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Guru Stotram: Invocation of Guru’s Grace and and its Spiritual Benefits
| Sanskrit / Hindi | Translation | Meaning |
| गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुस्साक्षात्परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥१॥ |
Gurur-Brahmaa Gurur-Vishnuh Gurur-Devo Maheshvarah Guruh Saakshaat Param Brahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||1|| |
This verse praises the Guru by equating them with the divine. It says that the Guru is like Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Maheshvara (Shiva, the destroyer) – all rolled into one. The Guru is the direct embodiment of the ultimate reality (Param Brahma). The verse concludes with salutations to the revered Guru. |
| अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया। चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥२॥ |
Ajnaana-Timiraan-Dhasya Jnaanaanjana-Shalaakayaa Chakssur-Unmiilitam Yena Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||2|| |
This verse acknowledges the Guru’s role in dispelling the darkness of ignorance. The Guru is compared to the collyrium (anjana) that opens the eye of knowledge, which had been closed due to the darkness of ignorance. The verse expresses gratitude and pays respects to the Guru. |
| अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरं। तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥३॥ |
Akhandamandala-Aakaaram Vyaaptam Yena Caraacaram Tat-Padam Darshitam Yena Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||3|| |
Here, the Guru is extolled as the one who reveals the profound truth. The Guru is described as having a form that encompasses the entire universe (akhandamandala-aakaaram) and is present in all moving and non-moving beings. The Guru shows the path to that ultimate reality (tat-padam) – another reference to the Param Brahma. |
| अनेकजन्मसंप्राप्तकर्मबन्धविदाहिने । आत्मज्ञानप्रदानेन तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥४॥ |
Anekajannma-Sampraapta-Karma-Bandha-Vidaahine
Aatma-Jnaana-Pradaanena Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||4|| |
This verse highlights the Guru’s role in liberating individuals from the cycle of birth and death. The Guru’s teachings break the bonds of karma accumulated over countless lifetimes. The Guru imparts self-knowledge (aatma-jnaana) that leads to liberation. The verse concludes with salutations to the Guru. |
| मन्नाथः श्रीजगन्नाथो मद्गुरुः श्रीजगद्गुरुः। ममात्मासर्वभूतात्मा तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥५॥ |
Mannaathah Shri-Jagannaatho Mad-Guruh Shri-Jagad-Guruh Mama-Aatmaa-Sarva-Bhootaatmaa Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||5|| |
In this verse, the Guru is revered as the Lord of the universe (Jagannaatho) and as the personal Guru (Mad-Guruh) who guides all aspects of one’s life. The Guru is seen as the inner self (aatmaa) of all beings and is given heartfelt salutations. |
| बर्ह्मानन्दं परमसुखदं केवलं ज्ञानमूर्तिम्, द्वन्द्वातीतं गगनसदृशं तत्त्वमस्यादिलक्ष्यम्। एकं नित्यं विमलमचलं सर्वधीसाक्षिभूतं, भावातीतं त्रिगुणरहितं सद्गुरुं तं नमामि ॥६॥ |
Brahmaanandam Parama-Sukhadam Kevalam Jnaanamuurthim Dvandvaatiitam Gagana-Sadrisham Tattvamasyaadi-Lakssyam Ekam Nityam Vimlamacalam Sarvadii-Saaksshi-Bhuutam Bhaavaatiitam Triguṇa-Rahitam Sadgurum Tam Namaami ||6|| |
This final verse describes the Guru as the embodiment of supreme bliss (Brahmaanandam), ultimate joy (Parama Sukhadam), and pure knowledge (Jnaanamuurthim). The Guru is beyond dualities (Dvandvaatiitam) and is like the vast sky (Gagana-Sadrisham). The verse reflects the teaching of “Tattvamasi” (That thou art) from the Upanishads and pays homage to the Guru who is beyond all attributes and transcends the three gunas (triguṇa-rahita). |
Benefits of Guru Stotram:
- Guru’s Transcendent Essence: The stotram intricately delineates the Guru as a personification of celestial principles – Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara. Uttering these verses, one can forge a profound link with the sanctified core of the Guru, beckoning forth their benedictions.
- Dispersing the Veil of Unknowing: The stotram’s verses liken the Guru to an elixir that disperses the mist of unawareness from the inquirer’s intellect. Enunciating these verses can aid seekers in acquiring perspicacity, surmounting perplexity, and nurturing a more profound apprehension of spiritual verities.
- Guiding Light on the Path: The stotram accords recognition to the Guru’s counsel as a luminary presence along the expedition of spirituality. By enunciating these verses, individuals can conjure the Guru’s aura and solicit counsel in navigating the labyrinthine junctures and decisions of life.
- Unveiling the Ultimate Reality: The stotram accentuates the Guru’s prowess in unveiling the paramount reality, often alluded to as Param Brahma. Articulating these verses with unfeigned earnestness can enable seekers to harmonize themselves with the abstruse sagacity and truths bequeathed by the Guru.
- Emancipation from Karma: The stotram underscores the Guru’s function in rupturing the shackles of karma that enchain individuals to the cycle of rebirth and demise. Through contemplation of these verses, one can summon the Guru’s transmutative potency to emancipate them from bygone deeds and their reverberations.
Pretty nice post.