Gurorashtakam
A Hymn Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
Recited by Viju Kulkarni in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
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The Gurorashtakam, or “Eight Stanzas on the Guru,” are verses in the Sanskrit language attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (CE 788–820), one of India’s most well-known philosophers and poet-saints. Tradition holds that he traveled throughout India on foot, expounding the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, which teaches that the individual soul (atman) and the Supreme (Brahman) are one.
In the verses of the Gurorashtakam, Shankaracharya points out that neither beauty nor wealth nor fame, neither scriptural learning nor virtuous actions nor even yogic attainments are of any consequence if one’s mind is not steeped in devotion to the Guru.
Whenever I get to listen to the hymn Gurorashtakam, the verses take me back to a core memory which I will never forget. When I went to Gurudev Siddha Peeth for the very first time, it was during the month of July, which that year included the holiday of Gurupurnima—that very special day for honoring our Guru. And it was indeed a special day because I was in Gurudev Siddha Peeth itself, close to my Guru.
The team of yuvas (young people), guided by Viju Kulkarni, had the pleasure of singing Gurorashtakam on the day of Gurupurnima to honor our Guru, by dedicating the verses to Shri Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba.
I will always be deeply grateful for this most beautiful experience, which I gained through my Guru’s grace.
The team of yuvas (young people), guided by Viju Kulkarni, had the pleasure of singing Gurorashtakam on the day of Gurupurnima to honor our Guru, by dedicating the verses to Shri Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba.
I will always be deeply grateful for this most beautiful experience, which I gained through my Guru’s grace.
Vapi, India
Singing along with this beautiful hymn brings to mind times I sat at Gurumayi’s feet, among many other students, listening to her teachings, and chanting and meditating with her. The atmosphere was always suffused with so much light and love.
I also recall the sacred abhishek to the Guru’s feet performed by the Brahmin priests. And I reflect on the meaning of the “lotus feet of the Guru” in the hymn.
I understand it to be the “waterfall” from which the waters of grace flow: the place where the Guru is seated in the lotus of the sahasrar at the crown chakra and the sacred place where I offer my pranam to the Guru—with love, gratitude, and a refreshed intention to serve and to share my light and joy each day of my life.
I also recall the sacred abhishek to the Guru’s feet performed by the Brahmin priests. And I reflect on the meaning of the “lotus feet of the Guru” in the hymn.
I understand it to be the “waterfall” from which the waters of grace flow: the place where the Guru is seated in the lotus of the sahasrar at the crown chakra and the sacred place where I offer my pranam to the Guru—with love, gratitude, and a refreshed intention to serve and to share my light and joy each day of my life.
Oregon, United States
On Gurupurnima twenty-eight years ago, Gurumayi gave me my spiritual name. I had just come to offer long-term seva at Shree Muktananda Ashram. It was around this time I first heard the hymn Gurorashtakam. Over these decades I have experienced so much life, so much sadhana. Of all the teachings and all the scriptures, the essential teaching in this hymn rings out so loud and so true.
In the easy times and hard times, in periods where I felt blessed and periods where I felt deeply challenged, the Guru’s presence, the Guru’s teachings, and the Guru’s grace have been alchemical for me, and continue to be. As the hymn affirms, I don’t know what I would be without knowing that my mind can be “attached to the lotus feet of the Guru.” I offer a deep, grateful pranam to Gurumayi on this blessed Gurupurnima.
In the easy times and hard times, in periods where I felt blessed and periods where I felt deeply challenged, the Guru’s presence, the Guru’s teachings, and the Guru’s grace have been alchemical for me, and continue to be. As the hymn affirms, I don’t know what I would be without knowing that my mind can be “attached to the lotus feet of the Guru.” I offer a deep, grateful pranam to Gurumayi on this blessed Gurupurnima.
California, United States
Just as all the strings of a veena begin to vibrate when one string is played, so my heart, mind, and emotions all responded to this beautiful hymn. The question is: how can I attach my mind “to the lotus feet of the Guru”?
When I repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya or So’ham in meditation, I connect to the energy of my Guru. When I concentrate on the space between inhalation and exhalation, I experience oneness with my Guru. The more I practice focusing my mind on this sacred space, the more it expands until my mind melts into the love of my Guru. In this way, I can attach my mind “to the lotus feet of the Guru.”
When I repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya or So’ham in meditation, I connect to the energy of my Guru. When I concentrate on the space between inhalation and exhalation, I experience oneness with my Guru. The more I practice focusing my mind on this sacred space, the more it expands until my mind melts into the love of my Guru. In this way, I can attach my mind “to the lotus feet of the Guru.”
Konolfingen, Switzerland
Listening to the sincerity in Viju’s voice while I read the words of this hymn struck a chord of truth deep within in my own being. Each verse resonated with a powerful recognition of, and longing for, that Truth that Adi Shankaracharya extols. Again and again, waves of acknowledgment, yearning, and profound gratitude burst forth within my heart, exposing my own deep hunger to live in the light of this Truth, to be rooted in this knowledge as I go about my day, and to continuously meditate on the Guru’s lotus feet.
California, United States
As I sang this hymn with great focus on the meaning of the words, I experienced nonseparation, the dissolution of duality. Everything that felt separate in me disappeared. Only the experience of unity remained. Body, thoughts, even the sense of separation dissolved and were replaced by this awareness of unity, of being the Self. As the pain of separation disappeared, only peace—the deep peace of the Self—remained.
Sherbrooke, Canada
When I first learned about atoms, spontaneously the image came up for me that God is a huge being, and our galaxy, our solar system, our earth are only a tiny part of him. With this image in mind, I have also come to understand why the Guru’s feet are, as Adi Shankaracharya reminds us in this hymn, of the highest importance for humanity.
I see the Guru’s feet as the home of our vaster and subtler being, just as the earth is the home of our physical being. And just as I bond to and honor the earth as the foundation of my physical life, so I want to keep my mind “attached to the lotus feet of the Guru” as the foundation of my spiritual life. I want to remember that we all live in God, and are tiny, scintillating parts of God—parts that can choose to be supportive of the whole.
I see the Guru’s feet as the home of our vaster and subtler being, just as the earth is the home of our physical being. And just as I bond to and honor the earth as the foundation of my physical life, so I want to keep my mind “attached to the lotus feet of the Guru” as the foundation of my spiritual life. I want to remember that we all live in God, and are tiny, scintillating parts of God—parts that can choose to be supportive of the whole.
Hindelang, Germany
Ahhh, what a relief to see how the wisdom of Adi Shankaracharya freed my mind from the grip of the ego this morning. Feeling the freedom and generosity ingrained in the Truth allows me to go deeper and place my whole being at the lotus feet of my Guru.
Cologne, Germany
I am grateful for this hymn. In the midst of a health challenge and longing to connect to joy, I found that singing this hymn made my heart soar. I could feel the hymn lift me above the clouds of earthly existence into the realm of beauty and bliss.
Florida, United States
As I listen to the melodious strains of this beautiful hymn, I experience the rasa of the raga, and devotion, love, and contentment arise from my heart. The words of the refrain sum up how my heart feels: if my mind is not attached to the Guru’s feet, attached to the oneness that flows from devotion and knowledge, what have I got?
I am filled with gratitude for the Guru, her teachings, and the inner shakti that brings about the longing that fills me with joy and sweetness.
I am filled with gratitude for the Guru, her teachings, and the inner shakti that brings about the longing that fills me with joy and sweetness.
New Jersey, United States
What an exquisitely beautiful hymn, in such a sublime raga! Every time I sing it, my whole being is enveloped by love, contentment, and devotion to the Guru. It becomes so easy for my mind to be anchored on the lotus feet of the Guru!
California, United States
The Gurorashtakam is becoming my favorite hymn. When I read it for the first time, I felt very happy and content. I realize that over time my mind is attaching to the lotus feet of my Guru, to the state of oneness with my own Self, my own inner tranquility.
I have been reading these verses in the Marathi, English, and Sanskrit languages as a form of self-inquiry. I experience the serenity of my mind. I have also been remembering my Guru’s lotus feet and repeating the refrain to myself throughout my day—when walking, while in nature, while offering pranam at my puja, while bathing. As I practice these forms of remembrance, I am attaching my mind to the Guru’s lotus feet.
I have been reading these verses in the Marathi, English, and Sanskrit languages as a form of self-inquiry. I experience the serenity of my mind. I have also been remembering my Guru’s lotus feet and repeating the refrain to myself throughout my day—when walking, while in nature, while offering pranam at my puja, while bathing. As I practice these forms of remembrance, I am attaching my mind to the Guru’s lotus feet.
Pune, India