Guru Pushpanjali Stotram
Lyrics:
शास्त्राम्बुधे- र्नावमदभ्रबुद्धिं
सच्छिष्यहृत्सारस- तीक्ष्णरश्मिम्।
अज्ञानवृत्रस्य विभावसुं तं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।1।।
विद्यार्थिशारङ्ग- बलाहकाख्यं
जाड्याद्यहीनां गरुडं सुरेज्यम्।
अशास्त्रविद्या- वनवह्निरूपं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।2।।
न मेऽस्ति वित्तं न च मेऽस्ति शक्तिः
क्रेतुं प्रसूनानि गुरोः कृते भोः।
तस्माद्वरेण्यं करुणासमुद्रं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।3।।
कृत्वोद्भवे पूर्वतने मदीये
भूयांसि पापानि पुनर्भवेऽस्मिन्।
संसारपारङ्गत- माश्रितोऽहं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।4।।
आधारभूतं जगतः सुखानां
प्रज्ञाधनं सर्वविभूतिबीजम्।
पीडार्तलङ्कापति- जानकीशं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।5।।
विद्याविहीनाः कृपया हि यस्य
वाचस्पतित्वं सुलभं लभन्ते।
तं शिष्यधीवृद्धिकरं सदैव
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।6।।
shaastraambudhe- rnaavamadabhrabuddhim'
sachchhishyahri'tsaarasa- teekshnarashmim.
ajnyaanavri'trasya vibhaavasum' tam'
matpadyapushpairgurumarchayaami..1..
vidyaarthishaaranga- balaahakaakhyam'
jaad'yaadyaheenaam' garud'am' surejyam.
ashaastravidyaa- vanavahniroopam'
matpadyapushpairgurumarchayaami..2..
na me'sti vittam' na cha me'sti shaktih'
kretum' prasoonaani guroh' kri'te bhoh'.
tasmaadvarenyam' karunaasamudram'
matpadyapushpairgurumarchayaami..3..
kri'tvodbhave poorvatane madeeye
bhooyaam'si paapaani punarbhave'smin.
sam'saarapaarangata- maashrito'ham'
matpadyapushpairgurumarchayaami..4..
aadhaarabhootam' jagatah' sukhaanaam'
prajnyaadhanam' sarvavibhootibeejam.
peed'aartalankaapati- jaanakeesham'
matpadyapushpairgurumarchayaami..5..
vidyaaviheenaah' kri'payaa hi yasya
vaachaspatitvam' sulabham' labhante.
tam' shishyadheevri'ddhikaram' sadaiva
matpadyapushpairgurumarchayaami..6..
Meaning:
Verse 1
शास्त्राम्बुधे- र्नावमदभ्रबुद्धिं
सच्छिष्यहृत्सारस- तीक्ष्णरश्मिम्।
अज्ञानवृत्रस्य विभावसुं तं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।1।।
This verse praises the Guru as the supreme guide who helps seekers cross the vast ocean of knowledge. The phrase शास्त्राम्बुधेः नावम् means “the boat in the ocean of scriptures.” Scriptures are compared to a limitless ocean—deep, vast, and difficult to cross without guidance. The Guru is that boat who helps the disciple navigate safely. अदभ्रबुद्धिं refers to one of immense and boundless intelligence.
The phrase सच्छिष्यहृत्सारस-तीक्ष्णरश्मिम् presents a beautiful image. The hearts of worthy disciples are compared to lotuses, and the Guru’s teachings are like sharp rays of the sun that make those lotuses bloom. Just as sunlight awakens a lotus, the Guru awakens dormant wisdom in sincere students.
अज्ञानवृत्रस्य विभावसुम् compares ignorance to Vṛtra, the demon of obstruction from Vedic mythology. Vṛtra blocked the life-giving waters until Indra destroyed him. Similarly, ignorance blocks wisdom and inner freedom. The Guru is called विभावसु, fire itself, because fire destroys darkness and purifies all it touches.
Philosophically, this verse presents the Guru as the remover of avidyā, ignorance—the root of bondage according to Vedānta. The Guru does not merely transfer information; he transforms consciousness. Through wisdom, he helps the disciple move from darkness to light, from confusion to clarity, and from bondage to liberation.
Verse 2
विद्यार्थिशारङ्ग- बलाहकाख्यं
जाड्याद्यहीनां गरुडं सुरेज्यम्।
अशास्त्रविद्या- वनवह्निरूपं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।2।।
This verse glorifies the Guru through powerful metaphors drawn from nature and mythology. विद्यार्थिशारङ्ग-बलाहकाख्यम compares students to thirsty chataka birds and the Guru to rain-bearing clouds. In Indian poetic tradition, the chataka bird waits only for pure rainwater from the clouds. Likewise, true students thirst only for pure knowledge from the Guru.
जाड्याद्यहीनां गरुडं describes the Guru as Garuḍa, the mighty eagle mount of Lord Vishnu, and dullness or mental inertia as serpents. Garuḍa is the enemy of serpents, so the Guru destroys laziness, ignorance, confusion, and intellectual weakness. सुरेज्यम् means worthy of worship even by the gods.
The phrase अशास्त्रविद्या-वनवह्निरूपम् compares false knowledge and unscriptural learning to a forest, and the Guru to a raging fire that burns it away. This does not condemn all worldly learning, but points to knowledge lacking truth, discipline, and wisdom.
Spiritually, the verse teaches that true education is not accumulation of facts but removal of inner obstacles. The Guru nourishes the sincere seeker, destroys dullness, and burns false understanding. Under the Guru’s guidance, knowledge becomes wisdom, and wisdom becomes the path to self-realization.
Verse 3
न मेऽस्ति वित्तं न च मेऽस्ति शक्तिः
क्रेतुं प्रसूनानि गुरोः कृते भोः।
तस्माद्वरेण्यं करुणासमुद्रं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।3।।
This verse expresses deep humility and devotion. The disciple says, “I have no wealth and no ability to buy flowers for worshipping the Guru.” न मेऽस्ति वित्तम् means “I have no riches,” and न च मेऽस्ति शक्तिः means “nor do I possess the power or means.” This reveals sincere simplicity.
Instead of material offerings, the disciple offers पद्यपुष्पैः—flowers made of verses. These are poetic offerings arising from devotion. The idea is profound: genuine devotion is more valuable than expensive external worship. Words born from sincerity become sacred offerings.
The Guru is called वरेण्यं, worthy of highest reverence, and करुणासमुद्रं, an ocean of compassion. Compassion is a central quality of the true Guru. He uplifts disciples regardless of their social status, wealth, or abilities. Like an ocean receiving all rivers without distinction, the Guru’s grace is available to all sincere seekers.
Philosophically, this verse reminds us that inner purity matters more than outer ritual. In bhakti and Vedantic traditions, the heart’s sincerity carries greater value than physical offerings. Devotion, humility, and surrender are the true flowers offered at the feet of the Guru. Such offerings purify the mind and open it to grace and wisdom.
Verse 4
कृत्वोद्भवे पूर्वतने मदीये
भूयांसि पापानि पुनर्भवेऽस्मिन्।
संसारपारङ्गत- माश्रितोऽहं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।4।।
This verse expresses the disciple’s awareness of karma and repeated births. The devotee admits having committed many sins in previous births and also in the present life. कृत्वोद्भवे पूर्वतने मदीये refers to actions done in earlier births, while पुनर्भवेऽस्मिन् points to the present cycle of rebirth.
This reflects the Hindu understanding that the soul carries karmic impressions across lifetimes. Actions leave subtle consequences that shape future experiences. These karmas bind the individual to samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death.
The disciple therefore seeks refuge in the Guru, described as संसारपारङ्गत—one who has mastered the crossing of samsara. This is a powerful epithet. The Guru is not merely knowledgeable; he has crossed the ocean of worldly bondage and knows the path to liberation.
Spiritually, this verse highlights surrender. Recognition of one’s limitations and karmic burden is the beginning of true spiritual growth. Ego often prevents transformation, but humility opens the door to grace. By taking refuge in the Guru, the disciple seeks purification and liberation.
The Guru’s role is to guide the disciple beyond karmic bondage toward moksha. Through right knowledge, discipline, and grace, the disciple learns to transcend suffering and realize the eternal Self beyond birth and death.
Verse 5
आधारभूतं जगतः सुखानां
प्रज्ञाधनं सर्वविभूतिबीजम्।
पीडार्तलङ्कापति- जानकीशं
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।5।।
This verse praises the Guru as the foundation of all happiness and the source of wisdom. आधारभूतं जगतः सुखानाम् means “the foundation of the world’s joys.” All true happiness ultimately rests upon wisdom, peace, and right understanding, all of which the Guru nurtures.
प्रज्ञाधनम् means “wealth of wisdom.” Unlike material wealth, wisdom cannot be stolen or diminished. It enriches life permanently. सर्वविभूतिबीजम् means “the seed of all prosperity and excellence.” Every noble quality—knowledge, strength, compassion, discipline, and spiritual growth—begins with wisdom.
The phrase पीडार्तलङ्कापति-जानकीशम् carries mythological depth. It refers to Lord Rama, the Lord of Janaki (Sita), who relieved suffering caused by the lord of Lanka, Ravana. Ravana symbolizes ego, pride, and ignorance. Rama symbolizes dharma, righteousness, and divine wisdom.
By linking the Guru with Rama, the verse presents the Guru as one who destroys inner Ravana—the ego that causes suffering. Just as Rama rescued Sita, the Guru rescues the soul from bondage and sorrow.
Philosophically, the verse teaches that true happiness is not external pleasure but inner harmony rooted in wisdom. The Guru becomes the source from which all higher fulfillment arises, guiding the disciple toward dharma and liberation.
Verse 6
विद्याविहीनाः कृपया हि यस्य
वाचस्पतित्वं सुलभं लभन्ते।
तं शिष्यधीवृद्धिकरं सदैव
मत्पद्यपुष्पैर्गुरुमर्चयामि।।6।।
This verse glorifies the transforming grace of the Guru. विद्याविहीनाः means “those devoid of knowledge.” Even those who lack learning or intellectual strength can attain greatness through the Guru’s compassion. कृपया हि यस्य emphasizes that this transformation happens by his grace.
वाचस्पतित्वं refers to mastery of speech and wisdom. Vachaspati is also a name of Brihaspati, the guru of the gods and lord of wisdom. Thus, the verse says that by the Guru’s grace, even the unlearned can become eloquent, wise, and intellectually refined.
The Guru is called शिष्यधीवृद्धिकरम्—one who causes the growth of the disciple’s intellect. This growth is not limited to academic learning. It includes discrimination, clarity, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. The Guru strengthens the disciple’s buddhi, enabling right understanding.
This idea appears throughout Indian philosophy. Knowledge is not merely obtained through effort; grace also plays a vital role. The Guru awakens hidden potential within the disciple. He sees greatness even when the disciple cannot.
Spiritually, the verse teaches that transformation is always possible. No one is permanently limited by ignorance. Under the guidance of a true Guru, the mind becomes refined, speech becomes meaningful, and life becomes directed toward truth, wisdom, and ultimate realization.
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