Shri Guru Ashtakam (wt lyrics, meaning) | Adi Shankaracharya | Aarya Ambekar, Mrs. Shruti Ambekar

Namaste everyone!
Presenting here Shri Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya, on the occasion of Guru Pournima, composed beautifully by my Guru and my mother, Mrs. Shruti Ambekar. It is set in Taal Jhaptaal (which has 10 matras and is considered quite a difficult Tala to compose in) and Rag Madhmad Sarang.

Meaning - (by Isha Foundation)
One’s physique may be superb, one’s consort likewise, one’s reputation resplendent and renowned, and one’s riches as high as Mount Meru; yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such; home and kindred; all these things maybe there; yet if one’s mind be not centered upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

The Vedas with their six limbs and the knowledge of all sciences may be on one’s lips; one may possess the poetic gift and may compose fine prose and poetry; yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

“I am honoured in other lands and I am prosperous in my homeland; in the paths of righteous conduct there is none who surpasses me”, thus one may think; yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

One may be constantly extolled and one’s presence highly honoured by hosts of emperors and rulers of this world; yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

My repute has travelled in all directions through my philanthropy and prowess; all the things of this world are in my hands as rewards for my virtues”, yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

The mind may have turned away from external delights through dispassion and from attainments like Yoga and meditation, possessions like horses and the like, the enchanting face of the beloved, in short, the entire wealth of the earth; yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

The mind may have lost its charm to live in forests, and likewise in the house; may have lost all desire to achieve whatever; even the concern for the body’s welfare may have been outlived; yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru, what then, what then, what then?

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