Guru Stotram
Guru Ashtakam
By Adi Shankaracharya — Especially for Thursday recitation
Verse 1
शरीरं सुरूपं तथा वा कलत्रं यशश्चारु चित्रं धनं मेरुतुल्यम्। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
A beautiful body, a worthy wife, fine fame, wealth like Mount Meru — if the mind is not fixed at the lotus feet of the Guru, what use is all this?
Verse 2
कलत्रं धनं पुत्रपौत्रादिसर्वं गृहं बान्धवाः सर्वमेतद्धि जातम्। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons, house, relatives — all these are destined. If the mind is not at the Guru's feet, what is the worth of all this?
Verse 3
षट्कर्मनिष्ठो द्विजो ब्रह्मकर्म स्वदेशे सुदेशे ज्ञातिः सुशास्त्रम्। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
A brahmin steadfast in the six duties, renowned in his homeland, versed in scripture — if the mind is not at the Guru's feet, what profit is all this?
Verse 4
अनेकाश्रमे वर्तते श्रमेण विविक्तस्थाने वसतिर्वनान्ते। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
Severe austerities in many stages, dwelling alone in forest solitude — if the mind is not at the Guru's feet, what value is all this?
Verse 5
सुगन्धे सुपुष्पे सुपत्रे सुवर्णे सुवेशे सुवास्तव्यमात्मप्रदाने। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
Fragrances, fine flowers, gold, beautiful clothes, an excellent home — even offering all this, if the mind is not at the Guru's feet, what use?
Verse 6
सुतीर्थे सुस्नाते विमलाभिषेके सुदेवे सुतर्पणे जपे होमकर्मे। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
Holy pilgrimage and ablutions, worship, libations, japa, and homa — if the mind is not at the Guru's feet, what is the value?
Verse 7
न योगे न सांख्ये न भक्तौ न मोक्षे न शास्त्रे न दाने न वाचि स्मृतौ वा। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
Neither yoga, nor sankhya, nor bhakti, nor liberation, nor scripture, nor charity — none profits if the mind is not at the Guru's feet.
Verse 8
अनर्घ्यं तदर्घ्यं सुवर्णं सुशुद्धं सुगन्धि सुधूपं सुदीपं सुनैवेद्यम्। मनश्चेन्न लग्नं गुरोरंघ्रिपद्मे ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किम्॥
Priceless offerings, pure gold, excellent incense, lamp, and naivedya — if the mind is not at the Guru's feet, what is the purpose?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankara?
The Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankara is a sacred Hindu devotional hymn (stotram) dedicated to Guru. VedKosh provides its complete text in Hindi and English with transliteration for regional readers.
What are the benefits of reciting the Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankara?
Reciting the Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankara with devotion is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Guru, calm and focus the mind, and create an auspicious, sattvic atmosphere. It is practised as an act of bhakti (devotion) rather than for any guaranteed material outcome.
When should the Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankara be recited?
The Guru Ashtakam by Adi Shankara can be recited during daily morning or evening worship of Guru, and especially on the deity's sacred days and festivals. A clean, quiet space and a steady, devotional mind are the main requirements.
Updated for 2026
