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Guru Vandana — Salutation to the Guru

गुरु वन्दना
Mantras, Slokas & Daily PrayersTraditionalSanskrit

The most recited verses honouring the guru — who is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara, and the very Supreme made visible — chanted before study, satsang and on Guru Purnima.

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Gurur Brahma
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः । गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
gurur brahma gurur vishnuh gurur devo maheshvarah guruh sakshat parabrahma tasmai shri-gurave namah
gurur brahmā gurur viṣṇuḥ gurur devo maheśvaraḥ guruḥ sākṣāt parabrahma tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
The guru is Brahma, the guru is Vishnu, the guru is the god Maheshvara; the guru is the Supreme Brahman made visible — to that revered guru, salutations.
Akhanda Mandalakaram
अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् । तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
akhanda-mandalakaram vyaptam yena caracaram tat-padam darshitam yena tasmai shri-gurave namah
akhaṇḍa-maṇḍalākāraṃ vyāptaṃ yena carācaram tat-padaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
That unbroken wholeness which pervades all things moving and unmoving — to the revered guru who revealed that state, salutations.
When it is recited: Before study or spiritual practice, at satsangs, and especially on Guru Purnima. Often recited while offering pranam to one's teacher.
Traditional significance: The guru is honoured not as a person but as the principle that creates, sustains and dissolves ignorance — hence Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara. The second verse thanks the one who showed the reality that pervades all things, moving and unmoving.
Questions
Can these verses be recited without a formal guru?

Yes. Tradition regards the guru-tattva — the guiding principle itself — as present in every genuine teacher, in the ishta devata, and in whatever removes one's darkness. The salutation honours that principle.

Related
Guru PurnimaSaraswati Vandana — Prayer Before StudyGayatri Mantra

Source: Guru Gita (Skanda Purana). Regional versions may vary — this text follows the version most widely used in community worship.