Sri Harinama astakam - poetry by Dravida Prabhu

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SRI HARINAMA ASTAKAM

The Holy Name of Sri Hari Is All That Be

(Original author anonymous; poetry by Dravida dasa)

 

Of sweet things, it's the sweetest you will taste at any time;

Of things that bring good fortune, it's good fortune's paradigm;

Of things that purify, it purifies most powerf'lly;

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

>From Brahma's realm atop the sky down to the lowly grass,

Illusion reigns in Maya-devi's treacherous morass.

The truth, the truth, the only truth: the Name of Sri Hari.

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

He's the guru, he's the father, he's the friend most true,

And she's the real mother who most kindly teaches you

To always chant and hear the Holy Name of Sri Hari.

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

Remember that our final breath may come at any time,

No matter if we're old and sick or in our youthful prime.

So young and old alike should chant the Name incessantly.

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

Lord Sri Hari forever dwells wherever devotees

Whose hearts are fixed on Him and free of all impurities

Uplift their voices high and sing His Name in ecstasy.

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

Alas ! What sorrow! What great pain ! The worst calamity-

For people to forget the Holy Name of Sri Hari!

Although the Name's a priceless gem, mere broken glass they see.

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

Just fill your ears, just fill them with the Name of Sri Hari !

Just chant the Name, just chant the Name with all sincerity !

Just sing the Name, just sing the Holy Name eternally !

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

 

It makes this world appear like bits of straw upon the ground;

It splendorously reigns supreme-Diviniy in sound;

It's filled with transcendental bliss and peerless purity;

The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.