Songs of Narottama dasa Thakura

BY: SUN STAFF

Aug 25, CANADA (SUN) — Translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.

Prarthana (Prayers) - Lalasamayi (Longings)

Song 1

Text 1

`gauranga' bolite habe pulaka-sarira
`hari hari' bolite nayane ba'be nira

When will that opportune moment come to us when there will be shivering of the body as soon as we chant Lord Gauranga's name? While chanting Hare Krsna, when will there be tears in the eyes?

Text 2

ara kabe nitai-cander koruna hoibe
somsara-basana more kabe tuccha habe

When will I obtain the mercy of Lord Nityanandacandra? When, by His mercy, will the desire for material enjoyment become very insignificant?

Text 3

bisaya chariya kabe suddha ha'be mana
kabe hama herabo sri-brndabana

When the mind is completely purified, being freed from material anxieties and desires, then I shall be able to understand Vrndavana and the conjugal of Radha and Krsna, and then my spiritual life will be successful.

Text 4

rupa-raghunatha-pade hoibe akuti
kabe hama bujhabo se jugala-piriti

When shall I be very much eager to study the books left by the Six Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami? By their instruction I shall be able to properly understand the loving affairs of Radha and Krsna.

Text 5

rupa-raghunatha-pade rahu mora asa
prarthana koroye sada narottama-dasa

My only aspiration is to attain the lotus feet of the Six Gosvamis headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. Narottama dasa constantly prays to attain their lotus feet.

Song 2

Samprarthanatmika (Appeal)

Text 1

radha-krsna nibedana ei jana kore
donhe ati rasamaya sa-karuna-hrdaya
abadhana kara natha more

O Radha and Krsna, this person presents an appeal before you. You are both very charming and full of nectar, and Your hearts are full of compassion. My Lords, please listen to my request.

Text 2

he krsna gokulacandra gopijana-vallabha
he krsna-preyasi-siromani
hema-gauri syama-gaya sravane parasa paya
guna suni' judaya parani

O dark-complexioned Krsna, O moon of Gokula, O lover of the gopis, O golden-complexioned Radha, O crest-jewel of the gopis who are so dear to Krsna, please hear my glorification of Your transcendental virtues, and please accept the offering of my entire life that I place before You. Please let my appeal touch Your ears.

Text 3

adhama-durgati-jane kevala karuna mane
tribhuvana e jasah-kheyati
suniya sadhura mukhe sravana lai nu sukhe
upekhile nahi mora gati

O My Lords, the narration of Your transcendental glories is like a ferryboat which enables the devotees to cross beyond the three material worlds. O my Lords, You are very merciful to this fallen and misdirected person. Please listen to this appeal from the mouth of Your devotee. Let his words touch Your ears. Please do not neglect me.

Text 4

jaya radhe jaya krsna jaya jaya radhe krsna
krsna krsna jaya jay radhe
anjali mastake kori' narottama bhume padi'
kahe donhe purao manah-sadhe

O Radha, all glories to You. O Krsna all glories to You. O Radha and Krsna, all glories, all glories to You. O Krsna, O Krsna, all glories to You, O Radha, all glories to You. Narottama dasa places His folded hands upon his head, and falls to the ground before You. Please fulfill the desires of his heart.

Dainya-bodhika (The Author Describes His Fallen Condition)

Song 3

Text 1

hari hari ki mora karama-gati manda
braje radha-krsna-pada na bhajinu tila-ardha
na bujhinu ragera sambandha

O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, how slow I am! I refuse to worship the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna in Vrajabhumi even for half a moment, and I am completely unable to understand the mellows of transcendental love.

Text 2

swarupa sanatana rupa raghunatha bhatta-yuga
bhugarbha sri-jiva lokanatha
inha sabhara pada-padma na sevinu tila-ardha
ara kise puribeka sadha

Even for half a moment I will not worship the lotus feet of Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Srila Bhugarbha Gosvami, Srila Jiva Srila, and Srila Lokanatha Gosvami. How will it be possible for me to attain my desire?

Text 3

krsnadasa kaviraja rasika bhakata-majha
jenho kaila caitanya-carita
gaura-govinda-lila sunite galaye sila
tahate na haila mora cite

Among the devotees Krsnadasa Kaviraja is extremely expert at relishing the transcendental nectar of the mellows of love of God. When the stones hear his Caitanya-caritamrta and Govinda-lilamrta, they begin to melt in ecstasy. In spite of this, I cannot appreciate him within my heart.

Text 4

se saba bhakata-sanga je karila tara sanga
tara sange kene nahila basa
ki mora duhkhera katha janama gonainu vrtha
dhik dhik narottama dasa

Furthermore, I refuse even to associate with the friends and companions of these great souls. How sad is my tale. I have spent my life uselessly. Fie, fie on this Narottama dasa.

Song 4

Text 1

hari hari! bifale janama gonainu
manusya-janama paiya, radha-krsna na bhajiya,
janiya suniya bisa khainu

O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, I have spent my life uselessly. Although I have obtained a human birth, I have refused to worship Radha and Krsna, and in this way I have knowingly drunk poison.

Text 2

golekera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana,
rati na janmilo kene tay
somsara-bisanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale,
juraite na koinu upay

The treasure of love of God has descended from the spiritual world of Goloka Vrndavana, appearing in this world as the sankirtana movement of the chanting of Lord Hari's holy names. Why am I not attracted to it? Day and night I burn from the poison of material existence, but still I refuse to take the antidote.

Text 3

brajendra-nandand jei, saci-suta hoilo sei,
balarama hoilo nitai
dina-hina jata chilo, hari-name uddharilo,
tara saksi jagai madhai

Lord Krsna, the prince of Vraja has appeared as Lord Caitanya, the son of Saci-devi, and Lord Balarama appeared as Lord Nityananda. Those who were most fallen and degraded have become lifted from their fallen condition by the chanting of the holy Name of Lord Hari. The story of Jagai and Madhai testifies to the truth of this.

Text 4

ha ha prabhu nanada-suta, brsabhanu-suta-juta,
koruna karoho ei-baro
narottama-dasa koy, na theliho ranga pay,
toma bine ke ache amara

O Lord Krsna, O son of Maharaja Nanda, O companion of Srimati Radharani, the daughter of Maharaja Vrsabhanu, please be merciful to me. Now that I have finally attained Your reddish lotus feet, please do not push me away. Except for You, who is my shelter?

Song 5

Text 1

praneswara nibedana ei jana kore
govinda gokulacandra parama ananda-kanda
gopi-kula-priya dekha more

O master of my life, this person places an appeal before You. O Govinda, O moon of Gokula, O source of all transcendental bliss, O beloved of the gopis, please cast Your glance upon me.

Text 2

tuya pada-padma-seba eidhana more diba
tumi natha karunara nidhi
parama mangala jasa sravane parama rasa
kara kiba karya nahe siddhi

O my Lord, You are an ocean of mercy, and the service of Your lotus feet are my constant treasure. Hearing Your supremely auspicious glories is the greatest nectar for the ears. If You bestow Your mercy, then what difficult task cannot be accomplished?

Text 3

daruna-samsara-gati bisama-bisaya-mati
tuya bismarana-sela buke
jarajara tanu mana acetana anuksana
jiyante marana bhela duhkhe

I wander through this world of suffering, my mind fixed on the objects of the senses which bring only pain, and my chest pierced by the javelin of forgetfulness of You. My body and mind are withered and shattered, and from moment I become unconscious. Immersed in pain, I am like a living corpse.

Text 4

mo-hena adhama jane kara krpa-niriksane
dasa kari' rakha vrndabane
sri-krsna-caitanya-nama prabhu mora gaura-dhama
narottama laila sarane

Please give me Your merciful glance. Make me Your servant, and allow me to stay in Vrndavana. That golden-complexioned person who bears the name Sri Krsna Caitanya is my master, Narottama dasa takes shelter of Him.

Song 6

Text 1

hari hari krpa kari' rakha nija-pade
kama krodha chaya jane lana phire nana sthane
bisaya-bhunjaya nana-mate

O Lord Hari, O Lord Hari, please give me shelter at Your feet. Lust and anger are the leaders of the group of six men who impel me to wander here and there in the attempt to enjoy varieties of sense-gratification.

Text 2

haiya mayara dasa kari' nana abhilasa
tomara smarana gela dure
artha-labha ei ase kapata-baisnaba-bese
bhramiya bulaye ghare ghare

I am full of material desires and I have become the servant of material illusion. My memory of You has fled far away. Disguised as a Vaisnava I wander from house to house, motivated by the desire to accumulate wealth.

Text 3

aneka duhkhera pare layechile braja-pure
krpa-dora galaya bandhiya
daiva-maya balat kare khasaiya sei dore
bhaba kupe dileka dhariya

In this town of Vraja, which is situated beyond all these sufferings, You have tied me about the neck with your rope of mercy. Seeing this outrage, the illusory energy loosened those ropes and again threw my into the well of material existence.

Text 4

punah yadi krpa-kari' e janare kese dhari'
taniya tulai braja-dhame
tabe se dekhiya bhala natuba parana gela
kahne dina dasa narottama

If You are again merciful You will grasp this person by the hair, rescue him from illusion's well, and place him in the abode of Vraja. Seeing that the Lord placed him in an auspicious condition of life, whereas otherwise his life would have perished, the poor and fallen Narottama dasa sings this song.

Song 7

Text 1

hari hari bada sela marame rahila
paiya durlabha tanu sri-krsna-bhajan binu
janma mora biphala haila

O Lord Hari, O Lord Hari, a great javelin has pierced me in the core of the heart. Having attained this difficult to get human body, I have neglected the worship of Sri Krsna, and in this way my life has become useless.

Text 2

brajendranandana hari nabadwipe abatari'
jagat bhariya prema dila
muni se pamara-mati bisese kathina ati
teni more karuna nahila

Although Lord Hari, the prince of Vraja, has descended in Navadvipa and filled the universe with pure love of God, I remain very sinful at heart, cruel, and merciless.

Text 3

swarupa sanatana rupa raghunatha bhatta-yuga
tahate na haila mora mati
dibya cintamani dhama brndabana hena sthana
sei dhame na kainu vasati

My mind refuses to think of Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. I decline to make my residence in Vrndavana-dhama, the abode full of transcendental Cintamani gems.

Text 4

bisesa bisaye mati nahila baisnabe rati
nirantara kheda uthe mane
narottma dasa kahe jibara ucita nahe
sri-guru-baisnaba-seba bine

My mind is absorbed in sense-gratification, and I do not take pleasure in the association of devotees. For this reason pain and regret arise within my heart. Narottama dasa says: It is not good to live without serving the spiritual master and the Vaisnavas.

Dainya-bodhika prarthana (Prayer Wherein the Author Describes His Fallen Condition)

Song 8

Text 1

hari hari ki mora karama abhaga
biphale jibana gela hrdaye rahila sela
nahi bhela hari-anuraga

O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, everything that I do is inauspicious. I have uselessly wasted my life, and I have no love for You. It is as if my heart were pierced by a sharp javelin.

Text 2

yajna dhana tirtha-snana punya-karma japa dhyana
akarane saba gela mohe
bujhilama mane hena upahasa haya jena
bastraphina alankara dehe

Vedic sacrifices, charity, bathing in holy places of pilgrimage, pious deeds, mantra-chanting, and meditation, are all useless and illusory. When I think of these things laughter arises within my mind. Engaging in these activities without performing devotional service is like placing valuable ornaments on a body colthed in rags.

Text 3

sadhu-mukhe kathamrta suniya bimala cita
nahi bhela aparadha-karana
satata asat-sanga sakali haila bhanga
ki kariba aile samana

Although I sometimes hear the nectarean message of Godhead from the mouths of the devotees, because I commit so many offenses, I do not become purified. I continually associate with non-devotees, and in this way all my spiritual advancement is broken apart. Furthermore, death will soon appear on my horizon.

Text 4

sruti smrti sada rabe suniyachi ei sabe
hari-pada abhaya sarana
janama laiya sukhe krsna na balinu mukhe
na karinu se rupa-bhabana

Although I have repeatedly heard the Sruti and Smrti scriptures' declaration that one should take shelter of the Lord Hari's lotus feet in order to become fearless, nevertheless I refuse to happily chant the holy name of Lord Krsna, and I decline to meditate on His transcendental form.

Text 5

radha-krsna dunhu-paya tanu mana rahu taya
ara dure jauka basana
narottama dase kaya ara mora hani bhaya
tanu mana sampinu apana

I shall now concentrate my mind on the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, and all my material desires will flee far away. Narottama dasa says---Now that I have fixed my mind on Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, I am no longer afraid of my future. Swabhista-lalasa (Longings)

Song 9

Text 1

hari hari hena dina haibe amara
dunhu anga parasiba hunhu anga nirakhiba
sebana kariba donhakara

O Lord Hari, O Lord Hari, when will this day be mine? When will I see Your lotus feet? When will I directly serve Your lotus feet? When will I touch Your lotus feet?

Text 2

lalita-bisakha-sange sebana kariba range
mala ganthi' diba nana phule
kanaka-samputa kari' karpura tambula puri'
yogaiba adhara-jugale

When, in the association of Lalita and Visakha, will I be able to directly serve You; When will I be able to spend my days making garlands for You? When will I be able to fill a golden casket with camphor and betel-nuts, and then place these betel-nuts directly in Your mouth?

Text 3

radha-krsna brndabana ei mora prana-dhana
ei mora jibana-upaya
jaya patita-pabana deha more ei dhana
toma-bine anya nahi bhaya

Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, and Their abode of Vrndavana are the valuable treasure of my life. It is they who sustain me. O deliverer of the fallen, please give this treasure to me, for I have no one to turn to, except for You.

Text 4

sri-guru karuna-sindhu adhama-janera bandhu
lokantha lokera jibana
ha ha prabhu kara daya deha more pada-chaya
narottama laila sarana

O my spiritual master, O ocean of mercy, O friend of the fallen , O Lokanatha Gosvami, O life of the people, O master, please be merciful to me. Please give me the shade of your lotus feet. Narottama dasa takes shelter of you.

Song 10

Text 1

hari hari kabe mora haibe su-dine
keli-kautuka-range kariba sebane

O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, when will I directly serve You as You engage in blissful transcendental pastimes? When will that auspicious day be mine?

Text 2

lalita-visakha sane jateka sangira gane
mandali kariba donha meli'
rai kanu kare dhari' nrtya kare phiri' phiri'
nirakhi' gona'ba kutuhali

When in the company of Lalita, Visakha, and their friends, will I directly meet Sri Sri Radha and Krsna? When, seeing Them dancing in Their transcendental pastimes, will my voice become choked up with ecstatic love?

Text 3

alasa-bisrama-ghare gobardhana giri-bare
rai kanu karibe sayana
narottama dasa kaya ei jena mora haya
anuksana carana sebana

After the dancing pastimes are concluded, Sri Sri Radha and Krsna will take rest in a cottage on Govardhana Hill, the best of mountains. Narottama dasa says: I pray that I shall be able to continually serve the lotus feet of the Divine couple.

Song 11

Text 1

gobardhana giri-bare kebala nirjana sthala
rai kanu karibe sayane
lalita-bisakha-sange sebana kariba range
sukhamaya ratula carane

In a solitary place on Govardhana Hill, the best of mountains, Sri Sri Radha and Krsna sit on a couch, when, accompanied by Lalita and Visakha, will I jubilantly serve Their reddish lotus feet?

Text 2

kanaka samputa kari' karpura tambula bhari'
jogaiba badana-kamale
manimaya kinkini ratana nupura ani'
paraiba carana-jugale

When will I take camphor and betel-nuts from a golden box, and place it in Their lotus mouths? When will I give them sashes made with jewelled bells, and when will I place jewelled ankle- bells on Their lotus feet?

Text 3

kanaka katora puri' sugandhi candana buri'
donhakara sri-ange dhaliba
guru-rupa sakhi bame tribhanga bhangima thame
camarera batasa kariba

When will I fill a golden goblet for the Divine couple? When will I anoint Their limbs with aromatic sandalwood paste? When, my spiritual master in his original form as a gopi, at my left, will I fan Their three-fold bending forms with a camara wisk?

Text 4

donhara kamala ankhi pulaka haiya dekhi'
dunhu pada parisaba kare
caitanya-darsea dasa mane matra abhilasa
narottama dase sada sphure

When, seeing the lotus eyes of the Divine couple, will the hairs of my body stand up in ecstasy? When will I be able to directly touch Their lotus feet? Narottama dasa, who is the servant of Lord Caitanya's servants, desires in this way. He has no other desires.

Song 12

Text 1

hari hari ara ki emana dasa
kabe brsabhanu-pure ahiri gopera ghare
tanaya haiya janamiba

When will I take birth as a gopi in the town of Maharaja Vrsabhanu, where many gopas and gopis live? O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, will I someday attain this condition of life?

Text 2

jabate amara kabe e prani-grahana habe
basati kariba bake taya
sakhira parama srestha je tahara haya prestha
sevana kariba tanra paya

When will I live in the city of Vrsabhanu and be accepted by its residents as one of their kin? When will I become the dear friend of the exalted gopis, and when will I be able to directly serve them?

Text 3

tenha krpaban haina ratula carane lana
amare karibe samarpana
saphala haibe dasa puribe manera asa
se dunhara jugala-carana

When Lord Krsna is merciful to me I will be able to attain His reddish lotus feet. When I attain the louts feet of the Divine couple, then my life will be successful, and all the desires of my mind will be fulfilled.

Text 4

brndabane dui-jana caturddike sakhi-gana
sebana kariba abasese
sakhi-gana caribhite nana jantra laina hate
dekhiba manera abhilase

When will I be able to directly serve the Divine Couple, who are surrounded by Their gopi-friends? When I obtain the facility to directly serve the Divine Couple in the association of the gopis, then all the desires of my mind will be fulfilled.

Text 5

dunhu canda-mukha dekhi' judabe tapita ankhi
nayane bahibe asru-dhara
brndara nidesa paba donhara nikate jaba
hena dina haiba amara

When will I be able to approach very near to the Divine Couple? When will streams of tears flow from my eyes by seeing the moonlike faces of the Divine Couple? when will I receive direct orders from Vrnda-devi, the close friend of the the Divine Couple? When will that day be mine?

Text 6

sri-rupa-manjari sakhi more anathini dekhi'
rakhibe ratula duti paya
narottama dasa bhane priya-narma-sakhi-gane
kabe dasi karibe amara

When will Sri Rupa-manjari, seeing me helpless and without any shelter, become my protectress? When will I attain the shelter of the reddish lotus feet of the Divine Couple? Narottama dasa; When will I become one of the maidservants of the gopis?

Please see tomorrow's edition of the Sun for the remaining 13 songs in this series.

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