Honored Guru Gita
By Gurudevi Nirmalananda
In 1971, my Guru incorporated the daily chanting of this text in Sanskrit into the Ashram discipline, saying it was the ultimate teaching.
He cherry-picked the verses for us to sing, using about half of the verses from the section of the Skanda Purana where it originates. I have chanted it 10,000 times or more, with it still deepening my relationship with him every time.
I have studied many texts deeply, with my own Guru and many other illustrious teachers, and find that everything they offer me is contained in this one remarkable text, just as Baba promised.
Most importantly, chanting Shree Guru Gita places me at his feet once again, where I intend to sit for the rest of my life. You will also be filled with grace every time you chant or listen to it. As the text says:
Na guroradhikam — There is nothing greater than the Guru.
This recording honors Sanskrit’s inherent rhythms, the chanting of which deepen the power of the text and thus the results you get.
I learned the pace in Baba’s ashrams, where I served as a musician, and learned to keep each verse to a specific time frame. The pacing also allows you to sing a verse in one breath, a highly recommended practice, yet allows you time for a breath in the middle of each verse if you need it.
My melody is a slight variation on the traditional melody, which Baba gave us, with the extra notes making it easier for beginners to learn how to chant it.
Verse-by-verse pronunciation lessons are online for free - click here.
Track 1 - OM svaroopa svasvabhavah namo namah (0:23)
Track 2 - OM Guru Mere Guru, Jaya Guru OM (5:34)
Track 3 - Guru Paduka-Panchakam (3:05)
Track 4 - Shree Guru Gita (37:58)
Track 5 - Shree Krishna Govinda (8:06)
Track 6 - Universal Prayer (3:17)
Track 7 - Jaya Jaya Arati Nityananada (4:29)
Available on Apple Music
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and many other music sites
Produced by Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati
Vocals, harmonium: Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati
Drums, bells, synthesizer: Bruce Siekman
Cover Design: Kemm Sarver, Rosalena Graphics
Mixed by Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati & Bruce Siekman
Recorded at Amoeba Audio
© (p) 2011, S.T.C., Inc. Distributed by Amaya® Yoga Products, www.amayayogaproducts.com. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized copying, reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting prohibited.