Guru Paduka Stotram – Adi Shankaracharya

Anantha samsara samudhra thara naukayithabhyam guru bhakthithabhyam,

Vairagya samrajyadha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 1

The crossing of the endless ocean of 

samsara is possible by the boat that is sincere devotion to the Guru.

Showing me the way to the valuable

dominion of renunciation, O dear Guru, I bow to thy holy sandals.

Kavithva varasini sagarabhyam, dourbhagya davambudha malikabhyam,

Dhoorikrutha namra vipathithabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 2

Like a full moon for the ocean of the Knowledge, Like down pour of water to put out the fire of misfortunes,

Removing the various distresses of

those who surrender to them, O dear Guru, I bow to thy holy sandals.

Natha yayo sripatitam samiyu kadachidapyasu daridra varya,

Mookascha vachaspathitham hi thabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 3

Those who prostrate to the blessed padukas of their Guru, becomes possessors of great wealth, and overcome the curse of their poverty very quickly.

Such is the inexplicable power of these padukas that the dumb ones become eloquent speakers, O dear Guru, I bow to thy holy sandals.

Naleeka neekasa pada hrithabhyam, nana vimohadhi nivarikabyam,

Nama janabheeshtathathi pradhabhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 4

Attracting us to the lotus like feet of our Guru, removing all kinds of desires borne out of ignorance, Fulfilling all the desires of the

disciple who bows humbly, O dear Guru, I bow to thy holy sandals.

Nrupali mouleebraja rathna kanthi sariddha raja jjashakanyakabhyam,

Nrupadvadhabhyam nathaloka pankhthe hey, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 5

Shining like a precious stone adorning the crown of a king, they stand out like

a beautiful damsel in a river invested with crocodiles.

They raise the devotees to the state of sovereign emperors, O dear Guru, I bow to thy holy sandals.

Papandhakara arka paramparabhyam, thapathryaheendra khageswarabhyam,

Jadyadhi samsoshana vadaveebhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 6

Shining radiantly like the Sun, effacing the endless darkness of the

disciples sins, Like an eagle for the snake like tree-fold pains of samsara,

Like a conflagration of fire whose heat dries away the ocean of ignorance, To such supreme padukas of my Guru, I humbly surrender

Shamadhi shatka pradha vaibhavabhyam, Samadhi dhana vratha deeksithabhyam,

Ramadhavadeegra sthirha bhakthidabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 7

They endow us with the glorious six qualities like Shama, Full of charity to bless the initiated ones with the ability to go into Samadhi,

Blessing the devotees with permanent devotion for the feet of Lord Vishnu (Ramadhava), to such divine padukas, I offer my prayers.

Swarchaparana makhileshtathabhyam, swaha sahayaksha durndarabhyam,

Swanthachad bhava pradha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 8

Fulfilling all the wishes of the disciples, Who are ever available and dedicated for Sewa, Awakening the sincere aspirants to the divine state of self-realization, To such divine padukas I bow again and again.

Kaamadhi sarpa vraja garudabhyam, viveka vairagya nidhi pradhabhyam,

Bhodha pradhabhyam drutha mokshathabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 9

They are like an eagle for all the serpents of desires, Blessing us with the valuable treasure of discrimination and renunciation, Granting us the knowledge to get instant liberation from the shackles of the life, To such divine padukas I bow again and again.

- Adi Shankaracharya -