śrī gurvaṣṭakam

Even if one possesses a beautiful body, a lovely spouse, wonderful fame, and wealth equal to Mount Meru (immense wealth) - if one's mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru (spiritual teacher), then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

Even if one has a spouse, wealth, sons, grandsons and everything else, a home, and relatives - even if all these have been attained - if one's mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

Even if one masters the Vedas with their six branches, has all scriptural knowledge on their tongue, and can compose beautiful prose and poetry - if one's mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

“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 is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

Even if one's feet are constantly served/attended to by crowds of kings and emperors across the entire earth - if one's mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru (gurōraṅghripadmē), then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

Even if one's fame has spread in all directions through charitable acts and prowess, and by whose grace all the world's things are in one's hand/control - if one's mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

Even if one's mind is not attached to pleasures, nor to yoga, nor to the finest horses, nor to the face of the beloved, nor even to wealth - if one's mind is still not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

Even if one's mind does not dwell in the forest (solitude), nor in one's home, nor in duties, nor in this priceless body - if one's mind is still not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, then what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

One who recites these eight verses in praise of the Guru - be they a renunciate, a king, a spiritual student, or a householder - will attain their desired goals and the supreme state of Brahman (enlightenment), if their mind remains firmly fixed on the Guru's teachings.