श्री गुरु अष्टकम | Sri Guruvastakam | Verse 1 to 4 | Part 1 | Amarendra Dāsa
Guru Ashtakam - Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura says, "One who, with great care and alteration, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death."
Gurvashtakam has eight prayers to the Guru that offer obeisances unto him and describe his wonderful qualities and activities.
Here are the Eight Prayers to the Guru composed by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura who says, “One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krishna, the Lord of Vrindavana, at the time of his death.”
Text 1
samsara-davanala-lidha-lokatranaya
karunya-ghanaghanatvam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
संसारदावानललीढलोक-
त्राणाय कारुण्यघनाघनत्वम्
प्राप्तस्य कल्याणगुणार्णवस्य
वन्दे गुरोः श्रीचरणारविन्दम्
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.
Text 2
mahaprabhoh kirtana-nritya-gitavaditra-
madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
महाप्रभोः कीर्तननृत्यगीत-
वादित्रमद्यन्मनसो रसेन
रोमाञ्चकम्पाश्रुतरङ्गभाजो
वन्दे गुरोः श्रीचरणारविन्दम्
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 bodily hairs stand 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.
Text 3
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nanashringara-
tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktams cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
श्रीविग्रहाराधननित्यनाना-
शृङ्गारतन्मन्दिरमार्जनादौ
युक्तस्य भक्तांश्च नियुञ्जतोऽपि
वन्दे गुरोः श्रीचरणारविन्दम्
The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri 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.
Text 4
chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasadasvadv-
anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritvaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
चतुर्विधश्रीभगवत्प्रसाद-
स्वाद्वन्नतृप्तान्हरिभक्तसङ्घान्
कृत्वैव तृप्तिं भजतः सदैव
वन्दे गुरोः श्रीचरणारविन्दम्
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.