गुरु वंदना — Word-by-Word Meaning
गुरु वंदना
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
गुरु
Guru
Teacher, remover of darkness (gu=darkness, ru=remover)
ब्रह्मा
Brahma
The creator god
विष्णुः
Vishnu
The preserver god
महेश्वरः
Maheshwarah
The great lord (Shiva)
साक्षात्
Sakshat
Directly, in person
परं ब्रह्म
Param Brahma
The supreme absolute truth
अखण्डमण्डलाकारं
Akhandamandalakaram
Whose form is the undivided circle of the universe
चराचरम्
Characharam
All moving and non-moving beings
अज्ञान
Agyaana
Ignorance
तिमिरान्धस्य
Timirandhasya
Blinded by the darkness of
ज्ञानाञ्जन
Gyananjana
The collyrium of knowledge
शलाकया
Shalakaya
With the needle/applicator
चक्षुः उन्मीलितं
Chakshuh Unmilitam
Eyes were opened
त्वमेव
Tvameva
You alone are
माता
Mata
Mother
पिता
Pita
Father
बन्धु
Bandhu
Relative, kin
सखा
Sakha
Friend
विद्या
Vidya
Knowledge
द्रविणं
Dravinam
Wealth
Complete Translation
The Guru is Brahma (creator), the Guru is Vishnu (preserver), the Guru is Lord Maheshwara (Shiva, the transformer). The Guru is the Supreme Absolute itself. I bow to that Guru.
The Guru whose form pervades the entire undivided circle of the universe — all that moves and all that is still — who has shown me that supreme state, I bow to that Guru.
The Guru who opened my eyes, blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the needle of the collyrium of knowledge — I bow to that Guru.
You alone are my mother, you alone are my father. You alone are my relative and friend. You alone are knowledge and wealth. You are everything to me, O God of gods.
Origin & History
Source: Guru Gita (Skanda Purana)
Author: Attributed to Lord Shiva (taught to Parvati)
Period: Ancient (Puranic era)
The Guru Gita is a dialogue between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the Skanda Purana. Parvati asks Shiva about the nature and importance of the Guru. Shiva responds with these verses, declaring that the Guru embodies the entire trinity — Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara — because the Guru creates knowledge, preserves wisdom, and destroys ignorance. The 'Tvameva Mata' verse is from a different source and is a universal prayer of surrender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu mean?▼
It means the Guru (teacher) is Brahma (creator of knowledge), the Guru is Vishnu (sustainer of knowledge), the Guru is Shiva (transformer through knowledge), and the Guru is the supreme truth itself. It elevates the teacher to the status of the divine trinity.
Who wrote the Guru Vandana?▼
These shlokas come from the Guru Gita, a section of the Skanda Purana, presented as a dialogue between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati about the importance of the Guru.
When is Guru Vandana chanted?▼
Before every class in traditional Indian education, at the start of spiritual practices, during Guru Purnima (full moon in July), and whenever seeking knowledge or guidance.
What does Tvameva Mata Cha Pita mean?▼
You alone are my mother, father, relative, friend, knowledge, and wealth — you are everything. This shloka expresses complete surrender and devotion to God or Guru, acknowledging them as the source of everything in life.
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