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    Sri Sri Gurvastakam

    Morning prayer to the spiritual master (also known as Mangal Aarti) — Glories of the Spiritual Master by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

    Sanskrit Verses

    Verse 1

    saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka- trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 2

    mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta- vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena romāñca -kampāśru-tarańga-bhājo vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 3

    śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā- śṛńgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau yuktasya bhaktāḿś ca niyuñjato 'pi vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 4

    catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda- svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-sańghān kṛtvaiva tṛptiḿ bhajataḥ sadaiva vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 5

    śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra- mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 6

    nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 7

    sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Verse 8

    yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

    Translation

    1) 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.

    2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sańkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands 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.

    3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Srī Srī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. 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.

    4) The spiritual master is always offering Kṛṣṇa 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-prasāda, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

    5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Rādhikā and Mādhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

    6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopīs, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vṛndāvana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

    7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Srī Hari [Kṛṣṇa].

    8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.

    Spiritual Significance

    Sri Sri Gurvashtakam is the very first prayer sung at brahma-muhurta in every ISKCON temple. Its eight verses describe the bona-fide spiritual master who is most dear to Krishna, more merciful than the Lord Himself, and the only doorway to pure bhakti.

    Scriptural Source & Tradition

    Composed by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura, the great Gaudiya acharya whose commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam are unparalleled. Established as the standard Mangal Arati prayer for Gaudiya temples.

    Commentary from the Acharyas

    Srila Prabhupada personally instituted the daily singing of this prayer at Mangal Arati. He explained that the eighth verse — 'yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah' — is the very key to spiritual life: only by pleasing the spiritual master does Krishna become pleased.

    When to Sing / Chant

    Every day at Mangal Arati (4:30 AM), on Vyasa Puja, Guru Purnima, initiation ceremonies, and before every Bhagavatam class as a Guruvandana.

    Benefits for the Devotee

    Sets the entire day in proper spiritual orientation, invokes daily blessings of the spiritual master and the parampara, builds the mood of humble surrender, and forms the foundation of every other devotional practice.

    Gratitude to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

    We offer our humble obeisances at the lotus feet of our founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, without whose causeless mercy the priceless prayers, bhajans and sacred literature of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition would have remained inaccessible to most of the world. By his herculean preaching efforts, his unparalleled translations and his founding of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the holy names, pastimes and instructions of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are today chanted in every town and village.

    nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
    srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
    namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
    nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

    All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the Vaishnava acharyas in the disciplic succession.

    Lord Jagannath Baladeva Subhadra deities temple darshan
    Srila Prabhupada founder ISKCON spiritual master portrait