## Prayers in Honor of the Spiritual Master Prayers in Honor of the Spiritual Master Śrī Śrī-gurv-aṣṭaka of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura (1) > saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka- > trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam > prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 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) > mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta- > vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena > romāñca -kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the *saṅkīrtana* 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) > śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā- > śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau > yuktasya bhaktāṁś ca niyuñjato 'pi > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Śrī Śrī 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) > catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda- > svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān > kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 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) > śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra- > mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām > prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 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) > nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai > yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā > tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 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) > sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair > uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ > kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 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 Śrī Hari [Kṛṣṇa]. (8) > yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo > yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi > dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ > vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 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. **Śrī-guru-vandanā ** from the *Prema-bhakti-candrikā* of Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura > śrī-guru-carana-padma, kevala bhakati-sadma, > bando mui sāvadhāna mate > jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi, > krṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā hāte The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the abode of pure devotional service. I bow down to those lotus feet with great care and attention. My dear brother (my dear mind)! It is through the grace of the spiritual master that we cross over this material existence and obtain Kṛṣṇa. > guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koriyā aikya, > ār nā koriho mane āśā > śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama gati, > je prasāde pure sarva āśā Make the teachings from the lotus mouth of the spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else. Attachment to the lotus feet of the spiritual master is the best means of spiritual advancement. By his mercy all desires for spiritual perfection are fulfilled. > cakhu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei, > divya jñān hṛde prokāśito > prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte, > vede gāy jāhāra carito He who has given me the gift of transcendental vision is my lord birth after birth. By his mercy, divine knowledge is revealed within the heart, bestowing *prema-bhakti* and destroying ignorance. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character. > śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu, > lokanāth lokera jīvana > hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā, > ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana O spiritual master, ocean of mercy and friend of the fallen souls, you are the teacher of everyone and the life of all people. • master! Be merciful unto me and give me the shade of your lotus feet. May your glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds. Gurudeva! by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura > gurudeva! > kṛpā-bindu diyā, koro' ei dāse, tṛṇāpekhā ati hīna > sakala-sahane, bolo diyā koro nija māne spṛhā-hīna Gurudeva! By a drop of your mercy, make this servant of yours humbler than a blade of grass. Giving me strength to bear all trials and troubles, make me devoid of all desires for personal honor. > sakale sammān, korite śakati, deho' nātha! jathājatha > tabe to' gāibo, harināma-sukhe, aparādha ha 'be hata O lord and master! Please give me the power to properly honor all living beings. Only then will I sing the holy name in great ecstasy and all my offenses cease. > kabe heno kṛpā, lobhiyā e jana, kṛtārtha hoibe, nātha! > śakti-buddhi-hīn, āmi ati dīn, koro' more ātma-sātha O lord and master! When will this devotee, obtaining your mercy, become blessed? Devoid of all strength and intelligence, I am very low and fallen. Please make me your own servant. > jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi, tomāra karuṇā sāra > karuṇā nā hoile, kāṇḍiyā kāṇḍiyā, prāṇa nā rākhibo āra Upon examining my value, I find that I have none; your mercy is essential to me. Therefore, if you are not merciful I will constantly weep and I will not maintain my life any longer.