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!
 

 

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