Vedic / Hinduism
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥
Guru Brahma
gurur brahmā gurur viṣṇuḥ gurur devo maheśvaraḥ | guruḥ sākṣāt paraṁ brahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ||
"The Guru Stotram — honoring the spiritual teacher as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and as the Supreme Reality itself."
Word by Word
- Gurur Brahmā — the Guru is Brahma, the creator; Gurur Viṣṇuḥ — the Guru is Vishnu, the sustainer; Gurur Devo Maheśvaraḥ — the Guru is the god Maheshvara (Shiva), the transformer; Guruḥ Sākṣāt Paraṁ Brahma — the Guru is verily the Supreme Brahman; Tasmai Śrī Gurave Namaḥ — to that revered Guru, salutations.
Full Translation
One of the most widely chanted verses in honor of the teacher. It declares that the Guru embodies the three great functions of the Divine — creation (Brahma), sustenance (Vishnu), and transformation (Shiva, here named Maheshvara) — and is none other than the Supreme Brahman made visible. The verse closes by bowing: "to that revered Guru, I offer my salutations." Jai Uttal brings the ancient shloka into a warm, melodic kirtan.
Pronunciation Tips
GU-roor BRAH-mah, GU-roor VISH-nuhu, GU-roor DAY-vo mah-HESH-wah-rah