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(Avasya Raksibe Krsna — Viswasa Palana, faith in Krsna as protector, 4 songs)

(1)

ekhona bujhinu prabhu! tomara carana
asokabhoyamrta-purna sarva-khana

sakala chariya tuwa carana-kamale
poriyachi ami natha! taba pada-tale

taba pada-padma nath! rokhibe amare
ar rakha-karta nahi e bhava-somsare

ami taba nitya-dasa — janinu e-bara
amara palana-bhar ekhonu tomara

bara duhkha paiyachi swatantra jibane
saba duhkha dure gelo o pada-barane

je-pada lagiya rama tapasya korila
je-pada padiya siba sibatwa lobhila

je-pada lobhiya brahma krtartha hoila
je-pada narada muni hrdoye dhorila

sei se abhaya pada sirete dhoriya
parama-anande naci pada-guna gaiya

somsara-vipad ho’te abasya uddhara
bhakativinoda, o pada koribe tomara

Translation

I know now Your divine feet are a refuge free from all sorrow and fear, eternally full of sweet nectar.

At the soles of those lotus feet I surrender myself and all I possess.

O Lord, there is no other protection but You in this world of birth and death.

At last I know myself to be Your eternal servant, whose maintenance You have assured.

Life before, without You, held nothing but sorrow. Now I live free from all misery

Laksmi, desiring such a place at Your lotus feet, excuted austerities. Only after secureing a place by Your lotus feet did Lord Siva attain his sivatva, or quality of auspiciousness.

Upon obtaining those feet Lord Brahma became successful in life, and the great sage Narada Muni held those two feet to his heart.

Your lotus feet drive away all fear. Having held them to my head, I dance in great ecstasy, singing their glories.

Your lotus feet will deliver Bhaktivinoda from the perils of worldly journey.

(2)

1.tumi to’ maribe jare, ke tare rakhite pare,
taba iccha-basa tribhuvana
brahma-adi deba-gan, taba dasa aganan,
kare taba ajnara palana

2.taba iccha-mate jato, graha-gana abirato,
subhasubha fala kare dana
roga-soka-mrti-bhoy, taba iccha-mate hoy,
taba ajna sada balavan

3.taba bhoye bhayu boy, candra surja samuday,
swa-swa niyamita karja kare
tumi to’ parameswar, para-brahma paratpar,
taba basa bhakata-antare

4.sada-suddha siddha-kama, ‘bhakata-vatsala’ nama,
bhakata-janera nitya-swami
tumi to’rakhibe jare, ke tare marite pare,
sakala bidhira bidhi tumi

5.tomara carane natha! koriyache pranipata,
bhakativinoda taba das
bipad hoite swami! abasya tahare tumi
rokhibe, — tahara e viswas

Translation

Who can protect that person whom You wish to slay? The three worlds are obedient to Your will. The gods, headed by Brahma, are Your countless servants and stand ready to execute Your command,

By Your will the planets exercise their auspicious or inauspicious influences. Illness, grief, death, and fear occur by Your will. Your command is all-powerful.

In fear of You the wind blows, and the sun, moon, and all others perform their allotted duties. You are the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Spirit, supreme above all. Your residence is in the heart of Your loving devotee.

You are eternally pure. All Your desires are fulfilled. Your name is Bhakta-vatsala, for You are very affectionate to the Vaisnavas. You are the eternal Lord of Your loving devotees. Who can slay that person whom You wish to protect? You are the law of all laws.

O Lord, Your eternal servant Bhaktivinoda has bowed down at Your lotus feet. O master, he cherishes the faith that You will surely protect him from all dangers.

(3)

atma-samarpane gela abhiman
nahi korobun nija rakha-bidahan

tuwa dhana jani’ tuhun rakhobi, nath’
palya godhana jnana kori’ tuwa sath

caraobi madhaba! jamuna-tire
bamsi bajaoto dakobi dhire

agha-baka marato rakha-bidhan
korobi sada tuhun gokula-kan!

rakha korobi tuhun niscoy jani
pana korobun hama jamuna-pani

kaliya-dokha korobi binasa
sodhobi nadi-jala, baraobi asa

piyato dabanala raknobi mo’y
‘gopala’, ‘gobinda’ nama taba hoy

sura-pati-durmati-nasa bicari
rakhobi barsane, giri bara-dhari!

catur-anana korabo jab cori
rakha koro- i mujhe, gokula-hari!

bhakativinoda — tuwa gokula-dhan
rakhobi kesava! korato jatan

Translation

Surrendering to You lifted from me the burden of false pride. No longer will I try to secure my own well-being.

O Lord, I am confident of Your protection, for, like one of Your cows or calves, I am Your treasured property.

O Madhava, I see You leading Your herds to pasture on the banks of the Yamuna. You call to them by gently playing Your flute.

By slaying giant demons such as Agha and Baka You will always provide full protection, O Gokula Kana!

Fearless and confident of Your protection, I will drink the water of the Yamuna.

The Kaliya serpent’s venom poisoned the Yamuna’s waters, yet that poison will not act. You will purify the Yamuna and by such heroic deeds enhance our faith.

You who are called Govinda and Gopala will surely protect me by swallowing the forest fire.

When Indra, king of the gods, sends torrents of rain, You will counteract his malice and protect us by lifting the mighty Govardhana Hill!
When the four-headed Brahma steals Your cowherd boyfriends and calves, then, too, You will surely protect me, O Gokula Hari!

Bhakativinoda is now the property of Gokula, Your holy abode, O Kesava, kindly protect him with care.

(4)

chorato purusa-abhiman
kinkori hoilun aji, kan!

baraja-bipine sakhi-sath
sebana korobun, radha-nath!

kusume ganthobun har
tulasi-mani-manjari tar

jatane deobun sakhi-kare
hate laobo sakhi adare

sakhi dibo tuwa duhuk gale
durato herobun kutuhale

sakhi kahabo, — suno sundari!
rahobi kunje mama kinkori

ganthobi mala mano-harini
niti radha-krishna-bimohini

tuwa rakhana-bhara hamara
mama kunja-kutira tohara

radha-madhava-sebana-kale
rahobi moe hamara antarale

tambula saji’ karbura ani’
deobi moe apana jani’

bhakativinoda suni’ bat
sakhi-pade kare pranipat

Translation

Gone is the variety of male egoism, O Kana. Now I am Your faithful maidservant.

O Lord of Radha, in the groves of Vraja I will perform devotional service as a follower of one of the sakhis.

I will string together a necklace of forest flowers, and tulasi buds shall be the jewels of that necklace.

With utmost care I will place the garland in the hands of that confidential devotee, and she will take it with affection.

Then she will place the garland around both Your necks, while I watch in wonder from afar.

The confidant will then say to me, “Listen, O beautiful one, you should remain in this grove as my attendant.

“Daily you shall string together beautiful flower garlands that will enchant Radha and Krsna.

“The responsibility for your maintenance shall be mine. My cottage in the grove is yours.

When I serve Radha and Madhava, you will attend behind me. After preparing tambula and bringing camphor, you will give them to me, knowing me to be yours.”

Bhaktivinoda, having heard all these instructions, bows down at the lotus feet of that confidential sakhi.

(Bhakti-anukula-matra Karyera Svikara, acceptance of activities favorable to pure devotion, 4 songs)

(1)

tuva-bhakti-anukula je-je karja joy
parama-jatane taha koribo niscoy

I will surely execute with utmost care those activities favorable to Your pure devotional service.

bhakti-anukula jato bisaya somsare
koribo tahate rati indriyera dware

I will feel fondness for those things in this world which are conductive to pure devotion, and with my senses I will engage them in Your service.

sunibo tomara katha jatana koriya
dekhibo tomara dhama nayana bhoriya

I will carefully listen to all discussions concerning You, and the satisfaction of my eyes will be to behold Your divine abode.

tomara prasade deho koribo posan
naibedya-tulasi-ghrana koribo grahan

I will nourish my body with the sacred remnants of Your food and smell the sweet scent of tulasi leaves adorning those offerings.

kara-dwara koribo tomara seba sada
tomara basoti-sthale boshibo sarbada

With my hands I will always execute Your service, and I will forever dwell at that place where You abide.

tomara sebaya kama niyoga koribo
tomara bidvesi-jane krodha dekhaibo

I will employ my desires in Your devotional service and show anger to those who are envious of You.

ei-rupe sarba-brtti ara sarba-bhav
tuwa anukula hoye labhuka prabhav

In this way may all of my propensities and emotions obtain dignity and glory by being favorable to You.

tuwa bhakta-anukula jaha jaha kori
tuwa bhakti-anukula boli’ taha dhori

I will consider as favorable to Your devotional service anything I do which is favorable to Your devotee.

bhakativinoda nahi jane dharmadharma
bhakti-anukula tara hau saba karma

Bhaktivinoda knows neither religion nor irreligion. He simply prays that all his activities be conductive for pure devotion to You.

(2)

godruma-dhame bhajana-anukule
mathura-sri-nandisvara-samatule

tahi maha surabhi-kunja-kutire
baithobun hama sura-tatini-tire

gaura-bhakata-priya-besa dadhana
tilaka-tulasi-mala-sobhamana

campaka, bakula, kadamba, tamal
ropato niramibo kunja bisal

madhabi malati uthabun tahe
chaya-mandapa korobun tahi mahe

ropobun tatra kusuma-bana-raji
juthi, jati, malli birajabo saji

mance boshaobun tulasi-maharani
kirtana-sajja tahi rakhabo ani

baisnaba-jana-saha gaobun nam
jaya godruma jaya gaura ki dham

bhakativinoda bhakti-anukul
jaya kunja munja, sura-nadi-kul

On the banks of the celestial Ganges River I will dwell in a cottage at Surabhi-kunj in Godruma-dhama. This land of Godruma is very conductive for performing devotional worship of the Supreme Lord and is nondifferent from the sacred place called Nandagram, located in the holy district of Mathura.

I will put on the garb that is dear to the devotees of Lord Gaurasundara and wear the twelve Vaisnava tilaka markings on my body and beautiful beads of tulasi wood around my neck. Then, by planting flowering trees like Campaka, Bakula, Kadamba, and Tamala, I will make an extensive grove by my cottage.

I will put madhavi and malati creepers on the trees and in this way make a shady bower.

I will sow a variety of flowering forests and different kinds of jasmine like yuthi, jati and malli. All these will be present there, arrayed in a charming fashion.

I will install the empress tulasi on an elevated throne on the terrace, then procure all necessary paraphernalia for having kirtana, such as mrdanga drums, karatalas (hand cymbals), and gongs, and place them there.

(3)

1.suddha-bhakata- carana-renu
bhajana-anukula
bhakata-seba, parama-siddhi,
prema-latikara mula

madhaba-tithi, bhakti-janani
jatane palana kori
krsna-basoti basoti boli
parama adare bori

gaur amara, je-saba sthane,
koralo bhramana range
se-saba sthana, heribo ami,
pranayi-bhakata-sange

mrdanga-badya, sunite mana,
abasara saba jace
gaura-bihita, kirtana suni,
anande hrdoya nace

jugala-murti, dekhiya mora,
parama-ananda hoya
prasada-seba korite hoya
sakala prapance jaya

je-dina grhe, bhajana dekhi,
grhete goloka bhaya
carana-sindu, dekhiya ganga,
sukha na sima paya

tulasi dekhi, juraya prana
madhaba-tosani jani
gaura-priya, saka-sebane,
jibana sarthaka mani

bhakativinoda, krsna-bhajane,
anukula paya jaha
proti-dibase, parama-sukhe,
swikara karaye taha

Dust from the lotus feet of pure devotees is conductive to devotional service, whilee service to the Vaisnavas is itself the supreme perfection and the root o the tender creeper of divine love.

I observe with great care the holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami, for they are the mother of devotion. As my dwelling place I choose with the greatest of reverence and love the transcendental abode of Sri Krsna.

All those places where my Lord Gaurasundara traveled for pastimes I will visit in the company of loving devotees.

My mind always begs for the opportunity to hear the music of the mrdanga. Upon hearing the kind of kirtana ordained by Lord Gaurasundara, my heart dances in ecstasy.

Beholding the Deity forms of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, I feel the greatest joy. By honoring the Lord’s prasada, I conquer over all worldly illusions.

Goloka Vrndavana appears in my home whenever I see the worship and servicee of Lord Hari taking place there. When I see the Ganges, that river of nectar emanating from the lotus feet of the Lord, my happiness knows no bounds.

The sight of the holy tulasi tree soothes my soul, for I know she gives pleasure to Lord Krsna. By honoring sak, a great favorite of Lord Caitanya’s, I consider life worthwhile.

Whatever Bhaktivinoda obrains that is conducive for the service of Sri Krsna he accepts every day with greatest joy.

(4)

radha-kunda-tata-kunja-kutir
gobardhana-parbata, jamuna-tir

kusuma-sarobara, manasa-ganga
kalinda-nandini bipula-taranga

bamsi-bata, gokula, dhira-samir
brndabana-taru-latika-banir

khaga-mrga-kula, malaya-batas
mayura, bhramara, murali-bilas

benu, srnga, pada-cihna, megha-mala
basanta, sasanka, sankha, karatala

jugala-bilase anukula jani
lila-bilase-uddipaka mani

e-saba chorato kanhi nahi jau
e-saba chorato parana harau

bhakativinoda kahe, suno kan!
tuwa uddipaka, hamara paran

The cottage in the grove on the banks of Radha-kunda, the great Govardhana Hill, the banks of the Yamuna, Kusuma-sarovara, Manasa-ganga, the daughter of Kalinda (the Yamuna) with her many waves, the Vamsi-vat, Gokula, Dhira-samira, the trees and creepers and reeds of Vrdavana, the different varieties of colorful birds, the deer, the cooling breeze from the Malaya Mountains, the peacocks, the bumblebees, the pastimes with the flute, the flute itself, the buffalo horn bugle, the footprints of cows in the dust of Vraja, the rows of blackish rainclouds, springtime, the moon, the conchsell, and the karatalas – all these I know to be very conductive for the pastimes of Radha and Krsna. I recognize in them a transcendental stimulus for making the Lord’s charming pastimes more intense.

I refuse to go anywhere if there stimuli to devotional service are not there, for to abandon them is to abandon life itself.

Bhaktivinoda says, “Please hear me, O Kana! Your entourage and paraphernalia stimulate remembrance of You and are the very sourcee of my life.”

Bhakti-pratikula-bhava Varjanangikara, renunciation of conduct averse to pure devotion, 4 songs

(1)

1.kesaba! tuwa jagata bicitra
karama-vipake, bhava-bana bhrama-i
pekhalun ranga bahu citra

2.tuwa pada-bismriti, a-mara jantrana,
klesa-dahane dohi’ jai
kapila, patanjali, gautama, kanabhoji,
jaimini, bauddha aowe dhai’

3.sab koi nija-mate, bhukti, mukti jacato,
pata-i nana-bidha fand
so-sabu — bancaka, tuwa bhakti bahir-mukha,
ghataowe bisama paramada

4.baimukha-bancane, bhata so-sabu,
niramilo vividha pasara
dandabata durato, bhakativinoda bhelo,
bhakata-carana kori sara

Translation

This material creation of Yours, O Kesava, is most strange. I have roamed throughout the forest of this universe in consequence of my selfish acts, and I have beheld many strange and curious sights.

Forgetfulness of Your lotus feet has brought on anguish and grief. As I burn in this fire of misery, my would-be saviors — Kapila, Gautama, Kanada, Jaimini, and Buddha — come running to my aid.

Each expounds his particular view, dangling various pleasures and liberation as bait in their philosophical traps. They are all cheaters, averse to Your devotional service and thus fatally dangerous.

They are magnates of karma, jnana, and yoga who specialize in opinions and proofs for cheating the materially inclined. Bhaktivinoda, considering refuge at the feet of the Vaisnavas as essential, pays his respects to these cheating philosophers from afar.

(2)

1.tuwa-bhakti-pratikula dharma ja’te roy
parama jatane taha tyaji o niscoy

2.tuwa-bhakti-bahir-mukha sanga na koribo
gauranga-birodhi-jana-mukha na heribo

3.bhakti-pratikula sthane na kori basati
bhaktir apriya karje nahi kori rati

4.bhaktira birodhi grantha patha na koribo
bhaktira birodhi byakhya kabhu na sunibo

5.gauranga-barjita sthana tirtha nahi mani
bhaktira badhaka jnana-karma tuccha jani

6.bhaktira badhaka kale na kori adar
bhakti bahir-mukha nija-jane jani para

7.bhaktira badhika spriha koribo barjan
abhakta-pradatta anna na kori grahan

8.jaha kichu bhakti-pratikula boli’jani
tyajibo jatane taha, e niscoya bani

9.bhakativinoda pori prabhura carane
magaye sakati pratikulyera barjane

Translation

I vow to abandon without compromise all actions contrary to Your devotional service.

I will keep company with no one opposed to devotional service, nor even look at the face of a person inimical toward Lord Gauranga.

I shall never reside at a place unfavorable for devotional practices, and may I never take pleasure in nondevotional works.

I will read no book opposed to pure devotion, nor listen to any explanation which disagrees with pure devotional principles.

I will never regard as sacred any place where Lord Gauranga is rejected. Any knowledge hindering pure devotional service I consider worthless.

Any season which poses obstacles to the execution of devotional service shall find no favor with me, and I will consider all relatives or family members averse to pure devotion as strangers.

I will abandon all desires that hinder devotion and never accept food offered to me by nondevotee atheists.

I vow to promptly shun whatever I know to contradict pure devotion. This I strongly promise.

Bhaktivinoda, falling at the feet of the Lord, begs for the strength to give up all obstacles to pure devotion.

(3)

1.bisaya-bimudha ar mayabadi jan
bhakti-sunya dunhe prana dhare akaran

2.ei dui-sanga natha! na hoy amar
prarthana koriye ami carane tomar

3.se duwera madhye bisayi tabu bhalo
mayabadi-sanga nahi magi kono kalo

4.bisayi-hrdoya jabe sadhu-sanga pay
abayase labhe bhakti bhaktera krpay

5.mayabada-dosa ja’ra hrdoye posilo
kutarke hrdoya ta’ra bajra-sama bhelo

6.bhaktira swarupa, ara ‘bisaya’, ‘asroy’
mayabadi ‘anitya’boliya saba koy

7.dhik ta’ra krsna-seba-srabana-kirtan
krsna-ange bajra hane tahara staban

8.mayabada sama bhakti-pratikula nai
ataeba mayabadi-sanga nahi cai

9.bhakativinoda mayabada dura kori’
baisnaba sangete boishe namasraya dhori’

Translation

Both the monist philosophers and those bewildered by worldly affairs live in vain, for both are devoid of devotion to You.

I pray at Your lotus feet, O Lord, that I may be spared the company of them both.

Yet of the two the worldly man is better. I ask never to have the company of mayavadi.

When the worldly man enters into the company of saintly persons within his heart he becomes inspiried by pure devotion through the mercy of those devotees.

But woe to him who has known the offensive presence of impersonalist philosophy. Such sophistry makes the heart hard as a thunderbold.

The mayavada philosopher declares that the true form of bhakti, its object (Sri Krishna), and its possessor (the devotee) are all transitory and thus illusory.

Fie on his pretense of service to Krishna, of hearing and chanting His glories! His so-called prayers strike the body of Krishna with blows more cruel that a thunderbolt.

There is no philosophy as antagonistic to devotional service as mayavada philosophy. Therefore I do not desire the association of the mayavadi.

Bhaktivinoda drives away the philosophy of illusionism and sits safely in the society of Vaisnavas under the shelter of the holy name.

(4)

1.ami to’ swananda-sukhada-basi
radhika-madhava-carana-dasi

2.dunhara milane ananda kori
dunhara biyoge duhkhete mari

3.sakhi-sthali nahi heri nayane
dekhile saibyeke paraye mane

4.je-je pratikula candrera sakhi
prane duhkha pai tahare dekhi

5.radhika-kunja andhara kori
loite cahe se radhara hari

6.sri-radha-govinda -milana-sukha
pratikula-jana na heri mukha

7.radha-pratikula jateka jan —
sambhasane kabhu na hoiye man

8.bhakativinoda sri-radha-carane
sanpeche parana ati ba jatane

Translation

I am a resident of Svananda-sukhada-kunja and a maidservant of the lotus feet of Radhika and Madhava.

At the union of the Divine Couple I rejoice, and in Their separation I die in anguish.

I never look at the place where Candravali and her friends stay. Whenever I see such a place it reminds me of Candravali’s gopi friend, Saibya.

I feel pain in my heart when I catch sight of Candravali’s girl-friends, for they are opposed to Radha.

Candravali wants to take away Radha’s Lord Hari, thus covering the grove of Radhika with the darkness of gloom.

I never look at the faces of those who are opposed to Sri Radha and Govindas joyous union.

Nor do I find any pleasure in conversing with those who are opposed to Radha.

Bhaktivinoda has enthusiastically entrusted his soul to the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani.

Bhajana-lalasa, hankering for divine service, 13 songs

(1)

1.Hari he!
prapance poriya, agati hoiya,
na dekhi upaya ara
agatira gati carane sarana
tomaya korinu sara

2.karama geyana, kichu nahi mora,
sadhana bhajana nai
tumi krpa-moya, ami to kangala,
ahaituki krpa cai

3.vakya-mano-vega, krodha-jihva-vega,
udara-upasta-vega
miliya e saba, somsare bhasa’ye
diteche paramodvega

4.aneka jatane, se saba damane,
chariyachi asa ami
anathera natha! daki taba nama
ekhona bharasa tumi

Translation

O Lord Hari, having fallen helplessly into the illusion of this world, I see no other means of deliverance but You. You are the only recourse for the helpless. I accept the shelter of Your lotus feet as essential.

I have no knowledge, no background of pious activities, nor any history of strict devotional practice. But You are full of compassion and kindness. Therefore, although I am certainly destitute, I solicit Your causeless mercy.

The powerful urges of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly, and genital have banded together to cast me adrift on the sea of this material world, thus causing me great anxiety and trouble.

After great endeavor 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 shelter.

(2)

1-2.Hari he!
arthera sancaye, bisaya-prayase
ano-katha-prajalpane
ano-adhikara, niyama agrahe,
asat-sanga-samghatane

asthira siddhante, rohinu mojiya,
hari-bhakti roilo dure
e hrdoye matro, para-hamsa, mada,
pratistha, sathata sphure

3.e saba agraha, charite narinu,
apama dosate mori
janama bifala, hoilo amara
ekhona ki kori, hari!

4.ami to’ patita, patita-pabana,
tomara pabitra nama
se sambandha dhori, tomara carane,
sarana loinu hama

Translation

O Lord Hari, I have become absorbed in accumulating wealth and endeavoring for material possessions. I am addicted to speaking of topics apart from You and am always eager to accept practices apart from my own duties. I am in the habit of meeting with worldly men and am absorbed in speculative thinking. Therefore, devotion to You has remained distant from me. In this heart of mine dwells only envy and malice towards others false pride, hippocrisy, deceitfulness, and the desire for fame and honor.

I have not been able to give up any of these attachments. Thus my own faults have been my down fall. My birth as a human being has been wasted. O Lord Hari, what am I to do now?

I am indeed fallen; but Your holy name is the savior of the fallen. Clinging to that holy name, I have taken shelter at Your lotus feet.

(3)

1-2.hari he!
bhajane utsaha, bhaktite biswasa,
prema-labhe dhairja-dhana
bhakti-anukula, karma-prabartana,
asat-sanga-bisarjana

bhakti-sadacara, ei choya guna,
nahilo amara natha!
kemone bhojibo, tomara carana,
chariya mayara satha

3.garhita acare, rohilama moji’,
na korinu sadhu-sanga
lo’ye sadhu-besa, ane upadesi,
e boro mayara ranga

4.e heno dasaya, ahaituki krpa,
tomara paibo, hari!
sri-guru-asroye, dakibo tomaya,
kabe ba minati kori’

Translation

Enthusiasm in devotional service, faith in the process of devotional service, the treasure of patience in endeavoring to attain love of God, performing activities conducive to pure devotion, abandoning the company of worldly people, performing approved devotional practices — I have never possessed these six devotional qualities. How, then, shall I give up the association of maya and worship Your lotus feet, O Lord?

Absorbed in abominable activities, I never kept company with sadhus. Now I adopt the garb of the sadhus and instruct others. This is maya’s big joke.

O Lord Hari, in such a helpless condition surely I will obtain Your causeless mercy. O when, under the shelter of my spiritual master, will I call out to You with humble prayers?

(4)

1.hari he!
dana, pratigraha, mitho gupta-katha,
bhakata, bhojana-dana
sangera lakhana,ei choyahoya,
ihate bhaktira prana

2.tattwa na buhjiye, jnane ba ajnane,
asate e saba kori
bhakti harainu, somsari hoinu,
sudure rohile hari

3.krsna-bhakta-jane, ei sanga-lakhane,
adara koribo jabe
bhakti-maha-devi, amara hrdoya-
asane boshibe tabe

4.josit-sangi-jana, krsnabhakta ara,
dunhu-sanga-parihari’
taba bhakta-jana- sanga anukhana,
kabe ba hoibe hari!

Translation

O Lord Hari, to offer a gift and receive one in return, to give and receive spiritual food, to reveal one’s confidential thoughts and make confidential inquiries — these are the six characteristics of loving association, and in them is found the very soul of devotion.

I have failed to understand the Absolute Truth, and by practicing these six activities with nondevotees, either knowingly or unknowingly, I have lost all devotion. Thus I have become a materialist. For me, You, O Lord, remain afar.

The day I cherish these activities of intimate association with the devotees of Sri Krsna, that day the great goddess of devotion will ascend the throne of my heart.

When will I give up the company of those who are addicted to women and those who are not devoted to You? When will I get the constant association of Your devotees, O Lord?

(5)

1.Hari he!
sanga-dosa-sunya, diksitadiksita,
jadi taba nama ga’ya
manase adara, koribo tahare,
jani’ nija-jana taya

2.diksita hoiya, bhaje tuwa pada,
tahare pranati kori
ananya-bhajane, bijna jei jane,
tahare sebibo, hari!

3.Sarba-bhute sama, je bhaktera mati,
tahara darsane mani
apanake dhanya, se sanga paiya,
caritartha hoilun jani

4.niskapata-mati baisnabera proti,
ei dharma kabe pa’bo
kabe e somsara- sindhu-para hoiye
taba braja-pure ja’bo

Translation

O Lord, I will mentally honor and consider as my brother one who avoids bad company and sings Your holy name, be he formally initiated or not.

I offer obeisances to that person who is initiated and worships Your lotus feet, and I will serve, O Lord, anyone who is fixed in unalloyed devotion to You.

I consider myself greatly fortunate to even see that devotee who looks upon all living beings equally. By obtaining his association I know that I become successful in life.

When will my mind become simple and inoffensive toward the Vaisnavas, and when will I cross over the ocean of worldly existence to reach Your abode of Vraja?

(6)

1.hari he!
nira-dhama-gata, jahnavi-salile,
panka-fena drsta hoya
tathapi kakhona, brahma-draba-dharma,
se salila na charoya

2.baisnaba-sarira, aprakrta sada,
swabhava-bapurna dharme
kabhu nahe jada, tathapi je ninde,
pare se bisamadharme

3.sei aparadhe, jamera jatana,
paya jiba abirata
he nanda-nandana! sei aparadhe,
heno jeno nahi hata

4.tomara baisnaba, baibhava tomara,
amare koruna doya
tabe mora gati, tomarera prati
ha-i’be taba pada-chaya

Translation

Mud and foam are seen in the waters of the Ganges, for that is the inherent nature of river water. Yet Ganges water never loses its transcendental nature.

One may likewise find defects in the body of a Vaisnava, yet his body is always spiritual, never material. That person who criticizes the body of a Vaisnava falls into deadly irreligion.

For such an offense, the fallen soul continuously suffers the tortures of Yamaraja, lord of death. O youthful son of Nanda, I pray that I not be destroyed by committing such an offense.

The Vaisnava is Yours, and he is Your glory. May he be merciful to me. Then my life’s journey will lead to You, and I will obtain shelter in the shade of Your lotus feet.

(7)

- ohe!
vaisnaba thakura, doyara sagara,
e dase koruna kori'
diya pada-chaya, sodho he amaya,
tomara carana dhori

chaya bega domi, chaya dosa sodhi
chaya guna deho' dase
chaya sat-sanga, deho' he amare,
boshechi sangera ase

ekaki amara, nahi paya bala,
hari-nama-sankirtane
tumi krpa kori: sraddha-bindu diya,
deho' krsna-nama-dhane

krsna se tomara, krsna dite paro,
tomara sakati ache
ami to' kangala, 'krsna 'krsna 'boli',
dhai tava pache pache

Translation

O venerable Vaisnava. O ocean of mercy, be merciful unto your servant. Give me the shade of your lotus feet and purify me. I hold on to your lotus feet.

Teach me to control my six passions; rectify my six faults, bestow upon me the six qualities, and offer unto me the six kinds of holy association.*

I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.

Krsna is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, "Krsna! Krsna!"

(8)

1.Hare he
tomare bhuliya, abidya-piraya,
pirita rasana mora

krsna-nama-sudha, bhalo nahi lage,
bisaya-sukhate bhora

2.proti-dina jodi, adara koriya,
se nama kirtana kori
sitapala jeno, nasi roga-mula
krame swadu hoya, hari!

3.durdaiba amara, se name adara,
na loilo, doyamoya!
dasa aparadha, amara durdaiba,
kemone hoibe khoya

anudina jeno, taba nama gai,
kramete krpaya taba
aparadha ja’be name ruci ha’be
aswadibo namasaba

Translation

O Lord Hari, because I forgot You my tongue has become afflicted with the disease of ignorance. I cannot relish the nectar of Your holy name, for I have become addicted to the taste of worldly pleasures.

O Lord Hari, if I sing Your holy name aloud every day with great respect, then as sugar candy taken medicinally destroys the very disease which makes it taste bitter (jaundice), so Your holy name will cure my spiritual disease and allow me to gradually taste His sweetness.

O merciful Lord, how great is my misfortune that I feel no appreciation for Your holy name! In such a lamentable state, how will I be freed from committing the ten offenses to the holy name?

If I sing Your holy name every day, by Your mercy the ten offenses will gradually disappear. A taste for Your holy name will grow within me, and then I will taste the intoxicating spirit of the name.

(9)

1.hari he!
sri-rupa-gosai, sri-guru-rupete,
sikha dila mora kane
jano mora katha, namera kangala!
rati pa’be name-gane

2.krsna-nama-rupa guna -sucarita,
parama jatane kori’
rasana-manase, koraho niyoga,
krama-bidhi anusori

3.braje kori’basa, raganuga hoiya,
smarana kirtana koro
e nikhila kala, koraho japana,
upadesa-sara dharo’

4.ha rupa-gosai, doya kori’kabe,
dibe dine braja-basa
ragatmika tumi, taba padanuga,
hoite dasera asa

Translation

O Lord Hari, Sri Rupa Gosvami, in the form of the spiritual master, gave these instructions to my ears: “Try to understand my words, O you who begs for the gift of the holy name, for by these instructions you will develop attraction for chanting the holy name.

“Follow the scriptural rules and regulations and engage your tongue and mind in carefully chanting and remembering the holy names, divine forms, qualities, and wonderful pastimes of Lord Krishna.

“Dwell in the holy land of Vraja, cultivate spontaneous loving devotion (raganuga-bhakti), and spend your every moment chanting and remembering the glories of Sri Hari. Just accept these as the essence of all instructions”.

O Rupa Gosvami, when out of your causeless mercy, will you enable this poor wretched soul to reside in Vrndavana? You are a ragatmika devotee, an eternally liberated, intimate associate of Radha and Krsna. This humble servant of yours desires to become a follower at your lotus feet.

(10)

1.gurudev! boro krpa kori’,
gauda-bana majhe,
godrume diyacho sthana
ajna dila more, ei braje boshi’,
hari-nama koro gana

2. kintu kabe prabhu, jogyata arpibe,
e dasere doya kori’
citta sthira habe, sakala sohibo,
ekante bhojibo hari

3.saisaba-jaubane, jada-sukha-sange
abhyasa hoilo manda
nija-karma-dose, e deho hoilo
bhajanera pratibandha

4.bardhakye ekhona, panca-roge hata,
kemone bhojibo bolo;
kandiya kandiya, tomara carane,
poriyachi subhiwala

Translation

Gurudeva! Because you are so merciful, you gave me a place in Godruma amid the woodlands of Gauda, with this order to fulfill: “Dwell here in this Vrndavana and sing the holy name of Hari.”

But when, O master, out of your great mercy, will you bestow upon this servant of yours the spiritual competence to fulfill that order? When will my mind become tranquil and fixed? When will I endure all hardships and serve Lord Hari without distractions?

Due to attachment to worldly pleasures in childhood and youth, I have developed bad habits. Because of these sinful acts my body has become an impediment to the service of the Supreme Lord.

Now, in old age, afflicted by the five-fold illnesses, how will I serve the Lord? O master, please tell me. I have fallen at your feet weeping, overwhelmed by anxiety.

(11)

gurudev!
krpa-bindu diya, koro'ei dase,
trnapekha ati hina
sakala sahane, bala diya koro',
nija-mane sprha-hina

sakale sammana korite sakati
deho' natha! jathajatha
tabe to' gaibo, hari-nama-sukhe
aparadha ha'be hata

kabe heno krpa, labhiya e jana,
krtartha hoibe, natha!
sakti-buddhi-hina, ami ati dina,
koro' more atma-satha

jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pai,
tomara karuna - sara
karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya,
prana na rakhibo ara

Translation

Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations.

I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease.

When will such mercy fall to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? Allow me to be with you.

If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.

(12)

1.gurudev!
kabe mora sei din ha’be
mana sthira kori’, nirjana boshiya,
krsna-nama ga’bo jabe
somsara-fukara, kane na posibe,
deho-roga dure ro’be

2.hare krsna’ boli, gahite gahite,
nayane bohibe lora
dehite pulaka, udita hoibe,
premete koriba bhora

3.gada-gada bani, mukhe bahiribe,
kanpibe sarira mama
gharma muhur muhuh, birbarna hoibe,
stambhita pralaya sama

4.niskapate heno, dasa kabe ha’be,
nirantara nama ga’bo
abese rohiya, deha-jyatra kori,
tomara karuna pa’bo

Translation

Gurudeva! When, with a steady mind in a secluded place, will I sing the name of Sri Krsna? When will the pandemonioum of worldly existence no longer echo in my ears and the diseases of the body remain far away? When will that day be mine?

When I chant “Hare Krsna”, tears of love will flow from my eyes and ecstatic rapture will arise within my body, causing my hair to stand on end and my body to become overwhelmed with divine love.

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.

When will such a genuine ecstatic condition be mine? I will constantly sing the holy name and remain absorbed in profound devotion while maitaining the material body. In this way I will abtain your mercy.

(13)

1.gurudev!
kabe taba karuna-prakase
sri-gauranga-lila, hoya nitya-tattwa,
ei drdha biswase
hari hari boli, godruma kanane,
bhromito darsana-ase

2.nitai, gauranga adwaita, srivasa,
gadadhara — panca-jana
krsna-nama rase, bhasaibe jagat,
kori’ maha-sankirtana

3.nartana-bilasa, mrdanga-badana
sunibo apana-kane
dekhiya dekhiya, se lila-madhuri,
bhasibo premera bane

4.na dekhi’ abara, se lila-ratana,
kandi ha gauranga! boli’
amare bisayi pagala boliya,
angete dibeka dhuli

Translation

Gurudeva! Lord Gauranga’s transcendental pastimes are eternal realities. I await the day when, with this firm faith manifested by your mercy, I will wander through the groves of Godruma, chanting “Hari! Hari!” and hoping to behold those pastimes.

The Panca-tattva — Nitai, Gauranga, Advaita, sSrivasa and Gadadhara — will flood the entire universe with the intoxiacting nectar of the holy name of Sri Krsna by performing a maha-sankirtana.

In my ears I will hear the sounds of dancing and the playing of the mrdangas. By constantly beholding the sweetness and beauty of that pastime of Lord Gauranga’s, I will swim in the flood tide of divine love.

Materialists will throw dirt at my body and proclaim me thoroughly mad. For being again bereft of seeing the jewel of that pastime, I shall weep and cry out, “O my Lord Gauranga!”