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Guru Paduka Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

श्रीगुरुपादुका स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Guru Paduka Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Ananta-samsaara-samudra-taara-naukaayitaabhyaam Guru-bhakti-daabhyaam
  2. Verse 2. Kavitva-vaaraashi-nishaakaraabhyaam Daurbhaagya-daavaambuda-maalikaabhyaam
  3. Verse 3. Nataa Yayoh Shree-patitaam Sameeyuh Kadaachid-apy-aashu Daridra-varyaah
  4. Verse 4. Naaleeka-neekaasha-pada-aahritaabhyaam Naanaa-vimoha-aadi-nivaarikaabhyaam
  5. Verse 5. Nripaali-mauli-vraja-ratna-kaanti-sarid-viraajaj-jhasha-kanyakaabhyaam
  6. Verse 6. Paapaandhakaara-arka-paramparaabhyaam Taapa-traya-aaheendra-khageshvaraabhyaam
  7. Verse 7. Shamaadi-shatka-prada-vaibhavaabhyaam Samaadhi-daana-vrata-deekshitaabhyaam
  8. Verse 8. Svaarchaa-paraanaam Akhila-ishta-daabhyaam Svaahaa-sahaaya-aksha-dhurandharaabhyaam
  9. Verse 9. Kaamaadi-sarpa-vraja-gaarudaabhyaam Viveka-vairaagya-nidhi-pradaabhyaam
Verse 1#

Ananta-samsaara-samudra-taara-naukaayitaabhyaam Guru-bhakti-daabhyaam

अनन्तसंसारसमुद्रतार-नौकायिताभ्यां गुरुभक्तिदाभ्याम्। वैराग्यसाम्राज्यदपूजनाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥१॥

Ananta-samsaara-samudra-taara-naukaayitaabhyaam Guru-bhakti-daabhyaam Vairaagya-saamraajyada-poojanaabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (1)

MeaningSalutations again and again to the holy sandals (padukas) of the Guru — which serve as a boat to ferry us across the boundless ocean of worldly existence, which bestow devotion to the Guru, and the worship of which grants the very sovereignty of dispassion.

Verse 2#

Kavitva-vaaraashi-nishaakaraabhyaam Daurbhaagya-daavaambuda-maalikaabhyaam

कवित्ववाराशिनिशाकराभ्यां दौर्भाग्यदावाम्बुदमालिकाभ्याम्। दूरीकृतानम्रविपत्तिताभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥२॥

Kavitva-vaaraashi-nishaakaraabhyaam Daurbhaagya-daavaambuda-maalikaabhyaam Dooreekrita-anamra-vipattitaabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (2)

MeaningSalutations to the Guru's sandals — which are as the moon raising the tide in the ocean of poetic genius, which are as a bank of rain-clouds quenching the wildfire of misfortune, which drive far away the calamities of those who bow to them.

Verse 3#

Nataa Yayoh Shree-patitaam Sameeyuh Kadaachid-apy-aashu Daridra-varyaah

नता ययोः श्रीपतितां समीयुः कदाचिदप्याशु दरिद्रवर्याः। मूकाश्च वाचस्पतितां हि ताभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥३॥

Nataa Yayoh Shree-patitaam Sameeyuh Kadaachid-apy-aashu Daridra-varyaah Mookaash-cha Vaachaspatitaam Hi Taabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (3)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — bowing to which, even the poorest of the poor swiftly attain the state of lords of fortune, and even the mute attain the eloquence of Brihaspati, the lord of speech.

Verse 4#

Naaleeka-neekaasha-pada-aahritaabhyaam Naanaa-vimoha-aadi-nivaarikaabhyaam

नालीकनीकाशपदाहृताभ्यां नानाविमोहादिनिवारिकाभ्याम्। नमज्जनाभीष्टततिप्रदाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥४॥

Naaleeka-neekaasha-pada-aahritaabhyaam Naanaa-vimoha-aadi-nivaarikaabhyaam Namaj-jana-abheeshta-tati-pradaabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (4)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — which are charming as lotuses and so draw the heart, which ward off the manifold delusions, and which fulfil all the desires of those who bow before them.

Verse 5#

Nripaali-mauli-vraja-ratna-kaanti-sarid-viraajaj-jhasha-kanyakaabhyaam

नृपालिमौलिव्रजरत्नकान्ति-सरिद्विराजज्झषकन्यकाभ्याम्। नृपत्वदाभ्यां नतलोकपङ्क्तेः नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥५॥

Nripaali-mauli-vraja-ratna-kaanti-sarid-viraajaj-jhasha-kanyakaabhyaam Nripatva-daabhyaam Nata-loka-pankteh Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (5)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — which shine like the radiant maiden of the river, lit by the lustre of the gem-studded crowns of the rows of bowing kings, and which confer kingship upon the rows of devotees who bow down.

Verse 6#

Paapaandhakaara-arka-paramparaabhyaam Taapa-traya-aaheendra-khageshvaraabhyaam

पापान्धकारार्कपरम्पराभ्यां तापत्रयाहीन्द्रखगेश्वराभ्याम्। जाड्याब्धिसंशोषणवाडवाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥६॥

Paapaandhakaara-arka-paramparaabhyaam Taapa-traya-aaheendra-khageshvaraabhyaam Jaadya-abdhi-samshoshana-vaadavaabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (6)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — which are like a succession of suns dispelling the darkness of sin, which are as Garuda to the serpent-king of the three afflictions, and which are as the submarine fire that dries up the ocean of dullness and ignorance.

Verse 7#

Shamaadi-shatka-prada-vaibhavaabhyaam Samaadhi-daana-vrata-deekshitaabhyaam

शमादिषट्कप्रदवैभवाभ्यां समाधिदानव्रतदीक्षिताभ्याम्। रमाधवाङ्घ्रिस्थिरभक्तिदाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥७॥

Shamaadi-shatka-prada-vaibhavaabhyaam Samaadhi-daana-vrata-deekshitaabhyaam Ramaadhava-anghri-sthira-bhakti-daabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (7)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — whose glory bestows the six virtues beginning with inner calm, which are consecrated to the vow of granting samadhi, and which give unwavering devotion to the feet of Lord Vishnu.

Verse 8#

Svaarchaa-paraanaam Akhila-ishta-daabhyaam Svaahaa-sahaaya-aksha-dhurandharaabhyaam

स्वार्चापराणामखिलेष्टदाभ्यां स्वाहासहायाक्षधुरन्धराभ्याम्। स्वान्ताच्छभावप्रदपूजनाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥८॥

Svaarchaa-paraanaam Akhila-ishta-daabhyaam Svaahaa-sahaaya-aksha-dhurandharaabhyaam Svaanta-achchha-bhaava-prada-poojanaabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (8)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — which grant all desired blessings to those devoted to their worship, which uphold the burden (of the world) with the help of sacred offering, and the worship of which bestows a pure and serene heart.

Verse 9#

Kaamaadi-sarpa-vraja-gaarudaabhyaam Viveka-vairaagya-nidhi-pradaabhyaam

कामादिसर्पव्रजगारुडाभ्यां विवेकवैराग्यनिधिप्रदाभ्याम्। बोधप्रदाभ्यां दृतमोक्षदाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्॥९॥

Kaamaadi-sarpa-vraja-gaarudaabhyaam Viveka-vairaagya-nidhi-pradaabhyaam Bodha-pradaabhyaam Drita-moksha-daabhyaam Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam (9)

MeaningSalutations to the sandals — which are as Garuda to the host of serpents of desire and the rest, which grant the treasure of discrimination and dispassion, which bestow spiritual awakening and grant liberation swiftly.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

अनन्तसंसारसमुद्र
Ananta-samsaara-samudra
The boundless ocean of worldly existence (samsara)
तारनौकायिताभ्याम्
Taara-naukaayitaabhyaam
By the two (sandals) that serve as a boat to ferry one across
गुरुभक्तिदाभ्याम्
Guru-bhakti-daabhyaam
By the two that bestow devotion to the Guru
वैराग्यसाम्राज्यद
Vairaagya-saamraajyada
That grant the empire (sovereignty) of dispassion
पूजनाभ्याम्
Poojanaabhyaam
By worshipping the two (sandals)
नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम्
Namo Namah Shree-guru-paadukaabhyaam
Salutations again and again to the holy sandals of the Guru (the refrain of every verse)
कवित्ववाराशिनिशाकराभ्याम्
Kavitva-vaaraashi-nishaakaraabhyaam
By the two that are like the moon to the ocean of poetic genius (raising its tide)
दौर्भाग्यदावाम्बुदमालिकाभ्याम्
Daurbhaagya-daava-ambuda-maalikaabhyaam
By the two that are like rain-clouds quenching the wildfire of misfortune
नता ययोः श्रीपतितां समीयुः
Nataa Yayoh Shree-patitaam Sameeyuh
Bowing to which (sandals), people attain the state of being lords of fortune (Shri)
मूकाश्च वाचस्पतितां
Mookaash-cha Vaachaspatitaam
And even the mute attain the eloquence of Brihaspati (mastery of speech)
नानाविमोहादिनिवारिकाभ्याम्
Naanaa-vimoha-aadi-nivaarikaabhyaam
By the two that ward off the manifold delusions and the rest
पापान्धकारार्कपरम्पराभ्याम्
Paapaandhakaara-arka-paramparaabhyaam
By the two that are like a series of suns dispelling the darkness of sin
तापत्रयाहीन्द्रखगेश्वराभ्याम्
Taapa-traya-aaheendra-khageshvaraabhyaam
By the two that are like Garuda (king of birds) to the serpent of the three afflictions
जाड्याब्धिसंशोषणवाडवाभ्याम्
Jaadya-abdhi-samshoshana-vaadavaabhyaam
By the two that are like the submarine fire drying up the ocean of dullness/ignorance
शमादिषट्कप्रदवैभवाभ्याम्
Shamaadi-shatka-prada-vaibhavaabhyaam
By the two whose glory bestows the sixfold virtues beginning with inner calm (shama)
समाधिदानव्रतदीक्षिताभ्याम्
Samaadhi-daana-vrata-deekshitaabhyaam
By the two consecrated to the vow of bestowing samadhi (absorption)
रमाधवाङ्घ्रिस्थिरभक्तिदाभ्याम्
Ramaadhava-anghri-sthira-bhakti-daabhyaam
By the two that grant steadfast devotion to the feet of Vishnu (the consort of Rama/Lakshmi)
कामादिसर्पव्रजगारुडाभ्याम्
Kaamaadi-sarpa-vraja-gaarudaabhyaam
By the two that are like Garuda to the swarm of serpents of desire and the rest
विवेकवैराग्यनिधिप्रदाभ्याम्
Viveka-vairaagya-nidhi-pradaabhyaam
By the two that grant the treasure of discrimination and dispassion
बोधप्रदाभ्यां दृतमोक्षदाभ्याम्
Bodha-pradaabhyaam Drita-moksha-daabhyaam
By the two that bestow awakening (bodha) and grant liberation swiftly

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya; preserved in the Advaita and stotra tradition

Author: Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE)

Period: 8th century CE

By tradition, the young Shankara journeyed to the banks of the Narmada in search of a master and found the cave of Govinda Bhagavatpada, disciple of Gaudapada. Beholding the padukas (sandals) of his Guru, his heart overflowed and he poured out this hymn in their praise. Through nine cascading verses he glorifies the Guru's sandals as the boat across the endless ocean of samsara, the sun that scatters the darkness of sin, the Garuda that destroys the serpents of desire, and the giver of discrimination, dispassion, awakening and swift liberation — making it the supreme hymn of Guru-bhakti in the Advaita tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Guru Paduka Stotram?
The Guru Paduka Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn of nine verses by Adi Shankaracharya in praise of the padukas (sandals) of the Guru. The padukas symbolise the Guru's feet and grace, and the hymn worships them as the means of crossing the ocean of worldly existence.
Why are the Guru's sandals (padukas) worshipped?
In the Indian tradition, the Guru's feet represent the seat of grace and knowledge, and the padukas stand for the Guru's presence and blessings. Worshipping the padukas is an expression of humility and total surrender to the teacher who leads the disciple from darkness to light.
Who composed the Guru Paduka Stotram?
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century Advaita master. It is said he composed it in adoration when he beheld the padukas of his own Guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada.
When should the Guru Paduka Stotram be chanted?
It is most auspicious on Guru Purnima, the festival of the Guru, and on Thursdays (Guruvar). Many seekers also recite it daily at dawn before meditation, as a prayer for the Guru's guidance and grace.

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