Shri Gaurishashtakam
॥ श्री गौरीशाष्टकम ॥
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते।
जलभवदुस्तरजलधिसुतरणंध्येयं चित्ते शिवहरचरणम्।
अन्योपायं न हि न हि सत्यंगेयं शङ्कर शङ्कर नित्यम्।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥1॥
Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate। Jala-bhava-dustara-jaladhi-sutaraṇaṁ, Dhyeyaṁ Citte Śiva-Hara-Caraṇam। Anyopāyaṁ Na Hi Na Hi Satyaṁ, Geyaṁ Śaṅkara Śaṅkara Nityam। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥1॥
Meaning
O deluded mind, worship Lord Gaurisha (Lord Shiva, the consort of Goddess Gauri). Meditate constantly upon the holy feet of Lord Shiva, for they alone help one cross the difficult ocean of worldly existence. Truly, there is no other sure path to liberation. Therefore, always sing and remember the sacred name of Shankara.
दारापत्यं क्षेत्रं वित्तंदेहं गेहं सर्वमनित्यम्।
इति परिभावय सर्वमसारंगर्भविकृत्या स्वप्नविचारम्।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥2॥
Dārāpatyaṁ Kṣetraṁ Vittaṁ, Dehaṁ Gehaṁ Sarvam Anityam। Iti Paribhāvaya Sarvam Asāraṁ, Garbha-Vikṛtyā Svapna-Vicāram। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥2॥
Meaning
Family, children, property, wealth, the body, and even one’s home are all temporary. Reflect deeply that everything in this world is impermanent and as fleeting as a dream. Realizing this truth, turn your mind toward Lord Shiva instead of becoming attached to worldly possessions.
मलवैचित्ये पुनरावृत्तिःपुनरपि जननीजठरोत्पत्तिः।
पुनरप्याशाकुलितं जठरं किंनहि मुञ्चसि कथयेश्चित्तम्।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥3॥
Mala-Vaicitye Punarāvṛttiḥ, Punarapi Jananī-Jaṭharotpattiḥ। Punarapy Āśā-Kulitaṁ Jaṭharaṁ, Kiṁ Na Hi Muñcasi Kathayeś Cittam। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥3॥
Meaning
Again and again the soul returns through the cycle of birth and death, repeatedly entering the mother’s womb. Desires continue to arise endlessly, keeping one bound to worldly existence. O mind, why do you not abandon these attachments and seek the eternal refuge of Lord Shiva?
मायाकल्पितमैन्द्रं जालं नहि तत्सत्यं दृष्टिविकारम्।
ज्ञाते तत्त्वे सर्वमसारं माकुरु मा कुरु विषयविचारम्।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥4॥
Māyā-Kalpita-Maindraṁ Jālaṁ, Nahi Tat Satyaṁ Dṛṣṭi-Vikāram। Jñāte Tattve Sarvam Asāraṁ, Mā Kuru Mā Kuru Viṣaya-Vicāram। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥4॥
Meaning
The fascinating world created by Maya (illusion) is not ultimately real. It is merely a distortion of perception. Once the Supreme Truth is realized, all worldly attractions lose their significance. Therefore, stop dwelling on sense pleasures and focus instead on spiritual wisdom.
रज्जौ सर्पभ्रमणा-रोपस्तद्वद्ब्रह्मणि जगदारोपः।
मिथ्यामायामोहविकारंमनसि विचारय बारम्बारम्।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥5॥
Rajjau Sarpa-Bhramaṇā-Ropaḥ, Tadvad Brahmaṇi Jagad-Āropaḥ। Mithyā-Māyā-Moha-Vikāraṁ, Manasi Vicāraya Bārambāram। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥5॥
Meaning
Just as a rope is mistakenly perceived as a snake in darkness, the world is falsely superimposed upon the Supreme Brahman because of ignorance. Reflect repeatedly upon this truth and free your mind from the delusions created by Maya.
अध्वरकोटीगङ्गागमनं कुरुतेयोगं चेन्द्रियदमनम्।
ज्ञानविहीनः सर्वमतेन नभवति मुक्तो जन्मशतेन।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥6॥
Adhvara-Koṭī-Gaṅgā-Gamanaṁ, Kurute Yogaṁ Cendriya-Damanam। Jñāna-Vihīnaḥ Sarva-Matena, Na Bhavati Mukto Janma-Śatena। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥6॥
Meaning
Even if a person performs countless sacrifices, bathes in the sacred Ganga, practices yoga, and controls the senses, liberation cannot be attained without true spiritual knowledge. According to all scriptures, self-realization alone leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
सोऽहं हंसो ब्रह्मैवाहंशुद्धानन्दस्तत्त्वपरोऽहम्।
अद्वैतोऽहं सङ्गविहीनेचेन्द्रिय आत्मनि निखिले लीने।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥7॥
So’haṁ Haṁso Brahmaivāhaṁ, Śuddhānandas Tattva-Paro’ham। Advaito’haṁ Saṅga-Vihīne, Cendriya Ātmani Nikhile Līne। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥7॥
Meaning
I am That Supreme Reality. I am Brahman itself—pure, eternal bliss and the highest truth. I am beyond duality, free from attachment, and established in the Self where all senses and distinctions dissolve. This verse expresses the realization of one’s true divine nature.
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शङ्करकिंङ्कर मा कुरु चिन्तांचिंतामणिना विरचितमेतत्।
यः सद्भक्त्या पठति हि नित्यंब्रह्मणि लीनो भवति हि सत्यम्।
भज गौरीशं भज गौरीशंगौरीशं भज मन्दमते॥8॥
Śaṅkara-Kiṅkara Mā Kuru Cintāṁ, Cintāmaṇinā Viracitam Etat। Yaḥ Sadbhaktyā Paṭhati Hi Nityaṁ, Brahmaṇi Līno Bhavati Hi Satyam। Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Gaurīśaṁ, Gaurīśaṁ Bhaja Mandamate॥8॥
Meaning
O servant of Lord Shankara, do not worry. This sacred hymn was composed by Chintamani. Whoever recites it daily with sincere devotion becomes absorbed in the Supreme Brahman and gradually attains liberation. This is the eternal truth.
॥ इति श्रीचिन्तामणिविरचितं गौरीशाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Iti Śrī Cintāmaṇi Viracitaṁ Gaurīśāṣṭakaṁ Sampūrṇam॥
Meaning
Thus ends the sacred Shri Gaurishashtakam , composed by Sri Chintamani . Those who chant this hymn with devotion receive the blessings of Lord Shiva, attain purity of mind, spiritual wisdom, and ultimately realize the Supreme Truth.
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