In the Indian tradition, great importance is attached to having a Guru in one’s life. The Gurvashtakam exemplifies this cultural tenet. In this octet, Adi Shankara lists the various aspects of life that human beings generally prize: fame, power, riches, beauty, intelligence, talent, possessions, a wonderful family. Then he dismisses it all, saying, “If one’s mind does not surrender before the feet of the Guru, what is the point? What is the point, what is the point, oh, what is the point?”
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Shareeram surupam yathā vā kalathram
Yashashchāru chitram dhanam merutulyam
Gurorangri padme manaschenalaghnam
Tata kim tata kim tata kim tata kim
Kalātram dhanam putra pautrādi sarvam
Gruham bāndhava sarvametaddhi jātam
Shadangādivedo mukhe shāstra vidyā
Kavitwādi gadyam supadyam karoti
Videsheshu manyaha swadesheshu dhanyaha
Sadāchārvrutteshu matto na chānyaha
Kshama mandale bhupa bhupala vrundai
Sadā sevitam yasya pādāravindam
Yasho me gatam dikshu dāna pratāpāt
Jagadwastu sarvam kare yat prasādāt
Na bhoge na yoge na vā vājirājau
Na kāntā mukhe naiva vitteshu chittam
Aranye na vā svasya gehe na kārye
Na dehe mano vartate metwanarghye
Anarghyāni ratnāni muktāni samyak
Samālingita kāmini yāminishu