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ज्ञानशक्तिसमारूढ तत्त्वमाला विभूषितः ।
भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदाता  च  तस्मै  श्रीगुरवे  नमः ।।

jñāna śakti samārūdha tattva mālā vibhūsitaḥ
bhukti mukti pradātāca tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ

Salutations to my guru who has the power of knowledge, wears a garland of spiritual truth, and bestower of material pleasure and liberation.

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Let us expound the above verse:

A true Guru is not merely knowledgeable but firmly established (samārūḍha) in wisdom. Theoretical understanding alone is insufficient—knowledge must be embodied, lived, and wielded with transformative power (jñāna śakti). Only then can the Guru guide the student beyond intellectual comprehension to an inner realization that reshapes their life.

The essence of all true knowledge is the understanding of ultimate reality (tattva). The Guru, adorned (vibhūsitaḥ) with the garland (mālā) of this fundamental truth, does not merely convey concepts but radiates experiential wisdom. Like a flower’s fragrance revealing its presence without effort, the Guru’s knowledge permeates the seeker’s mind effortlessly.

The Guru illuminates the path for the disciple—not just toward spiritual liberation (mukti) but also toward material well-being (bhukti). These two are not opposing forces but complementary steps in a natural progression. A prosperous life, when rightly guided, fosters stability, making the pursuit of freedom a logical and effortless transition. A skilled Guru ensures that bhukti becomes a stepping stone rather than a distraction, directing the seeker toward mukti with wisdom and discernment.

I offer my salutations to such a Guru—one who bestows both worldly fulfillment and transcendental liberation, patiently leading the student toward the highest truth.