Sri Padyavali
BY: SUN STAFF
Dwarikadhishji, Dressed in Pearls for Summer at Kakaroli
Oct 07, CANADA (SUN) —
Sri Padyavali
By Srila Rupa Gosvami
Auspicious Introduction
Text 1
padyavali viracita rasikair mukunda-
sambandha-bandhura-pada pramadormi-sindhuh
ramya samasta-tamasam damani kramena
sangrihyate kriti-kadambaka-kautukaya
padya-of verses; avali-anthology; viracita-written; rasikaih-by those who are expert a relishing the mellows of devotional service; mukunda-with Lord Mukunda; sambandha-in relation; bandhura-beautiful; pramada-of delight; urmi-with waves; sindhuh-ocean; ramya-pleasing; samasta-all; tamasam-of ignorance; damani-the destroyer; kramena-with a methodical arrangement; sangrihyate-collected; kriti-of devotees; kadambaka-of the multitude; kautukaya-for the pleasure.
This Padyavali (Anthology of Poetry) was written by devotees expert in the mellows of devotional service. This book contains many beautiful verses, which have been collected for the pleasure of the devotees. It illuminates the darkness of ignorance, and it is an ocean of transcendental bliss. -Sri Rupa Gosvami
Grantharambhe mangalacaranam
Auspicious Introductions
Text 2
namo nalina-netraya
venu-vadya-vinodine
radhadhara-sudha-pana-
saline vana-maline
namah-obeisances; nalina-lotus flowers; netraya-eyes; venu-flute; vadya-music; vinodine-pastimes; radha-of Srimati Radharani; adhara-of the lips; sudha-nectar; pana-drinking; saline-engaged; vana-maline-wearing a garland of forest flowers.
To Sri Krishna, whose eyes are beautiful as lotus flowers, who delights in playing the flute, who drinks the nectar Radha's lips, and who is garlanded with forest flowers, I offer respectful obeisances.
-author unknown
Text 3
bhakti-prahva-vilokana-pranayini nilotpala-spardhini
dhyanalambanatam samadhi-niratair nite hita-praptaye
lavanyaika-maha-nidhi rasikatam radha-drisos tanvali
yushmakam kurutam bhavarti-samanam netre tanur va hareh
bhakti-with devotion; prahva-bowed down; vilokana-with the sight; pranayini-affectionate; nila-blue; utpala-lotus flowers; spardhini-rivalling; dhyana-meditation; alambanatam-support; samadhi-in meditation; nirataih-by those who are engaged; nite-attained; hita-of auspiciousness; praptaye-for the attainment; lavanya-of beauty; eka-one; maha-great; nidhi-abode; rasikatam-love; radha-of Srimati Radharani; drisoh-of the eyes; tanvati-expanding; yusmakam-of you; kurutam-may He create; bhava-of the material world; arti-of the distresses; samanam-the quelling; netre-eyes; tanuh-form; va-or; hareh-of Lord Hari.
This verse may be interpreted for either Lord Krishna's eyes or form. The two possible translations follow.
Translation 1
May Lord Hari's eyes, which lovingly gaze on the devotees, which rival the splendor of blue lotuses, on which the yogis meditate to attain auspiciousness, which are two great oceans of handsomeness, and which fill Radha's eyes with the nectar of love, quell for you the sufferings of material life.
Translation 2
May Lord Hari's form, on which the devotees lovingly gaze, which rivals the splendor of blue lotuses, on which the yogis meditate to attain auspiciousness, which is a great ocean of handsomeness, and which fills Radha's eyes with the nectar of love, quell for you the sufferings of material life.
-Sri Saranga
Text 4
ye govardhana-mula-kardama-rasa-vyadrishta-barhangada
ye vrindavana-kukshishu vraja-vadhu-nilopadhana_ni ca
ye cabhyanga-sugandhayah kuvalayapidasya danambhasa
te vo mangalam adisantu satatam kamsa-dvisho bahavah
ye-which; govardhana-of Govardhana Hill; mula-from the base; kardama-rasa-with mud; vyadrishta-observed; barha-peacock feather; angadah-bracelets; ye-which; vrindavana-of Vrindavana; kukshishu-in the depths; vraja-of Vrindavana; vadhu-of the wives; nila-dark; upadhana_ni-pillows; ca-and; ye-which; ca-and; abhyanga-with aromatic substances; sugandhayah-fragant; kuvalayapidasya-of Kuvalaypida elephant; dana-ambhasa-with the liquid which flows from the temples of a maddened elephant; te-they; vah-to you; mangalam-auspiciousness; adisantu-may show; satatam-always; kamsa-of Kamsa; dvishah-of the enemy (Sri Krishna); bahavah-arms.
May Krishna's arms, their golden ornaments and peacock feathers anointed with mud when He lifted Govardhana Hill, deep in Vrindavana forest the gopis' two blue pillows, and anointed with Kuvalayapida's fragrant ichor, always grant auspiciousness to you.
-Subhanka
Text 5
sayam vyavartamanakhila-surabhi-kulahvana-sanketa-namany
abhiri-vrinda-ceto-hatha-harana-kala-siddha-mantraksharani
saubhagyam vah samantad dadhatu madhu-bhidah keli-gopala-murteh
sa_nandakrishta-vrindavana-rasika-mriga-srenayo venu-nadah
sayam-at evening; vyavartamaha-becoming separated; akhila-all; surabhi-of surabhi cows; kula-community; ahvana-calling; sanketa-hints; nama_ni-names; abhiri-of gopis; vrinda-of the multitude; cetah-minds; hatha-forcibly; harana-enchanting; kala-trick; siddha-successful; mantra-mantra; aksharani-syllables; saubhagyam-blessedness; vah-to you; samantat-completely; dadhatu-may grant; madhu-of the Madhu demon; bhidah-of the destroyer (Sri Krishna); keli-pastimes; gopala-cowherd boy; murteh-form; sa-with; a_nanda-bliss; akrishta-attracted; vrindavana-of Vrindavana; rasika-connoisseurs; mriga-deer; srenayah-multitudes; venu-of the flute; nadah-sounds.
May playful Gopala's flute-music, which calls the faraway surabhi cows by name, which is the mystic mantra that charms the gopis' hearts, and which delights and attracts the deer enjoying in Vrindavana, bless you all.
-Sri Hara
Sri Krishnasya mahima
The Glory of Krishna
Text 6
ambhodhih sthalatam sthalam jaladhitam dhuli-lavah sailatam
sailo mrit-kanatam trinam kulisatam vajram trina-kshinatam
vahnih sitalatam himam dahanatam ayati yasyecchaya
lila-durlalitadbhuta-vyasanine krishnaya tasmai namah
ambhodhih-ocean; sthalatam-the state of being dry land; sthalam-dry land; jaladhitam-the state of being the ocean; dhuli-of dust; lavah-a particle; sailatam-the state of being a mountain; sailah-a mountain; mrit-kanatam-the state of being a particle of dust; trinam-a blade of grass; kulisatam-the state of being a thunderbolt; vajram-a thunderbolt; trina-as a blade of grass; kshinatam-the state of being insignificant; vahnih-fire; sitalatam-the state of being cool; himam-snow; dahanatam-the state of being able to burn; ayati-goes; yasya-of whom; icchaya-with the wish; lila-pastimes; durlalita-mischievous; adbhuta-wonderful; vyasanine-attached to performing; krishnaya-to Krishna; tasmai-to Him; namah-I offer respectful obeisances.
I offer my respectful obeisances to wonderful, playful, mischievous Krishna who, if He desires, can make an ocean dry land, dry land an ocean, a blade of grass a thunderbolt, a thunderbolt an insignificant blade of grass, fire cool, or snow a blazing fire.
-author unknown
Text 7
vatsalyad abhaya-pradaha-samayad artarti-nirvapanad
audaryad agha-soshanad aganita-sreyah-prapanat
sevyah sri-patir eva sarva-jagatam ete yatah sakshiah
prahladas ca vibhishanas ca kari-rat pancaly ahalya dhruvah
vatsalyat-because of paternal affection; abhaya-of fearlessness; pradana-gift; samayat-because of the promise; arta-of the distressed; arti-of the distress; nirvapanat-because of the negation; audaryat-because of generosity; agha-of sins; soshanat-because of the removal; aganita-immeausurably; sreyah-auspicious; pada-position; prapanat-because of the gift; sevyah-should be served; sri-of the goddess of fortune (Srimati Radharani); patih-the lord (Sri Krishna); eva-certainly; sarva-all; jagatam-by the universes; ete-these; yatah-because; sakshinah-witnesses; prahladah-Prahlada; ca-and; vibhishanah-Vibhishana; kari-rat-Gajendra, the king of the elephants; pancali-Draupadi; ahalya-Ahalya; dhruvah-Dhruva.
Because He is very affectionate, He promises to give fearlessness to His devotees, He removes His devotees' sufferings, He is generous, He takes away His devotees' sins, and He bestows limitless auspiciousness, and because Prahlada, Vibhishana, Gajendra, Draupadi, Ahalya, and Dhruva tesify to these virtues, Lord Krishna, the husband of the goddess of fortune, should be served by all the worlds.
-author unknown
Bhajana-mahatmya
The Glory of Devotional Service
Text 8
vyadhasyacaranam dhruvasya ca vayo vidya gajendrasya ka
kubjayah kim u nama rupam adhikam kim sudamno dhanam
vamsah ko vidurasya yadava-pater ugrasya kim paurusham
bhaktya tushyati kevalam na ca gunair bhakti-priyo madhavah
vyadhasya-of the hunter named Dharma; acaranam-pious activities; dhruvasya-of Dhruva Maharaja; ca-and; vayah-mature age; vidya-knowledge; gajendrasya-of Gajendra; ka-what?; kubjayah-of Kubja; kim u nama-how much more; rupam-beauty; adhikam-great; kim-what; tat-that; sudamnah-of Sudama Vipra; dhanam-wealth; vamsah-good family; kah-what; vidurasya-of Vidura; yadava-of the Yadu dynasty; pateh-of the king; ugrasya-of Ugrasena; kim-what; paurusham-prowesss; bhaktya-by devotional service; tushyati-is pleased; kevalam-only; na-not; ca-and; gunaih-by material qualifications; bhakti-of devotional; priyah-fond; madhavah-Lord Madhava.
Where were the hunter Dharma's piety, Dhruva's maturity, and Gajendra's knowledge? Where was Kubja's beauty? Where was Sudama's wealth? Where was Vidura's noble birth? Where was Ugrasena's chivalrous strength? Lord Madhava is pleased only by devotional service and not by material qualifications.
-Sri Dakshinatya
Text 9
anucitam ucitam va karma ko 'yam vihago
bhagavati param astam bhakti-yogo draddhiyan
kirati visham ahindrah sandra-piyusham indur
dvayam api sa maheso nirvisesham bibharti
anucitam-improper; ucitam-proper; va-or; karma-activities; kah-what?; ayam-this; vibhagah-difference; bhagavati-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; param-however; astam-there may be; bhakti-yogah-devotional service; dradhiyan-firm; kirati-emanates; visham-poison; ahi-of snakes; indrah-king; sandra-intense; piyusham-nectar; induh-the moon; dvayam-both; api-even; sah-he; mahesah-Lord Siva; nivisesham-without making distinction; bibharti-carries.
What is the difference between good and bad deeds? Let there be only firm devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Although the king of snakes gives poison and the moon gives sweet nectar, Lord Siva and does not see any difference between them.
-Sri Vishnu Puri
Text 10
yadi madhu-mathana tvad-anghri-sevam
hridi vidadhati jahati va viveki
tad-akhilam api dushkritam triloke
kritam akritam na kritam kritam ca sarvam
yadi-if; madhu-of the Madhu demon; mathana-O killer; tvat-Your; anghri-feet; sevam-service; hridi-in the heart; vidadhati-perform; jahati-abandon; va-or; viveki-discriminating person; tat-of him; akhilam-all; api-even; duskritam-sinful deeds; tri-loke-in the three worlds; kritam-performed; akritam-not performed; na-not; kritam-performed; kritam-performed; ca-and; sarvam-all.
O Madhusudana, if a wise person in his heart serves Your lotus feet then any sins he may have done are all nullified. If he rejects Your service he gets all sinful reactions even though he may not have done any sinful deed.
-author unknown
Text 11
kasayan na ca bhojanadi-niyamman no va vane vasato
vyakhyanad athava muni-vrata-bharac cittodbhavah kshiyate
kintu sphita-kalinda-saila-tanaya-tireshu vikridato
govindasya padaravinda-bhajanarambhasya lesad api
kasayat-from the saffron color; na-not; ca-and; bhojana-of eating; adi-etc.; niyamat-from restraint; na-not; va-or; vane-in the forest; vasatah-from the residence; vyakhyanat-from explanation of the scriptures; athava-or; muni-vrata-from the vow of silence; bharat-great; citta-udbhavah-cupid; kshiyate-becomes weakened; kintu-but; sphita-broad; kalinda-of Mount Kalinda; saila-mountain; tanaya-of the daughter (the Yamuna river); tireshu-on the banks; vikridatah-playing; govindasya-of Lord Govinda; pada-feet; aravinda-lotus flowers; bhajana-of the devotional service; arambhasya-of the beginning; lesat-from a little particle; api-even.
Not by wearing saffron cloth, not by restricting food and other sense-activities, not by living in the forest, not by discussing philosophy, and not by observing a vow of silence, but only by even the slightest beginning of devotional service to the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, who enjoys pastimes on the Yamuna's wide banks, is Kamadeva stopped.
-author unknown
Text 12
alam alam iyam eva praninam patakanam
nirasana-vishaye ya krishna krishneti vani
yadi bhavati mukunde bhaktir a_nanda-sandra
vilutthati caranabje moksha-samrajya-lakshmih
alam-enough; alam-enough; iyam-this; eva-certainly; praninam-of the living entities; patakanam-of the sins; nirasana-vishaye-in the matter of becoming free; ya-which; krishna-O Krishna; krishna-O Krishna; iti-thus; vani-words; yadi-if; bhavati-there is; mukunde-for Lord Mukunda; bhaktih-devotional service; a_nanda-bliss; sandra-abundance; viluthati-rolls; carana-feet; abje-lotus; moksha-of liberation; samrajya-lakshmih-kingly opulence.
The words 'Krishna Krishna' are sufficient to purify the people's sins. If they have blissful service to Lord Mukunda, then the goddess of liberation bows before their lotus feet.
-Sri Sarvajna
Text 13
nancopacara-krita-pujanam arta-bandhoh
premnaiva bhakta-hridayam sukha-vidrutam syat
yavat kshud asti jathare jaratha pipasa
tavat sukhaya bhavato nanu bhakshya-peye
nana-upacara-by varieties of ingredients; krita-performed; pujanam-worshiping; arta-bandhoh-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the friend of all distressed persons; premna-by ecstatic love; eva-indeed; bhakta-hridayam-the heart of a devotee; sukha-vidrutam-melted in transcendental bliss; syat-becomes; yavat-as long as; kshut-appetite; asti-there is; jathare-in the stomach; jaratha-strong; pipasa-thirst; tavat-so long; sukhaya-for happiness; bhavatah-are; nanu-indeed; bhakshya-eatables; peye-and drinkables.
As long as there is hunger and thirst, eating and drinking make one feel very happy. When the Lord is worshiped with pure love, transcendental bliss is awakened in the heart of the devotee.*
-Sri Ramananda Raya
Text 14
krishna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih
kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mulyam ekalam
janma-koti-sukritair na labhyate
krishna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita-absorbed in the mellows of executing devotional service to Krishna; matih-intelligence; kriyatam-let it be purchased; yadi-if; kutah api-somewhere; labhyate-is available; tatra-there; laulyam-greed; api-indeed; mulyam-price; ekalam-only; janma-koti-of millions of births; sukritaih-by pious activities; na-not; labhyate-is obtained.
Pure devotional service in Krishna consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in hundreds and thousand of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price-that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.*
-Sri Ramananda Raya
Text 15
jnanam asti tulitam ca tulayam
prema naiva tulitam tu tulayam
siddhir eva tulitatra tulayam
krishna-nama tulitam na tulayam
jnanam-knowledge; asti-is; tulitam-equalled; ca-and; tulayam-in the scale; prema-of love of God; na-not; eva-certainly; tulitam-equal; tu-but; tulayam-in the scale; siddhih-mystic powers; eva-certainly; tulita-equal; atra-here; tulayam-in the scale; krishna-of Sri Krishna; nama-name; tulitam-equal; na-not; tulayam-in the scale.
Knowledge is not equal to love of Krishna, and the ability to perform mystic tricks is not equal to Krishna's holy name.
-Sri Sridhara Svami
