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Suguru Vandan Explanation:
Since this sutra is recited while paying obeisance to the Guru, it is called the “Guru Vandan” sutra (Guru is the preceptor and Vandan is paying obeisance).
There are three types of Guru Vandan: • Fitta Vandan
Thobh Vandan Dwadashavartt Vandan
(Fitta Vandan is to pay obeisance to the Guru on the way while saying 'matthaen vandami' and bowing down the head with folded hands.
Thobh Vandan is paying obeisance by reciting the khamasaman sutra and performing panchang pranipat twice; Panchang pranipat is paying obeisance while bowing with two hands, two knees and head completely touching the floor.
Dwadashavartt Vandan is to pay obeisance by saying the Guru Vandan sutra twice.) This Guru Vandan sutra is said while performing this third type of Vandan i.e. Dwadashavartt Vandan. Avartt is touching the consecration of Guru's feet and then touching one's own forehead. In one Vandan, there are 6 such avarttas. Therefore there will be 6*2 = 12 avarttas when the Vandan is performed twice, thus called dwadashavartt vandan (dwadash = 2 (dwa) +10(dash) = 12).
The following is how experts have explained the meaning and essence of Guru Vandan:
Vandan means the obeisance paid to a religious preceptor worthy of such obeisance and performed in accordance with the
