The absolute form of the Guru is like nectar to
those who can truly see. To those who cannot
see through the veil of illusion, the true form
of the Guru is shrouded, like the sunrise is to a
blind man.
| Shri guroh paramam rupam | |
| shree goo – ro(h) pu – ru –mum roo – pum | |
| Note: as we have seen before, param mean supreme, absolute or highest. Rupa is a word that will appear many times in upcoming verses of the Gita; it means form. | |
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| viveka chak | |
| vi – vay – ku chuk | |
Note: it's a little tricky at first to say the 'ka' followed by the 'chuk' sounds. Start by saying one - and then pause - and then say the second. Repeat this until each syllable is comfortable, then continue to repeat them together as you reduce the space of the pause down to nothing. Review verse 24, which had the word chakshur in it as well, meaning eyes. The word is found in the 'chuk' from this phrase, together with the shusho of the next phrase. Here is refers to having the 'eyes' to see through the veil of illusion. |
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| shusho mrtam | |
| shoo – sho mr(i) – tum | |
| Note: mrtam is amrita (the beginning 'a' is part of the final 'o' of shusho). Amrita means nectar. | |
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| glue... | |
| Shri guroh paramam rupam, viveka chakshusho mrtam | |
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| Manda bhaagyaa | |
| mun – du bhaag – yaa | |
| Note: the first word uses two short 'a' sounds, while the second word uses two long 'a' sounds. Differentiate them with care. | |
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| na pashyanti | |
| nu push – yun – tee | |
Note: Pashyanti means perceived or illuminated. It is also the third level of speach. In this context it refers to what cannot (na) be perceived, such as a sunrise by a blind person. |
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| andhah suryo | |
| un – dhuh soor – yo | |
| Note: Surya means sun. We'll see this word again in verse 45. You may be familiar with the Sanskrit word from hatha yoga classes that begin with the sun salutation pose, "surya namaskar". | |
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| dayam yathaa | |
| du – yum yu – thaa | |
| Note: the 'th' is aspriated | |
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| glue... | |
| Manda bhaagyaa na pashyanti, andhah suryo dayam yathaa | |
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| Now repeat the entire verse all together: | |
| Shri guroh paramam rupam, viveka chakshusho mrtam; Manda bhaagyaa na pashyanti, andhah suryo dayam yathaa. | |
| and know the keywords: | |
| Shri guroh paramam rupam, viveka chakshusho mrtam; Manda bhaagyaa na pashyanti, andhah suryo dayam yathaa. | |
The absolute form of the Guru is like nectar to those who can truly see. To those who cannot see through the veil of illusion, the true form of the Guru is shrouded, like the sunrise is to a blind man. |
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