What is the Siksastaka?

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The Siksastaka is a set of eight ecstatic verses spoken by Lord Caitanya, as

translated in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, chapter 20:

 

 

“‘Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna,

which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing

fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the

white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of

all education. The chanting of the holy name of Krsna expands the blissful ocean

of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to

taste full nectar at every step.’

 

“‘My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good

fortune for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as

“Krsna” and “Govinda,” by which You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your

potencies in those names, and there are no hard and fast rules for remembering

them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned

souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit

offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment

for chanting.’

 

“‘One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree,

and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all

respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.’

 

“‘O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic

followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery

language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to

You.’

 

“‘O My Lord, O Krsna, son of Maharaja Nanda, I am Your eternal servant, but

because of My own fruitive acts I have fallen into this horrible ocean of

nescience. Now please be causelessly merciful to Me. Consider Me a particle of

dust at Your lotus feet.’

 

“‘My dear Lord, when will My eyes be beautified by filling with tears that

constantly glide down as I chant Your holy name? When will My voice falter and

all the hairs on My body stand erect in transcendental happiness as I chant Your

holy name?’

 

‘My Lord Govinda, because of separation from You, I consider even a moment a

great millennium. Tears flow from My eyes like torrents of rain, and I see the

entire world as void.’

 

“Let Krsna tightly embrace this maidservant who has fallen at His lotus feet, or

let Him trample Me or break My heart by never being visible to Me. He is a

debauchee, after all, and can do whatever He likes, but He is still no one other

than the worshipable Lord of My heart.’”

 

 

MDd