Chapter - 1 – Sri Guru Gita – 1 – 10
Sri Guru Gita comprises glorious verses praising the Preceptor in three chapters, and each chapter contains 108, 126, and 115 verses respectively, which describes the splendor of the Preceptor. The illustrious Sage Sutha
Pauranika describes 1) the types of preceptor 2) who is preceptor? 3) The significance
of Guru in the life of a Jeeva 4) The need for a preceptor in the life of a
Jeeva 5) What are the essential qualities of a disciple? and these are highly
knowledgeable to the Mumukshu who yearn to achieve liberation from the interest
in worldly matters and bondage, and get freed from the miseries and sorrows of
worldly existence. The Chandhokhya Upanishad affirms the necessities of the
preceptor in the life of Jeeva, as “Acharyavan Purusho Veda:” /whoever achieves
preceptor in their lives would earn the Paramarththa Thaththva that is the
eternal truth. The Chandhokhya Upanishadh/4.9.3. says “Acharyadhyeva Vidhya
Vidhitha Sadhishtam Prapayathi
Ithi”/The knowledge achieved from the preceptor becomes fruitful. The Maundakopanishadh/1.2.12
says “Thadh Vijjanarththam Sa Gurumevabhigaccheth
Samithpani: Shrothriyam Bhramanishtam”/The Mumukshu should approach the
preceptor to achieve the knowledge of Jagathkarana Bhramam, with the following,
Samithpani, Bhramanishta, and willingness to listen and follow the instructions
of the preceptor. Sri Adhishankaracharya in his Viveka Choodamani says “
Dhurllabham Thrayamevaithath Dheivanugraha Hethukam | Manushyathvam Mumukshuthvam
Mahapurusha Samshraya: ||” /The three things are extremely rare to achieve,
that can be attainable only with Deivanugraha/grace of supreme Lord 1)
Manushyathvam/birth as a human 2) Mumukshuthvam/yearning to achieve liberation
from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence and 3) Mahapurushasamshraya/
the association with the Mahathma and noble souls who constantly engages in the
Athmavichara.
I shall prostrate before the supreme
Bramham which is beyond perception, invisible, free from Triguna/Sathvik,
Rajasik and Thamasik nature, and the storehouse of virtues, it is the only
source of Universe and its living and non-living things, I shall repeatedly
prostrate before that supreme Bhramam.
Rishis speak “Oh! Sutha, Oh! Mahaprajja, prominent
in Nigama Agamashathra, kindly describes
the splendor of the Preceptor, which is highly capable to destroy all the
impurities/Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, and Mathshcharya in the Jeeva. Oh!
Sutha, mere listening to the glories of the preceptor would remove the
Dhehi/Jeeva from the miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence, and it is
highly propitious as well. The illustrious Rishis and Sages achieved the supreme
state of that Bhramam/Sarvajjathva with the knowledge achieved from the
preceptor. Therefore, kindly describe that supreme knowledge of all-pervasive Bhramam
which could protect the Jeeva from the vicious cycles of repeated births. Oh!
Sutha, Oh! Munishreshta, kindly describe the essence of the glorious Guru Gita
which is highly confidential and propitious as well, we would like to hear from
you.” The Sages and Rishis assembled
before the well-known Sage Sutha Pauranika repeatedly appealed to him. Sage
Sutha Pauranika was highly pleased with the nectar-like request of the
Sages and began to explain enthusiastically.
Sage Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Mahamune,
I shall describe the highly confidential and Mathruswaroopini Guru Gita which
removes the Bhavaroga/miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence, kindly
listen to them carefully. It was earlier times, in the supreme abode Mount
Kailash of Lord Shankara who was seated on the Vyaghracharma/skin of a leopard
spread under the shade of Kalpakavriksha that was beautifully decorated with
the creepers of bountiful flowers of rich fragrances were surrounded by the
Rishis and Sages, Shuka Shaunakadhis. The
supreme Lord Mahadeva who always impart lessons on the Paramarththa Thaththva,
was reverentially prostrated, looked admiringly by Goddess Parvathi, and began
to speak.”
Achinthya Avyaktharoopaya Nirgunaya Gunathmane |Samastha Jagadhadhara
Moorthaye Bhramane Nama: ||
Rishaya Uchu: -
Sutha! Sutha ! Mahaprajja ! Nigamagama Paraga ! Guruswaroopamasmakam Bhroohi Sarvamalapaham
||
Yasya Shravanamathrena Dhehi Dhukhadhivimuchyathe | Yena
Margena Munaya Sarvajjathvam Prapedhire ||
Yath Prapya
Na Punaryathi Nara: Samsarabandhanath | Thadhavidham Param
Thaththvam Vakthavyamadhuna Thvaya ||
Guhyadh Guyathamam Saram Gurugita Visheshatha:
| Thvath Prasadhathadhyashrothavyam Thath Sarvam Bhroohi Sutha Na: ||
Ithi Samprarththitha Sutho
Munisanghair Muhur Muhur: | Kuthuhalena
Mahatha Provacha Madhuram Vacha: ||
Sutha Uvacha –
Shrunthvam Munaya Sarve Shradhdhaya
Paraya Mudha| Vadhami Bhavarogaghneem
Gitam Mathruswaroopinim ||
Pura Kailasashikhare Sidhdhagandharvasevithe | Thathra Kalpalatha
Pushpamandhire Athyantha Sundhare ||
Vyaghrajine
Samaseenam Shukadhi
Munivandhitham | Bodhayantham Param Thaththvam Madhye Muniganam Kvachith ||
Pranamravadhana Shashvan Namaskurvanthamadharath
| Dhrishtva Vismayamapanna Parvathi Paripricchathi ||