An Octet to the Guru Divine

Thotaka, one of the disciples of Sankara, wrote an octet in praise of his
Master, Bhagavan Sankara. The metre he used in his composition was the
difficult but the most beautiful Thotaka.

This  eightfold verse voice the extreme loyalty and devotion he had for his
Master. There is nothing superior to the Guru, none greater than Him. Guru
is the destroyer of Ignorance and on the Grace of the Grace rests the
fulfilment of the  dream of Self Actualisation !

His devotion is best expressed in the soul moving note of this magnificent
song , Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine !

viditákhilaùástrasudhájaladhe
mahitopanisatkathitárthanidhe
hødaye kalaye vimalam caraïam
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaranam.(1)

O Knower of the Milk Ocean of Sciences philosophic
Proponent of the mighty Upanishads
My heart yearns for Thy faultless feet
Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine


karuïávarunalaya pálaya mám
bhavaságaraduçkhavidünahødam
racayákhiladarùanattattuavidam
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(2)

Thou art the Ocean of Compassion
This misery afflicted me redeem
Impart the quintessence of the Sciences
Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine

bhavatá janatá suhitá bhavitá
nijabodhavicárana cárumate
kalayeùvarajivavivekavidam
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaranam.(3)

Masses are blissful because of Thee
Thou are blessed with Self Knowledge
With a noble intellect divine
Bestow the knowledge of the Eternal Triad
Of  Universe, Self  and Supreme
Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine


bhava eva bhavániti me nitarám
samajáyata cetasi kautukitá
mama váraya mohamahájaladhim
bhava ùaïkara desika me ùaraïam.(4)

Thou art Divinity visible
Bliss overwhelming overpowers me
Save me from this Ocean of Delusion
Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine


sukøte' dhikøte bahudhá bhavato
bhavitá samadarsanalalasata
atidinamimam paripálaya mám
bhava ùaïkara deùika me ùaraïam.(5)


Only when virtuous deeds are performed
Will the desire of Liberation spring in mind !
Save this misery afflicted disciple of yours
Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine

jagatimavitum kalitákøtayo
vicaranti mahamahasaùchalatah
abhimámsurivatra vibhási guro
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(6)


The great who come to save this suffering world

Assume various forms disguise !

Heaven's treasures they bring, their sufferings count their pain

And they pay the gifts of Knowledge with their lives!

Amongst them, Thou art the Sun

Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine

gurupuñgava puñgava ketana te
samatámayatám nahi ko pi sudhiç
ùaraïágatavatsala tattvanidhe
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(7)

 

 

O Teacher of Teachers

There is none equal to Thee on earth !

Compassionate to those who have taken refuge

And the Treasure-trove of Wisdom

Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine



viditá na mayá viùadaikakalá
na ca kimcana káòcanamasti guro
drutameva vidhehi køpám sahajám
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(8)

Of all the sciences six

None has been understood by me

Nor do I possess wealth

Impart Thy Grace quickly

On this miserable disciple

Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine

 

Poems translated by  by G Kumar, astrologer, academician & programmer of www.eastrovedica.com. He believes that Knowledge is the criterion for Success and his ebooks are  available at http://www.astrognosis.com/html/Ebooks.htm and he gives free tips at  http://www.astrologiavedica.com/HTML/diverseblogs.htm