ŚRĪ GURVAṢṬAKAM Eight Prayers Glorifying the Spiritual Master -by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākur

(The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as the cloud pours water on the forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master extinguishes the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.)

(The spiritual master is always engaged in chanting and hearing the message of Lord Caitanya and sometimes is dancing in ecstasy. Sometimes he feels quivering in his body because of spiritual trance. I offer my respectful obeisances unto such spiritual master.)

(The spiritual master is always engaged along with his disciples in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such spiritual master.)

(The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of foodstuffs [analyzed as those which are chewed, those which are licked up, those which are drunk and those which are swallowed]. Four kinds of prasadam are offered to Krsna, and when the spiritual master sees that the devotees are eating bhagavat-prasadam, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such spiritual master.)

(The spiritual master is always anxious to hear and chant about the wonderful pastimes between Radhika and Madhava, which are all in the modes of loving exchanges [Madhurya-Lila], as well as about their quality, names and form. The spiritual master aspires after relishing these things at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances to such spiritual master.)

(The spiritual master is very much expert in assisting the gopis, who are engaged in the perfection of Radha-Krsna conjugal love affairs. At different times they make different tasteful arrangements for such spiritual exchange, and the spiritual master is there to assist in the affairs. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.)

(The spiritual master is honored as much as the Supreme Lord because of his being the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna].)

(By the mercy of the spiritual master one is benedicted by the mercy of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master no one can make any advancement. Therefore I should always remember the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.)