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Gitamala
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1. The Ecstasies of Yamunacarya
2. A Diary of Selfish Humility
3. The Dispelling of Grief
4. A Mirror Reflecting the Worship Which Follows
Shrila Rupa Gosvami
5. Intense, Eager Longing
for the Highest Spiritual Perfection
A Songbook of 80 Bengali
Songs
by
Shrila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa
published by Nectar Books
NECTAR
BOOKS
P.O. Box
574
Union City, Georgia 30291
Introduction
The unlimited mercy of
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness, has come down on all of us to
allow this publication of Gita-mala by Shrila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda
Thakura.
Shrila Prabhupada writes
in his Foreword to The Songs of the Vaishnava Acaryas: "...I am
greatly pleased to see this collection of songs composed by Thakura
Bhaktivinoda, Narottama dasa, and other great acaryas of the Gaudiya
Vaishnava sampradaya. Songs composed by the acaryas are not
ordinary songs. When chanted by pure Vaishnavas who follow the rules and
regulations of Vaishnava character, they are actually effective in awakening
the Krishna consciousness dormant in every living entity. I have advised
Shriman Acyutananda Svami to sing more songs of the Vaishnava padavali and
record them in books so that my disciples and others in the Western countries
may take advantage of this chanting and thus advance in Krishna consciousness
more and more...We should always remember the danger of maya's influence
and endeavor to save ourselves from her great power. We must therefore always
merge in the transcendental mellow of kirtana-rasa, for kirtana-rasa is
the safest situation within this material world. Hare Krishna."
So now we are pleased to
extend the mellows of kirtana-rasa with this first English publication
of Gita-mala, for the pleasure of His Divine Grace Shrila Prabhupada.
This volume joins the BBT's Songs of the Vaishnava Acaryas, the Bala
Books presentation of Bhaktivinoda's Saranagati and Gitavali together
in one volume, the Krishna Institute's printing of Narottama dasa's Prarthana
and Prema-bhakti-chandrika, and our Nectar Books edition of Kalyana
Kalpa-taru. Thus, the world is gradually being flooded with the nectarean
sound of kirtana.
Gita-mala was composed by Thakura
Bhaktivinoda in 1893, the same year as Saranagati and Gitavali. The
word gitavali means a series of songs, which indicates that the book is
a collection of songs on various topics. But the word gita-mala means a
rosary or garland of songs, which indicates more subtly that it is a connected
string of songs which are interrelated. So this entire book Gita-mala, from
beginning to end, is all one unit meant to delineate a clear-cut path of
devotional service which progressively (and quickly!) develops from the most
basic moods of devotion right on up to the topmost ecstasies of the most
exalted pure devotees. The book is so potent that it may bring about a
tremendous explosion of transcendental bliss which totally devastates the
reader's material attachment to mundane body, mind and words.
Gita-mala contains the concentrated
essence of all the literatures of the Gosvamis headed by Shri Rupa and
Raghunatha. The editors sincerely feel that the study of Gita-mala has
greatly helped in understanding the grave statements contained within Shrila
Prabhupada's books, which are themselves like an ever-expanding eternal ocean
of nectarine bliss. Thus one can find each word of each sentence in Shrila
Prabhupada's books to be overflowing with newer, fresh meanings, which one may
not have previously realized.
Basic Outline of Gita-mala
(1) Gita-mala develops
systematically, beginning first with Yamuna-bhavavali, a series of
mellow yet directly ecstatic songs based on the primary devotional mood of
eternal servitude and submission to the Lord.
(2) Then Karpanya-panjika
injects a very strong booster shot of topmost divine seva to Shri
Shri Radha and Krishna, accompanied by very intense pleading prayers borne of
pure spiritual humility.
(3) Soka-satana bestows
the merciful benediction of the Most Merciful incarnation and yuga-avatara, Shri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Whose ecstatic lila depicted herein is especially
meant to dispel all the sufferings of the Kali-yuga victims. Without
such mercy from Lord Chaitanya, one cannot fully appreciate or enter into the
final goal of confidential personal service to Radha and Krishna which was
described in the previous chapter.
(4) Then Rupanuga-bhajana-darpana
presents the complete detailed science of the transcendental rasa-tattva
that permeates Krishna's eternal divine pastimes, as it is understood by
those who strictly follow Shrila Rupa Gosvami. It is based on Rupa Gosvami's Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
and Ujjvala-nilamani. Although very technical at times, a sincere
study of it will open up a whole new world of understanding of Shrila
Prabhupada's most exquisite, transcendentally delightful presentation of The
Nectar of Devotion. Rupanuga-bhajana-darpana contains, in a nutshell, all
the necessary details of the science of devotion beginning from the preliminary
thirsty greed for rasa all the way up to the highest peaks of maha-bhava
which saturate the Lord's eternal daily asta-kaliya pastimes.
(5) The final chapter
called Siddhi-lalasa presents the consummate moods of the topmost
swan-like devotees, who hanker for attaining the supreme destination of
becoming one of Shrimati Radharani's personal maidservants. After a thorough
study of all the details of the science of rasa (as in the previous
chapter), the crystal-clear hearts of the pure devotees then issue forth pure
desires for eternal service to Shri Radhika in their transcendental siddha-deha,
or spiritual body. Such desires are expressed in this chapter of Siddhi-lalasa,
the last word in ultimate ecstatic beatitude.
So, from the very
beginning to the very end, Shri Gita-mala forcibly captures one with all
its delightful charms and pulls one's eyes open to witness an ecstatic preview
of our ultimate goal in Goloka Vrndavana, which definitely changes the life of
the reader for the better. The sincere follower can imbibe such permanent
convictions that will cause one to finally be finished with petty material
attachments and sense gratification for good, and one will only increase daily
appreciation of the wonderful gifts that Shrila Prabhupada has so kindly given
to us. It was Prabhupada's expressed desire that more songs and books of the
Vaishnava padavali (devotional poetry) be translated into English.
Therefore we pray with all our humility that this insignificant attempt to
present Gita-mala of Bhaktivinoda Thakura in a sincere way will please
His Divine Grace and the Vaishnava community, as well as to invoke the personal
blessings of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura upon us.
We also pray that if the
Vaishnavas will be merciful to allow us to serve Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
then future volumes of Nectar Books may be brought out. May the noble readers
bless us and show the path leading to the lotus feet of the great acaryas, who
are all eternally accompanying Lord Chaitanya as He continuously benedicts all
the universes with swelling floods of free Krishna-prema. Haribol!
Dasaratha-suta dasa
Yamuna-bhavali
Introduction to Chapter One
In this first chapter of Gita-mala,
Thakura Bhaktivinoda has composed all the songs based on Sanskrit verses
from the book Stotra-ratna, which was written by Yamunacarya, a previous
acarya coming in the line of the Shri sampradaya. The original Stotra-ratna
contains 62 Sanskrit verses, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura has selected 27 of
the most important ones and expanded them into Bengali verses.
These 27 songs
specifically show the function of the subordinate ecstasies of neutrality and
servitude (santa and dasya) as being inseparably interwoven and
contained in the superior ecstasy of conjugal love expressed by Shri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu.
The following chart shows
how the songs correspond to the original slokas of Stotra-ratna. The
titles of the songs are not part of the original text, but are added in this
publication as an index to the topics of the songs.
Song 1
The Glories of the Lord’s Lotus Feet
(1)
hari he!
ohe prabhu doyamoy, tomar carana-dvoy,
sruti-siropari sobha pay
guru-jana-sire puna, sobha pay sata guna,
dekhi amar parana juday
Oh my Lord, Oh most compassionate Personality! Your two divine
lotus feet are beautifully decorating the summit of all the scriptures. And
when those lotus feet in turn decorate the heads of all the spiritual masters
coming in the line of disciplic succession, then their beauty and splendor
increases a hundred-fold. Seeing this truth, my heart has become fully satisfied.
(2)
jiva-mano-ratha-patha, tanhi saba anugata,
jiva-vanca-kalpa-taru jatha
jiver se kula-dhana, ati pujya sanatana,
jiver carama gati tatha
The desires of all the jiva souls are actually following
the path which leads to Your beautiful lotus feet, which are just like
desire-trees in that they bestow the fulfillment of the most cherished desires
of all souls. Indeed, Your feet are the very wealth of the dynasty of jivas,
and they shall remain the most revered object of worship for all of time to
come. Thus they are the ultimate goal and refuge of all.
(3)
kamalaksa-pada-dvoy, parama ananda-moy,
niskapata e seviya satata
e bhaktibinoda cay, satata tusite tay,
bhakta-janer ho'ye anugata
The two feet of the lotus-eyed Lord are abounding in supreme
spiritual bliss. Honestly serving those divine feet continuously, Bhaktivinoda
wants to satisfy them by remaining as a humble follower of the devotees of the
Lord.
Song 2
The Power of the Lord’s Glance
(1)
hari he!
tomar iksane hoy, sakala utpatti loy,
catur-dasa bhuvanete jata
jada jiva adi kori', tomar krpaya hari,
labhe janma, ara ko'bo kota
Oh my dear Lord Hari! Merely by Your glance, all creations
throughout the fourteen worlds come into being. By Your mercy alone, Oh Lord,
all souls take their birth within this world of matter. What more can I say
than this?
(2)
tahader brtti jata, tomar iksane swatah,
janme, prabhu tumi sarveswara
sakala jantura tumi, swabhavika nitya-swami,
su-hrin mitra praner iswara
When You cast Your glance, then automatically all the souls
awaken into their own different natures, propensities and activities. Thus You,
my dear Lord, are the only Controller of all. You are by nature the eternal
Master of all living beings, and You are thereby the dearest friend and Lord of
everyone's heart.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda koy, suno, prabhu doyamoy,
bhakta-prati batsalya tomar
naisargika dharma hoy, aupadhika kabhu noy,
dase doya hoiya udar
Now Bhaktivinoda says, please hear me, oh munificent Lord! The
loving affection You show towards Your own devotees is most natural. It can
never be thought of as being a temporary, designative characteristic. Thus, the
kindness You show to Your own eternal servants is most magnanimous.
Song 3
The Importance of the Scriptures
(1)
hari he!
para-tattwa bicaksana, vyasa adi muni-gana,
sastra bicariya bar bar
prabhu taba nitya-rupa, guna-sila anurupa,
tomar caritra sudha-sar
Oh my Lord! All the great sages headed by Shrila Vyasadeva are
most experienced regarding the transcendental truth. This is because they
discuss and deliberate on the revealed scriptures again and again. Thereby they
manifest these sacred books which reveal Your eternal personal form abounding
in all virtuous qualities, and Your divine activities which are the essence of
ambrosial nectar.
(2)
suddha-sattva-mayi lila,
mukhya-sastre prakasila,
jiver kusala su-bidhane
rajas-tamo-guna-andha, asura-prakrti manda-
jane taha bujhite na jane
Your eternal pastimes of pure transcendental goodness are described
in these principal scriptures for the welfare of all souls. However, those
unfortunate ones who are blinded by the material modes of passion and
ignorance, who harbor the nature of demons, and who are foolish and dull-minded
cannot understand Your divine form or pastimes which are depicted in all these
scriptures.
(3)
nahi mane nitya-rupa, bhajiya manduka-kupa,
rahe tahe udasina pray
e bhaktibinoda gay, ki durdaiva hay hay,
hari-dasa hari nahi pay
Those who live in this universe but are not interested in Your
eternal form remain completely oblivious, just like ignorant frogs who live in
a small, shallow well. Now Bhaktivinoda sings, alas! What an unfortunate
situation has arisen here! The eternal servants of Hari are not serving their
eternal Lord Hari!
Song 4
The Lord’s Transcendental Position
(1)
hari he!
jagater bastu jata, baddha saba swabhavata,
desa kala bastu simasraye
tumi prabhu sarveswara, naha sima-bidhi-para,
bidhi saba kampe taba bhoye
Oh my dear Lord Hari! All the things contained within this
universe are by nature bound up by the limits of material time, place and
circumstances. But You, dear Lord, are not subordinate to any such limitation
or even to scriptural injunctions. Indeed, all rules and regulations are
trembling in fear of Your Lordship.
(2)
sama ba adhika taba, swabhavatah asambhava,
bidhi langhi' taba abasthana
swatantra-swabhava dharo, apane gopana koro,
maya-bale kori' adhisthana
It is naturally impossible for any kind of law to be equal to or
surpass You, for Your transcendental position naturally transgresses all
restrictions. You possess the Supremely independent nature, and thereby You conceal
Yourself behind the powerful curtain of maya.
(3)
tathapi ananya-bhakta, tomare dekhite sakta,
sada dekhe swarupa tomar
e bhaktibinoda dina, ananya-bhajana hina,
bhakta-pada-renu-matra sar
Despite this veil of maya's illusions, my dear Lord, Your
pure unalloyed devotees have the ability to see You. Indeed, wherever they turn
their eyes, they see Your original personal form there. However, this
Bhaktivinoda is very fallen and is completely bereft of unalloyed devotion. But
he has one hope -he has considered the dust of Your devotees' feet to be the
sole essence of his life.
Song 5
The Lord’s Qualities
(1)
hari he!
tumi sarva-guna-juta, sakti taba basibhuta,
vadanya, sarala, suci, dhira
doyalu, madhura, sama, krti, sthira, sarvottama,
krta-jna-laksane punah bira
Oh my Lord Hari! You are invested with all good qualities, for
all energies are fully under Your control. You are most magnanimous,
straightforward, clean, patient, compassionate, sweet, equal to all,
successful, peaceful, You are the best of all, most appreciative and the
greatest hero.
(2)
samasta-kalyana-guna, gunamrta sambhavana,
samudra-swarupa bhagavan
bindu bindu guna taba, sarva-jiva-su-vaibhava,
tumi purna sarva-saktiman
You are the fathomless ocean-like origin of all immortal
nectarine qualities of auspiciousness, and You are thus the Supreme possessor
of all spiritual opulences. All souls can individually display only a small
drop from the ocean of Your unlimited, complete qualities. Thus You are the
perfectly complete energetic source of all potencies.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda char, krtanjali bar bar,
kore citta-katha bijnapana
taba dasa-gana-sange, taba lila-katha-range,
jay jena amar jivana
Now this most fallen Bhaktivinoda prays again and again with
folded hands, humbly confessing all these talks from the core of his heart. Oh
Lord, may I pass my life absorbed in enjoying all these discussions about Your
transcendental pastimes in the company of Your loving servitors.
Song 6
The Lord’s Pastimes
(1)
hari he!
tomar gambhira mana, nahi bujhe anya jana,
sei mana anusari saba
jagat-udbhava-sthiti- pralaya-samsara-gati,
mukti adi saktir vaibhava
Oh, my Lord Hari! Your mind is extremely grave, and Your deep
intentions cannot be understood by anyone else; all living beings are
unconsciously following the desires of Your mind. The opulences of Your
magnificent potencies produce the creation, maintenance and ultimate
destruction of the material worlds, as well as provide for liberation from
these temporary abodes.
(2)
e saba vaidika lila, iccha-matra prakasila,
jiver basana anusare
tomate bimukha ho'ye, majilo avidya lo'ye,
sei jiva karma-parabare
These pastimes of creation, maintenance and destruction are all
described in the Vedic scriptures, and You have manifested the entire material
realm by the power of Your will, in order to fulfill the materialistic desires
of certain souls. When they become averse to You, they then become drowned in
the darkest ignorance within the ocean of fruitive actions and reactions.
(3)
punah jadi bhakti kori', bhaje bhakta-sanga dhori',
tabe paya tomar carana
antaranga-lila-rase, bhase maya na parase,
bhaktibinoder phire mana
However, if one again revives his devotional service to You, and
worships You in the association of Your devotees, then he can attain Your lotus
feet. Thus Bhaktivinoda's mind has been changed back onto the path towards You
by floating in the mellows of Your confidential pastimes, which maya is
unable to touch.
Song 7
The Liberated Mind Can See the Lord
(1)
hari he!
maya-baddha jataksana, thake to' jiver mana,
jada-majhe kore bicarana
paravyoma jnana-moy, tahe taba sthiti hoy,
mana nahi pay darasana
Oh my dear Lord Hari! So long as the minds of the jivas are
conditioned by maya, they simply wander about and loiter within the
world of dead matter. However, You are permanently situated in the
all-conscious spiritual sky, which the material mind cannot perceive at all.
(2)
bhakti-krpa-khadagaghate, jada-bandha cheda ta'te,
jay mana prakrtir par
tomar sundara rupa, here' taba aparupa,
jada-bastu koroye dhikkar
By the mercy of the sharp sword of devotional service, all
bondage to matter is severed, and the mind can thereafter travel beyond the
bondage of material energy. Then, upon beholding Your wonderfully beautiful
form, one condemns all inferior things which are simply made of dull matter.
(3)
ananta vibhuti janra, jini doya-parabara,
sei prabhu jiver iswara
e bhaktibinoda dina, sada-suddha-bhakti-hina,
suddha-bhakti mage nirantara
Thus, by devotion one is enabled to see He Who possesses unlimited
transcendental opulences, Who is an ocean of compassion, and Who is the Lord
and Master of all souls. This most fallen Bhaktivinoda, who is always bereft of
pure devotional service, now begs ceaselessly for it with all his heart.
Song 8
The Soul’s Fallen Position
(1)
hari he!
dharma-nista nahi mor, atma-bodha ba sundar,
bhakti nahi tomar carane
ataeva akincana, gati-hina dusta-jana,
rata sada apana bancane
Oh my Lord Hari! I don't have the determination to properly
follow any kind of religious path, nor do I have any realization of my true
self, nor do I have any trace of devotion to Your lotus feet. Therefore, being
completely bereft of spiritual practices, this wicked, aimless soul is always fond
of cheating himself.
(2)
patita-pavana tumi, patita adhama ami,
tumi mor eka-matra gati
taba pada-mule painu, tomar sarana lainu,
ami dasa, tumi mor pati
Dear Lord, You are known as Patita-pavana, the rescuer of the
most fallen, and I am one such fallen soul. Therefore You are my only hope for
deliverance. Now I have attained the soles of Your lotus feet, for I have taken
complete refuge in You alone; I am Your eternal servant, and You are my eternal
Master.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda kande, hrde dhairya nahi bandhe,
bhumi padi bole atahpara
ahaituki krpa kori', ei dusta-jane, hari,
deho pada-chaya nirantara
Now Bhaktivinoda falls upon the ground, weeping piteously, unable
to maintain composure in his heart, and says, Oh my Lord! Kindly favor this
rogue with Your causeless mercy! Give me the shade of Your lotus feet forever
and ever.
Song 9
The Sinful Soul Fit for Punishment
(1)
hari he!
heno dusta karma nai, jaha ami kori nai,
sahasra sahasra-bara hari!
sei saba karma-phal, peye abasara bal,
amay pisiche jantropari
Oh my dear Lord Hari! There are no sinful activities which I have
not performed thousands upon thousands of times! And by the fruits of all these
sinful actions, I have become robbed of all strength, being helplessly taken
for an excruciatingly painful ride on the machine of this material world.
(2)
gati nahi dekhi ar, kande, hari, anibar,
tomar agrete ebe ami
ja' tomar hoy mane, danda deo akincane,
tumi mor danda-dhara swami
Having no other hope for deliverance in sight, I am now
continuously crying before You, my Lord! Please punish Your insignificant
servant as You see befitting, for You are my Lord and ruling Master.
(3)
klesa-bhoga bhagye jata, bhoga mor hao tata,
kintu ek mama nibedana
je je dasa bhoga ami, amake na chado swami,
bhaktibinoder prana-dhana
I will gladly endure whatever misery that destiny has in store
for me, but I have just one appeal to make to You: My dear Lord, no matter what
calamity I must undergo, please promise that You will never forsake me, for You
are the only treasure of Bhaktivinoda's life.
Song 10
The Ocean of Nescience
(1)
hari he!
nija-karma-dosa-phale, padi' bhavarnava-jale,
habudubu khai kotakal
santari' santari' jai, sindhu-anta nahi pai,
bhava-sindhu ananta bisal
Oh my dear Lord Hari! By the bad fruits of my past activities, I
have slipped and fallen into the waters of the ocean of nescience, and I have
been thus bobbing and sinking beneath the waves for a very, very long time.
Swimming and swimming, I have not been able to reach the shore, for this ocean
of material existence is unlimitedly vast.
(2)
nimagna hoinu jabe, dakinu katara rabe,
keho more koroho uddhar
sei-kale aile tumi, toma jani' kula-bhumi,
asa-bija hoilo amar
Becoming completely submerged and drowned in this ocean, I have
loudly called out with a greatly distressed voice for someone to come and
rescue me. At that time You came to me, oh Lord. Knowing that You are the safe
shelter at the shore of this fearful ocean has given me a ray of hope.
(3)
tumi hari doyamoy, paile more su-nicoy,
sarvottama doyar bisoy
tomake na chadi ar, e bhaktibinoda char,
doya-patra paile doyamoy
You, dear Lord, are actually made of compassion. I have become
convinced that You are the original source of the highest form of causeless
mercy. Now this most fallen rascal Bhaktivinoda will no longer reject You—for
I, the befitting object of causeless mercy, have attained the favor of He Who
abounds in causeless mercy.
Song 11
Exclusively Dependent on the Shelter of the Lord
(1)
hari he!,
anya asa nahi jar, taba pada-padma tar,
chadibara jogya nahi hoy
taba padasraye natha, kore sei dina-pata,
taba pade tahar abhoy
Oh my dear Lord Hari! One who spends his time under the shelter
of Your lotus feet, oh Lord, becomes completely fearless. Indeed, such a person
could not possibly neglect Your lotus feet, for one wouldn't have a pinch of
desire for any other shelter.
(2)
stanya-payi sisu-jane, mata chade krodha-mane,
sisu tabu nahi chade may
jehetu tahar ar, e jivana dhoribar,
mata bina nahiko upay
A mother may sometimes neglect her breast-suckling children out of
anger, but still the children could never give up their mother. This is because
such small helpless children are not able to maintain their lives at all
without their mother, being totally dependent on her.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda koy, tumi chado doyamoy,
dekhiya amar dosa-gana
ami to' chadite nari, toma bina nahi pari,
kakhan dhorite e jivana
Similarly, Bhaktivinoda says to You, oh Lord Who is overflowing
with com-passion, that You may reject me if You like, seeing all of my
offenses. But still, I will never be able to abandon You, for I cannot maintain
my life under any circumstances without You.
Song 12
The Nectar of the Lord’s Lotus Feet
(1)
hari he!
taba pada-pankajini, jivamrta-sancarini,
ati-bhagye jiva taha pay
se-amrta pana kori', mugdha hoy tahe, hari,
ar taha chadite na cay
Oh my Lord Hari! Your lotus feet distribute the nectar of eternal
devotional service to the surrendered souls, and only by dint of the greatest
good fortune can any soul obtain such nectar. By drinking this rare ambrosia
they become attracted and captivated, oh Lord, and by being completely absorbed
in this transcendental honey of devotion, they will never want to abandon it.
(2)
nibista hoiya tay, anya sthane nahi jay,
anya rasa tuccha kori' mane
madhu-purna padma-sthita, madhu-brata kadacita,
nahi caya iksu-danda-pane
Being deeply engrossed in this jivamrta, they will never
ever go anywhere else, for they will then consider all other tastes to be
simply insignificant. It is just like when a bee is fully satisfied from
tasting the sweet honey within the whorl of a lotus flower, he will no longer
desire the inferior sweetness of sugarcane juice.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda kabe, se-pankaja-sthita ha'be,
nahi ja'be samsarabhimukhe
bhakta-krpa, bhakti-bal, ei duiti su-sambal,
paile se sthiti ghate sukhe (3)
Bhaktivinoda now says that when I become sheltered under those
lotus-like feet, then I will never again turn toward the material world. There
are only two most auspicious things to help me—the causeless mercy of the
devotees and the power of devotion; these two treasures will enable me to
attain a place at those lotus feet. Only then will I be happily situated.
Song 13
A Glimpse of His Lotus Feet
(1)
hari he!
bhramite samsara-bane, kabhu daiva-samghatane,
kon-mate kon bhagyavan
taba pada uddesiya, thake krtanjali haya,
eka-bar ohe bhagavan
Oh my Lord Hari! While wandering about in the forest of this
material world, some fortunate soul may be able to get a glimpse of Your lotus
feet just once, by some unseen influence of destiny, and receives that vision
of Your lotus feet with folded hands, oh Bhagavan!
(2)
sei-ksane ta'r jata, amangala hoy hata,
su-mangala hoy pusta ati
ar nahi ksaya hoy, krame ta'r subhodoy,
ta're deya sarvottama-gati
At that very moment all inauspiciousness becomes dissipated, and
he very much relishes the nourishment of divine auspiciousness. This never
decreases, for You gradually awaken his eternal well-being by bestowing upon
such a fortunate soul the topmost goal of life.
(3)
emon doyalu tumi, emon durbhaga ami,
kabhu na korinu paranama
taba pada-padma prati, na jane e dusta-mati,
bhaktibinoder parinama
Thus You are such a magnanimous Lord, but I am such an ill-fated
soul, for I have never offered my respectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet.
And now Bhaktivinoda cannot comprehend the outcome of his wicked mentality.
Song 14
One Drop from the Nectar-Ocean of His Lotus Feet
(1)
hari he!
tomar carana-padma, anuraga sudha-sadma,
sagara-sikara jadi pay
kon bhagyavan jane, kon karya-samghatane,
ta'r saba duhkha dure jay
Oh my Dear Lord Hari! If a greatly fortunate soul somehow or
other gets a chance to drink just one priceless nectar-drop sprayed from the
ocean of love emanating from Your lotus feet, then all of his miseries are
instantly repelled to a far distant place.
(2)
se-sudha-samudra-kana, samsaragni-nirvapana,
ksaneke koriya phele ta'r
parama nivrtti diya, tomar carane laya,
deya tabe ananda apar
This single drop from the ocean of nectar completely extinguishes
the blazing fire of material existence and gives immediate relief. One who
drinks such a drop thus takes hold of Your lotus feet, which bestow upon him
transcendentally liberated peace and unlimited spiritual bliss.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda kande, padiya samsara-phande,
bole, nahi kon bhagya mor
e ghatana na ghatilo, amar janama gelo,
brtha roinu ho'ye atma-bhor
Now Bhaktivinoda is weeping and says to You, oh Lord—I am most
un-fortunate, having fallen into the snare of this material world. I have never
tasted a drop of the nectar of Your lotus feet, and therefore my entire life
has been wasted, uselessly engrossed in my own selfish interests.
Song 15
The Self-Cheated Soul
(1)
hari he!
tabanghri kamala-dvoy, bilasa-bikrama-moy,
parabara jagat byapiya
sarva-ksana bartamana, bhakta-klesa-abasana,
lagi' sada prastuta hoiya
Oh my Lord Hari! Your two lotus feet are full of mighty prowess
in performing transcendental pastimes, which are continuously expanding
throughout both the material and spiritual worlds. Such pastimes are eternally
being performed just to mitigate all the sufferings of Your devotees. For this
reason only are Your eight-fold daily pastimes enacted.
(2)
jagater sei dhana, ami jaga-madhya jana,
ataeva sama adhikar
ami kiba bhagya-hina, sadhane bancita, dina,
ki kaj jivane ar char
Despite the presence of Your pastimes here, which are the real
treasure of this universe, I am still bereft of all good fortune, for I have
cheated myself out of worshiping Your lotus feet in devotional service. Thus I
am most fallen, and there is no one else quite as fallen as me. What other
activities could possibly be more sinful than those which were performed by me
throughout my entire lifetime?
(3)
krpa bina nahi gati, e bhaktibinoda ati,
dainya kori' bole prabhu-pay
kabe taba krpa pe'ye, uthibo sabale dhe'ye,
heribo se pada-yuga hay
Now Bhaktivinoda, with the utmost humility says at Your feet, oh
Lord—without Your causeless mercy, I have no other refuge. Alas! When will I
get Your kind favor? I will stand up and enthusiastically run for You, and then
I will behold Your beautiful lotus feet with my very eyes.
Song 16
The Soul’s Position of Eternal Service
(1)
hari he!
ami sei dusta-mati, na dekhiya anya gati,
taba pade lo'yechi sarana
janilama ami, natha, tumi prabhu jagannatha,
ami taba nitya parijana
Oh my dear Lord Hari! I am most fallen, and seeing no other
alternative, I have fully taken shelter at Your lotus feet. Oh Lord! Now I have
finally understood that You are Jagannatha, Lord of the Universe, whereas I am
but Your eternal servant.
(2)
sei dina kabe ha'be, aikantika-bhave jabe,
nitya-dasa-bhava lo'ye ami
mano-rathantara jata, nihsesa koriya swatah,
sevibo amar nitya-swami
When will that day come when I take on the mood and behavior of
Your un-alloyed eternal servant? Then, all other distracting desires of my mind
will automatically become totally exhausted, and I will be able to
whole-heartedly render service to my eternal Master.
(3)
nirantara seva-mati, bahibe cittete sati,
prasanta hoibe atma mor
e bhaktibinoda bole, krishna-seva-kutuhale,
cirodina thaki jena bhor
My soul will become fully satisfied when that day will be mine.
My heart will be chaste only for You, and it will exhibit a service attitude
which flows from the core of the heart with uninterrupted devotion.
Bhaktivinoda says that he will thus live eternally absorbed in such a
delightful flow of ecstatic loving service to Krishna.
Song 17
His Lotus feet are the Only Refuge for the fallen Soul
(1)
hari he!
ami aparadhi jana, sada dandya, durllaksana,
sahasra sahasra dose dosi
bhima bhavarnavodare, patita bisama ghore,
gati-hina gati-abhilasi
Oh my Lord Hari! I have been a great offender to You, and thus I
am quite fit to receive punishment for all of my wicked misdeeds. I am guilty
of committing thousands upon thousands of sins. I have somehow fallen into the
belly of the terribly deep, dark, and fearsome ocean of material existence, and
I have no shelter at all in this hellish place. Therefore I am greatly desirous
of finding salvation from this dreadful predicament.
(2)
hari! taba pada-dvoye, sarana loinu bhoye,
krpa kori' koro atma-satha
tomar pratijna ei, sarana loibe jei,
tumi ta'r raksa-karta natha
Hari! Thus I have taken refuge at Your two lotus feet out of
intense fear! Please be kind to me and make me Your own property. Your promise
is that for whoever takes full shelter of You, then You will become his
protector and maintainer, oh Lord!
(3)
pratijnate kori' bhara, o madhava praneswara!
sarana loilo ei dasa
e bhaktibinoda gay, tomar se-ranga-pay,
deho dase sevaya vilasa
Completely relying on Your promise, this servant has now taken
full shelter of You as his last hope, oh Madhava! Oh Lord of my life!
Bhaktivinoda now sings this prayer to You just to be eternally fixed up in the
service of Your two reddish lotus feet.
Song 18
The Power of Ignorance
(1)
hari he!
aviveka-rupa ghana, tahe dik acchadana,
hoilo ta'te andhakara ghor
tahe duhkha-brsti hoy, dekhi' cari-dike bhoy,
patha-bhrama hoiyache mor
Oh my Lord Hari! Ignorance of You is just like a menacing
raincloud which hovers overhead and covers all directions, causing the darkness
of spiritual blindness to envelop me. From this cloud of ignorance falls the
rain of material tribulation, which strikes fear throughout the four
directions. Thus I have become lost and confused in this darkness, and I am
absolutely unable to find the right path back to You, dear Lord!
(2)
nija aviveka-dose, padi' durdiner rose,
prana jay samsara-kantare
patha-pradarsaka nai, e durdaive mara jai,
daki tai, acyuta, tomare
By my own fault of ignorantly whimsical behavior, independent of
You, I have become very angry upon falling into the foul weather of this most
difficult time of distress. And my life is leaving me while I am thus stranded
within this material world, which is just like a dark forest in which one
cannot properly find his way. I have no guide to show me the way out of here,
and by this misfortune I am dying a slow death. Therefore I now call out to
You, Acyuta, oh supremely infallible Lord!
(3)
ek-bar krpa-drsti, koro ama-prati brsti,
tabe mor ghucibe durdina
viveka sabala ha'be, bhaktibinoda tabe,
dekhaibe patha samicina
If You would just shower the rain of Your kind glance moist with
causeless mercy in my direction just once, oh Lord, then that would instantly
terminate this period of great distress for me. Then my understanding of Your
spiritual reality will become fixed-up, and this Bhaktivinoda will be able to
clearly see the path which leads back to You.
Song 19
The Meaning of “The Most Merciful Lord”
(1)
hari he!
agre ek nibedana, kori, madhu-nisudhana,
suno krpa koriya amay
nirarthaka katha noi, nigudhartha-moy hoy,
hrdoy hoite bahiray
Oh my dear Lord Hari! I have just one appeal to make before You,
oh killer of the Madhu demon! Please be kind enough to hear it from me. It is
certainly not a useless talk, but is full of very deep meaning. Indeed, it is
welling up from the very depths of my heart.
(2)
ati apakrsta ami, parama doyalu tumi,
taba doya mor adhikar
je jata patita hoy, taba doya tata tay,
ta'te ami su-patra doyar
I am most fallen, and You are most merciful; therefore I have
full rights to claim Your mercy. For no matter how degraded I could possibly
be, Your mercy easily extends to that degree; therefore I am quite a suitable
candidate for receiving Your grace.
(3)
more jadi upeksibe, doya-patra kotha pabe,
'doyamoy' namati ghuca'be
e bhaktibinoda koy, doya koro doyamoy,
jasa-kirti cirodina pabe
If You were to neglect my appeal, then Your famous name as the
Most Merciful would become null and void. And where else could You find a more
suitable recipient of mercy than me? Bhaktivinoda says, please be merciful, oh
Most Merciful! If You would do this, then Your fame will go on unblemished for
all of time to come.
Song 20
Natural Eternal Surrender
(1)
hari he!
toma chadi' ami kabhu, anatha na hoi, prabhu,
prabhu-hina dasa nirasroy
amake na nile satha, kaiche tumi ha'be natha,
doyaniya ke tomar hoy
My dear Hari! I will never, ever abandon Your shelter, oh Lord,
for if I were to do that, I would become utterly helpless without my Master.
When a faithful servant becomes bereft of his Master, then he remains
helplessly lost and confused, with no other shelter available anywhere.
However, if You do not accept me into Your association, then how will You be
known as my Master, and who else besides me will be a suitable recipient of
Your mercy?
(2)
amader e sambandha, bidhi-krta su-nirbandha,
sa-bidhi tomar guna-dhama
ataeva nibedana, suno he madhu-mathana,
chada-chadi nahe kon kama
Our eternal relationship is unalterably fixed up by our destiny,
and it shows how You are the abode of all good qualities. Please hear my appeal
to You now, oh punisher of the demon Madhu! There is no possibility whatsoever
of separating us from our eternal relationship of being the Master (You) and
the servant (me).
(3)
e bhaktibinoda gay, rakho more taba pay,
palo more na chado kakhan
jabe mama pao dosa, koriya ucita rosa,
danda diya deo shri-caran
Now Bhaktivinoda sings to You his appeal, dear Lord: Please keep
me always under the shelter of Your lotus feet; always protect me, and never
abandon me at any time. Whenever You find me deviating from Your shelter, then
I request You to please manifest befitting anger and punish me accordingly,
bestowing the touch of Your divine lotus feet.
Song 21
Surrender Transcends Bodily Designation
(1)
hari he!
stri-purusa-deha-gata, barna-adi dharma jata,
tahe punah deha-gata bheda
sattva-rajas-tamo-guna, asrayeche bheda punah,
ei-rupa sahasra prabheda
Oh my Lord! I know that all bodily distinctions between female
and male, as well as all the divisions of the varnasrama system namely brahmana,
ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa are
simply materialistic differences based on bodily consciousness. And when all
these distinctions are influenced by the material modes of goodness, passion
and ignorance, then they multiply into thousands of complicated divisions.
(2)
je-kon sarira thaki, je-kon abastha rakhi,
se-sab ekhan taba pay
sanpilam, praneswara, mama boli' atahpara,
ar kichu na rohilo day
Whatever type of body I happen to live in, and whatever
circumstantial position this body is situated in, I now offer all these things
in dedication unto Your lotus feet, oh Lord of my life! From now on, I am no
longer responsible for anything related to my very existence.
(3)
tumi prabhu rakho mor, sab taba adhikar,
achi ami tomar kinkor
e bhaktibinoda bole, taba dasya-kautuhale,
thaki jena sada sevapar
Therfore, please protect and maintain me, oh Lord, for You can do
anything! I am but Your humble servant. Bhaktivinoda now states that I am
living always absorbed in the delightfully curious amusement of the
transcendental loving service attitude.
Song 22
Prayer for the Association of Devotees
(1)
hari he!
veda-vidhi-anusare, karma kori' e samsare,
punah punah jiva janma pay
purva-krta-karma-phale, tomar ba iccha-bale,
janma jadi labhi punaray
Oh my Lord Hari! By working fruitively according to the Vedic
injunctions in this material world, the soul continuously takes birth again and
again. If I also have to take birth again according to Your will, due to the
results of my previous fruitive reactions, then I have just one request to make
of You...
(2)
tabe ek katha mama, suno he purusottama!
taba dasa-sangi-jana-ghare
kita-janma jadi hoy, tahateo doya-moy,
rohibo he santusta antare
Kindly hear me, oh Purusottama! I have a petition to submit
before You. If I can just take my next birth even as an insignificant insect
within the home of Your loving servant, then I would become completely
satisfied, oh Most Merciful Lord!
(3)
taba dasa-sanga-hina, je grhastha arbacina,
ta'r grhe caturmukha-bhuti
na hao kakhan, hari, kara-dwoy yoda kori',
kore bhaktibinoda minati
Please never, never let me take birth in the home of a
householder who is averse to the association of Your devotee, even if his
household opulences rival those of Lord's Brahma's. This is the only humble
prayer that Bhaktivinoda is making now with folded hands.
Song 23
The Qualities of the Pure Devotee
(1)
hari he!
tomar je suddha-bhakta, tomate se anurakta,
bhukti mukti tuccha kori' jane,
bareka dekhite taba, cidakara-shri-vaibhava,
trna boli' anya sukha mane
Oh my Lord Hari! Your pure unalloyed devotee, who is
uncompromisingly attached to You only, considers material enjoyment and
liberation to be insignificant. Simply by beholding the beauty and opulences of
Your form made of eternity, knowledge and bliss, such a pure devotee considers
all other forms of so-called happiness to be just like small pieces of straw
which one sees strewn here and there in the gutter.
(2)
se-saba bhakter sange, lila koro nana-range,
viraha sahite nahi par
krpa kori' akincane, dekhao mahatma-gane,
sadhu bina gati nahi ar
You always perform different types of sportive pastimes in the
company of pure devotees of this calibre, for You are not able to tolerate
separation from them for even a moment. Please show Your gracious favor and
reveal to me who these great souls are, for I am truly bereft, and can find no
purpose for living without their company.
(3)
se-bhakta-carana-dhana, kabe pa'bo darasana,
sodhibo amar dusta mana
e bhaktibinoda bhane, krpa ha'be jataksane,
mahatmar ho'be darasana
When will I get the vision of the rare treasure-like feet of Your
pure devotees? If I could just catch a glimpse of their lotus feet, then that
would completely purify me and rectify my sinful mind. Bhaktivinoda narrates
this prayer to You, oh Lord: I will be able to get the audience of such great
souls only if Your causeless mercy comes upon me by Your own sweet will.
Song 24
Prayer for Natural Eternal Service
(1)
hari he!
suno he madhu-mathana! mama ek bijnapana,
bisesa koriya boli ami
tomar sevatva mama, swakiya vaibhavottama,
ami dasa, tumi mor swami
Oh my dear Lord Hari! Please hear me now, oh chastiser of the
demon Madhu! I am revealing this specific confession unto You. The topmost
wealth of my own ultimate service attitude is this—I am Your servant, and You
are my Master.
(2)
se-vibhava-bahirbhuta, hoite hoile he acyuta,
ksana-matra sahite na pari
deho, prana, sukha, asa, atma-prati bhalabasa,
sarva-tyaga korite bicari
Oh Acyuta, most infallible Lord! I am not able to tolerate even a
split second of life outside this divine wealth of Your eternal service.
Therefore I have now decided to renounce everything that is near and dear to
the illusioned soul such as the body, the life, material pleasures as well as
all hopes for future sense gratification.
(3)
e saba jauka nasa, sata-bar shri-nivasa,
tabu thaku dasatva tomar
e bhaktibinoda koy, krishna-dasa jiva hoy,
dasya bina kiba ache ar
Oh Residence of the Goddess of Fortune! Let all these things be
neglected by me and fall into abject ruination hundreds of times; I don't mind,
for I will still remain fixed in Your eternal service. Bhaktivinoda says that
the soul is naturally the servant of Krishna, and except for eternal service
there is no other reality.
Song 25
The Mood of Self-Surrender
(1)
hari he!
ami nara-pasu-pray, acara-bihina tay,
anadi ananta su-bistar
ati-kaste pariharya, sahajete anibarya,
asubher aspada abar
Oh my Lord Hari! I am simply a two-legged animal, completely
bereft of proper behavior. I have been suffering great difficulties unlimitedly
since time immemorial. And moreover, I have unavoidably become the repository
of all types of sinful activities.
(2)
tumi to' doyar sindhu, tumi to' jagad-bandhu,
asima vatsalya-payo-nidhi,
taba guna-gana smari, bhava-bandhu cheda kori',
nirbhika hoibo nirabadhi
You are certainly an ocean of compassion, and You are the only
real friend of the universe. Your affection is just like a boundless,
unfathomable sea of loving relationships. Simply by remembering Your wonderful
qualities, my material bonds are being severed and I will become eternally
fearless.
(3)
ei iccha kori' mane, shri-jamuna-carane,
gay bhaktibinoda ekhan
jamuna-bipina-bidhu, shri-caranabja-sidhu,
ta'r sire, karuna arpan
Now Bhaktivinoda sings about all these desires within his mind
while bowing to the lotus feet of Shri Yamunacarya (the original author of Stotra-ratna).
And he begs Yamunacarya to kindly bestow upon his head the quintessence of
the fragrant immortal nectar which flows from the lotus feet of that moon-like
person Who glows within the forests on the bank of the river Yamuna in Vraja.
Song 26
Relative Position of the Master and the Servant
(1)
hari he!
tumi jagater pita, tumi jagater mata,
dayita, tanaya, hari tumi
tumi suhrn-mitra, guru, tumi gati, kalpa-taru,
twadiya sambandha-matra ami
Dear Lord Hari! You are the Father of the universe, You are the
Mother of the universe, as well as the Lover and Son of all beings. You are the
most dearly beloved Friend of the heart, the Spiritual Master of all, the
ultimate Refuge and the divine Purpose-tree that fulfills everyone's desires...
(2)
taba bhrtya, parijana, gati-prarthi, akincana,
prapanna tomar shri-carane
taba sattva, taba dhana, tomar palita jana,
amar mamata taba jane
...But my relationship with You is simply that of Your
insignificant menial servant, Your humble attendant, always praying for Your
shelter, a truly destitute soul, surrendered at Your divine lotus feet. I am
simply Your plaything, Your property, Your protected servant; my only
identification is my attachment to being Your devotee.
(3)
e bhaktibinoda koy, ahamta-mamata noy,
shri-krishna-sambandha-abhimane
sevar sambandha dhori', ahamta-mamata kori,
taditare prakrta bidhane
Bhaktivinoda says that there is no feeling of "I and
mine" other than this conception of being related to Shri Krishna as His
eternal servant. Maintaining this position of eternal service, he thus accepts
the real principle of "I and mine" which is the natural, unchangeable
relationship with Krishna and His devotees. Anything other than that would just
be material and temporary.
Song 27
The Last Hope for Deliverance
(1)
hari he!
ami to' cancala-mati, amaryada, ksudra ati,
asuya-prasaba sada mor
papista, krtaghna, mani, nrsamsa, bancane jnani,
kama-base thaki sada ghor
Oh my dear Lord Hari! I am most fickle-minded, completely bereft
of proper manners and extremely insignificant. I always radiate a mood of
jealousy and malice. I willingly perform sinful acts, I love to do harm to my
well-wishing benefactors, and I am puffed up with false prestige. Vicious at
heart, I am very learned in the art of deceiving others. I am always obsessed
by lusty motives.
(2)
e heno durjana ho'ye, e duhkha-jaladhi bo'ye,
caritechi samsara-sagare
kemone e bhavambudhi, para ho'ye nirabadhi,
taba pada seva mile more
Being such a sinful rogue, I am completely submerged in this
ocean of material tribulation. I aimlessly wander here and there in the vast
ocean of birth and death. How will I ever be able to cross over this ocean of
nescience and engage in the service of Your lotus feet?
(3)
tomar karuna pai, taba to' toriya jai,
ami e duranta sagara
tumi, prabhu, shri-carane, rakho dase dhuli-sane,
nahe bhaktibinoda katara
Only if I get Your mercy, then I can certainly cross over this
miserable ocean of suffering. Now, my dear Lord, Bhaktivinoda is humbly
requesting You to kindly keep this servant as just one of the many particles of
dust under the safe shelter of Your beautiful lotus feet—then I'll be fully satisfied.
Karpanya-panjika
Introduction to Chapter Two
This 46 verse Bengali
poem by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is actually based on a prayer composed in
Sanskrit by Shrila Rupa Gosvami, found within his book Stava-mala. The
original Karpanya-panjika-stotra consist of only 45 slokas, and
Bhaktivinoda's Bengali verse translation has one extra verse at the very end
which reveals the siddha-deha (spiritual bodies) of both himself and
Shrila Rupa Gosvami. In this final verse, the Thakura states that the original
author of the stotra is none other than Shri Rupa Manjari, the personal
attendant of Shrimati Radharani. Bhaktivinoda also reveals his own eternal
identity as Shri Kamala Manjari, a maidservant in Lalita's camp and subordinate
to Shri Rupa Manjari. More detail of his eternal service will be revealed in
chapter five of this book, Siddhi-lalasa. However, such confidential
spiritual topics are not meant for anyone and everyone; therefore discretion
should be exercised by the reader to prevent such exalted topics from being
taken cheaply.
The word karpanya means
humility. It also means greediness, selfishness, etc. So this prayer is a diary
of one's humble mood of supplication to the Lord which is also pervaded with
intensely greedy selfish motives, or laulyam, but only for the sake of
rendering eternal service. This laulyam is described in the Nectar of
Devotion (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu) as being the only price to pay to
purchase entrance into the kingdom of God. Therefore Shrila Rupa Gosvami
indicates such a mood in this Karpanya-panjika-stotra, which has been
further embellished and intensified by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Bengali
rendering.
This English translation
incorporates some finer points of the original Sanskrit stotra which may
not be so visible within the Bengali verses. Therefore the reader is advised
that there are occasional statements which appear to be expanded from the
Bengali vocabulary.
The following list of the
topics expressed within this poem has been compiled as an aid to understanding
the flow of the prayers.
1) Prayer revealing the mind
ami ati dina-mati,
braja-kunje nibasati,
radha-krishna-jugala-carane
kandiya kandiya aj, chadi' sab loka-laj,
nivedibo jata ache mane
Today, living in my grove at Vraja-bhumi, I am most distressed...
Therefore I will submit to the lotus feet of the divine couple, Shri Shri
Radha-Krishna. Weeping and weeping at Their lotus feet, I now give up all
shyness and fear of public opinion, and will reveal to Them all the outpourings
of the inner core of my heart.
KrishnaKrishnaKrishnaKrishna2) Radha-Krsna's complexions
tumi krishna nilamani,
nava-megha-prabha jini',
brajananda koro bitarana
tumi radhe nava-gauri, gorocana-garva hari,
braje hara krishna-candra-mana
You, my dear Lord Krsna, have a deep translucent bluish hue like
sapphires, which puts to shame the luster of a fresh new rain cloud. You are
distributing the blissful mood of Vraja to everyone. And You, Shri Radhe, take
away the pride of brilliant yellow gorocana dye with Your fair
complexion, which decorates Your fresh blooming youth. Thus You are attracting
and stealing the mind of Your moon-like Krsna in Vraja.
3) Their dress
tumi krishna pitambare,
parajiya kartasware,
braja-bane-nitya-keli-rata
tumi radhe nilambari, palaser garva hari,
krishna-keli-sahaya satata
You, my dear Lord Krsna, are conquering the radiant luster of
pure gold with Your dazzling yellow garments. You are always very fond of
performing amorous sports within the transcendental forests of Vraja. And You,
my dear Radharani, are wearing a brilliant blue sari which steals the
pride of the palasa flower (which is also blue with a white whorl in the
center.) You are always gracefully present as the chief companion during all
the amorous games played by Krsna.
4) Their jewel-like qualities
tumi krishna harinmani,
juva-brinda-siromani,
radhika tomara praneswari
brajangana-sirah-sobha, dhammila-mallika-prabha,
tumi radhe krishna-priyankari
You, dear Lord Krsna, just like a rare, radiant emerald, are the
crest jewel amongst all the youthful boys of Vraja. And Shrimati Radhika is the
Mistress of Your life. You, my dear Radhe, are the topmost resplendent personality
amongst all the women of Vraja. You radiate an effulgence like the fragrant
white jasmine blossoms which are woven within the braided hair of all those
beautiful young women, and You are the most affectionate maidservant of Krsna.
5) They surpass Vaikuntha
rama-pati-sobha jini',
krishna taba rupa-khani,
jagat mataya braja-bane
rama-jini' brajangana- gana-madhye susobhana,
tumi radhe krishna-cittangane
Dear Krsna, Your beauty and sweetness far surpasses that of Lord
Vishnu, the husband of the Goddess of Fortune. And that form which You are
displaying within the forests of Vrndavana is making the entire universe go
mad. You, dear Radhe, are likewise surpassing the Goddess of Fortune Laksmi
herself with Your supreme splendor, which radiates outstandingly amongst all
the damsel of Vraja. You are the only one who is dwelling within the courtyard
of Krsna's heart.
6) Their fragrances and music
taranga-saurabha-kana,
bamsi-gita anuksana,
ohe krishna! radha-mana hare
radhe! anga-gandha taba, tomara su-vina-raba,
krishna-citta unmadita kore
Oh Krsna! You are abducting Radharani's mind with the enchanting
songs of Your flute as well by Your sweet bodily fragrance, which are both
blowing in relentless waves upon the wind. Oh Radhe! You are likewise wildly
exciting Krsna's mind with Your fragrant bodily aroma and the sweet sound of
Your vina.
7) Their facial expressions
tomara capaleksana, hare
radha-dhairya-dhana,
tumi krishna cora-siromani
banka drsti-bhangi taba, shri-krishna-hrdayasaba,
tumi radhe kalavati dhani
You, my dear Krsna, are the crest jewel of all thieves, for You
rob Radharani's patience when You gaze upon Her with Your special fickle,
amorous expression. And You, my dear Radhe, like to sting Krsna's lotus heart
when You look back at Him with Your falsely unfriendly expression which is just
like a bumblebee. Thus He becomes maddened by Your crooked behavior. And You
are also a beautiful, young maiden who is well-versed in a wealth of classical
arts such as music, dancing, and singing.
8) Their joking
parihase radhikar, katha
nahi sare jar,
tumi krishna nata-kula-guru
krishna narma-ukti suni', romancita tanu-khani,
taba radhe rasa-kalpa-taru
You, Krsna, are indeed the Master and instructor of all dancers.
Sometimes You simply cannot utter a word in reply to the confidential joking
statements of Shri Radhika. You, Radhe, then experience intense thrilling
jubilation throughout Your entire body when at last You hear Krsna's soft,
amusing retort. You are like a wish-fulfilling tree of transcendental mellows.
9) Their qualities
aprakrta-guna-mani,
binirmita-giri-sreni,
tumi krishna sarva gunamoy,
umadi ramani-jana, bancaniya guna-gana,
radhe taba swabhavika hoy
You, dear Krsna, are abounding in all good qualities. Indeed,
Your super-excellent transcendental virtues stand out just like a multitude of
mountain ranges made of rubies. Oh Radhe! You also naturally possess the
entirety of good qualities desired by all beautiful young women headed by
Goddess Uma.
10) Prayer
ami ati manda-mati, kori
he kakuti nati,
niskapate e prarthana kori
brndavana-adhiswara, tumi krishna praneswara,
tumi radhe braja-baneswari
I am extremely dull-minded, and therefore I bow down pitifully
before You, offering You this humble prayer in all sincerity. You, my dear Lord
Krsna, are the Supreme Master of Vrndavana and the Lord of my life! And You,
dear Radhe, are the Proprietress of all the transcendental forests of Vraja!
11) Taking shelter
tomader krpa pai, e-rupa
jogyata nai,
jadio amar braja-bane
dunhe maha-krpa-moy, jani' kainu padasroy,
krpa koro, e adhama jane
I am certainly not at all fit to receive the mercy of You both in
Vrndavana. However, I have still taken refuge at Your lotus feet, for I know
that You both are the topmost merciful personalities. Please be kind to this
most fallen soul.
12) Begging for mercy
kevala ajogya nahi,
aparadhi ami hoi,
tathapi koroho krpa dan
loke krpavista jana, ksame aparadha-gana,
tumi dunhe maha-krpavan
Not only am I undeserving, but I am actually an offender to Your
lotus feet. Nevertheless, I still beg You both now to bestow Your kind favor.
Just as a great soul is very tolerant of the ignorant public, compassionately
forgiving their offenses, similarly You both are certainly the most supremely
sympathetic personalities.
13) Maha-lila
krpa-hetu bhakti-sar,
lesabhasa nahi ta'r,
krpa-adhikari nahi ami
inhe maha-lileswara, hana sei lilapara,
krpa koro braja-jana swami
The most essential effect of Your mercy is to finally get
devotional service. However, I do not possess even a fraction of a drop of
devotion, and therefore I have no right to receive Your mercy. In this world,
You are the Supreme Master of the most magnificent pastime of all—the rasa dance.
So I ask You now to please be merciful to me when You are performing this great
pastime, oh Lord of the Brijbasis!
14) Description of Maha-lila
su-dusta abhakta jane,
sivadi devata-gane,
prasanna hoilo krpa kori'
maha-lila sarveswara, dunhu mama praneswara,
doya koro dosa parihari'
You have shown Your supreme rasa dance to everyone in this
world, including the demigods headed by Lord Siva, and even to the most wicked
persons and non-devotees. Thus You have pleased all the living entities in the
universe. You Both are the Masters of this maha-lila, the Lords of all
Lords, and the Lords of my life. Please show Your leniency by disregarding all
of my past offenses.
15) Offensive mentality
adhame uttama mani,
mudha, vijna, abhimani,
dusta hana sista-abhimana
ei dose dosi hana, gelo cirodin bana,
na korinu bhajana-bidhana
Some of my offenses are as follows: I have regarded my most
degraded self as the best man of all. Even though foolish like an ass, I
consider myself to be very wise due to my false sentimentality. Thus I have
actually become most polluted and mischievous underneath my false conception of
being gentle and good-natured. Being guilty of these offenses, I have spent
many days without ever worshiping You.
16) Glimpse of the holy Name
tathapi e dina-jane, jadi
nama uccarane,
namabhasa korilo jivane
sarva-dosa-nibarana, dunhu-nama-samjalpana,
prasade prasida dui jane
In spite of all these offenses, I pray that if ever in my life
this most fallen soul has by chance uttered Your holy name once without
offense, then kindly remove all of my faults and allow me to chant Your names
simply for the pleasure of You both.
17) Their quality of forgiveness
bhakti-lava-matre ksaya,
sarva aparadha hoy,
ksama-sila dunher krpay
e asa mane dhori', carane prarthana kori,
sodha dosa ksamiya amay
Even the most minute trace of devotion can completely eradicate
all offensive faults, and I know that You both are most forgiving by nature,
due to Your causeless mercy. Keeping this in mind as my last hope, I offer this
humble prayer at Your lotus feet. Please forgive me and rectify all of my
offenses.
18) Lamentation
sadhana-sampatti-hina,
ohe ei jiva dina,
ati-kaste dhrstatara char
dunhu-pada-nipatita, prarthana koroye hita,
prasannata hauk donhar
Alas, this most fallen soul is completely bereft of the treasure
of devotional service. I am so degraded, and I always remain in great
difficulty due to my shameless arrogance. Falling down and grasping the lotus
feet of You both, I now pray simply for the benefit of seeing You become
satisfied by my prayers.
19) Begging harder for mercy
dante trna dhori' hay,
kanditeche ubharay,
e papi kampita sarira
'ha natha! ha natha!' boli', ho'ye aji krtanjali,
prasada arpiya koro sthira
Alas! This sinner's whole body is trembling, and clutching clumps
of straw between his teeth, he weeps and wails piteously at the top of his
voice, Oh my Lord! Oh Natha! Today, with folded hands, I beg that You pacify me
by bestowing Your kind favor!
20) Intense mourning
e durbhaga ha ha sware,
prasad prarthana kore,
anutape gadagadi jay
he radhe! he krishna-candra! suno mama kakuvada,
tunhu krpa-bina prana jay
This most unfortunate, miserable soul now prays for mercy, crying
out ALAS, ALAS! in a piteous, remorseful voice while rolling on the ground in
repentance! Oh Radhe! Oh Krsna-candra! Please hear my mournful prayers, for my
life is departing without the mercy of You both!
21) Crying out for help
phutkar koriya kande, aha
aha kaku-nade,
bole hao prasanna amay
ei to' ayogya jane, krpa koro nija-gune,
koruna-sagara rakho pay
I beg You to become pleased with me, for I am sobbing aloud and
crying, ALAS, ALAS! in a great pitiful uproar just to petition You. By Your own
divine qualities, please favor this most unworthy soul and keep me always at
Your lotus feet. You are both just like oceans of compassion.
22) Petition for compassion
mukhete angusta diya,
uccoihsware arta hana,
kandite kandite bole, natha
koruna-kanika-dane, raksa koro mor prane,
koro ei dine atma-satha
Now I am biting my thumb to try to check my crying from making a
public disturbance! But still, being most aggrieved, I am weeping and wailing
in a loud voice just to call on You, oh Lord! Please give me just one small
grain of Your mercy and thus save my life! Kindly capture this fallen soul and
make me Your very own!
23) Determined prayers
e taba mudha jana,
dina-bakye sa-krandana,
prarthana koroye drdha-mane
he koruna-sunidhan, anugati koro dan,
korunormi-cchata braja-bane
Thus Your most ignorant, foolish devotee prays to You in great
determination with humble, distressed words while sobbing and weeping! Oh
treasure-house of compassion! Please award me with personal service to You and
thus display the splendrous shining rays of Your compassion in the forests of
Vraja!
24) Description of the topmost love
bhava citta-sukhakara,
jata ache su-madhura,
prakataprakata lila-sthale
radha-krishna-prema-sara, sakaler saratsara,
sei bhava jen-i krpa-bale
All the places of Your manifest and unmanifest transcendental
pastimes are the repository of conscious pleasure-giving ecstasies, which are
all super-sweet. Out of all these ecstasies, the quintessence of ecstatic love
between You, Radha and Krsna, is definitely the best—the topmost expression of
pure love. And that love is worshiped by someone only on the strength of Your
mercy.
25) Maidservant to Their lotus feet
jadi e dasir prati,
prasanna koruna-mati,
dunhu-pada-seva koro dana
ar kichu nahi cai, jugala carana pai,
sitala hauk mor prana
If You both are ever pleased with this maidservant, then kindly
manifest Your divine grace by granting me the service of Your lotus feet.
There's really nothing more that I want than to get those two pairs of lotus
feet, so I request You to please grant this favor and thereby soothe my heart.
26) Prayer for personal service
anatha-batsala tumi,
adhama anatha ami,
twadiya saksat-dasya magi
e prasada koro dan, rakho anather pran,
chadi' sab taba dasya magi
I know that You are most kind and affectionate to those who are
helpless without their master. I am actually such a fallen soul who is also
bereft of my Master, and feeling so helpless. Therefore I am now begging for
Your personal service. Please grant this favor just to save the life of this
helpless orphan. Giving up everything else, I am now begging only for Your
service.
27) Begging for eternal service
sirete anjali dhori',
o-pade bijnapti kori,
amar abhista nibedana
ek-bar dasya diya, sitala koro he hiya,
tabe mani sarthaka jivana
With folded palms placed upon my head, I am lying flat before
Your lotus feet making this request, which is my most cherished prayer: Please,
please soothe my heart by giving me Your service just once. Then and only then
will I consider this life to be successful.
28) Witnessing Their meeting
kabe dunhe ei bane,
bilokibo sammilane,
amulyanga-parimala-ghrana
amar nasika-dvare, pravesiya citta-pure,
achaitanya koribe bidhana
When will I be able to wistfully observe You both encountering
each other within this forest? The sweet nectarine fragrance of Your precious
forms will pass through my nostrils and, entering into my heart, will
immediately render me unconscious.
29) The sound of Their ankle bells
dunhar nupura-dhwani,
hamsa-kantha-swara jini',
madhura madhura mama kane
prevesiya kon ksane, mama citta-suranjane,
mataibe seva-rasa-pane
The sound of both Your anklebells tinkling together surpasses the
warbling of the swan. It is transcendentally sweeter than sweet. Immediately
upon this tinkling entering my ears, my heart will be so charmed that I will
get wildly intoxicated, craving to drink more and more of the liquid
nectar-mellows of Your service.
30) Seeing Their footprints
cakradi saubhagyaspada,
bilaksita dunhu-pada,
cihna ei brndabana-bane
dekhiya e dasi kabe, bhasibe anandotsave,
dunhu-krpa peye samgopane
The nineteen most auspicious marks of the wheel, conch, lotus,
ratha, etc., which are unique to both of Your lotus feet, are visible on the
ground all throughout the forests of Vrndavana. When will this maidservant
become drowned in a festival of bliss to see those marks, thereby secretly
receiving the mercy of You both in this way.
31) Vision of Their lotus feet
sakala-saundaryaspada,
nirajita dunhu-pada,
he radhe! he nander nandana!
mamaksi-gocare kabe, sarvadbhuta mahotsave,
koribe ananda bitarana
Oh Radhe! Oh son of Maharaja Nanda! The lotus feet of You both
are worshiped by the highest excellence of beauty itself. When, oh when will my
eyes behold the wonderfully astonishing pastimes performed by Your lotus feet,
which will give me a great feast of happiness?
32) Result of the vision
pracinasa, phala-purti,
tunhu padambuja-sphurti,
sei dunhu-jana-darasana
e janme ki habe mama, e utkantha su-bisama,
bicalita kore mama mana
Just a glimpse of Your lotus feet fulfills all of one's most
cherished longings; this is the real benefit for one who has Your darsana. But
I am worrying now that, without Your presence, what will become of my life? The
suspense of this unbearable anxiety has greatly perturbed my mind.
33) Vision of conjugal pastimes
kabe ami brndabana-
kunjantare darasana,
koribo sundara dunhu jane
surata-lilaya rata, ama hoite adurata,
preme magna ha'bo darasane
When will I ever have the vision of Your two exquisite forms
within a bower in Vrndavana? Observing Your most intimate pastimes of conjugal
love being enacted so close by, I will become overwhelmed and drowned in
ecstatic love.
34) Bringing the news during separation
ghatanabasatah kabe,
dunhu-yoga asambhare,
paraspara sandesa aniya
badaibo dunhu sukha, jabe tabe mano-duhkha,
bedaibo anande matiya
In the course of Your transcendental pastimes, sometimes You are
separated from each other, and thereby feel great distress. When will I ever be
allowed at that time to act as a messenger and bring Your secret notes back and
forth? Hearing such news will only increase Your happiness and dispel the
misery of being separated from one another. Thus I will carry these messages
and excitedly stroll along, completely besides myself and overwhelmingly
absorbed in great delight.
35) Reward for reuniting Them
kabe ei brndabane, dunhu
dunha adarsane,
phire ja'bo dunhe anvesiya
sammilana koraibo, hara-padakadi pabo,
paritusta dunhare koriya
In Vrndavana, sometimes You both search for each other, wandering
all over the forest. When will I bring You together again, making You so
pleased that You will give me some ornaments such as Your necklaces, lockets,
and more as a reward.
36) Gambling match quarrel
dunhe hara dhori' pane,
dyuta-krida-samapane,
'ami jayi', 'ami jayi' boli'
koribe kalaha tabe, hara-samgrahete kabe,
ami taha dekhibo sakali
During another pastime, You both place a wager on a necklace I am
holding and begin gambling over it with the rolling of dice. When the dice
stops rolling, each of You separately exclaims, "I WIN, I WIN!", and
there is a big quarrel as You struggle together, each attempting to collect the
necklace at stake. When will I ever be able to witness all of these wonderful
sports?
37) Massaging Their feet on flower bed
aha kabe dui jane,
kunja-majhe su-sayane,
kusuma-sayyaya biramibe
se samaye dunhu-pada, samvahana-su-sampada,
e dasira saubhagya milibe
Alas, when will I behold You two reclining and lounging leisurely
upon a beautiful bed of flowers within a forest grove? Taking that opportunity,
I will massage the most auspicious treasure of Your lotus feet, and in this way
shall this maidservant meet with her good fortune.
38) Restringing a broken necklace
kandarpa-kalahodgare,
chindibe kanther hare,
lata-grhe padibe khasiya
se hara ganthite kabe, e dasi niyukta ha'be,
dunhu-krpa-ajna sire pana
Sometimes, during the intense struggle of fighting Cupid's
love-battle, one of Your necklaces will break, the pieces falling and
scattering all over the creeper-shaded bower. When will this maidservant be
appointed to re-string that very same necklace? I will take Your merciful order
upon my head and execute it to the best of my ability.
39) Rearranging Their tousled hair
keli-kalloler jabe,
dunhu-kesa srasta habe,
du-janar ingita paiya
sikhi-pinca kore dhori', kuntala-mandita kori',
ami rabo anande dubiya
Sometimes, due to the reckless sporting of Your amorous games,
Your hair will fall loose. Heeding Your gesture towards me, I will then
redecorate Your lovely tresses with peacock tail feathers, and in this way I
will remain submerged and drowned in pure ecstasy.
40) Redecorating Their foreheads with fresh tilaka
kandarpa-kridaya jabe,
dunhu srak srasta ha'be,
tabe ami dunhu-ajna pana
ubhaya-lalata-majhe, koribo tilaka-saje,
matta ha'be se sobha dekhiya
Sometimes, due to being jostled about during Cupid's amorous
sports, Your flower garlands, necklaces, earrings, crowns and other decorations
may become disarrayed. At that time, upon receiving Your order, I will rearrange
all those scattered ornaments, and then redecorate Your foreheads with fresh
tilaka. Thus I will go mad just seeing Your splendrous beauty.
41) Offering fresh garlands and eyeliner
krishna! taba bakse ami,
bana-mala diya swami!
radhe! taba nayane kajjala
kunja-majhe kona dina, pa'bo sukha samicina,
preme citta ha'be talamala
Oh Krsna! I will get enough happiness to satisfy my longings when
I am placing a garland of fresh forest flowers upon Your chest! Oh Radhe! And
likewise when I am re-applying black collyrium around Your lotus eyes! When
will that day be mine when I can render such personal services within a bower
in Vrndavana? Then my heart will quiver and throb in ecstatic love for You
both.
42) Making and offering betelnuts
kabe jambunada-barna,
loiya tambuli-parna,
sira-sunya karpuradi-yuta
bitika nirmana kori', dunhu mukhe dibo dhori',
preme citta ha'be paripluta
When can I prepare first-class betel for You both to chew?
Picking fresh gold-colored betel leaves, I will remove the stems and add
fragrant spices and camphor, Then, rolling the leaves into a cone shape and
making it nice, I will place them into Your lotus mouths. At that moment my
heart will become overflooded with ecstatic love for You.
43) Their sweetness causes me to speak all this
kotha e durasa mor, kotha
e duskarma ghora,
e prarthana, jadi bolo keno
he radhe! he ghanasyama! dunhu-jana-guna-grama,
madhuri bolaya more heno
Why am I revealing such far-off, impossible dreams in these
prayers when I am in reality so deeply sunk in the dark well of sinful
materialistic activities? Oh Radhe! Oh Ghana-syama! Your own maddening
sweetness is actually making me speak all these things about Your
transcendentally glorious qualities!
44) Prayer for eternal service along with the sakhis
dunhar je krpa-gune,
painu dhama-brndabane,
se-krpa abhista purana
koruna amaya natha! pana tunhu-sakhi-satha,
kunja-seva pai anuksana
By Your supreme quality of mercy I have attained residence in the
spiritual abode of Shri Vrndavana, and this mercy has fulfilled all of my most
cherished longings so far. Oh Lord! Now please let me have eternal service in
Your pleasure-gardens in the company of Your most beloved girlfriends and
maidservants!
45) The final thirsty appeal
ohe radhe! ohe krishna!
sei braja-rasa-trsna,
karpanya-panjika-katha-chale
jalpana koroye sada, ta'r banca-purti tada,
koruna dunhu krpa-bale
Oh Radhe! Oh Krsna! On the plea of narrating this diary of my own
greedy, selfish desires for Your humble service (karpanya-panjika), I
have hereby revealed my incredible thirst for serving the liquid mellows of
Vraja. All of these longings are just bottled up inside my heart, and I am
incessantly cherishing the constant churning of these hopes within my mind.
Please, I beg You both, please therefore fulfill all these spiritual desires
for Your service! I am appealing to You now on the strength of Your own
causeless mercy!
46) The ultimate thirst-quenching siddhi
shri-rupa-manjari-pada,
sire dhori' su-sampada,
kamala-manjari kore asa
shri-godruma-braja-bane, dunhu-lila-sandarsane,
purna hao raser pipasa
This Kamala Manjari holds her most treasured possession upon her
head—the lotus feet of Shri Rupa Manjari—and hopes that her own raging thirst
for such mellows will finally be quenched by the vision of the Divine Couple's
eternal pastimes being performed within the divine forest of Vraja at Shri
Godruma in Navadvipa.
Soka-satana
Introduction to Chapter Three
This chapter consists of
thirteen songs describing one pastime of Lord Chaitanya as follows:
Once, during an all-night
kirtana performed by the Lord in Shrivasa Pandita's courtyard, one of
the five sons of Shrivasa died within the house due to some disease. All the
household ladies began to cry loudly in lamentation, which was heard by
Shrivasa as he was chanting and dancing with Lord Chaitanya out in the
courtyard. Entering the house, he pacified the distressed ladies with sweet
spiritual instructions and then returned to the kirtana as if nothing
had happened.
In the morning the
chanting finally stopped, and Lord Chaitanya inquired if anything was wrong in
the house, for He was not feeling the usual ecstasy from His all-night kirtana.
Being informed of the fate of the boy, the Lord became severely afflicted
with loving separation and asked that the body be brought out into the
courtyard. Then asking the dead boy why he had departed, the Lord manifested
the jiva soul back into the body, and the boy spoke many transcendental
truths about the transmigration of the soul, to the amazement and delight of
everyone present. The philosophical discourse of the boy is very similar to
that spoken by the dead son of King Citraketu in the Shrimad-bhagavatam,
6th canto, 16th chapter. Afterwards Lord Chaitanya, accompanied by all the
devotees, celebrated the funeral ceremony of the boy in great ecstasy, being
joined by the personified Ganges river, Shri Jahnavi Devi herself.
This pastime of Lord
Chaitanya is mentioned only briefly by Shrila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami in the
Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-lila 17.227-229. However, it is described in
more detail by Shrila Vrndavanadasa Thakura in the Chaitanya-bhagavata,
Madhya-lila chapter 25, entitled "The description of transcendental
truth by the dead boy". Within this chapter the lila is
narrated in less than 70 verses, and the conversations are very brief, giving
only the basic outline of the whole story. However, Bhaktivinoda Thakura has
expanded the elements of this lila and philosophy by composing 13 songs,
totalling 91 verses. These songs greatly elaborate on the character of the Lord
and His dealings with the devotees through the format of simple Bengali songs
of varying meters. Thus the entire chapter is very wonderful for singing in
various ways, as well as for tasting a richly condensed version of Lord
Chaitanya's transcendental character and teachings.
Some older lists of
Thakura Bhaktivinoda's publications, found in Gaudiya Math periodicals, specify
Soka-Satana as a separate title; this implies that Bhaktivinoda
published this work as a booklet in itself, later incorporating it into the
collection called Gita-mala.
The individual headings
to all the songs, as listed below, were apparently not part of the original
composition, but were added sometime later in subsequent Gaudiya Math editions
of Gita-mala.
ShriShriShriShriSong 1
Lord Gaurahari's performance of congregational chanting in Srivasa Pandita's
courtyard; the death of Srivasa's son.
(1)
pradosa-samaye, shrivasa-angane,
sangopane goramani
shri hari-kirtane, nace nana-range,
uthilo mangala-dhvani
In the evening twilight, within the privacy of Srivasa Pandita's
courtyard, the cream-lustered jewel, Lord Gaura-mani, raised a most auspicious
vibration by His chanting of Hari-kirtana, which He personally accompanied by
dancing in various playful moods.
(2)
mrdanga madala, baje karatala,
majhe majhe jaya-tura
prabhur natana, dekhi' sakaler,
hoilo santapa dura
Along with the playing of the mrdanga drum and karatalas,
and amidst victorious shouts of "Jaya! Jaya!', the dramatic
dance of the Lord dispelled the grief of all those who witnessed it.
(3)
akhanda premete, matala takhan,
sakala bhakata-gana
apana pasari', goracande gheri',
nace gaya anuksana
Then, becoming madly intoxicated in supreme ecstatic love, all
the assembled devotees completely forgot themselves and incessantly began to
dance and chant wildly, completely surrounding Lord Gaura-candra.
(4)
emona samaye, daiva-vyadhi-yoge,
shrivaser antahpure
tanaya-viyoge, nari-gana soke,
prakasalo uccoih-sware
At this time, within the inner chamber of Srivasa's house, one of
his sons suddenly died due to some disease, as ordained by the will of Providence.
Due to separation from the boy, all the women of the household began to lament
and cry out in a loud voice.
(5)
krandana uthile, habe rasa-bhanga,
bhakatibinoda dare
shrivasa amani, bujhilo karana,
pasilo apana ghare
Now Bhaktivinoda fears that the transcendental mellows of the
Lord's kirtana will be disturbed by the uprising of such loud crying
sounds. However, Srivasa Pandita has understood the cause of this sound, and
personally entered the house.
Song 2
Srivasa gives solace to his family members.
(1)
prabesiya antahpure, nari-gane santa kore,
shrivasa amiya upadese
suno pagalini-gana, soka koro akarana,
kiba duhkha thake krishna-bese
Entering into the inner chamber, Srivasa began to pacify all the
women there by giving them spiritual instructions that were as sweet as nectar.
He said, "Look here, you crazy ladies, you all lament uselessly, for what
kind of unhappiness can there possibly be in ecstatic love for Krsna?
(2)
krishna nitya suta ja'r, soka kabhu nahi tar,
anitya asakti sarva-nasa
asiyacho e samsare, krishna bhajibara tare,
nitya-tattve koroho vilasa
"Whoever has Krsna for his eternal Son never has to lament
for anything, but if one becomes attached to temporary sons, then everything is
lost. You have all come into this material world for the purpose of worshiping
Krsna, so now you should all become situated again in the eternal absolute
truth.
(3)
e dehe javat sthiti, koro krishna-candre rati,
krishna jano dhana, jana, prana
e-deho-anuga jata, bhai bandhu pati suta,
anitya sambandha boli' mano
"As long as you are existing in this body, you should
cultivate love and attachment for Lord Krsna, knowing Him to be your real
wealth, real friend and your very life and soul. All the attendants of this
body namely brothers, friends, husbands and sons should be accepted as being
only temporary relatives.
(4)
keba ka'r pati suta, anitya-sambandha-krta,
cahile rakhite nare ta're
karama-bipaka-phale, suta ho'ye baise kole,
karma-ksaye ar raite nare
"Whoever wants to hold onto husbands or sons will not be
able to keep them, for all these affiliations are impermanent. Even if your son
is sitting in your very lap, you still cannot protect him, for when the
consequences of his bad fruitive reactions take effect, then his present karma
is finished, and he will not be able to remain here any longer.
(5)
ithe sukha duhkha mani', adhogati labhe prani,
krishna-pada hoite pade dure
soka sambariya ebe, namanande maja' sabe,
bhakatibinoda-banca pure
"Being involved in the happiness and distress of temporary
material relationships, many other living entities are now being degraded into
lower species of life, falling far, far away from Krsna's lotus feet. Therefore
you should immediately give up your useless lamentation and just become
absorbed in the bliss of the Lord's holy names."
All of Bhaktivinoda's
desires are now being fulfilled by hearing Srivasa speak such nice eternal
truths.
Song 3
Statement about dedication of the soul surrendered to Krsna.
(1)
dhana, jana, deha, geha
krsne samarpana
koriacho, suddha-citte koroho smarana
"You have already dedicated all of your wealth, relatives,
body and entire household unto Krsna, so please just remember this now with a
pure heart.
(2)
tabe keno 'mama suta'
boli' koro duhkha
krishna nilo nija-jana tahe ta'r sukha
"Why are you exclaiming, 'my son, my son!' in great sadness?
Krsna has simply taken His own devotee to suit His own happiness.
(3)
krishna-iccha-mate sab
ghataya ghatana
tahe sukha-duhkha-jnana avidya-kalpana
"Krsna is causing all things to take place according to His
own sweet will. In light of that, all your ideas of happiness and distress are
merely ignorant mental concoctions.
(4)
jaha iccha kore krishna,
tai jano bhalo
tyajiya apan iccha ghucao janjala
"Whatever Krsna's desire is, you must accept only that to be
truly good. Renouncing all of your separate personal desires, relieve
yourselves of this unnecessary botheration.
(5)
deya krishna, neya
krishna, pale krishna sabe
rakhe krishna, mare krishna, iccha kore jabe
"Krsna gives everything, Krsna takes everything away, Krsna
maintains everyone or destroys everyone whenever He likes, according to His own
fancy.
(6)
krishna-iccha-biparita je
kore basana
tar iccha nahi phale, se pay jatana
"If someone maintains a desire that is contrary to Krsna's
desire, then such a wish does not become fruitful. Indeed, one only gets
trouble and anguish.
(7)
tyajiya sakala soka suno
krishna-nama
parama ananda pabe, purna habe kama
"Therefore, giving up all of your lamentation, just listen
to the ecstatic chanting of Krsna's holy name which is going on now out in the
courtyard. From this you will get the topmost transcendental bliss, and all of
your wishes will be fulfilled."
(8)
bhakatibinoda mage
shrivasa-carane
atma-nibedana-sakti jivane marane
Bhaktivinoda now begs at Srivasa Pandita's lotus feet for the
power to completely surrender his soul to Krsna in life or in death.
Song 4
Srivasa forbids the crying, being fearful of disrupting
Mahaprabhu's kirtana.
(1)
sabu meli' balaka-bhaga
bicari'
chodabi moha soka citta-bikari
Srivasa continued, "All of you together should now consider
the real fate of the boy, and you should immediately give up any bewilderment
and grief that may be in your disturbed hearts.
(2)
caudda-bhuvana-pati
nanda-kumara
saci-nandana bhelo nadiya-avatara
"The Supreme Lord of all the fourteen worlds is the youthful
Son of Nanda Maharaja, and now He has become the Son of Mother Saci by
personally descending in Nadiya.
(3)
sohi gokula-canda angane
mor
nacai bhakta-saha ananda-vibhor
"This very same Gokula-canda is now dancing in my courtyard
with His most confidential devotees, all completely overwhelmed in ecstatic
bliss.
(4)
sunata nama-gana balaka
mor
chodalo deha hari-priti-vibhor
"My boy has given up his body while hearing the singing of
the Lord's holy names coming from this kirtana out in the courtyard.
Therefore he certainly has died while absorbed in love for Lord Hari.
(5)
aichana bhaga jaba bhai
hamara
tabahun hao bhava-sagara-para
"Should any of us be so fortunate as to get an auspicious
death such as this, then we would certainly be able to easily cross over the
ocean of material existence.
(6)
tunhu sabu bichari ehi
bicara
kanhe korobi soka citta-bikara
"All of you together just consider this—what will your
lamentation and disturbed hearts do to help the situation?
(7)
sthira nahi haobi jadi
upadese
bancita haobi rase avasese
"If you all do not become pacified by these instructions,
then you will only cheat yourselves out of tasting transcendentally ecstatic
mellows in the long run.
(8)
pasibun hama
sura-tatini-mahe
bhakatibinoda pramada dekhe tahe
"Not only will you cheat yourselves, but you will also
induce me to leave this world by plunging myself into the waters of the
celestial Ganges."
Thus Bhaktivinoda is
witnessing all this calamity in progress.
ChaitanyaChaitanyaChaitanyaChaitanyaSong 5
Manifestation of symptoms of separation by
Bhakta-vatsala (Lord Caitanya) due to
the death of His dear devotee.
(1)
shrivasa-bacana, srabana koriya,
sadhvi pati-brata-gana
soka parihari', mrta sisu rakhi',
hari-rase dilo mana
Hearing these words of Srivasa Pandita, all those chaste and
faithful ladies gave up their lamentation for the dead son. Covering up the
body, they again fixed their minds in the transcendental mellows of Lord Hari.
(2)
shrivasa takhan, anande matiya,
angane ailo punah
nace gora-sane, sakala pasari',
gaya nanda-suta-guna
Then Srivasa again came out into the courtyard and, filled with
joy, resumed dancing with Lord Caitanya and loudly sang the glories of the Son
of Nanda Maharaja, completely forgetting about what had just happened.
(3)
cari danda ratre, marilo kumara,
angane keho na jane
shri-nama-mangale, trtiya prahara,
rajani atita gane
The boy had expired only 1½ hours after dark, but out in the
courtyard no one knew about it due to the loud kirtana. Then for 9 hours
there was continuous chanting of the auspicious holy names. Thus the entire
night had elapsed in this ecstatic singing.
(4)
kirtana bhangile, kohe gaurahari,
aji keno pai duhkha
bujhi, ei grhe, kichu amangala,
ghatiya harilo sukha
Then the kirtana finally stopped, and Lord Gaurahari said,
"Why am I feeling some sadness here? I perceive that something
inauspicious has happened in this house today which has deprived Me of
bliss."
(5)
tabe bhakta-jana, nibedana kore,
shrivasa-sisur katha
suni' gora raya, bole, hay hay,
marame painu byatha
Then the devotees related to the Lord the story of the death of
Srivasa's son. Hearing this news, Lord Gaura Raya loudly exclaimed, "Oh
no! What has happened? What has happened? Now the core of My heart has been
pierced with unbearable pain!"
(6)
keno na kohile, amare takhan,
bipada-samvada sabe
bhakatibinoda, bhakata-batsala,
snehete majilo tabe
"Why didn't you inform Me of this calamity when it had first
happened?" Now Bhaktivinoda has completely lost himself in the affection
that the Lord shows to His own devotees.
Song 6
The affectionate inclinations of
Sri Gaurahari towards His own devotees.
(1)
prabhur bacana, takhan suniya,
shrivasa lotana bhumi
bole, suno natha! taba rasa-bhanga,
sahite na pari ami
Then, hearing these words of the Lord, Srivasa Pandita began
rolling on the ground, crying out, "Please hear me, oh Lord! I am unable
to tolerate anything that interrupts the ecstatic mellows of Your kirtana!
(2)
ekati tanaya, mariache, natha,
tahe mor kiba duhkha
jadi sab mare, tomare heriya,
tabu to' paibo sukha
"Only one of my sons has died, oh Lord, and has that really
upset me? Even if ALL of my sons die, then I would still get more than enough
happiness simply by seeing You!"
(3)
taba nrtya-bhanga, hoile amar,
marana hoite hari
tai ku-samvada, na dilo tomare,
bipada asanka kori'
"I would certainly die on the spot if I were to interrupt
Your dancing, oh Lord! That is why I did not inform You of this bad news, for I
was dreading the calamity of disturbing Your ecstasy."
(4)
ebe ajna deho, mrta suta lo'ye,
satkara karuna sabe
eteka suniya, gora dwija-mani,
kandite lagilo tabe
"Lord, if You will kindly grant us permission now, then we
shall take the boy's body away and perform the proper funeral rites."
Hearing this much from Srivasa Pandita, the jewel of the twice-born, Lord
Gaurasundara, then broke down and began to weep piteously on the spot.
(5)
kemone e sab, chadiya jaibo,
parana bikala hoy
se katha suniya, bhakatibinoda,
manete pailo bhoy
Crying and crying, the Lord thought to Himself, "How could I
possibly abandon such loving servitors and go elsewhere by taking sannyasa? If
I were to do so, my heart would certainly split."
Hearing this type of
talk, Bhaktivinoda's mind has become somewhat apprehensive.
Song 7
The manifestation of various absolute truths
from the mouth of the dead boy.
(1)
goracander ajna peye
grha-basi-gana
mrta suta anganete ane tata-ksana
Then the Lord ordered the household members to bring the boy's
body out into the courtyard, and they immediately complied.
(2)
kali-mala-hari gora
jijnase takhan
shrivase chadiya, sisu jao ki karana?
The merciful Lord Gaura, Who removes the contaminating influence
of the age of Kali, then addressed the body, "Please tell Me, dear boy,
what ever prompted you to leave here so suddenly, thus giving up your loving
father Srivasa Pandita?"
(3)
mrta-sisu-mukhe jiva kore
nibedana
"loka-siksa lagi" prabhu taba acarana
Being thus questioned by the Lord, the soul again manifested in
the dead body by the mercy of the Lord, and he began to offer very nice prayers
which were meant to be instructive to all persons.
(4)
tumi to' parama tattwa
ananta adwaya
para sakti tomar abhinna tattwa hoy
The dead boy said, "My dear Lord, You are without a doubt
the Supreme Absolute Truth, unlimited and one without a second. Since You are
the Supremely energetic, all of Your transcendental energies are certainly
non-different from You.
(5)
sei para sakti tridha
hoiya prakasa
taba iccha-mata koraya tomar bilasa
"Your transcendental potency manifests in three different
ways, and it assists in the performance of Your eternal pastimes in different
ways according to Your own sweet will.
(6)
cicchakti-svarupe
nitya-lila prakasiya
tomare ananda dena hladini hoiya
"The original form of the cognizant potency called cit-sakti
is manifesting Your eternal pastimes in the spiritual world, and just for
Your delight it becomes the pleasure-giving potency known as hladini.
(7)
jiva-sakti hana taba
cit-kirana-caye
tatastha-swabhave jiva-gane prakataye
"Secondly, becoming the jiva-sakti, the potency
produces multitudes of fine, conscious particles which make up the glowing
effulgence of Your transcendental body. All of these souls are thus manifest
with a natural marginal characteristic of minute independence.
(8)
maya-sakti ho'ye kore
prapanca srjana
bahirmukha jive tahe koroya bandhana
"Thirdly, becoming the maya-sakti, the potency
creates innumerable material universes, and within them she captures and binds
all the souls who choose to remain averse to You, my dear Lord."
(9)
bhakatibinoda bole
aparadha-phale
bahirmukha ho'ye achi prapanca-kabale
Hearing these prayers offered to Lord Caitanya by the dead boy,
Bhaktivinoda says at this point that he himself has become averse to the Lord
due to his offenses, and has been swallowed up by maya in the material
world.
Song 8
The bound soul takes different types of
births according to its different fruitive reactions.
(1)
purna-cidananda tumi, tomar cit-kana ami,
swabhavatah ami tuwa dasa
parama swatantra tumi, tuya paratantra ami,
tuwa pada chadi' sarva-nasa
The dead son continued, "You, dear Lord, are completely full
of transcendental bliss. I am simply a tiny conscious particle of You;
therefore by nature I am Your eternal servant. Only You are supremely
independent, whereas I am totally dependent on You. Indeed, neglecting Your
lotus feet, I have now become completely ruined.
(2)
swatantra ho'ye jakhan, maya prati koinu mana,
swa-swabhava chadilo amaya
prapance mayar bandhe, padinu karmer dhandhe,
karma-cakre amare phelaya
"As soon as I chose to be independent of Your Lordship, my
mind became interested in maya's allurements. Thus I have given up my
inherent spiritual nature. Falling down due to the dazzling bewilderment of
fruitive gain, I have been captured by maya within this mundane world.
Now as a result I am being forcibly tossed about on the revolving wheel of
fruitive actions and reactions.
(3)
maya taba iccha mate, bandhe more e jagate,
adrsta nirbandha lauha-kare
sei to' nirbandha more, ane shrivaser ghare,
putra-rupe malini-jathare
"Thus I am bound up by maya in this world according
to Your will, being firmly clenched in the iron-like grip of my predestined
fate. And according to this fate, I have been brought into Srivasa's home to
appear as his son by taking birth in the womb of his wife Malini.
(4)
se nirbandha punaraya, more ebe lo'ye jaya,
ami to' thakite nari ar
taba iccha su-prabala, mor iccha su-durbala,
ami jiva akincana char
"But again, according to my predestined fate, I must now leave
this place; I cannot remain here any longer, even if I wanted to. Your desire
is most powerful, dear Lord, whereas my desire is most feeble, for I am simply
an insignificant, fallen soul.
(5)
jathaya pathao tumi, abasya jaibo ami,
ka'r keba putra pati pita
jader sambandha saba, taha nahi satya-laba,
tumi jiver nitya palayita
"Wherever You send me next, oh Lord, I must certainly go to
become someone's son or husband or father. However, I know that all these
material relationships do not possess even one speck of eternal truth, for only
You are the eternal friend and guardian of all souls."
(6)
samyoga-biyoge jini, sukha-duhkha mane gani,
taba pade chadena asraya
mayar gardabha ho'ye, majena samsara lo'ye,
bhaktibinoder sei bhoy
"Only one who foolishly neglects the eternal shelter of Your
two lotus feet considers the union and separation of all these temporary family
relationships to be happiness and distress. This just shows how much one has
become absorbed in the bodily concept of life, being bound-up in the womb of
illusion."
Hearing all these truths
about the fate of the conditioned soul has now made Bhaktivinoda become
extremely frightened.
Song 9
Birth in the house of a devotee only by dint of one's great fortune.
(1)
bandhilo maya, je-dina ho'te,
avidya-moha-dore
aneka janma, labhinu ami,
phirinu maya-ghore
The dead boy continued, "Thus I have been captured and bound
by maya. Due to being tied tightly by her ropes of ignorance and
bewilderment, I have undergone many, many births since that time, simply
wandering here and there in the ghastly darkness of maya's illusions.
(2)
deva danava, manava pasu,
patanga kita ho'ye
svarge narake, bhutale phiri,
anitya asa lo'ye
"Sometime I become a demigod, sometimes a demon, and
sometimes I get the body of a man, an animal, a bird or an insect. Sometimes I
wander up to heaven, sometimes down to hell, and sometimes here on earth, being
carried away the whole time by innumerable materialistic hopes and aspirations.
(3)
na jani kiba, sukrti bale,
shrivasa-suta hoinu
nadiya-dhame, carana taba,
darasa-parasa koinu
"I have no idea what kind of pious credit I must have earned
to be born as the son of Sri Srivasa Pandita within the holy abode of Navadvipa
in this life. Thus I myself am amazed that I have had the great fortune of
actually being able to see and touch Your lotus feet, oh Lord.
(4)
sakala bare, marana-kale,
aneka duhkha pai
tuwa prasange, parama sukhe,
e-bara ca'le jai
"Usually, whenever I have to die, I experience great pain
and distress upon leaving the particular body I happen to be in. But this time,
I am only experiencing great happiness by discussing all these topics related
to Your glories. However, my time is now up, so I must take Your leave.
(5)
icchaya tor, janama jadi,
abara hoy, hari!
carane taba, prema-bhakati,
thake, minati kori
"If it is Your desire that I should take another birth, oh
Lord, I humbly request Your Lordship to kindly allow me to be always situated
in the trans-cendental loving service of Your divine lotus feet."
(6)
jakhan sisu, niraba bhelo,
dekhiya prabhur lila
shrivasa-gosthi, tyajiya soka,
ananda-magana bhela
Saying this, the boy then fell silent. Seeing this wonderful
pastime of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srivasa Pandita's whole family gave up all
of their lamentation and were overwhelmed with great happiness.
(7)
gaura-carita, amrta-dhara,
korite korite pana
bhaktibinoda, shrivase mage,
jaya jena mor prana
Thus the transcendental character and activities of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu are just like a continuous shower of ambrosia. Bhaktivinoda is
thereby losing his life force begging Srivasa Thakura to allow him to drink
more of this nectarean ambrosia.
Song 10
The Lord praises His devotees.
(1)
shrivase kohena prabhu,
tunhu mor dasa
tuwa-prite bandha ami jagate prakasa
Then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began to speak with very sweet
words, "My dear Srivasa, you are actually My eternal servant. Indeed, I am
staying in this world only due to your affection for me.
(2)
bhakta-gana-senapati
shrivasa pandita
jagate ghusuka aji tomar carita
"You, Srivasa Pandita, are the commander-in-chief of all My
devotees. Today your glorious character will be acclaimed throughout the three
worlds.
(3)
prapanca-kara-raksini
mayar bandhana
tomar nahiko kabhu, dekhuk jagajjana
"You are never subject to the bondage of Mayadevi, the
proprietress of this prison-like material world. All the people of the world
are witness to this fact.
(4)
dhana, jana, deha, geha,
amare arpiya
amar sevaya sukhe acho sukhi hana
"You have dedicated unto Me all of your wealth, followers,
body and household paraphernalia, and thus you have become most joyful by being
so nicely situated in My eternal service.
(5)
mama lila-pusti lagi'
tomar samsara
sikhuka grhastha jana tomar acara
"The whole of your existence in this world is only for the
purpose of facilitating My pastimes. Thus your exemplary behavior as a
transcendental family man is ideal for instructing all the materialistic
householders.
(6)
taba preme baddha achi
ami, nityananda
ama dunhe suta jani' bhunjaha ananda
"Sri Nityananda Prabhu and I are helplessly bound to your
pure love for Us. We know that you enjoy great happiness by considering Us to
be your very own sons.
(7)
nitya-tattwa suta jara anitya
tanaya
asakti na kore sei srjane pralaye
"We are truly your eternal Sons, for We see that you are not
attached to any of your temporary sons, who are all subject to the material
conditions of creation and destruction.
(8)
bhaktite tomar rni ami
ciro-dina
taba sadhu-bhave tumi ksama mor rna
"Because of your pure devotion I am eternally indebted to
you. And because of your saintly character you are also quite deserving of My
indebtedness."
(9)
shrivaser paya bhaktibinoda
kujana
kakuti koriya mage gauranga-carana
Hearing these loving words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this
rascal Bhaktivinoda now begs at the feet of Srivasa Thakura in humble
supplication to receive the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga.
Song 11
Remembrance of the Lord is actual wealth, and forgetfulness of Him is actual
calamity.
(1)
shrivaser prati, chaitanya-prasada,
dekhiya sakala jana
jaya shri chaitanya, jaya nityananda,
boli' nace ghana ghana
Seeing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu show such favorable grace to
Srivasa Pandita, all the devotees present there began to dance ecstatically
while repeatedly shouting, "Jaya Sri Caitanya! Jaya Nityananda!" with
resounding voices.
(2)
shrivasa-mandire, ki bhava uthilo,
taha ki barna hoy
bhava-yuddha sane, ananda-krandana,
uthe krishna-preme-moy
It is simply not possible to describe the ecstatic mood that
arose in Srivasa's house at that time. It was just like a great battle of
transcendental emotions was taking place between joyful bliss and mournful
crying, all arising due to ecstatic love for Krsna.
(3)
cari bhai padi', prabhur carane,
prema gadgada svare
kandiya kandiya, kakuti koriya,
gadi' jaya prema-bhare
Then the four brothers of the dead boy came over and fell down at
Lord Caitanya's lotus feet, weeping and wailing with piteous voices choked with
ecstatic love. They began rolling on the ground, overflowing with pure love
while humbly petitioning the Lord as follows.
(4)
ohe praneswara, e heno bipada,
prati-dina jeno hoy
jahate tomar, carana-jugale,
asakti badite roy
They said, "Oh Lord of our lives! If calamities like this
would happen every day, then that would only increase our deep loving
attachment to Your lotus feet!
(5)
bipada-sampade, sei dina bhalo,
je dina tomare smari
tomar-smarana- rohita je dina,
se dina bipada, hari
"This calamity of losing our brother today is actually our
great fortune, for on this day we are remembering Your Lordship. If, on some
other day, we are bereft of Your remembrance, then that day is actually the
real calamity for us, oh Lord."
(6)
shrivasa-gosthir, carane padiya,
bhakatibinoda bhane,
tomader gora, krpa bitariya,
dekhao durgata jane
Falling down at the feet of Srivasa Pandita's entire family, Bhaktivinoda thus narrates how their Lord Gaurasundara