Shri Shaci-Sunvashtakam

Shrila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

harir drishtva goshthe mukura-gatam atmanam atulam

sva-madhuryam radha-priyatara-sakhivaptum abhitah

aho gaude jatah prabhur apara-gauraika-tanu-bhak

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (1)

 

Shaci-sunu is that Shri Hari who, being enchanted upon beholding His own incomparable

beauty in a mirror, took birth in Gauda-desha to taste all of His own sweetness as only

His dear sakhi Shrimati Radhika could, and aho! He even adopted Shrimati Radhika’s

own golden complexion when He did so. When will that son of Shaci again grant me

His darshana?

 

puri-devasyantah pranaya-madhuna snana-madhuro

muhur govindodyad-vishada-paricaryarcita-padah

svarupasya pranarbuda-kamala-nirajita-mukhah

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (2)

 

Shaci-sunu was bathed by the honey of love which exists within Shri Ishvara Puri’s heart,

His lotus feet were expertly served by Govinda dasa, and His lovely face was constantly

worshiped by the unlimited lotus flowers of Svarupa Damodara’s very life. When will

the son of Shaci again be visible to me?

 

dadhanah kaupinam tad-upari bahir-vastram arunam

prakando hemadri dyutibhir abhitah sevita-tanuh

muda gayann uccair nija-madhura-namavalim asau

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (3)

 

Although He is Bhagavan Himself, He wore kaupinas and over them a saffron outer cloth

just to set an example for His devotees. Upon seeing the brilliant golden complexion

of His large body, Mount Sumeru abandoned its pride and worshiped that complexion

with all of its own majestic beauty. In the mood of a devotee and attired as a sannyasi,

He wandered about loudly singing His own names with great delight. When will the son

of Shaci again grant me His darshana?

 

anavedyam purvair api muni-ganair bhakti-nipunaih

shruter gudham premojjvala-rasa-phalam bhakti-latikam

kripalus tam gaude prabhur ati-kripabhih prakatayan

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (4)

 

Out of immeasurable mercy, in Bengal Mahaprabhu revealed and expanded the

creeper of bhakti, which bears the fruit of ujjvala-prema-rasa. The munis of previous

ages, although highly expert in the science of bhakti, could not attain a true

understanding of this creeper because the shrutis had kept it hidden like a priceless

jewel. When will the son of Shaci again grant me His darshana?

 

nijatve gaudiyan jagati parigrihya prabhur iman

hare-krishnety evam ganana-vidhina kirtayata bhoh

iti prayam shiksham janaka iva tebhyah paridishan

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (5)

 

Shaci-sunu, taking the residents of Bengal as His own, inspired them to chant Hare Krishna

a prescribed number of times daily and like a father gave them many cherished

instructions. When will the son of Shaci again become visible to me?

 

purah pashyan nilacala-patim uru-prema-nivahaih

ksharan netrambhobhih snapita-nija-dirghojjvala-tanuh

sada tishthan deshe pranayi-garuda-stambha-carame

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (6)

 

Shaci-sunu bathed His very beautiful, tall body with the streams of tears caused by His

immense prema as He stood behind His beloved Garuda-stambha receiving the darshana

of Jagannatha-deva. When will the son of Shaci again become visible to me?

 

muda dantair dashtva dyuti-vijita-bandhukam adharam

karam kritva vamam kati-nihitam anyam parilasan

samutthapya premnaganita-pulako nritya-kutuki

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (7)

 

Biting His lips which defeat the redness of the bandhuka flower, placing His left hand

on His hip, waving His right hand above His head, and with His innumerable bodily

hairs all standing on end due to His absorption in the emotions of Shrimati Radhika

as She felt separation from Krishna, He would dance with the greatest delight. When

will the son of Shaci again grant me His darshana?

 

sarit-tirarame viraha-vidhuro gokula-vidhor

nadim anyam kurvan nayana-jala-dhara-vitatibhih

muhur murccham gacchan mritakam iva vishvam viracayan

shaci-sunuh kim me nayana-sharanim yasyati punah (8)

 

In a garden on the banks of a river, Shaci-sunu shed so many tears while feeling

separation from the moon of Vraja, Shri Krishna, that He created a new river, and by

repeatedly falling unconscious He caused the whole world to also fall flat as if lifeless.

When will the son of Shaci again grant me His darshana?

 

shaci-sunor asyashtakam idam abhishtam viracayat

sada dainyodrekad ati-vishada-buddhih pathati yah

prakamam chaitanyah prabhur ati-kripavesha-vivashah

prithu premambhodhau prathita-rasade majjayati tam (9)

 

Whoever with incessant feelings of humility and pure heart recites this ashtaka which

describes Shri Shaci-sunu, who fulfills His devotees’ desires, will receive His mercy and

be plunged into the fathomless ocean of nectarean krishna-prema.