तदधीनश्च रेन्नित्यं तद्वाक्यं नैव लघयेत्
He should always remain dependent on that [guru], and never disregard his words.
दुर्लभं तं विजानीयाद्गुरुं संसारतारकम्
He should recognize that guru, who leads across the ocean of existence, as rare to obtain.
अन्धकारनिरोधित्वाद्गुरुरित्यभिधीयते
Because he removes darkness, he is called 'guru.'
गुरुक्तं परुषं वाक्यमाशिषं परिचिन्तयेत्
He should reflect upon the harsh words or blessings spoken by the guru.
आददीत ततो ज्ञानं पूर्वं तमभिवादयेत्
He should then receive knowledge from him, having first offered his salutations.
गुरुभक्तिस्सदाचारस्तद्द्रोहस्तत्र पातकम्
Devotion to the guru and good conduct are meritorious; enmity toward him is a sin in this matter.
यत्पापं समवाप्नोति गुर्वग्रे ऽनृतभाषणत्
The sin one incurs by speaking falsely in the presence of the guru—
ब्रह्मादिस्तंब पर्यतं यस्य मे गुरुसंततिः
—extends from Brahmā down to a blade of grass, for whom my lineage of gurus exists.
इति सर्वानुकूलो यः स शिष्यः परिकीर्तितः
Thus, the disciple who is entirely agreeable in all respects is described.
गुरुशासनवर्तित्वाच्छिष्य इत्यभिधीयते
He is called a disciple because he follows the commands of the teacher.
जपध्यानादियुक्तस्य क्षिप्रं मन्त्रः प्रसिध्यति
For one engaged in recitation, meditation, and similar practices, the mantra quickly becomes effective.
तथा समाधिसा मर्थ्याद्ब्रह्मीभूतो भवेन्नरः
Likewise, through samadhi, a mortal becomes transformed into a state of Brahman.
तथैव मीलयेन्नेत्रे एतद्ध्यानस्य लक्षणम्
In the same way, one closes the eyes; this is the mark of that meditation.
किङ्करत्वं च गच्छन्ति मन्त्रा मन्त्राधिपैः सह
Mantras, together with their presiding deities, attain the state of servitude.
योगस्तपः स तन्मन्त्रस्तद्धनं यन्निरीक्षणम्
Yoga, austerity, that mantra, and that wealth are whatever is observed.
यत्रयत्र मनो याति तत्रतत्र समाधयः
Wherever the mind goes, there samadhis arise.
न तस्य किञ्चिदाप्तव्यं ज्ञातव्यं वावशिष्यते
He has nothing left to attain or to know.
जपकोटिसमं ध्यानं ध्यानकोटिसमो लयः
Meditation equal to a crore of recitations, and absorption equal to a crore of meditations.
त्यजेदज्ञाननिर्माल्यं सोहंभावेन योजयेत्
He should abandon the impurity of ignorance and unite with the 'soham' consciousness.
पाशबद्धः स्मृतो जीवः पाशमुक्तो महेश्वरः
The living being bound by fetters is called jiva; freed from fetters, he is Maheshvara.
यथा गतिर्न दृश्येत महावृत्तं महात्मनाम्
Just as the path of the great souls is not seen, their vast course is likewise.
उभयोः काम्यकर्मा स्यादिति शास्त्रस्य निश्चयः
For both, action performed with desire is the conclusion of the scripture.
कोटिकोटिमहायज्ञात्परा श्रीपादुका स्मृतिः
The remembrance of the revered sandals surpasses millions upon millions of great sacrifices.
तावद्वर्णाश्रमाचारः कर्तव्यः कर्ममुक्तये
Until then, conduct according to caste and stage of life should be performed for liberation from action.
निषिद्धमपि तत्कुर्याद्गुर्वाज्ञां नैव लङ्घयेत्
Even if forbidden, one should do it; the command of the teacher must never be transgressed.
दण्डप्रमाणं कृत्वैकं त्रिः प्रदक्षिणामाचरेत्
Having measured with a staff, one should perform three circumambulations.
प्रणमेद्देवबुद्ध्या तु प्रतिमां लोहमृन्मयीम्
One should bow to an image made of metal or clay, regarding it with the thought of divinity.
विकास्य गुह्यशास्त्राणि भवन्ति ब्रह्मराक्षसाः
When secret scriptures are revealed, brahmarākṣasas arise.
न निन्देदन्यसमयान्वेदशास्त्रागमादिकान्
One should not disparage other traditions, nor the Vedas, scriptures, or Āgamas.
क्रोश मात्रस्थितो भक्त्या गुरुं प्रतिदिनं नमेत्
Standing at a distance of a krośa, one should daily bow to the guru with devotion.