Shri Navadvipa Shataka

(A Hundred Verses Glorifying
the Holy Land of Navadvipa)
By Shrila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura
Bengali Versified by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Translated by His Holiness Bhaktiratna
Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada

 

Shri Navadvipa-sataka is a composition of 100 superexcellent verses glorifying Shri Navadvipa-dhama for daily recitation, or while residing or circumambulating Shri Navadvipa. These were originally composed In Sanskrit by Gaura-parsada-vara Shrila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, one of Lord Chaitanya’s direct disciples. The 100 verses were then rendered into Bengali verse form and printed as a booklet by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. The work describes the land of Navadvipa, which is the sporting-ground for Lord Chaitanya, in all of its majestic divine splendor and glory. Thakura Bhaktivinoda translated this composition into simple Bengali verses (presented below) for easy reading by devotees, and published it without the original Sanskrit verses as a small pocket-sized booklet. Thus the little volume could be easily carried around, even by wandering sadhus, and it was very much appreciated by the many persons who received it. In this book, Shrila Prabodhananda Sarasvatipada elaborates, in his characteristic madly ecstatic style, on the svarupa or spiritual form of the Lord’s abode, the Lord’s mood as He sports therein, the mood of a devotee who is desirous of entering this abode, the rejection of unfavorable material obstacles, and an impossibly resolute determination to attain the supreme goal. Though the original Sanskrit verses are omitted due to their voluminous nature, the English translation is from both the Sanskrit verses as well as the Bengali versification.

 

shri radhara bhave jini suvarna varana, sangopange navadvipe yanra sankirtana

kalite upasya sei krishna gaurahari, navadha bhaktite tanre upasana kari[1]

 

“By hearing of Him, meditating on Him, worshiping His Deity, and performing many other activities, let us worship Lord Krishna who-His complexion now as splendid as gold (Gaurahari), being overcome with ecstatic love, intently engaged in tumultous kirtana, surrounded by His intimate associates playing mridangas and other musical instruments, eternally worshiped by all, removing all the contamination of Kali-yuga, and giving happiness to the devotees-has now appeared in Navadvipa.

 

nigama yanhare brahmapura bali gana, paravyoma svetadvipe varnaya purana

rasika pandita yanre braja bali kaya, vandi sei navadvipe cidananda maya[2]

 

“I offer my respectful obeisances to Navadvipa, the supremely blissful transcendental abode, which the Chandogya Upanishad (Sruti-sastra) says is the topmost spiritual city; which the Smriti-sastra says is the abode of Lord Vishnu called Vaikuntha; which others say is Svetadvipa; and which a devotee expert at tasting transcendental nectar says is the forest of Vraja.

 

kabe ami navadvipe bhramite bhramite, antardvipa vana-majhe paiba dekhite

saparshade gauracandra nartana vilasa, dekhi prema murccha vase chadiba nisvasa[3]

 

“When will I fall unconscious as I suddenly see the most wonderful and youthful Lord Gaura manifest before my eyes, jubilantly dancing with His

 

associates, as I wander within the forests of Navadvipa?

 

navadvipa mahima ye sastre nahi kaya, svapneo ye sastra yena sunite na haya

e-dhama vaibhave yara na haya ullasa, tare yena nahi dekhi na kari sambhasha[4]

 

“May the scriptures through which the very wonderful glory of Lord Gauranga's city may not be heard, never enter my ears, not even in dreams! May the duplicitous people who do not become jubilant when Shri Mayapura's glory, which is described in the Vedas, enters their ears, never come to speak to me nor even enter the path of my eyes!

 

stri gardabhi sanga-range ara kiba kaja, vitta putra vidya yase sighra padu baja

ara duhkha kena bahu sadhanera janya, antardvipasraye ebe hata bhai dhanya[5]

 

“Enough, enough! with the pleasures of sex life. Enough, enough! with wealth, children, scholarship, and fame. Enough, enough! with the misery of executing many kinds of spiritual practices. I repeatedly request everyone to take shelter of Antardvipa and become fortunate!

 

yatha ratna-cchatamayi bhumi sukomala, khaga mriga yatha anuragete vihvala

vriksha lata phula phale adbhuta darsana, sei mayapura haya amara jivana[6]

 

“The transcendental abode of Lord Gaurakisora's youthful pastimes, Shri Mayapura, where the ground is very soft, where there is a great splendor of many kinds of effulgent jewels, where there are many enchanting and wonderful birds and animals who are agitated with spontaneous attraction for Gaura, and where there are supremely wonderful trees and vines with many varieties of flowers, is my life and soul.

 

koti cintamani yadi mile anya sthane, shri harira bahir drishti yadi o sekhane

tathapi godruma-dhuli chadi e sarira, anyatra na yaya yena ei buddhi sthira[7]

 

“Millions upon millions of cintamani jewels may be found together in some other place, and Lord Hari may personally appear before everyone's eyes in some other place; even so, my body covered and purified by Godruma's dust will never go to any other place. This is my firm determination.

 

sei madhyadvipe gauralila madhya dine, sei dvipa-lila kripa kara ei hine

brahma-kunda kara more kripa vitarana, tava kripa-kalpalata phala maha dhana[8]

 

“May the Lord’s extraordinarily wonderful pastimes in Madhyadvipa have mercy on me. May Brahma-kunda and the other sacred places there be kind unto a foolish and helpless person like me. May the kalpa-vali vine of the causeless mercy of Lord Gaura bear its fruits for me in Madhyadvipa. Lord Gaura, who is the ultimate friend and well-wisher of all living entities, daily sports with His associates at midday in Madhyadvipa.

 

khaga mriga taru lata kunja vapi naga, jala sthala hrada ami samasta saubhaga

visishta kanana maya devata durlabha, jaya jaya koladvipa vaikuntha-vaibhava[9]

 

“All glories, all glories! to the divine forests of Koladvipa, which stand near the Ganges’ shore, which are worshiped by the leaders of the demigods, and which are filled with the exquisitely wonderful opulences of many beautiful birds, animals, trees, vines, groves, lakes, ponds, open land, hills, and flowing streams and rivers.

 

pada cara rudradvipa bhumi manolobha, ankhi mora sada hera modadruma-sobha

suniyachi navadvipa-gunagana yata, jihva, tumi sei saba gao avirata;

gauratavi-parimala bhaja mora ghrana, tribhuvane nahi navadvipa hena sthana

sei dhama gaurakeli sthale deha mora, pulakita luti bhaja shri gaura kisora[10]

 

“O feet, please be greedy to always walk in Rudradvipa. O eyes, please gaze always at Modadrumadvipa's beauty. O tongue, please chant constantly  the glories of the transcendental qualities of the places of Lord Gaura's pastimes in Navadvipa, which the ears have heard from great devotees. O nose, please worship the sweet fragrance of Lord Gaura's forest by constantly smelling it. O limbs of my body, your hairs erect in ecstatic joy, please roll on the ground in the places of Lord Gaura’s transcendental pastimes and worship Him in this way. There is no place equal to Navadvipa in all the three worlds.

 

jagat bhramite yara gandha nahi pai, sarva vedatita yara patha haya bhai

sei sudha sindhurupa navadvipa-bhumi, ascarya madhurya, citta sada rama tumi[11]

 

“May my mind, consciousness, and heart always become absorbed in the glories of the greatly astonishing, ever expanding, and wonderfully sweet ocean of nectar present in the Navadvipa forests-the path to which all the Vedas and Upanishads together cannot find, and the slightest scent of which cannot be found even by repeatedly wandering throughout the length and breath of the universe.

 

ujjvala rasera prema-sindhu nisyandini, apurva radhika-bhava khelananandini

radha prakatita gaudatavi gaura vasa, rasa-pitha hride mora haun prakasa[12]

 

“May the Gauda forest, Lord Hari’s topmost abode, which is filled with surging waves from the greatly effulgent and intoxicating nectar ocean of splendid and passionate transcendental love, which is filled with the most condensed bliss of Lord Radhika-Ramana’s (Krishna’s) sweet pastimes, and which was sweetly founded and imbued with bliss by the supremely worshipable Shri Radha, shine brightly in my heart.

 

deva raja pujaniya jahnu muni sthana, navadvipa jahnudvipa yahara akhyana

sei gaura-lila sthale trina gulma bhava, paile asara haya ullasa vibhava[13]

 

“I pray that birth after birth I may simple become a blade or clump of grass in the land of Jahnudvipa, which is worshiped even by Indra, the king of the demigods. That would give me the greatest joy.

 

radha-krishna seva kari,  suddha dharma sadacari, sevi sadhu padarajah bhai

labhiya vairagya para, paiyao rasa sara,  se radha karuna nahi pai

simante kariya vasa, yeba haya gaura-dasa, se karuna sighra tara haya

sakala sadhana tyaji, ataeva gaura bhaji, shri simanta kara he asraya [14]

 

“Those who are ardently devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, Shri Radha’s beloved, whose entire lives are spent in constantly following pure religious principles, who continuously serve the dust from the lotus feet of the Vaishnavas, who have achieved the essence of all renunciation, and whose minds and hearts are one-pointedly absorbed in the nectar of transcendental mellows, find very far away Shri Radha’s merciful glance, which is very quickly and easily achieved by serving Lord Gaura at Simantadvipa. Therefore, please give up all spiritual practices and worship Lord Gaura by taking shelter of Shri Simantadvipa.

 

radha-krishna sammelana rasera sagara, gaurangera vraja navadvipa manohara

se duyera premodghurna rasa-lila-pura, navadvipa haya bhai parama madhura[15]

 

“The supreme abode of Vrindavana is manifest in the sweet nectar ocean of the purest, undivided, and spontaneous loving mellows on the enchanting islands of Navadvipa, which belong to Saci's son, Lord Gauranga. There, impelled by pure transcendental love for each other, the sweet divine couple Shri Shri Radha and Krishna enjoy super-excellent pastimes day and night.Thus one who resides in Navadvipa enters a condition of life that is full of the sweetest nectar.

 

krishna-pada-padma dhyana nahi ami jani, sukadira anugatye nahi abhimani

ataeva subhasubha ye hauka phala, radha-kunja shri-godruma amara sambala [16]

 

“I do not know how to properly meditate on Lord Madhava’s two lotus feet. I am not qualified to follow the path of Shri Sukadeva Gosvami, Shri Narada Muni, and the other great mahajanas. My only hope is that the most beautiful forest of Godrumadvipa, where Shrimati Radha enjoys transcendental pastimes, is my life and soul and my only support. I do not care whether I get an auspicious or an inauspicious result because of my attachment to Godrumadvipa.

 

ye dhamera sima veda sparsite na pare, paranandotsava gudha rupe yatha sphure

brahma, siva yahara madhurya nahi jane, kabe va vasiba sei navadvipa sthane[17]

 

“When will I attain Lord Radhapati's sweet and opulent abode named Shri Navadvipa? The Vedas cannot touch its boundary, and just hint at it from afar. Navadvipa is the limit of the secret festival of the greatest transcendental bliss. Siva, Brahma, and the other great personalities do not fully understand even a single drop of nectar flowing in Navadvipa.

 

yadi o sarira mora khanda khanda haya, vishama vipatti-jala mastake padaya

tathapi godruma chadi anya tirtha pade, na hau amara asa sampade bipade[18]

 

“If my body is torn into hundreds of pieces, or if hosts of horrible calamities fall on my head-oh, even then I will never ever desire to leave Shri Godruma and go to other insignificant places.

 

kabe va patita patre kshudha nivariya, ganga jale trishna nasi anjali bhariya

krishna-rasa-sthali dekhi rasa-magnantare, basiba shri-navadvipa-kanana bhitare[19]

 

“When will I reside in Lord Gaura's forest of Navadvipa, eating naturally fallen leaves as if they were ambrosia to satisfy my hunger, and drinking handfuls of the Ganges’ pure water to quench my thirst, my heart plunged in sweet nectarean mellows as I gaze at the place where sweet Lord Radhika-Ramana enjoyed the pastime of the rasa dance?

 

navadvipa-dhame yanra niscaya vasati, avasya hayeche tanra sadhu-dharme mati

purusharthadhika tattva tanra kara-tale, brahmadi pranamya tini krishna-kripa-bale[20]

 

“One who has firm determination to reside in Navadvipa until the end of his body has already performed all kinds of the most wonderful devotional services unto Lord Krishna. Due to this determination, the greatest and most sublime of all goals of life rests in his hand. Brahma and the demigods repeatedly bow down before such a person, whose feet they take on their heads.

 

nami ami navadvipa nama gaura-pura, yanhara piyusha-rase ativa pracura

khaga-pasu-dhruma-balli-ganake mataya, prema matta kari mora cittake nacaya[21]

 

“I offer my respectful obeisances to the forest of Navadvipa (Gaurapura) which, by giving them the sweet, intoxicating, and pleasing nectar of pure spiritual loving mellows, delights its birds, animals, trees, and vines.

 

aneka pandita-gana ekatra manase, kritartha manaya anya tirthera manase

se saba amara nahi bujhi bare pari, navadvipa-vana matra asraya vicari[22]

 

“A sober devotee may feel proud and satisfied by practicing pure unalloyed devotional service in some other place or tirtha. I am not interested in knowing whether he is successful or not, because I shall personally always take full shelter of the forests of Navadvipa, which are very dear to Shri Shri Radhika-Madhava.

 

sarva-doshakara ami guna-lesa-hina, durlabha padartha magi sarvadhama dina

kabe se ujjvala-bhakti sara-bija-rupa, gaudatavi labhi haba purna-rasa-kupa[23]

 

“I am a reservoir of unlimited faults. I don’t possess a single good quality. I am helpless and the lowest of all. But I am still aspiring to become perfectly blissful by achieving the most rare seed of the essense of the most splendid devotional service unto Lord Krishna, by residing in Lord Gaura’s forest in Navadvipa.

 

suddhojjvala prema-rasa amrita apara, sagara apurva amsa radha-datta-sara

gauranga kanana haya adbhuta e bhave, sei vana mama gati kata dine habe[24]

 

“Lord Gauranga's forest (Navadvipa), which is the essence of all uniqueness and magnanimity, and is overflowing with the shoreless nectar ocean of pure and splendid divine love of Shrimati Radha for Lord Krishna, is the only goal of my life.

 

sakala sadhana-hina haiya o nara, kare yadi navadvipa-vana majhe ghara

dhamera vicitra sakti hathat tahare, radha-kanta rasotsave rati dite pare[25]

 

“One who is bereft of any kind of spiritual practices but has wholeheartedly taken shelter of Navadvipa, will attain the supreme festival of the nectar of pure love for Shri Radha's beloved, Lord Krishna.

 

amara svajana-gana chaduka amare, deha-vritti acala hauka eke-bare

tathapitta cidananda navadvipa hate, carana amara nai yau anya pathe[26]

 

“My own near and dear people may leave me or I may collapse mentally and physically; still I will not take a single step beyond the border of transcendental Navadvipa.

 

shri-radhara vane navadvipa maha-dhana, tahate vasite badha karena ye jana

mata-pita bandhu-sakha mitra guru ara, konai sambandha nahi amara tanhara.[27]

 

 

“She is not my mother, he is not my father, he is not my relative, he is not my friend, he is not my well-wisher, and he is not my guru-who does not want me to reside in Shrimati Radha's forest of Navadvipa. I want no relationship with such persons.

 

kalusha-svarupa ami e bhagya ki paba, maranante shri-godrume vasati kariba

sei vane radha-krishna-vihara samaya, pada-jyotih dekhi habe ananda udaya[28]

 

“I am a personification of sinful activities. For me the most auspicious thing is to stay in the land of Godrumadvipa until this body ends. I will then be able to blissfully experience the flood of the effulgence emanating from the lotus feet of the beautiful divine couple Shri Shri Radha-Krishna, who enjoy newer and newer transcendental pastimes here.

 

ye dhame pravishta haye jangama sthavara, ghanananda mahotsave bhase nirantara

maya yara jada-drishti diyache nayane, jada-maya dekhe sei navadvipa-vane

ataeva amara prarthana gaurapure, vasiya chinmaya-sphurti pai e sarire.[29]

 

“In Lord Gauranga’s city, Navadvipa, all the moving and stationary living entities have eternally effulgent spiritual forms and are always absorbed in the intensely blissful festival of pure love. Those whose eyes are blinded by maya (illusion) misunderstand the truth about Navadvipa by considering it material, and speculating about it with a host of faulty ideas. Therefore I pray unto Navadvipa to kindly bless me with divine spiritual vision and realization while I am residing here.

 

sambandha kausale sei dhame pravesile, sarva jive ananda-samvid-bhava mile

atattvika bahirmukha dekhite na paya, diuna gauranga-pura asraya amaya[30]

 

“Although unseen by the unintelligent materialistic speculators, in Navadvipa all living entities-indeed all things-are blissful, eternal, spiritual, and full of knowledge. I take shelter of that abode of Navadvipa.

 

sambandha ashrita jive dosha drishti yara, ananda-svarupe aparadha haya tara

yata dina sei aparadha nahi yaya, radha-krishna susambandha milibe kothaya?[31]

 

“They who attribute faults to the blissful moving and stationary living entities in Navadvipa who have taken shelter in their relationship with Lord Gaura, are the greatest offenders. They will never attain Shri Shri Radha-Madhava.

 

navadvipa-vasi ninda-rata yei jana, yeba nahi kare mayapurera pujana

anya tirthe ye murkha godruma sama jane, modadruma sukha cit-svarupa na mane

se papishta naradhama sahita sangati, svapneo na haya yena vishama durgati[32]

 

“They who indulge in blaspheming the residents of Navadvipa, they who belittle and don’t worship Mayapura, unintelligent fools who equate

 

Godruma with other holy places, and those who don’t accept the eternally blissful and spiritual nature of Modadruma are the most sinful and lowest of men. I pray that even in dreams I may never come near such people.

 

caurya, lampatata, dvesha, matsarata, lobha, mithya-vakya, sudurvakya, paradroha, stobha

tyajiya ye jana kare gaurapurasraya, vrindavana-asa tara vandhya nahi haya[33]

 

“He who-rejecting others’ wealth, others’ wives, hatred, envy, greed, dishonesty, cruelty, violence, and lying words-becomes devoted to the transcendental abode of Shri Navadvipa, will not be frustrated in his desire to stay in Vrindavana.

 

navadvipa-vasa lagi karaya adharma, tyaje guru-jana ara sakala-svadharma

tahe tara doshi kiba ei matra sara, yahe gauda-vasa badha sei papa-bhara[34]

 

“One should be ready to do even that which is against religious principles, to reject all religious duties, or to abandon even one’s own guru (if he stops  or discourages one from going or residing in Navadvipa), in order to fulfil one’s intense desire for residing in Gaudaranya (Navadvipa). That is actually one's supreme religious duty and topmost devotion to one’s guru. Whatever stops one from residing in Gaudaranya is the result of one’s accumulated sinful reactions.

 

ascarya karunya-purna shri-gauda-nagari, sarva-sastre lekhe tara mahima vistari

ye se rupe thaki jiva navadvipa dhame, dehante labhiche siddhi shri-gauranga name[35]

 

“Gaudaranya’s abode of Navadvipa is full with the most astonishing and limitless mercy, and its glories are described in detail in all the revealed scriptures. If somehow or other one is able to reside in Navadvipa and give up one’s body there, such a person will attain perfection by the causeless mercy of the name of Lord Gauranga.

 

ohe murkha jiva, tumi loka vedasraye, acari bahula dharma acha klishta haye

hathat chadiya saba patha aniscita, shri-godrume parna-kuti karaha vihita[36]

 

“O great fool, the paths of the material world (occupational duties), and even that of the Vedas, will bring you only trouble and suffering! Please give them up forcibly and construct for yourself a leaf-hut in Shri Godruma in Gaudadesa!

 

sastra saba nana-vidha karuka jalpana, atattvika jana taha karuka dharana

tarka-patu laghumati vitarka kariya, sthapuka vicitra mata dese dese giya;

amara se saba chadi ujjvala vimala, rasa-prema-sudha-sara sekhane sambala

sei radha-bhavanvita purushera sthana, chadiya kotha o nahi kariba prasthana[37]

 

“The Vedic scriptures may describe so many things in various ways, the sentimentalists may accept those teachings as they like, and the unintelligent speculative logicians may establish so many theories by traveling here and there, but my heart will never leave the forest where Lord Krishna assuming the mood and complexion of Shri Radha, in His form as Lord Gaura, enjoys pastimes filled with the pure, splendid, intoxicating nectar of the essence of the loving mellows of devotional service.

 

apara-karuna-sindhu shri-krishna-carane, padiya kandiya ami bali sarva-kshane

tava anargala prema-sindhu gaura-vane, kona janme rati yena dio akincane[38]

 

“Lord Krishna is the personification of unlimited mercy and the hero of Vraja’s playful girls. I bow down to Him at every moment. And while crying, I beg and pray to Him with plaintive words to award me attraction for Navadvipa, at least in one my future births if not possible in this birth, because Navadvipa is the unrestricted nectar ocean of the great spontaneous ecstacies of devotional service.

 

cancala durmati ara svadharma-virata, duracara, gaura-candre sambandha rahita

kama-lobhe yatha asi atyuttama haya, nami sei mayapura rasera nilaya[39]

 

“I offer my obeisances to the reservoir of all bliss, Shri Mayapura, where a dabbler who walks down many paths at once, a person with bad intelligence, one who has rejected his proper religious duties, a whimsical and independent person who does not care about the rules of the scriptures, a person who has not the slightest hint of understanding about the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Gaurachandra, and one who lives there only out of lust and greed, will each become the most perfect living being and attain the supreme destination.

 

sarva-sukha-sara bhakti-sukha sunirmala, pai yei navadvipa sei gaura-sthala

vedera nigudha tattva, acintya apara, mudha-buddhi jana tattva na jane tahara[40]

 

“A bewildered fool cannot understand Shri Navadvipa-dhama of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Gaura, which is hidden from all the Vedas and is the place where through bhakti one may attain the ultimate zenith of all kinds of happiness in this world.

 

bhaje anya-deva kimva brahma-jnane rata, athava pasura nyaya bhogera vivrata

gangara pascima tire kolatavi tire, phelena sva-sakti-krame prema-parabare[41]

 

 

“By its own inconceivable potency, the forest of Koladvipa awards the rare and secret nectar of pure love for Shri Shri Radhika-Madhava to demigod worshipers, to those rapt in meditation on the imperishable impersonal Brahman, and even to animal-like people engaged simply in enjoying their senses.

 

ara ki kahiba vrindavana-vasi jana, ye rasa na paya yaha tatha sanghatana

sei shri-godruma-vana adbhuta vyapara, kabe va dekhiba peye radha-kripa sara[42]

 

“When will I see Shri Godruma's most wonderful opulences while taking shelter of Shrimati Radharani’s lotus feet? The Vedas cannot even touch, and the yogis cannot understand, a millionth part of the opulences of Godruma. Great souls headed by Lakshmi, Siva, Brahma, Sukadeva, Arjuna, and Uddhava cannot understand-and what to speak of others, even the residents of Vrindavana find it difficult to obtain that nectar which is present in Godruma.

 

durvasana-rajjusata-baddha mama mana, akarshiya nija bale, he sacinandana

radha-kunda shri-godrume shri-radhara saha, vihara-samaye tava pada-padme laha[43]

 

“My heart is very tightly bound with hundreds of ropes of wicked desires. O Gaura, O Lord who enjoys pastimes in Radha-kunda in Godrumadvipa, please forcibly attract my heart with Your own potencies, and place it under the shelter of Your lotus feet.

 

damite indriya-gane na parinu natha, guna-matra nahi mora sarva doshatpata

kotha yaba, ki kariba, gati-hina ami, navadvipe sthana diya kripa kara, svami[44]

 

“I am not able to subdue my mind and senses at all. I have not a single good virtue. A host of faults always enters my heart. Where shall I go? What shall I do? Alas! Alas! No mercy is shown to me! O Lord, please give me residence in Navadvipa, my only eternal home. This is my only hope.

 

jati, prana, dhana, yasa, sad-dharma amara, kshaya hau, sakale karun tiraskara

vyadhi-jirna kalevara pauka durgati, navadvipa tathapi tyajite nahu mati [45]

 

“My noble birth, wealth, and even my very life breath may all perish; my good reputation may wither and die; my religious principles may be destroyed; I may be mistreated and rebuked constantly by everyone; or my body may deteriorate and wither away with hundreds of incurable physical and mental diseases. Even if all that should happen simultaneously, my mind will never even think of leaving Lord Gauranga’s city Navadvipa. Residing here is the ultimate remedy for all my problems.

 

prakritira madhye va bahire kabhu bhai, navadvipa samana madhura sthiti nai

ei ta siddhanta yanra tanhara carane, sada namaskara kari ami mane mane[46]

 

“I constantly bow down to offer my respects to them who know the

 

confidential truth that within or without the material world there is nothing more sweet than Lord Gaura's forest of Navadvipa.

 

tilaka-sobhita gangajala suklambara, kancana-campakabhasa rasollasapara

krishna-prema-payodhara-rase sammohini, sobha paya gauratavi gauranga-mohini[47]

 

“All glories to Gauda-desa forest of Navadvipa, which is very dear to Shri Jagannatha Misra's son Lord Gaura! Navadvipa is effulgent with tilaka decorations, clothed in white garments of the Ganges’ waters, shining with the glory of golden, blossoming campaka flowers, glorious with many kinds of nectarean mellows, and enchanting everyone with the sweet nectar of pure love for Lord Krishna.

 

surendra-vaibhava-yuta yatha taru-gana, maha-rasamayi bhakti-vanita ranjana

brahmapura adi tirtha-gana yatha sphure, hena navadvipa keba asraya na kare[48]

 

“Who will not take complete shelter of the most wonderful and blissful nine islands of Navadvipa, where millions of opulent kalpa-vriksha trees are embraced and nourished by the sweet and nectarean vines of pure bhakti that are their wives, and where Brahmapura and all other holy places shine with great splendor?

 

navadvipa-vasa prati ninda yata dina, tata dina manusha svacchanda bhakti-hina

tata dina vrindavane premera nilaya, govinda-padaravinde bhakti nahi haya[49]

 

“As much as they speak ill about residing in Navadvipa, to that extent persons will not be able to understand the great secret of pure, spontaneous devotional service for Lord Govinda's lotus feet in Vrindavana, the root from which the Lord’s love pastimes sprout.

 

vidyut-koti prabhamayi radha-alingita, nava-jaladhara syama dhyane samahita

uccaih-svare tirthe tirthe kakuti kariya, gaura-dhame phire kriti premavishta hana[50]

 

“Repeatedly remembering the person (Krishna) dark as a new monsoon cloud who is embraced by Shri Radha, Her transcendental form like a vine more effulgent than millions of lightning flashes, I will become fortunate by wandering in Lord Gaura’s sacred places in Navadvipa, overwhelmed with love, and loudly and plaintively singing the sweetest prayers in glorification of the Lord.

 

gaura-pada-padma-puta nava-khanda vane, kabe ami prema-purna haye mane mane

prati-pade galad-asru pulaka-ullase, ha gauranga baliya lutiba anayase[51]

 

“When will I-while crying out the names of Lord Gauranga, at every step

 

shedding tears of deep love, the hairs of my body erect with great joy and roll upon the ground in Navadvipa, where Lord Gaura placed His feet?

 

purnojjvala prema-murti radha bhavamaya, yatha krishna navadvipe sakshat udaya

sei gaura-sthalashrita haya yei jana, subhakti-rahasya tara eka matra dhana[52]

 

“The secret treasure of pure unalloyed devotional service is very easily achieved by those who take shelter of Lord Gaura's sacred place of Navadvipa. Here Lord Hari assumes a golden transcendental form (Gaura), in the mood of Shri Radha, which is the personification of splendid and divine loving mellows.

 

candala kukkura khara sama tiraskara, karuk tahate kheda nahika amara

sneha-jnane tushta haye nava-khanda vane, vasiba sarvada ami vairagyera sane[53]

 

“If people speak unbearable insults to me and reject me, treating me like a candala (dogeater), a dog, or an ass, even then I will not feel the slightest distress; because I am attached to staying in the nine islands of Navadvipa, where the nine proccesses of spontaneous loving devotional service, beginning with hearing about Lord Krishna and culminating in total surrender unto Him, shine with great glory.

 

ohe bhai samasta sadhana parihari, gaura-sthalasraya kara citta dridha kari

praktana vasana-vase tomara hridaya, sarira-vacana-ceshta karibe niscaya[54]

 

“O dear brother, please give up all your spiritual practices and take shelter of Lord Gaura’s sacred place Navadvipa. Your body, words, and heart will act as per what you desire.

 

varam ami navadvipe kharpara dhariya, svapaca pallite bhrami bhikshara lagiya

tathapi sukritibala durlabha sarira, anyatra laile iccha nahi kari sthira[55]

 

“With a bowl in hand I will go begging day after day, even on the paths to the houses of the dog eaters, in the most beautiful Shri Navadvipa. Even though by the strength of many past pious deeds I may become eligible to obtain a very rare body in any other place, my strong determination is to never leave Navadvipa.

 

chenda kantha kaupina dhariya ami kabe, divasante phalamula-bhojana-gaurave

navadvipa-vana-bhage radha-krishna-katha, gaiya jivana mora kataiba tatha[56]

 

“Wearing a kaupina and one old cloth, I will spend this lifetime in the forest of Navadvipa, singing and drowning in the nectarean waves of Shri Shri Radha-Madhupati's confidential pastimes. In this way I will be satisfied by

 

eating some fruits and roots at the end of the day.

 

prakritira para para-brahma suvimale, veda jake paravyoma para-pada bale

taha madhya-bhage sobhe shri-gaura-mandala, tahe sobhe navadvipa vrindavana sthala[57]

 

“Above the material creation is the ocean of happiness glorified in the Vedas as para-brahman, paravyoma, brahmajyoti (effulgence emanating from the transcendental body of the Lord), para-pada, and the spiritual sky. In the middle of this spiritual sky, the topmost spiritual abode of Shri Gaura-mandala (Navadvipa) is manifest with all splendor. Within this abode of Navadvipa the supremely blissful abode of Vrindavana is manifest.

 

navadvipa-vasi jantuvgane yata dina, sananda-sac-cid-bhava na haya pravina

tata dina haiya o se dhame pravishta, dhama-aparadhe-nahi labhe nija ishta[58]

 

“Even though residing there himself, he who commits the offense (dhama-aparadha) of thinking that the residents of Gaura-sthala do not have spiritual forms of eternity, bliss, and knowledge, will neither attain the supreme abode nor fulfillment of his desires.

 

navadvipe sthavara jangame yei dina, sac-cid-ananda-buddhi, haya mala hina

sei dina radha-kanta-seva yogya rupa, labhe jiva vraja dhame ati aparupa[59]

 

“When one understands that the moving and stationary residents of Navadvipa have forms of eternal spiritual nectar, bliss, and knowledge, then only does he achieve the position of a genuine servant of Shri Radha's beloved in Vrindavana.

 

navadvipe vastu-tattva karaha vicara, sakala vibhava ara sarva-dharma-sara

sakala bhajana sara sarvasiddhi phala, sakala madhurya sara vihara nirmala[60]

 

“Wandering in Navadvipa is the essence of all super-excellent opulences, of all religious principles, of all kinds of worship and devotional practices, of all kinds of perfections, of all glorious positions, and of all oceans of sweetness.

 

kabe ami nava-khande loka-dharma tyaji, mahaprema-madhvi-rase nirantara maji

gaiba hasiba ara bhumite lutiba, daudiba kandiba padi murcchita haiba[61]

 

“When will I wander in Navadvipa, blinded by the intoxication of drinking the nectar of great love for Lord Gaura-while singing, dancing, laughing, rolling about on the ground, running, crying, or falling down unconscious-all the while remaining oblivious to the outside world?

 

gaura-sthale loka-dharma geha deha bhuli, tulya ninda-stuti, sukha-duhkhe kutuhali

unmada premete matta graha-grasta mata, vicariba kata dine kari dhama-vrata[62]

 

“When will I become like a madman in Lord Gaura’s sacred abode of Navadvipa, while remaining oblivious to the world, religious duties, home, body, insults, praise, pleasure, and pain, and greatly intoxicated with the nectar of pure spiritual love?

 

kripamurti shri-gauranga siksha anusare, hare krishna rama nama siddha mantrakshare 
mahascarya namavali gaite gaite, kabe va kritartha haba e gaura-sthalite[63]

 

“When will I be successful in attaining the eternal daily service of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna in Vrindavana by chanting the siddha-mantra of the most astonishing, wonderful, and principal names of Krishna-Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare-in Navadvipa, as per the instructions of Lord Shri Gauranga, who is the personification of causeless mercy?

 

indra-nilamani vriksha-shanda nana-mata, purata sphatika padma raga vinirmita

ratnavedi yekhane jhankare valligana, suka pika mayurera apurva darsana;

padma-pushpa-susobhita nana sarovara, sei navadvipa dhame prakritira para

seba dhama-dhyana-sukhe nimagna haiya, vasiba shri-gaura-dhame rasete dubiya[64]

 

“I meditate on the most wonderful Gaura-sthala, effulgent with gold, crystal, and rubies; with great sapphire trees; with courtyards made of many kinds of jewels; with buzzing bees; with blossoming vines; with beautiful and splendid parrots, peacocks, cuckoos, and other birds; and with lakes filled with lotuses and other flowers.

 

madhyadvipe svaratakya parvatera pase, kadamba-mandita keli-kunja parakase

bhramite bhramite rasa-mandala dekhiya, prema-purna haba ami sukriti smariya[65]

 

“When will I become fortunate to realize confidential spiritual love for the divine couple Shri Shri Radha-Krishna, while wandering day and night through the hills and valleys of Madhyadvipa, on the pathways through the various pastime forest groves, through groves of newly blossoming kadamba trees, and through the beautiful places of the rasa dance pastimes?

 

anitya duhkhada patni, putra, vitta chara, mukti-katha vaikunthe pipasa nahi ara

radha-bhava-dyuti-makha krishna-lila-vane, eka bindu rati matra magi nija mane[66]

 

“I do not desire a beautiful young wife, children, and wealth, which give only temporary and flickering happiness. I do not even care for liberation. I offer my respectful obeisances to the beauty of Vaikuntha. I only beg that in every birth I may possess at least a drop of attraction to the forest (Navadvipa) where Vrajendra's son (Krishna) enjoys splendid transcendental pastimes in His form of Gaura, having assumed the complexion of Shri Radhika.

 

mastaka noyaye nami shri-godruma-vana, vakya sada shri-godruma kariye kirtana

sukshma buddhi-yoga smari shri-godruma dhama, godruma chadiya mora anya nai kama[67]

 

“With my head I will repeatedly bow down before the forest of Shri Godrumadvipa. With my words I will continuously speak about Godruma. With my mind and intelligence I will constantly remember Godruma. Actually, I do not know anything except Shri Godruma.

 

radhakanta rati-kanda shri-gauranga-vana, avirata krishna bhaktaganera jivana

sei saba bhaktajana caranera dhuli, asa matra asa kari vasa gaurasthali[68]

 

“I long to develop desire for the dust of the lotus feet of those devotees whose life and soul is Shri Gaura-sthala (Navadvipa), which is the root that sprouts love for Lord Radhapati (Krishna).

 

nana keli-nikunja-mandale susobhita, nana sarovara vapi tadaga mandita

nana gulma-lata-druma-mandape veshtita, nanajati khaga-mriga dvara ullasita

aneka vihara-sthala jyotirmaya dhame, kabe ami gaura-sthale labhiba visrame[69]

 

“O my beloved Lord Gauranga, when will I meditate on You in Navadvipa, which is filled with many beautiful pastime-forest pavilions; many enchanting lakes and ponds; delightful trees, vines, and bushes everywhere; many kinds of joyful birds and animals; and with many glorious and splendid pastime places?

 

gadgada vacane kabe gaba krishna-nama, nayana-dharaya ardra kariba tad-dhama

bhavete heriba kabe se yugala jyoti, hema-harinmani-cchavi suvihvala mati[70]

 

“When, with a choked voice, will I chant and glorify Lord Madhava's holy names in Navadvipa? When will I muddy the ground under a tree in Navadvipa with streams of tears flowing from my eyes? When will I constantly become overwhelmed by taking shelter of the two golden and sapphire splendors, Shri Shri Radha-Krishna, that have become one (Gaura) before my eyes in Navadvipa?

 

radha-kanti-vinoda kanana vina ana, na varniba, na suniba, na kariba dhyana

jagrate svapne va ami vina sei vana, na dekhiba kabhu ithe dridha mama mana[71]

 

“I am determined not to talk, hear, meditate, worship, or take shelter of anything else except Navadvipa. I will never go anywhere else. In dream or while awake, I will not see anything except the Navadvipa forest, where

 

Lord Krishna assumed the form of Lord Gaura by accepting Shri Radhika’s splendor and enjoyed variegated pastimes.

 

mana nahi cahe satyaloke brahmapada, vaikunthe parshada deha-murtira sampada

navadvipe visuddha madhura bhakta jana, grihe krimi janmi lobha haya anukshana[72]

 

“My heart does not yearn to achieve the position of Lord Brahma in Satyaloka (topmost planet in the universe), nor does it seek to attain the body of an eternal associate of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha (beyond the material universe), but it is constantly greedy to obtain a birth, even as a tiny insect, in the home of the fortunate souls who continuously enjoy sweet necatarean festivals in the pure realm of Navadvipa.

 

hena dina ke mora udibe gagane, yabe navadvipa-sprishta sarira darsane

dura haite jivana sarthaka jnana kari, sashtange padiba nami dharani upari[73]

 

“When will that most fortunate day come when I will take birth able to gaze at Navadvipa, touch it, and repeatedly fall down on the ground to offer respects to it, even from a distance? I will also consider myself most fortunate if able to gaze at someone whose body has been touched by Navadvipa.

 

sarvottama navadvipa-mahatmye vistara, na thake visvasa-gandha tahate amara

se dhama vasera iccha yadyapi nai, tabu yena dhama-guna nirantara gai[74]

 

“Although I have do not have the slightest trace of faith in the most exalted glory of Shri Navadvipa-dhama, and although I do not sincerely yearn to live there, nevertheless I continuously sing about the glories of the dhama.

 

achaitanya-praya visva, sarvajna ye jane, seo nare navadvipa-mahatmya varnane

prachanna se dhama nandanandanera nyaya, bhakta jana matra jane sadguru-kripaya[75]

 

“People of this spiritually unconscious world, and even those who think that they know everything, cannot know the real truth about Navadvipa. When carefully concealed, Lord Hari appears as Lord Chaitanya in Kali-yuga, and His abode also appears in a concealed manner. Only by his guru’s mercy can a sincere devotee know the truth of Navadvipa.

 

kabe navadvipa vane saikata pracare, hare rama hare krishna bali uccaih svare

bhramite bhramite gaura kariba darsana, padiba vihvala haye acala carana[76]

 

“While wandering within the forests of Navadvipa, upon suddenly seeing Lord Gaura loudly chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in a kirtana in a

 

sandy courtyard, when will I be agitated with love and fall down unconscious?

 

jahnavira puline puline tarutale, vicariba ami kabe hari-hari bale

patita galita phala kariba bhakshana, lalita-tatini-jale trishna nivarana[77]

 

“When will I wander in the forests of Navadvipa by the Ganges’ shore, eating ripe fruits fallen to the ground from the trees, and quenching my thirst by drinking the sweet river water?

 

sevilei navadvipa vrindavana sphure, navadvipa seva vina vrindavana dure

ye sevila gaura paya yasoda-nandana, gaura-seva vina krishne na paya kakhana[78]

 

“If one worships the nine forests of Navadvipa, he then finds himself in the forest of Vrindavana. But he who does not worship Navadvipa remains far away from the forest of Vriaja. Similarly, if one worships Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he achieves the association of the hero of Vraja, Lord Krishna. But he who does not worship Lord Gauranga will never attain Lord Krishna.

 

e gauda-mandale navadvipa-vrindavana, sacira tanaya sakshat vrajendra-nandana

sei nandasuta radha-dyuti acchadita, vrajera durlabha lila karila vihita[79]

 

“Navadvipa is actually Vrindavana manifested in the land of Bengal. Lord Chaitanya, the son of Saci, is Lord Krishna, the greatest hero, the son of Vraja’s king, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Accepting the complexion of Shrimati Radharani, the Lord performs pastimes in Navadvipa which are very rarely manifested in Vrindavana.

 

vrindavane vasi yeba jape hari hari, aparadha gele paya kisora kisori

navadvipe gaura kshami aparadha-caya, parama rasada vraja-rasa vitaraya[80]

 

“They who chant, ‘Hari! Hari! Hari!’ in Vrindavana attain Vraja's divine couple, Shri Shri Radha-Krishna, only when they become free from all offenses. In Navadvipa however, Lord Gaura very easily forgives our multitudes of sins and offenses and freely distributes the sweet nectar of the bliss of Vrindavana.

 

gauranga sambandhe yanra navadvipe sthiti, kara-sthiti vraja tanra sanatana riti

anyatra shri-vrindavana ye kare sandhana, maru-maricika yena krame dure bhana[81]

 

 

“It is an undisputed fact that one who resides in Navadvipa, faithfully worshiping Lord Gauranga, holds in his hand the ultimate goal of eternal residence in Vriaja. In any other place, Vrindavana is like a faraway mirage.

 

vrindavane ache yata vana upavana, shri-krishna-lilara sthala ke kare ganana

navadvipe se sakala ache sthane sthane, gaura-rupe krishna-lila prakata karane[82]

 

“To make Lord Gaura’s pastimes perfect, Navadvipa embraces to its chest all of beautiful Vrindavana's forests and gardens of Krishna-lila.

 

shri-godrumacandra-lila ananta apara, gaura-sthale cidvihara nami bara bara

gaura-padashrita-gane kari namaskara, nami sada gauracandra karunavatara[83]

 

“I offer my respectful obeisances to the pastimes of Lord Godrumacandra. I offer my respectful obeisances to the spiritual opulences of Gaura-sthala (Navadvipa). I offer my respectful obeisances to them who have taken shelter of Lord Gauranga’s feet. I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Gaura, the incarnation of causeless mercy.

 

ohe visvambhara! ohe maha-rasamaya! ohe prema-sampadera mani! ohe dayamaya!

ohe padmavati-suta dayardra hridaya, patita janera natha gaura-bhaktimaya

ohe sitanatha, caracarera isvara, gaura anibare matra tumi saktidhara

ohe gadadhara, ohe shrivasadi-gana, tumi saba mama gati ami akincana[84]

 

“O Lord Visvambhara! O Lord who is the embodiment of great sweetness! O ocean of the treasure of divine love! O Lord Nityananda! O divine son of Padmavati, lord whose heart melts with compassion, best friend of the most fallen, embodiment of Gaura-bhakti; O Advaita, master of all living entities moving and inert, Lord who made Lord Gaura descend to this world; O Gadadhara, O Shrivasa, and all other devotees; all of you are the ultimate worshipable goal of my life.

 

shri-krishna rasana lagi chaitanya akara, parama adbhuta udarata-purna sara

sviya premamrita jive diba mane kari, parapada navadvipe prakatila hari

audaryera khani sei sacira kumara, tanhara carane ami nami bara bara[85]

 

“Let us offer repeated obeisances and glorify the supremely, boundlessly, and wonderfully magnanimous form of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the prince of Vraja Himself, Krishna. He has now manifested in the topmost transcendental abode of Navadvipa to relish the intoxicating sweet waves of the nectar of transcendental love for Himself (Krishna), as well as to freely distribute that nectar to others.

 

sastrabhyasa, tirthatana, ceshta parihari, yoshid-vyaghra tyaja svarga chada ghrina kari

dina-bhave bhaja visvambharera carana, navadvipe rasa yei kaila vitarana[86]

 

“What is the use of studying many scriptures? What is the use of going on pilgrimage to various holy places? Fear sex life just as one fears a tiger! Spit on the illusory opulences of the heavenly planets! Try to understand that all material benefits are as worthless as a handful of straw! Please give up chasing after all of them and take full shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga, who has accepted the garments of a sannyasi just to freely distribute the intoxicating nectar of His own love, which is freely available in Navadvipa on the Ganges’ shore.

 

tarite samsara-sindhu yadi vancha tava, sankirtanamritasvade thake iccha lava

vancha yadi thake prema-samudra-vihare, mayapure kara vasa jahnavira tire[87]

 

“If your heart is set on crossing beyond the ocean of repeated birth and death, if it wants to be always absorbed in the sweet nectar of chanting Krishna’s holy names, and if your mind and heart yearn to swim and sport in the ocean of pure love of Krishna, then please make your residence in the city of Mayapura, Navadvipa, without any further delay.

 

shri-gauda nagari dhanya, dhanya ganga tatha, dhanya se nagara-vasi gaura-padashrita

navadvipa vina nahi hena premotsava, ha gauranga dekhiba kabe kata se vaibhava[88]

 

“All glories, all glories to Shri Gauda-nagari Navadvipa and the Ganges flowing there! All glories to the residents of Navadvipa who have become the most saintly devotees by taking shelter of Lord Gauranga's lotus feet! Alas, alas! I am not able to see the great festival of pure love for Lord Hari which is constantly being celebrated by Lord Gaura and His associates in Navadvipa! O Lord Chaitanya, O ocean of causeless mercy, kindly bless me with transcendental vision so that I can behold Your glorious pastimes in Navadvipa.

 

drishta sprishta kirtita va smrita upasita, dura haite namita adrita va pujita

hailei yei dhama deya premasara, citsvarupa sei gaura-dhame namaskara[89]

 

“I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Gaura’s transcendental abode Navadvipa, which-whether seen, touched, glorified, remembered, bowed down to from afar, or worshiped-awards everyone the essence of the nectar of pure love for Lord Krishna.

 

sva-dharmacarana ara shri-vishnu-pujana, tirthadi bhramana kimva vedanusilana

e saba sadhane keba jani bare pare; vedadi durlabha sei vraja-tattva-sare

ekanta asraya yanra gaura-priya-dhama, vrindavana labhya tanra purna manaskama[90]

 

“One may strictly and purely follow the rules of varnasrama-dharma (occupational duties), worship the Deities very elaborately, visit the great holy pilgrimage places, or scrutinizingly study the Vedas for many, many years; but if one does not reside in Lord Gaura’s dear abode of Navadvipa, he will never be able to understand the topmost abode of Vrindavana, which is beyond the reach of the four Vedas.

 

trinapeksha hina buddhi mohana akara, mishta-vakya vishaye vairagya-buddhi-sara

krishna-premonmada ara nirapeksha-buddhi, paya jiva gaura-dhamarcane sarva-suddhi[91]

 

“Humbly regarding oneself lower than a blade of straw; a form of natural gentleness and attractiveness, with sweet nectarean speech; spitting at insignificant sense gratifcation, with total disinterest in the affairs of this material world; and overwhelming spontaneous love for Lord Hari; are the transcendental virtues obtained by worshiping Navadvipa, Lord Gaura’s transcendental abode in this world.

 

guruvara bahutara upasana kari, sruti-sastra-adhyayane na paiya hari

gaura-pura vasotsuka haye bhaktajana, parama rahasya labha kare anukshana[92]

 

“You may worship and serve millions of the most exalted spiritual masters. You may scrutinizingly study millions of Vedic scriptures. But know for certain that only they who are very eager to constantly reside in Lord Chaitanyacandra's transcendental city of Navadvipa will be able to very easily and quickly understand the great secret of pure love for Lord Krishna.

 

kala haila kali, bali indriya-nicaya, aneka kantake bhakti-marga ruddha haya

haya, haya, kotha yaba, ki kariba ami, yadi, navadvipa, kripa nahi kara tumi[93]

 

“In this most degraded age of Kali, my very senses have become my strong enemies. Even the splendid path of bhakti-yoga, which is the only way in Kali-yuga, has become covered by millions and millions of thorns. Alas, alas! I have become very weak and agitated. Where can I go? What shall I do? My only hope is that Navadvipa, the all-merciful abode of Lord Chaitanya, will be kind unto me and deliver me from this extremely helpless and desperate condition.

 

dushkarme nirata sada durvasana ghora, nigudha abaddhamati klesete vibhora

koti koti kumati kadartha kare more, navadvipa vina bandhu ke vipada ghore[94]

 

“I am strongly addicted to performing millions of sins. I am very tightly bound by chains of limitless, formidable, and greatly horrible desires. My mind is filled with excruciating pain. In such a pitiable situation, millions and millions of wicked thoughts and men are trying to mislead me. In such a desolate condition, except for the holy abode of Gauda-mandala (Navadvipa), who will become my friend in this world?

 

kathina ushara kshetra tomara asaya, bhakti-kalpata-bija ankura na haya

tabe eka asa mora jagiche hridaye, navadvipa-vase soka sthana na labhaye[95]

 

“Alas, alas! How will the desire creeper of pure devotional service sprout in the completely dry and unproductive desert of my heart? In my heart there is only one solace: if I reside in Lord Gauranga’s holy abode of Navadvipa, then I shall never have to lament again, and all my desires will be fulfilled.

 

samsara-vasanarnave ami nipatita, kama krodha adi nakra-grasta ati bhita

durvasana shrinkhale abaddha nirasraya, gaura-sthana, deha more kripara asraya[96]

 

“I have somehow or other fallen into the extremely painful ocean of repeated birth and death. In this ocean the sharks and crocodiles of lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride, envy, lamentation, illusion, and fear are devouring me alive. Over and above this, I am tightly bound by the chains of my wicked desires. Thus I have no shelter and am drowning very fast. O Navadvipa, the holy abode of Lord Gauranga, please be merciful to me, because you are my only shelter in this hopeless condition.

 

svayam krishna svarna-varna karuna kariya, premanandojjvale rasa-vapu prakatiya

yei navadvipe kaila bhaktyutsava maya, mana se madhura dhame satata ramaya[97]

 

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Gaura, with the complexion of molten gold, has personally and most mercifully descended to the town of Navadvipa in His most effulgent form, filled with the supremely blissful nectar of loving mellows. In Navadvipa, every home constantly celebrates great festivals in honor of Bhakti-devi, the goddess of pure devotion. Thus my heart constantly finds its happiness in the transcendental abode of Navadvipa, because Navadvipa is even sweeter than Vaikuntha.

 

kabe ami navadvipe kariya vasati, santa mane paba gaura-bhavodita mati

vrajavane radha-krishna seva dhyana kari, bhajiba vrajera rasa adbhuta madhuri[98]

 

“When will I see the sweet Vrindavana forest everywhere, while residing somewhere in Navadvipa, with my heart peaceful and filled with ecstatic love for the son of Saci, meditating moment after moment on the transcendental pastimes of the divine couple Shri Shri Radha-Krishna, and serving Them according to my constitutional position?

 

alakanandara tate bhramite bhramite, dekhiba se misra-vasa atula jagate

dyutimaya parananda sac-cid-vistriti, durlabha gaurangapura cicchakti-vibhuti[99]

 

“When will I suddenly see the peerless, effulgent, blissful, eternal, spiritual, enchanting, and most rare home of Jagannatha Misra, Lord Gauranga’s eternal abode, while constantly wandering on the splendid shore of the Ganges?

 

nahi cai kasi-vasa, gaya-pindadana, mukti sukti-sama tyaji kiba varga ana

raurave ki bhaya mama ki bhaya samsare, shrigodrume vasa yadi pai kripa dvare[100]

 

“I will consider the impersonalists of Varanasi to be very unimportant; consider a pilgrimage to Gaya to offer pinda to the anscestors very insignificant; consider my personal liberation to weigh not even as much as a fraction of an ounce; become totally disinterested in material piety, economic development, and sense gratification; not have the slightest fear of hell (maha-raurava), what to speak of any other distress; and give up all anxiety over the well-being of my wife, children, friends, and relatives; if I am fortunate to simply reside in Godruma and the other holy places in Navadvipa.

 

ohe mudha jana, sukshma drishtira vidhane, muni-ganaprapya bhakti karaha sandhane

visvasa abhave yadi nahi sanghatana, saba ceshta chadi laha nadiya-sarana[101]

 

“O foolish people, please seek out the rare platform of pure devotional service to Lord Hari, which is inaccessible to the great sages of ancient times, even after a long search. If in your heart there is no faith, and if you think that this platform is too difficult to attain, then please abandon all these misconceptions and take shelter of Navadvipa (Gaura’s city) by residing there.

 

vrindavana navadvipa abheda-svarupa, bhinna satakeo bhasha lipi eka rupa;

gaura-dhama-mahima visesha tabu jani, ‘nadiya-satake’ bali kichu bhinna vani.[102]

 

“Because the two abodes Navadvipa and Vrindavana are nondifferent, in some of these 100 verses I have described them as the same place. Still, in other verses I have specifically described the extraordinary glories of Navadvipa, Lord Gauranga’s transcendental abode.”

 

iti shri shri navadvipa-satakera padyanubada samapta

 

Thus ends the Bengali versification of Shrila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Shri Shri Navadvipa-sataka, by Shrila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura.