Sharanagati

 

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by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
-originally published in 1893-

50 Bengali songs outlining the six-fold process of submissive surrender unto the Supreme Lord

translation by Dasharatha-suta dasa

Dedicated to His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
who fulfilled the predictions of Bhaktivinoda Thakura
by making Krishna Consciousness available
to the entire world

Drop of Mercy(1)

shri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu jive doya kori'
swa-parshada swiya dhama saha avatari'

1) Shri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu descended from the eternal spiritual world along with His personal associates and divine abode, incarnating in this temporary material world out of compassion for the fallen souls.

(2)

atyanta durlabha prema koribare dana
shikhaya sharanagati bhakatera prana

2) In order to freely distribute the gift of ecstatic love of God, which is very difficult to obtain, He taught the path of sharanagati, devotional surrender to the Supreme Lord. This sharanagati is the very life of the true devotees.

(3-4)

dainya, atma-nivedana, goptritve varana
'avashya rakshibe krishna'-vishvasa, palana
bhaki-anukula-matra karyera svikara
bhakti-pratikula-bhava varjanangikara

3-4) The six ways of surrender through sharanagati are (1) dainya-humility, (2) atma-nivedana-dedication of the self, (3) goptritve varana-acceptance of the Lord as one's only maintainer, (4) the consciousness of 'avashya rakshibe krishna'-'Krishna will surely protect me'-which is vishvasa (faith) in Krishna's palana (protection), (5) bhaki-anukula-matra karyera svikara-execution of only those acts favorable to pure devotion, and (6) bhakti-pratikula-bhava varjanangikara-renunciation of conduct adverse to pure devotion.

(5)

shad-anga sharanagati hoibe jahara
tahara prarthana shune shri-nanda-kumara

5) Shri Nanda-Kumara, the youthful son of Nanda Maharaja, hears the prayers of anyone who takes refuge in Him by this six-fold practice of surrender.

(6)

rupa-sanatana-pade dante trina kori'
bhakativinoda pode duhun pada dhori'

6) Bhaktivinoda prostrates himself at the feet of Shri Rupa and Shri Sanatana Goswami, places a straw between his teeth, and clasps their lotus feet with his hands.

(7)

kandiya kandiya bole ami to' adhama
shikhaye sharanagati koro he uttama

7) Weeping and weeping, he tells them, "I am certainly the lowest of men! Oh please make me the worthiest by teaching me the ways of sharanagati!"

SNG: First Principle of Surrender: Dainya
Humility
-7 songs-

Song 1

(1)

bhuliya tomare, samsare asiya,
peye nana-vidha byatha
tomara carane,  asiyachi ami,
bolibo duhkhera katha

1) O Lord, I forgot You and came to this material world, where I have experienced a host of pains and sorrows. Now I approach Your lotus feet and submit my tale of woe.

(2)

janani-jathare,  chilama jakhona,
bishama bandhana-pashe
eka-bara prabhu!  dekha diya more,
vancile e dina dase

2) While still bound up tightly in the unbearable confines of my mother's womb, O Lord, You once revealed Yourself before me. Appearing only briefly, You then abandoned this poor servant of Yours.

(3)

takhona bhavinu,  janama paiya,
koribo bhajana tava
janama hoilo,  podi' maya-jale,
na hoilo jnana-lava

3) At that moment I thought, "After my birth, I will worship You." But alas, after taking birth I fell into the entangling network of worldly illusions; thus I possessed not even a drop of true knowledge.

(4)

adarera chele,  swa-janera kole,
hasiya katanu kala
janaka-janani-  snehete bhuliya,
samsara lagilo bhalo

4) As a dear son fondled in the laps of relatives, I passed my time smiling and laughing. The affection of my father and mother helped me to forget You still more, and I began to think that the material world was a very nice place.

(5)

krame dina dina,  balaka hoiya,
khelinu balaka-saha
ara kichu dine,  jnana upajilo,
patha podi ahar-ahah

5) Day by day I gradually grew into a young boy and began playing with other boys. Soon my powers of understanding emerged, so I diligently read and studied my school lessons every day.

(6)

vidyara gaurave,  bhrami' deshe deshe,
dhana uparjana kori
swa-jana palana,  kori eka-mane,
bhulinu tomare, hari!

6) Proud of my accomplished education, later I traveled from place to place and earned much wealth. Thereby maintaining my family with undivided attention, I forgot You, O Lord Hari!

(7)

bardhakye ekhona,  bhakativinoda,
kandiya katara ati
na bhajiya tore,  dina britha gelo,
ekhona ki habe gati?

7) Now in old age, this Bhaktivinoda very sadly weeps. I failed to worship You, O Lord, and instead passed my days in vain. What will be my fate now?

Song 2

(1)

vidyara vilase,  katainu kala,
parama sahase ami
tomara carana,  na bhajinu kabhu,
ekhona sharana tumi

1) With great enthusiasm I spent my time in the pleasures of mundane learning, and never worshiped Your lotus feet, O Lord. Now You are my only shelter.

(2)

podite podite,  bharasa barilo,
jnane gati habe mani'
se asha biphala,  se jnana durbala,
se jnana ajnana jani

2) Reading on and on, my hopes grew and grew, for I considered the aquisition of material knowledge to be life's true goal. How fruitless those hopes turned out to be, for all my knowledge proved feeble. Now I know that all such erudition is actually pure ignorance.

(3)

jada-vidya jata,  mayara vaibhava,
tomara bhajane badha
moha janamiya,  anitya samsare,
jivake koraye gadha

3) All the so-called knowledge of this world is born of the flickering potency of Your illusory energy (maya). It is an impediment to the execution of devotional service to You. Indulgence in mundane knowledge verily makes an ass of the eternal soul by encouraging his infatuation with this temporary world.*

(4)

sei gadha ho'ye,  samsarera bojha,
bahinu aneka kala
bardhakye ekhona,  shaktira abhave,
kichu nahi lage bhalo

4) Here is one person who has been turned into such an ass, who for so long has carried on his back the useless burden of material existence. Now in my old age, for want of the power to enjoy, I find that nothing at all pleases me.

(5)

jivana jatana,  hoilo ekhona,
se vidya avidya bhelo
avidyara jwala,  ghatilo bishama,
se vidya hoilo shelo

5) Life has now become agony, for my so-called erudite knowledge has proven itself to be worthless ignorance. Material knowledge has now become a pointed shaft and has pierced my heart with the intolerable, burning pain of ignorance.

(6)

tomara carana,  bina kichu dhana,
samsare na ache ara
bhakativinoda,  jada-vidya chadi,'
tuwa pada kore sara

6) O Lord, there is no treasure worth seeking in this world other than Your lotus feet. Bhaktivinoda abandons all his mundane knowledge and makes Your lotus feet the sum and substance of his life.

Song 3

(1)

jauvane jakhona,  dhana-uparjane,
hoinu vipula kami
dharama smariya,  grihinira kara,
dhorinu takhona ami

1) When I was young, I felt a boundless ambition for earning money. At that time, bearing in mind the codes of religion, I accepted the hand of a wife.*

(2)

samsara pata'ye,  tahara sahita,
kala-khoy koinu koto
bahu suta-suta,  janama lobhilo,
marame hoinu hato

2) Along with her I set up a household and therein wasted so much of my time. Many sons and daughters were born, and my spirit was totally crushed.

(3)

samsarera bhara,  bade dine dine,
acala hoilo gati
bardhakya asiya,  gherilo amare,
asthira hoilo mati

3) The burden of family life increased day by day, and under its weight I felt my personal progress in life forcibly come to a halt. Old age came and beleaguered me on all sides, making my mind incessantly disturbed.

(4)

pidaya asthira,  cintaya jwarita,
abhave jwalita cita
upaya na dekhi,  andhakara-moya,
ekhona ho'yechi bhita

4) Diseases trouble me, constant anxiety has made me feverish, and my heart burns with every want. I see no way out of this predicament, for all is darkness. Now I am very much afraid.

(5)

samsara-tatani-  srota nahe shesha,
marana nikate ghora
saba samapiya,  bhojibo tomaya,
e asha biphala mora

5) The current of this worldly river is strong and relentless; a frightening, gloomy death approaches. 'Finishing my worldly duties, I will worship You, O Lord'-that hope is now fruitless as well.

(6)

ebe shuno prabhu!  ami gati-hina,
bhakativinoda koya
tava kripa bina,  sakali nirasha,
deho' more padashroya

6) Now please hear me, O Lord! I am utterly helpless. Bhaktivinoda says, "Without Your mercy, everything is lost. Please give me the shelter of Your lotus feet."

Song 4

(1)

amara jivana,  sada pape rata,
nahiko punyera lesha
parere udvega,  diyachi je koto,
diyachi jivere klesha

1) My life is ever given to sin; in it there is not a particle of good. I have caused others great anxiety, and have troubled all souls.*

(2)

nija sukha lagi',  pape nahi dori,
doya-hina swartha-paro
para-sukhe duhkhi,  sada mithya-bhashi,
para-duhkha sukha-karo

2) For the sake of my own enjoyment I have never hesitated to perform sinful acts. Devoid of all compassion, I am concerned only with my selfish interests. Perpetually speaking lies, I become dejected upon seeing others happy, whereas the misery of others is a source of great delight for me.

(3)

ashesha kamana,  hridi majhe mora,
krodhi, dambha-parayana
mada-matta sada,  vishaye mohita,
himsa-garva vibhushana

3) There are limitless material desires within the core of my heart. I am wrathful, fond of exhibiting arrogance, intoxicated by vanity, and bewildered by worldly affairs. I wear the cherished ornaments of envy and egotism.

(4)

nidralasya hata,  sukarye virata,
akarye udyogi ami
pratishtha lagiya,  shathya-acarana,
lobha-hata sada kami

4) Ruined by laziness and sleep, I resist all pious deeds, yet am very enthusiastic to perform wicked acts. For the sake of worldly fame and reputation I engage in the practice of deceitfulness. I am victimized by my own greed, being always lustful.

(5)

e heno durjana,  saj-jana-varjita,
aparadhi nirantara
shubha-karya-shunya,  sadanartha-manah,
nana duhkhe jara jara

5) A vile, wicked man such as this, rejected by godly people, is a constant offender. Devoid of all good works, forever inclined toward evil, he is worn out and wasted by various miseries.

(6)

bardhakye ekhona,  upaya-vihina,
ta'te dina akincana
bhakativinoda,  prabhura carane,
kore duhkha nivedana

6) Now in old age, deprived of all means of relief, thus humbled and poor, Bhaktivinoda submits his tale of grief at the feet of the Supreme Lord.

Song 5

(1)

(prabhu he!) shuno mor duhkher kahini
vishaya-halahala,  sudha-bhane piyalun,
ab avasana dinamani

1) O Lord! Please hear the story of my sadness. I drank the deadly poison of worldliness, pretending it was nectar, and now the sun is setting on the horizon of my life.

(2)

khela-rase shaishava,  podhaite kaishora,
gowaolun, na bhelo vivek
bhoga-bashe yauvane,  ghara pati' bosilun,
suta-mita badhalo anek

2) I spent my childhood in play, my youth in academic pursuit, and in me there arose no sense of discrimination. In young manhood I set up a household and settled down to the spell of material enjoyment while my children and friends quickly multiplied.

(3)

vriddha-kala aolo,  saba sukha bhagalo,
pida-bashe hoinu katar
sarvendriya durbala,  kshina kalevara,
bhogabhave duhkhita antar

3) Old age soon arrived, and all joys consequently departed. Subjected to the torments of disease, I am troubled and weak. All my senses are feeble now, my body is racked and exhausted, and my spirits are downcast in the absence of former sense pleasures.

(4)

jnana-lava-hina,  bhakti-rase vanchita,
ara mora ki habe upay
patita-bandhu, tuhun,  patitadhama hama,
kripaya uthao tava pay

4) Devoid of even a particle of enlightenment, cheated of the mellows of devotion-what help is there for me now? O Lord, You are the friend of the fallen. I am certainly fallen, the lowest of men. Please, therefore, in mercy lift me to Your lotus feet.

(5)

vicarite abahi,  guna nahi paobi,
kripa koro, chodato vicar
tava pada-pankaja-  sidhu pibaoto,
bhakativinoda karo par

5) Were You to judge me now, You would find no good qualities. Have mercy and judge me not. Cause me to drink the honey of Your lotus feet and thereby deliver this Bhaktivinoda.

Song 6

(1)

(prabhu he!) tuwa pade e minati mor
tuwa pada-pallava,  tyajato maru-mana,
vishama vishaye bhelo bhor

1) O Lord! I offer this humble prayer at Your feet. I gave up the shelter of Your feet, which are soft as newly-grown leaves, and now my mind has become dried up like a desert, being scorched by the fire of absorption in horrible worldliness.

(2)

uthayite takata,  puna nahi milo-i,
anudina korohun hutash
dina-jana-natha,  tuhun kahayasi,
tumari carana mama ash

2) I find no strength to rise again, and thus I spend my days bitterly lamenting. O Lord who is called the master of the meek and humble! Your lotus feet are my only hope.

(3)

aichana dina-jana,  kohi nahi milo-i,
tuhun more koro parasad
tuwa jana-sange,  tuwa katha-range,
chadahun sakala paramad

3) There has never been a soul as forlorn as me. Please be merciful and award me the association of Your devotees, for by tasting the pleasure of hearing discussions of Your pastimes I shall give up all evils.

(4)

tuwa dhama-mahe,  tuwa nama gaoto,
gowayabun diva-nishi ash
tuwa pada-chaya,  parama sushitala,
mage bhakativinoda das

4) One hope animates my soul: To spend day and night singing Your holy name while living in Your divine abode. Your servant Bhaktivinoda begs a place in the supremely cooling shade of Your lotus feet.

Song 7

(1)

(prabhu he!)
emona durmati,  samsara bhitore,
podiya achinu ami
tava nija-jana,  kono mahajane,
pathaiya dile tumi

1) O Lord! With such a wicked mind as this I have fallen into the material world, but You have sent one of Your pure and elevated devotees to rescue me.

(2)

doya kori' more,  patita dekhiya,
kohilo amare giya
ohe dina-jana,  shuno bhalo katha,
ullasita ha'be hiya

2) He saw me so fallen and wretched, took pity, and came to me saying, "O humbled soul, please listen to this good tiding, for it will gladden your heart.

(3)

tomare tarite,  shri-krishna-chaitanya,
navadwipe avatar
toma heno koto,  dina hina jane,
korilena bhava-par

3) "Shri Krishna Chaitanya has appeared in the land of Navadvipa in order to deliver you. He has safely conducted many miserable souls such as you across the sea of worldly existence.

(4)

vedera pratijna,  rakhibara tare,
rukma-varna vipra-suta
mahaprabhu name,  nadiya mataya,
sange bhai avadhuta

4) "To fulfill the promise of the Vedas, the son of a brahmana, of golden complexion and bearing the name of Mahaprabhu, has descended along with His brother, the avadhuta. Together They have overwhelmed all of Nadiya with divine ecstasy.*

(5)

nanda-suta jini,  chaitanya gosai,
nija-nama kori' dan
tarilo jagat,  tumi-o jaiya,
loho nija-paritran

5) "Shri Chaitanya Gosai, who is Krishna Himself, the son of Nanda, has saved the world by freely distributing the gift of His own holy name. Go to Him also and receive your deliverance."

(6)

se katha shuniya,  asiyachi, natha!
tomara carana-tale
bhakativinoda,  kandiya kandiya,
apana-kahini bole

6) Hearing those words, O Lord, Bhaktivinoda has come weeping and weeping to the soles of Your lotus feet and tells the story of his life.

SNG: Second Principle of Surrender: Ätma-Nivedana
Dedication of the Self
-8 songs-

Song 1

(1)

na korolun karama,  geyana nahi bhelo,
na sevilun carana tohar
jada-sukhe matiya,  apanaku vanca-i,
pekhahun caudisha andhiyar

1) I have not performed any good works. I have not amassed any transcendental knowledge. I have never worshiped Your feet. Being intoxicated by sensual pleasures, I have simply cheated myself. Now I see only darkness in all directions.*

(2)

tuhun natha! karuna-nidan
tuwa pada-pankaje,  atma samarpilun,
more kripa korobi vidhan

2) You, O Lord, are the fountainhead of all mercy. I surrender myself at Your lotus feet; kindly show me Your compassion.

(3)

pratijna tohara oi,  jo hi sharanagata,
nahi so janabo paramad
so hama dushkriti,  gati na hera-i ana,
ab magon tuwa parasad

3) It is Your promise that one who takes refuge in You will come to no harm. For a sinner like me I see no other shelter; therefore I beg You now for Your grace.

(4)

ana mano-ratha,  nihshesha chodato,
kab hama haubun tohara
nitya-sevya tuhun,  nitya-sevaka mui,
bhakativinoda bhava sara

4) O when will I know freedom from incessant material desires and thus become exclusively Yours? This is the sum of Bhaktivinoda's musings-You are eternally to be served, and I am Your eternal servant.

Song 2

(1)

(praneshwar!) kohobun ki sarama ki bat
aichana pap nahi,  jo hama na koralun,
sahasra sahasra beri nath

1) O Lord of my life! How shall I tell You of my shameful story? There is no sin which I have not committed thousands of times and more, O Lord.*

(2)

sohi karama-phala,  bhave moke pesha-i,
dokha deobo ab kahi
takhonaka parinam,  kachu na bicaralun,
ab pachu taraite cahi

2) My life in this world has only been one of affliction and torment as a result of those sins. Who is there to blame for this misery? At the time I did not consider the consequences; but now, in the aftermath, I seek to be saved.

(3)

dokha vicara-i,  tunhu danda deobi,
hama bhoga korabun samsar
karato gatagati,  bhakata-jana-sange,
mati rohu carane tohar

3) After judging my sins, You will surely punish me befittingly, and I shall suffer the pangs of rebirth in this world. I only pray that, as I come and go through repeated births and deaths, my mind may ever dwell at Your lotus feet as I keep the company of Your devotees.

(4)

apana caturpana,  tuwa pade sonpalun,
hridoya-garava dure gelo
dina-doya-moya,  tuwa kripa niramala,
bhakativinoda asha bhelo

4) I offer this judicious prayer at Your feet: The pride of my heart has gone far away. O You who are so kind to the meek, Your spotlessly pure mercy has become Bhaktivinoda's only hope.

Song 3

(1)

manasa, deho, geho, jo kichu mor
arpilun tuwa pade, nanda-kishor!

1) Mind, body, family, and whatever else may be mine, I have surrendered at Your lotus feet, O youthful son of Nanda!

(2)

sampade vipade, jivane-marane
day mama gela, tuwa o-pada varane

2) In good fortune or in bad, in life or in death, all my difficulties have disappeared by accepting those feet of Yours as my only shelter.

(3)

marobi rakhobi jo iccha tohara
nitya-dasa prati tuwa adhikara

3) Slay me or protect me as You wish, for You have full authority over Your eternal servant.

(4)

janmaobi moe iccha jadi tor
bhakta-grihe jani janma hau mor

4) If it is Your wish that I be born again, then may I take birth in the home of Your devotee.

(5)

kita-janma hau jatha tuwa das
bahir-mukha brahma-janme nahi ash

5) May I be born again even as a worm, as long as I remain Your devotee. I have no desire to be born as a Brahma averse to You.*

(6)

bhukti-mukti-spriha vihina je bhakta
labhaite tanko sanga anurakta

6) I yearn for the company of that devotee who is completely devoid of all desire for worldly enjoyment or liberation.