Eight Verses To Shri Guru

Shri Gurvashtakam
Eight Verses to Shri Guru
By Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakur
English Translation by Damodara Das (ACBSP 1967)

samsara dava nala lidha loka
tranaya karunya ghanaghana tvam
praptasya kalyana gunarnavasya
vande guroh shri charanaravidam

The forest fire of birth and death devours all the world.
But our defender is here, like a rain cloud of grace,
receiving benediction from the flood stream of goodness.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

mahaprabhoh kirtana nritya gita
vaditra madyan manaso rasena
roman cha kampashru taranga bhajo
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

Singing and dancing in Chaitanya’s kirtan,
making music, and thrilled in a mood of pure love,
he quivers, he weeps, his hairs stand on end.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

shri vigrahara dhana nitya nana
shringara tan mandira marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktamshcha niyunjato ‘pi
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

With ornaments and clothing he offers daily worship
to the Deities, and keeps their temple very clean.
Thus engaged, he gets devotees to join him.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

chatur vidha shri bhagavat prasada
svadvanna triptan hari bhakta sanghan
kritvaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

The four kinds of food that he offers to Krishna
give pleasure and bliss to all the devotees.
He derives satisfaction from their satisfaction.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

shri radhika madhavayor apara
madhurya lila guna rupa namnam
prati kshanasvadana lolupasya
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

The conjugal pastimes of Radha and Madhava
are unlimited, along with their traits, names, and forms.
He aspires to relish them at every single moment.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

nikunja yuno rati keli siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatra didakshyad ati vallabhasya
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

In everything the gopis arrange to perfection
in the garden grove affairs of spiritual desire,
his expert assistance makes him very dear to them.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

sakshad dharitvena samasta shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

The scriptures declare it, the saints all confirm it:
he and Hari share the same qualities.
He is the one who’s so dear to the Lord.
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.

yasya prasadad bhagavat prasada
yasya prasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas tri sandhyam
vande guroh shri charanaravindam

By his grace we’re granted the grace of Shri Bhagavan.
By his grace alone. There is no other way.
With deep thoughts, with praise, every morning, noon, and nighttime,
I prostrate myself at the guru’s lotus feet.