Çaraëägati
“Surrendered to the Lord’s Shelter” 

Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda

Introductory Song
First Principle of Surrender:
Dainya, Humility
Second Principle of Surrender:
Ätma-Nivedana, Dedication of the Self
Third Principle of Surrender:
Goptåtve-Varaëa,
Acceptance of the Lord as Sole Maintainer
Fourth Principle of Surrender:
`Avaçya Rakñibe Kåñëa’—Viçväsa, Pälana:
Faith in Kåñëa as Protector
Fifth Principle of Surrender:
Bhakti-Pratiküla-Bhäva Varjanäìgékära: Renunciation of Conduct Unfavorable to Pure Devotion
Svékara:
Acceptance of Activities Favorable to Pure Devotion
Bhajana-Lälasä:
Hankering for Divine Service
Siddhi-Lälasä:
Hankering for Spiritual Perfection
Çré Näma-Mähätmya:
The Glories of the Holy Name

by Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura
—originally published in 1893—
50 Bengali songs outlining the six-fold process of submissive surrender unto the Supreme Lord
translation by Daçaratha-suta däsa
Dedicated to His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedänta Swami Prabhupäda
who fulfilled the predictions of Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura
by making Krishna Consciousness available
to the entire world
Introductory Song
Introductory Song
(1)
çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu jéve doyä kori’
swa-pärñada swéya dhäma saha avatari’
1) Çré Kåñëa Caitanya 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 koribäre däna
çikhäya çaraëägati bhakatera präna
2) In order to freely distribute the gift of ecstatic love of God, which is very difficult to obtain, He taught the path of çaraëägati, devotional surrender to the Supreme Lord. This çaraëägati is the very life of the true devotees.
(3-4)
dainya, ätma-nivedana, goptåtve varaëa
‘avaçya rakñébe kåñëa’—viçväsa, pälana
bhaki-anuküla-mätra käryera svékara
bhakti-pratiküla-bhäva varjanäìgikära
3–4) The six ways of surrender through çaraëägati are (1) dainya—humility, (2) ätma-nivedana—dedication of the self, (3) goptåtve varaëa—acceptance of the Lord as one’s only maintainer, (4) the consciousness of `avaçya rakñibe kåñëa’—`Kåñëa will surely protect me’—which is viçväsa (faith) in Kåñëa’s pälana (protection), (5) bhaki-anuküla-mätra käryera svékara—execution of only those acts favorable to pure devotion, and (6) bhakti-pratiküla-bhäva varjanäìgikära—renunciation of conduct adverse to pure devotion.
(5)
ñaò-aìga çaraëägati hoibe jähära
tähära prärthanä çune çré-nanda-kumära
5) Çré Nanda-Kumära, the youthful son of Nanda Mahäräja, hears the prayers of anyone who takes refuge in Him by this six-fold practice of surrender.
(6)
rüpa-sanätana-pade dante tåëa kori’
bhakativinoda poòe duhuì pada dhori’
6) Bhaktivinoda prostrates himself at the feet of Çré Rüpa and Çré Sanätana Goswämé, places a straw between his teeth, and clasps their lotus feet with his hands.
(7)
käìdiyä käìdiyä bole ämi to’ adhama
çikhäye çaraëägati 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 çaraëägati!”
First Principle of Surrender: Dainya
Humility
—7 songs—
First Principle of Surrender: Dainya
Humility
- Seven Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
bhuliyä tomäre, saàsäre äsiyä,
peye nänä-vidha byathä
tomära caraëe,  äsiyächi ämi,
bolibo duùkhera kathä
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)
janané-jaöhare,  chiläma jakhona,
biñama bandhana-päçe
eka-bära prabhu!  dekhä diyä more,
vaïcile e déna däse
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 bhävinu,  janama päiyä,
koribo bhajana tava
janama hoilo,  poòi’ mäyä-jäle,
nä hoilo jïäna-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)
ädarera chele,  swa-janera kole,
häsiyä käöänu käla
janaka-janané-  snehete bhuliyä,
saàsära lägilo bhälo
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,  bälaka hoiyä,
khelinu bälaka-saha
ära kichu dine,  jïäna upajilo,
päöha poòi ahar-ahaù
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)
vidyära gaurave,  bhrami’ deçe deçe,
dhana uparjana kori
swa-jana pälana,  kori eka-mane,
bhulinu tomäre, 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)
bärdhakye ekhona,  bhakativinoda,
käìdiyä kätara ati
nä bhajiyä tore,  dina båthä 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
Song 2
(1)
vidyära viläse,  käöäinu käla,
parama sähase ämi
tomära caraëa,  nä bhajinu kabhu,
ekhona çaraëa 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)
poòite poòite,  bharasä bärilo,
jïäne gati habe mäni’
se äçä biphala,  se jïäna durbala,
se jïäna ajïäna jäni
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)
jaòa-vidyä jata,  mäyära vaibhava,
tomära bhajane bädhä
moha janamiyä,  anitya saàsäre,
jévake koraye gädhä
3) All the so-called knowledge of this world is born of the flickering potency of Your illusory energy (mäyä). 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 gädhä ho’ye,  saàsärera bojhä,
bahinu aneka käla
bärdhakye ekhona,  çaktira abhäve,
kichu nähi läge bhälo
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)
jévana jätanä,  hoilo ekhona,
se vidyä avidyä bhelo
avidyära jwälä,  ghaöilo biñama,
se vidyä hoilo çelo
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)
tomära caraëa,  binä kichu dhana,
saàsäre nä äche ära
bhakativinoda,  jaòa-vidyä chäòi,’
tuwä pada kore sära
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
Song 3
(1)
jauvane jakhona,  dhana-upärjane,
hoinu vipula kämé
dharama smariyä,  gåhinéra kara,
dhorinu takhona ämi
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)
saàsära pätä’ye,  tähära sahita,
käla-khoy koinu koto
bahu suta-sutä,  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)
saàsärera bhära,  bäòe dine dine,
acala hoilo gati
bärdhakya äsiyä,  gherilo ämäre,
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)
péòäya asthira,  cintäya jwarita,
abhäve jwalita cita
upäya nä dekhi,  andhakära-moya,
ekhona ho’yechi bhéta
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)
saàsära-taöané-  srota nahe çeña,
maraëa nikaöe ghora
saba samäpiyä,  bhojibo tomäya,
e äçä 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 çuno prabhu!  ämi gati-héna,
bhakativinoda koya
tava kåpä binä,  sakali niräçä,
deho’ more padäçroya
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
Song 4
(1)
ämära jévana,  sadä päpe rata,
nähiko punyera leña
parere udvega,  diyächi je koto,
diyächi jévere kleça
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 lägi’,  päpe nähi òori,
doyä-héna swärtha-paro
para-sukhe duùkhé,  sadä mithya-bhäñé,
para-duùkha 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)
açeña kämanä,  hådi mäjhe mora,
krodhé, dambha-paräyana
mada-matta sadä,  viñaye mohita,
hiàsä-garva vibhüñana
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)
nidrälasya hata,  sukärye virata,
akärye udyogé ämi
pratiñöha lägiyä,  çäöhya-äcaraëa,
lobha-hata sadä kämé
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,
aparädhi nirantara
çubha-kärya-çünya,  sadänartha-manäù,
nänä duùkhe 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)
bärdhakye ekhona,  upäya-vihéna,
tä’te déna akiïcana
bhakativinoda,  prabhura caraëe,
kore duùkha 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
Song 5
(1)
(prabhu he!) çuno mor duùkher kähiné
viñaya-halähala,  sudhä-bhäne piyaluì,
äb avasäna dinamaëi
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)
khelä-rase çaiçava,  poòhaite kaiçora,
gowäoluì, nä bhelo vivek
bhoga-baçe yauvane,  ghara päti’ bosiluì,
suta-mita bäòhalo 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)
våddha-käla äolo,  saba sukha bhägalo,
péòä-baçe hoinu kätar
sarvendriya durbala,  kñéna kalevara,
bhogäbhäve duùkhita 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)
jïäna-lava-héna,  bhakti-rase vaïchita,
ära mora ki habe upäy
patita-bandhu, tuhuì,  patitädhama häma,
kåpäya uöhäo tava päy
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)
vicärite äbahi,  guna nähi päobi,
kåpä koro, choòato vicär
tava pada-paìkaja-  sédhu pibäoto,
bhakativinoda karo pär
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
Song 6
(1)
(prabhu he!) tuwä pade e minati mor
tuwä pada-pallava,  tyajato maru-mana,
viñama viñaye 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)
uöhayite täkata,  puna nähi milo-i,
anudina korohuì hutäç
déna-jana-nätha,  tuhuì kahäyasi,
tumäri caraëa mama äç
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 déna-jana,  kohi nähi milo-i,
tuhuì more koro parasäd
tuwä jana-saìge,  tuwä kathä-raìge,
chäòahuì sakala paramäd
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)
tuwä dhäma-mähe,  tuwä näma gäoto,
gowäyabuì divä-niçi äç
tuwä pada-chäyä,  parama suçétala,
mäge bhakativinoda däs
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
Song 7
(1)
(prabhu he!)
emona durmati,  saàsära bhitore,
poòiyä ächinu ämi
tava nija-jana,  kono mahäjane,
päöhäiyä 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)
doyä kori’ more,  patita dekhiyä,
kohilo ämäre giyä
ohe déna-jana,  çuno bhälo kathä,
ullasita ha’be hiyä
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)
tomäre tärite,  çré-kåñëa-caitanya,
navadwépe avatär
tomä heno koto,  déna héna jane,
korilena bhava-pär
3) “Çré Kåñëa Caitanya has appeared in the land of Navadvépa in order to deliver you. He has safely conducted many miserable souls such as you across the sea of worldly existence.
(4)
vedera pratijïä,  räkhibära tare,
rukma-varna vipra-suta
mahäprabhu näme,  nadéyä mätäya,
saìge bhäi avadhüta
4) “To fulfill the promise of the Vedas, the son of a brähmana, of golden complexion and bearing the name of Mahäprabhu, has descended along with His brother, the avadhüta. Together They have overwhelmed all of Nadéyä with divine ecstasy.*
(5)
nanda-suta jini,  caitanya gosäi,
nija-näma kori’ dän
tärilo jagat,  tumi-o jäiyä,
loho nija-pariträn
5) “Çré Caitanya Gosäi, who is Kåñëa 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 kathä çuniyä,  äsiyächi, nätha!
tomära caraëa-tale
bhakativinoda,  käìdiyä käìdiyä,
äpana-kähiné 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.
Second Principle of Surrender: Ätma-Nivedana
Dedication of the Self
—8 songs—
Second Principle of Surrender: Ätma-Nivedana
Dedication of the Self
- Eight Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
nä koroluì karama,  geyäna nähi bhelo,
nä sevilun caraëa tohär
jaòa-sukhe mätiyä,  äpanaku vaïca-i,
pekhahuì caudiça ändhiyär
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)
tuhuì nätha! karunä-nidän
tuwä pada-paìkaje,  ätma samarpiluì,
more kåpä korobi vidhän
2) You, O Lord, are the fountainhead of all mercy. I surrender myself at Your lotus feet; kindly show me Your compassion.
(3)
pratijïä tohära oi,  jo hi çaraëägata,
nähi so jänabo paramäd
so häma duñkåti,  gati nä hera-i äna,
äb mägoì tuwä parasäd
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)
äna mano-ratha,  niùçeña choòato,
kab häma haubuì tohärä
nitya-sevya tuhuì,  nitya-sevaka mui,
bhakativinoda bhäva särä
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
Song 2
(1)
(präneçwar!) kohobuì ki sarama ki bät
aichana päp nähi,  jo häma nä koraluì,
sahasra sahasra beri näth
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 peça-i,
dokha deobo äb kähi
takhonaka parinäm,  kachu nä bicäraluì,
äb pachu taraite cähi
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 vicära-i,  tuìhu danòa deobi,
häma bhoga korabuì saàsär
karato gatägati,  bhakata-jana-saìge,
mati rohu caraëe tohär
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)
äpana caturpana,  tuwä pade soìpaluì,
hådoya-garava düre gelo
déna-doyä-moya,  tuwä kåpä niramala,
bhakativinoda äçä 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
Song 3
(1)
mänasa, deho, geho, jo kichu mor
arpiluì tuwä pade, nanda-kiçor!
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, jévane-maraëe
däy mama gelä, tuwä o-pada varaëe
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)
märobi räkhobi jo icchä tohära
nitya-däsa prati tuwä adhikära
3) Slay me or protect me as You wish, for You have full authority over Your eternal servant.
(4)
janmäobi moe icchä jadi tor
bhakta-gåhe 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)
kéöa-janma hau jathä tuwä däs
bahir-mukha brahmä-janme nähi äç
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 Brahmä averse to You.*
(6)
bhukti-mukti-spåhä vihéna je bhakta
labhaite täìko saìga anurakta
6) I yearn for the company of that devotee who is completely devoid of all desire for worldly enjoyment or liberation.
(7)
janaka, janané, dayita, tanay
prabhu, guru, pati—tuhü sarva-moy
7) Father, mother, lover, son, Lord, preceptor, and husband—You are everything to me.
(8)
bhakativinoda kohe, çuno käna!
rädhä-nätha! tuhuì hämära paräna
8) Bhaktivinoda says, “O Käna, please hear me! O Lord of Rädhä, You are my life and soul!”
Song 4
Song 4
(1)
`ahaà mama’-çabda-arthe jähä kichu hoy
arpiluì tomära pade, ohe doyä-moy!
1) All there is that may be indicated by the words aham (“I”) and mama (“mine”), I offer at Your lotus feet, O merciful Lord!
(2)
`ämära’ ämi to’ nätha! nä rohinu är
ekhona hoinu ämi kevala tomär
2) I no longer consider even myself to be “mine”, O Lord! Now I have become exclusively Yours.
(3)
`ämi’ çabde dehé jéva ahaàtä chäòilo
twadéyäbhimäna äji hådoye paçilo
3) The soul inhabiting this mortal body has given up the false ego attached to the word “I”, for today the spiritual sense of being Yours has entered his heart.
(4)
ämär sarvasva—deho, geho anucar
bhäi, bandhu, därä, suta, dravya, dwära, ghar
4) All my possessions—body, home, servants, brothers, friends, wife, sons, personal belongings, fencing and gateways…
(5)
se saba hoilo tava, ämi hoinu däs
tomära gåhete ebe ämi kori bäs
5) …all of these things are now Yours, for I have become Your servant. I am but a mere occupant in Your house.
(6)
tumi gåha-swämé, ämi sevaka tomär
tomära sukhete ceñöä ekhona ämär
6) You are the owner of the house, and I am Your most obedient servant. My only activity now is endeavoring for Your happiness.
(7)
sthüla-liìga-dehe mora sukåta duñkåta
ära mora nahe, prabhu! ämi to’ niñkåta
7) Whatever pious or impious activities that were performed by me, either with my gross or subtle bodies, are no longer mine, O Lord, for I am redeemed!
(8)
tomära icchäya mora icchä miçäilo
bhakativinoda äja äpane bhulilo
8) My will has become merged with Your will. From this day forward Bhaktivinoda has completely for-gotten himself.
Song 5
Song 5
(1)
`ämära’ bolite prabhu! äre kichu näi
tumi-i ämära mätra pitä-bandhu-bhäi
1) O Lord, nothing further remains that may be called “mine.” Father, friend, brother—You alone are all these to me.
(2)
bandhu, därä, suta, sutä—tava däsé däs
sei to’ sambandhe sabe ämära prayäs
2) My friends, wife, sons and daughters are now Your servants and maidservants. Whatever care I take for them is only as they are related to You.
(3)
dhana, jana, gåha, dära `tomära’ boliyä
rakhä kori ämi mätro sevaka hoiyä
3) Declaring that my wealth, family members, home, and wife are truly Yours, I continue as a mere servant to dutifully protect them.
(4)
tomära käryera tore uparjibo dhan
tomära saàsäre-vyaya koribo vahan
4) For the purpose of Your service I will earn money and bear the expense of maintaining Your household.
(5)
bhälo-manda nähi jäni sevä mätro kori
tomära saàsäre ämi viñaya-praharé
5) I know nothing of what is good or bad; I simply render my service. I am but a watchman set to guard the properties of Your household.
(6)
tomära icchäya mora indriya-cälanä
çravana, darçana, ghräna, bhojana-väsanä
6) I exercise my senses only according to Your direction, and thus I desire to hear, see, smell, and taste.
(7)
nija-sukha lägi’ kichu nähi kori är
bhakativinoda bole, tava sukha-sär
7) I no longer do anything for my own pleasure. Bhaktivinoda says, “Your pleasure is the essence of everything.”
Song 6
Song 6
(1)
bastutaù sakali tava, jéva keho noy
`aham’-`mama’-bhrame bhromi’ bhoge çoka-bhoy
1) In truth, all things belong to You; no jéva is ever the owner of anything. The tiny soul wanders in this world mistakenly thinking in terms of aham (“I am this material body and mind”), and mama (“everything related to this body is mine”). Thus he suffers the consequences of both sorrow and fear.
(2)
ahaà-mama-abhimäna ei-mätro dhan
baddha-jéva nija boli’ jäne mane man
2) The conditioned soul thinks that all the things related to the false conceptions of “I” and “mine” are his exclusive treasures. Calling them his own, his mind is firmly convinced of this gross delusion.
(3)
sei abhimäne ämi saàsäre poòiyä
häbuòubu khäi bhava-sindhu säìtäriyä
3) Due to such vanity, I also fell into this material world. Floundering in the ocean of mundane existence like a drowning man, I suffer the pangs of rising and sinking in that ocean.
(4)
tomära abhoya-pade loiyä çaraë
äji ämi koriläma ätma-nivedan
4) I take shelter at Your lotus feet, which deliver one from fear, and dedicate the whole of myself to You on this day.
(5)
`ahaà’-`mama’-abhimäna chäòilo ämäy
är jeno mama håde stäna nähi päy
5) The false conception of thinking in terms of “I” and “mine” has left me now. May it never again find a place to settle within my heart.
(6)
ei mätro bala prabhu! dibe he ämäre
ahaàtä-mamatä düre päri räkhibäre
6) Please give me this strength alone, O Lord, that I may be able to keep the false conceptions of “I” and “mine” far away.
(7)
ätma-nivedana-bhäva håde dåòha roy
hasti-snäna sama jeno khanika nä hoy
7) May the mood of self-surrender to You remain firmly fixed in my heart and not prove to be momentary like the cleanliness of an elephant after a bath.
(8)
bhakativinoda prabhu nityänanda päy
mäge parasäda, jähe abhimäna jäy
8) Bhaktivinoda begs at the lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda for that grace which causes all illusory concepts of false pride to flee.
Song 7
Song 7
(1)
nivedana kori prabhu! tomära caraëe
patita adhama ämi, jäne tri-bhuvane
1) I submit at Your lotus feet, O Lord, that I am fallen and most wretched. This fact is known to the three worlds.
(2)
ämä-sama päpé nähi jagat-bhitore
mama sama aparädhé nähiko saàsäre
2) There is no sinner in the world more sinful than me. In the entire universe there is no offender whose offenses equal mine.
(3)
sei saba päpa ära aparädha, ämi
parihäre päi lajjä, saba jäno’ tumi
3) By attempting to clear myself of all these sins and offenses I am put to shame. All this is surely understood by You.
(4)
tumi binä kä’ra ämi loibo çaraë?
tumi sarveçvareçvara, brajendra-nandan!
4) Of whom will I take shelter except for You? You are the Lord of all lords, O son of the King of Vraja!
(5)
jagat tomära nätha! tumi sarva-moy
tomä prati aparädha tumi koro’ kñoy
5) This world is Yours, O Lord, and You pervade all things in it. You dispel the sinful result of offenses committed against You.
(6)
tumi to’ skhalita-pada janera äçroy
tumi binä ära kibä äche, doyä-moy!
6) You alone are the shelter of those whose feet stumble off the proper path. Apart from You, what else exists, O merciful Lord?
(7)
sei-rüpa tava aparädhé jana jata
tomära çaraëägata hoibe satata
7) All persons like me who have offended You will ultimately seek to achieve Your shelter.
(8)
bhakativinoda ebe loiyä çaraë
tuwä pade kore äj ätma-samarpan
8) Bhaktivinoda now takes full shelter of You and surrenders himself at Your lotus feet on this very day.
Song 8
Song 8
(1)
ätma-nivedana,  tuwä pade kori’,
hoinu parama sukhé
duùkha düre gelo,  cintä nä rohilo,
caudike änanda dekhi
1) I have become supremely happy by surrendering myself at Your lotus feet. Sorrow has gone far away, and there are no more cares. All I see is joy in the four directions.
(2)
açoka-abhoya,  amåta-ädhära,
tomära caraëa-dwaya
tähäte ekhona,  viçräma labhiyä
chäòinu bhavera bhoya
2) Your two lotus feet are reservoirs of immortal nectar that grant freedom from both sorrow and fear. Resting in them I have found peace, and have completely given up the fear of worldly existence.
(3)
tomära saàsäre,  koribo sevana,
nähibo phalera bhägé
tava sukha jähe,  koribo jatana,
ho’ye pade anurägé
3) I shall render service in Your household and never endeavor to enjoy the fruits of that service. Rather, I shall strive for whatever pleases You, being fully enamored by Your lotus feet.
(4)
tomära seväya,  duùkha hoya jato,
se-o to’ parama sukha
sevä-sukha-duùkha,  parama sampada,
näçaye avidyä-duùkha
4) All the troubles encountered in Your service shall be the cause of great happiness, for in Your devotional service joy and sorrow are equally great riches. Both destroy the misery of ignorance.
(5)
pürva itihäsa,  bhulinu sakala,
sevä-sukha pe’ye mane
ämi to’ tomära,  tumi to’ ämära,
ki käja apara dhane
5) I have completely forgotten all of my past history by feeling in my mind the great joy of Your service. I am indeed Yours, and You are truly mine. What need is there of any other treasure?
(6)
bhakativinoda,  änande òubiyä,
tomära sevära tare
saba ceñöä kore,  tava icchä-mato,
thäkiyä tomära ghare
6) Bhaktivinoda sinks deeply into the ocean of pure bliss by engaging in Your service. He devotes all his efforts according to Your wishes while living in Your house.
Third Principle of Surrender: Goptåtve-Varaëa
Acceptance of the Lord as Sole Maintainer
—4 songs—
Third Principle of Surrender: Goptåtve-Varaëa
Acceptance of the Lord as Sole Maintainer
- Four Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
ki jäni ki bale,  tomära dhämete,
hoinu çaraëägata
tumi doyä-moy,  patita-pävana,
patita-täraëe rata
1) By what personal understanding or by what power has one such as I come into Your shelter? Surely it is by Your mercy alone, for as Doyä-moy and Patita-pävana You are ever engaged in the deliverance of the fallen souls.
(2)
bharasä ämära,  ei mätra nätha!
tumi to’ karunä-moy
tava doyä-pätra,  nähi mora sama,
avaçya ghucäbe bhoy
2) My only hope, O Lord, is that You are full of compassion and mercy. There is no one more in need of Your mercy than I. You will surely drive away all my fears.
(3)
ämäre tärite,  kähäro çakati,
avané-bhitore nähi
doyäla öhäkura!  ghoñanä tomära,
adhama pämare trähi
3) No one else in the world has the power to rescue me. O merciful Lord! By Your decree, kindly deliver this vile and lowly sinner!
(4)
sakala chäòiyä,  äsiyächi ämi,
tomära caraëe nätha!
ämi nitya-däsa,  tumi pälayitä,
tumi goptä, jagannätha!
4) I have given up everything and come to Your lotus feet, O Lord. I am Your eternal servant, and You are the maintainer. You are my sole protector, O Lord of the universe!
(5)
tomära sakala,  ämi mätra däsa,
ämära täribe tumi
tomära caraëa,  korinu varaëa,
ämära nähi to’ ämi
5) Everything is Yours. I am merely Your menial servant, so it is certain that You will deliver me. I have chosen Your lotus feet as my only shelter. I no longer belong to myself.
(6)
bhakativinoda,  käìdiyä çaraëa,
lo’yeche tomära päy
kñami’ aparädha,  näme ruci diyä,
pälana korohe täy
6) Bhaktivinoda weeps as he humbly takes takes shelter at Your feet. Forgiving all his offenses, affording him a taste for the holy name, oh kindly maintain him!
Song 2
Song 2
(1)
därä-putra-nija-deho-kuöumba-pälane
sarvadä vyäkula ämi chinu mane mane
1) Within my mind I have always been anxious for the maintenance of my wife and children, my own body and relatives.
(2)
kemone arjibo artha, yaça kise päbo
kanyä-putra-viväha kemone sampädibo
2) How will I earn money? How will I acquire fame? How will I arrange the marriages of my sons and daughters?
(3)
ebe ätma-samarpane cintä nähi är
tumi nirvähibe prabhu, saàsära tomär
3) Now, through self-surrender, I have been relieved of all anxiety. O Lord, surely You will provide for the maintenance of Your own household.
(4)
tumi to’ pälibe more nija-däsa jäni’
tomära seväya prabhu boòo sukha mäni
4) Recognizing me as Your own servant, You will certainly maintain me. While rendering devotional service unto You I feel the greatest happiness.
(5)
tomära icchaya prabhu sab kärya hoy
jéva bole,—`kori ämi’, se to’ satya noy
5) All events take place only by Your will, O Lord. The deluded soul of this world declares “I am the doer!” but this is pure folly.
(6)
jéva ki korite pare, tumi nä korile?
äçä-mätra jéva kore, tava icchä-phale
6) What is a tiny soul actually able to do unless You act? The jéva can only desire to act, and unless You fulfill his desire by Your own sweet will, he cannot do anything.
(7)
niçcinta hoiyä ämi sevibo tomäy
gåhe bhälo-manda ho’le nähi mora däy
7) Being free from all anxiety, I will humbly render service unto You. If any good or evil should occur while serving in Your home, it will not be my responsibility.
(8)
bhakativinoda nija-swätantrya tyajiyä
tomära caraëa seve’ akiïcana hoiyä
8) Bhaktivinoda thus completely renounces his own independence and engages in the exclusive service of Your lotus feet with no other interest in life.
Song 3
Song 3
(1)
sarvasva tomär,  caraëe saàpiyä,
poòechi tomära ghare
tumi to’ öhäkur,  tomära kukur,
boliyä jänaho more
1) Now that I have surrendered all that I possess unto Your lotus feet, I throw myself down before Your house. You are the master of the house; kindly consider me Your own dog.
(2)
bäìdhiyä nikaöe,  ämäre pälibe,
rohibo tomära dwäre
pratépa-janere,  äsite nä dibo,
räkhibo gaòera päre
2) Chaining me nearby, You will maintain me, and I shall lie at Your doorstep. I will not allow Your enemies to enter, but will keep them outside the bounds of the surrounding moat.
(3)
tava nija-jana,  prasäd seviyä,
ucchiñöa räkhibe jähä
ämära bhojan,  parama-änande,
prati-din ha’be tähä
3) Whatever food remnants Your devotees leave behind after honoring Your prasäd will be my daily sustenance. I will feast on those remnants in great bliss.
(4)
bosiyä çuiyä,  tomära caraëa,
cintibo satata ämi
näcite näcite,  nikaöe jäibo,
jakhona òäkibe tumi
4) While sitting up or lying down, I will constantly meditate on Your lotus feet. Whenever You call, I will immediately run to You and dance in rapture.
(5)
nijera poñana,  kabhu nä bhävibo,
rohibo bhävera bhore
bhakativinoda,  tomäre pälaka,
boliyä varaëa kore
5) I will never think for my own nourishment, and will remain absorbed in ever cherishing love for my Master. Bhaktivinoda now accepts You as his only maintainer.
Song 4
Song 4
(1)
tumi sarveçvareçvara, brajendra-kumära!
tomära icchäya viçve såjana saàhära
1) O youthful son of the King of Vraja, You are Lord of all lords. According to Your will, creation and destruction take place in the universe.
(2)
tava icchä-mato brahmä korena såjana
tava icchä-mato viñnu korena pälana
2) According to Your will Lord Brahmä creates, and according to Your will Lord Viñnu maintains.
(3)
tava icchä-mate çiva korena saàhära
tava icchä-mate mäyä såje kärägära
3) According to Your will Lord Çiva destroys, and according to Your will Mäyä constructs the prison house of this world.
(4)
tava icchä-mate jéver janama-maraëa
samåddhi-nipäte duùkha sukha-saàghaöana
4) According to Your will the living beings take birth and die, and according to Your will they meet with prosperity and ruin, happiness and sorrow.
(5)
miche mäyä-baddha jéva äçä-päçe phire’
tava icchä binä kichu korite nä päre
5) The tiny soul bound up by Mäyä vainly struggles in the fetters of worldly desire. Without Your sanction he is unable to do anything.
(6)
tumi to’ räkhaka är pälaka ämära
tomära caraëa binä äçä nähi ära
6) You are my only protector and maintainer. Except for Your lotus feet there is no other hope for me.
(7)
nija-bala-ceñöä-prati bharasä chäòiyä
tomära icchäya ächi nirbhara koriyä
7) No longer confident of my own strength and endeavor, I have become solely dependent on Your will.
(8)
bhakativinoda ati déna akiïcana
tomära icchäya tä’r jévana maraëa
8) Bhaktivinoda is most poor, and his pride has been leveled. Now in accordance with Your will he lives and dies.
Fourth Principle of Surrender:`Avaçya Rakñibe Kåñëa’—Viçväsa, Pälana
Faith in Kåñëa as Protector
—4 songs—
Fourth Principle of Surrender:`Avaçya Rakñibe Kåñëa’—Viçväsa, Pälana
Faith in Kåñëa as Protector
- Four Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
ekhona bujhinu prabhu! tomära caraëa
açokäbhoyämåta-pürna sarva-khana
1) Now I have understood, O Lord, that Your feet are eternally full of sweet nectar that dispels all sorrow and fear.*
(2)
sakala chäòiyä tuwä caraëa-kamale
poòiyächi ämi nätha! tava pada-tale
2) Surrendering myself and all I possess unto those lotus feet, I have laid myself down submissively under their shelter.
(3)
tava päda-padma näth! rokhibe ämäre
är rakhä-kartä nähi e bhava-saàsäre
3) Your lotus feet, O Lord, will certainly shelter me. There are no other protectors in this world of birth and death.
(4)
ämi tava nitya-däsa—jäninu e-bära
ämära pälana-bhära ekhona tomära
4) At last I know myself to be Your eternal servant. Now the burden of my maintenance is exclusively Yours.
(5)
baòo duùkha päiyächi swatantra jévane
duùkha düre gelo o pada-varaëe
5) In my life of independence from You, I have experienced nothing but misery. But now, upon accepting those feet of Yours, all my miseries have been cast far away.
(6)
je-pada lägiyä ramä tapasya korilä
je-pada päiyä çiva çivatwa lobhilä
6) Desiring a place at Your lotus feet the goddess of fortune performed difficult austerities. Only after receiving Your feet did Lord Çiva attain his çivatva, or quality of auspiciousness.
(7)
je-pada labhiyä brahmä kåtärtha hoilä
je-pada närada muni hådoye dhorilä
7) Upon obtaining Your feet Lord Brahmä had his desires fulfilled. Your feet are always held by the great sage Närada Muni within his heart.
(8)
sei se abhoya pada çirete dhoriyä
parama-änande näci pada-guna gäiyä
8) I now hold on my head those very same lotus feet, which drive away all fear, while I dance in great ecstasy, singing their glories.
(9)
saàsära-vipada ho’te avaçya uddhär
bhakativinoda, o-pada koribe tomär
9) Your lotus feet will surely deliver Bhaktivinoda from the dangerous perils of this worldly journey.
Song 2
Song 2
(1)
tumi to’ märibe järe,  ke täre räkhite päre,
icchä-baça tribhuvan
brahmä-ädi deva-gaëa,  tava däsa aganaëa,
kore tava äjïära pälan
1) If You wish to slay someone, then who could possibly protect them? The three worlds are subservient to Your will. The demigods headed by Lord Brahmä are Your countless servants who stand ready to execute Your command.
(2)
tava icchä-mate jata,  graha-gaëa avirata,
çubhäçubha phala kore dän
roga-çoka-måti-bhoy,  tava icchä-mate hoy,
tava äjïä sadä balavän
2) By Your will the planets incessantly exercise their auspicious or inauspicious influences. Illness, grief, death, and fear occur by Your will. Your command is all-powerful.
(3)
tava bhoye väyu boy,  candra sürya samudoy,
swa-swa niyamita karya kore
tumi to’ parameçwar,  para-brahma parätpar,
tava bäsa bhakata-antare
3) In fear of You the wind blows, the sun and moon rise and set, all performing their regulated tasks. You are the Supreme Lord, the ultimate spirit, transcendentally situated beyond even the beyond. Your residence is in the heart of Your loving devotee.
(4)
sadä-çuddha siddha-käma,  `bhakata-vatsala’ näma,
bhakata-janera nitya-swämé
tumi to’ räkhibe järe,  ke täre märite päre,
sakala vidhira vidhi tumi
4) You are eternally pure. All Your desires are already fulfilled. Your name is Bhakta-vatsala, for You are the eternally affectionate Lord of Your dear devotees. If You wish to protect someone, then who could possibly slay them? You are the law of all laws.
(5)
tomära caraëe nätha!  koriyäche pranipäta,
bhakativinoda tava däs
vipada hoite swämé!  avaçya tähäre tumi,
rakñibe,—tähära e viçväs
5) Your servant Bhaktivinoda has bowed down submissively at Your lotus feet, O Lord! He cherishes the faith, O master, that You will surely protect him from all dangers.
Song 3
Song 3
(1)
ätma-samarpane gelä abhimän
nähi korobuì nija rakhä-vidhän
1) Surrendering my soul unto You has lifted from me the burden of false pride. No longer will I try to provide for my own safety.
(2)
tuwä dhana jäni’ tuhuì räkhobi, näth!
pälya godhana jïäna kori’ tuwä säth
2) I know that You will give protection to Your treasured possessions, O Lord. I now understand the mentality of Your treasured cows safely maintained by Your side.
(3)
caräobi mädhava! jämuna-tére
baàçé bäjäoto òäkobi dhére
3) When You lead Your herds to pasture, O Mädhava, on the banks of the Yamunä river, You will call to them by softly playing on Your flute.
(4)
agha-baka märato rakhä-vidhän
korobi sadä tuhuì gokula-kän!
4) By slaying great demons such as Aghäsura and Bakäsura You will always provide full protection, O Kän of the cowherd settlement!
(5)
rakhä korobi tuhuì niçcoy jäni
päna korobuì häma jämuna-päni
5) Fearless and confident of Your protection, I will drink the water of the Yamunä.
(6)
käliya-dokha korobi vinäçä
çodhobi nadé-jala, bäòäobi äçä
6) The Käliya serpent’s venom poisoned the Yamunä’s waters, yet that poison will be vanquished. You will purify the Yamunä, and by such heroic deeds enhance our faith.
(7)
piyato dävänala räkhobi mo’y
`gopäla’, `govinda’ näma tava hoy
7) You will surely protect me by swallowing the forest fire. Thus You are called Gopäla (protector of the cows) and Govinda (pleaser of the cows).
(8)
sura-pati-durmati-näça vicäri’
räkhobi varñane, giri-vara-dhäri!
8) In order to curb the malice of Indra, king of the demigods, You will protect me from his torrents of rain, O lifter of the mighty Govardhana Hill!
(9)
catur-änana korabo jab cori
rakhä korobi mujhe, gokula-hari!
9) When the four-headed Brahmä abducts me along with Your cowherd boyfriends and calves, then also You will surely protect me, O Gokula Hari!
(10)
bhakativinoda—tuwä gokula-dhan
räkhobi keçava! korato jatan
10) Bhaktivinoda is now the property of Gokula, Your holy abode. O Keçava! Kindly protect him with gentle loving care.
Song 4
Song 4
(1)
choòato puruña-abhimän
kiìkoré hoiluì äji, kän!
1) I give up the vanity of the error that I am a male. Today I have become Your faithful maidservant, O Käna!
(2)
baraja-bipine sakhé-säth
sevana korobuì, rädhä-näth!
2) In the groves of Vraja I will render personal service as a follower of one of the confidential sakhés, O Lord of Rädhä!
(3)
kusume gäìthobuì här
tulasé-maëi-maïjaré tär
3) I will string together a garland of forest flowers, in which tulasé buds shall be the jewelled pendants.
(4)
jatane deobuì sakhé-kare
häte laobo sakhé ädare
4) With utmost care I will place the garland in the hands of my superior sakhé, and she will take it out of my hands with loving regard.
(5)
sakhé dibo tuwä duhuk gale
dürato herobuì kutühale
5) Then she will place the garland around both of Your necks, while from afar I watch in wonder.
(6)
sakhé kahabo,—“çuno sundaré!
rahobi kuïje mama kiìkoré
6) The confidante will then say to me, “Listen, O beautiful one, you shall remain in this grove as my attendant.
(7)
gäìthobi mälä mano-häriné
niti rädhä-kåñëa-vimohiné
7) “Daily you will string together beautiful flower garlands that will enchant Rädhä and Kåñëa.
(8)
tuwä rakhana-bhära hämärä
mama kuïja-kuöéra tohärä
8) “The responsibility for your maintenance is mine. My cottage in this grove is yours.
(9)
rädhä-mädhava-sevana-käle
rahobi hämära antaräle
9) “When the time comes for me to go and serve Rädhä and Mädhava, you will stay close to me while remaining hidden.
(10)
tämbula säji’ karpüra äni’
deobi moe äpana jäni’ ”
10) “After dressing packets of betel nuts and fetching the camphor, you will hand them to me, knowing me to be your very own.”
(11)
bhakativinoda çuni’ bät
sakhé-pade kare pranipät
11) Bhaktivinoda, having heard all these instructions, bows down at the lotus feet of that confidential sakhé.
Fifth Principle of Surrender: Bhakti-Pratiküla-Bhäva Varjanäìgékära
Renunciation of Conduct Unfavorable to Pure Devotion
—4 songs—
Fifth Principle of Surrender: Bhakti-Pratiküla-Bhäva Varjanäìgékära
Renunciation of Conduct Unfavorable to Pure Devotion
- Four Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
keçava! tuwä jagata vicitra
karama-vipäke,  bhava-vana bhrama-i,
pekhaluì raìga bahu citra
1) O Keçava! This material creation of Yours is most strange. I have roamed throughout the forest of this universe in consequence of my selfish acts, and I have beheld many curious sights.
(2)
tuwä pada-vismåti,  ä-mara jantranä,
kleça-dahane dohi’ jäi
kapila, pataïjali,  gautama, kanabhojé,
jaimini, bauddha äowe dhäi’
2) Forgetfulness of Your lotus feet, which is bitter suffering unto death, burns me with its scorching pain. In this helpless condition my would-be saviors—the sage-philosophers Kapila, Gautama, Kanäda, Jaiminé, and Buddha—have come running to my aid.*
(3)
tab koi nija-mate,  bhukti, mukti yäcato,
päta-i nänä-vidha phäìd
so-sabu—vaïcaka,  tuwä bhakti bahir-mukha,
ghaöäowe viñama paramäd
3) Each expounds his particular view, dangling various pleasures and liberation as bait in their philosophical traps. But all of them are just bogus cheaters, being averse to Your devotional service, and are therefore a source of fatal danger.
(4)
vaimukha-vaïcane,  bhaöa so-sabu,
niramilo vividha pasär
danòavat dürato,  bhakativinoda bhelo,
bhakata-caraëa kori’ sär
4) Every one of them are cunning experts of karma, jïäna, yoga and täpa who provide various kinds of tempting bait for cheating the souls who are averse to You. Having paid his respects to these cheating philosophers from afar, Bhaktivinoda takes refuge at the feet of Your devotees as the essence of his life.
Song 2
Song 2
(1)
tuwä-bhakti-pratiküla dharma jä’te roy
parama jatane tähä tyajibo niçcoy
1) I will assuredly abandon with utmost endeavor all things in which aversion to Your devotional service is inherent.
(2)
tuwä-bhakti-bahir-mukha saìga nä koribo
gauräìga-virodhi-jana-mukha nä heribo
2) I will not keep company with those opposed to Your devotional service, nor even look at the faces of those inimical toward Lord Gauräìga.
(3)
bhakti-pratiküla sthäne nä kori vasati
bhaktira apriya kärye nähi kori rati
3) I will never reside at a place unfavorable for devotional practices, and I will never take pleasure in non-devotional activities.
(4)
bhaktira virodhé grantha päöha nä koribo
bhaktira virodhé vyäkhyä kabhu nä çunibo
4) I will read no book opposed to pure devotion, nor listen to any scriptural explanation which counters pure devotional principles.
(5)
gauräìga-varjita sthäna tértha nähi mäni
bhaktira bädhaka jïäna-karma tuccha jäni
5) I will never regard as sacred any place where Lord Gauräìga is rejected. All knowledge or action hindering pure devotional service I consider worthless.
(6)
bhaktira bädhaka käle nä kori ädar
bhakti bahir-mukha nija-jane jäni par
6) Any seasonal observance which poses obstacles to the execution of devotional service finds no favor with me, and I consider as strangers all my own relatives or family members who are averse to devotional service.
(7)
bhaktira bädhikä spåhä koribo varjan
abhakta-pradatta anna nä kori grahan
7) I will totally abandon all desires that hinder devotion, and I will never touch foodstuffs offered to me by non-devotees.
(8)
jähä kichu bhakti-pratiküla boli’ jäni
tyajibo jatane tähä, e niçcoya väné
8) I vow to carefully avoid whatever I know to be contrary to devotional service. This is a most definite proclamation.
(9)
bhakativinoda poòi’ prabhura caraëe
mägaye çakati pratikülyera varjane
9) Bhaktivinoda falls down at the feet of the Lord and begs for the strength to give up all things that are unfavorable to pure devotion.
Song 3
Song 3
(1)
viñaya-vimüòha är mäyävädé jan
bhakti-çünya duìhe präna dhare akäraë
1) One who is intoxicated by worldly affairs of sense gratification, as well as one who subscribes to impersonal philosophy, both maintain their lives uselessly, for they are devoid of devotion to You.
(2)
ei dui-saìga nätha! nä hoy ämär
prärthanä koriye ämi caraëe tomär
2) I pray at Your lotus feet, O Lord, that I may be spared the company of these two kinds of people.
(3)
se duwera madhye viñayé tabu bhälo
mäyävädé-saìga nähi mägi kono kälo
3) Yet of the two, the association of a worldly man is better. I never covet the company of a mäyävädé.
(4)
viñayé-hådoya jabe sädhu-saìga päy
anäyäse labhe bhakti bhaktera kåpäy
4) When by chance the hearts of worldly persons come into contact with Your saintly devotees, they easily attain devotion by the mercy of the devotees.
(5)
mäyäväda-doña jä’ra hådoye paçilo
kutarke hådoya tä’ra vajra-sama bhelo
5) But the heart which is penetrated by the offensive influence of impersonal philosophy becomes hard as a thunderbolt by degraded sophistry.
(6)
bhaktira swarüpa, ära `viñaya’, `äçroy’
mäyävädé `anitya’ boliyä saba koy
6) The mäyävädé declares that the true form of bhakti, its object (Çré Kåñëa), and its possessor (the devotee) are all transitory and thus illusory.
(7)
dhik tä’ra kåñëa-sevä-çravana-kértan
kåñëa-aìge vajra häne tähära stavan
7) Fie on his pretense of so-called service to Kåñëa! Fie on his pretense of engaging in so-called hearing and chanting of Kåñëa’s glories! His recitation of prayers strikes the body of Kåñëa with blows more cruel than thunderbolts.
(8)
mäyäväda sama bhakti-pratiküla näi
ataeva mäyävädé-saìga nähi cäi
8) There is no philosophy in the world as antagonistic to devotional service as the impersonal mäyäväda philosophy. Therefore I do not ever desire the association of the mäyävädé.
(9)
bhakativinoda mäyäväda düra kori
vaiñëava-saìgete baise nämäçraya dhori’
9) Bhaktivinoda drives away the philosophy of impersonalism and sits safely in the society of Vaiñëavas under the shelter of Your holy name.
Song 4
Song 4
(1)
ämi to’ swänanda-sukhada-bäsé
rädhikä-mädhava-caraëa-däsé
1) Oh I am a resident of Svänanda-sukhada-kuïja, and a maidservant of the lotus feet of Rädhikä and Mädhava.
(2)
duìhära milane änanda kori
duìhära viyoge duùkhete mari
2) I happily rejoice at the union of the Divine Couple, and in Their separation I die in utter anguish.
(3)
sakhé-sthalé nähi heri nayane
dekhile çaibyäke paraye mane
3) I never look at the area in Vraja called Sakhé-sthalé where Candrävalé and her friends live. If I were to see that place it reminds me of Candrävalé’s sharp-tongued gopé friend named Çaibyä.
(4)
je-je pratiküla candrära sakhé
präne duùkha päi tähäre dekhi’
4) I feel pain in my heart whenever I happen to catch sight of Candrävalé’s proud girlfriends, for they are all inimical to Rädhä’s camp.
(5)
rädhikä-kuïja äìdhära kori’
loite cähe se rädhära hari
5) Candrävalé wants to take away Rädhä’s Lord Hari, thus causing the love-grove of Rädhikä to be overcast with the darkness of gloom.
(6)
çré-rädhä-govinda-milana-sukha
pratiküla-jana nä heri mukha
6) I never look at the faces of those who wish to obstruct the joy of the union of Çré Rädhä and Govinda.
(7)
rädhä-pratiküla jateka jana-
sambhäñane kabhu nä hoy mana
7) Nor do I find any pleasure in conversing with those who are members of a camp opposed to Rädhä.
(8)
bhakativinoda çré-rädhä-caraëe
saìpeche paräna atéva jatane
8) Bhaktivinoda has entrusted his soul with great care unto the lotus feet of Çrématé Rädhäräëé.Sixth Principle of Surrender: Bhakti-Anuküla-Mätra Käryera
Svékara
Acceptance of Activities Favorable to Pure Devotion
—4 songs—
Svékara
Acceptance of Activities Favorable to Pure Devotion
- Four Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
tuwä-bhakti-anuküla je-je kärya hoy
parama-jatane tähä koribo niçcoy
1) I will surely execute with utmost care those activities favorable to Your pure devotional service.
(2)
bhakti-anuküla jata viñaya saàsäre
koribo tähäte rati indriyera dwäre
2) I will feel fondness for those things in this world which are conducive to pure devotion, and with my senses I will engage them in Your service.
(3)
çunibo tomära kathä jatana koriyä
dekhibo tomära dhäma nayana bhoriyä
3) I will carefully listen to all discussions concerning You, and the satisfaction of my eyes will be to behold Your divine abode.
(4)
tomära prasäde deho koribo poñan
naivedya-tulasé-ghräna koribo grahan
4) I will nourish my body with the sacred remnants of Your food, and I will smell the sweet scent of tulasé leaves adorning those offerings.
(5)
kara-dwäre koribo tomära sevä sadä
tomära vasati-sthale basibo sarvadä
5) With my hands I will always execute Your service, and I will forever dwell at that place where You abide.
(6)
tomära seväya käma niyoga koribo
tomära vidveñi-jane krodha dekhäibo
6) I will employ my desires in Your devotional service, and will show my anger to those who are envious of You.
(7)
ei-rüpe sarva-våtti ära sarva-bhäva
tuwä anuküla hoye labhuka prabhäva
7) In this way, may all of my propensities and emotions earn spiritual potency by being favorably dovetailed in Your interest.
(8)
tuwä bhakta-anuküla jähä jähä kori
tuwä bhakti-anuküla boli’ tähä dhori
8) Anything I do which gives pleasure to Your devotee I will embrace as conducive to Your devotional service.
(9)
bhakativinoda nähi jäne dharmädharma
bhakti-anuküla tära hau saba karma
9) Bhaktivinoda knows neither religion nor irreligion. He simply prays that all his activities be favorable for pure devotion unto You.
Song 2
Song 2
(1)
godruma-dhäme bhajana-anuküle
mäthura-çré-nandéçvara-samatule
1) In the land of Godruma in Navadvépa, which is very conducive for performing devotional worship of the Supreme Lord, and which is non-different from the sacred place in Vraja called Nandagräm in the holy district of Mathurä...
(2)
tahi mäha surabhi-kuïja-kuöére
baiöhobuì häma sura-taöiné-tére
2) ...There I will settle down in a small cottage within the grove called Surabhi-kuïja on the bank of the celestial Gaìgä river.*
(3)
gaura-bhakata-priya-veça dadhänä
tilaka-tulasé-mälä-çobhamänä
3) I will put on the garb that is dear to the devotees of Lord Gaura-sundara, including the twelve Vaiñëava tilaka markings on my body and beautiful beads of tulasé wood around my neck.
(4)
campaka, bakula, kadamba, tamäl
ropato niramibo kuïja viçäl
4) Then, by planting flowering trees like campaka, bakula, kadamba, and tamäl, I will cultivate an extensive grove by my cottage.
(5)
mädhavé mälaté uöhäbuì tähe
chäyä-manòapa korobuì taìhi mähe
5) I will drape mädhavé and mälaté jasmine creepers upon the trees, and in this way make a shady bower in their midst.
(6)
ropobuì tatra kusuma-vana-räji
jüthi, jäti, mallé viräjabo säji’
6) I will plant row upon row of various forest flowers, including different kinds of jasmine like yuthé, jäti, and mallé. All these will be present there, arrayed in a charming fashion.
(7)
maïce basäobuì tulasé-mahäräëé
kértana-sajja taìhi räkhabo äni’
7) I will install the empress tulasé on an elevated platform in this garden, then procure all necessary paraphernalia for having kértana, such as mådaìga drums, karatälas, and gongs, and place them there.
(8)
vaiñëava-jana-saha gäobuì näm
jaya godruma jaya gaura ki dhäm
8) Then I will commence singing the holy names of the Lord in the company of the Vaiñëavas. We will sing, “All glories to the island of Godruma! All glories to the divine abode of Lord Gauracandra!”
(9)
bhakativinoda bhakti-anukül
jaya kuïja, muïja, sura-nadé-kül
9) Bhaktivinoda is favorably disposed to pure devotional service. All glories to Surabhi-kuïja, to its tall reeds, and to the banks of the celestial Gaìgä!
Song 3
Song 3
(1)
çuddha-bhakata-  caraëa-reëu,
bhajana-anuküla
bhakata-sevä,  parama-siddhi,
prema-latikära müla
1) Dust from the lotus feet of pure devotees is conducive to devotional service, while service to the Vaiñëavas is itself the supreme perfection as well as the root of the tender creeper of divine love.
(2)
mädhava-tithi,  bhakti-janané,
jatane pälana kori
kåñëa-vasati,  vasati boli’,
parama ädare bori
2) I observe with great care the holy days commemorating the pastimes of Lord Mädhava, for they are the mother of devotion. As my dwelling place I choose with the greatest of reverence and love the transcendental abode of Çré Kåñëa.
(3)
gaur ämära,  ye-saba sthäne,
koralo bhramaëa raìge
se-saba sthäna,  heribo ämi,
pranayi-bhakata-saìge
3) All those places where my Lord Gaura-sundara traveled for pastimes I will visit in the company of loving devotees.
(4)
mådaìga-vädya,  çunite mana,
abasara sadä yäce
gaura-vihita,  kértana çuni’,
änande hådoya näce
4) My mind ever longs for the opportunity to hear the music of the mådaìga. Upon hearing the kind of kértan ordained by Lord Gaura-candra, my heart dances in ecstasy.*
(5)
yugala-mürti,  dekhiyä mora,
parama-änanda hoya
prasäda-sevä,  korite hoya,
sakala prapaïca jaya
5) Beholding the Deity forms of the Divine Couple, Çré Çré Rädhä-Kåñëa, I feel the greatest joy. By honoring the Lord’s prasäd, I conquer over all worldly illusions.
(6)
ye-dina gåhe,  bhajana dekhi,
gåhete goloka bhäya
caraëa-sédhu,  dekhiyä gaìgä,
sukha nä sémä päya
6) Goloka Våndävana appears in my home whenever I see the worship service of Lord Hari taking place there. When I see the Gaìgä, that river of nectar emanating from the lotus feet of the Lord, my happiness knows no bounds.
(7)
tulasé dekhi’,  juòäya präna,
mädhava-toñané jäni’
gaura-priya,  çäka-sevane,
jévana särthaka mäni
7) The sight of the holy tulasé tree soothes my soul, for I know she gives pleasure to Lord Mädhava. By tasting the green leafy preparation named çäk, a great favorite of Lord Gauräìga’s, I consider life worthwhile.*
(8)
bhakativinoda,  kåñëa-bhajane,
anuküla päya jähä
prati-divase,  parama-sukhe,
swékära koroye tähä
8) Whatever Bhaktivinoda obtains that is favorable for the service of Çré Kåñëa he accepts every day with the greatest joy.
Song 4
Song 4
(1)
rädhä-kunòa-taöa-kuïja-kuöér
govardhana-parvata, jämuna-tér
1) The cottage in the grove on the bank of Rädhä Kunòa, the great Govardhana Hill, the banks of the Yamunä river...
(2)
kusuma-sarovara, mänasa-gaìgä
kalinda-nandiné vipula-taraìga
2) ...the Kusuma Sarovara lake, the Manasa Gaìgä stream, the daughter of Mt. Kalinda (the Yamunä river) with her many waves...
(3)
vaàçé-vaöa, gokula, dhéra-samér
båndäbana-taru-latikä-bänér
3) ...the Vaàçé Vaö banyan tree, the town of Gokula, the holy place Dhéra Saméra, the trees and creepers and reeds of Våndävana...
(4)
khaga-måga-kula, malaya-bätäs
mayüra, bhramara, muralé-viläs
4) ...the different varieties of birds and deer, the cooling breeze from the Malaya mountains, the peacocks, the bumblebees, the pastimes of the low-pitched muralé flute...
(5)
venu, çåìga, pada-cihna, megha-mälä
vasanta, çaçaìka, çaìkha, karatäla
5) ...the high-pitched venu flute, the buffalo horn bugle, the footprints of the Lord and His consort in the dust of Vraja, the wreaths of blackish rain clouds, springtime, the moon, the conchshell, and the karatälas—
(6)
yugala-viläse anuküla jäni
lélä-viläse-uddépaka mäni
6)—all these I know to be very favorable for the blissful pastimes of the Divine Couple, Rädhä and Kåñëa. I recognize them as transcendental stimulants (uddépaka) for intensifying the Lord’s charming pastimes.
(7)
e saba choòato kaìhi nähi jäu
e saba choòato paräna häräu
7) I refuse to go anywhere if these stimulants of devotional service are not there, for to abandon them is to abandon life itself.
(8)
bhakativinoda kohe, çuno kän!
tuwä uddépaka hämärä parän
8) Bhaktivinoda says, “Please hear me, O Käna! All the things that stimulate remembrance of You are the very source of my life!”
Thus ends the description of the six processes of surrender known as Çaraëägati.
Bhajana-Lälasä
Hankering for Divine Service
—13 songs—
Bhajana-Lälasä
Hankering for Divine Service
- Thirteen Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
hari he!
prapaïce poòiyä,  agati hoiyä,
nä dekhi upäya är
agatira gati,  caraëe çaraëa,
tomäya korinu sär
1) O my Lord Hari! Having fallen into the illusion of this world, thus rendered helpless, I see no other means of deliverance but You. Since You are the only recourse for the helpless, I accept the shelter of Your lotus feet as most essential.
(2)
karama geyäna,  kichu nähi mora,
sädhana bhajana näi
tumi kåpä-moya,  ämi to’ käìgäla,
ahaituké kåpä cäi
2) I have no background of pious activities, nor any knowledge, nor any regulated devotional practice. But You are full of compassion and kindness; therefore I, being indeed destitute, solicit Your causeless mercy.
(3)
väkya-mano-vega,  krodha-jihvä-vega,
udara-upastha-vega
miliyä e saba,  saàsäre bhäsä’ye,
diteche paramodvega
3) The powerful urges of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly, and genitals have banded together to cast me adrift on the sea of this material world, thus causing me grievous trouble.*
(4)
aneka jatane,  se saba damane,
chäòiyächi äçä ämi
anäthera nätha!  òäki tava näma,
ekhona bharasä tumi
4) After numerous endeavors to subdue these material demands, I have completely given up all hope. O Lord of the destitute! I call upon Your holy name, for now You are my only hope.*
Song 2
Song 2
(1)
hari he!
arthera saïcaye,  viñaya-prayäse,
äno-kathä-prajalpane
äno-adhikära,  niyama ägrahe,
asat-saìga-saàghaöane
1) O my Lord Hari! I have become absorbed in accumulating wealth and endeavoring for material possessions. I am addicted to idle conversations on topics apart from You. I mistakenly accept duties apart from my own qualifications, and am always eager to adhere to the letter of the law. This is the consequence of associating with worldly men.*
(2)
asthira siddhänte,  rohinu mojiyä,
hari-bhakti roilo düre
e hådoye mätro,  para-hiàsä, mada,
pratiñöhä, çaöhatä sphure
2) I remain deeply absorbed in the quicksand of ever-changing, uncertain opinions. Therefore, devotion to You has remained distant from me. In this heart of mine dwells only envy and malice towards others, false pride, the desire for fame and honor, and deceitfulness.
(3)
e saba ägraha,  chäòite närinu,
äpana doñate mari
janama biphala,  hoilo ämära,
ekhona ki kori, hari!
3) I have not been able to give up any of these inclinations. Thus my own faults have been my downfall. My birth as a human being has been totally wasted. O Lord Hari, what am I to do now?
(4)
ämi to’ patita,  patita-pävana,
tomära pavitra näma
se sambandha dhori’,  tomära caraëe,
çaraëa loinu häma
4) I am indeed fallen (patita); but Your pure holy name is Patita-pävana—the savior of the fallen. Clinging to our relationship as implied by that holy name, I have taken shelter of Your lotus feet.
Song 3
Song 3
(1)
hari he!
bhajane utsäha,  bhaktite viçväsa,
prema-labhe dhairya-dhana
bhakti-anuküla,  karma-pravartana,
asat-saìga-visarjana
1) O my Lord Hari! Enthusiasm in devotional service, faith in the process of devotional service, the treasure of patience in the attainment of love of God, performing activities favorable to pure devotion, abandoning the company of worldly people...
(2)
bhakti-sadäcära,  ei chaya guna,
nähilo ämära nätha!
kemone bhojibo,  tomära caraëa,
chäòiyä mäyära sätha
2) ...performing approved devotional practices—I have never possessed these six devotional qualities, O Lord. How, then, shall I give up my affinity for Mäyä and worship Your lotus feet?*
(3)
garhita äcäre,  rohiläma moji’,
nä korinu sädhu-saìga
lo’ye sädhu-veça,  äne upadeçi,
e boòo mäyära raìga
3) Remaining absorbed in abominable activities, I never kept company with sädhus. Now I adopt the garb of a sädhu and act out the role of instructing others. This is Mäyä’s big joke.
(4)
e heno daçäya,  ahaituké kåpä,
tomära päibo, hari!
çré-guru-äçroye,  òäkibo tomäya,
kabe vä minati kori’
4) O Lord Hari, in such a helpless condition surely I will receive Your causeless mercy. O when, under the shelter of my spiritual master, will I call out to You with my humble entreaty?
Song 4
Song 4
(1)
hari he!
däna, pratigraha,  mitho gupta-kathä,
bhakñana, bhojana-däna
saìgera lakñana,  ei chaya hoya,
ihäte bhaktira präna
1) O my Lord Hari! Offering and receiving gifts, giving and receiving spiritual food, revealing one’s thoughts, and making confidential inquiries—these are the six characteristics of loving association, and in them is found the very life of devotion.*
(2)
tattva nä bujhiye,  jïäne vä ajïäne,
asate e saba kori’
bhakti häräinu,  saàsäré hoinu,
sudüre rohile hari
2) I have failed to understand the truth, and by practicing these six activities with non-devotees, either knowingly or unknowingly, I lost all devotional inclination and have become a materialist. Consequently You, O Lord, still remain far away.
(3)
kåñëa-bhakta-jane,  ei saìga-lakñane,
ädara koribo jabe
bhakti-mahä-devé,  ämära hådoya-
äsane bosibe tabe
3) The day I cherish these activities of intimate association with the devotees of Çré Kåñëa, that very day the high goddess of devotion will take her seat upon the throne of my heart.
(4)
yoñit-saìgé-jana,  kåñëaäbhakta ära,
duìhu-saìga-parihari’
tava bhakta-jana-  saìga anukñana,
kabe vä hoibe hari!
4) When will I give up the company of those who are addicted to the company of materialistic women and those who are averse to You? And when will I cultivate the constant association of Your devotees, O Lord?
Song 5
Song 5
(1)
hari he!
saìga-doña-çünya,  dékñitädékñita,
jadi tava näma gä’ya
mänase ädara,  koribo tähäre,
jäni’ nija-jana täya
1) O my Lord Hari! Within my mind I will honor and consider as my own relative one who naturally avoids the offense of bad association and sings Your holy name, be he formally initiated or not.*
(2)
dékñita hoiyä,  bhaje tuwä pada,
tähäre pranati kori
ananya-bhajane,  vijïa yei jana,
tähäre sevibo, hari!
2) I offer obeisances to that devotee who is initiated and worships Your lotus feet, and I will faithfully serve, O Hari, a devotee who is fixed in unalloyed devotion to You.
(3)
sarva-bhüte sama,  ye bhaktera mati,
tähära darçane mäni
äpanäke dhanya,  se saìga päiyä,
caritärtha hoiluì jäni
3) I consider myself greatly fortunate to even see that devotee who regards all living beings equally. Obtaining his association I consider myself fortunate, for I know that I have become successful in life.
(4)
niñkapaöa-mati,  vaiñëavera prati,
ei dharma kabe pä’bo
kabe saàsära-  sindhu-pära ho’ye,
tava braja-pure jä’bo
4) When will my attitude toward the Vaiñëavas become simple and innocent? And when will I cross over this ocean of worldly existence and reach Your transcendental abode of Vraja?
Song 6
Song 6
(1)
hari he!
néra-dharma-gata,  jähnavé-salile,
paìka-phena dåñöa hoya
tathäpi kakhona,  brahma-drava-dharma,
se salila nä chäòoya
1) O my Lord Hari! Mud and foam are seen in the waters of the Gaìgä, for that is the inherent nature of river water. Yet the water of the sacred Gaìgä never loses its purely spiritual nature.*
(2)
vaiñnava-çaréra,  apräkåta sadä,
swabhäva-vapura dharme
kabhu nähe jaòa,  tathäpi ye ninde,
poòe se viñamädharme
2) One may likewise find natural defects in the body of a Vaiñnava, yet his body is always spiritual. It is never to be considered material. That person who criticizes the body of a Vaiñëava falls into deadly irreligion.
(3)
sei aparädhe,  yamera jätanä,
päya jéva avirata
he nanda-nandana!  sei aparädhe,
yeno nähi hoi hata
3) For such an offense, the fallen soul ceaselessly suffers the tortures of Yamaräja, lord of death. O youthful son of Nanda! I pray that I will not be destroyed by committing such an offense.
(4)
tomära vaiñëava,  vaibhava tomära,
ämäre korunä doyä
tabe mora gati,  ha’be tava prati,
pä’bo tava pada-chäyä
4) The Vaiñëava is Your own, representing Your glorious divine potency. May he be merciful to me. Then my life’s journey will turn toward You, and I will attain shelter in the shade of Your lotus feet.
Song 7
Song 7
(1)
ohe!
vaiñëava öhäkura,  doyära sägara,
e däse korunä kori’
diyä pada-chäyä,  çodho he ämäya,
tomära caraëa dhori
1) O revered Vaiñnava Öhäkura! O ocean of mercy! Please be merciful to me, your humble servant. Purify me by giving the shade of your lotus feet. Your feet I clasp submissively.
(2)
chaya vega domi’,  chaya doña çodhi’,
chaya guna deho’ däse
chaya sat-saìga,  deho’ he ämäre,
bosechi saìgera äçe
2) Please help me to control the six urges, purify me of the six faults, and please instill in your servant the six good qualities. Oh, bestow upon me the six kinds of holy association! I am seated here in the hope of having your company.*
(3)
ekaké ämära,  nähi päya bala,
hari-näma-saìkértane
tumi kåpä kori’,  çraddhä-bindu diyä,
deho’ kåñëa-näma-dhane
3) On my own, I find I have no strength to chant the holy name of Lord Hari. Please be merciful by awarding me with a particle of faith and giving me the great treasure of the holy name of Kåñëa.
(4)
kåñëa se tomära,  kåñëa dite päro,
tomära çakati äche
ämi to’ käìgäla,  `kåñëa’ `kåñëa’ boli’,
dhäi tava päche päche
4) Kåñëa is yours, therefore you are able to give Him to others. This is certainly within your power. I am indeed wretched and fallen, simply running after you crying “Kåñëa! Kåñëa!”
Song 8
Song 8
(1)
hari he!
tomäre bhuliyä,  avidyä-péòäya,
péòita rasanä mora
kåñëa-näma-sudhä,  bhälo nähi läge,
viñaya-sukhate bhora
1) O my Lord Hari! Because of forgetting You, my tongue has become embittered with the disease of ignorance. I cannot relish the sweet nectar of Your holy name of Kåñëa, for I have become addicted to the taste of worldly pleasures.*
(2)
prati-dina jadi,  ädara koriyä,
se näma kértana kori
sitapala jeno,  näçi’ roga-müla,
krame swädu hoya, hari!
2) If I sing that holy name of Yours aloud every day with warm affection, then as sugar candy taken medicinally destroys the very disease which makes it taste bitter (jaundice), so Your holy name, O Lord Hari, will cure my spiritual disease and allow me to gradually taste Your sweetness.
(3)
durdaiva ämära,  se näme ädara,
nä hoilo, doyämoya!
daça aparädha,  ämära durdaiva,
kemone hoibe kñoya
3) How great is my misfortune that I feel no appreciation for Your holy name, O merciful Lord! In such a lamentable state, how will I be freed from committing the ten offenses to the holy name?
(4)
anudina jeno,  tava näma gäi,
kramete kåpäya tava
aparädha jä’be,  näme ruci ha’be,
äswädibo nämäsava
4) If I sing Your name every day, then gradually by Your mercy the ten offenses will disappear, taste for Your holy name will grow within me, and then I shall relish the intoxicating wine of that name.
Song 9
Song 9
(1)
hari he!
çré-rüpa-gosäi,  çré-guru-rüpete,
çikñä dila mora käne
“jäno mora kathä,  nämera käìgäla!
rati pä’be näma-gäne
1) O my Lord Hari! Çré Rüpa Goswämé, in the form of the spiritual master, spoke these instructions into my ears: “Try to understand my words, O you who beg for the gift of the holy name! You will then develop attraction for singing the holy name.
(2)
kåñëa-näma-rüpa-  guna-sucarita,
parama jatane kori’
rasanä-mänase,  koraho niyoga,
krama-vidhi anusari’
2) “Following the scriptural rules and regulations, engage your tongue and your mind in carefully cultivating Lord Kåñëa’s näma (holy names), rüpa (divine forms), guna (transcendental qualities), and sucarita (wonderful pastimes). This should be done according to the recommended order of ascending progression.*
(3)
braje kori’ bäsa,  rägänugä hoiyä,
smaraëa kértana koro
e nikhila käla,  koraho jäpana,
upadeça-sära dharo’ ”
3) “Always dwelling in the holy land of Vraja, become a practitioner of rägänugä-bhakti (spontaneous loving devotion) while engaging in smaraëa (remembrance) and kértana (glorification). Spend every moment of your time in these ways. Just accept this as the essence of all instructions.”
(4)
hä! rüpa-gosäi,  doyä kori’ kabe,
dibe dine braja-bäsa
rägätmika tumi,  tava padänuga,
hoite däsera äçä
4) O Rüpa Goswämé! When will you, out of your causeless mercy, enable this poor wretched soul to reside in Vraja? You are a rägätmika devotee—an eternally liberated, intimate associate of Rädhä and Kåñëa. This humble servant of yours desires to become a loyal follower of your lotus feet.
Song 10
Song 10
(1)
gurudev!
boòo kåpä kori’,  gauòa-vana mäjhe,
godrume diyächo sthäna
äjïä dila more,  ei braje bosi’,
hari-näma koro gäna
1) O Gurudeva! Because you are so merciful, you gave me a place to live in Godruma amid the woodlands of Gauòa-deça, with this order to fulfill: “Dwell here in this sacred place of Vraja and sing the holy name of Hari.”
(2)
kintu kabe prabhu,  yogyatä arpibe,\
e däsere doyä kori’
citta sthira habe,  sakala sohibo,
ekänte bhajibo hari
2) But when, O master, out of your great mercy, will you bestow upon this servant the spiritual qualification to fulfill that order? My mind will then become tranquil, I will endure all hardships, and I will serve Lord Hari with undivided attention.
(3)
çaiçava-yauvane,  jaòa-sukha-saìge,
abhyäsa hoilo manda
nija-karma-doñe,  e deho hoilo,
bhajanera pratibandha
3) Due to attachment to worldly pleasures in childhood and youth, I have developed many bad habits. Due to the reaction of these sinful acts my body itself has become an impediment to the service of the Supreme Lord.
(4)
värdhakye ekhona,  païca-roge hata,
kemone bhojibo bolo’
käìdiyä käìdiyä,  tomära caraëe,
poòiyächi suvihvala
4) Now, in old age, afflicted by the five-fold illnesses, how will I serve the Lord? O master, please tell me! Weeping and weeping, I have fallen at your feet, overwhelmed with anxiety.*
Song 11
Song 11
(1)
gurudev!
kåpä-bindu diyä,  koro’ ei däse,
tåëäpekñä ati héna
sakala sahane,  bala diyä koro’,
nija-mäne spåhä-héna
1) O Gurudeva! By administering a drop of your mercy make this servant of yours infinitely more humble than a blade of grass. Giving me the strength to bear all trials and troubles, free me from desires for personal honor.*
(2)
sakale sammäna,  korite çakati,
deho’ nätha! jathäjatha
tabe to’ gäibo,  hari-näma-sukhe,
aparädha ha’be hata
2) O lord and master! Inspire me with the power to befittingly honor all living beings. Only then will I sing the holy name of the Lord in great ecstasy, and my offensive activities will cease.
(3)
kabe heno kåpä,  labhiyä e jana,
kåtärtha hoibe, nätha!
çakti-buddhi-héna,  ämi ati déna,
koro’ more ätma-sätha
3) When will this person be indeed blessed by receiving your mercy, O lord and master? Devoid of all strength and intelligence, I am very low and fallen. Please make me your own.
(4)
yogyatä-vicäre,  kichu nähi päi,
tomära karuëä—sära
karuëä nä hoile,  käìdiyä käìdiyä,
präëa nä räkhibo ära
4) When I examine myself for worthiness, I find nothing of value. Therefore Your mercy is the essence of life. If you are not merciful to me, then I will constantly weep and weep, no longer being able to maintain my life.
Song 12
Song 12
(1)
gurudev!
kabe mora sei din ha’be
mana sthira kori’,  nirjane bosiyä,
kåñëa-näma gä’bo jabe
saàsära-phukära,  käne nä poñibe,
deho-roga düre ro’be
1) O Gurudeva! When will that day be mine? With a steady mind, sitting in a secluded place, I will sing the name of Çré Kåñëa. The tumultuous pandemonium of worldly existence will no longer echo in my ears, and the diseases of the body will remain far away.
(2)
`hare kåñëa’ boli’,  gähite gähite,
nayane bohibe lora
dehete pulaka,  udita hoibe,
premete koribe bhora
2) When I chant “Hare Kåñëa” tears of love will flow and flow from my eyes. Ecstatic rapture will arise within my body, causing my hair to stand on end and my entire being to become overwhelmed with divine love.
(3)
gada-gada väné,  mukhe bähiribe,
käìpibe çaréra mama
gharma muhur muhuù,  virvarna hoibe,
stambhita pralaya sama
3) Faltering words choked with emotion will issue from my mouth. My body will tremble, constantly perspire, turn pale and discolored, and become stunned. All of this will be like a devastation of ecstatic love and cause me to fall unconscious.*
(4)
niñkapaöe heno,  daçä kabe ha’be,
nirantara näma gä’bo
äveçe rohiyä,  deha-yäträ kori’,
tomära karunä pä’bo
4) When will such a genuine ecstatic condition be mine? I will constantly sing the holy name and remain absorbed in profound devotion while traveling in the material body. In this way I will receive your mercy.
Song 13
Song 13
(1)
gurudev!
kabe tava karunä-prakäçe
çré-gauräìga-lélä,  hoya nitya-tattwa,
ei dåòha viçväse
`hari hari’ boli’,  godruma-känane,
bhromibo darçana-äçe
1) O Gurudeva! When will it be, as a manifestation of your mercy? I will become fixed in the firm faith that Lord Gauräìga’s pastimes are eternal realities. Chanting “Hari! Hari!” I will wander throughout the groves of Godruma, hoping to catch a glimpse of those pastimes.
(2)
nitäi, gauräìga,  adwaita, çréväsa,
gadädhara,—païca-jana
kåñëa-näma-rase,  bhäsä’be jagat,
kori’ mahä-saìkértana
2) The five personalities—Nitäi, Gauräìga, Advaita, Çréväsa, and Gadädhara—will flood the entire universe with the intoxicating nectar of the holy name of Çré Kåñëa by performing a mahä-saìkértan.
(3)
nartana-viläsa,  mådaìga-vädana,
çunibo äpana-käne
dekhiyä dekhiyä,  se lélä-mädhuré,
bhäsibo premera bäne
3) With my own ears I will hear the sounds of playful dancing and the rhythmic pulsations of the mådaìga drums. By constantly looking and looking upon the sweetness and beauty of that pastime, I will float in the floodtide of divine love.
(4)
nä dekhi’ äbära,  se lélä-ratana,
käìdi hä gauräìga! boli’
ämäre viñayé,  pägala boliyä,
aìgete dibeka dhüli
4) The next moment losing sight of the jewel of that pastime, I shall weep and cry out, “O my Lord Gauräìga!” Materialists will then proclaim me thoroughly mad and will throw dust upon my body.
Thus ends the section on Bhajana-Lälasä.
Siddhi-Lälasä
Hankering for Spiritual Perfection
—3 songs—
Siddhi-Lälasä
Hankering for Spiritual Perfection
- Three Songs -
Song 1
Song 1
(1)
kabe gaura-vane,  suradhuné-taöe,
`hä rädhe hä kåñëa’ bole’
käìdiyä beòä’bo,  deho-sukha chäòi’,
nänä latä-taru-tale
1) When will I wander weeping under the shade of various trees and creepers on the banks of the celestial Gaìgä river in the land of Navadvépa, crying, “O Rädhe! O Kåñëa!” and forgetting all physical comforts?
(2)
çwa-paca-gåhete,  mägiyä khäibo,
pibo saraswaté-jala
puline puline,  gaòä-gaòi dibo,
kori’ kåñëa-kolähala
2) I will take my meals by begging at the homes of dog-eaters, and will drink the water of the Sarasvaté river. In ecstasy I will roll on the ground from bank to bank of the river, raising an uproar of “Kåñëa! Kåñëa!”
(3)
dhäma-bäsé jane,  pranati koriyä,
mägibo kåpära leça
vaiñëava-caraëa-  reëu gäya mäkhi’,
dhori’ avadhüta-veça
3) Bowing down to the inhabitants of the holy land, I will beg a particle of their mercy. I will smear the dust of the Vaiñëavas’ feet all over my body and wear the dress of a mendicant.
(4)
gauòa-braja-jane,  bheda nä dekhibo,
hoibo baraja-bäsé
dhämera swarüpa,  sphuribe nayane,
hoibo rädhära däsé
4) I will see no difference between the inhabitants of Vraja Bhümi and those of Navadvépa, and I will be transformed into a resident of Vraja. The true nature of the Lord’s abode will manifest itself to my eyes, and I will become a maidservant of Çrématé Rädhäräëé.*
Song 2
Song 2
(1)
dekhite dekhite,  bhulibo vä kabe,
nija-sthüla-paricoya
nayane heribo,  braja-pura-çobhä,
nitya cid-änanda-moya
1) When, in a flash, will I forget my gross bodily indentity? I will behold the exquisite beauty of the realm of Vraja, full of eternal spiritual bliss.
(2)
båñabhänu-pure,  janama loibo,
yävaöe viväha ha’be
braja-gopé-bhäva,  hoibe swabhäva,
äno-bhäva nä rohibe
2) I shall have my birth in the town of King Våñabhänu, and eventually be married nearby in Yävaö-gräm. My sole disposition and character shall be that of a cowherd girl, and I shall know no other mood.*
(3)
nija-siddha-deha,  nija-siddha-näma,
nija-rüpa-swa-vasana
rädhä-kåpä-bale,  lobhibo vä kabe,
kåñëa-prema-prakaraëa
3) When will I obtain, by the power of Rädhä’s mercy, my own eternal spiritual body, my own realized name, my own form, and my own dress? And when, by Her mercy, will I receive initiation into the techniques of expressing divine love for Kåñëa?*
(4)
jamunä-salila-  äharaëe giyä,
bujhibo yugala-rasa
prema-mugdha ho’ye,  pägaliné-präya,
gäibo rädhära yaça
4) As I go to draw water from the Yamunä, I shall cherish knowing the confidential mellows that unite the divine pair Rädhä and Kåñëa. Being enchanted by sublime love, I will sing Çré Rädhä’s glories just like a madwoman.
Song 3
Song 3
(1)
båñabhänu-sutä-  caraëa-sevane,
hoibo ye pälya-däsé
çré-rädhära sukha,  satata sädhane,
rohibo ämi prayäsé
1) For serving the lotus feet of the daughter of Våñabhänu, I shall become a protected maidservant of one of the gopés in Vraja. I will always strive to bring about the pleasure of Çré Rädhä.*
(2)
çré-rädhära sukhe,  kåñëaera ye sukha,
jänibo manete ämi
rädhä-pada chäòi’,  çré-kåñëa-saìgame,
kabhu nä hoibo kämé
2) Within my heart I will know that Rädhä’s pleasure is Kåñëa’s only source of joy. Therefore, I will never desire to abandon Her lotus feet for enjoying His exclusive company.*
(3)
sakhé-gaëa mama,  parama-suhåt,
yugala-premera guru
tad-anugä ho’ye,  sevibo rädhära,
caraëa-kalapa-taru
3) The sakhés are my best friends and teachers concerning the love uniting Rädhä with Kåñëa. By following their example, I shall serve Rädhä’s lotus feet, which are like wish-fulfilling trees.
(4)
rädhä-pakña chäòi’,  ye-jana se-jana,
ye bhäve se bhäve thäke
ämi to’ rädhikä-  pakña-päté sadä,
kabhu nähi heri tä’ke
4) I myself am always partial to Rädhikä’s camp and therefore never look upon those who have abandoned Rädhä’s entourage, whoever they may be and whatever their ways.*
Vijïapti
Spiritual Request
Vijïapti
Spiritual Request
[räginé—Suraöa-Khämbäja, Ekatälä]
(1)
kabe ha’be bolo se-dina ämär
(ämär) aparädha ghuci’,  çuddha näme ruci,
kåpä-bale ha’be hådoye saïcär
1) Please tell me, when oh when will that day be mine? My offenses will come to an end, and a taste for the pure holy name will be infused within my heart by the power of divine grace.
(2)
tånädhika héna,  kabe nije mäni’,
sahiñnutä-guna hådoyete äni’
sakale mänada,  äpani amäné,
hoye äswädibo näma-rasa-sär
2) Feeling myself lower than a blade of grass, welcoming the quality of forbearance into my heart, giving honor to all living beings, and being freed from false pride, when will I taste the essence of the liquid nectar of the holy name?*
(3)
dhana jana ära,  kavitä-sundaré,
bolibo nä cähi deho-sukha-karé
janme janme däo,  ohe gaurahari!
ahaituké bhakti caraëe tomär
3) Wealth, followers, beautiful women as described in worldly poetry—I do not want any such bodily pleasures. O Lord Gaurahari! Please give me unmotivated devotion to Your lotus feet birth after birth.*
(4)
(kabe) korite çré-kåñëa-  näma uccäraëa,
pulakita deho gadgada vacana
vaivarnya-vepathu,  ha’be saàghaöana,
nirantara netre ba’be açru-dhär
4) When, while articulating the divine name of Çré Kåñëa, will my body be thrilled in ecstatic rapture, my words choking with emotion, loss of color and ecstatic trembling occuring, and streams of tears flowing constantly from my eyes?
(5)
kabe navadwépe,  suradhuné-taöe,
gaura-nityänanda boli’ niñkapaöe
näciyä gäiyä,  beòäibo chuöe,
bätulera präya chäòiyä vicär
5) When, in the land of Navadvépa, on the banks of the celestial Gaìgä, will I run about innocently calling out, “O Gaura! O Nityänanda!”? Dancing and singing, I will wander about like a madman, giving up all consideration of proper social behavior.
(6)
kabe nityänanda,  more kori’ doyä,
chäòäibe mora viñayera mäyä
diyä more nija-  caraëera chäyä,
nämera häöete dibe adhikär
6) When will Lord Nityänanda be merciful to me and release me from the illusion of worldliness? When will He give me the shade of His own lotus feet and bestow upon me the qualification necessary to enter the Marketplace of the Holy Name?*
(7)
kinibo, luöibo,  hari-näma-rasa,
näma-rase mäti’ hoibo vivaça
rasera rasika-  caraëa paraça,
koriyä mojibo rase anibär
7) Somehow or other I shall buy or steal the mellows of the name of Lord Hari. Becoming thoroughly intoxicated by those liquid mellows, I will be stunned. By touching the feet of those great souls who are expert in relishing those mellows, I will be constantly immersed in the sweet nectar of the holy name.
(8)
kabe jéve doya,  hoibe udoya,
nija-sukha bhuli’ sudéna-hådoya
bhakativinoda,  koriyä vinoya,
çré-äjïä-öahala koribe pracär
8) When will there be an awakening in me of compassion for all fallen souls? Then this Bhaktivinoda will forget his own happiness, and with a meek heart he will set out to propagate by humble solicitation the sacred order of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.
Çré Näma-Mähätmya
The Glories of the Holy Name
Çré Näma-Mähätmya
The Glories of the Holy Name
(1)
kåñëa-näma dhare koto bal
viñaya-väsanänale,  mora citta sadä jwale,
ravi-tapta maru-bhümi-sam
karna-randhra-patha diyä,  hådi mäjhe praveçiyä,
variñoya sudhä anupam
1) What power does the name of Kåñëa possess? My heart constantly burns in the fire of worldly desires, just like a desert scorched by the rays of the sun. The holy name, entering the core of my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul.
(2)
hådoya hoite bole,  jihvära agrete cale,
çabda-rüpe näce anukñan
kanöhe mora bhaìge swara,  aìga käìpe thara thara,
sthira hoite nä päre caraë
2) The holy name speaks from within my heart, moves onto the tip of my tongue, and constantly dances on it in the form of transcendental sound. My throat becomes choked up, my body shivers again and again, and my feet cannot remain still.
(3)
cakñe dhärä, dehe gharma,  pulakita saba carma,
vivarna hoilo kalevara
mürchita hoilo man,  pralayera ägaman,
bhäve sarva-deha jara jara
3) Rivers of tears flow from my eyes, perspiration completely soaks my body, all my skin thrills with rapture, my hairs stand on end, and my complexion turns pale and discolored. My mind grows faint, I begin to experience devastation, and my entire body is shattered in a flood of ecstatic emotions.
(4)
kori’ eto upadrava,  citte varñe sudhä-drava,
more òäre premera sägare
kichu nä bujhite dilo,  more to’ bätula koilo,
mora citta-vitta saba hare
4) While causing such an ecstatic disturbance, the holy name showers liquid nectar on my heart and drowns me in the ocean of divine love of Godhead. He does not allow me to understand anything, for He has made me truly mad by having stolen away my mind and all my resources.
(5)
loinu äçroya jä’r,  heno vyavahära tä’r,
varnite nä päri e sakal
kåñëa-näma icchä-moy,  jähe jähe sukhé hoy,
sei mora sukhera sambal
5) Such is the behavior of Him in whom I have taken shelter. I am not capable of describing all this. The holy name of Kåñëa is independent and thus acts on His own sweet will. In whatever way He becomes happy, that is also my way of happiness.
(6)
premera kalikä näm,  adbhuta rasera dhäm,
heno bala karaye prakäç
éñat vikaçi’ punaù,  dekhäy nija-rüpa-guna,
citta hari’ loya kåñëa-päç
6) The holy name is the bud of the flower of divine love, and is the very abode of astonishing mellows. Such is the power He manifests that when His holy name starts to blossom a little further, it then reveals His own divine form and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Kåñëa.
(7)
pürna vikaçita hoiyä,  braje more jäya loiyä,
dekhäy more swarüpa-viläs
more siddha-deha diyä,  kåñëa-päçe räkhe giyä,
e dehera kore sarva-näç
7) Blossoming fully, the flower of the holy name takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love-dalliance. This name gives to me my own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Kåñëa’s side, and completely destroys everything related to this mortal frame of mine.
(8)
kåñëa-näma-cintämaëi,  akhila rasera khani,
nitya-mukta çuddha-rasa-moy
nämera bäläi jata,  saba lo’ye hoi hata,
tabe mora sukhera udoy
8) The name of Kåñëa is a transcendental touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows. It is eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When all impediments to the pure chanting of the holy name are taken away and destroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening.
Thus ends Çaraëägati by Öhäkura Bhaktivinoda.