Sri Guru Devashtakam

Sri Guru Devashtakam
By
Sri Viswanatha Chakravarthi Thakura

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(Known also as Haricharan das, Takura belonged to the Guru lineage of Sri Chaithanya Maha Prabhu. This great prayer is addressed to his Guru. I became aware of it from a tamil translation of this prayer done by Sri Kannan of Navi Mumbai and published in MUkthi Priya August , 2011 issue. I have also used the translation given to this octet in
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/standard_hare_krishna_songs.htm)


1.Samsara davanala leeta loka thraanaya karunya ghanaghanathwam ,
Prapthasya , kalyani gunarnavasya Vande Guro , Sri Charanaravindham

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru,
Who saves people who are being burnt in the forest fire of Samasra,(domestic life)
Who is the rich cloud which showers mercy,
And who is the sea of endless auspicious qualities.

2.Maha prabho,keerthava , nruthya , githa vadhithra maadhyan manaso rasena.
Romancha kampasru tharangabhajo, Vande Guro Sri Charanaravindham.

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru,
Who sings songs of the great Lord* while dancing and playing musical instruments,
While his mind is full of the nectar of love towards him,
Making his hairs stand erect , his body shiver and his tears flow like waves.
*Refers to Sage Chaithanya Maha Prabhu/Lord Krishna

3.Sri Vigraharadhana nithya naanaa srungara thanmandhira marjannadhi,
Yukthasya bhakthamscha niyymjathopi, Vandhe Guro Sri Charanaravindham.

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru who is engaged in worship of God’s idol,
Though several devotees have been appointed,
For various decorative works washing and cleaning the temple .

4.Chathurvida Sri bhagawat prasda, swadannathrupthaan hari bhaktha sanghaan,
Kruthyaiva thrupthi bhajatha sadaiva, Vandhe Guro Sri Charanaravindham

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru, who used to get satisfied ,
By offering to the God four types of offerings(That which can be chewed, sucked, licked and drunk)
And see the crowds of devotees taking these offerings and getting satisfied.

5.Sri Radhika madhavayor apara madhurya leelaa guna roopa naamnaam,
Pratheekshan aswadhana lolulupasya, Vandhe Guro Sri Charanaravindham

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru, who was interested in enjoying,
The very great sweet plays of Krishna and Radha ,
Their auspicious forms as well as their divine names.

6.Nikujjayoono rathi keli sidhayai yaayalibhir yukthir apekshaneeya,
Thathraathi dakshayadhathi vallabhasya ,Vandhe Guro Sri Charanaravindham

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru, because he was an expert ,
In assisting the friends of Radha and Krishna in making arrangements,
For their enjoyable love play .

7.Sakshaad harithwena samastha sasthrair rukthasthadha bhavyatha yeva sadabhi,
Kinthu prabhorya Priya yeva thasya, Vandhe Guro Sri Charanaravindham

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru, Who is considered equal to Hari,
By all Sasthras , which is agreed upon by greatly good people,
But he himself only thinks that he is one dear to the Lord.

8.Yasya prasadath bhagawath prasado , yasya aprasadaan na gathi kuthopi,
Dhyayamsthvam thasya yasas thri sanadhayam, Vandhe Guro Sri Charanaravindham

I salute the lotus like feet of the Guru, Whose joy is the joy of the God,
And whose displeasure shuts off all further path,
And who Sould be meditated three times at dawn, noon and dusk.

9.Srimadh gurorashtakam yethad uchai brahme muhoorthe padathi prayathnaath
Yasthena vrundavana nadha sakshaath sevaiva labhyaajanushonthi yeva.

Effort of reading loudly this octet addressed to the Guru, in very early morning,
Would lead devotes at the end of their lives, to become servants of the real Lord of Brindavan.