Guru - Hymn in Eight Stanzas

Mani Rao translating Guru-aṣtakam attributed to Śankara, from the Sanskrit

Translator's Note

click here for the Sanskrit text

My body’s shapely so’s my Mrs’
And my fame, pretty as a pic.
I’ve got cash—Mt. Meru heaps
               But if mind’s not at Guru’s feet
It’s futile futile futile futile

 

Wife ‘n wealth, kids and grandkids
I have a house, ‘n relatives
               But if mind’s not at home at Guru’s feet
All futile futile futile futile

 

Veda ‘n vedanga I know inside out
Out come the śāstras when I open my mouth
I do poetry I’m a pro in prosody
               If mind’s not studious at Guru’s feet
Futile futile futile futile

 

Internationally respected nationally celebrated
In proper behavior there’s no one but moi
               If mind’s not true at Guru’s feet
Futile futile futile futile

 

On the world-stage King-Emperor mobs
keep kissing my feet
               If mind’s not simple at Guru’s feet
Futile futile futile futile

 

Thanks to my charity my fame’s gone far
Thanks to my blessedness all worldly things are near
               If mind’s not anchored at Guru’s feet
Futile futile futile futile

 

I’ve no thought for pleasures treasures
Love-treats yogic-feats
               But if mind’s unfocused at Guru’s feet
Futile futile futile futile

 

Both home and wilderness I’m disinterested
In job, life and precious things
               But if mind’s insincere at Guru’s feet
Futile futile futile futile

 

Student or householder, ascetic or king, whoever studies the Guru-hymn gets an A+. If mind’s insincere at Guru’s feet, futile futile futile futile.

Mani Rao is the author of seven books of poetry and a translation of the Bhagavad Gita. www.manirao.com has links to her publications.

Śankara is an Indian philosopher who may have lived in the 8th CE. He consolidated the doctrine of advaita-vedānta (or non-dualistic philosophy), wrote commentaries on the Upaniṣads, Brahmasūtras and the Gita, and is credited with the authorship of many devotional hymns.