Please teach me the ways of Saranagati : the six-fold practice of surrender

[Guest guest]

Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Jive Doya Kori

 

Introductory song to the Saranagati

 

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

 

 

 

(1)

 

çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu jéve doyä kori’

 

swa-pärñada swéya dhäma saha avatari’

 

 

 

(2)

 

atyanta durlabha prema koribäre däna

 

çikhäya çaraëägati bhakatera präna

 

 

 

(3)

 

dainya, ätma-nivedana, goptåtve varaëa

 

‘avaçya rakñébe kåñëa’—viçväsa, pälana

 

 

 

(4)

 

bhaki-anuküla-mätra käryera svékara

 

bhakti-pratiküla-bhäva varjanäìgikära

 

 

 

(5)

 

ñaò-aìga çaraëägati hoibe jähära

 

tähära prärthanä çune çré-nanda-kumära

 

 

 

(6)

 

rüpa-sanätana-pade dante tåëa kori’

 

bhakativinoda poòe duhuì . dhori’

 

 

 

(7)

 

käìdiyä käìdiyä bole ämi to’ adhama

 

çikhäye çaraëägati koro he uttama

 

 

 

TRANSLATION

 

Out of compassion for the fallen souls, Sri Krisna Caitanya came to this world with His personal associates and divine abode to teach saranagati, surrender to the almighty Godhead, and to freely distribute ecstatic love of God, which is ordinarily very difficult to obtain. This saranagati is the very life of the true devotee

 

The ways of saranagati are humility, dedication of the self, acceptance of the Lord as one’s only maintainer, faith that Krishna will surely protect, execution of only those acts favorable to pure devotion, and renunciation of conduct adverse to pure devotion.

 

The youthful son of Nanda Maharaja, Sri Krishna, hears the prayers of anyone who takes refuge in Him by this six-fold practice.

 

Bhaktivinoda places a straw between his teeth, prostrates himself before the two Goswamis,Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana, and clasps their lotus feet with his hands. “I am certainly the lowest of men.” he tells them weeping, “but please make me the best of men by teaching me the ways of saranagati”

__________________

 

Saranagati is the very life

of the true devotee:

the devotional surrender

to Lord Krishna.

 

Sriman Mahaprabhu has personally taught

this in order to freely

distribute ecstatic love of God.

 

Sri Nanda-Kumara Krishna hears the heart felt prayers

of anyone who takes shelter of Him

by this six-fold practice:

Humility,

dedication of the self,

acceptance of the Lord as one's only maitainer,

consciousness of 'Krishna will surely protect me',

execution of those acts favorable to pure devotion,

and reunciation of coduct adverse to pure devotion.

 

Prostrating myself before Sri Guru

Placing a staw between my teeth,

I clasp his lotus feet with my hands.

 

Crying and crying,

"I am certainly the lowest of men!

Oh please make me the worthiest

by teaching me the ways of saranagati !"

[Guest guest]

Saranagati, by Thakur Bhaktivinode

 

- the first English translation,

published in The Harmonist during the 1930's

I

 

1. Sree Krishna Chaitanya, the Supreme Lord,

 

out of Divine Pity for jiva,

 

With His Own Associates and His Own Abode descending

 

2. The Love of God that can only be obtained with the

utmost

 

difficulty to give freely away,

 

Teaches to take refuge in Him; resignation that

is the very

 

life of the devotee.

 

3. Lowliness is the spirit, dedication of self, loving

 

acceptance of Him as Protector,

 

Cherishing faith that Krishna will surely protect,

 

4. Assenting to only acts that are conducive to devotion,

 

Promising to renounce conduct that is adverse to it -

 

5. In these sixfold ways, whoever takes refuge in Him,

 

His prayer reaches the ears of the Gracious Child

 

of Nanda.

 

6. At the feet of Rupa and Sanatana, holding the straw

 

between the teeth,

 

Falls Bhaktivinode clasping both the feet with his hands,

 

7. Crying all the while as he says: 'I am the vilest I do realise,

 

Teach thou me resignation and make me the worthiest.'

 

[Priitaa]

Nice post, but why is it so large and all over the place? Most won't scroll side-to-side very long. ha Is there anything you can fix on your end to make it more readable? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Dainya, humility, 7 songs

 

1. bhuliya tomare, somsare asiya

peye nama-bidha byatha

tomara carana asiyachi ami,

bolobo duhkhera katha

 

2. janani-jathare, chilama jakhona,

bisama bandhana-pase

ek-bara prabhu! dekha diya more,

boncile e dina dase

 

3. takhona bhavinu, janama paiya,

koribo bhajana taba

janama hoilo, pori maya-jale

na hoilo jnana-laba

 

4. adarera chele, swajanera kole,

hasiya katanu kala

janaka-janani- snehete bhuliya,

somsara lagilo bhalo

 

5. krame dina dina, balaka hoiya,

khelinu balaka-saha

ara kichu dine, jnana upajilo,

patha pori ahar-ahah

 

6. bidyara gaurave, bhromi dese dese,

dhana uparjana kori

swajana palana, kori eka-mane,

bhulinu tomare, hari!

 

7.bardhakye ekhona, bhakativinoda

kandiya katara ati

na bhojiya tore, dina britha gelo,

ekhona ki habe gati!

 

Translation

 

I forsook You, O Lord,

and came to this world

of pain and sorrow.

Now I submit my tale of woe

at Your lotus feet.

 

While still in the unbearable fetters

of my mother’s womb,

I saw You before me

You revealed Yourself but briefly

and then abandoned this

poor servant of Yours.

 

At that moment

I swore to worship You

after taking birth;

but birth came,

and with it the network of wordly illusion

which robbed me of all good sense.

 

As a fondled son in the lap of relatives,

I passed my time smiling and laughing.

My parents’ affection helped me to forget

the pangs of birth,

and I thought the world was very nice.

 

Day by day I grew

and soon began playing with other boys.

Shortly my powers of understanding emerged.

I read and studied my lessons incessantly.

 

Travelling from place to place,

proud of my education,

I grew wealthy

and maintained my family with undivided attention.

O Lord Hari, I forgot You!

 

Now in old age,

Bhaktivinoda is sad.

He weeps.

I failed to worship You, O Lord,

and instead passed my life in vain.

What will be my fate now ?

[Guest guest]

(2)1.bidyara bilase katainu kala,

parama sahase ami

tomara carana, na bhojinu kobhu,

ekhona sarana tumi

 

2. porite porite, bharasa barilo

jnane gati habe mani

se asa bifala, se jnana durbala

se jnana ajnana jani

 

3. jada-bidya jato, mayara vaibhava,

tomara bhajane badha

moha janamiya, anitya somsare,

jibake karaye gadha

 

4. sei gadha ho’ye, somsarera ‘bojha,

bhavinu aneka kala

bardhakye ekhona, sakti na abhave,

kichu nahi lage bhalo

 

5. jibana jatana, hoilo ekhona,

se bidya abidya bhelo

abidyara jwala, ghatilo bisama,

se bidya hoilo selo

 

6. tomara carana, bina kichu dhana,

 

somsare na ache ara

bhakativinoda, jada-bidya chari

tuwa . kare sara

 

Translation

 

Confidently,

I spent my time in the pleasures

of mundane learning

and never worshiped Your Lotus feet, O Lord.

Now You are my only shelter.

 

Reading on and on, my hopes grew,

for I considered material knowledge

to be life’s true path.

How fruitless was that hope,

and how feeble that knowledge proved to be.

I know now that all such knowledge is ignorance.

 

Knowledge of this world is knowledge

born of Your illusory energy (maya).

It impedes devotional service

and makes an ass of the eternal soul

by encouraging his infatuation

with this temporary world.

 

Here is one such ass

who for so long has carried on his back

the burden of material existence.

Now in my old age,

for want of the power to enjoy,

nothing pleases me.

 

Life has become agony now,

my knowledge has proven itself worthless,

and ignorance has penetrated my heart

with the intolerable, burning pain

of a pointed shaft.

 

O Lord, I seek no other treasure

in this world

than Your lotus feet.

Bhaktivinoda abandons everything

to make them

the sum and substance of his life.

[Guest guest]

3)1. jaubane jakhona, dhana-uparjane,

hoinu bipula kami

dharama smariya, grihinira kara,

dhorinu takhona ami

 

2. somsara pata’ye tahara sahita,

kala-khoy koinu kato

bahu sutaasuta, janama lobhilo,

marame hoinu hato

 

3. samsarera bhara, bare dine dine,

acala hoilo gati

bardhakya asiya, gherilo amare,

asthira hoilo mati

 

4. piraya asthira, cintaya jwarita

abhave jwalita citta

upaya na dekhi, andhakara-moya,

ekhona ho’yeche bhita

 

5. somsara-tatani srota nahe sesa

marana nikate ghora

saba samapiya, bhojibo tomaya

e asa bifala mora

 

ebe suno prabhu! ami gati-hina

bhakativinoda koya

taba krpa bina, sakali nirasa,

deho more padasroya

 

Translation

 

When I was young,

I greatly desired to earn money.

At that time bearing in mind the codes of religion,

I took a wife.

 

Together we set up a household,

wasted much time,

had many sons and daughters...

my heart grew heavy.

 

The burden of family life

increased day by day,

I felt my life at a standstill.

Old age came, grabbed me,

and made my mind fickle and disturbed.

 

Diseases trouble me now,

and constant anxiety has made me feverish.

My heart burns from lack of satisfaction,

and I see no way out.

All is darkness

and I am very much afraid.

 

The current of this worldly river

is strong and relentless.

A frightening, gloomy death approaches.

How I wish I could give up my worldly attachements.

I would worship You, O Lord,

but it is a useless hope.

 

Now please hear me, O Lord,

for I am utterly helpless.

Bhaktivinoda says,

“Without Your mercy, everything is lost.

Please give me the shelter of Your lotus feet.”

[Guest guest]

4)1. amara jibana, sada pape rata

nahiko punyera lesa

parere udvega, diyachi je kato

diyachi jibere klesa

 

2 nija sukha lagi, pape nahi dori,

doya-hina swartha-paro

para-sukhe duhkhi, sada mithya-bhase,

para-duhkha sukha-karo

 

3 asesa kamana, hrdi mahje mora,

krodhi, dambha-parayana

mada-matta sada, bisaye mohita,

himsa-garva vibhusana

 

4 nidralasya hata, sukarje birata,

akarje udyogi ami

pratistha lagiya, sathya acarana,

lobha-hata sada kami

 

5 e heno durjana, saj-jana-barjita,

aparadhi nirantara

subha-karja-sunya, sadanartha-matah,

nana duhkhe jara jara

 

6 bardhakye ekhona, upaya-bihina,

ta te dina akincana

bhakativinoda, prabhura carane

kare duhkha nibedana

 

Translation

 

I am an impious sinner

and have caused others

great anxiety and trouble.

 

I have never hesitated

to perform sinful act for my own enjoiment.

Devoid of all compassion,

concerned only with my own selfish interests,

I am remorseful seeing others happy.

I am a perpetual liar,

and the misery of others

is a source of great pleasure for me.

 

The material desires

within the core of my heart are unlimited.

I am wrathful,

devoted to false pride and arrogance,

intoxicated by vanity,

and bewildered by worldly affairs.

Envy and egotism are the ornaments I wear.

 

Ruined by laziness and sleep,

I resist all pious deeds;

yet I am very active and enthusiastic

to perform wicked acts.

For worldly fame and reputation

I engage in the practice of deceitfulness.

Thus I am destroyed by my own greed

and am always lustful.

 

A vile, wicked man such as this,

rejected by godly people,

is a constant offender.

I am such a person,

devoid of all good works,

forever inclined toward evil,

worn out and wasted by various miseries.

 

Now in old age,

deprived of all means of success,

humbled and poor,

Bhaktivinoda submits his tale of grief

at the feet of the Supreme Lord.

[Guest guest]

(5)1.(prabhu he!) suno mor duhkher kahini

bisaya-halahala sudha-bhane piyalun

ab abasana dinamani

 

2.khela-rase saisaba, porhaite kaisora,

gowaolun, na bhelo vibeka

bhoga-base jaubane, ghara pati boshilun

suta-mita barhalo aneka

 

3.brddha-kala aolo, saba sukha bhagalo,

pida-base katainu katar

sarbendriya durbala, khina kalebara,

bhogabhave duhkhita antar

 

4.jnana-laba-hina bhakti-rase banchita,

ara mora ki habe upaya

patita-bandhu, tuhun, patitadhama hama,

kripaya uthao tapa paya

 

5.bicarite abahi, guna nahi paobi,

krpa karo, chorato bicara

taba .-pankaja- sidhu pibaoto

bhakativinoda karo para

 

Translation

 

Hear, O Lord, my story of sadness.

I drank the deadly poison of worldliness,

pretending it was nectar,

and now the sun is setting

on the horizon of my life.

 

I spent my childhood in play,

my youth in academic pursuit,

and in me there was no sense of right or wrong.

In young manhood I set up a household

and settled down

to the spell of material enjoyment.

Children and friends quickly multiplied.

 

Soon old age arrived,

and all happiness departed.

Subjected to disease, troubled and weak,

all my senses are feeble now,

my body racked and exhausted,

and my spirits downcast

in the absence of youthful pleasures.

 

Devoid of even a particle of devotion,

lacking any enlightenment —

what help is there for me now?

Only You, O Lord, friend of the fallen.

I am certainly fallen, the lowest of men.

Please, therefore lift me to Your lotus feet.

 

Were You to judge me now,

You would find no good qualities.

Have mercy and judge me not.

Cause me to drink the honey of Your lotus feet

and thereby deliver this Bhaktivinoda.

[Guest guest]

(6)1.(prabhu he!) tua pade e minati mor

tava .-pallaba, tyajato maru-mana,

bisama bisaye bhelo bhor

 

2.uthayite takata, punah nahi milo-i,

anudina korohin hutas

dina-jana-natha, tuhun kahayasi,

tomara carana mama asa

 

3.aichana dina-jana, kohi nahi milo-i,

tuhun more koro parasada

tuwa jana-sange, tuwa katha-range,

charahun sakala paramada

 

4.tuwa dhama-mahe, tuwa nama gaoto,

gowayabun dina-nisi asa

tua .-chaya, parama susitala,

mage bhakativinoda dasa

 

Translation

 

At Your feet, soft as new-grown leaves,

I offer this humble prayer.

Those feet shelter the fallen souls

who burn from the heat of material existence.

But I gave up their shelter,

and now my mind scorched by the fire of worldliness,

has dried up like a desert.

 

I find no strength to go on,

and thus I spend my days lamenting.

My only desire now is for Your lotus feet,

O Lord of the meek and humble.

 

Has there ever been a soul as forlorn as me?

Please be merciful

and award me the association of Your devotees,

for by tasting the pleasure of hearing your pastimes

I shall give up all evils.

 

One hope animates my soul:

to spend day and night in Your divine abode

singing Your holy name.

Your tiny servant Bhaktivinoda begs a place

in the delightfully cooling shade of Your feet.

[Guest guest]

(7)1.(prabhu he!) emona durmati, samsara bhitore,

poriya achinu ami

tab nija-jana, kono mahajana

 

pataile dile tumi

 

2.doya kori’ more, patita dekhiya,

kohilo amare giya

ohe dina-jana suno bhalo katha

ullasita he’be hiya

 

3.tomare tarite, sri-krishna-caitanya,

nabadwipe abatara

toma heno kato, dina hina jane,

korilena bhava-para

 

4.bedera pratijna, rakhibara tare,

rukma-barna bipra-suta

mahaprabhu name, nadiya mataya,

sange bhai abadhuta

 

5.nanda-suta jini, caitanya gosai,

nija nama kori’dana

tarilo jagat, tumi-o jaiya,

loho nija-paritrana

 

6.se katha suniya, asiyachi, natha!

tomara carana-tale

bhakativinoda, kandiya kandiya,

apana-kahini bale

 

Translation

 

A wicked mind brought me into this world,

O Lord, but one of Your pure and elevated devotees

has come to bring me out.

 

He saw me so fallen and wretched,

took pity, and came to me saying,

“O humbled soul, please listem to this good tiding,

for it will gladden your heart.

 

Sri Krishna Caitanya has appeared in the land of Navadvipa to deliver you.

He has safely conducted many miserable souls

such as you across the sea of worldly existence.

 

“To fulfill the promise of the Vedas,

the son of a brahmana bearing the name

Mahaprabhu of golden complexion,

has descended with

His brother the avadhuta Nityananda.

Together They have overwelmed

all of Nadia with divine ecstasy.

 

“Sri Caitanya, who is Krishna Himself,

the son of Nanda,

has saved the world by freely distributing

His own holy name.

Go also and receive your deliverance.”

 

O Lord, hearing those words,

Bhaktivinoda has come weeping

to the soles of Your lotus feet

and tells the story of his life.

[Guest guest]

(Atma-nivedana, dedication of the self, 8 songs)

 

(1) 1.na korolun karama, geyana nahi bhelo,

na sebilun carana tohara

jada-sukhe matiya, apanaku banca-i,

pekhahun caudisa andhiyara

 

2.tuhun natha! karuna-nidana

tuwa .-pankaje atma samarpilun,

more krpa korobi bidhana

 

3.pratijna tohara oi, jo hi saranagata,

nahi so janabo paramada

so hama duskrti, gati nahi oi ana,

ab magon tuwa parasada

 

4.ana mano-ratha, nihsesa chorato,

kab hama haubun tohara

nitya-sebya tuhun, nitya-sebak mui,

bhakativinoda bhava sara

 

Translation

 

I have earned neither piety nor knowledge.

Overwhelmed by sensual pleasures,

I have cheated myself

and now see only darkness in all directions.

 

You, O Lord, are the fountainhead of all mercy.

I surrender myself at Your lotus feet.

Kindly show me Your compassion.

 

It is Your promise

that one who takes refuge in You

will know no dangers or fear.

For a sinner like me

there is no other shelter.

I beg You now for infinite grace.

 

O when will I know freedom from desire

and thus become Yours?

You are eternally to be served,

I am Your eternal servant,

and that is the sum

of Bhaktivinoda’s devotional mood.

 

(2) 1.(praneswar!) kohabun ki sarama ki bat

aichana pap nahi, jo hama na koralun,

sahasra sahasra beri nath

 

2.sohi karama-fala bhave moke pesa-i,

dokha deobo ab kahi

takhonaka parinam, kichu na bicaralun

ab pachu tara-ite cahi

 

3.dokha bicara-i, tunhu danda deobi,

hama bhoga korabun somsara

karato gatagati, bhakata-jana-sange,

bati rohu carane tohara

 

4. apana caturpana, tuwa pade sonpalun,

hrdoya-garaba dure gelo

dina-doya-moya tuwa krpa niramala,

bhakativinoda asa bhelo

 

Translation

 

How much more shall I tell

You of my shameful story?

There is no sin which

I have not committed

thousands and thousands of times.

 

My life in this world

has been one of affliction and torment

as a result of those sins.

Whom will I blame but myself?

At the time I did not consider the consequences;

now, in the aftermath,

I seek to be saved.

 

After judging my sins,

You should punish me,

for I deserve to suffer

the pangs of rebirth in this world.

I only pray that,

as I wander through repeated births and deaths,

my mind may ever dwell at Your lotus feet

in the company of Vaisnavas.

 

I offer You this judicious prayer.

My heart’s false pride has gone far away.

O You who are so kind to the meek,

Your pure mercy has become Bhaktivinoda’s only hope.

 

(3) manasa, deho, geho, jo kichu mor

arpilu tuwa pade, nanda-kisor!

 

sampade vipade, jivane-marane

day mama gela, tuwa o-. barane

 

marobi rakhobi - jo iccha tohara

nitya-dasa prati tuwa adhikara

 

janma obi moe iccha jadi tohar

bhakta-grhe jani janma hau mora

 

kita-janma hau jatha tuwa dasa

bahir-mukha brahma-janme nahi asa

 

bhukti-mukti-sprha vihina je bhakta

labhaite tako sanga anurakta

 

janaka, janani, dayita, tanaya

prabhu, guru, pati--tuhu sarva-moya

 

bhakativinoda kohe, suno kana!

radha-natha! tuhu hamara parana

 

Translation

 

Mind, body, and family,

whatever may be mine,

I have surrendered at Your lotus feet,

O youthful son of Nanda!

 

In good fortune or in bad,

in life or at death,

all my difficulties have disappeared

by choosing those feet of Yours

as my only shelter.

 

Slay me or protect me as You wish,

for You are the master of Your eternal servant.

 

If it is Your will that I be born again,

then may it be in the home of Your devotee.

 

May I be born again even as a worm,

so long as I may remain Your devotee.

I have no desire

to be born as a Brahma averse to You.

 

I yearn for the company of that devotee

who is completely devoid of all desire

for worldly enjoyment or liberation.

 

Father, mother, lover, son, Lord,

preceptor, and husband;

You are everything to me.

 

Thakura Bhaktivinoda says,

"O Kana, please hear me!

O Lord of Radha, You are my life and soul!"

 

(4) 1.‘aham mama’ — sabda-arthe jaha kichu hoy

arpilun, tomara pade, ohe doya moy!

 

2.‘amara’ ami to’ natha! na rohinu ara

ekhona hoinu ami kebala tomar

 

3.‘ami’ sabde dehi jiba ahamta charilo

twadiyabhimana aji hrdoye posilo

 

4.amar sarbaswa — deho, geho anucara

bhai, bandhu, dara, suta, drabya, dwara, ghara

 

5.se saba hoilo taba, ami hoinu dasa

tomara grhete ebe ami kori basa

 

6.tumi grha-swami, ami sebaka tomara

tomara sukhete cesta ekhona amara

 

7.sthula-linga-dehe mor sukrita duskrita

 

ar mor nahe, prabhu! Ami to’nrskrita

 

8.tomar ichayaya mor ichaya misaila

 

Bhakativinoda aja apane bhulilo

 

Translation

 

Whatever I am,

whatever I possess,

I offer at Your lotus feet, O merciful Lord.

 

I no longer belong to myself.

Now I am exclusively Yours.

 

The soul inhabiting this mortal body

has given up the false ego

attached to the word “I”,

and now the eternal, spiritual sense

of being Yours has entered his heart.

 

All my possessions

- body, brothers, friends,

and followers, wife, sons,

personal belongings, house and home-

all of these I give You,

for I have become Your servant.

Now I dwell in Your house.

 

You are the Lord of my house,

and I Your most obedient servant...

Your happiness is my only endeavor now.

 

Whatever piety or sins were done by me,

by mind or deed,

are no longer mine,

for I am redeemed

 

My desire has become one with Yours.

From this day

Bhaktivinoda has no other identity.

 

(5) 1.‘amara’ bolite prabhu! are kichu nai

tumi-i amara matro pita-bandhu-bhai

 

2.bandhu, dara, suta, suta — taba dasi dasa

sei to’ sambandhe sabe amara prayasa

 

3.dhana, jana, grha, dara ‘tomara’ boliya

rakha kori ami matro sebaka hoiya

 

4.tomara karjera tareuparjibo dhana

tomara somsare-byaya koribo bahana

 

5.bhalo-manda nahi jani seba matro kori

tomara samsare ami bisaya-prahari

 

6.tomara icchaya mora indriya-calana

srabana, darsana, ghrana, bhojana-basana

 

7.nija-sukha lagi’ kichu nahi kori ara

bhakativinoda bale, taba suka-sara

 

Translation

 

Nothing remains “mine”.

Father, friend, brother —

You are even these to me.

 

Those whom I called friends,

wife, sons, and daughters

are all Your servants and maidservants.

Whatever care I take for them

is only as it relates to You.

 

If I continue to maintain my wealth,

family members, home, and wife,

it is because they are Yours.

I am a mere servant.

 

For Your service

I will earn money

and bear the expense of Your houselhold.

 

I know neither good nor bad.

I merely serve.

I am but a watchman

who guards the properties in Your household.

 

The exercising of my senses

— hearing, seeing, smelling,

tasting, touching —

is done according to Your desire.

 

I no longer do anything

for my own pleasure.

Bhakativinoda says,

“Your happiness is the essence of everything”.

 

(6) 1. bastutoh sakali taba, jiba keho noya

‘aham’ — ‘mama’ — bhrame bhromi’ bhoge soka-bhoy

 

2.aham-mama-abhimana ei-matro dhana

baddha jiba nija boli’ jane mane mana

 

3.sei abhimane ami somsare poriya

habudubu khai bhava-sindhu santariya

 

4.tomara abhaya-pade loiya sarana

aji ami korilama atma-nibedana

 

5.‘aham’ — ‘mama’-abhimana charilo amaya

ar jeno mama hrde stana nahi paya

 

6. ei matro balo prabhu! dibe he amare

ahamta-mamata dure pari rakhi bare

 

7. atma-nibedana-bhava hrde drdha roy

hasti-snana sama jeno khanika na hoy

 

8. bhakativinoda prabhu nityananda pay

mage parasada, jahe abhimana jay

 

Translation

 

In truth, all things belong to You.

No jiva is owner of anything.

The tiny soul wanders in this world

mistakenly thinking,

“I am this transitory body,

and everything related to this body is mine.”

Thus he suffers sorrow and fear.

 

The conditined soul is falsely proud

and considers everything attached

to the words “I” and “mine”

to be his treasures alone.

 

Due to that same vanity,

I fell into this world.

Floundering in the ocean of mundane existence

like a drowning man,

I suffer the pangs

of rising and sinking in that ocean.

 

I take shelter at Your lotus feet,

which award fearlessness,

and dedicate myself to You on this day.

 

The vanity of “I” and “mine” has left me now.

May it never again find a place within my heart.

 

O Lord, please give me this strength,

that I may be able

to keep the false conceptions

of “I” and “Mine” far away.

 

May the mood of self-surrender

to the Supreme Lord

remain firmly fixed in my heart

and not prove to be like the momentary cleanliness

of an elephant after a bath.

 

Bhaktivinoda begs

at the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda

for the grace which delivers one

from all false pride.

 

(7) 1.nibedana kori prabhu! tomara carane

patita adhama ami, jane tri-bhuvane

 

2.ama-sama papi nahi jagat -bhitore

mama sama aparadhi nahika somsare

 

3.sei saba papa ara aparadha, ami

parihare pai lajja, saba jano’ tumi

 

4.tumi bina ka’ra ami loibo saran?

tumi sarbeswareswara, brajendra-nandan!

 

5.jagat tomara natha! tumi sarba-moy

toma prati aparadha tumi koro’ khoy

 

6. tumi to’ skhalita-. janera asroy

tumi bina ara kiba ache, doya-moy!

 

7.sei-rupa taba aparadhi jana jato

tomara saranagata hoibe satato

 

8. bhakativinoda ebe loiya saran

tuwa pade kare aj atma-samarpan

 

Translation

 

I submit at Your lotus feet, O Lord,

that I am fallen and wretched,

a fact known to the three worlds.

 

There is no sinner more sinful than me.

In the entire material creation

there is no offender

whose offenses equal mine.

 

By attempting to clear myself

of all these sins and offenses

I am put to shame

and beg Your forgiveness.

All this is understood by You.

 

Of whom will I take shelter except for You?

O son of the King of Vraja,

You are the Lord of all lords.

 

This world is Yours,

and You pervade all things in it.

You forgive the offenses committed against You.

 

You alone are the shelter

of those who have gone astray.

Apart from You,

what else exists, O merciful Lord?

 

Those like me who have offended You

will know no peace

until achieving Your shelter.

 

Bhaktivinoda takes shelter in You

and surrenders himself

at Your lotus feet

on this very day.

 

(8) 1.atma-nibedana, tuwa-pade kori’

hoinu parama sukhi

duhkha dure gelo, cinta na rohilo,

caudike ananda dekhi

 

2.asoka-abhaya, amrita-adhara,

tomara carana-dwaya

tahate ekhona, bisrama labhiya

charinu bhavera bhoya

 

3.tomara somsare, koribo sebana,

nahibo falera bhagi

taba sukha jahe, koribo jatana,

ho ‘ye pade anuragi

 

4.tomara sebaya, duhkha hoya jato,

sei ‘to parama sukha

seba-sukha-duhkha, parama sampada

nasaye abidya-duhkha

 

5.purba itihasa, bhulinu sakala,

seba-sukha pe’ye mane

ami to’tomara, tumi to ‘amara,

ki kaja apare dhane

 

6.bhakativinoda, anande dubiya,

tomara sebara tare

saba cesta kare, taba iccha-mato,

thakiya tomara ghare

 

Translation

 

I have become supremely joyful

by surrendering myself at Your holy feet.

Unhappiness has gone away,

and there are no more anxieties.

I see joy in all directions.

 

Your two lotus feet

are reservoirs of immortal nectar

where one may live free from sorrow and fear.

I have found peace there now

and have given up the fear of worldly existence.

 

I shall render service in Your household

and not endeavor to enjoy

the fruits of that service,

but rather I shall strive

for whatever pleases You,

fully devoted to Your lotus feet.

 

Troubles encountered in Your service

shall be the cause of great happiness,

for in Your devotional service

joy and sorrow are equally great riches.

Both destroy the misery of ignorance.

 

I have completely forgotten all past history

by feeling great joy in my mind.

I am most certainly Yours,

and You are indeed mine.

What need is there of any other treasure?

 

Bhaktivinoda,

diving into the ocean of bliss,

devotes all his efforts for Your service

and dwells in Your house

according to Your wishes.

 

 

[Guest guest]

(Goptritve-varana,

acceptance of the Lord as Maintainer, 4 songs)

 

(1) 1.ki jani ki bale, tomara dhamete,

hoinu saranagata

tumi doya-moy, patita-pabana

patita-tarane rata

 

2. bharasa amara, ei matro natha!

tumi to’ karuna-moya

taba doya-patra, nahi mora sama,

abasya ghucabe bhoya

 

3.amare tarite, kaharo sakati,

abani-bhitore hani

doyala thakura! ghusana tomara,

adhama pamare trahi

 

4. sakala chariya, asiyachi ami,

tomara carane natha!

ami nitya-dasa, tumi palayita,

tumi gopta, jagannatha!

 

5. tomara sakala, ami matro dasa,

amara taribe tumi

tomara carana, korinu barana,

amara nahi to’ ami

 

6.bhakativinoda, kandiya sarana,

lo’yeche tomara paya

khomi’ aparadha, name ruci diya,

palana korohe taya

 

Translation

 

How has one such as I come to Your shelter?

Surely it is by Your mercy alone,

for You are everseeking the purification

and deliverance of the fallen souls.

 

You are my only hope,

for You are full of compassion and mercy.

There is no one

who needs Your mercy more than I.

You will surely drive away all fear.

 

No one else has the power to deliver me.

O merciful Lord, by Your declaration,

kindly deliver this vile and lowly sinner.

 

I have given up everything

and come to Your lotus feet.

I am Your eternal servant,

and You are my protector and maintainer,

O Lord of the universe!

 

Everything is Yours.

I am merely a servant,

certain that You will deliver me.

I have chosen Your lotus feet

as my only shelter.

I no longer belong to myself.

 

Weeping,

Bhaktivinoda takes shelter at Your feet.

Forgive his offenses,

afford him a taste for the holy name,

and kindly maintain him.

 

(2) 1.dara-putra-nija-deho-kutumba-palane

sarbada bhakula ami chinu mane mane

 

2.kemone arjibo artha, yasa kise pabo

kanya-putra-vivaha kemone sampadibo

 

3.ebe atma-samarpane cinta nahi ara

tumi nirbahibe prabhu, somsara tomara

 

4.tumi to’palibe more nija-dasa jani’

tomar sebaya prabhu baro sukha mani

 

5.tomara icchaya prabhu saba karja hoy

jiba bale, — ‘kori ami’, se to’ satya noy

 

6.jiba ki korite nare, tumi na korile?

asa matro jiba kare, taba iccha-fale

 

7.niscinta hoiya ami sebibo tomaya

grhe bhalo-manda ho’le nahi mora daya

 

8.bhakativinoda nija-swatantrya tyajiya

tomara carana sebe’ akincana hoiya

 

Translation

 

Within my heart

I have always been anxious

for the maintenance of my wife and children,

my own body and relatives.

 

How will I earn money?

How will I obtain fame?

How will I arrange the marriages

of my sons and daughter?

 

Now, through self-surrender,

I have been purged of all anxiety.

O Lord, surely You will provide

for the maintenace of Your household.

 

Surely You will preserve me,

knowing me to be Your own servant.

O Lord, in Your devotional service

I feel great happiness.

 

All events take place by Your will, O Lord.

The deluded soul of this world declares,

“I am the doer,”

but this is pure folly.

 

If You do not act first,

then what is a tiny soul actually able to do?

By Your will he can only desire to act,

and unless You fulfill his desire,

he cannot do anything.

 

I will serve You free from all anxiety,

and at home,

if any good or evil should occur,

it will not be my responsibility.

 

Bhaktivinoda thus gives up his independence

and engages in the exclusive service

of Your lotus feet

with no other interest in life.

 

(3) 1.sarbaswa tomar, carane sampiya,

porechi tomara ghare

tumi to’thakur, tomara kukur,

boliya janaho more

 

2.bandhiya nikate, amare palibe,

rohibo tomara dware

pratipa-janere, asite na dibo

rakhibo garera pare

 

3.taba nija-jana, prasad sebiya,

ucchista rakhibe jaha

amara bhojan, parama-anande,

prati din habe taha

 

4.boshiya suiya, tomara carana,

cinitibo satata ami

nacite nacite, nikate jaibo,

jakhona dakibe tumi

 

5.nijera posan, kabhu na bhavibo

rohibo bhavera bhore

bhakativinoda, tomare palaka,

boliya barana kare

 

Translation

 

Now that I have surrendered all I possess,

I fall prostrate before Your house.

You are the Supreme Lord.

Kindly consider me Your household dog.

 

Chain me nearby and maintain me as You will.

I shall remain at the doorstep

and allow no enemies to enter Your house.

I will keep them at the bounds of the moat

surrounding Your home.

 

Whatever remnants Your devotees leave behind

after honoring Your prasada

will be my daily sustenance.

I will feast on those remnants

with great ecstasy.

 

While sitting up,

while lying down,

I will constantly meditate on Your lotus feet.

Whenever You call,

I will immediately run to You

and dance in rapture.

 

I will never think

of my own maintenance

but rather remain transported

by a multitude of ecstasies.

Bhaktivinoda accepts You as his only support.

 

(4) tumi sarbeswareswara brajendra-kumara!

tomara icchaya biswe srjana samhara

 

taba iccha-mato brahma karena srjana

taba iccha-mato visnu karena palana

 

taba iccha-mate siba karena samhara

taba iccha-mate maya srje karagara

 

taba iccha-mate jiber janama-marana

samriddhi-nipate duhkha sukha-samghatana

 

miche maya-baddha jiba asa-pase fire

taba iccha bina kichu korite na pare

 

tumi to’ rakhaka ar palaka amara

tomara carana bina asa nahi ara

 

nija-bala-cesta-prati bharasa chariya

tomara icchay achi nirghara koriya

 

bhakativinoda ati dina akincana

tomara icchay ta’ra jibana marana

 

Translation

 

O youthful son of the King of Vraja,

You are Lord of all.

Creation and destruction take place

in the universe according to Your will.

 

According to Your will

Lord Brahma creates,

and in accordance with Your will

Lord Visnu maintains.

 

Lord Siva destroys

in similar obedience to You,

and by Your wish maya constructs

the prison house of this world.

 

By Your will

the living beings take birth and die,

and by Your will

they meet with prosperity and ruin,

happiness and sorrow.

 

The tiny soul bound up by maya

vainly struggles in the fetters of worldly desire.

Without Your sanction he is unable to do anything.

 

You are my protector and maintainer.

Without Your lotus feet there is no hope for me.

 

No longer confident

of my own strength and endeavor,

I depend solely on Your will.

 

Bhaktivinoda is most poor,

and his pride has been leveled.

Now he lives or dies,

as You wish.

 

[Guest guest]

Sharanagti – as explained by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur in his first Sharnagati Bhjan:

 

Dainya, atma-nivedan, gop tatvera varan,

Avashya rakhibe Krishna vishwasa paalan.

Bhakti anukula matra karyer swikar,

Bhakti pratikula bhava bargan angikar.

Shadang sharanagati hoibe jahar,

Tahar prathana sune Shri Nanda-kumar.

 

The six-fold Sharanagati:

Dainya - Humility,

Atma-nivedana - Offering self for devotional service,

Gop tatvera varan – Serving the Lordships Shri Shri Radha Govinda in ones heart,

Having the faith that Shri Krishna will always accept and protect me (second line),

Accepting things favourable to bhakti (third line),

Rejecting things not favourable to devotional service (fourth line).

 

[Guest guest]

 

(4) tumi sarbeswareswara brajendra-kumara!

tomara icchaya biswe srjana samhara

 

taba iccha-mato brahma karena srjana

taba iccha-mato visnu karena palana

 

taba iccha-mate siba karena samhara

taba iccha-mate maya srje karagara

 

taba iccha-mate jiber janama-marana

samriddhi-nipate duhkha sukha-samghatana

 

miche maya-baddha jiba asa-pase fire

taba iccha bina kichu korite na pare

 

tumi to’ rakhaka ar palaka amara

tomara carana bina asa nahi ara

 

nija-bala-cesta-prati bharasa chariya

tomara icchay achi nirghara koriya

 

bhakativinoda ati dina akincana

tomara icchay ta’ra jibana marana

 

Translation

 

O youthful son of the King of Vraja,

You are Lord of all.

Creation and destruction take place in the universe according to Your will.

 

According to Your will Lord Brahma creates,

and in accordance with Your will

Lord Visnu maintains.

 

Lord Siva destroys in similar obedience to You,

and by Your wish

maya constructs the prison house of this world.

 

By Your will the living beings take birth and die,

and by Your will

they meet with prosperity and ruin,

happiness and sorrow.

 

The tiny soul bound up by maya

vainly struggles in the fetters of worldly desire.

Without Your sanction he is unable to do anything.

 

You are my protector and maintainer

Without Your lotus feet

there is no hope for me.

 

No longer confident

of my own strength and endeavor,

I depend solely on Your will.

 

Bhaktivinoda is most poor,

and his pride has been leveled.

Now he lives or dies,

as You wish.

 

[Guest guest]

(Avasya Raksibe Krsna — Viswasa Palana,

faith in Krsna as protector, 4 songs)

 

(1) ekhona bujhinu prabhu! tomara carana

asokabhoyamrta-purna sarva-khana

 

sakala chariya tuwa carana-kamale

poriyachi ami natha! taba .-tale

 

taba .-padma nath! rokhibe amare

ar rakha-karta nahi e bhava-somsare

 

ami taba nitya-dasa — janinu e-bara

amara palana-bhar ekhonu tomara

 

bara duhkha paiyachi swatantra jibane

saba duhkha dure gelo o .-barane

 

je-. lagiya rama tapasya korila

je-. padiya siba sibatwa lobhila

 

je-. lobhiya brahma krtartha hoila

je-. narada muni hrdoye dhorila

 

sei se abhaya . sirete dhoriya

parama-anande naci .-guna gaiya

 

somsara-vipad ho’te abasya uddhara

bhakativinoda, o . koribe tomara

 

Translation

 

I know now Your divine feet

are a refuge free from all sorrow and fear,

eternally full of sweet nectar.

 

At the soles of those lotus feet

I surrender myself

and all I possess.

 

O Lord, there is no other protection

but You in this world of birth and death.

 

At last I know myself

to be Your eternal servant,

whose maintenance You have assured.

 

Life before,

without You,

held nothing but sorrow.

Now I live free from all misery

 

Laksmi,

desiring such a place at Your lotus feet,

excuted austerities.

Only after secureing a place by Your lotus feet

did Lord Siva attain his sivatva,

or quality of auspiciousness.

 

Upon obtaining those feet

Lord Brahma became successful in life,

and the great sage Narada Muni

held those two feet to his heart.

 

Your lotus feet drive away all fear.

Having held them to my head,

I dance in great ecstasy,

singing their glories.

 

Your lotus feet

will deliver Bhaktivinoda

from the perils of worldly journey.

 

(2) 1.tumi to’ maribe jare, ke tare rakhite pare,

taba iccha-basa tribhuvana

brahma-adi deba-gan, taba dasa aganan,

kare taba ajnara palana

 

2.taba iccha-mate jato, graha-gana abirato,

subhasubha fala kare dana

roga-soka-mrti-bhoy, taba iccha-mate hoy,

taba ajna sada balavan

 

3.taba bhoye bhayu boy, candra surja samuday,

swa-swa niyamita karja kare

tumi to’ parameswar, para-brahma paratpar,

taba basa bhakata-antare

 

4.sada-suddha siddha-kama, ‘bhakata-vatsala’ nama,

bhakata-janera nitya-swami

tumi to’rakhibe jare, ke tare marite pare,

sakala bidhira bidhi tumi

 

5.tomara carane natha! koriyache pranipata,

bhakativinoda taba das

bipad hoite swami! abasya tahare tumi

rokhibe, — tahara e viswas

 

Translation

 

Who can protect that person whom You wish to slay?

The three worlds are obedient to Your will.

The gods, headed by Brahma,

are Your countless servants

and stand ready to execute Your command,

 

By Your will

the planets exercise their auspicious

or inauspicious influences.

Illness, grief, death, and fear

occur by Your will.

Your command is all-powerful.

 

In fear of You the wind blows,

and the sun, moon, and all others

perform their allotted duties.

You are the Supreme Lord,

the Supreme Spirit, supreme above all.

Your residence is in the heart of Your loving devotee.

 

You are eternally pure.

All Your desires are fulfilled.

Your name is Bhakta-vatsala,

for You are very affectionate to the Vaisnavas.

You are the eternal Lord of Your loving devotees.

Who can slay that person whom You wish to protect?

You are the law of all laws.

 

O Lord, Your eternal servant Bhaktivinoda

has bowed down at Your lotus feet.

O master, he cherishes the faith

that You will surely protect him from all dangers.

 

(3) atma-samarpane gela abhiman

nahi korobun nija rakha-bidahan

 

tuwa dhana jani’ tuhun rakhobi, nath’

palya godhana jnana kori’ tuwa sath

 

caraobi madhaba! jamuna-tire

bamsi bajaoto dakobi dhire

 

agha-baka marato rakha-bidhan

korobi sada tuhun gokula-kan!

 

rakha korobi tuhun niscoy jani

pana korobun hama jamuna-pani

 

kaliya-dokha korobi binasa

sodhobi nadi-jala, baraobi asa

 

piyato dabanala raknobi mo’y

‘gopala’, ‘gobinda’ nama taba hoy

 

sura-pati-durmati-nasa bicari

rakhobi barsane, giri bara-dhari!

 

catur-anana korabo jab cori

rakha koro- i mujhe, gokula-hari!

 

bhakativinoda — tuwa gokula-dhan

rakhobi kesava! korato jatan

 

Translation

 

Surrendering to You

lifted from me the burden of false pride.

No longer will I try to secure my own well-being.

 

O Lord, I am confident of Your protection,

for, like one of Your cows or calves,

I am Your treasured property.

 

O Madhava,

I see You leading Your herds to pasture

on the banks of the Yamuna.

You call to them by gently

playing Your flute.

 

By slaying giant demons such as Agha and Baka

You will always provide full protection,

O Gokula Kana!

 

Fearless and confident of Your protection,

I will drink the water of the Yamuna.

 

The Kaliya serpent’s venom poisoned the Yamuna’s waters, yet that poison will not act.

You will purify the Yamuna

and by such heroic deeds enhance our faith.

 

You who are called Govinda and Gopala

will surely protect me by swallowing the forest fire.

 

When Indra, king of the gods,

sends torrents of rain,

You will counteract his malice

and protect us by lifting the mighty Govardhana Hill!

When the four-headed Brahma

steals Your cowherd boyfriends and calves,

then, too,

You will surely protect me, O Gokula Hari!

 

Bhakativinoda is now the property of Gokula,

Your holy abode, O Kesava,

kindly protect him with care.

 

(4) chorato purusa-abhiman

kinkori hoilun aji, kan!

 

baraja-bipine sakhi-sath

sebana korobun, radha-nath!

 

kusume ganthobun har

tulasi-mani-manjari tar

 

jatane deobun sakhi-kare

hate laobo sakhi adare

 

sakhi dibo tuwa duhuk gale

durato herobun kutuhale

 

sakhi kahabo, — suno sundari!

rahobi kunje mama kinkori

 

ganthobi mala mano-harini

niti radha-krishna-bimohini

 

tuwa rakhana-bhara hamara

mama kunja-kutira tohara

 

radha-madhava-sebana-kale

rahobi moe hamara antarale

 

tambula saji’ karbura ani’

deobi moe apana jani’

 

bhakativinoda suni’ bat

sakhi-pade kare pranipat

 

Translation

 

Gone is the variety of male egoism,

O Kana.

Now I am Your faithful maidservant.

 

O Lord of Radha,

in the groves of Vraja

I will perform devotional service

as a follower of one of the sakhis.

 

I will string together

a necklace of forest flowers,

and tulasi buds

shall be the jewels of that necklace.

 

With utmost care

I will place the garland

in the hands of that confidential devotee,

and she will take it with affection.

 

Then she will place the garland

around both Your necks,

while I watch in wonder from afar.

 

The confidant will then say to me,

“Listen, O beautiful one,

you should remain in this grove as my attendant.

 

“Daily you shall string together

beautiful flower garlands

that will enchant Radha and Krsna.

 

“The responsibility for your maintenance shall be mine.

My cottage in the grove is yours.

 

When I serve Radha and Madhava,

you will attend behind me.

After preparing tambula and bringing camphor,

you will give them to me,

knowing me to be yours.”

 

Bhaktivinoda,

having heard all these instructions,

bows down at the lotus feet

of that confidential sakhi.

[Guest guest]

(Bhakti-anukula-matra Karyera Svikara,

acceptance of activities favorable

to pure devotion,

4 songs)

 

(1)1.)tuva-bhakti-anukula je-je karja joy

 

parama-jatane taha koribo niscoy

 

I will surely execute with utmost care

those activities favorable

to Your pure devotional service.

 

bhakti-anukula jato bisaya somsare

 

koribo tahate rati indriyera dware

 

I will feel fondness for those things

in this world which are conductive

to pure devotion,

and with my senses I

will engage them in Your service.

 

sunibo tomara katha jatana koriya

 

dekhibo tomara dhama nayana bhoriya

 

I will carefully listen

to all discussions concerning You,

and the satisfaction of my eyes

will be to behold Your divine abode.

 

4)tomara prasade deho koribo posan

 

naibedya-tulasi-ghrana koribo grahan

 

I will nourish my body

with the sacred remnants of Your food

and smell the sweet scent of tulasi leaves

adorning those offerings.

 

kara-dwara koribo tomara seba sada

 

tomara basoti-sthale boshibo sarbada

 

With my hands I will always execute Your service,

and I will forever dwell

at that place where You abide.

 

tomara sebaya kama niyoga koribo

 

tomara bidvesi-jane krodha dekhaibo

 

I will employ my desires

in Your devotional service

and show anger to those who are envious of You.

 

7) ei-rupe sarba-brtti ara sarba-bhav

 

tuwa anukula hoye labhuka prabhav

 

In this way may all of my propensities

and emotions obtain dignity

and glory by being favorable to You.

 

8) tuwa bhakta-anukula jaha jaha kori

 

tuwa bhakti-anukula boli’ taha dhori

 

I will consider as favorable

to Your devotional service

anything I do which is favorable to Your devotee.

 

bhakativinoda nahi jane dharmadharma

 

bhakti-anukula tara hau saba karma

 

Bhaktivinoda knows neither religion nor irreligion.

He simply prays that all his activities

be conductive for pure devotion to You.

 

(2) 1. godruma-dhame bhajana-anukule

 

mathura-sri-nandisvara-samatule

 

tahi maha surabhi-kunja-kutire

 

baithobun hama sura-tatini-tire

 

gaura-bhakata-priya-besa dadhana

 

tilaka-tulasi-mala-sobhamana

 

4. campaka, bakula, kadamba, tamal

 

ropato niramibo kunja bisal

 

5. madhabi malati uthabun tahe

 

chaya-mandapa korobun tahi mahe

 

6. ropobun tatra kusuma-bana-raji

 

juthi, jati, malli birajabo saji

 

mance boshaobun tulasi-maharani

 

kirtana-sajja tahi rakhabo ani

 

baisnaba-jana-saha gaobun nam

 

jaya godruma jaya gaura ki dham

 

bhakativinoda bhakti-anukul

 

jaya kunja munja, sura-nadi-kul

 

1-2)

On the banks of the celestial Ganges River

I will dwell in a cottage at Surabhi-kunj in Godruma-dhama. This land of Godruma is very conductive for performing devotional worship of the Supreme Lord

and is nondifferent

from the sacred place called Nandagram,

located in the holy district of Mathura.

 

3-4) I will put on the garb that

is dear to the devotees of Lord Gaurasundara

and wear the twelve Vaisnava tilaka markings on my body

and beautiful beads of tulasi wood around my neck.

Then, by planting flowering trees like Campaka,

Bakula, Kadamba, and Tamala,

I will make an extensive grove by my cottage.

 

I will put madhavi and malati creepers

on the trees and in this way make a shady bower.

 

I will sow a variety of flowering forests

and different kinds of jasmine

like yuthi, jati and malli. All these will be present there,

arrayed in a charming fashion.

 

I will install the empress tulasi

on an elevated throne on the terrace,

then procure all necessary paraphernalia

for having kirtana,

such as mrdanga drums, karatalas (hand cymbals), and gongs, and place them there.

 

(3) 1.suddha-bhakata- carana-renu

 

bhajana-anukula

 

bhakata-seba, parama-siddhi,

 

prema-latikara mula

 

madhaba-tithi, bhakti-janani

 

jatane palana kori

 

krsna-basoti basoti boli

 

parama adare bori

 

gaur amara, je-saba sthane,

 

koralo bhramana range

 

se-saba sthana, heribo ami,

 

pranayi-bhakata-sange

 

mrdanga-badya, sunite mana,

 

abasara saba jace

 

gaura-bihita, kirtana suni,

 

anande hrdoya nace

 

jugala-murti, dekhiya mora,

 

parama-ananda hoya

 

prasada-seba korite hoya

 

sakala prapance jaya

 

je-dina grhe, bhajana dekhi,

 

grhete goloka bhaya

 

carana-sindu, dekhiya ganga,

 

sukha na sima paya

 

tulasi dekhi, juraya prana

 

madhaba-tosani jani

 

gaura-priya, saka-sebane,

 

jibana sarthaka mani

 

bhakativinoda, krsna-bhajane,

 

anukula paya jaha

 

proti-dibase, parama-sukhe,

 

swikara karaye taha

 

Dust from the lotus feet of pure devotees

is conductive to devotional service,

while service to the Vaisnavas

is itself the supreme perfection

and the root of the tender creeper of divine love.

 

I observe with great care

the holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami,

for they are the mother of devotion.

As my dwelling place

I choose with the greatest of reverence and love

the transcendental abode of Sri Krsna.

 

All those places where my Lord Gaurasundara

traveled for pastimes

I will visit in the company of loving devotees.

 

My mind always begs for the opportunity

to hear the music of the mrdanga.

Upon hearing the kind of kirtana

ordained by Lord Gaurasundara,

my heart dances in ecstasy.

 

Beholding the Deity forms of the Divine Couple,

Sri Sri Radha-Krsna,

I feel the greatest joy.

By honoring the Lord’s prasada,

I conquer over all worldly illusions.

 

Goloka Vrndavana appears in my home

whenever I see the worship and servicee of Lord Hari taking place there.

When I see the Ganges,

that river of nectar

emanating from the lotus feet of the Lord,

my happiness knows no bounds.

 

The sight of the holy tulasi tree soothes my soul,

for I know she gives pleasure to Lord Krsna.

By honoring sak,

a great favorite of Lord Caitanya’s,

I consider life worthwhile.

 

Whatever Bhaktivinoda obtains

that is conducive for the service of Sri Krsna

he accepts every day with greatest joy.

 

(4) 1. radha-kunda-tata-kunja-kutir

 

gobardhana-parbata, jamuna-tir

 

kusuma-sarobara, manasa-ganga

 

kalinda-nandini bipula-taranga

 

bamsi-bata, gokula, dhira-samir

 

brndabana-taru-latika-banir

 

khaga-mrga-kula, malaya-batas

 

mayura, bhramara, murali-bilas

 

benu, srnga, .-cihna, megha-mala

 

basanta, sasanka, sankha, karatala

 

jugala-bilase anukula jani

 

lila-bilase-uddipaka mani

 

e-saba chorato kanhi nahi jau

 

e-saba chorato parana harau

 

bhakativinoda kahe, suno kan!

 

tuwa uddipaka, hamara paran

 

1-6) The cottage in the grove

on the banks of Radha-kunda,

the great Govardhana Hill,

the banks of the Yamuna, Kusuma-sarovara, Manasa-ganga,

the daughter of Kalinda (the Yamuna)

with her many waves,

the Vamsi-vat, Gokula, Dhira-samira,

the trees and creepers and reeds of Vrdavana,

the different varieties of colorful birds,

the deer, the cooling breeze from the Malaya Mountains, the peacocks, the bumblebees,

the pastimes with the flute,

the flute itself,

the buffalo horn bugle,

the footprints of cows in the dust of Vraja,

the rows of blackish rainclouds,

springtime, the moon, the conchsell,

and the karatalas –

all these I know to be very conductive

for the pastimes of Radha and Krsna.

I recognize in them a transcendental stimulus

for making the Lord’s charming pastimes more intense.

 

I refuse to go anywhere

if there stimuli to devotional service are not there,

for to abandon them is to abandon life itself.

 

Bhaktivinoda says,

“Please hear me, O Kana!

Your entourage

and paraphernalia stimulate remembrance

of You

and are the very sourcee of my life.”

[Guest guest]

Bhakti-pratikula-bhava Varjanangikara,

renunciation of conduct averse to pure devotion,

4 songs

 

1.kesaba! tuwa jagata bicitra

karama-vipake, bhava-bana bhrama-i

pekhalun ranga bahu citra

 

2.tuwa .-bismriti, a-mara jantrana,

klesa-dahane dohi’ jai

kapila, patanjali, gautama, kanabhoji,

jaimini, bauddha aowe dhai’

 

3.sab koi nija-mate, bhukti, mukti jacato,

pata-i nana-bidha fand

so-sabu — bancaka, tuwa bhakti bahir-mukha,

ghataowe bisama paramada

 

4.baimukha-bancane, bhata so-sabu,

niramilo vividha pasara

dandabata durato, bhakativinoda bhelo,

bhakata-carana kori sara

 

Translation

 

This material creation of Yours,

O Kesava,

is most strange.

I have roamed throughout the forest

of this universe in consequence of my selfish acts,

and I have beheld many strange and curious sights.

 

Forgetfulness of Your lotus feet

has brought on anguish and grief.

As I burn in this fire of misery,

my would-be saviors

— Kapila, Gautama, Kanada, Jaimini, and Buddha

— come running to my aid.

 

Each expounds his particular view,

dangling various pleasures

and liberation as bait in their philosophical traps.

They are all cheaters, averse to Your devotional service and thus fatally dangerous.

 

They are magnates of karma, jnana, and yoga

who specialize in opinions

and proofs for cheating the materially inclined. Bhaktivinoda, considering refuge at the feet

of the Vaisnavas as essential,

pays his respects to these cheating philosophers from afar.

 

(2) 1.tuwa-bhakti-pratikula dharma ja’te roy

parama jatane taha tyaji o niscoy

 

2.tuwa-bhakti-bahir-mukha sanga na koribo

gauranga-birodhi-jana-mukha na heribo

 

3.bhakti-pratikula sthane na kori basati

bhaktir apriya karje nahi kori rati

 

4.bhaktira birodhi grantha patha na koribo

bhaktira birodhi byakhya kabhu na sunibo

 

5.gauranga-barjita sthana tirtha nahi mani

bhaktira badhaka jnana-karma tuccha jani

 

6.bhaktira badhaka kale na kori adar

bhakti bahir-mukha nija-jane jani para

 

7.bhaktira badhika spriha koribo barjan

abhakta-pradatta anna na kori grahan

 

8.jaha kichu bhakti-pratikula boli’jani

tyajibo jatane taha, e niscoya bani

 

9.bhakativinoda pori prabhura carane

magaye sakati pratikulyera barjane

 

Translation

 

I vow to abandon without compromise

all actions contrary to Your devotional service.

 

I will keep company with no one opposed to devotional service,

nor even look at the face of a person inimical toward Lord Gauranga.

 

I shall never reside at a place unfavorable for devotional practices,

and may I never take pleasure in nondevotional works.

 

I will read no book opposed to pure devotion,

nor listen to any explanation

which disagrees with pure devotional principles.

 

I will never regard as sacred any place

where Lord Gauranga is rejected.

Any knowledge hindering pure devotional service

I consider worthless.

 

Any season which poses obstacles

to the execution of devotional service

shall find no favor with me,

and I will consider all relatives

or family members averse to pure devotion as strangers.

 

I will abandon all desires that hinder devotion

and never accept food

offered to me by nondevotee atheists.

 

I vow to promptly shun whatever

I know to contradict pure devotion.

This I strongly promise.

 

Bhaktivinoda,

falling at the feet of the Lord,

begs for the strength

to give up all obstacles to pure devotion.

 

(3) 1.bisaya-bimudha ar mayabadi jan

bhakti-sunya dunhe prana dhare akaran

 

2.ei dui-sanga natha! na hoy amar

prarthana koriye ami carane tomar

 

3.se duwera madhye bisayi tabu bhalo

mayabadi-sanga nahi magi kono kalo

 

4.bisayi-hrdoya jabe sadhu-sanga pay

abayase labhe bhakti bhaktera krpay

 

5.mayabada-dosa ja’ra hrdoye posilo

kutarke hrdoya ta’ra bajra-sama bhelo

 

6.bhaktira swarupa, ara ‘bisaya’, ‘asroy’

mayabadi ‘anitya’boliya saba koy

 

7.dhik ta’ra krsna-seba-srabana-kirtan

krsna-ange bajra hane tahara staban

 

8.mayabada sama bhakti-pratikula nai

ataeba mayabadi-sanga nahi cai

 

9.bhakativinoda mayabada dura kori’

baisnaba sangete boishe namasraya dhori’

 

Translation

 

Both the monist philosophers

and those bewildered by worldly affairs

live in vain,

for both are devoid of devotion to You.

 

I pray at Your lotus feet, O Lord,

that I may be spared the company of them both.

 

Yet of the two the worldly man is better.

I ask never to have the company of mayavadi.

 

When the worldly man enters

into the company of saintly persons

within his heart he becomes inspiried

by pure devotion

through the mercy of those devotees.

 

But woe to him who has known

the offensive presence of impersonalist philosophy.

Such sophistry makes the heart hard as a thunderbolt.

 

The mayavada philosopher

declares that the true form of bhakti,

its object (Sri Krishna),

and its possessor (the devotee)

are all transitory and thus illusory.

 

Fie on his pretense of service to Krishna,

of hearing and chanting His glories!

His so-called prayers strike the body of Krishna

with blows more cruel that a thunderbolt.

 

There is no philosophy as antagonistic

to devotional service as mayavada philosophy.

Therefore I do not desire the association of the mayavadi.

 

Bhaktivinoda drives away the philosophy of illusionism

and sits safely in the society of Vaisnavas

under the shelter of the holy name.

 

(4) 1.ami to’ swananda-sukhada-basi

radhika-madhava-carana-dasi

 

2.dunhara milane ananda kori

dunhara biyoge duhkhete mari

 

3.sakhi-sthali nahi heri nayane

dekhile saibyeke paraye mane

 

4.je-je pratikula candrera sakhi

prane duhkha pai tahare dekhi

 

5.radhika-kunja andhara kori

loite cahe se radhara hari

 

6.sri-radha-govinda -milana-sukha

pratikula-jana na heri mukha

 

7.radha-pratikula jateka jan —

sambhasane kabhu na hoiye man

 

8.bhakativinoda sri-radha-carane

sanpeche parana ati ba jatane

 

Translation

 

I am a resident of Svananda-sukhada-kunja

and a maidservant of the lotus feet

of Radhika and Madhava.

 

At the union of the Divine Couple I rejoice,

and in Their separation I die in anguish.

 

I never look at the place where Candravali

and her friends stay.

Whenever I see such a place

it reminds me of Candravali’s gopi friend, Saibya.

 

I feel pain in my heart

when I catch sight of Candravali’s girl-friends,

for they are opposed to Radha.

 

Candravali wants to take away Radha’s Lord Hari,

thus covering the grove of Radhika

with the darkness of gloom.

 

I never look at the faces

of those who are opposed

to Sri Radha and Govindas joyous union.

 

Nor do I find any pleasure

in conversing with those who are opposed to Radha.

 

Bhaktivinoda has enthusiastically entrusted his soul

to the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani.

[Guest guest]

Bhajana-lalasa, hankering for divine service,

13 songs

 

(1) 1.Hari he!

prapance poriya, agati hoiya,

na dekhi upaya ara

agatira gati carane sarana

tomaya korinu sara

 

2.karama geyana, kichu nahi mora,

sadhana bhajana nai

tumi krpa-moya, ami to kangala,

ahaituki krpa cai

 

3.vakya-mano-vega, krodha-jihva-vega,

udara-upasta-vega

miliya e saba, somsare bhasa’ye

diteche paramodvega

 

4.aneka jatane, se saba damane,

chariyachi asa ami

anathera natha! daki taba nama

ekhona bharasa tumi

 

Translation

 

O Lord Hari,

having fallen helplessly into the illusion of this world,

I see no other means of deliverance but You.

You are the only recourse for the helpless.

I accept the shelter of Your lotus feet as essential.

 

I have no knowledge,

no background of pious activities,

nor any history of strict devotional practice.

But You are full of compassion and kindness.

Therefore,

although I am certainly destitute,

I solicit Your causeless mercy.

 

The powerful urges of speech,

mind, anger, tongue, belly, and genital

have banded together to cast me adrift

on the sea of this material world,

thus causing me great anxiety and trouble.

 

After great endeavor

to subdue these material demands,

I have completely given up all hope.

O Lord of the destitute,

I call upon Your holy name,

for now You are my only shelter.

 

(2) 1-2.Hari he!

arthera sancaye, bisaya-prayase

ano-katha-prajalpane

ano-adhikara, niyama agrahe,

asat-sanga-samghatane

 

asthira siddhante, rohinu mojiya,

hari-bhakti roilo dure

e hrdoye matro, para-hamsa, mada,

pratistha, sathata sphure

 

3.e saba agraha, charite narinu,

apama dosate mori

janama bifala, hoilo amara

ekhona ki kori, hari!

 

4.ami to’ patita, patita-pabana,

tomara pabitra nama

se sambandha dhori, tomara carane,

sarana loinu hama

 

Translation

 

O Lord Hari,

I have become absorbed

in accumulating wealth

and endeavoring for material possessions.

I am addicted to speaking of topics apart from You

and am always eager to accept practices

apart from my own duties.

I am in the habit of meeting with worldly men

and am absorbed in speculative thinking.

Therefore, devotion to You has remained distant from me. In this heart of mine dwells only envy

and malice towards others

false pride, hippocrisy, deceitfulness,

and the desire for fame and honor.

 

I have not been able

to give up any of these attachments.

Thus my own faults have been my down fall.

My birth as a human being has been wasted.

O Lord Hari, what am I to do now?

 

I am indeed fallen;

but Your holy name is the savior of the fallen.

Clinging to that holy name,

I have taken shelter at Your lotus feet.

 

(3) 1-2.hari he!

bhajane utsaha, bhaktite biswasa,

prema-labhe dhairja-dhana

bhakti-anukula, karma-prabartana,

asat-sanga-bisarjana

 

bhakti-sadacara, ei choya guna,

nahilo amara natha!

kemone bhojibo, tomara carana,

chariya mayara satha

 

3.garhita acare, rohilama moji’,

na korinu sadhu-sanga

lo’ye sadhu-besa, ane upadesi,

e boro mayara ranga

 

4.e heno dasaya, ahaituki krpa,

tomara paibo, hari!

sri-guru-asroye, dakibo tomaya,

kabe ba minati kori’

 

Translation

 

Enthusiasm in devotional service,

faith in the process of devotional service,

the treasure of patience in endeavoring

to attain love of God,

performing activities conducive to pure devotion, abandoning the company of worldly people,

performing approved devotional practices

— I have never possessed these six devotional qualities. How, then, shall I give up the association of maya and worship Your lotus feet, O Lord?

 

Absorbed in abominable activities,

I never kept company with sadhus.

Now I adopt the garb of the sadhus

and instruct others.

This is maya’s big joke.

 

O Lord Hari,

in such a helpless condition

surely I will obtain Your causeless mercy.

O when, under the shelter of my spiritual master,

will I call out to You with humble prayers?

 

(4) 1.hari he!

dana, pratigraha, mitho gupta-katha,

bhakata, bhojana-dana

sangera lakhana,ei choyahoya,

ihate bhaktira prana

 

2.tattwa na buhjiye, jnane ba ajnane,

asate e saba kori

bhakti harainu, somsari hoinu,

sudure rohile hari

 

3.krsna-bhakta-jane, ei sanga-lakhane,

adara koribo jabe

bhakti-maha-devi, amara hrdoya-

asane boshibe tabe

 

4.josit-sangi-jana, krsnabhakta ara,

dunhu-sanga-parihari’

taba bhakta-jana- sanga anukhana,

kabe ba hoibe hari!

 

Translation

 

O Lord Hari,

to offer a gift and receive one in return,

to give and receive spiritual food,

to reveal one’s confidential thoughts and make confidential inquiries

— these are the six characteristics of loving association, and in them is found the very soul of devotion.

 

I have failed to understand the Absolute Truth,

and by practicing these six activities with nondevotees, either knowingly or unknowingly,

I have lost all devotion.

Thus I have become a materialist.

For me, You, O Lord, remain afar.

 

The day I cherish these activities

of intimate association with the devotees of Sri Krsna, that day the great goddess of devotion

will ascend the throne of my heart.

 

When will I give up the company

of those who are addicted to women

and those who are not devoted to You?

When will I get the constant association

of Your devotees, O Lord?

 

(5) 1.Hari he!

sanga-dosa-sunya, diksitadiksita,

 

jadi taba nama ga’ya

manase adara, koribo tahare,

jani’ nija-jana taya

 

2.diksita hoiya, bhaje tuwa .,

tahare pranati kori

ananya-bhajane, bijna jei jane,

tahare sebibo, hari!

 

3.Sarba-bhute sama, je bhaktera mati,

tahara darsane mani

apanake dhanya, se sanga paiya,

caritartha hoilun jani

 

4.niskapata-mati baisnabera proti,

ei dharma kabe pa’bo

kabe e somsara- sindhu-para hoiye

taba braja-pure ja’bo

 

Translation

 

O Lord, I will mentally honor

and consider as my brother

one who avoids bad company and sings Your holy name,

be he formally initiated or not.

 

I offer obeisances to that person

who is initiated and worships Your lotus feet,

and I will serve, O Lord,

anyone who is fixed in unalloyed devotion to You.

 

I consider myself greatly fortunate

to even see that devotee

who looks upon all living beings equally.

By obtaining his association I know that I become successful in life.

 

When will my mind become simple

and inoffensive toward the Vaisnavas,

and when will I cross over the ocean

of worldly existence to reach Your abode of Vraja?

 

(6) 1.hari he!

nira-dhama-gata, jahnavi-salile,

panka-fena drsta hoya

tathapi kakhona, brahma-draba-dharma,

se salila na charoya

 

2.baisnaba-sarira, aprakrta sada,

swabhava-bapurna dharme

kabhu nahe jada, tathapi je ninde,

pare se bisamadharme

 

3.sei aparadhe, jamera jatana,

paya jiba abirata

he nanda-nandana! sei aparadhe,

heno jeno nahi hata

 

4.tomara baisnaba, baibhava tomara,

amare koruna doya

tabe mora gati, tomarera prati

 

ha-i’be taba .-chaya

 

Translation

 

Mud and foam are seen in the waters of the Ganges,

for that is the inherent nature of river water.

Yet Ganges water never loses its transcendental nature.

 

One may likewise find defects

in the body of a Vaisnava,

yet his body is always spiritual,

never material.

That person who criticizes the body of a Vaisnava

falls into deadly irreligion.

 

For such an offense,

the fallen soul continuously suffers

the tortures of Yamaraja, lord of death.

O youthful son of Nanda,

I pray that I not be destroyed

by committing such an offense.

 

The Vaisnava is Yours,

and he is Your glory.

May he be merciful to me.

Then my life’s journey will lead to You,

and I will obtain shelter in the shade of Your lotus feet.

 

(7)- ohe!

vaisnaba thakura, doyara sagara,

e dase koruna kori'

diya .-chaya, sodho he amaya,

tomara carana dhori

 

chaya bega domi, chaya dosa sodhi

chaya guna deho' dase

chaya sat-sanga, deho' he amare,

boshechi sangera ase

 

ekaki amara, nahi paya bala,

hari-nama-sankirtane

tumi krpa kori: sraddha-bindu diya,

deho' krsna-nama-dhane

 

krsna se tomara, krsna dite paro,

tomara sakati ache

ami to' kangala, 'krsna 'krsna 'boli',

dhai tava pache pache

 

Translation

 

O venerable Vaisnava.

O ocean of mercy,

be merciful unto your servant.

Give me the shade of your lotus feet

and purify me. I hold on to your lotus feet.

 

Teach me to control my six passions;

rectify my six faults,

bestow upon me the six qualities,

and offer unto me the six kinds of holy association.*

 

I do not find the strength

to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop

of faith with which to obtain

the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.

 

Krsna is yours;

you have the power to give Him to me.

I am simply running behind you shouting,

"Krsna! Krsna!"

 

(8) 1.Hare he

tomare bhuliya, abidya-piraya,

pirita rasana mora

 

krsna-nama-sudha, bhalo nahi lage,

bisaya-sukhate bhora

 

2.proti-dina jodi, adara koriya,

se nama kirtana kori

sitapala jeno, nasi roga-mula

krame swadu hoya, hari!

 

3.durdaiba amara, se name adara,

na loilo, doyamoya!

dasa aparadha, amara durdaiba,

kemone hoibe khoya

 

anudina jeno, taba nama gai,

kramete krpaya taba

aparadha ja’be name ruci ha’be

aswadibo namasaba

 

Translation

 

O Lord Hari,

because I forgot You my tongue has become afflicted

with the disease of ignorance.

I cannot relish the nectar of Your holy name,

for I have become addicted to the taste of worldly pleasures.

 

O Lord Hari,

if I sing Your holy name aloud

every day with great respect,

then as sugar candy taken medicinally destroys

the very disease which makes it taste bitter (jaundice), so Your holy name will cure my spiritual disease

and allow me to gradually taste His sweetness.

 

O merciful Lord,

how great is my misfortune

that I feel no appreciation for Your holy name!

In such a lamentable state,

how will I be freed

from committing the ten offenses to the holy name?

 

If I sing Your holy name every day,

by Your mercy

the ten offenses will gradually disappear.

A taste for Your holy name

will grow within me,

and then I will taste

the intoxicating spirit of the name.

 

 

[Guest guest]

(9)

 

1.hari he!

sri-rupa-gosai, sri-guru-rupete,

sikha dila mora kane

jano mora katha, namera kangala!

rati pa’be name-gane

 

2.krsna-nama-rupa guna -sucarita,

parama jatane kori’

rasana-manase, koraho niyoga,

krama-bidhi anusori

 

3.braje kori’basa, raganuga hoiya,

smarana kirtana koro

e nikhila kala, koraho japana,

upadesa-sara dharo’

 

4.ha rupa-gosai, doya kori’kabe,

dibe dine braja-basa

ragatmika tumi, taba padanuga,

hoite dasera asa

 

Translation

 

O Lord Hari, Sri Rupa Gosvami,

in the form of the spiritual master,

gave these instructions to my ears:

“Try to understand my words,

O you who begs for the gift of the holy name,

for by these instructions you will develop attraction for chanting the holy name.

 

“Follow the scriptural rules and regulations

and engage your tongue

and mind in carefully chanting

and remembering the holy names,

divine forms, qualities,

and wonderful pastimes of Lord Krishna.

 

“Dwell in the holy land of Vraja,

cultivate spontaneous loving devotion (raganuga-bhakti), and spend your every moment chanting

and remembering the glories of Sri Hari.

Just accept these as the essence of all instructions”.

 

O Rupa Gosvami,

when out of your causeless mercy,

will you enable this poor wretched soul

to reside in Vrndavana?

You are a ragatmika devotee,

an eternally liberated,

intimate associate of Radha and Krsna.

This humble servant of yours

desires to become a follower at your lotus feet.

 

(10) 1.gurudev! boro krpa kori’, gauda-bana majhe,

godrume diyacho sthana

ajna dila more, ei braje boshi’,

hari-nama koro gana

 

2. kintu kabe prabhu, jogyata arpibe,

e dasere doya kori’

citta sthira habe, sakala sohibo,

ekante bhojibo hari

 

3.saisaba-jaubane, jada-sukha-sange

abhyasa hoilo manda

nija-karma-dose, e deho hoilo

bhajanera pratibandha

 

4.bardhakye ekhona, panca-roge hata,

kemone bhojibo bolo;

kandiya kandiya, tomara carane,

poriyachi subhiwala

 

Translation

 

Gurudeva! Because you are so merciful,

you gave me a place in Godruma

amid the woodlands of Gauda,

with this order to fulfill:

“Dwell here in this Vrndavana

and sing the holy name of Hari.”

 

But when,

O master, out of your great mercy,

will you bestow upon this servant of yours

the spiritual competence to fulfill that order?

When will my mind become tranquil and fixed?

When will I endure all hardships

and serve Lord Hari without distractions?

 

Due to attachment to worldly pleasures

in childhood and youth,

I have developed bad habits.

Because of these sinful acts

my body has become an impediment

to the service of the Supreme Lord.

 

Now, in old age,

afflicted by the five-fold illnesses,

how will I serve the Lord?

O master, please tell me.

I have fallen at your feet weeping,

overwhelmed by anxiety.

 

(11) gurudev!

krpa-bindu diya, koro'ei dase,

trnapekha ati hina

sakala sahane, bala diya koro',

nija-mane sprha-hina

 

sakale sammana korite sakati

deho' natha! jathajatha

tabe to' gaibo, hari-nama-sukhe

aparadha ha'be hata

 

kabe heno krpa, labhiya e jana,

krtartha hoibe, natha!

sakti-buddhi-hina, ami ati dina,

koro' more atma-satha

 

jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pai,

tomara karuna - sara

karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya,

prana na rakhibo ara

 

Translation

 

Gurudeva,

give to this servant just one drop of mercy.

I am lower than a blade of grass.

Give me all help.

Give me strength.

Let me be as you are,

without desires or aspirations.

 

I offer you all respects,

for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly.

Then,

by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy,

all my offenses will cease.

 

When will such mercy fall to this one

who is weak and devoid of intelligence?

Allow me to be with you.

 

If you examine me,

you will find no qualities.

Your mercy is all that I am made of.

If you are not merciful unto me,

I can only weep,

and I will not be able to maintain my life.

 

(12) 1.gurudev!

kabe mora sei din ha’be

mana sthira kori’, nirjana boshiya,

krsna-nama ga’bo jabe

somsara-fukara, kane na posibe,

deho-roga dure ro’be

 

2.hare krsna’ boli, gahite gahite,

nayane bohibe lora

dehite pulaka, udita hoibe,

premete koriba bhora

 

3.gada-gada bani, mukhe bahiribe,

kanpibe sarira mama

gharma muhur muhuh, birbarna hoibe,

stambhita pralaya sama

 

4.niskapate heno, dasa kabe ha’be,

nirantara nama ga’bo

abese rohiya, deha-jyatra kori,

tomara karuna pa’bo

 

Translation

 

Gurudeva!

When, with a steady mind in a secluded place,

will I sing the name of Sri Krsna?

When will the pandemonioum of worldly existence

no longer echo in my ears

and the diseases of the body remain far away?

When will that day be mine?

 

When I chant “Hare Krsna”,

tears of love will flow from my eyes

and ecstatic rapture will arise within my body,

causing my hair to stand on end

and my body to become overwhelmed with divine love.

 

Faltering words choked with emotion

will issue from my mouth.

My body will tremble,

constantly perspire, turn pale and discolored,

and become stunned.

All of this will be like a devastation

of ecstatic love and cause me to fall unconscious.

 

When will such a genuine ecstatic condition be mine?

I will constantly sing the holy name

and remain absorbed in profound devotion

while maitaining the material body.

In this way I will abtain your mercy.

 

(13) 1.gurudev!

kabe taba karuna-prakase

sri-gauranga-lila, hoya nitya-tattwa,

ei drdha biswase

hari hari boli, godruma kanane,

bhromito darsana-ase

 

2.nitai, gauranga adwaita, srivasa,

gadadhara — panca-jana

krsna-nama rase, bhasaibe jagat,

kori’ maha-sankirtana

 

3.nartana-bilasa, mrdanga-badana

sunibo apana-kane

dekhiya dekhiya, se lila-madhuri,

bhasibo premera bane

 

4.na dekhi’ abara, se lila-ratana,

kandi ha gauranga! boli’

amare bisayi pagala boliya,

angete dibeka dhuli

 

Translation

 

Gurudeva!

Lord Gauranga’s transcendental pastimes

are eternal realities.

I await the day when,

with this firm faith manifested by your mercy,

I will wander through the groves of Godruma, chanting “Hari! Hari!”

and hoping to behold those pastimes.

 

The Panca-tattva

— Nitai, Gauranga, Advaita, sSrivasa and Gadadhara

— will flood the entire universe with the intoxiacting nectar of the holy name of Sri Krsna

by performing a maha-sankirtana.

 

In my ears I will hear the sounds of dancing

and the playing of the mrdangas.

By constantly beholding the sweetness

and beauty of that pastime of Lord Gauranga’s,

I will swim in the flood tide of divine love.

 

Materialists will throw dirt at my body

and proclaim me thoroughly mad.

For being again bereft of seeing the jewel of that pastime, I shall weep and cry out, “O my Lord Gauranga!”

 

[Guest guest]

 

Siddhi-lalasa, hankering for spiritual perfection,

3 songs

 

(1) kabe gaura-bane, suradhuni-tate

‘ha radhe ha krsna’ bole’

kandiya bera’bo, deho-sukhachari’,

nana lata-taru tale

 

sva-paca-grhete, magiya khaibo,

pibo saraswati-jala

puline puline, gara-gari dibo,

kori’ krsna-kolahala

 

dhama-basi jane, pranati koriya,

magibo krpara lesa

baisnaba-carana-renu gaya makhi’

dhori abadhuta-besa

 

gauda-braja-jane, bheda na dekhibo,

hoibo baraja-basi

dhamera swarupa, sphuribe nayane,

hoibo radhara dasi

 

Translation

 

When will I wander weeping

under the shade of various trees and creepers

on the banks of Ganges in the land of Navadvipa, crying, “O Radha! O Krsna!”

and forgetting all physical comforts?

 

I will even take my meals

by begging at the homes of the candalas

and will drink the water of the Sarasvati.

In ecstasy I will roll on the ground

along the banks of the river,

raising an uproar of “Krsna! Krsna!”

 

Bowing down to the inhabitants

of the holy land of Navadvipa,

I will beg a bit of their mercy.

I will wear the dress of a mendicant

and smear the dust of the Vaisnavas’s feet on my body.

 

I will see no difference

between the inhabitants of Vraja Bhumi

and those of Navadvipa,

and I will be transformed

into a resident of Vraja.

The true nature of the Lord’s abode

will manifest itself to my eyes,

and I will become a maidservant of Srimati Radharani.

 

(2) 1.dekhite dekhite, bhulibo ba kabe,

nija-sthula-paricoya

nayane heribo, braja-pura-sobha,

nitya cid-ananda-moya

 

2.brsabhanu-pure, janama loibo,

jabate bibaha ha’be

braja-gopi-bhava, hoibe swabhava,

ano-bhava na rohibe

 

3.nija-siddha-deho, nija-siddha-nama

nija-rupa-sva-basana

radha-krpa-bale, lobhibo ba kabe

krsna-prema-prakarana

 

4.jamuna-salila aharane giya,

bujhibo jugala-rasa

prema-mugdha ho’ye, pagalini-praya

gaibo radhara jasa

 

Translation

 

When, in a flash,

will I forget my false bodily indentity

and be able to behold the exquisite beauty

of the realm of Vraja,

full of eternal spiritual bliss?

 

I shall take my birth in the town of King Vrsabhanu

and be married in Yavatagram.

My sole disposition and character

shall be that of a cowherd girl,

and I shall know no other.

 

When, by the power of Radha’s mercy,

will I obtain my own eternal spiritual body,

name, form and dress and when,

by Her mercy,

will I obtain initiation into divine love of Krsna?

 

As I go to draw water from the Yamuna,

I shall cherish knowing the love

that unites Radha with Krsna.

I shall sing Sri Radha’s glories like a madwoman,

enchanted by divine love.

 

(3) 1.brsabhanu-suta-carana-sebane

hoibo je palya-dasi

sri-radhara sukha, satata sadhane,

rohibo ami prayasi

 

2.sri-radhara sukhe, krsnera je sukha

janibo manete ami

radha-. chari’, sri-krsna-sangame,

kabhu na hoibo kani

 

3.sakhi-gana mama, parama-suhrit,

jugala-premera guru

tad-anuga ho’ye, sevibo radhara,

carana-kalapa-taru

 

4.radha-pakha chari, je-jana se-jana,

je bhave se bhave thake

ami to’radhika- pakha-pati sadha,

kabhu nahi heri ta’ke

 

Translation

 

For serving the lotus feet of Sri Radha,

the daughter of Vrsabhanu,

I will become a maidservant

of one of the gopis in Vraja.

I will always strive to bring about

the happiness of Sri Radha.

 

Within my heart I will know

that Radha’s pleasure is Krsna’s source of Joy.

Therefore I will never desire

to abandon Her lotus feet for His solitary company.

 

The sakhis are my best friends and teachers

concerning the love uniting Radha with Krsna.

As one of their attendants,

I will serve Radha’s lotus feet,

which are like wish-fulfilling desire trees.

 

I myself am always partial to Radhika

and therefore never look at those who have abandoned Radha’s entourage,

whoever they may be and whatever their ways.

 

[Guest guest]

Vijnapti,

spiritual request

 

kabe ha'be bolo se-dina amar

(amar) aparadha ghuci', suddha name ruci,

krpa-bale ha'be hrdoye sancar

 

trnadhika hina, kabe nije mani',

sahisnuta-guna hrdoyete ani'

sakale manada, apani amani,

ho'ye aswadibo nama-rasa-sar

 

dhana jana ara, kobita-sundari,

bolibo na cahi deho-sukha-kari

janme-janme dao, ohe gaurahari!

ahaituki bhakti carane tomar

 

(kabe) korite sri-krsna- nama uccarana,

pulakita deho gadgada bacana

baibarnya-bepathu ha'be sanghatana,

nirantara netre ba'be asru-dhar

 

kabe navadwipe, suradhuni-tate,

gaura-nityananda boli' niskapate

naciya gaiya, beraibo chute,

batulera praya chariya bicar

 

kabe nityananda, more kori'doya,

charaibe mora visayera maya

diya more nija- caranera chaya,

namera hatete dibe adhikar

 

kinibo, lutibo, hari-nama-rasa,

nama-rase mati' hoibo bibasa

rasera rasika- carana parasa,

koriya mojibo rase anibar

 

Kabe jibe doya, hoibe udoya,

nija-sukha bhuli' sudina-hrdoya

bhakativinoda, koriya binoya,

sri-ajna-tahala koribe pracar

 

Translation

 

When, oh when will that day be mine?

When my offenses ceasing,

taste for the name increasing,

when in my heart will your mercy shine,

when, oh when will that day be mine

 

Lower than a blade of grass,

more tolerant than a tree.

When will my mind attain this quality?

Respectful to all,

not expecting their honor,

then shall I taste the name's nectar sublime.

When, oh when will that day be mine?

 

Great wealth or followers, feminine beauty,

I won't care for them or the comforts of my body.

Birth after birth give me,

Oh Lord Caitanya,

causeless devotion to Your feet divine,

when, oh when will that day be mine?

 

When will I utter Krsna,Krsna, Krsna,

with words choked up and shivering body?

When will I be trembling all over,

lose bodily color,

tears pouring from my eyes,

When, oh when will that day be mine?

 

When in Navadvipa along the Ganges bank,

shouting 'Gaura-Nityananda' as a surrendered soul, dancing, chanting, running everywhere,

when will I become half mad of mind?

When, oh when will that day be mine?

 

When will Lord Nityananda show mercy upon me,

when will I reject the world of Maya:

Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet,

let the right to preach the name be mine.

When, oh when will that day be mine?

 

I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name.

By the name's effect I will feel paralyzed.

Oh! Enjoyer of the nectar of the name,

When will I touch your lotus feet

till the end of time?

When, oh when will that day be mine?

 

When kindness to all beings will be appearing,

with free heart forget myself comforting,

Bhaktivinoda in all humility prays,

"Now I will set out to preach Your order sublime."

When, oh when will that day be mine?

 

 

[Guest guest]

I forsook You, O Lord,

and came to this world

of pain and sorrow.

Now I submit my tale of woe

at Your lotus feet.

 

----

O my dear Lord Krishna

Somehow or other

I have fallen into this material existance

of repeated birth and death

 

The pain of birth forgotten

The sorrow of disease and old age

drowned by the intoxication

of maya's covering and throwing potencies

 

If only I can now submit my horrible tale of woe:

 

I taken birth,

"incarnated",

i.e.,taken on a fleshy body

for the sake of fleeting sensory pleasures

which increases my term of material life

 

O Lord ,

please hear my prayers today

submited

at your lotus feet.

[Guest guest]

Sri Nama-Mahatmya,

the glories of the holy name, 1 song

 

1.krsna-nama dhare kato bal

bisaya-basananale, mora citta sada jwale,

rabi-tapta maru-bhumi-sam

karna-randhra-patha diya, hrdi majhe pravesiya,

barisoya sudha anupam

 

2.hrdoya hoite bale, jihvara agrete cale,

sabda-rupe nace anukhon

kanthe mora bhange swar, anga kape thara thar,

sthira hoite na pare caran

 

3.cakhe dhara, dehe gharma, pulakita saba carma,

bibar na hoilo kalebar

murchita hoilo man, pralayer agaman,

bhave sarba-deha jara jar

 

kori’ eto upadrab, citte barse sudha-drab

more dare premer sagare

kichu na bujhite dilo, more ta’batula koilo,

mora citta-bitta saba hare

 

loinu asroya ja’r, heno byabahara ta’r,

barnite na pari e sakal

krsna-nama iccha-moy, jahe jahe sukhi hoy,

sei mora sukhera sambal

 

premera kalika nam, adbhuta rasera dham,

heno bala karaye prakasa

isat bikasi’punah, dekhay nija-rupa-guna

citta hori’ loya krsna-pasa

 

purna bikasita hoiya, braje more jaya loiya,

cekhay more swarupa-bilash

more siddha-deha diya, krsna-pase rakhe giya,

e dehera kare sarbe-nas

 

krsna-nama-cintamani, akhila rasera khani

nitya-mukta suddha-rasa-moy

namera balai jato, saba loiye hoi hato,

taba more sukhera udoy

 

Translation

 

How much power does the name of Krsna possess?

My heart constantly burns in the fire of worldly desires, like a desert scorched by the sun.

The holy name,

entering within my heart thorugh the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul.

 

The holy name speaks from within my heart,

moves on the tip of my tongue,

and constantly dances on it

in the form of transcendental sound.

 

My throat becomes choked up,

my body violently trembles,

and my feet move uncontrollably.

 

Rivers of tears flow from my eyes.

Perspiration pours from my body.

My body thrills with rapture,

causing my hair to stand on end

and my skin to turn pale and discolored.

My mind grows faint,

and I begin to experience devastation.

My entire body is shattered in a flood of ecstasies.

 

While causing such an ecstatic disturbance,

the holy name showers liquid nectar on my heart

and drowns me in the ocean of divine love of Godhead.

He does not allow me to understand anything,

For He has made me truly mad

and has stolen away my heart and all my wealth.

 

Such is the behaviour of Him

who is now my only shelter.

I am not capable of describing all this.

The holy name of Krsna is independent

and thus acts at His own sweet will.

In Whatever way He becomes happy,

that is also my way of happiness.

 

The holy name is the bud

of the flower of divine love,

the abode of devotion’s wonderful mellows.

Such is the power that He manifests,

that although He displays His power only slightly,

He reveals His own divine form and qualities,

steals my heart and takes it to Krsna.

 

Being fully manifest,

the holy name of takes me to Vraja

and reveals to me His own love dalliance.

He gives to me my own divine, eternal body,

keeps me near Krsna

and completely destroys this mortal frame of mine.

 

The name of Krsna is touchstone,

a mine of all devotional mellows,

eternally liberated,

and the embodiment of pure rasa.

When all impedimets to the pure chanting of the holy name are taken away and destroyed,

then my happiness will know its true awakening

 

Thus ends the Saranagati of Thakura Bhaktivinoda

[Guest guest]

As a fondled son in the lap of relatives,

I passed my time smiling and laughing.

My parents’ affection helped me to forget

the pangs of birth,

and I thought the world was very nice.

-----------------

 

"Goo Goo Ga Ga

Kutchi Kutchie Ku

We all love You !"

Don't we all remember the onslaught of parental

and familial affection

that rendered us a plaything in the hands

of our father and mother

Was it nice to "grow up"

in a family of forgetfulness of You,my Lord?

[Guest guest]

Srila Bhakti

Rakshak Sridhar Deva Goswami.

 

"This is what saranagati (surrender) means: retiring that which is

unfavorable and accepting that which is favorable. The drama of bhakti is

performed on the stage of saranagati. This foundation must be in place."