvayi tishati saampratam.

O one with mighty reason, seeing that you are very receptive, I now tell you the theme on which one should always contemplate.

67. Akhanda mandalaakaram,
vyaaptam yena charaacharam;
Tatpadam darshitam yena,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru whose feet reveal the Supreme Being that pervades this indivisible (cosmic) sphere of animate and inanimate creation.

68. Sarva shruti shiroratna,
viraajita padaambujah
Vedaantaambuja sooryo yas,
tasmai shreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru whose lotus feet are bedecked with the crest-jewels of the Vedas (the Mahavakyas–the Grand Proclamations). He is the sun whose light opens up the lotus of Vedanta.

69. Yasya smarana maatrena,
jnaanam utpadyate svayam;
Ya eva sarva sampraaptis,
tasmai shreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru. By merely remembering him, one receives spontaneous knowledge. By attaining him, everything is attained.

70. Chaitanyam shasvatam saatam,
vyomaateetam niranjanam;
Naada bindu kalaateetam,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru, who is consciousness, peace and eternity. He transcends ether and is without stain. He is beyond nada (divine music), bindu (Blue Spot) and kala (visions).

71. Sthaavaram jangamam chaiva,
tathaa chaiva charaacharam;
Vyaptam yena jagat sarvam,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru. He prvades this entire universe, consisting of the movable and immovable, the animate and the inanimate.

72. Jnaana shakti samaaroodhas,
tattvamaalaa vibhooshitah;
Bhukti mukti pradaataa yah,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru who firmly rides the power of knowledge, who is adorned with the necklace of the thirty-six tatwas and who grants worldly fulfilment as well as salvation.

73. Aneka janma sampraapta,
sarva karma vidaahine;
Svaatma jnaana prabhaavena,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

Salutations to the Guru who, by the power of Self-knowledge, can burn up all the karmas acquired through countless lives.

74. Na guroradhikam tattvah,
na guroradhikam tapah;
Tattvam jnaanaatparam naasti,
tasmai seegurave namah.

There is no truth higher than the Guru, no austerity more purifying than serving him, no realisation greater than his tatwa. Salutations to the Guru who makes this realisation possible!

75. Mannaathah sreejagannaatho,
madgurus trijagadguruh;
Mamaataa sarva bhootaatmaa,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

My Lord is the Lord of the universe, my Guru, the teacher of the three worlds. My Self is the Self of all beings. Salutations to the Guru!

76. Dhyaana moolam guror moortih.
poojaa moolam guror padam;
Mantra moolamà guror vaakyam,
moksha moolam guror kripaa.

The root of meditation is the Guru’s form;
The root of worship is the Guru’s feet;
The root of mantra is the Guru’s word;
The root of liberation is the Guru’s Grace.

77. Gururaadir anaadischa,
guru parama daivatam;
Guroh parataram naasti,
tasmai sreegurave namah.

The Guru is without a beginning and without end. He is the supreme deity. There is nothing higher than the Guru. Salutations to the Guru!

78. Sapta saagara paryanta,
teertha snaanaadikam phalam;
Guror anghri payobindu,
sahasraamse na durlabham.

The merit (punya) gained through dips in all the holy waters of the seven seas fades when compared to that gained through sipping even a thousandth part of a drop of the water of the Guru’s feet.

79. Harau rushte gurushtraataa,
gurau ruste na kashcana;
Tasmaat sarva prayatnena,
sreegurum saranam vrajet.

If Shiva is angry, the Guru will protect you; but if the Guru is angry, no one can save you. Therefore, with all your efforts, seek refuge in him.

80. Gurureva jagatsarvam,
brahma vishnu shiivaatmakam;
Guroh parataram naasti,
Tasmaat sampoojayed gurum.

The Guru is, indeed, the whole universe. He comprises Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in Hihis Being. There is nothing higher than the Guru. Worship the Guru devotedly.

81. Jnaanam vijnaana sahitam,
labhyate gurubhaktitah;
Guroh parataram naasti,
dhyeyo’sau gurumaargibhih.

By devotion to the Guru, one obtains all knowledge and realisation. There is nothing higher or greater than the Guru. Therefore, the devotees of the Guru should meditate on him.

82. Yasmaat parataram naaasti,
neti neteeti vai srutih;
Manasaa vachasaa chaiva,
nityam aadhayed gurum.

Constantly serve the Guru with mind and speech. There is nothing greater than Him. The Vedas describe Him as ‘not this, not this.’

83. Guroh kripaa prasaadena,
brahma vishnu sadaashivaah;
Samarthaah prabhavaadau cha,
kevalam gurusevayaa.

Even Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva acquired their cosmic potencies by the Guru’s Grace. They attained all power only through service to the Guru.

84. Deva Kinnara gandharvaah,
pitaro yaksha chaaranaah;
Munayo’pi na jaananti,
guru shushrushane vidhim.

Gods, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, ancestral spirits, Yakshas, Charanas (beings of different order) and even sages do not know the proper manner and method of serving the Guru.

85. Mahaahankaara garvena,
tapo vidya balaanvitaah;
Samsaara kuharaavarte,
ghata yantre yathaa ghataah.

Even those with self-discipline, learning and strength continue to revolve on the wheel of the world like pots on a potter’s wheel, due to their ahankaara, inflated pride and conceit.

86. Na muktaa devagandharvaah,
pitaro yakshakinnaraah;
Rishyah sarva siddhaasch,
gurusevaa paraanmukhaah.

Even gods, Gandharvas, ancestral spirits, Yakshas, Kinnaras, seers and Siddhas cannot attain liberation if they neglect service to the Guru.

87. Dhyaanam shrunu mahaadevi,
sarvaananda pradaayakam;
Sarva saukhyakaram nityam,
bhukti mukti vidhaayakam.

O Supreme Goddess! Listen. Meditation on the Guru grants all joys, all pleasures, comforts and enjoyments and finally, salvation as well.

88. Shreemat parabrahma gurum smaraami,
Sreemat parabrahma gurum vadaami;
Sreemat parabrahma gurum namaami,
Sreemat parabrahma gurum bhajaami.

I remember my Guru who is Para Brahman
(the Transcendental Absolute);
I praise my Guru who is Para Brahman;
I bow to my Guru who is Para Brahman;
I serve my Guru who is Para Brahman.

89. Brahmaanandam paramasukhadam
kevala jnaana moortim,
dvamdvaateetam gaganasadrisam
tattvamasyaadilakshyam;
Ekam nityam vimalamachalam,
Sarva dheesaakshi bhootam,
bhaavaateetam trigunarahitam
sadgurum tam namaami.

I bow to the Sadguru, the embodiment of the bliss of the Absolute, the bestower of the highest joy. He is absolutely alone. He is knowledge personified. He is beyond duality, formless as the sky, the theme of the grand Vedantic proclamations such as ‘Thou art That!’ He is One, eternal, and free from impurities. He is immovable, the witness of the intellects of all creatures. He is beyond change and becoming, beyond the three basic qualities (gunas).

90. Nityam shuddham niraabhaasam,
niraakaaram niranïjanam;
Nityabodham chidaanandam,
gurum brahma namaamyaham.

I bow to the Guru who is Absolute, everlasting and pure. He is beyond perception, formless and without taint. He is ever-thinking, conscious and blissful.

91. Hridambuje karnika madhya samsthe,
simhaasane samsthita divyamoortim;
Dhyaayed gurum chandra kala prakaasham,
chit pustakaabheeshthavaram dadhaanam.

Meditate on the divine form of the Guru who is seated on the throne in the centre of the heart lotus, who shines like the moon, who bestows the desired boon and throws open the book of Consciousness.

92. Shvetaambaram shveta vilepa pushpam,
mukta vibhoosham vibhoosham muditam dvinetram;
Vaamaanka peetha sthita divyashaktim,
mandasmitam saandra kripaa nidhaanam.

The Guru is clad in white robes, anointed with white paste, bedecked with flowers and pearls. He radiates joy. The Divine Shakti is seated on the left thigh of this two-eyed God. His face is lit with a gentle smile. He is the ocean of Grace. Meditate on him.

93. Aanandamaananda karam prasannam,
jnaana svaroopam nijabodha yuktam;
Yogendra midyam bhava roga vaidyam,
Sreemadgurum nityamaham namaami.

I always bow to the worshipful Guru who is bliss incarnate, who bestows happiness, whose face is radiant with joy. His essential nature is knowledge. He is aware of his true Self. He is the adorable Lord of the yogis, the physician who cures the malady of worldliness.

94. Yasmin rishti sthiti dhvamsa,
nigrahaanugrahaatmakam;
Krityam panchavidham shasvad
bhaasate tam namaamyaham.

I bow to the Guru in whom shine all the five eternal cosmic processes – creation, sustenance, dissolution, control and award of grace.

95. Praatah shirasi shuklaabje,
dvinetram dvibhujam gurum;
Varaabhaya yutam shaantam,
smarettam naama poorvakam.

Remember the Guru and his name every morning. This two-eyed and two-armed peaceful God is seated in the white lotus inside the Sahasrara chakra, with the gesture of offering the boon of fearlessness.

96. Na guroradhikam na guroradhikam,
na guroradhikam na guroradhikam;
shivasanatanah shivasanatanah
shivasanatanah shivasanatanah.

There is nothing higher than the Guru. This is the word of Shiva.

97. Idameva shivam tvidameva shivam,
tvidameva shivam tvidameva shivam;
Mama shaasanato mama shaasanato,
mama shaasanato mama shaasanatah.

Service to the Guru alone is beneficial. This is My word.

98. Evam vidham gurum dhyaatvaa,
jnaanam utpadyate svayam;
Tat sadguru prasaadena,
mukto’hamiti bhaavayet.

By meditating on the Guru in this manner, one automatically gains knowledge. By the grace of the Sadguru, become realized: ‘I am liberated.’

99. Guru darshita maargena,
manah shuddhim tu kaarayet;
Anityam khandayet sarvam,
yat kinchidaatma gocharam.

Purify your mind by following the Guru’s path. Detach yourself from all transient things perceived by the mind and senses.

100. Jneyam sarva svaroopam cha,
jnaanam cha mana uchyate;
Jnaanam jneyasamam kuryaan,
naanyah panthaa dviteeyakah.

The essential goal of all is the object of knowledge while the mind is the subject. Realise the identity of the subject and the object. There is no other way to salvation.

101. Evam shrutvaa mahaadevi,
gurunindaam karoti yah;
Sa yaati narakam ghoram,
yaavachchandra divaakarau.

O Supreme Goddess! He, who speaks ill of the Guru in spite of hearing all this, falls into the most dreadful hell and rots there as long as the sun and the moon last.

102. Yaavat kalpaantako dehas,
taavadeva gurum smaret;
Gurulopo na kartavyah,
svacchando yadi vaa bhavet.

Continue to remember the Guru until the end of time, as long as the body lasts. Never disobey the Guru even on attaining spiritual freedom.

103. Hunkaarena na vaktavyam,
praajneh shisyaih kathachana;
Guroragre na vaktavyam,
asatyam cha kadaachana.

A discreet disciple should never speak discourteously or utter lies before the Guru.

104. Gurum tvam kritya hum kritya,
gurum nirjitya vaadatah;
Aranye nirjale deshe,
sa bhaved brahma raakshasah.

One who talks to the Guru rudely, argues irreverently and speaks in insulting terms, would be reborn as a demon in a waterless jungle.

105. Munibhih pannagairvaa’pi,
survairvaa shaapito yadi;
Kaala mrityu bhayaadvapi,
guru rakshati paarvati.

O Parvati! The Guru can offer protection from curses pronounced by sages, serpents, and gods and also from the fear of death.

106. Ashaktaa hi suraadyaasca,
ashaktaa munayas tathaa;
Gurushaapena te seeghram,
kshayam yaanti na sansayah.

Even gods and sages cannot save one who has been cursed by the Guru. Such a wretch undoubtedly perishes.

107. Mantra raajamidam devi,
gurur ityakshara dvayam;
Smriti vedaartha vaakyena,
gurum saakshaatparam padam.

O Goddess! Among the words of the Srutis and the Smritis, the two-syllabled ‘Guru’ is the mightierst mantra, which leads to the highest state.

108. Shruti smritee avijnaaya,
kevala gurusevakaah;
Te vai sannyaasinah proktaa,
itare veshadhaarinaah.

Though ignorant of scriptures, a faithful servant of the Guru is a true sannyasi, a monk. Others are mere pretenders, donning robes, which they do not deserve.

109. Nityam brahma niraakaaram,
nirgunam bodhayet param;
Sarvam brahma niraabhaasam,
deepo deepaataram yathaa.

Just as one lamp lights another, the Guru imparts to the disciple awareness of the Absolute Being who is eternal, imperceptible and without form or attribute.

110. Guroh kripaa prasaadena,
aatmaaraamam nireekshiyaat;
Anena gurumaargena,
svaatmajnaanam pravartate.

By the Guru’s Grace the disciple should meditate on the supreme. The path shown by the Guru leads to self-realisation.

111. Aabrahma stamba paryantam,
paramaatma svaroopakam;
Sthaavaram jangamamm chaiva,
pranamaami jaganmayam.

I bow to the Guru who encompasses the entire universe, who is the Supreme Being permeating all things and creatures, movable and immovable, from Brahma to a blade of grass.

112. Vandeham saccidaanandam,
bhedaateetam sadaa gurum;
Nityam poornam niraakaaram,
nirgunam svaatma samsthitam.

I always bow the Guru who is Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss; who transcends all distinctions, who is everlasting, perfect, without form or attributes; and who is rooted in his own Self.

113. Paraat parataram dhyeyam,
nityam ananda kaarakam;
Hridayaakaasha madhyastham,
shuddha sphatika sannibham.

The Guru is beyond all beyonds, the highest object of meditation. He is the eternal bestower of happiness. He resides in the centre of the heart – pure and bright as a crystal.

114. Sphatika pratimaa roopam,
drishyate darpane yathaa;
Tathaatmani chidaakaaram,
aanandam so hamityuta.

Just as an image of crystal shines in a mirror, similarly that which is consciousness and bliss, the true Self, shines in the buddhi.

115. Angushtha maatra purusham,
dhyaayatash chinmayam hridi;
Tatra sphurati bhaavo
yah, shrunu tam kathayaamyaham.

Now I shall speak to you of the inner state, which arises when one meditates on the thumb-sized, Conscious Being dwelling in the Heart.

116. Agocharam tathaa gamyam,
naama roopa vivarjitam;
Nihshabdam tadvijaaneeyaat,
svabhaavam brahma paarvati.

O Parvati! The Absolute is by nature impalpable, difficult to attain, beyond name, form and sound.You know this.

117. Yathaa gandham svabhaavena,
karpoora kusumaadishu;
sheetoshnaadi svabhaavena,
tathaa brahma cha shasvatam.

As fragrance is natural to flowers and camphor, cold and heat are natural phenomena. The Absolute is everlasting.

118. Svayam tathaavidho bhootva,
sthaatavyam yatra kutra chit;
Keeta bhramara vattatra,
dhyaanam bhavati tadrasam.

Attaining the condition of the Supreme, you may be anywhere. Just as a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly by constantly meditating on the latter, one should meditate on the Lord to become like Him.

119. Gurudhyaanam tathaa kritvaa,
svayam brahmamayo bhavet;
Pinde pade tathaa roope,
mukto’sau naatra samshayah.

A disciple himself becomes divine by meditating on the Guru. There is no doubt that one whose Kundalini is awake with his prana steady is liberated.

Paarvatyuvaaca:

120. Pindam kim tu mahaadeva,
padam kim samudaahratam;
Roopaateetam cha roopam kim
etadaakhyaahi shankara.

Parvati said:
O Great Lord, what is ‘pindam’ and how do you define ‘padam;’ what is ‘rupam’ and ‘ooupatitam?’ Tell this to me, O Shankara!

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