Suuta ! Suuta ! Maha Praagna, Nigamaagama Paaraga

Guru Swaruupam asmaakam, Bhruuhi Sarvamalaapaham

Oh Suta, Suta, Greatest Seer! You have reached the other shore of all knowledge! Please disclose to us the attributes of Guru, which destroy all sins,

Iti Sampraarthitah Suuto, Muni Sankhyaih Muhurmuhu

Kutuuhalena Mahatah, Provaacha Madhuram Vachah

Suta, who was thus prayed again and again by the assembly of sages, spoke sweet words as follows, with greatest pleasure.

Shrunudhwam Munayah Sarve, Shradhaya Parayaa Mudaa

Vadaami Bhavaroga ghnim, Geetaam Maatri Swaruupinim

I am reciting to you Guru Geeta, which is the form of Mother, and which destroys one’s afflictions. You all sages please listen with great attention and joy.

Puraa Kailaasa Shikhare, Sidha Gandharva Sevite

Tatra Kalpa Lataa Pushpa, Mandire Atyanta Sundare

Vyaaghrajine Samaaseenam, Sukaadi muni Vanditam

Bodhayantam Param Tatwam, Madhye Muni janam Kwachit

Pranamra Vadana Saswat, Namaskurvantam Aadaraal

Drishtwa Vismayaapannah, Paarvati Paripritchati

Once on the peak of mount Kailas - which is most beautiful like a palace of flowers and is adorned by celestial powers like Sidhas and Gandharvas - Shiva

was discoursing among the assembled sages about the supreme truth, seated well on a tiger skin and surrounded by worshipful sages such as Suka. Parvati, whose head is always bowed due to constant obeisance, implores Shiva thus in bewilderment.

Vidhi Vishnu Mahendraadhyai, Vandhya khalu Sadaa Bhavaan

Namaskaroshi Kasmai Twam, Namaskaraashraya Kila !

You are indeed being worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Indra etc. always. Then whom do you worship, when you are the object of all worship!

Kena Maargena Bho Swaamin!, Dehi Brahma Mayo Bhavet

Tat Kripaam Kurume Swaamin!, Namaami Charano Tava

Oh Lord! Kindly tell me that path by which soul attains union with God. Oh, Lord! I bow unto your feet.

Iti Sampraarthita Saswat, Mahaadevo Maheshwara

Aananda Bharita Swaante, Paarvatim idam Abhraveet

Shiva, the highest god, most pleased in his heart by these fervent prayers, told the following words to Parvati.

Mama Ruupasi Devi ! Twam, Atastal Kadhayaamite

Lokopakaaraka Prasno, Na Kenapi Kritah Punah

Oh Goddess! You are my nature. This question which is beneficial to the world has not been asked by anyone before. Therefore, I am revealing it to you.

Yo Guru Sah Shiva Prokto, Yah Shiva Sah Guru Smrita

Vikalpam Yasthu Kurveeta, Sah Naro Guru Talpaga

One who is termed as Guru is God. One who is understood as God is Guru. And the man who doubts this goes to sleep on the bed of Guru.

Durlabham Trishu Lokeshu, Tat Shrunushwa Vadaamyaham

Gurur Brahmavina Naanyal, Satyam Satyam Varaanane

Oh beautiful one! I will tell you that which is very rare in the three worlds. Please listen. There is no other truth than Guru God. This only is the truth.

Veda Shaastra Puranani, Cha Idihasaadikanicha

Mantra Yantraadi Vidyaashcha,Mohanochaadanaadikam

Shaiva Shaaktagaamaadeeni, Tyanyecha Bahavomataah

Apabhramshah Samastaanam, Jeevaanaam Bhraanta Chetasaam

Since the four Vedas, six sciences, eighteen Puranas, epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, practices like Mantra, Yantra, Seduction, exorcism etc., spiritual cults like Shaiva, Shakteya, Sankhya etc. and many other paths together delude men, people are led astray.

Japah Tapo Vritam Teertham, Gyaano Daanam Tadhaiva Cha

Guru Tatwam Avignaaya , Sarvam Vyartham Bhavet Priye !

Oh, Dear! Japa (the recitation of mantra) Tapa (spiritual austerity) Vows, visiting of holy places and also the path of Knowledge and Meditation come to naught without knowing the truth of Guru.

Dehi Bhrahma Bhavedyasmaal, Twal Kripaartham Vadaami Tal

Sarva Paapa Vishudhaatma, Shri Guroh Paadasevanaal

I shall tell you for your compassion how a soul after freeing itself from all sins becomes purified and becomes godly. It is through service at the feet of the blessed Guru.

Swadeshikasyaiva Cha Naamakeertanam

Bhavet Ananthasya Shivasya Keertanam

Swadeshikasyeva Cha Naama Chintanam

Bhavet Ananthasya Shivasya Chintanam

The glorification of the holy name of one’s own Guru will verily become the glorification of the infinite God, and the contemplation of ones’ own Guru's name will verily become the contemplation of the God eternal.

Swaashramamcha Swajaatim Cha, Swa Keertim Pushti Vardhanam

Etal Sarvam Parityajya, Gurumeva Samaasrayet

A person should take refuge only in Guru, leaving aside everything such as ones’ own duty, own caste, own fame and desire for wealth.

Gukaarashcha Andhakaarohi, Rukaarah Teja Uchyate

Agyaana Graasakam Brahma, Gurureva Na Samshayah

The syllable 'Gu' means darkness and the syllable 'Ru' is called light. There is no doubt that Guru is the Supreme God who destroys ignorance.

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu,Gurur Devo Maheshwarah

Gurureva Param Brahma,Tasmai Sree Gurave Namah

Guru is Brahma (the god of creation), Guru is Vishnu (the god of sustenance), Guru is the god Shiva (the god of annihilation), and Guru verily is the Supreme God. My salutations to that auspicious Guru!

Ekah Eva Paro Bandhuh, Vishame Samupasthite

Guru Sakala Dharmaatma, Tasmai Shree Guruve Namah

In the time of distress, there is indeed only one greatest friend, i.e. Guru, who exists as righteousness in all beings. My salutations to that auspicious Guru!

Taapatrayaagni Taptaanaam, Ashaanta Praaninaam Bhuvih

Gurureva Paraa Gangaa, Tasmai Shree Gurave Namah

For those tormented souls, who burn in the fire of threefold suffering- spiritual, temporal and destiny - Guru only is the supreme Ganges. My salutations to that auspicious Guru!

Shiverushte Gurustraata, Guraurushte Na Kashchanah

Labdwa Kulagurum Samyag, Gurumeva Samaashrayel

In the case of Shiva’s wrath, Guru is the savior. In the case of Guru’s wrath, there is no savior. Finding the Guru of human race, one should completely take refuge in Guru only.

Madhu Alabdho Yadhaa Bhringah, Pushpaal Pushpaantaram Vrijel

Gyaanalabdhah Tadhaa Shishyo, Guror Gurvaantaram Vrijel

Like the bee, not getting honey travels from flower to flower, so also a spiritual aspirant should seek Guru after Guru to gain divine knowledge.

Shri Guroh Paramam Ruupam, Vivekam Chakshuragratah

Manda Bhaagyaah Na Pashyanti, Andhaah Suryodayam Yadhaa

The unfortunate men do not see in front of their eyes the auspicious and supreme form of Guru with discrimination, just as the blind do not see the sunrise.

Abhyastai Kimu Deerghakala Vimalair, Vyaadhi Pradai Dushkaraih

Praanaayaama Shadaih Aneka Karanaih, Dukhaatmakai Durjayaih

Yasminnabhyutate Vinashyati Balee Vaayuh, Swayam Tatkshanaal

Praaptam Tat Sahaja Swabhaavam anisham, Sevetamekam Gurum

What with practices like Pranayama and several hundreds of other means that cleanse the soul prolonged, that produce afflictions, that are strenuous, miserable and unconquerable? On whose ascendance, the uncontrollable life force immediately becomes subdued on its own, only that Guru, who has attained the ever abiding form, should always be served.

Yagnino Na Mukhtaasyuh, Na Mukhtaah Yoginasthadhaa

Tapasa Apino Yukhtaah, Guru Tatwaal Paraang Mukhaah

Performers of the fire ritual are not liberated, likewise are the Yogis not liberated. Even though imbued with austerity, they are not liberated due to their apathy to the truth of Guru.

Namukhtaastu Gandharvaah, Pitru Yakshaastu Chaaranaah

Rishaya Sidha Devaadyaah, Guru Sevat Paraang Mukhaah

Gandharvas, Manes, Yakshas in the astral world, and Rishies, Sidhas and Gods are not liberated due to their indifference towards the service of Guru.