Guru Gita (Selected Verses)
गुरु गीता (चयनित श्लोक)
Also known as: guru gita · shri guru gita · guru geeta · dhyanamoolam guror murtih · brahmanandam parama sukhadam · guru gita verses
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✦ Meaning
The Guru Gita ('Song of the Guru') is a revered dialogue between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, drawn from the Skanda Purana, in which Shiva expounds the supreme greatness of the Guru. These celebrated verses interpret the very word 'guru' as that which turns darkness into light, declare the Guru to be Brahman itself, and reveal the Guru's form, feet, word and grace as the roots of meditation, worship, mantra and liberation. The closing dhyana verse, 'Brahmanandam', is chanted daily across India as the supreme salutation to the Sadguru.
Origin & Story
Skanda Purana — the dialogue of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Uttara Khanda) · Traditional (revealed by Lord Shiva to Parvati; preserved in the Skanda Purana) · Ancient (Puranic)
When Goddess Parvati asks Lord Shiva to reveal the path by which a soul may attain union with Brahman, Shiva replies that there is no means higher than devotion to the Guru. He then expounds the Guru Gita — unfolding the meaning of the word 'guru', the worship of the Guru's feet, and the truth that the Guru is the very embodiment of Brahman, the destroyer of ignorance and the giver of liberation. These verses became one of the most cherished scriptures of guru-bhakti, recited daily in ashrams and homes throughout India.
✦ As told in scripture
Saints of every lineage testify that sincere recitation of the Guru Gita awakens the living grace of the Guru — countless sadhakas relate that daily reading of these verses brought sudden inner clarity, the removal of long-standing doubts, and the unmistakable, guiding presence of their teacher, fulfilling the promise that 'the root of liberation is the grace of the Guru'.
Complete Text with Meaning
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गुकारश्चान्धकारो हि ककारस्तेज उच्यते। अज्ञानग्रासकं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव न संशयः॥
Gukaarash-chaandhakaaro hi Kakaaras-teja uchyate. Ajnaana-graasakam Brahma Gurur-eva na samshayah.
Meaning:The syllable 'gu' is the darkness (of ignorance) and the syllable 'ru' is the light; the Brahman that devours ignorance is verily the Guru — of this there is no doubt.
गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णो मायादिगुणभासकः। रकारो द्वितीयो ब्रह्म मायाभ्रान्तिविनाशनम्॥
Gukaarah prathamo varno maayaadi-guna-bhaasakah. Rakaaro dviteeyo Brahma maayaa-bhraanti-vinaashanam.
Meaning:The first syllable 'gu' reveals the qualities born of maya; the second, 'ru', is the Brahman that destroys the delusion of maya.
ध्यानमूलं गुरोर्मूर्तिः पूजामूलं गुरोः पदम्। मन्त्रमूलं गुरोर्वाक्यं मोक्षमूलं गुरोः कृपा॥
Dhyaana-moolam guror-moortih poojaa-moolam guroh padam. Mantra-moolam guror-vaakyam moksha-moolam guroh kripaa.
Meaning:The root of meditation is the form of the Guru; the root of worship is the feet of the Guru; the root of all mantra is the word of the Guru; and the root of liberation is the grace of the Guru.
गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव परा गतिः। गुरुरेव परा विद्या गुरुरेव परायणम्॥
Gurur-eva param Brahma Gurur-eva paraa gatih. Gurur-eva paraa vidyaa Gurur-eva paraayanam.
Meaning:The Guru alone is the Supreme Brahman; the Guru alone is the highest goal. The Guru alone is the supreme knowledge; the Guru alone is the ultimate refuge.
गुरुरेव परः कामो गुरुरेव परं धनम्। यस्माद्तत्त्वोपदेष्टासौ तस्माद्गुरुतरो गुरुः॥
Gurur-eva parah kaamo Gurur-eva param dhanam. Yasmaat-tattvopadeshtaasau tasmaad-gurutaro guruh.
Meaning:The Guru alone is the highest desire; the Guru alone is the supreme wealth. Because he is the one who imparts the knowledge of Truth, the Guru is therefore weightier than all.
सर्वश्रुतिशिरोरत्नविराजितपदाम्बुजः। वेदान्ताम्बुजसूर्यो यः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥
Sarva-shruti-shiro-ratna-viraajita-padaambujah. Vedaantaambuja-sooryo yah tasmai Shri-Gurave Namah.
Meaning:Whose lotus-feet are made radiant by the crown-jewels of all the Shrutis (the Upanishads), who is the sun that makes the lotus of Vedanta blossom — to that revered Guru, salutations.
ब्रह्मानन्दं परमसुखदं केवलं ज्ञानमूर्तिं द्वन्द्वातीतं गगनसदृशं तत्त्वमस्यादिलक्ष्यम्। एकं नित्यं विमलमचलं सर्वधीसाक्षिभूतं भावातीतं त्रिगुणरहितं सद्गुरुं तं नमामि॥
Brahmaanandam parama-sukhadam kevalam jnaana-moortim Dvandvaateetam gagana-sadrisham tattvam-asyaadi-lakshyam. Ekam nityam vimalam-achalam sarva-dhee-saakshi-bhootam Bhaavaateetam triguna-rahitam sad-gurum tam namaami.
Meaning:I bow to that true Guru, who is the bliss of Brahman and the giver of supreme joy, who is pure knowledge alone, beyond all dualities, vast as the sky, the goal of the saying 'That Thou Art' — the One, eternal, stainless and unmoving, the witness of every intellect, beyond all states of mind and free of the three gunas.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Guru Gita (Selected Verses)
Reveals the supreme glory of the Guru as Brahman itself — the heart of guru-bhakti
Each verse deepens reverence and surrender to the Sadguru's form, feet, word and grace
The 'Brahmanandam' dhyana verse is a complete daily salutation to the Guru and the Self
Bestows wisdom (jnana) and the inner removal of ignorance ('that which devours darkness')
Brings peace, steadiness and the felt presence of the Guru in meditation
Traditionally recited on Guru Purnima and Thursdays for the Guru's blessings
Cultivates the understanding that the Guru and the supreme Truth are one
How to Chant Guru Gita (Selected Verses)
Sit facing east before an image of one's Guru or of Lord Shiva, after bathing, and light a lamp. Recite these verses of the Guru Gita slowly and meditatively, dwelling on the meaning of the Guru as Brahman. The full Guru Gita is traditionally recited in the early morning; even a selection of these core verses, especially the closing 'Brahmanandam', is a complete and auspicious guru-vandana. Conclude by bowing at the Guru's feet (manasika namaskara).