Guru Ashtakam

Adi Sankaracharya's
Guru Ashtakam
[The Octet to the teacher]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Sareeram suroopam thadha va kalathram,
Yasacharu chithram dhanam meru thulyam,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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 sasra vidhya ,
Kavithwadhi gadhyam , supadhyam karothi,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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 gatham bikshu dana prathapa,
Jagadwathu sarvam kare yah prasdath,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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 sukhe naiva vitheshu chitham,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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?

Anarghani rathnani mukthani samyak,
Samalingitha kamini yamineeshu,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha kim. 8

Even if you have priceless jewel collection,
Even if you have an embracing passionate wife,
If your mind does not bow at the Teacher’s feet,
What is the use? What is the use? And What is the use?

(Another version of Sloka no.8 :-
Aranye na vaa swasya gehe na karye,
Na dehe mano varthathemath vanarghye,
Gurorangri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thatha kim Thatha Kim, Thatha kim Thatha 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.