Durlabha Manava Janma - "Rare Human Birth” - by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

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Durlabha Manava Janma

"Rare Human Birth”

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (1838 - 1914 Magistrate callcuta court)

( Who is he http://www.iskcon.com/about/parampara/bhaktivinod_thakur.html)

(1) durlabha manaba-janma labhiya samsare krsna na bhajinu --- duhkha kahibo kahare?

 

(2) 'samsar' 'samsar', ko're miche gelo kal labha na koilo kichu, ghatilo janjal

 

(3) kiser samsar ei chayabaji pray ihate mamata kori' brtha dina jay

 

(4) e deho patana ho'le ki ro'be amar? keho sukha nahi dibe putra-paribar

 

(5) gardhaber mata ami kori parisram ka'r lagi' eto kori, na ghucilo bhram

 

(6) dina jay micha kaje, nisa nidra-base nahi bhavi --- marana nikate ache bo'se

 

(7) bhalo manda khai, heri, pari, cinta-hina nahi bhavi, e deho chadibo kon dina

 

(8) deho-geho-kalatradi-cinta abirata jagiche hrdoye mor buddhi kori' hata

 

(9) hay, hay! nahi bhavi --- anitya e saba jibana bigate kotha rohibe baibhava?

 

(10) smasane sarira mama poriya rohibe bihanga-patanga tay bihar koribe

 

(11) kukkur srgal sab anandita ho'ye mahotsaba koribe amar deha lo'ye

 

(12) je deher ei gati, ta'r anugata samsar-baibhava ar bandhu-jana jata

 

(13) ataeva maya-moha chadi' buddhiman nitya-tattva krsna-bhakti korun sandhan

TRANSLATION

1) The human form of life is the rarest opportunity for attaining spiritual perfection. But now I am lamenting, because I've somehow or other been born with such an opportunity, and I wasted it by never worshiping Lord Krsna. Oh, to whom shall I tell the tale of this misery?

2) Having married and entered into the entanglements of materialistic family life, I passed my time in vain. I never got any tangible gain or permanent benefit, only trouble and botheration.

3) What kind of world is this anyway? It seems to be just like a magic lantern show that I saw at a carnival, wherein so many shadows and optical illusions dance magically before my eyes. I feel great attachment and identification with such a world, and thus day after day passes by fruitlessly, without any purpose whatsoever.

4) When this body drops dead on the ground then what will remain mine? At that moment, all of my sons and dearest loved ones will not be able to give me any happiness.

5) I work hard just like an ass every day, and now I am wondering for whom am I working so hard? I am still surrounded by so many illusions.

6) I waste every day in useless, insignificant work, and I waste every night controlled by sleep. And in every 24 hours I never for one second consider that cruel death is sitting very close by my side.

7) I live a very carefree life-style, sometimes eating a lot, or eating a little if I feel like it, sometimes I see nice things around the town, or sometimes I do not go out at all, sometimes I wear opulent clothing, or if I'm in the mood, I'll wear something simple. I live so carefree that I never consider that one day I will have to give up this body.

8) My poor heart is plagued by constant anxieties about the maintenance and daily turmoils created by my body, my house, my wife, my family members and my social obligations. All these anxieties are pinching me and destroying all my intelligence.

9) Alas, alas! What a remorseful situation has arisen! I am absorbed in all this trouble, but I never consider that all these things are temporary and subject to perish very soon. After I'm dead and gone, where will all of my material opulences remain?

10) When my body will be thrown in the pit at the cremation grounds, it will simply lie there motionlessly. Then many crows, vultures, ants, and worms will come and playfully sport there.

11) All the stray dogs and jackals will then become very much delighted, and in great ecstasy they will make a festival ground out of my body and will have a huge celebration and feast.

12) Just see, this is the ultimate destination of this material body. And the most amazing thing is that all of my material opulences, house, family and friends have exactly the same destination.

13) Therefore I ask of anyone who has any sharp intelligence: please give up all of these temporary illusions presented by maya, and kindly search after the means to get pure devotion to Lord Krsna, for this is the only really tangible eternal truth.