Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu (Guru vandana) गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः (गुरु वन्दना)
The best-known verse of salutation to the guru, recited before study and on Guru Purnima.
- Type Prayer
- Language Sanskrit
- Tradition Common to many traditions
- Source Guru Gita (traditionally part of the Skanda Purana) — Guru Gita (traditionally part of the Skanda Purana)
Commonly recited version Editorially checked
Text
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Shloka
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।gururbrahmā gururviṣṇuḥ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ |
गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥guruḥ sākṣāt parabrahma tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||
Read in another script: ગુજરાતી বাংলা தமிழ் తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
The Roman line is IAST transliteration derived from the Devanagari (ā = long a, ṃ = anusvara, ḥ = visarga, ś/ṣ = sh sounds, c = ch as in “church”). In Hindi, Awadhi and Braj texts the silent final “a” is dropped. Transliteration does not show Vedic accents.
Questions
What is Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu (Guru vandana)?
The best-known verse of salutation to the guru, recited before study and on Guru Purnima.
What does Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu (Guru vandana) mean?
The guru is Brahma, the guru is Vishnu, the guru is the god Maheshvara; the guru is the supreme Brahman itself — salutation to that revered guru.
What is the source of Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu (Guru vandana)?
Guru Gita (traditionally part of the Skanda Purana) — Guru Gita (traditionally part of the Skanda Purana). Tradition: Common to many traditions.