Guru Ashtakam

Meaning:

Śarīram surūpaṁ tathā vā kalatraṁ

Yaśaścāru citraṁ dhanaṁ merutulyam .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..1..

Let one have handsome body, a beautiful wife, fame spread far and wide, and heaps of wealth the size of Mount Meru;  if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Kalatraṁ dhanaṁ putrapautradi sarvaṁ
Gṛhaṁ bāndhavāḥ sarvametaddhijātam

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..2..

Let one have a wife, sons, grandsons, house, relatives, and everything at hand; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Ṣaḍaṅgādi vedo mukhe śāstravidyā

Kavitvādi gadyaṁ supadyaṁ karoti .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..3..

Let one have the vedas along with the six vedangas and the shastras in one's mouth, let one create good poetry and  prose; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Videśeṣu mānyaḥ svadeśeṣu dhanyaḥ
Sadācāra vṛtteṣu matto na cānyaḥ .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..4..

Let one be respected in other lands, and happy in one's homeland, let one be humble and engaged in good conduct; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Kṣamāmaṇḍale bhūpabhūpālavṛndaiḥ
Sadā sevitaṁ yasya pādāravindam .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..5..

Let one's feet be worshiped constantly by kings and emperors all over the Earth; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Yaśo me gataṁ dikṣu dānapratāpāt
Jagadvastu sarvaṁ kare yatprasādāt .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..6..

Let one think: "My fame has spread in all directions due to my charity. Everything in the world is in my hand due to my kindness"; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Na bhoge na yoge na vā vājirājaṁ
Na kāntāmukhe naiva vitteṣu cittam .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..7..

Let one's mind be turned away from enjoyment, attainment of yogic powers, possessions like horses, his wife's face, and wealth; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Araṇye na vā svasya gehe na kārye
Na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..8..

Let one think: "My mind has lost its charm in forests, in my house, in action, in my body, and even in invaluable treasures."; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Phalasruti:

Guroraṣṭakaṁ yaḥ paṭhetpuṇyadehī

Yatirbhūpatirbrahmacharī ca gehī .

Labhedvāñcitārthaṁ padaṁ brahmasañjñam

Guroruktavakye mano yasya lagnam ..

Whoever reads this Guru Ashtakam and is devoted to the word of the Guru,whether he is a holy person, an ascetic, a king, a brahmin, or householder; attains his desired wealth, namely the supreme abode of Brahman.

 This hymn was composed by Adi Shankara

Notes:

This hymn explains the importance of the Guru by saying that whatever one gains; if one does not have devotion to his Guru, it is useless.