Prayers · Sanskrit
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu (Guru Prarthana)
The ancient Sanskrit verse from the Guru Gita honoring the Spiritual Teacher as the living manifestation of the Supreme Divine.
Read & reflect
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः । गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् । तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया । चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
Roman reading aid
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnuh Gurur Devo Maheshwarah | Guruh Sakshat Parabrahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah || Akhanda Mandalakaram Vyaptam Yena Characharam | Tatpadam Darshitam Yena Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah || Ajnana Timirandhasya Jnananjana Shalakaya | Chakshurunmeelitam Yena Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||
English meaning
English Translation: The Guru is Brahma the creator; the Guru is Vishnu the preserver; the Guru is Maheshwara the transformer; The Guru is verily the supreme Absolute Reality manifest before our eyes — salutations unto that holy Guru! By whom the entire undivided circle of the cosmos is pervaded, both moving and unmoving; Who revealed that supreme divine state — salutations unto that holy Guru! To the one blinded by the darkness of spiritual ignorance, who opened the eyes of wisdom with the salve of knowledge — salutations unto that holy Guru! Devotional Significance: From the Skanda Purana (Guru Gita), this verse is chanted by students and spiritual seekers across India to cultivate reverence for teachers, mentors, and the living wisdom tradition.