FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.17.29

शुश्रूषमाण आचार्यं सदोपासीत नीचवत् । यानशय्यासनस्थानैर्नातिदूरे कृताञ्जलि: ॥ २९ ॥
śuśrūṣamāṇa ācāryaṁ
[shushrooshamaana aachaaryam]
sadopāsīta nīca-vat
[sadopaaseeta neecha-vat]
yāna-śayyāsana-sthānair
[yaana-shayyaasana-sthaanair]
nāti-dūre kṛtāñjaliḥ
[naati-doore kritaanjalih]
Word-for-word
śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ — engaged in serving ācāryam — the bona fide spiritual master sadā — always upāsīta — one should worship nīca-vat — as a humble servant yāna — by humbly following behind the guru when he is walking śayyā — by taking rest with the spiritual master āsana — sitting near the guru to render service sthānaiḥ — by standing and humbly waiting upon the guru na — not ati — very dūre — far away kṛta-añjaliḥ — with folded hands.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śuśrūṣamāṇa ācāryaṁ
śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ
engaged in serving
ācāryam
the bona fide spiritual master
sadopāsīta nīca-vat
sadā
always
upāsīta
one should worship
nīca-vat
as a humble servant
yāna-śayyāsana-sthānair
yāna
by humbly following behind the guru when he is walking
śayyā
by taking rest with the spiritual master
āsana
sitting near the guru to render service
sthānaiḥ
by standing and humbly waiting upon the guru
nāti-dūre kṛtāñjaliḥ
na
not
ati
very
dūre
far away
kṛta-añjaliḥ
with folded hands.
While engaged in serving the spiritual master one should remain as a humble servant, and thus when the guru is walking the servant should humbly walk behind. When the guru lies down to sleep, the servant should also lie down nearby, and when the guru has awakened, the servant should sit near him, massaging his lotus feet and rendering other, similar services. When the guru is sitting down on his āsana, the servant should stand nearby with folded hands, awaiting the guru’s order. In this way one should always worship the spiritual master.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
With an attitude of service he should serve the guru, walking behind him when the guru walks, lying down nearby and alert when the guru sleeps, and standing with folded hands when the guru sits. He should follow behind the guru when the guru goes. When the guru sleeps he should lie down nearby while remaining alert. When the guru sits, he should remain in front of him with folded hands waiting for his order.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Walk humbly behind the guru, lie down when he does, sit nearby, attend his every movement. The disciple's body shadows the guru's body — a precise discipleship.
Reflection Questions
  • What of my own teacher's example do I mirror in my body, not just my mind?
  • What might I imitate this week?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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