\engtitle{.. gurvaashhTakaM   ..}##
 \itxtitle{.. gurvaashhTakaM ..}##\endtitles 
#indian
janmaanekashataiH sadaadarayujaa bhaktyaa samaaraadhito
        bhaktairvaidikalakshaNena vidhinaa santushhTa IshaH svayam.h  .
saakshaat.h shrIgururuupmetya kR^ipayaa dR^iggocharaH san.h prabhuH
       tattvaM saadhu vibodhya taarayati taan.h saMsaaraduHkhaarNavaat.h ..
##
The Supreme Lord, moved by the devout and reverential homage of his
disciples in accord with scriptural prescriptions in countless former
births, incarnates out of compassion in the form of a Guru; he thereby comes
within the orbit of sight, freely transmits to them the wisdom concerning
Ultimate Reality, and enables them to cross over the ocean of sorrowful
samsara, the realm of conditioned existence.
##
shariiraM suruupaM tathaa vaa kalatraM
       yashashchaaru chitraM dhanaM merutulyam.h .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..1..
##
One's vesture may be superb, one's consort likewise, one's reputation
resplendent and renowned, and one's riches like unto Mount Meru; but if
one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what
then, what then?
##
kalatraM dhanaM putrapautraadi sarvaM
       gR^ihaM baandhavaaH sarvametaddhi jaatam.h .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..2..
##
Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such; home and kindred; the host of
all these things may be there; but if one's mind be not centred upon the
lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
##
shhaDaN^gaadivedo mukhe shastravidyaa
       kavitvaadi gadyaM supadyaM karoti .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..3..
##
The Vedas with their six limbs and the knowledge of all sciences may be
on one's lips; one may possess the poetic gift and may compose fine prose
and poetry; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the
Guru, what then, what then, what then?
##
videsheshhu maanyaH svadesheshhu dhanyaH
       sadaachaaravR^itteshhu matto na chaanyaH .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..4..
##
I am honoured in other lands and I am prosperous in my homeland; in the
paths of righteous conduct there is none who surpasses me; thus one may
think; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru,
what then, what then, what then?
##
kshamaamaNDale bhuupabhuupaalavR^indaiH
       sadaa sevitaM yasya paadaaravindam.h .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..5..
##
One may be constantly extolled and one's presence highly honoured by
hosts of emperors and rulers of this world; but if one's mind be not centred
upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?
##
yasho me gataM dikshu daanapretaapaa\-
       jjagadvastu sarvaM kare yatprasaadaat.h .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..6..
##
My repute has travelled in all directions through my philanthropy and
prowess; all the things of this world are in my hands as rewards for my
virtues; but if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru,
what then, what then, what then?
##
na bhoge na yoge na vaa vaajiraajau
       na kaantaamukhe naiva vitteshhu chittam.h .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..7..
##
Consciousness cannot be confined to enjoyment or to yoga, nor indeed to
multitudes of steeds, neither to the face of the beloved nor to riches; yet
if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then,
what then, what then?
##
araNye na vaa svasya gehe na kaarye
       na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye .
manashchenna lagnaM guroraN^ghripadme
       tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kiM tataH kim.h ..
##
My mind does not dwell upon the forest nor even upon my home, nor in what
is to be accomplished, not upon the body, nor upon what is auspicious; yet
if one's mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then,
what then, what then?
##
gurorashhTakaM yaH paThetpuNyadehI
       yatirbhuupatirbrahmachaarii cha gehii .
labhedvaaJNchhitaarthaM padaM brahmasaMGYaM
       guroruktavaakye mano yasya lagnam.h ..
##
Whoever, hallowed by holy merit, ponders the above octad extolling the
Guru, whose mind is centred upon the words of the Guru, whether such a
person be an ascetic, sovereign, student or householder, attains the desired
goal, the consummation of union with brahman.

\hrule

Original encoding by Sorin Suciu aka SeSe at sorins@hotmail.com
Proofread & corrected by Sunder Hattangadi (gourish@internet1.net)
Translation by Hermes from http://theosophy.org/tlodocs/devoguru.htm