Oh Why While Chanting Hare Krsna...?

[Guest guest]

Keno Hare Krsna Nam

"Oh Why While Chanting Hare Krsna...?"

-by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

 

 

 

(refrain)

keno hare krsna nam hari bole

mano pran kande na

 

Oh, why does my heart not weep from chanting the holy names Hare Krsna?

 

 

(1)

pakhi na jani kon aparadhe

mukhe hare krsna nam bolo na

 

The bird of my heart does not know what past sinful activities it

has committed to cause this inability to chant Hare Krsna properly.

 

 

(2)

baner pakhi re dhare raklam hrdoy mandire

madhu makha ei hari nam

pakhi re sikhaile sikhe

 

O forest bird! I have kept something for you very carefully within

the cottage of my heart-the holy name of Lord Hari, which is overflowing

with pure sweet honey. O bird, you could learn the chanting of this name if

you were taught.

 

 

(3)

pakhi sakal nam bolte paro

keno hare krsna nam bolo na

keno hare krsna nam hari bole

mano pran kande na

 

A bird is easily able to speak all names; why then does this bird of

my heart refuse to chant Hare Kanëa? Oh, why does my heart not weep from

chanting the holy names Hare Krsna?

 

 

(4)

chalo pakhi ruper dese jai

je desete maner manus asa jaoya nai

 

O bird! Come, let us go to the spiritual world, the land of true and

everlasting beauty. It is the place where the imaginary man of my mind will

never again come and go on the revolving cycle of birth and death.

 

 

(5)

pakhi re tor marana kalete

carabi vaser dolate

ore car janete kandhe kore

loye jabe smasan ghatete

 

O bird! At the time of death, your body will simply be placed upon a

funeral stretcher, lifted on the shoulders of four persons, and carried to

the cremation grounds.

 

 

(6)

ore o tor mukhe aguna jihve tule

ki korobi tai bolo na

 

Alas! The cremation fire will then enter your mouth and totally

consume your tongue. There will be nothing you can do to save yourself, for

at that time it is too late --- you will be unable to speak any more.