Sri Sabha

Category: Guru Stotram

  • Guru Stotram – 4

    –

    स्थावरं जङ्गमं व्याप्तं यत्किञ्चित्सचराचरम् ।
    तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ४॥

    Sthāvaraṃ jaṇgamaṃ vyāptaṃ yatkiñcitsacarācaram
    tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śri gurave nama: 

    Salutations to my guru who showed me ‘That’ which pervades all moving, non-moving, sentient and insentient.

    —-

    Let us expound the meaning of the above verse:

    This is more on the same lines as we have seen in Stotram – 1;

    The immovable (sthāvara) and the movable (jaṅgama) are all aspects of existence which is pervaded by the ultimate reality. We saw earlier how the entire existence is pervaded on a macro and micro cosmic scale. The awareness permeates (vyāptaṃ) everything and is still untouched and beyond everything. This means that the ultimate reality is omnipresent.

    Not that the existence alone is pervaded but that anything and everything (yat kiñcit) whether sentient (cara) or non-sentient (acara) is also pervaded by the same reality. This highlights how there is one fabric that weaves the whole existence together. Everything that we see is infused with one ultimate reality.

    My salutations goes to the guru who taught me about that reality (tat padaṃ)

  • Guru Stotram – 3

    —

    गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
    गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ३॥

    Gururbrahmā gurur viṣṇu gurur devo maheśvara:
    gururevaparaṃ brahma tasmai śri gurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who is Brahma (knowledge creator), Vishnu (knowledge sustainer) and Shiva (ignorance destroyer), is indeed the supreme Brahman. 

    —

    Let us try to expound the meaning of the above verse:

    The cycle of creation, maintenance, and dissolution is a fundamental reality, manifesting in everything we observe. These three processes, which govern the fabric of existence, are traditionally represented by the divine powers of the Trimurti: Brahma (creation), Vishnu (maintenance), and Maheshvara, or Shiva (dissolution). Whether we speak of the life cycle of sentient beings or the existence of non-sentient things, all entities are subject to these phases. They come into being, sustain themselves, and, when the moment for transformation arises, they dissolve—only to give rise to new forms.

    This eternal rhythm of existence reflects the dynamic and ever-unfolding nature of reality. The Guru, by their boundless wisdom, reveals a truth far beyond this: that the Self, the ultimate awareness, transcends creation, sustenance, and dissolution. It is the unchanging substratum upon which these cycles of transformation play out.

    Salutations to that Guru, who, through their teachings, unveils the oneness of all—showing that he, I, all beings, and even the deities themselves are but facets of the same indivisible awareness. To that Guru, who embodies the essence of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshvara, and transcends these roles as para brahman, and who leads us to the realization of the Self, I bow with reverence (tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ).

  • Guru Stotram – 2

    —

    अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया ।
    चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ २॥


    ajñānatimirāndhasya jñānāñjanaśalākayā
    cakṣurunmilitaṃ yena tasmai śrigurave nama: 

    Salutations to my guru who opened my eyes that was blinded (cataract) due to ignorance with a needle of knowledge.

    —

    Let us try to expound the meaning of the above verse:

    When one is immersed in the dream world, everything within it feels entirely real. Upon waking, one realizes that it was merely a dream—an illusion, a fleeting trick of the mind, without any true bearing on reality. Yet, in the moment, while dreaming, it all seemed vividly real. This phenomenon mirrors our waking life, where māyā crafts an illusory narrative that veils the true nature of the Self. This ignorance (ajñāna) leaves us ensnared and suffering, unable to recognize our inherent divinity.

    Through the āvaraṇa śakti of māyā, our true effulgent nature is obscured, much like cataract-induced blindness (timirā andha). Perplexed and entangled in confusion, we forget who we truly are. Simultaneously, māyā’s vikshepa śakti projects this illusory world, binding us to the cycle of samsāra.

    In ancient times, cataracts were removed using a sharp needle (śalāka), skillfully wielded to restore physical vision. Similarly, the Guru, with great care and precision, removes the “cataract” (timirā andha) of ignorance (ajñāna) by applying the “ointment of knowledge” (jñānāñjana) to open the inner eye of wisdom (cakṣurunmilitaṃ). This act of grace reveals the ultimate truth—the eternal, indivisible Self.

    To that Guru, who performs this divine operation of awakening, I offer my deepest salutations (tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ).

  • Guru Stotram – 1

    —

    अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
    तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १॥

    akhaṇḍamaṇḍalākāraṃ vyāptaṃ yena carācaram
    tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who taught me about ‘That’ which has the form of the entire cosmos, moving and non-moving things alike.

    —-

    Let us try to expound the meaning of the above verse:

    The Self is referred to in the scriptures as ‘That’. We know Brahman encompasses everything and is beyond everything. When everything is included, it automatically means entire cosmos, which obviously includes moving and non-moving things. 

    Talking things in the macro scale, everything moves – planets move, stars move, galaxies move, the universe itself keeps expanding, Most things that we consider stationery are only from relative view point. Irrespective of what they are, Self encompasses everything and is also beyond it. When the Self has permeated the macrocosm, it has indeed pervaded the microcosm too. 

    Fundamental building blocks of the entire cosmos (akhandamandala) are the same that we see in the microcosm level, for instance with living beings. Everything is made up of atoms and different elements. Elements heavier than hydrogen and helium were forged into the stars, and when they died in supernovae, the elements spread through and eventually became parts of planets and the microcosm then comes from those every elements. Living beings are formed from the ‘star dust’. Furthermore, both living beings and cosmos (micro and macrocosms) require energy to function and exist. Both need forces like gravity, electro magnetism, nuclear force etc.

    This underlying cosmic oneness, pervasiveness (being the very fabric of existence; vyapta), both dynamic (chara) and static (achara) transcending duality – changeless absolute reality but also the cause of all changes is none other than the Self.

    To the guru who taught me that ‘That’ is verily the entire cosmos, my salutations.

  • Guru Stotram

    Guru (गुरु) consists arises from the element/root (dhaatu) gr̩ (गृ).

    The meaning of this element is:

    to know;
    to sound;
    to speak;
    to praise;

    This signifies that guru is a person who knows and imparts knowledge.

    Philosophically speaking, guru can be said to be formed from two syllables – gu & ru

    gu can be interpreted as darkness and ru can b e interpreted as remover. So, guru is a person who knows the subject of knowledge and speaks to the student to remove the darkness that is veiling the knowledge from the mind of the student.

    Gurus role in knowledge gathering cannot be overstated. It is extremely important to have a guru who is well qualified and knows the right knowledge. Guru must also have the capability to impart such knowledge to a willing student. Students come in varieties, and a guru with perfect qualities will find ease in handling the students such that they are steered towards realisation of Self. A guru serves as a guide, helping the seeker navigate the subtleties of non-dualistic philosophy and unravel the layers of ignorance that veils the truth. Through direct instruction, lived example, and tailored teachings, the guru imparts knowledge of the ultimate reality. They clarify intricate texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, ensuring that the seeker doesn’t misinterpret their profound meanings. Most importantly, the guru ignites and nurtures the seeker’s inner vision, cultivating a state where the individual can come to singularity.

    With the above in mind, let us chant the following shloka:

    नारायण समारम्भाम् व्यस शन्कर मध्यमाम् अस्मदाचार्यपर्यन्ताम् वन्दे गुरुपरम्पराम् ।

    Narayana Samaarambhaam Vyasa Shankara Madyamaam Asmad Aachaarya Paryanthaam Vande Guruparamparaam.

    Salutations to this lineage (paramparaa) that started with (Saguna Ishwara in the form of) Narayana. Then in-between came the rishi Vyasa and Shankara up until my guru.

    Let us chant the following verses from Guru Stotram:

    अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
    तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १॥

    akhaṇḍamaṇḍalākāraṃ vyāptaṃ yena carācaram
    tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who taught me about ‘That’ which has the form of the entire cosmos, moving and non-moving things alike.

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.


    अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया ।
    चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ २॥


    ajñānatimirāndhasya jñānāñjanaśalākayā
    cakṣurunmilitaṃ yena tasmai śrigurave nama: 

    Salutations to my guru who opened my eyes that was blinded (cataract) due to ignorance with a needle of knowledge.

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.


    गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
    गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ३॥

    Gururbrahmā gurur viṣṇu gurur devo maheśvara:
    gururevaparaṃ brahma tasmai śri gurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who is Brahma (knowledge creator), Vishnu (knowledge sustainer) and Shiva (ignorance destroyer), is indeed the supreme Brahman. 

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    स्थावरं जङ्गमं व्याप्तं यत्किञ्चित्सचराचरम् ।
    तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ४॥

    Sthāvaraṃ jaṇgamaṃ vyāptaṃ yatkiñcitsacarācaram
    tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śri gurave nama: 

    Salutations to my guru who showed me ‘That’ which pervades all moving, non-moving, sentient and insentient.

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    चिन्मयं व्यापि यत्सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ।
    तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ५॥

    cinmayaṃ vyāpi yatsarvaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram
    tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrigurave nama: 

    Salutations to my guru who taught me ‘That’ which is ‘Pure Consciousness’ that pervades all three worlds (bhu, svarga, patala – representing all 14 bhuvanas), along with sentient and insentient. 

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    सर्वश्रुतिशिरोरत्नविराजितपदाम्बुजः ।
    वेदान्ताम्बुजसूर्यो यः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ६॥

    Sarvaśrutiśiroratnavirājitapadāmbuja
    vedāntāmbujasuryo ya: tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru whose lotus feet are made illustrious by all the precious stone of the Shrutis (upanishads) and who is like sun to the Updanishad lotuses (I.e. Guru shines like Sun to make the upanishads reveal their glory in the minds of the students). 

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    चैतन्यश्शाश्वतश्शान्तः व्योमातीतो निरञ्जनः ।
    बिन्दुनादकलातीतः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ७॥

    caitanya śāśvata śānto vyomātito nirañjana:
    bindunādakalātita: tasmai śrigurave nama: 

    Salutations to my guru who is pure consciousness, eternal, peaceful, beyond space, name and forms (gross, subtle and causal).

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    ज्ञानशक्तिसमारूढः तत्त्वमालाविभूषितः ।
    भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदाता च तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ८॥

    jñānaśaktisamāruḍha tattvamālāvibhuṣita:
    bhuktimuktipradātā ca tasmai śrigurave nama:

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

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.


    अनेकजन्मसम्प्राप्तकर्मबन्धविदाहिने ।
    आत्मज्ञानप्रदानेन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ९॥

    anekajanmasamprāptakarmabandhavidāhine
    ātmajñānapradānena tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who bestows knowledge of the Self, which destroys the binding due to karma accumulated from innumerable births.

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    शोषणं भवसिन्धोश्च ज्ञापनं सारसम्पदः ।
    गुरोः पादोदकं सम्यक् तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १०॥

    śoṣaṇaṃ bhavasindhośca jñāpanaṃ sārasampada:
    Guroh pādodakaṃ samyak tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru, whose water from feet (spiritual knowledge) can dry out the ocean of samsara and teaches the essence of all wealth (Truth)

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    न गुरोरधिकं तत्त्वं न गुरोरधिकं तपः ।
    तत्त्वज्ञानात् परं नास्ति तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ११॥

    na guroradhikaṃ tattvaṃ na guroradhikaṃ tapa:
    tattvajñānāt paraṃ nāsti tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru, from whose teaching there is no greater Truth, there is no greater austerity, there is nothing superior to the guru’s teaching of ‘That’.

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    मन्नाथः श्रीजगन्नाथः मद्गुरुः श्रीजगद्गुरुः ।
    मदात्मा सर्वभूतात्मा तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १२॥

    mannātha śrijagannātha: madguru: śri jagadguru:
    madātmā sarvabhutātmā tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who is the Supreme Lord, who is the also the teacher of the world, who taught me that my Self is the Self of all beings.

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    गुरुरादिरनादिश्च गुरुः परमदैवतम् ।
    गुरोः परतरं नास्ति तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १३॥

    Gururādiranādiśca guru: paramadaivatam
    guro: parataraṃ nāsti tasmai śrigurave nama:

    Salutations to my guru who is the cause but is causeless, who is the Supreme Being, and to whom there is no superior being.

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव । त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव
    त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव । त्वमेव सर्वं मम देवदेव ॥ १४॥

    tvameva mātā ca pitā tvameva
    tvameva bandhuśca sakhā tvameva
    tvameva vidyā draviṇaṃ tvameva
    tvameva sarvaṃ mama devadeva 

    You are my mother, you are my father, you are my relative, you are my friend, you are my wealth, you are my everything, your are my God of all Gods.

    Click here to explore the deeper meaning.

    परम्परा ध्यानम्

    नारायण समारम्भाम् व्यस शन्कर मध्यमाम् अस्मदाचार्यपर्यन्ताम् वन्दे गुरुपरम्पराम् ।

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