Saranagati"Surrendered to the Lord's Shelter"

by Srzla Bhaktivinoda Thakuraoriginally published in 1893

50 Bengali songs outlining the six-fold process of submissive surrender unto theSupreme Lord

translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa

Dedicated to His Divine GraceA.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

by making Krishna Consciousness availablewho fulfilled the predictions of Bhaktivinoda Thakura

to the entire world

Introductory Song

sri krsna -caita-nya prabhujive doya kori'

swa parsa-da swiya dhama saha avatari'

I ) Srz Krsna Caitanya Prabhu descended from the eternal spir i tual world alongwith His personal associates and divine abode, incarnating in this temporarymaterial world out of compassion for the fal len souls.

atyanta durlabha prema koribare dana

sikhaya saranagati bhakatera prana

2) In order to freely distr ibute the gift of ecstatic love of God, which is verydifficult to obtain, He taught the path of saranagati, devotional surrender to theSupreme Lord. This saranagati is the very l ife of the true devotees.

(3-4)

dainya, atma nivedana-, goptrtve varana'avasya raksibe krsna' visvasa, palanabhaki anukula -matra ka-ryera svikara

bhakti pratikula -bhava va-rj anangikara

3 — 0) The six ways of surrender through saranagati are (I) dainya h u m i l i t y ,g) atma-nivedana de d i cat ion of the self, (3) goptrtve varana acceptance of

the Lord as one's only maintainer, (0) the consciousness of avasya raksibe

krsna' K r sna w i l l su rely protect me' w h i c h i s v i svasa (faith) in Krsna'spalana (protection), (5) bhaki-anukula-matra karyera svzkara execut ion of onlythose acts favorable to pure devotion, and (6) bhakti-prat ikula-bhavavarjanangikara r en unc ia t ion of conduct adverse to pure devotion.

sad an-ga saranagati hoibe j aharatahara prarthana sune sri na-nda ku-mara

5) Srt Nanda-Kumara, the youthful son of Nanda Maharaja, hears the prayersof anyone who takes refuge in Him by this six-fold pract ice of surrender.

(6)

rupa san-atana pad-e dante trna kori'bhakativinoda pode duhun pada dhori

6) Bhaktivinoda prostrates himself at the feet of Srz Rupa and Srz SanatanaGoswamz, places a straw between his teeth, and clasps their lotus feet with his

hands.

kandiya kandiya bole ami to adhama

sikhaye saranagati 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 saranagati!"

First Principle of Surrender: DainyaHumility

— Seven Songs­

Song I

bhuliya tomare, samsare asiya,

peye nana vidha by-athatomara carane, asiyachi ami,

bolibo duhkhera katha

I) 0 Lord, I forgot You and came to this material wor ld, where I haveexperienced a host of pains and sorrows. Now I approach Your lotus feet andsubmit my tale of woe.

janani j-athare, chilamajakhona,

eka b-araprabhu! dekhadiyamore,bisama bandhana p-ase

vancile e dma dase

2) While stil l bound up t ightly in the unbearable confines of my mother 's

womb, 0 Lord, You once revealed Yourself before me. Appearing only briefly,

You then abandoned this poor servant of Yours.

takhona bhavinu, j anama paiya,

ganama hoz2o, podi maya ga2e-,koribo bhaj ana tava

na hoi2o j nana 2ava­

3) At that moment I thought, "After my birth, I wi l l worship You." But alas,

after taking birth I fel l into the entangling network of wor ldly i l l us ions; thus Ipossessed not even a drop of true knowledge.

adarera che2e, swa janera ko2e,

j anaka janani sneh-ete bhuliya,

hasiya katanu kala

samsara 2agi2o bha2o

0) As a dear son fondled in the laps of relatives, I passed my time smil ing andlaughing. The affection of my father and mother helped me to forget You sti l l

more, and I began to think that the material world was a very nice place.

krame dina dina, balaka hoiya,

khe2lBu ba2aka saha ­

ara kichu dine, jnana upajilo,

patha podi ahar ahah­

5) Day by day I gradually grew into a young boy and began playing with otherboys. Soon my powers of understanding emerged, so I diligently read and

studied my school lessons every day.

(6)

vidyara gaurave, bhrami' dese dese,dhana uparj ana kori

swa jana palana, kori eka mane,

bhulinu tomare, hari!

6) Proud of my accomplished education, later I traveled from place to placeand earned much wealth. Thereby maintaining my family with undividedattention, I forgot You, 0 Lord Hari!

bardhakye ekhona, bhakativinoda,

na bhajiya tore, dina brtha gelo,kandiya katara ati

ekhona ki habe gati?

7) Now in old age, this Bhaktivinoda very sadly weeps. I failed to worshipYou, 0 Lord, and instead passed my days in vain. What will be my fate now~

Song 2

vidyara vi2ase, katainu ka2a,parama sahase ami

ekhona sarana tumitomara carana, na bhajinu kabhu,

I) With great enthusiasm I spent my time in the pleasures of mundanelearning, and never worshiped Your lotus feet, 0 Lord. Now You are my only

shelter.

podite podite, bharasa barilo,j nane gati habe mani

se j nana aj nana j ani

se asa bipha2a, sejnana durba2a,

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 hopesturned out to be, for all my knowledge proved feeble. Now I know that all such

erudition is actually pure ignorance.

j ada vidyaj at-a, mayara vaibhava,

mohaj anamiya, anitya samsare,tomara bhaj ane badha

jivake koraye gadha

3) All the so-called knowledge of this world is born of the fl icker ing potencyof Your illusory energy (maya). It is an impediment to the execution of

devotional service to You. Indulgence in mundane knowledge verily makes anass of the eternal soul by encouraging his infatuation with this temporaryworld.i*

sei gadha hoye, samsarera boj ha,

bardhakye ekhona, saktira abhave,bahinu aneka kala

klchu. nahl 2agc bha20

0) 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 f ind that nothing at all pleases me.

jlvanajatana, hoilo ekhona,sc vldya avldya bhc20

sc vldya hol20 sc20avidyaraj vva2a, ghati2o bisama,

5) Life has now become agony, for my so-called erudite knowledge has provenitself to be worthless ignorance. Material knowledge has now become a pointedshaft and has pierced my heart with the into lerable, burning pain of ignorance.

(6)

tomara carana, bina kichu dhana,

bhakativinoda, j ada vidya c-hadi,samsare na ache ara

tuvva pada kore sara

6) 0 Lord, there is no treasure worth seeking in this world other than Yourlotus feet. Bhaktivinoda abandons all his mundane knowledge and makes Yourlotus feet the sum and substance of his l i fe.

Song 3

j auvanej akhona, dhana uparj ane-,

dharama smariya, grhinlra kara,hoinu vipula kaml

dhorinu takhona ami

I ) When I was young, I felt a boundless ambit ion for earning money. At thatt ime, bearing in mind the codes of religion, I accepted the hand of a wife.i i

samsara pataye, tahara sahita,

bahu suta su-ta, j anama 2obhi2o,kala kh-oy koinu koto

marame hoinu hato

2) Along with her I set up a household and therein wasted so much of mytime. Many sons and daughters were born, and my spiri t was totally crushed.

samsarera bhara, bade dine dine,

bardhakya asiya, gherilo amare,

aca2a hoi2o gati

asthira hoilo mati

3) The burden of family l i fe increased day by day, and under its weight I fel tmy personal progress in l ife forcibly come to a halt. Old age came andbeleaguered me on all sides, making my mind incessantly disturbed.

pidaya asthira, cintayaj warita,

upaya na dekhi, andhakara moya,­

abhavejwalita cita

ekhona ho'yechi bhita

0) Diseases trouble me, constant anxiety has made me feverish, and my heartburns with every want. I see no way out of this predicament, for all is darkness.Now I am very much afraid.

samsara tatani -srota n-ahe sesa,

saba samapiya, bhojibo tomaya,marana nikate ghora

e asa biphala mora

5) The current of this wor ldly r iver is strong and relentless; a frightening,gloomy death approaches. Finishing my wor ldly du t ies, I wil l worship You, 0Lord' that hope is now frui t less as well.

(6)

ebe suno prabhu! ami gati hina,

tava krpa bina, sakali nirasa,deho' more padasroya

bhakativinoda koya

6) Now please hear me, 0 Lord! I am ut terly helpless. Bhaktivinoda says,"Without Your mercy, everything is lost. Please give me the shelter of Your lotus

feet."

Song 0

amarajivana, sada pape rata,

parere udvega, diyachi j e koto,

nahiko punyera lesa

diyachijivere klesa

I) My life is ever given to sin; in it there is not a part icle of good. I havecaused others great anxiety, and have troubled all souls.i i i*

nij a sukha lagi, pape nahi dori,doya hina -swartha paro­

para duhkh-a sukha karo­para sukhe -duhkhi, sada mithya bhasi-,

2) For the sake of my own enjoyment I have never hesitated to perform sinfulacts. Devoid of all compassion, I am concerned only with my sel f ish interests.

Perpetually speaking lies, I become dejected upon seeing others happy, whereasthe misery of others is a source of great delight for me.

asesa kamana, hrdi maj he mora,

krodhi, dambha paraya-namada matta s-ada, visaye mohita,

himsa garva v-ibhusana

3) There are limit less material desires within the core of my heart. I amwrathful, fond of exhibi t ing arrogance, intoxicated by vanity, and bewildered byworldly affairs. I wear the cherished ornaments of envy and egotism.

nidralasya hata, sukarye virata,akarye udyogi ami

pratistha lagiy a, sathy a acarana,lobha hata sada kami

0) Ruined by laziness and sleep, I resist all pious deeds, yet am veryenthusiastic to perform wicked acts. For the sake of worldly fame andreputation I engage in the practice of deceitfulness. I am vict imized by my own

greed, being always lustful .

e heno durj ana, saj jan-a va-rjita,

subha ka-rya sun-ya, sadanartha ma-nah,aparadhi nirantara

nana duhkhejarajara

5) A vile, wicked man such as this, rejected by godly people, is a constantoffender. Devoid of all good works, forever incl ined toward evil , he is worn out

and wasted by various miseries.

(6)

bardhakye ekhona, upaya vihin-a,

bhakativinoda, prabhura carane,

ta'te dina akincana

kore duhkha nivedana

6) Now in old age, deprived of all means of rel ief, thus humbled and poor,Bhaktivinoda submits his tale of grief at the feet of the Supreme Lord.

Song 5

(prabhu he!) suno mor duhkher kahinivisaya ha2aha-2a, sudha bhane -piya2un,

ab avasana dinamani

I) 0 Lord! Please hear the story of my sadness. I drank the deadly poison ofworldliness, pretending it was nectar, and now the sun is sett ing on the horizonof my life.

khela rase sais-ava, podhaite kaisora,

bhoga base yau-vane, ghara pati' bosi2un,gowa02un, na bhe20 vlvek

suta mita badh-alo 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 chi ldren andfriends quickly multiplied.

vrddha k-a2a a020, s ab asukha bhaga20,

sarvendriya durba2a, ksina ka2evara,pida ba-se hoinu katar

bhogabhave duhkhita antar

3) Old age soon arrived, and all joys consequently departed. Subjected to thetorments of disease, I am troubled and weak. All my senses are feeble now, mybody is racked and exhausted, and my spir its are downcast in the absence offormer sense pleasures.

j nana 2ava -hina-, bhakti rase -vanchita,

patita band-hu, tuhun, patitadhama hama,

ara mora ki habe upay

krpaya uthao tava pay

0) Devoid of even a particle of enlightenment, cheated of the mellows ofdevotion wha t help is there for me now? 0 Lord, You are the fr iend of the

fallen. I am certainly fal len, the lowest of men. Please, therefore, in mercy l i f tme to Your lotus feet.

vicarite abahi, guna nahi paobi,krpa koro, chodato vicar

bhakativinoda karo par

tava pada pankaj -a sidhu -pibaoto,

5) Were You to judge me now, You would f ind no good qual i t ies. Have mercyand judge me not. Cause me to drink the honey of Your lotus feet and therebydeliver this Bhaktivinoda.

Song 6

(prabhu he!) tuwa pade e minati mortuwa pada pa22ava, -tyaj ato maru mana, ­

vlsama vlsaye bhe20 bhor

I) 0 Lord! I of fer 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 horr ib le

worldliness.

uthayite takata, puna nahi milo-i,

dina jana na-tha, tuhun kahayasi,anudina korohun hutas

tumari carana mama as

2) I find no strength to r ise again, and thus I spend my days bit ter lylamenting. 0 Lord who is cal led the master of the meek and humble! Your lotusfeet are my only hope.

aichana dina jana, kohi nahi milo-i,

tuwaj ana sang-e, tuwa katha rang-e,

tuhun more koro parasad

chadahun sakala paramad

3) There has never been a soul as forlorn as me. Please be merciful and awardme the association of Your devotees, for by tasting the pleasure of hearingdiscussions of Your pastimes I shall give up all evi ls.

tuwa dhama mahe-, tuwa nama gaoto,

tuwa pada chaya-, parama susitala,gowayabun diva nisi a-s

mage bhakativinoda das

0) One hope animates my soul: To spend day and night singing Your holyname while living in Your div ine abode. Your servant Bhaktivinoda begs a placein the supremely cooling shade of Your lotus feet.

Song 7

(prabhu he!)

podiya achinu ami

pathaiya dil,e tumi

emona durmati, samsara bhitore,

tava nija jana, ko-no mahajane,

I) 0 Lord! With such a wicked mind as this I have fallen into the materialworld, but You have sent one of Your pure and elevated devotees to rescue me.

doya kori more, patita dekhiya,

ohe dma jana, suno bhalo katha,

kohi lo amare giy a

ullasita ha'be hiya

2) He saw me so fallen and wretched, took pi ty, and came to me saying, "0

humbled soul, please listen to this good tiding, for it wi l l g ladden your heart .

tomare tarite, sri krs-na cai-tanya,

toma heno koto, dina hinajane,

navadwipe avatar

korilena bhava par­

3) "Srt Krsna Caitanya has appeared in the land of Navadvtpa in order to

deliver you. He has safely conducted many miserable souls such as you acrossthe sea of worldly existence.

vedera pratij na, rakhibara tare,

rukma varna -vipra suta­mahaprabhu name, nadiya mataya,

sange bhai avadhuta

0) "To fulf il l the promise of the Vedas, the son of a brahmana, of golden

complexion and bearing the name of Mahaprabhu, has descended along with His

brother, the avadhuta. Together They have overwhelmed all of Nadzya withdivine ecstasy.iv

nanda sutajini-, caitanya gosai,

tarilo j agat, tumi oj aiya,­loho nij a paritran­

nija nama k-ori dan

5) "Srt Caitanya Gosai, who is Krsna Himself, the son of Nanda, has saved theworld by freely distr ibut ing the gift of His own holy name. Go to Him also and

receive your deliverance."

(6)

se katha suniya, asiyachi, natha.tomara carana tale ­

bhakativinoda, kandiya kandiya,apana k-ahini bole

6) Hearing those words, 0 Lord, Bhaktivinoda has come weeping and weeping

to the soles of Your lotus feet and tells the story of his l i fe.

Second Principle of Surrender: Atma-NivedanaDedication of the Self

— Eight Songs­

Song I

na korolun karama, geyana nahi bhelo,

j ada suk-he matiya, apanaku vanca i, ­

na sevilun carana tohar

pekhahun caudisa andhiyar

I) I have not performed any good works. I have not amassed any

transcendental knowledge. I have never worshiped Your feet. Being intoxicatedby sensual pleasures, I have simply cheated myself. Now I see only darkness inall directions.v

tuhun natha! karuna nidan­tuwa pada panka-j e, atma samarpilun,

more krpa korobi vidhan

2) You, 0 Lord, are the fountainhead of all mercy. I surrender myself at Yourlotus feet; kindly show me Your compassion.

pratij na tohara oi, j o hi saranagata,

so hama duskrti, gati na hera iana, ­

nahi soj anabo paramad

ab magon tuwa parasad

3) It is Your promise that one who takes refuge in You wil l come to no harm.For a sinner like me I see no other shelter; therefore I beg You now for Yourgrace.

ana mano ratha, ni-hsesa chodato,kab hama haubun tohara

nitya s-evya tuhun, nitya s-evaka mui,

bhakativinoda bhava sara

0) 0 when wil l I know f reedom from incessant material desires and thusbecome exclusively Yours? This is the sum of Bhaktiv inoda's musings You a reeternally to be served, and I am Your eternal servant.

Song 2

(praneswar!) kohobun ki sarama ki bataichana pap nahi, jo hama na koralun,

sahasra sahasra beri nath

I) 0 Lord of my l i fe! How shall I tel l You of my shameful story? There is nosin which I have not committed thousands of t imes and more, 0 Lord .v i

sohi karama phal-a, bhave moke pesa i, ­

takhonaka parinam, kachu na bicaralun,

dokha deobo bakahl

ab pachu taraite cahi

2) My life in this world has only been one of affl ict ion and torment as a resulto f those sins. Who is there to blame for this misery? At the t ime I did notconsider the consequences; but now, in the aftermath, I seek to be saved.

dokha vicara i, tun-hu danda deobi,

hama bhoga korabun samsarkarato gatagati, bhakata jana sange,­

mati rohu carane tohar

3) After judging my sins, You wil l surely punish me befi t t ingly, and I shal lsuffer the pangs of rebirth in this wor ld. I only pray that, as I come and gothrough repeated births and deaths, my mind may ever dwell at Your lotus feetas I keep the company of Your devotees.

apana caturpana, tuwa pade sonpalun,

dina doya moy-a, tu-wa krpa niramala,

hrdoya garava d-ure gelo

bhakativinoda asa bhelo

0) I offer this judicious prayer at Your feet: The pride of my heart has gone far

away. 0 You who are so kind to the meek, Your spotlessly pure mercy has

become Bhaktivinoda's only hope.

Song 3

manasa, deho, geho, jo kichu mor

arpilun tuwa pade, nanda ki-sor!

I) Mind, body, family, and whatever else may be mine, I have surrendered atYour lotus feet, 0 youthful son of Nanda!

sampade vipade, j Ivane ma-rane

day mama gela, tuwa o pad-a varane

2) In good fortune or in bad, in l i fe or in death, all my di f f icu l t ies havedisappeared by accepting those feet of Yours as my only shelter.

marobi rakhobi j o iccha tohara

nitya dasa -prati tuwa adhikara

3) Slay me or protect me as You wish, for You have full author ity over Youreternal servant.

janmaobi moeicchajadi torbhakta grhej a-ni j anma hau mor

0) If it is Your wish that I be born again, then may I take birth in the home ofYour devotee.

kita janma hauj atha tuwa das

bahir mukha b-rahma janme nahi as

5) May I be born again even as a worm, as long as I remain Your devotee. Ihave no desire to be born as a Brahma averse to You.vii

(6)

bhukti mukti sprh-a vihm-aj e bhakta

labhaite tanko sanga anurakta

6) I yearn for the company of that devotee who is completely devoid of al ldesire for worldly enjoyment or l iberat ion.

j anaka, j anani, dayita, tanayprabhu, guru, pati tuhusarva m-oy

7 ) Father, mother, lover, son, Lord, preceptor, and husband Yo u a r eeverything to me.

bhakativinoda kohe, suno kana!

radha nat-ha! tuhun hamara parana

8) Bhaktivinoda says, "0 Kana, please hear me. 0 Lord of Radha, You are my

life and soul!"

Song 0

aham mama' sabda -arthe-j aha kichu hoy

arpilun tomara pade, ohe doya moy!­

I ) All there is that may be indicated by the words aham ("I") and mama("mine"), I offer at Your lotus feet, 0 merci ful Lord !

amara' ami to' natha! na rohinu arekhona hoinu ami kevala tomar

2) I no longer consider even myself to be "mine", 0 Lord! Now I have becomeexclusively Yours.

ami' sabde dehi jiva ahamta chadilo

twadiyabhimana aji hrdoye pasilo

3) The soul inhabit ing this mortal body has given up the false ego attached tothe word "I", for today the spir i tual sense of being Yours has entered his heart.

amar sarvasva deho, geho anucar

bhai, bandhu, dara, suta, dravya, dwara, ghar

0) All my possessions bo dy , home, servants, brothers, friends, wife, sons,

personal belongings, fencing and gateways. . .

se saba hoilo tava, ami hoinu dastomara grhete ebe ami kori bas

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 grha swa-mi, ami sevaka tomartomara sukhete cesta ekhona amar

6) You are the owner of the house, and I am Your most obedient servant. My

only activity now is endeavoring for Your happiness.

sthu2a-2inga-dehe mora sukrta duskrta

ara mora nahe, prabhu ami .to' niskrta

7) Whatever pious or impious activi t ies that were performed by me, eitherwith my gross or subtle bodies, are no longer mine, 0 Lord, for I am redeemed!

tomara icchaya mora iccha misailobhakativinoda aj a apane bhu2i2o

8) My will has become merged with Your wi l l . From this day forwardBhaktivinoda has completely for-gotten himself .

Song 5

amara bolite prabhu! are kichunaitumi-i amara matra pita-bandhu-bhai

I) 0 Lord, nothing fur ther remains that may be called "mine." Father, fr iend,brother You a lone are all these to me.

bandhu, dara, suta, suta tava dasi dassei to' sambandhe sabe amara prayas

2) My friends, wife, sons and daughters are now Your servants andmaidservants. Whatever care I take for them is only as they are related to You.

dhana, j ana, grha, dara tomara' boliyarakha kori ami matro sevaka hoiya

3) Declaring that my wealth, family members, home, and wife are truly Yours,I continue as a mere servant to duti fu l ly protect them.

tomara karyera tore uparjibo dhan

tomara samsare vyay-a koribo vahan

0) For the purpose of Your service I wil l earn money and bear the expense ofmaintaining Your household.

bhalo mand-a nahi j ani seva matro koritomara samsare ami visaya praha-ri

5) I know nothing of what is good or bad; I simply render my service. I am buta watchman set to guard the propert ies of Your household.

(6)

tomara icchaya mora indriya calana­

sravana, darsana, ghrana, bhojana vasana­

6) I exercise my senses only according to Your direct ion, and thus I desire to

hear, see, smell, and taste.

nij a sukha lag-i kichu nahi kori ar

bhakativinoda bole, tava sukha sar ­

7) I no longer do anything for my own pleasure. Bhaktivinoda says, "Your

pleasure is the essence of everything."

Song 6

bastutah sakali tava, jiva keho noyaham' mama' b-hrame bhromi' bhoge soka b-hoy

I) In truth, all th ings belong to You; no jzva is ever the owner of anything. Thetiny soul wanders in this world mistakenly th ink ing in terms of aham ("I amthis material body and mind") , and mama ("everything related to this body ismine"). Thus he suffers the consequences of both sorrow and fear.

aham ma-ma abh-imana ei ma-tro dhan

baddha j iva nij a boli jane mane man

2) The conditioned soul thinks that all the things related to the falseconceptions of "I" and "mine" are his exclusive treasures. Calling them his own,his mind is firmly convinced of this gross delusion.

sei abhimane ami samsare podiya

habudubu khai bhava-sindhu santariya

3) Due to such vanity, I also fell into this material wor ld. Floundering in theocean of mundane existence like a drowning man, I suffer the pangs of risingand sinking in that ocean.

tomara abhoya pade lo-iya saranaji ami korilama atma niveda-n

0) I take shelter at Your lotus feet, which del iver one from fear, and dedicatethe whole of myself to You on this day.

aham'- mama' abhiman-a chadilo amay

ar j eno mama hrde stana nahi pay

5) The false conception of think ing in terms of "I " and "mine" has left menow. May it never again find a place to settle within my heart .

(6)

ei matro bala prabhu! dibe he amare

ahamta mamata dure pari rakhibare

6) Please give me this strength alone, 0 Lord, that I may be able to keep thefalse conceptions of "I" and "mine" far away.

atma ni-vedana bh-ava hrde drdha royhasti sn-ana samaj eno khanika na hoy

7) May the mood of self-surrender to You remain f i rmly f ixed in my heart andnot prove to be momentary l ike the cleanliness of an elephant after a bath.

bhakativinoda prabhu nityananda paymage parasada, j ahe abhimanaj ay

8) Bhaktivinoda begs at the lotus feet of Lord Ni tyananda for that grace which

causes all illusory concepts of false pride to f lee.

Song 7

nivedana kori prabhu! tomara carane

patita adhama ami, jane tri bhuva-ne

I) I submit at Your lotus feet, 0 Lord, that I am fal len and most wretched.This fact is known to the three worlds.

ama sama p-api nahi j agat bhitore­

mama sama aparadhi nahiko samsare

2) There is no sinner in the world more sinful than me. In the ent ire universethere is no offender whose offenses equal mine.

sei saba papa ara aparadha, ami

parihare pai lajj a, sabaj ano tumi

3) By attempting to clear myself of all these sins and offenses I am put toshame. All this is surely understood by You.

tumi bina ka ra ami loibo saran?tumi sarvesvaresvara, braj endra n-andan!

0) Of whom wil l I take shelter except for You? You are the Lord of all lords, 0son of the King of Vraja!

j agat tomara natha! tumi sarva mo-ytoma prati aparadha tumi koro' ksoy

5) This world is Yours, 0 Lord, and You pervade all things in it . You dispelthe sinful result of offenses committed against You.

(6)

tumi to' skhalita pada-j anera asroytumi bina ara kiba ache, doya moy-!

6) You alone are the shelter of those whose feet stumble off the proper path.Apart from You, what else exists, 0 merci ful Lord>

sei rupa -tava aparadhij anaj atatomara saranagata hoibe satata

7) All persons like me who have offended You wil l u l t imately seek to achieveYour shelter.

bhakativinoda ebe loiya sarantuwa pade kore aj atma samarp-an

8) Bhaktivinoda now takes full shelter of You and surrenders himself at Yourlotus feet on this very day.

Song 8

atma nivedana-, tuwa pade kori',

duhkha dure ge2o, cinta na rohi2o,hoinu parama sukhi

caudike ananda dekhi

I) 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 thefour directions.

asoka ab-hoya, amrta ad-hara,tomara carana dw-aya

chadinu bhavera bhoyatahate ekhona, visrama labhiya

2) Your two lotus feet are reservoirs of immortal nectar that grant freedomfrom both sorrow and fear. Resting in them I have found peace, and havecompletely given up the fear of worldly existence.

tomara samsare, koribo sevana,

tava sukhaj ahe, koriboj atana,

nahibo phalera bhagi

ho'ye pade anuragi

3) I shall render service in Your household and never endeavor to enjoy thefruits of that service. Rather, I shall str ive for whatever pleases You, being fullyenamored by Your lotus feet.

tomara sevaya, duhkha hoyajato,

seva sukha -duhkha-, parama sampada,se oto' pa-rama sukha

nasaye avidya duhkha­

0) All the troubles encountered in Your service shall be the cause of greathappiness, for in Your devotional service joy and sorrow are equally great

riches. Both destroy the misery of ignorance.

purva itihasa, bhu2inu saka2a,seva sukha p-e'ye mane

ki kaj a apara dhaneami to' tomara, tumi to' amara,

5) I have completely forgotten all of my past history by feel ing in my mind thegreat joy of Your service. I am indeed Yours, and You are truly mine. What needis there of any other treasure?

(6)

bhakativinoda, anande dubiya,

saba cesta kore, tava iccha m-ato,

tomara sevara tare

thakiya tomara ghare

6) Bhaktivinoda sinks deeply into the ocean of pure bl iss by engaging in Yourservice. He devotes all his efforts according to Your wishes while l iv ing in Your

house.

Third Principle of Surrender: Goptrtve-VaranaAcceptance of the Lord as Sole Maintainer

— Four Songs­

Song I

ki jani ki bale, tomara dhamete,

tumi doya moy, -patita pava-na,hoinu saranagata

pati ta taran-e rata

I) By what personal understanding or by what power has one such as I comeinto Your shelter? Surely it is by Your mercy alone, for as Doya-moy and Patita­pavana You are ever engaged in the deliverance of the fallen souls.

bharasa amara, ei matra natha.tumi to' karuna moy­

tava doya patra, -nahi mora sama,avasya ghucabe bhoy

2) My only hope, 0 Lord, is that You are ful l of compassion and mercy. Thereis no one more in need of Your mercy than I. You wil l surely dr ive away all myfears.

amare tarite, kaharo sakati,

doyala thakura! ghosana tomara,avani bhitore n-ahi

adhama pamare trahi

3) No one else in the world has the power to rescue me. 0 merci ful Lord! By

Your decree, kindly del iver this vile and lowly sinner .

sakala chadlya, aslyachl aml,

ami nitya da-sa, tumi palayita,tumi gopta, j agannatha!

tomara carane natha!

0) I have given up everything and come to Your lotus feet, 0 Lord. I am Youreternal servant, and You are the maintainer. You are my sole protector, 0 Lordof the universe!

tomara sakala, ami matra dasa,

tomara carana, korinu varana,amara taribe tumi

amara nahi to ami

5) Everything is Yours. I am merely Your menial servant, so it is certain thatYou will deliver me. I have chosen Your lotus feet as my only shelter. I nolonger belong to myself.

(6)

bhakativinoda, kandiya sarana,

ksami aparadha, name ruci diya,

lo'yeche tomara pay

palana korohe tay

6) Bhaktivinoda weeps as he humbly takes takes shelter at Your feet. Forgivingall his offenses, affording him a taste for the holy name, oh kindly maintainhim!

Song 2

dara putra ni-j a deh-o ku-tumb-a palane­sarvada vyakula ami chinu mane mane

I ) Within my mind I have always been anxious for the maintenance of my wifeand children, my own body and relatives.

kemone arjibo artha, yasa kise pabo

kanya putra vivaha kemone sampadibo

2) How will I earn money? How wil l I acquire fame? How wil l I ar range themarriages of my sons and daughters?

ebe atma sa-marpane cinta nahi artumi nirvahibe prabhu, samsara tomar

3) Now, through self-surrender, I have been relieved of all anxiety. 0 Lord ,surely You will provide for the maintenance of Your own household.

tumi to' palibe more nij a das-aj ani'

tomara sevaya prabhu bodo sukha mani

0) Recognizing me as Your own servant, You wil l certainly maintain me. Whi lerendering devotional service unto You I feel the greatest happiness.

tomara icchaya prabhu sab karya hoy

j iva bole, kori ami', se to' satya noy

5) All events take place only by Your wi l l , 0 Lo rd . The deluded soul of th isworld declares "I am the doer!" but this is pure fol ly .

(6)

j iva ki korite pare, tumi na korile?asa matraj -iva kore, tava iccha phale ­

6) What is a tiny soul actually able to do unless You act? The jiva can onlydesire to act, and unless You fulf i l l his desire by Your own sweet wi l l , he cannot

do anything.

niscinta hoiya ami sevibo tomaygrhe bha2o manda h-o'2e nahi mora day

7) Being free from all anxiety, I wil l humbly render service unto You. If any

good or evil should occur while serving in Your home, it wil l not be myresponsibility.

(8)

bhakativinoda nij a s-watantrya tyajiya

tomara carana seve' akincana hoiya

8) Bhaktivinoda thus completely renounces his own independence andengages in the exclusive service of Your lotus feet with no other interest in l i fe .

Song 3

sarvasva tomar, carane sampiya,

tumi to' thakur, tomara kukur,podechi tomara ghare

boliyaj anaho more

I ) Now that I have surrendered all that I possess unto Your lotus feet, I throwmyself down before Your house. You are the master of the house; kindly

consider me Your own dog.

bandhiya nikate, amare palibe,

pratipa janere, asite na dibo,rakhibo gadera pare

rohibo tomara dware

2) Chaining me nearby, You wil l maintain me, and I shall l ie at Your doorstep.I will not allow Your enemies to enter, but wil l keep them outside the bounds ofthe surrounding moat.

tava nij a jana, prasad seviya,ucchista rakhibejaha

prati din ha'-be tahaamara bhoj an, parama anande-,

3) Whatever food remnants Your devotees leave behind after honoring Your

prasad will be my daily sustenance. I wil l feast on those remnants in great bl iss.

bosiya suiya, tomara carana,

naci te naci te, ni kate j aibo,j akhona dakibe tumi

cintibo satata ami

0) While sitt ing up or ly ing down, I wi l l constantly meditate on Your lotus

feet. Whenever You call, I wil l immediately run to You and dance in rapture.

nij era posana, kabhu na bhavibo,

bhakativinoda, tomare palaka,rohibo bhavera bhore

boliya varana kore

5) I will never think for my own nour ishment, and wil l remain absorbed inever cherishing love for my Master. Bhaktivinoda now accepts You as his onlymaintainer .

Song 0

tumi sarvesvaresvara, braj endra kum-ara!tomara icchaya visve srj ana samhara

I) 0 youthful son of the King of Vraja, You are Lord of all lords. According toYour will, creation and destruction take place in the universe.

tava iccha mato -brahma korena srj ana

tava iccha mato -visnu korena palana

2) According to Your wil l Lord Brahma creates, and according to Your wi l lLord Visnu maintains.

tava iccha mate s-iva korena samhara

tava iccha mate m-aya srj e karagara

3) According to Your wil l Lord Siva destroys, and according to Your wil l Mayaconstructs the prison house of this wor ld .

tava iccha matejiv-er j anama marana­

samrddhi nipate d-uhkha sukha samghat-ana

0) According to Your wil l the l iv ing beings take birth and die, and according toYour will they meet with prosperity and ruin, happiness and sorrow.

miche maya baddhajiva asa pase phire

tava iccha bina kichu korite na pare

5) The tiny soul bound up by Maya vainly struggles in the fetters of world lydesire. Without Your sanction he is unable to do anything.

(6)

tumi to rakhaka ar palaka amaratomara carana bina asa nahi ara

6) You are my only protector and maintainer. Except for Your lotus feet thereis no other hope for me.

nij a bala -cest-a pra-ti bharasa chadiyatomara icchaya achi nirbhara koriya

7) No longer confident of my own strength and endeavor, I have become solelydependent on Your wi l l .

bhakativinoda ati dina akincana

tomara icchaya ta rj ivana marana

8) Bhaktivinoda is most poor, and his pr ide has been leveled. Now inaccordance with Your wil l he l ives and dies.

Fourth Principle of Surrender: Avasya Raksibe Krsna' Visvasa,Palana

— Four Songs­Faith in Krsna as Protector

Song I

ekhona buj hinu prabhu! tomara carana

asokabhoyamrta purna sa-rva khana­

I) Now I have understood, 0 Lord, that Your feet are eternally ful l of sweetnectar that dispels all sorrow and fear.viii *

sakala chadiya tuwa carana kamale ­

podiyachi ami natha! tava pada t-ale

2) Surrendering myself and all I possess unto those lotus feet, I have laidmyself down submissively under their shelter.

tava pada pa-dma nath! rokhibe amarear rakha ka-rta nahi e bhava sa-msare

3) Your lotus feet, 0 Lord, wil l cer tainly shelter me. There are no otherprotectors in this world of bi rth and death.

ami tava nitya das-a j aninu e bar-a

amara palana bha-ra ekhona tomara

0) At last I know myself to be Your eternal servant. Now the burden of mymaintenance is exclusively Yours.

bado duhkha paiy achi sw atantra j ivaneduhkha dure gelo o pada varan-e

5) In my life of independence from You, I have experienced nothing butmisery. But now, upon accepting those feet of Yours, all my miseries have beencast far away.

(6)

j e pada 2-agiya rama tapasya kori2aj e pada p-aiya siva sivatwa 2obhi2a

6) Desiring a place at Your lotus feet the goddess of fortune performeddifficult austerit ies. Only after receiving Your feet did Lord Siva attain his

sivatva, or quality of auspiciousness.

j e pada 2ab-hiya brahma krtartha hoi2aj e pada na-rada muni hrdoye dhorila

7) Upon obtaining Your feet Lord Brahma had his desires fulf i l led. Your feetare always held by the great sage ¹ r ada Muni w i t h in his heart .

(8)

sei se abhoya pada sirete dhoriyaparama anande naci pada g-una gaiya

8) I now hold on my head those very same lotus feet, which dr ive away allfear, while I dance in great ecstasy, singing their glories.

samsara vip-ada ho'te avasya uddharbhakativinoda, o pa-da koribe tomar

9) Your lotus feet wil l surely del iver Bhaktiv inoda from the dangerous peri lsof this worldly journey.

Song 2

tumi to maribejare, ke tare rakhite pare,

brahma adi d-eva gana-, tava dasa aganana,iccha basa -tribhuvan

kore tava ajnara palan

I) If You wish to slay someone, then who could possibly protect them? Thethree worlds are subservient to Your wi l l . The demigods headed by LordBrahma are Your countless servants who stand ready to execute Your command.

tava iccha matej -ata, graha gana a-virata,

roga soka m-rti b-hoy, -tava iccha mate h-oy,subhasubha phala kore dan

tava aj na sada balavan

2) By Your will the planets incessantly exercise their auspicious orinauspicious influences. Il lness, grief, death, and fear occur by Your wi l l . Yourcommand is all-powerful .

tava bhoye vayu boy, candra surya samudoy,

tumi to' parameswar, para brahma -paratpar,swa swa niya-mita karya kore

tava basa bhakata antare ­

3) In fear of You the wind blows, the sun and moon r ise and set, allperforming their regulated tasks. You are the Supreme Lord, the ult imate spir i t ,transcendentally situated beyond even the beyond. Your residence is in the

heart of Your loving devotee.

sada s-uddha siddha k-ama, bhakata v-atsala' nama,

bhakata janera nitya sw-amitumi to rakhibej are, ke tare marite pare,

sakala vidhira vidhi tumi

0) You are eternally pure. All Your desires are already fulf i l led. Your name isBhakta-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 thelaw of all laws.

tomara carane natha. koriyache pranipata,

vipada hoite swami ava.sya tahare tumi,

bhakativinoda tava das

raksibe, tahara e visvas

5) Your servant Bhaktivinoda has bowed down submissively at Your lotus feet,0 Lord! He cherishes the faith, 0 master, that You wil l surely protect him fromall dangers.

Song 3

atma samar-pane gela abhimannahi korobun nij a rakha vidhan­

I) 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.

tuwa dhanaj ani tuhun rakhobi, nath.

palya godhanajnana kori tuwa sath

2) I know that You wil l g ive protection to Your treasured possessions, 0 Lord.I now understand the mentality of Your treasured cows safely maintained byYour side.

caraobi madhava! jamuna tire ­

bamsi baj aoto dakobi dhire

3) When You lead Your herds to pasture, 0 Madhava, on the banks of theYamuna river, You will call to them by softly playing on Your flute.

agha b-aka marato rakha vi-dhan

korobi sada tuhun gokula ka-n!

0) By slaying great demons such as Aghasura and Bakasura You wil l always

provide full protection, 0 Kan of the cowherd sett lement!

rakha korobi tuhun niscoy j ani

pana korobun hama j amuna pan-i

5) Fearless and confident of Your protection, I wil l dr ink the water of theYamuna.

(6)

kaliya dokh-a korobi vinasasodhobi nadi jala, -badaobi asa

6) The Kaliya serpent's venom poisoned the Yamuna's waters, yet that poisonwill be vanquished. You wil l pur i fy the Yamuna, and by such heroic deedsenhance our faith.

piyato davanala rakhobi mo'ygopala', govinda'nama tava hoy

7) You will surely protect me by swallowing the forest f i re. Thus You arecalled Gopala (protector of the cows) and Govinda (pleaser of the cows).

sura pati dur-mati -nasa vic-arirakhobi varsane, giri vara dh-ari!­

8) In order to curb the malice of Indra, king of the demigods, You will protectme from his torrents of rain, 0 lifter of the mighty Govardhana Hill.

catur anana ko-rabo j ab corirakha korobi muj he, gokula hari! ­

9) When the four-headed Brahma abducts me along with Your cowherdboyfriends and calves, then also You wil l surely protect me, 0 Gokula Har i !

bhakativinoda tuwa gokula d-han

rakhobi kesava! korato j atan

10) Bhaktivinoda is now the property of Gokula, Your holy abode. 0 Kesava!Kindly protect him with gentle loving care.

Song 0

chodato purusa abhi-man

kinkori hoilun aji, kan.

I) I give up the vanity of the error that I am a male. Today I have become Yourfaithful maidservant, 0 Kana!

baraj a bi pin-e sakhi sath­sevana korobun, radha nath!­

2) In the groves of Vraja I wil l render personal service as a follower of one ofthe confidential sakhzs, 0 Lord of Radha.

kusume ganthobun hartulasi-mani-manjari tar

3) I will str ing together a garland of forest f lowers, in which tu lasz buds shallbe the jewelled pendants.

j atane deobun sakhi kare ­

hate laobo sakhi adare

0) With utmost care I wil l p lace the garland in the hands of my superior sakhz,and she will take it out of my hands with lov ing regard.

sakhi dibo tuwa duhuk gale

durato herobun kutuhale

5) Then she will place the garland around both of Your necks, while from afarI watch in wonder.

(6)

sakhi kahabo, "suno sundari

rahobi kunj e mama kinkori

6) The confidante wil l then say to me, "Listen, 0 beautiful one, you shall

remain in this grove as my attendant.

ganthobi mala mano har-ininiti radha krs-na vim-ohini

7) "Daily you wil l st r ing together beautiful f lower garlands that wil l enchant

Radha and Krsna.

tuwa rakhana bhar-a hamaramama kunja-kutira tohara

8) "The responsibil ity for your maintenance is mine. My cottage in this grove

is yours.

radha madha-va sevana -kale ­

rahobi hamara antarale

9) "When the time comes for me to go and serve Radha and Madhava, you wil l

s tay close to me while remaining hidden.

tambula saj i' karpura ani'

deobi moe apanaj ani'"

10) "After dressing packets of betel nuts and fetching the camphor, you wi l l

hand them to me, knowing me to be your very own."

bhakativinoda suni' bat

sakhi pade kare pranipat

I I) Bhaktivinoda, having heard all these instructions, bows down at the lotusfeet of that confidential sakhz.

Fifth Principle of Surrender: Bhakti-Pratikula-Bhava VarjanangikaraRenunciation of Conduct Unfavorable to Pure Devotion

— Four Songs­

Song I

kesava! tuwaj agata vicitra

pekhalun ranga bahu citra

karama vipa-ke, bhava van-a bhrama i, ­

I) 0 Kesava. This material creation of Yours is most strange. I have roamedthroughout the forest of this universe in consequence of my selfish acts, and Ihave beheld many curious sights.

tuwa pada vism-rti, a mara-j antrana,

kapi2a, patanja2i, gautama, kanabhoji,j aimini, bauddha aowe dhai

klesa daha-ne dohi'j ai

2) Forgetfulness of Your lotus feet, which is bi t ter suffering unto death, burnsm e with its scorching pain. In this helpless condit ion my would-be saviors t h esage-philosophers Kapila, Gautama, Kanada, Jaimint, and Buddha h ave comerunning to my aid.ix

tab koi nij a mate, b-hukti, mukti yacato,

so sabu v-ancaka, tuwa bhakti bahir mukha, ­

pata inana -vidha p-hand

ghataowe visama paramad

3) Each expounds his particular view, dangling various pleasures andliberation as bait in their phi losophical traps. But all of them are just bogus

cheaters, being averse to Your devotional service, and are therefore a source offatal danger.

vaimukha vancane, -bhata so sabu, ­

niramilo vividha pasar

bhakata c-arana kori' sardandavat durato, bhakativinoda bhelo,

0) Every one of them are cunning experts of karma, jnana, yoga and tapa who

provide various kinds of tempting bait for cheating the souls who are averse toYou. Having paid his respects to these cheating philosophers from afar,

Bhaktivinoda takes refuge at the feet of Your devotees as the essence of his li fe.

Song 2

tuwa bha-kti pra-tikula dharmajate roy

paramajatane taha tyajibo niscoy

I) I will assuredly abandon with utmost endeavor all things in which aversionto Your devotional service is inherent.

tuwa bhak-ti bahir -mukh-a sanga na koribogauranga virod-hi jana -muk-ha na heribo

2) I will not keep company with those opposed to Your devotional service, noreven look at the faces of those inimical toward Lord Gauranga.

bhakti pratiku-la sthane na kori vasati

bhaktira apriya karye nahi kori rati

3) I will never reside at a place unfavorable for devotional practices, and I wi l lnever take pleasure in non-devotional activit ies.

bhaktira virodhi grantha patha na koribobhaktira virodhi vyakhya kabhu na sunibo

0) I will read no book opposed to pure devotion, nor l isten to any scripturalexplanation which counters pure devotional pr inciples.

gauranga varjita st-hana tirtha nahi manibhaktira badhakaj nana karma tu-cchaj ani

5) I will never regard as sacred any place where Lord Gauranga is rejected. All

knowledge or action hindering pure devotional service I consider worthless.

(6)

bhaktira badhaka kale na kori adar

bhakti bahir-mukha nij a jane j ani par

6) Any seasonal observance which poses obstacles to the execution ofdevotional service finds no favor with me, and I consider as strangers all myown relatives or family members who are averse to devotional service.

bhaktira badhika sprha koribo varj anabhakta pra-datta anna na kori grahan

7) I will totally abandon all desires that hinder devotion, and I wil l nevertouch foodstuffs offered to me by non-devotees.

j aha kichu bhakti prati-kula boli j anityajibojatane taha, e niscoya vani

8) I vow to carefully avoid whatever I know to be contrary to devotionalservice. This is a most definite proclamation.

bhakativinoda podi' prabhura carane

magaye sakati pratikulyera varj ane

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

visaya vimudh-a ar mayavadij an

bhakti sunya du-nhe prana dhare akaran

I) One who is intoxicated by wor ldly af fairs of sense gratification, as well asone who subscribes to impersonal phi losophy, both maintain their l ivesuselessly, for they are devoid of devotion to You.

ei dui sanga nat-ha! na hoy amar

prarthana koriye ami carane tomar

2) I pray at Your lotus feet, 0 Lord, that I may be spared the company of thesetwo kinds of people.

se duwera madhye visayi tabu bhalomayavadi sa-nga nahi magi kono kalo

3) Yet of the two, the association of a worldly man is better. I never covet the

company of a mayavadi.

visayi hrd-oyajabe sadhu san-ga payanayase labhe bhakti bhaktera krpay

0) When by chance the hearts of worldly persons come into contact with Yoursaintly devotees, they easily attain devotion by the mercy of the devotees.

mayavada dosaj -a'ra hrdoye pasilokutarke hrdoya ta'ra vaj ra sama -bhelo

5) But the heart which is penetrated by the offensive inf luence of impersonalphilosophy becomes hard as a thunderbolt by degraded sophistry.

(6)

bhaktira swarupa, ara visaya', asroy'mayavadi anitya' boliya saba koy

6) The mayavadz declares that the true form of bhakti , its object (Srz Krsna),and its possessor (the devotee) are all transitory and thus i l lusory.

dhik ta'ra krsna seva sra-vana -kirtan­krsna ange vaj -ra hane tahara stavan

7) Fie on his pretense of so-called service to Krsna! Fie on his pretense ofengaging in so-called hearing and chanting of Krsna s glories! His recitation of

prayers strikes the body of Krsna with blows more cruel than thunderbol ts.

mayavada sama bhakti pratikula -nai

ataeva mayavadi s-anga nahi cai

8) There is no philosophy in the world as antagonistic to devotional service asthe impersonal mayavada philosophy. Therefore I do not ever desire theassociation of the mayavadt.

bhakativinoda mayavada dura korivaisnava sa-ngete baise namasraya dhori'

9) Bhaktivinoda drives away the phi losophy of impersonalism and sits safelyin the society of Vaisnavas under the shelter of Your holy name.

Song 0

amito'swananda suk-hada basi­radhika mad-hava cara-na dasi­

I) Oh I am a resident of Svananda-sukhada-kunja, and a maidservant of the

lotus feet of Radhika and Madhava.

dunhara milane ananda kori

dunhara viyoge duhkhete mari

2) I happily rejoice at the union of the Div ine Couple, and in Their separationI die in utter anguish.

sakhi sthali n-ahi heri nayanedekhile saibyake paraye mane

3) I never look at the area in Vraja called Sakhz-sthah where Candravah andher friends live. If I were to see that place it reminds me of Candravah s sharp­tongued gopz friend named Saibya.

je-je pratikula candrara sakhi

prane duhkha pai tahare dekhi

0) I feel pain in my heart whenever I happen to catch sight of Candravah'sproud girlfr iends, for they are all in imical to Radha s camp.

radhika k-unj a andhara koriloite cahe se radhara hari

5) Candravah wants to take away Radha s Lord Hari, thus causing the love­grove of Radhika to be overcast with the darkness of gloom.

(6)

sri ra-dha go-vinda mi-lana su-kha

pratikula jana na heri mukha

6) I never look at the faces of those who wish to obstruct the joy of the unionof Srz Radha and Govinda.

radha prat-ikulaj atekaj ana

sambhasane kabhu na hoy mana

7) Nor do I find any pleasure in conversing with those who are members of acamp opposed to Radha.

bhakativinoda sri radha -caran-esanpeche parana ativaj atane

8) Bhaktivinoda has entrusted his soul with great care unto the lotus feet ofSrzmatz Radharanz.Sixth Principle of Surrender: Bhakti-Anukula-Matra Karyera

Svikara

— Four Songs­Acceptance of Activities Favorable to Pure Devotion

Song I

tuwa bhakti a-nukulaj -e je karya -hoyparama jatane taha koribo niscoy

I) I will surely execute with utmost care those activit ies favorable to Your

pure devotional service.

bhakti anukulajata visaya samsare

koribo tahate rati indriyera dware

2) I will feel fondness for those things in this world which are conducive to

pure devotion, and with my senses I wil l engage them in Your service.

sunibo tomara kathajatana koriyadekhibo tomara dhama nayana bhoriya

3) I will carefully l isten to all discussions concerning You, and the satisfactionof my eyes will be to behold Your div ine abode.

tomara prasade deho koribo posannaivedya tula-si ghr-ana koribo grahan

0) I will nourish my body with the sacred remnants of Your food, and I wi l lsmell the sweet scent of tulasz leaves adorning those offerings.

kara dwar-e koribo tomara seva sada

tomara vasati sthale -basibo sarvada

5) With my hands I wil l a lways execute Your service, and I wil l forever dwel lat that place where You abide.

(6)

tomara sevaya kama niyoga koribo

tomara vidvesi jane kr-odha dekhaibo

6) I will employ my desires in Your devotional service, and wil l show myanger to those who are envious of You.

ei rupe sar-va vrtti ara -sarva bhava ­

tuwa anuku2a hoye 2abhuka prabhava

7) In this way, may all of my propensit ies and emotions earn spir i tual potencyby being favorably dovetailed in Your interest.

(8)

tuwa bhakta-anukula jaha jaha kori

tuwa bhakti-anuku2a bo2i taha dhori

8) Anything I do which gives pleasure to Your devotee I wil l embrace asconducive to Your devotional service.

bhakativinoda nahi jane dharmadharma

bhakti-anukula tara hau saba karma

9) Bhaktivinoda knows neither rel igion nor i r re l ig ion. He simply prays that al lh is activities be favorable for pure devotion unto You.

Song 2

godruma dha-me bhajana-anukulemathura sri n-an-disvara sam-atule

I) In the land of Godruma in Navadvzpa, which is very conducive forperforming devotional worship of the Supreme Lord, and which is non-di f ferentfrom the sacred place in Vraja called Nandagram in the holy distr ict ofMathura...

tahi maha surabhi-kunja-kutirebaithobun hama sura tatini -tire ­

2) ...There I wil l settle down in a small cottage within the grove calledSurabhi-kunja on the bank of the celestial Ganga river.x

gaura bhakata -priya v-esa da-dhanati2aka tu2asi m-a2a sob-hama-na

3) I will put on the garb that is dear to the devotees of Lord Gaura-sundara,including the twelve Vaisnava tilaka markings on my body and beauti ful beadsof tulasz wood around my neck.

campaka, baku2a, kadamba, tama2

ropato niramibo kunja visal

0) Then, by planting flowering trees like campaka, bakula, kadamba, and

tamal, I will cul t ivate an extensive grove by my cottage.

madhavi malati uthabun tahe

chaya m-andapa korobun tanhi mahe

5) I will drape madhavz and malatz jasmine creepers upon the trees, and in thisway make a shady bower in their midst .

(6)

ropobun tatra kusuma van-a raj -i

juthi, jati, ma22z virajabo saji

6) I will plant row upon row of var ious forest f lowers, including di f ferentkinds of jasmine like yuthz, jati, and malh. Al l these wil l be present there,arrayed in a charming fashion.

mance basaobun tulasi mah-aranikirtana sajj a -tanhi rakhabo ani

7) I will install the empress tulasz on an elevated platform in this garden, thenprocure all necessary paraphernalia for having kzrtana, such as mrdanga drums,karatalas, and gongs, and place them there.

vaisnava jana saha g-aobun namj aya godrumaj aya gaura ki dham

8) Then I wil l commence singing the holy names of the Lord in the companyof the Vaisnavas. We will sing, "All glories to the island of Godruma! Al l glor ies

to the divine abode of Lord Gauracandra!"

bhakativinoda bhakti anukul­

j aya kunj a, munj a, sura nadi ku-l ­

9) Bhaktivinoda is favorably disposed to pure devotional service. All glor ies toSurabhi-kunja, to its tall reeds, and to the banks of the celestial Ganga!

Song 3

suddha bhakata -carana r-enu,

bhakata s-eva, parama s-iddhi,

prema 2a-tikara mu2a

bhaj ana a-nukula

I) Dust from the lotus feet of pure devotees is conducive to devotional service,while service to the Vaisnavas is itself the supreme perfection as well as the rootof the tender creeper of divine love.

madhava tith-i, bhakti jan-ani,

krsna vas-ati, vasati boli',

parama adare bori

j atane palana kori

2) I observe with great care the holy days commemorating the pastimes ofLord Madhava, for they are the mother of devotion. As my dwel l ing place Ichoose with the greatest of reverence and love the transcendental abode of SrzKrsna.

gaur amara, ye saba -sthane,koralo bhramana range

se saba -sthana, heribo ami,

pranayi bhaka-ta sange­

3) All those places where my Lord Gaura-sundara traveled for pastimes I wi l lvisit in the company of loving devotees.

mrdanga vadya, -sunite mana,

gaura vihita, -kirtana suni',anande hrdoya nace

abasara sada yace

0) My mind ever longs for the opportunity to hear the music of the mrdanga.Upon hearing the kind of kzrtan ordained by Lord Gaura-candra, my heart

dances in ecstasy.xi

yugala murti, de-khiya mora,

parama ananda h-oy aprasada seva, kor-ite hoya,

sakala prapancajaya

5) Beholding the Deity forms of the Div ine Couple, Srz Srz Radha-Krsna, I feelthe greatest joy. By honoring the Lord's prasad, I conquer over all wor ld lyillusions.

(6)

ye di-na grhe, bhaj ana dekhi,grhete goloka bhaya

carana sid-hu, dekhiya ganga,sukha na sima paya

6) Goloka Vrndavana appears in my home whenever I see the worship serviceof Lord Hari taking place there. When I see the Ganga, that river of nectaremanating from the lotus feet of the Lord, my happiness knows no bounds.

tulasi dekhi', j udaya prana,madhava tosa-ni j ani'

gaura priy-a, saka seva-ne,j ivana sarthaka mani

7) The sight of the holy tulasz tree soothes my soul, for I know she gives

pleasure to Lord Madhava. By tasting the green leafy preparation named sak, agreat favorite of Lord Gauranga's, I consider l ife worthwhi le.xi i

bhakativinoda, krsna bhaj an-e,

prati divase-, parama sukhe,­swikara koroye taha

anukula payajaha

8) Whatever Bhaktivinoda obtains that is favorable for the service of Srz Krsnahe accepts every day with the greatest joy.

Song 0

radha kunda ta-ta kunj -a ku-tir ­

govardhana parvata, -j amuna tir ­

I) The cottage in the grove on the bank of Radha Kunda, the great Govardhana

Hill, the banks of the Yamuna river...

kusuma s-arovara, manasa ganga

ka2inda n-andini vipu2a t-aranga

2) ...the Kusuma Sarovara lake, the Manasa Ganga stream, the daughter of Mt.Kalinda (the Yamuna river) with her many waves...

vamsi va-ta, gokula, dhira sa-mirbrndabana ta-ru 2at-i ka ba-nir

3) .. .the Vamst Vat banyan tree, the town of Gokula, the holy place Dhtra

Samtra, the trees and creepers and reeds of Vrndavana...

khaga mrg-a ku2-a, ma2aya bata-smayura, bhramara, mura2I vi2as­

0) ...the different varieties of birds and deer, the cooling breeze from theMalaya mountains, the peacocks, the bumblebees, the pastimes of the low­

pitched murah flute. . .

venu, srnga, pada cihna-, megha mala­vasanta, sasanka, sankha, karatala

5) .. .the high-pitched venu flute, the buffalo horn bugle, the footpr ints of theLord and His consort in the dust of Vraja, the wreaths of blackish rain clouds,springtime, the moon, the conchshell, and the karatalas

(6)

yuga2a vi2ase a-nuku2a jani2i2a vi2ase u-ddipa-ka mam

6) al l these I know to be very favorable for the bl issful pastimes of the DivineCouple, Radha and Krsna. I recognize them as transcendental stimulants(uddipaka) for intensifying the Lord's charming pastimes.

e saba chodato kanhi nahi jau

e saba chodato parana harau

7) I refuse to go anywhere if these stimulants of devotional service are notthere, for to abandon them is to abandon l ife i tself .

(8)

bhakativinoda kohe, suno kan!tuwa uddipaka hamara paran

8) Bhaktivinoda says, "Please hear me, 0 Kana! 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 Saranagati

Bhajana-Lalasa

— Thirteen Songs­Hankering for Divine Service

Song I

hari he!prapance podiya, agati hoiya,

agatira gati, carane sarana,na dekhi upaya ar

tomaya korinu sar

I) 0 my Lord Hari. Having fallen into the illusion of this world, thus renderedhelpless, I see no other means of deliverance but You. Since You are the onlyrecourse for the helpless, I accept the shelter of Your lotus feet as mostessential.

karama geyana, kichu nahi mora,

tumi krpa moya, -ami to kangala,sadhana bhaj ana nai

ahaituki krpa cai

2) I have no background of pious activi t ies, nor any knowledge, nor anyregulated devotional practice. But You are full of compassion and kindness;therefore I, being indeed destitute, solicit Your causeless mercy.

vakya mano ve-ga, kr-odha jihva veg-a, ­

miliya e saba, samsare bhasaye,udara upastha -vega ­

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 wor ld, thus causing

me grievous trouble.xiii

anekaj atane, se saba damane,

anathera natha. daki tava nama,chadlyachl asa aml

ekhona bharasa tumi

0) After numerous endeavors to subdue these material demands, I havecompletely given up all hope. 0 Lord of the desti tute! I call upon Your holyname, for now You are my only hope.xiv'

Song 2

hari he!arthera sancaye, visaya pray-ase,

ano adhi-kara, niyama agrahe,asat sang-a samg-hatane

ano kath-a praj -alpane

I) 0 my Lord Hari ! I have become absorbed in accumulating wealth andendeavoring for material possessions. I am addicted to idle conversations ontopics apart from You. I mistakenly accept duties apart from my ownqualifications, and am always eager to adhere to the letter of the law. This is theconsequence of associating with wor ldly men.xv

asthi ra siddhante, rohinu moj iy a,

e hrdoye matro, para himsa, -mada,

hari bhakti -roilo dure

pratistha, sathata sphure

2) I remain deeply absorbed in the quicksand of ever-changing, uncertainopinions. Therefore, devotion to You has remained distant from me. In th isheart of mine dwells only envy and malice towards others, false pride, the desire

for fame and honor, and deceitfulness.

e saba agraha, chadite narinu,

Janama blpha2a, hol20 amara,

apana dosate mari

ekhona ki kori, hari!

3) I have not been able to give up any of these inclinations. Thus my ownfaults have been my downfall. My bi rth as a human being has been totally

wasted. 0 Lord Hari, what am I to do now?

ami to patita, patita pa-vana,tomara pavitra nama

sarana loinu hama

se sambandha dhori', tomara carane,

0 ) I am indeed fallen (patita); but Your pure holy name is Patita-pavana t h esavior of the fallen. Clinging to our relat ionship as impl ied by that holy name, Ihave taken shelter of Your lotus feet.

Song 3

hari he!

bhaj ane utsaha, bhaktite visvasa,prema labh-e dhairya dhan-a

bhakti anuk-ula, karma prav-artana,asat sanga -visarj -ana

I) 0 my Lord Hari . Enthusiasm in devotional service, faith in the process ofdevotional service, the treasure of patience in the attainment of love of God,performing activit ies favorable to pure devotion, abandoning the company ofworldly people...

bhakti sadaca-ra, ei chaya guna,

kemone bhojibo, tomara carana,

nahilo amara natha!

chadiya mayara satha

2) ...performing approved devotional practices I h ave never possessed thesesix devotional qualit ies, 0 Lord. How, then, shall I give up my aff in ity for Mayaand worship Your lotus feet?xvi

garhita acare, rohilama moji,na korinu sadhu sanga ­

loye sadhu vesa, an-e upadesi,e bodo mayara ranga

3) Remaining absorbed in abominable activit ies, I never kept company withsadhus. Now I adopt the garb of a sadhu and act out the role of instruct ingothers. This is Maya s big joke.

e heno dasaya, ahaituki krpa,

sri gu-ru as-roye, dakibo tomaya,tomara paibo, hari!

kabe va minati kori'

0) 0 Lord Hari, in such a helpless condit ion surely I wil l receive Yourcauseless mercy. 0 when, under the shelter of my spir i tual master, wil l I cal lout to You with my humble entreaty?

Song 0

hari he!

dana, pratigraha, mitho gupta kath-a,

sangera laksana, ei chaya hoya,bhaksana, bhoj ana dana­

ihate bhaktira prana

I ) 0 my Lord Hari . Of fer ing and receiving gifts, giving and receiving spir i tualfood, revealing one s thoughts, and making confidential inqui r ies t h ese are thesix characteristics of loving association, and in them is found the very l ife ofdevotion.xvi i '

tattva na buj hiye, j nane va aj nane,

bhakti harainu, samsari hoinu,

asate e saba kori'

sudure rohile hari

2) I have failed to understand the truth, and by pract icing these six activit ieswith non-devotees, either knowingly or unknowingly, I lost al l devot ionalinclination and have become a materialist. Consequently You, 0 Lord, st i l l

remain far away.

krsna bhakta ja-ne, ei sanga laksane, ­

bhakti maha dev-i, am-ara hrdoya

adara koribo j abe

asane bosibe tabe

3) The day I cherish these activit ies of int imate association with the devoteesof Srz Krsna, that very day the high goddess of devotion wil l take her seat upon

the throne of my heart.

yosit sa-ngi jana, krsnaabhakta ara,

tava bhakta jana s-anga anuksana,dunhu sa-nga pa-ri hari'

kabe va hoibe hari!

0) When will I give up the company of those who are addicted to the companyof materialistic women and those who are averse to You? And when wil l Icultivate the constant association of Your devotees, 0 Lord?

Song 5

hari he!

sanga dosa -suny-a, diksitadiksita,

manase adara, koribo tahare,j adi tava nama ga'ya

jani nija jana taya

I) 0 my Lord Hari ! Wi thin my mind I w i l l honor and consider as my ownrelative one who naturally avoids the offense of bad association and sings Yourholy name, be he formally ini t iated or not.xvii i

diksita hoiya, bhaje tuwa pada,

ananya bhaj an-e, vij na yei j ana,

tahare pranati kori

tahare sevibo, hari!

2) I offer obeisances to that devotee who is ini t iated and worships Your lotusfeet, and I will fai thfu lly serve, 0 Hari , a devotee who is f ixed in unal loyeddevotion to You.

sarva bhute sa-ma, ye bhaktera mati,

apanake dhanya, se sanga paiya,tahara darsane mani

caritartha hoilun j ani

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 Iknow that I have become successful in l i fe.

niskapata m-ati, vaisnavera prati,

kabe samsara s-indhu pa-ra ho'ye,ei dharma kabe pa'bo

tava braj a pu-rej a'bo

0) When will my at t i tude toward the Vaisnavas become simple and innocent?And when will I cross over this ocean of worldly existence and reach Yourtranscendental abode of Vraja?

Song 6

hari he!nira dhar-ma gata-, j ahnavi sa2i 2-e,

panka phen-a drsta hoya

se sa2l2a na chadoyatathapi kakhona, brahma drav-a dhar-ma,

I) 0 my Lord Hari ! Mud and foam are seen in the waters of the Ganga, for thatis the inherent nature of river water. Yet the water of the sacred Ganga neverloses its purely spir i tual nature.xix

vaisnava sarira-, aprakrta sada,swabhava vapura -dharme

kabhu nahej ada, tathapi ye ninde,

pode se visamadharme

2) One may likewise find natural defects in the body of a Vaisnava, yet hisbody is always spiri tual. It is never to be considered material. That person whocriticizes the body of a Vaisnava falls into deadly irrel igion.

sei aparadhe, yameraj atana,

he nanda nandana-! sei aparadhe,payajiva avirata

yeno nahi hoi hata

3) For such an offense, the fallen soul ceaselessly suffers the tortures ofYamaraja, lord of death. 0 youthful son of Nanda! I pray that I wi l l not be

destroyed by committ ing such an offense.

tomara vaisnava, vaibhava tomara,

tabe mora gati, ha'be tava prati,amare koruna doya

pa'bo tava pada ch-aya

0) The Vaisnava is Your own, representing Your glorious divine potency. May

he be merciful to me. Then my l i fe's journey wil l turn toward You, and I wi l lattain shelter in the shade of Your lotus feet.

Song 7

ohe!vaisnava thakura, doyara sagara,

dlya pada chay-a, sodho he amaya,e dase koruna kori'

tomara carana dhori

I ) 0 revered Vaisnava Thakura! 0 ocean of mercy! Please be merciful to me,your humble servant. Purify me by giving the shade of your lotus feet. Your feetI clasp submissively.

chaya vega d olm, chaya dosa sodhl,

chaya sat sanga, -deho' he amare,chaya guna deho dase

bosechi sangera ase

2) Please help me to control the six urges, purify me of the six faul ts, andplease instill in your servant the six good quali t ies. Oh, bestow upon me the sixkinds of holy association! I am seated here in the hope ofhaving yourcompany.xx

ekaki amara, nahi paya bala,

tumi krpa kori, sraddha bindu diy-a,deho' krsna nama dh-ane ­

hari nama sa-nkirta-ne

3) On my own, I f ind I have no strength to chant the holy name of Lord Har i .Please be merciful by awarding me with a part icle of faith and giving me the

great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.

krsna se tomara, krsna dite paro,

ami to' kanga2a, krsna' krsna' bo2i',tomara sakati ache

dhai tava pache pache

0) Krsna is yours, therefore you are able to give Him to others. This iscertainly within your power. I am indeed wretched and fal len, simply runningafter you crying "Krsna! Krsna!"

Song 8

hari he!tomare bhuliya, avidya pida-ya,

krsna nam-a sudh-a, bha2o nahi 2age,pidita rasana mora

visaya sukh-ate bhora

I) 0 my Lord Hari ! Because of forgetting You, my tongue has becomeembittered with the disease of ignorance. I cannot relish the sweet nectar of

Your holy name of Krsna, for I have become addicted to the taste of worldlypleasures.xxi

prati dinaj a-di, adara koriya,

sitapa2aj eno, nasi' roga mu2a,­

krame swadu hoya, hari!

se nama kirtana kori

2) If I sing that holy name of Yours aloud every day with warm affection, thenas sugar candy taken medicinally destroys the very disease which makes it tastebitter (jaundice), so Your holy name, 0 Lord Hari , wi l l cure my spi r i tual d iseaseand allow me to gradually taste Your sweetness.

durdaiva amara, se name adara,

dasa aparadha, amara durdaiva,

na hoilo, doyamoya!

kemone hoibe ksoya

3) How great is my misfortune that I feel no appreciation for Your holy name,0 merciful Lord! In such a lamentable state, how wil l I be freed from

committing the ten offenses to the holy name?

anudinajeno, tava nama gai,

kramete krpaya tava

aswadibo namasavaaparadhaj a'be, name ruci ha'be,

0) If I sing Your name every day, then gradually by Your mercy the tenoffenses will disappear, taste for Your holy name wil l grow wi thin me, and then

I shall relish the intoxicating wine of that name.

Song 9

hari he!sri rup-a gosa-i, sri guru -rupe-te,

"j ano mora katha, namera kangala

siksa dila mora kane

rati pa'be nama gane­

I) 0 my Lord Hari . Srz Rupa Goswamz, in the form of the spir i tual master,

spoke these instructions into my ears: "Try to understand my words, 0 you who

beg for the gift of the holy name! You wil l then develop attraction for singingthe holy name.

krsna nama -rupa -guna -sucari-ta,

rasana manas-e, koraho niyoga,paramaj atane kori'

krama vidhi a-nusari'

2) "Following the scriptural rules and regulations, engage your tongue and

your mind in carefully cul t ivat ing Lord Krsna's nama (holy names), rupa (divineforms), guna (transcendental qualit ies), and sucarita (wonderful pastimes). Thisshould be done according to the recommended order of ascending

progression.xxii

braje kori basa, raganuga hoiya,

e nikhi2a ka2a, koraho j apana,upadesa sara dhar-o' "

smarana kirtana koro

3) "Always dwell ing in the holy land of Vraja, become a practit ioner of

raganuga-bhakti (spontaneous loving devotion) while engaging in smarana

(remembrance) and kzrtana (glorif ication). Spend every moment of your t ime inthese ways. Just accept this as the essence of all instruct ions."

ha! rupa go-sai, doya kori kabe,

ragatmika tumi, tava padanuga,dibe dine braj a ba-sa

hoite dasera asa

0) 0 Rupa Goswamz. When wil l you, out of your causeless mercy, enable thispoor wretched soul to reside in Vraja? You are a ragatmika devotee aneternally liberated, int imate associate of Radha and Krsna. This humble servantof yours desires to become a loyal fol lower of your lotus feet.

Song 10

gurudev!bodo krpa kori', gauda vana -majhe,

aj na dila more, ei braj e bosi,hari nama -koro gana

godrume diyacho sthana

I) 0 Gurudeva! Because you are so merciful, you gave me a place to live inGodruma amid the woodlands of Gauda-desa, with this order to ful f i l l : "Dwel lhere in this sacred place of Vraja and sing the holy name of Hari ."

kintu kabe prabhu, yogyata arpibe,h

citta sthira habe, sakala sohibo,

e dasere doya kori'

ekante bhajibo hari

2) But when, 0 master, out of your great mercy, wil l you bestow upon th isservant the spiritual qual i f ication to ful f i l l that order? My mind wi l l thenbecome tranquil, I wil l endure all hardships, and I wil l serve Lord Hari wi th

undivided attention.

saisava yauvane, -j ada sukha sa-nge, ­

nij a karma do-se, e d-eho hoilo,bhaj anera pratibandha

abhyasa hoilo manda

3) Due to attachment to worldly pleasures in chi ldhood and youth, I havedeveloped many bad habits. Due to the reaction of these sinful acts my bodyitself has become an impediment to the service of the Supreme Lord.

vardhakye ekhona, panca ro-ge hata,

kandiya kandiya, tomara carane,kemone bhojibo bolo'

podlyachl suvlhvala

0) Now, in old age, afflicted by the f ive-fold i l lnesses, how wil l I serve theLord> 0 master, please tell me! Weeping and weeping, I have fallen at your feet,

overwhelmed with anxiety.xxiii

Song 11

gurudev!

trnapeksa ati hma

nij a mane -sprha hina­

krpa bindu -diya, koro ei dase,

sakala sahane, ba2 adlya koro,

I) 0 Gurudeva! By administering a drop of your mercy make this servant ofyours infinitely more humble than a blade of grass. Giving me the strength tobear all trials and troubles, free me from desires for personal honor.xxiv

sakale sammana, korite sakati,deho' natha! j athaj atha

tabe to' gaibo, hari nama s-ukhe, ­

aparadha ha'be hata

2) 0 lord and master! Inspire me with the power to befi t t ingly honor al l l iv ingbeings. Only then wil l I s ing the holy name of the Lord in great ecstasy, and myoffensive activities wil l cease.

kabe heno krpa, labhiya ejana,

sakti buddhi hi-na, am-i ati dma,koro' more atma satha ­

krtartha hoibe, natha!

3) When will this person be indeed blessed by receiving your mercy, 0 lord

and master> Devoid of all strength and intel l igence, I am very low and fal len.

Please make me your own.

yogyata vi-care, kichu nahi pai,

karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya,

tomara karuna sara

prana na rakhibo ara

0) When I examine myself for worth iness, I f ind nothing of value. ThereforeYour mercy is the essence of life. If you are not merciful to me, then I wi l lconstantly weep and weep, no longer being able to maintain my l i fe .

Song 12

gurudev!kabe mora sei din ha'be

krsna nam-a ga'bo j abe

deho roga -dure ro'be

mana sthira kori', nirjane bosiya,

samsara phuk-ara, kane na posibe,

I) 0 Gurudeva! When wil l that day be mine? With a steady mind, si t t ing in asecluded place, I wil l sing the name of Srz Krsna. The tumultuous pandemoniumof worldly existence will no longer echo in my ears, and the diseases of the bodywill remain far away.

hare krsna' boli', gahite gahite,

dehete pulaka, udita hoibe,premete koribe bhora

nayane bohibe lora

2) When I chant "Hare Krsna" tears of love wil l f low and f low f rom my eyes.Ecstatic rapture wil l ar ise within my body, causing my hair to stand on end and

my entire being to become overwhelmed with div ine love.

gada gada van-i, mukhe bahiribe,

gharma muhur muhuh, virvarna hoibe,

kanpibe sarira mama

stambhita pralaya sama

3) Faltering words choked with emot ion wil l issue from my mouth. My body

will tremble, constantly perspire, turn pale and discolored, and become

stunned. All of this wil l be l ike a devastation of ecstatic love and cause me tofall unconscious.xxv

niskapate heno, dasa kabe ha'be,

avese rohiya, deha ya-tra kori',nirantara nama ga'bo

tomara karuna pa'bo

0) When will such a genuine ecstatic condit ion be mine? I wil l constantly singthe holy name and remain absorbed in profound devotion while travel ing in thematerial body. In this way I wi l l receive your mercy.

Song 13

gurudev!kabe tava karuna prak-ase

sri gaur-anga 2I2a, -hoya nitya tattw-a,

hari hari' boli', godruma kana-ne,

ei drdha visvase

bhromibo darsana ase­

I ) 0 Gurudeva! When wil l i t be, as a manifestation of your mercy? I wi l lbecome fixed in the firm faith that Lord Gauranga's pastimes are eternalrealities. Chanting "Hari! Hari!" I w i l l wander throughout the groves ofGodruma, hoping to catch a glimpse of those pastimes.

nitai, gauranga, adwaita, srivasa,

gadadhara, panca janakrsna nama r-ase, b-hasa'be j agat,

kori' maha sankirt-ana

2) The five personalit ies N i t a i , Gauranga, Advaita, Srtvasa, and Gadadharawill flood the entire universe with the intoxicat ing nectar of the holy name of

Srz Krsna by performing a maha-sankzrtan.

nartana vilasa, m-rdanga vadana,­sunibo apana kane ­

dekhlya dekhlya, se 2l2a-madhurl,

bhasibo premera bane

3) With my own ears I wil l hear the sounds of playful dancing and therhythmic pulsations of the mrdanga drums. By constantly looking and looking

upon the sweetness and beauty of that pastime, I wil l f loat in the floodt ide ofdivine love.

na dekhi abara, se 212a ra-tana,kandi ha gauranga! bo2i'

amare visayi, paga2a bo2iya,

angete dibeka dhu2i

0) The next moment losing sight of the jewel of that pastime, I shall weep andcry out, "0 my Lord Gauranga!" Material ists wil l then proclaim me thoroughly

mad and will throw dust upon my body.

Thus ends the section on Bhajana-Lalasa.

Siddhi-Lalasa

— Three Songs­Hankering for Spiritual Perfection

Song I

kabe gaura vane, -suradhuni tate, ­

kandiya beda'bo, deho sukha -chadi',ha radhe ha krsna' bole'

nana 2ata taru t-a2e ­

I) When wil l I wander weeping under the shade of various trees and creeperson the banks of the celestial Ganga river in the land of Navadvzpa, crying, "0

Radhe! 0 Krsna!" and forgett ing all physical comforts?

swa paca gr-hete, -magiya khaibo,

pibo saraswati jala ­

pu2lne pu2lne, gada gadl dlb-o,kori' krsna kolahala­

2) I will take my meals by begging at the homes of dog-eaters, and wil l dr inkthe water of the Sarasvatz river. In ecstasy I wil l rol l on the ground from bank tobank of the river, raising an uproar of "Krsna! Krsna!"

(3)

dhama basijane, pranati koriya,

vaisnava c-arana -renu gaya makhi',magibo krpara lesa

dhori' avadhuta v-esa

3) Bowing down to the inhabitants of the holy land, I wil l beg a part icle oftheir mercy. I wil l smear the dust of the Vaisnavas' feet all over my body andwear the dress of a mendicant.

gauda bra-j a jane, bheda na dekhibo,

dhamera swarupa, sphuribe nayane,hoibo baraj a bas-i

hoibo radhara dasi

0) I will see no difference between the inhabitants of Vraja Bhumi and those ofNavadvipa, and I wil l be transformed into a resident of Vraja. The true nature ofthe Lord's abode will manifest i tself to my eyes, and I wil l become amaidservant of Sr im at i Ra d h a r an l . xxv i

Song 2

dekhite dekhite, bhulibo va kabe,

nayane heribo, braj a pura -sobha-,nitya cid anand-a moya­

nij a sthula -parico-ya

I ) When, in a flash, wil l I forget my gross bodily indent i ty . I w i l l behold theexquisite beauty of the realm of Vraja, ful l of eternal spir i tual bl iss.

brsabhanu pure, j -anama loibo,

braj a gopi bh-ava,-hoibe swabhava,yavate vivaha ha'be

ano bhava n-a rohibe

2) I shall have my birth in the town of King Vrsabhanu, and eventually bemarried nearby in Yavat-gram. My sole disposit ion and character shall be that ofa cowherd girl, and I shall know no other mood.xxvii

nij a siddha de-ha, nij -a siddha na-ma, ­

nij a rupa sw a -vasan-a ­

radha krpa ba2e, 2obhzbo va kabe,krsna prema prakarana

3) When will I obtain, by the power of Radha's mercy, my own eternalspiritual body, my own realized name, my own form, and my own dress> And

when, by Her mercy, wil l I receive ini t iat ion into the techniques of expressingdivine love for Krsna?xxviii

j amuna sa-2i2a a-harane giya,buj hibo yugala ra-sa

gaibo radhara yasa

prema mu-gdha ho'ye, pagalini pra-ya,

0) As I go to draw water from the Yamuna, I shall cherish knowing theconfidential mellows that unite the divine pair Radha and Krsna. Being

enchanted by sublime love, I wil l s ing Srt Radha s glories just l ike a madwoman.

Song 3

brsabhanu suta -cara-na sevan-e,

sri radha-ra sukha, satata sadhane,holbo ye palya dasl­

rohibo ami prayasi

I) For serving the lotus feet of the daughter of Vrsabhanu, I shall become a

protected maidservant of one of the gopts in Vraja. I wil l a lways str ive to br ingabout the pleasure of Srt Radha.xxix

sri radhar-a sukhe, krsnaera ye sukha,

radha pada ch-adi', sri krsna s-angam-e,j anibo manete ami

kabhu na hoibo kami

2) Within my heart I wil l know that Radha's pleasure is Krsna's only source ofjoy. Therefore, I wil l never desire to abandon Her lotus feet for enjoying Hisexclusive company.xxx

sakhi gana ma-ma, parama suhrt, ­

tad anuga ho-'ye, sevibo radhara,yugala premera -guru

carana kalapa t-aru

3) The sakhzs are my best friends and teachers concerning the love unit ingRadha with Krsna. By following their example, I shall serve Radha s lotus feet,which are like wish-fulf i l l ing trees.

radha pa-ksa chadi, ye jana se jana,

ami to radhika p-aksa pa-ti sada,ye bhave se bhave thake

kabhu nahi heri ta'ke

0) I myself am always partial to Radhika's camp and therefore never look uponthose who have abandoned Radha's entourage, whoever they may be and

whatever their ways.xxxi

VijnaptiSpiritual Request

[ragint Sura ta-Khambaj a, Ekatala j

kabe ha'be bolo se dina -amar

krpa bale h-a'be hrdoye sancar(amar) aparadha ghuci', suddha name ruci,

I ) Please tell me, when oh when wil l that day be mine? My offenses wil l cometo an end, and a taste for the pure holy name wil l be infused wi thin my heart bythe power of divine grace.

trnadhika hma, kabe nij e mani,

sahisnuta guna hr-doyete ani'sakale manada, apani amani,hoye aswadibo nama rasa sa-r ­

2) Feeling myself lower than a blade of grass, welcoming the quality offorbearance into my heart, giving honor to all l iv ing beings, and being freedfrom false pride, when wil l I taste the essence of the liquid nectar of the holyname. XXXii

dhanaj ana ara, kavita sundari,­

bolibo na cahi deho sukha ka-ri ­

j anmej anme dao, ohe gaurahari!

ahaituki bhakti carane tomar

3) Wealth, followers, beautiful women as described in wor ldly poetry I donot want any such bodily pleasures. 0 Lord Gaurahari! Please give meunmotivated devotion to Your lotus feet birth after bir th.xxxiii

(kabe) korite sri kr-sna n-ama uccarana,

vaivarnya vep-athu, ha'be samghatana,

nirantara netre ba'be asru dh-ar

pulakita deho gadgada vacana

0) When, while art iculating the divine name of Srz Krsna, will my body bethrilled in ecstatic rapture, my words choking with emot ion, loss of color and

ecstatic trembling occuring, and streams of tears flowing constantly from myeyes?

kabe navadwipe, suradhuni tate,­gaura nitya-nanda boli' niskapate

naciya gaiya, bedaibo chute,

batulera praya chadiya vicar

5) When, in the land of Navadvzpa, on the banks of the celestial Ganga, will Irun about innocently call ing out, "0 Gaura! 0 Ni tyananda!"? Dancing and

singing, I will wander about l ike a madman, giving up all consideration of

proper social behavior.

(6)

kabe nityananda, more kori' doya,

chadaibe mora visayera mayadiya more nij a carane-ra chaya,

namera hatete dibe adhikar

6) When will Lord Ni tyananda be merciful to me and release me from theillusion of worldl iness? When wil l He give me the shade of His own lotus feet

and bestow upon me the quali f ication necessary to enter the Marketplace of theHoly Name? xxxiv'

kinibo, lutibo, hari nama ra-sa, ­

nama rase mati-' hoibo vivasarasera rasika carana p-arasa,

koriya mojibo rase anibar

7) Somehow or other I shall buy or steal the mellows of the name of LordHari. Becoming thoroughly intoxicated by those liquid mel lows, I wil l bestunned. By touching the feet of those great souls who are expert in rel ishingthose mellows, I wil l be constantly immersed in the sweet nectar of the holyname.

kabe Jlve doya, holbe udoya,nij a suk-ha bhuli' sudina hr-doyabhakativinoda, koriya vinoya,sri ajn-a tah-ala koribe pracar

8) When will there be an awakening in me of compassion for all fal len souls?Then this Bhaktivinoda wil l forget his own happiness, and with a meek heart he

will set out to propagate by humble solici tat ion the sacred order of Sri CaitanyaMahaprabhu.

Srl Nama-MahatmyaThe Glories of the Holy Name

krsna nama -dhare koto bal

ravi tapta -maru bhumi -sam ­

varisoya sudha anupam

visaya vasan-ana2e, mora citta sadaj wa2e,

karna randh-ra patha -diya, hrdi maj he pravesiya,

I) What power does the name of Krsna possess? My heart constantly burns inthe fire of worldly desires, just l ike a desert scorched by the rays of the sun. Theholy name, entering the core of my heart through the holes of my ears, showers

unparalleled nectar upon my soul .

hrdoya hoite bo2e, jihvara agrete ca2e,sabda rupe na-ce anuksan

sthira hoite na pare carankanthe mora bhange swara, anga kanpe thara thara,

2) The holy name speaks from within my heart, moves onto the tip of mytongue, and constantly dances on it in the form of t ranscendental sound. Mythroat becomes choked up, my body shivers again and again, and my feet cannot

remain still .

(3)

cakse dhara, dehe gharma, pu2akita saba carma,

murchita hoi2o man, pra2ayera agaman,

vivarna hoi2o ka2evara

bhave sarva de-hajarajara

3) Rivers of tears flow from my eyes, perspiration completely soaks my body,

all my skin thr i l ls with rapture, my hairs stand on end, and my complexion

turns pale and discolored. My mind grows faint, I begin to experiencedevastation, and my entire body is shattered in a f lood of ecstatic emotions.

kori' eto upadrava, citte varse sudha dra-va,

kichu na bujhite di2o, more to batu2a koi2o,more dare premera sagare

mora citta vitta -saba hare

0) While causing such an ecstatic disturbance, the holy name showers liquidnectar 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 byhaving stolen away my mind and all my resources.

2oinu asroyaj a'r, heno vyavahara ta'r,

krsna nama -iccha moy, j -ahej ahe sukhi hoy,

varnite na pari e saka2

sei mora sukhera samba2

5) Such is the behavior of Him in whom I have taken shelter. I am not capableof describing all this. The holy name of Krsna is independent and thus acts onHis own sweet will . In whatever way He becomes happy, that is also my way ofhappiness.

(6)

premera ka2ika nam, adbhuta rasera dham,

isat vikasi punah, dekhay nij a rupa gu-na, ­

heno bala karaye prakas

citta hari' 2oya krsna pas ­

6) The holy name is the bud of the flower of div ine love, and is the very abodeof astonishing mellows. Such is the power He manifests that when His holyname starts to blossom a li t tle further, it then reveals His own div ine form and

qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Krsna.

(7)

purna vikasita hoiya, braj e morej aya loiya,

more siddha d-eha diya, krsna p-ase rakhe giya,

dekhay more swarupa v-ilas

e dehera kore sarva n-as

7) Blossoming fully, the flower of the holy name takes me to Vraja and revealsto me His own love-dalliance. This name gives to me my own eternal spir i tual

body, keeps me right by Krsna's side, and completely destroys everything

related to this mortal frame of mine.

krsna nam-a cint-amani, akhila rasera khani,

namera ba2ai j ata, saba 2o ye hoi hata,nitya muk-ta suddha ras-a moy­

tabe mora sukhera udoy

8) The name of Krsna is a transcendental touchstone, a mine of all devotionalmellows. It is eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When allimpediments to the pure chanting of the holy name are taken away anddestroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening.

Thus ends Saranagati by Thakura Bhaktivinoda.