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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.