Prayers in Glorification of the Spiritual Master
(This is for
the spiritual master who is in the Vaishnava disciplic line from Lord Krishna)
"At the Yogapitha [birthplace of
Lord Caitanya, an incarnation of Lord Krishna] in Sri Mayapur in the spiritual
abode of Navadvipa, Lord Gaurasundar [Lord Caitanya] is sitting on a jeweled
throne. On His right is Lord Nityananda [incarnation of Lord Balarama, Krishna's
brother]; on His left is Sri Gadadhara [incarnation of Radharani]. In front with
folded hands are Sri Advaita [incarnation of Lord Vishnu] and Srivasa
[incarnation of NaradaMuni], who is holding an umbrella over Their heads. On a
jeweled platform below Lord Gauranga's, Srila Prabhupada is sitting."
tvam gopika vrisharaves tanayantike 'se
sevadhikarini guro nija-pada-padme
dasyam pradaya kuru mam vraja-kanane shri-
radhanghri-sevana-rase
sukhinim sukhabdhau
"O beloved spiritual master, you
are always in the presence of the cowherd girl Radha, the daughter of King
Vrishabhanu. Please award me service at your lotus-like feet, which are the
proprietors of devotional service. Please place me in the ocean of joy by
bestowing upon me happiness in the mellows of service at the feet of Sri Radha
in the groves of Vraja Dhama."
mukam karoti vachalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-kripa tam aham vande
shri-gurum
dina-taranam
"I offer my respectful
obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His
mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross
mountains."
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-shalakaya
chakshur unmilitam yena
tasmai shri-gurave
namaha
"I offer my respectful
obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded
by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge."
radha-sammukha-samsaktim
sakhi-sanga-nivasinim
tvam aham satatam vande
madhavashraya-vigraham
"O spiritual master, I
continually offer my obeisances unto you, who are always in the presence of
Srimate Radharani and very much devoted to Her. You always reside in the
association of Her confidantes, the gopis, and you are the abode of loving
devotion to Krishna."
nama-shreshtham manum api shachi-putram atra svarupam
rupam tasyagrajam uru-purim mathurim goshthavatim
radha-kundam giri-varam aho radhika-madhavasham
prapto yasya
prathita-kripaya shri-gurum tam nato 'smi
"I bow down to the beautiful
lotus feet of my spiritual master, by whose causeless mercy I have obtained the
supreme holy name, the divine mantra, the service of the son of Shachimata [Lord
Caitanya], the association of Shrila Svarupa Damodara, Rupa Gosvami, and his
older brother Sanatana Gosvami, the supreme abode of Mathura, the blissful abode
of Vrindavana, the divine Radha Kunda and Govardhana Hill, and the desire within
my heart for the loving service of Sri Radhika and Madhava [Krishna] in
Vrindavana."
he guro jnana-da dina-bandho
svananda-datah karunaika-sindho
vrindavanasina hitavatara
prasida
radha-pranaya-prachara
"O spiritual master, O giver of
divine wisdom, O friend of the fallen, you are the giver of your own bliss and
you are the only ocean of mercy. Although dwelling in Vrindavana, you have
descended for the welfare of fallen souls like myself and you are preaching the
divine love of Radha for Krishna. Please be kind upon me."
amsho bhagavato 'smy aham
sada daso 'smi sarvatha
tat-kripapakshako nityam
tat-preshthasat karomi
svam
"I am a tiny part and parcel of
the Supreme Lord and I am always and in every way His eternal servant. As I am
always hoping for His mercy and kindness, I offer myself to His most dear
servitor, my spiritual master."
vancha-kalpa-tarubhyash cha
kripa-sindhubhya eva cha
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo
namaha
"I offer my respectful
obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like
desire trees who can fulfill the desire of everyone. They are oceans of mercy
and are the purifiers of the fallen souls."
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Sri Sri Gurvashtaka
(Glories of the Spiritual Master, sung for early morning mangala arati,
by Srila Vishvanatha
Chakravarti Thakura)
(1)
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(2)
mahaprabhoh kirtana-nritya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(3)
shri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-
shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato 'pi
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(4)
chatur-vidha-shri-bhagavat-prasada-
svadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritvaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(5)
shri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(6)
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(7)
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh
shri-charanaravindam
(8)
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh shri-charanaravindam
(9)
srimad-guror ashtakam etad uccair
brahme muhurte pathati prayatnat
yas tena vrindavana-natha-sakshat-
sevaiva labhya janusha 'nta eva
Translation
(1) The spiritual master is receiving
benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest
fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted
world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my
respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an
ocean of auspicious qualities.
(2) Chanting the holy name, dancing
in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is
always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes
his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his
eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a
spiritual master.
(3) The spiritual master is always
engaged in the temple worship of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna. He also engages
his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and
ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I
offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(4) The spiritual master is always
offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked,
chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are
satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(5) The spiritual master is always
eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and
Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to
relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus
feet of such a spiritual master.
(6) The spiritual master is very
dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make
different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krishna's
conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrindavana. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(7) The spiritual master is to be
honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential
servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and
followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto the
lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Shri
Hari [Krishna].
(8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my a spiritual master.
(9) That person who very attentively recites this ashtakam to Sri Gurudeva
during the brahma muhurta is sure to achieve direct service to the lotus
feet of Sri Krishna, the very life and soul of Vrindavana (Vrindavana-natha),
upon attaining his vastu-siddhi, or pure spiritual form.
Sri Guru-vandana
(Sung during Guru-puja,
worship of the spiritual master, by Shrila Narottama dasa Thakura)
(1)
shri-guru-charana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma
bando mui savadhana mate
jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,
krishna-prapti hoy
jaha ha'te
(2)
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, chittete koriya aikya
ar na koriho mane asha
shri-guru-charane rati, ei se uttama-gati
je prasade pure sarva
asha
(3)
chakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jnan hride prokashito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasha jate
vede gay jahara
charito
(4)
shri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu
lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya
ebe jasha ghushuk
tribhavana
jaya jaya prabhupada!
jaya jaya gurudeva!
Translation
(1) The lotus feet of our spiritual
master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to
his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the
ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.
(2) My only wish is to have my
consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment
to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
(3) He opens my darkened eyes and
fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth.
From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic
scriptures sing of his character.
(4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. We take shelter of your lotus feet. You are the friend of the most fallen.
All glories to Srila
Prabhupada! All glories to Gurudeva!
[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]