Sri Gurvastakam

By Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

Verse 3

śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛńgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāḿś ca niyuñjato 'pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
 Verse 3 – Line 1 and 2
Word for word meaning

śrī-vigraha – (of) the arcā-vigraha (Deities)

ārādhana – the worship
nitya – daily
nānā – (with) various
śṛńgāra – clothing and ornaments
tat – of the Lord
mandira – (of) the temple
mārjana-ādau – in the cleaning, etc.
 Verse 3 – Line 3 and 4
Word for word meaning
yuktasya – who is engaged
bhaktān – his disciples
ca – and
niyuñjataḥ – who engages
api – also
vande – I offer obeisances
guroḥ – of my spiritual master;
śrī – auspicious
caraṇa-aravindam – unto the lotus feet
Verse 3 Translation

The spiritual master is always engaged in

the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and
Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such
worship. They dress the Deities in
beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean
Their temple, and perform other similar
worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a
spiritual master.
Verse 3 Translation

Because he is relishing the mellows of

pure devotion within his mind,
sometimes his hair stands on end, he
feels quivering in his body, and tears
flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my
respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet
of such a spiritual master.
Process of Deity worship, Temple cleaning
Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks - process of deity
worship
• Sri Vigraha – suitable form – not just a stone
• Guru personally engages
• Engages his disciples as well
• Worship - done constantly
• Deity dress should be first class
Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks - process of
Temple cleaning
• Temple – expansion of Deity’s spiritual energy
• So keep it very very neat and clean
• Temple cleaning – form of Tapasya
• Temple security
• Engagement of senses
 Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks – results of deity
worship and Temple cleaning
• Deity will speak to you
• Infuses the mundane mind with spiritual inspiration
• Heart becomes clean and spiritually decorated
• Better understanding of Krishna
• Fit to go back to Godhead
 Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks – results of deity
worship and Temple cleaning
• Gives spiritual satisfaction
• Desire to dress oneself nicely vanishes
• Saves common man from cinema songs
• Public will benefit by seeing clean Temple and nicely
dressed Deity