Guru Mantra

Kaitie Ty Warren’s arrangement of the Guru Mantra
Sanskrit

IMPORTANT NOTE: when at the end of the mantra, “namah” is pronounced “namaha.” I didn’t know this at the time I recorded it, so it is not reflected in the teaching tracks. We learned it and made the adjustment before performing it thanks to choir member Evelie Delfino Sales Posch. When possible, we’ll update the recording.

Words:

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru devo Maheshwara
Guru sakshat, param Brahma, tasmai shri guravay namah

“In this mantra, the [singer] appeals to the Hindu Trinity – Brahma (force of creation), Vishnu (force of preservation) and devo Maheshwara (force of transformation).” From Yogapedia

Guru is a Sanskrit term that represents someone who is a “guide, teacher, expert, or master” of particular field or knowledge. ”Gu” refers to darkness assuming the form of ignorance and ”ru” to the radiance in the form of spiritual knowledge, that dispels this darkness. Hence, the Guru is the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. Another meaning of this Sanskrit word is “deep” or “heavy,” meaning that the guru is a person “deep” or “heavy” in knowledge. From MindBodyBloom

Our creation is that guru (Brahma-the force of creation); the duration of our lives is that guru (Vishnu-the force of preservation); our trials, tribulations, illnesses, calamities and the death of the body is that guru (devo Maheshwara-the force of destruction or transformation). There is a guru nearby (Guru Sakshat) and a guru that is beyond the beyond (param Brahma). I make my offering (tasmai) to the beautiful (shri) remover of my darkness, my ignorance; (Guru) it is to you I bow and lay down my life (namah). Source

This arrangement is inspired by the melody from DJ Drez (featuring Marti Nikko) and the harmonies from the Buddhist Monk Kanho Yakushiji’s arrangement of The Zen Buddhist Heart Sutra (watch his original video below).

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