Gurur Sakshaat Parambrahma (The Guru is God's Concrete Personification)

Gnananda Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatikakrithim,
Aadharam Sarva Vidhyanam Haya Greevam Upasmahe

Guruve Sarvalokanaam Bhishaje Bhavaroginaam
Nidhaye Sarva Vidyanam Dakshinamurthiye Namaha

Anandamanandakaram Prasannam Gyanaswaroopman Nijabodhyuktam
Yogendramigyam Bhavarogavaidyam SrimadGurunitya Mahamnamami

Gurur Bramha Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheswaraha
Guru Sakshat Parambramha Tasmai Srigurave Namaha


Looking desperately for a complete translation for this. This amongst many other Sanskrit slokas like "Mano budhya ahankara" pasted here earlier was part of my school morning prayer curriculum at the Rajghat Besant School in Varanasi,India. The beauty of these verses like any other Sanskrit writing is littered with what the language is perhaps best known for - its use of the most complex sandhi-vichhed.

The words "Aham nirvikalpo, nirakaar rupo" - instantly conjure up in my mind a very precise, yet poetic depiction of the abstract. What a way to convey something - so logical yet so creative. Vikalp being form, roop being style/form and nir being without, together the phrase conveys something that cannot be captured/outlined.

The following translation of two of the verses below was compiled by PR Ramachander.


Gnananda Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatikakrithim,
Aadharam Sarva Vidhyanam Haya Greevam Upasmahe

My salutations to Lord Hayagreeva,
Who is the personification of knowledge,
Who is as clear as the crystal,
And who is the foundation of all knowledge.


Gurur Bramha Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheswaraha
Guru Sakshat Parambramha Tasmai Srigurave Namaha


Salutations to that Teacher.
Who himself is the ultimate truth,
Who is chief of all Gods,
And who verily is the truth himself.


I should make my students sing this for their TA ;)

Being a commonly understood concept in India, even by the non - mainstream schooled, I was once asked by a driving school instructor in Bangalore (who was apparently already charging somewhat over the regular price) to provide him with "gurudakshina" at the end of my lessons. India.......


UW-Madison offers Sanskrit lessons that I think I will enroll for !