Gauranga Namaiva Kevalam

 

Adapted from Shri Namashtakam by an unknown author.

The song is adapted from a song composed by Dravida dasa prabhu.

 

madhuram madhurebhyo 'pi mangalebhyo 'pi mangalam

pavanam pavanebhyo 'pi gaura namaiva kevalam

 

Of sweet things, it's the sweetest you will taste at any time,

Of things that bring good fortune, it's good fortune's paradigm,

Of things that purify, it purifies most powerfully,

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

abrahma-stamba-paryantam sarvam maya-mayam jagat

satyam satyam punah satyam gaura namaiva kevalam

 

From Brahma's realm atop the sky down to the lowly grass,

Illusion reigns in Maya-devi's treacherous morass,

The truth, the truth, the only truth: the Names of Gaurahari,

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

sa guruh sa pita capi sa mata bandhavo 'pi sah

siksayec cet sada smartum gaura namaiva kevalam

 

He's the guru, he's the father, he's the friend most true,

And she's the real mother who most kindly teaches you,

To chant and hear the Holy Name of Gaurahari,

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

nihsvase na hi visvasah kada ruddho bhavisyati

kirtaniya mato balyad gaura namaiva kevalam

 

Remember that our final breath may come at any time,

No matter if we're old, sick or in youthful prime,

So young and old alike should chant incessantly,

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

gaurah sada vaset tatra yatra bhagavata-janah

gayanti bhakti-bhavena gaura namaiva kevalam

 

Lord Gaura forever dwells wherever devotees,

Whose hearts are fixed on Him and free of impurities,

Uplift their voices high and sing Names in ecstasy,

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

aho duhkham maha-duhkham duhkhad duhkhataram yatah

kacartham vismrtam ratna gaura namaiva kevalam

 

Alas! What sorrow! What great pain! The worst calamity

For people to forget the Name of Gaurahari!

Name is a priceless gem but broken glass they see,

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

diyatam diytatam karno niyatam niyatam vacah

giyatam giyatam nityam gaura namaiva kevalam

 

Just fill your ears, just fill them with Names of Gaurahari!

Just chant the Name, just chant the Name with all sincerity!

Just sing the Name, just sing the Holy Name eternally!

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

trni-krtya-jagat sarvam rajate sakalopari

cid-ananda-mayam shuddham gaura namaiva kevalam

 

They make the world appear like bits of straw on the ground;

They splendorously reign supreme divinity in sound;

They are filled with divine bliss and peerless purity;

Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura are surely all that be.

 

Inspired to glorify the Holy Name of Gaurahari,

A certain sage composed this hymn in Sanskrit poetry.

I pray that those who read this version made by lowly me

Will chant the Holy Names of Nitaai Gaura in ecstasy.