Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāder Viraha-Tīthi Smaraṇa (A Remembrance of Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda on This Day of Separation)

The following Bengali poem was written in 1970 by Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī on the occasion of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda’s thirty-third disappearance day. It was first published in Caitanya Vāṇī Magazine, Vol. 9, Issue 12. In this composition, Śrīla Purī Mahārāja gives a brief synopsis of the life of Sarasavatī Ṭhākura and presents his last instructions to his disciples.

(1)

*prabhupāda!

**eke eke dvātriṁśad varṣa gata-prāya

*praveśa karecha nitya yugala-līlāya

O Prabhupāda! One by one, almost thirty-two years have passed since you entered the eternal pastimes of the Divine Couple.

(2)

*vraja-yuva-dvandva yabe niśi-aveśeṣe

*gāḍha samāśliṣṭa hana mahā-premāveśe

It was at the end of the night when the youthful Divine Couple of Vraja were in an intense embrace of mahā-prema.

(3)

*rasarāja-mahābhāva doṅhāra milana

*(śrī) gaura-nitya-līlā yāhe karaye sūcana

It indicated that you entered into the eternal pastimes of Śrī Gaura, the union of both rasa-rāja (Kṛṣṇa) and mahā-bhāva (Rādhā).

(4)

*sekāle se-līlā-rase haiyā magana

*audārya-pradhāna mādhurya kara āsvādana

**At that time, you became absorbed in that līlā-rasa, relishing mādhurya (sweetness) with the predominance of audārya (munificence). **

(5)

*mādhurya-pradhāna audārya śrī-kṛṣṇa-līlāya

*kata chala kari kṛṣṇa rādhāre kāṅdāya

Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s līlā is munificence with predominating sweetness wherein Kṛṣṇa tries in various ways to make Rādhā cry.

(6)

*lukāye rādhāra prema kare āsvādana

*ṛṇī māni āpanāre karaye cintana

Then hiding, He observes and relishes Rādhā’s prema. Considering Himself to be in debt, He begins to think thus…

(7)

*praṇaya mahimā rādhāra āhā kibā hana

**rādhāsvādya man-mādhurya tāhā vā kemana

**ki sukha pāyena rādhāra tāhā āsvādiyā

*e-tine viṣaye lubdha haila śyāma-hiyā

“Alas, what are the glories of Rādhā’s love? How can I taste My own sweetness in the way that Rādhā relishes it? What pleasure does Rādhā attain by tasting it?” A desire to understand these three things arose in Śyāma’s heart.

(8)

*viṣayera bhāve vāñchā nahibe pūraṇa

*tāi āśrayera bhāva kṛṣṇa karilā grahaṇa

“While I accept the mood of a viṣaya, I will never fully experience Her love.” Thus, Kṛṣṇa accepted the mood of the āśraya.*

*******Translator’s Note: **Generally, viṣaya refers to Śrī Rādhā, the object of love, and āśraya refers to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the experiencer of love. In this verse, it is said that the āśraya (Kṛṣṇa) accepts the mood of the viṣaya (Rādhā).

(9)

*janama labhiyā navadvīpa-māyāpure

*śacī-garbha-sindhu-mājhe gaura-kalevare

With a golden form, He took birth in Navadvīpa-Māyāpura from within the oceanic womb of Śacī.

(10)

*kāṅdilā rādhāra bhāve kāṅhā kṛṣṇa bali

*uchalila prema-banyā bhāsila sakali

**Weeping in the bhāva of Rādhā, He would cry out, “Where is Kṛṣṇa?” and agitated, everyone was drowned in a flood of prema. **

(11)

*cabbiśa vatsara śeṣa chāṛi gṛhavāsa

*calilā śrī-nīlācale kariyā sannyāsa

Completing twenty-four years, He abandoned His household, and accepting sannyāsa, He went to Śrī Nīlācala.

(12)

*chaya-vatsara tīrtha sthāne gatāgati kailā

*āṭhāra vatsara dhari śrī-kṣetre rahilā

**For six years He went to the sacred tīrthas, and for the last eighteen years of His life, He remained in Śrī Kṣetra (Purī). **

(13)

*tathi madhye chaya varṣa bhakta-saha mili

*ratha-yātrā ādi līlā dekhila sakali

**Amongst those eighteen years, six years were spent meeting with the devotees, and He was seen by everyone to engage in the līlās of Ratha-yātrā etc. **

(14)

*śeṣa ye dvādaśa vatsara gambhīrā madhyete

*svarūpa-rāmarāya sane rahe divyonmāde

**In the last twelve years, He resided within the Gambhīrā where He remained in the thralls of divine madness accompanied by Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rāya Rāmānanda. **

(15)

*vipralambha-rasāveśe rādhā-bhāve gaura

*nīlācale sindhu-taṭe kāṅdila pracura

In rādhā-bhāva, Gaura was overwhelmed by the mood of separation, and would weep piteously on the ocean shores at Nīlācala.

(16-17)

*kāṅhā kṛṣṇa prāṇa-nātha muralī-vadana

**kāṅhā yāṅ kāṅhā pāṅ vrajendra-nandana

**kāhāre kahiba vyathā kebā jāne duḥkha

*vrajendra-nandana vinu phāṭe mora buka

(Mahāprabhu would cry out:) “Where is Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of My life, the player of the flute? Where did He go? Where shall I find that son of the king of Vraja? To whom shall I speak to about My pain? Who understands My misery? Without the son of the king of Vraja, My heart breaks.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 2.15-16)

(18)

*sambhogāpekṣā vipralambhe adhika mādhurī

*tāhā āsvādite tumi janamilā purī

**There is more sweetness in vipralambha than in sambhoga, and you took birth in Purī in order to relish this. **

(19)

*bāra-śata-āśi baṅga-abde sindhu-taṭe

*śrī-jagannātha-mandirera ati sannikaṭe

It was the year 1280 of the Bengli Era on the seashore, near to the temple of Śrī Jagannātha.*

*** **Translator’s Note: Corresponding to 1874 CE.

(20)

*māghī kṛṣṇā-pañcamī śukravāra aparāhne

*śrī-kṛṣṇa-kīrtana-mukharita vāsa-bhūme

It was Friday afternoon during the month of Māgha, on the fifth day of the waning moon. At that place, śrī-kṛṣṇa-kīrtana was on everyone’s lips.

(21)

*hayecha udaya prabho bhaktera gṛhe

**bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu yethā sahajei vahe

An ocean of nectarean rasa naturally flowed during your appearance at the home of that devotee of the Lord.

(22)

*śrī-mahā-prasāde tava mukhyānna-prāśana

*(ājanma) prasādānna vinā kichu nā kaile grahaṇa

Your first food was śrī-mahā-prasāda. From your very birth, you never ate anything except prasāda.

(23)

*tava āvirbhāva-gṛha-dvāre jagannātha

*ratha rākhi rahilena tina divārāta

During your appearance, Jagannātha’s ratha halted before your house for three days and nights.

(24)

*śrī-bhaktivinoda tabe kailā āyojana

*dina-traya hailā tathā mahā-saṅkīrtana

**Then Śrī Bhaktivinoda arranged for mahā–saṅkīrtana during those three-days. **

(25)

*tathi-madhye eka dina mātṛ-kroḍa-śāyī

*ṣaṇ-māsa-vayaska śiśu uṭhi rathopari

During that time, one day while you lay in your mother’s arms as a child of six months, you were carried onto the ratha.

(26)

*āliṅgile jagannātha-kamala-caraṇa

*prabhura prasādī mālā karile grahaṇa

You embraced Jagannātha’s lotus feet and accepted one of the Lord’s prasādī garlands.

(27)

*janma hate daśa-māsa rahi purī-dhāme

*baṅga-deśe āsi raha mātā-pitā sane

At ten months old, your mother and father brought you with them from Purī-dhāma back to Bengal.

(28)

*śiśu-kāla hate tava kṛṣṇa gāḍha-mati

*dekhi mātṛ-pitṛ-mana ullasita ati

Seeing your intense absorption in Kṛṣṇa from childhood, your mother and father were extremely delighted.

(29)

*vidyā anurāga tava kibā adbhuta

*śikṣaka-svajana-gaṇe kailā camakita

**Your remarkable affinity for learning astounded your teachers and relatives. **

(30)

*śrīrāmapure sthiti-kāle śrī-bhaktivinoda

*dekhi tava kṛṣṇa-nāma bhajane pramoda

While residing in Sriramapur, Śrī Bhaktivinoda observed your pleasure in kṛṣṇa-nāma bhajana.

(31)

*purī hate ānāiyā tulasīra mālā

*japibāre mahā-mantra upadeśa dilā

Bringing a tulasī-mālā from Puri, he gave instructions to you on chanting the mahā-mantra.

(32)

*śrī-nṛsiṁha-mantra-rāja-o dilena tomāre

*bhakti-vighna-vināśite jiṅho śakti dhare

He also gave you the nṛsiṁha-mantra-rāja which possesses the potency to eliminate obstacles in bhakti.

(33)

*śrī-caitanya-śikṣāmṛta paḍālena tomā

*dekhilena bodha-śakti tava anupamā

Noticing your incomparable intellectual prowess, he taught you the Śrī Caitanya-śikṣāmṛta.

(34-35)

*kalikātā-rāma-bāgāne bhakti-bhavana

**gṛha-bhitti yei kāle haila khanana

(tat-kāle) kūrma-deva-mūrti eka halena prakāśita

*tāhā dekhi hale prabhu kata haraṣita

At the time when the foundation of Bhakti Bhavan was being dug at Ram Bagan in Calcutta, a Deity of Kūrma-deva appeared. O Master, seeing that, you became most excited.

(36)

*pūjibāre sei mūrti ha’la tava mana

*tāhā jāni’ bhaktivinoda ānandita hana

Internally, you desired to worship this Deity, and knowing this, Bhaktivinoda became most happy.

(37)

*pūjā-mantra pūjā-vidhi upadeśa dilā

*yathā-vidhi sei mūrti pūjite lāgilā

He gave instructions on the method and mantras for worship, and with those rules, you started to worship that Deity.

(38)

*tilakādi sadācāra śiśukāla hate

*pāliyācha tumi prabho bhakti-pūta cite

O Master, from childhood you took up sadācāra (proper behaviour) such as wearing tilaka etc, with a consciousness purified through bhakti.

(39)

*nitya-siddha tumi prabho sādhane yatana

*loka-śikṣā tare śudhu kailā prakaṭana

O Master, you are nitya-siddha (an eternally perfected soul), you displayed endeavours in sādhana merely for teaching the people.

(40)

*(ṭhākura) śrī-bhaktivinoda-kṛta bhakti-grantha yata

*paṛecha sakali tāṅra haiyā anugata

You read all the devotional literature composed by Ṭhākura Śrī Bhaktivinoda and you were most dedicated to him.

(41)

*mahājana-viracita āra grantha śata

*adhyayana adhyāpanā kariyācha kata

You also studied and taught hundreds of other texts written by the mahājanas.

(42)

*‘pruph-rīdiṅ’ ādi kārya śikhi śiśu hate

ṭhākurera sahāyatā kailā bhāla mate*

From childhood, you were taught various duties such as proofreading in order to assist the Ṭhākura properly.

(43)

*grantha patrikādi yata pracāre tāṅhāra

*sevā-buddhye sahāyatā karecha apāra

With a mood of service, you always aided his preaching through books, journals etc.

(44)

*kata āśīrvāda tiṅho karechena tomā

*guru-sevādarśa prabho tomāte upamā

How many blessings be bestowed upon you! O master, this is the benchmark by which we may compare our own guru-sevā.

(45)

*jyotir-vidyāya tava advitīyādhikāra

*vidvad-vareṇya sabe hailā camatkāra

You possessed exclusive knowledge of astronomy and astrology. All were astounded by the excellence of your intellect.

(46)

*atyalpa vayasa dekhi apūrva pratibhā

*sabe bale e-bālaka asāmānya kebā

Even at a very young age, they saw your unparalleled genius. Everyone would say, “There is no one to compare with this boy anywhere.”

(47)

*mahā-bhāgavata guru sakale tomāre

*śrī-siddhānta-sarasvatī upādhi vitare

Everyone recognised that you were a mahā-bhāgavata guru, and you were given the title ‘Śrī Siddhānta Sarasvatī.’

(48-49)

*ūnaviṁśa-śata aṣṭādaśa khṛṣṭa abde

**tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa yabe lailā śāstra mate

takhana se śrī-bhaktisiddhānta sarasvatī

*nāmete haila sarva jagatete khyāti

In 1918 of the Christian Era, when you accepted tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa according to the rules of the śāstra, then your name became ‘Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī’ by which you became known throughout the entire world.

(50)

*parivrājakācārya-rūpe bhārata bhramilā

*śrī-caitanya-candrera vāṇī viśve vilāilā

In the form of a travelling ācārya-mendicant (parivrājakācārya), you travelled throughout Bhārata, distributing the message of Śrī Caitanya-candra to the world.

(51)

*tomāra śrī-mukha-vāṇī śuni bhāgyavān

*druta āsi lailena śrī-caraṇe sthāna

Those who were fortunate to hear this message from your holy lips quickly came to your divine feet.

(52)

*śrī-bhaktivinoda ṭhākurera pratiṣṭhita

*śrī-viśva-vaiṣṇava-sabhā kaile ujjīvita

**You revived the Śrī Viśva Vaiṣṇava Sabhā which had been established by Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. **

(53)

*ai sabhāya haita pāṭha prati ravibāre

*bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu-grantha bhakti-sāre

He would give a lecture in that assembly every Sunday, drawing the devotional essence from the ocean of nectarean rasa (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu).

(54)

*śrī-bhaktivinoda ṭhākura karitena vyākhyā

*satya satya uchalita amṛta-sindhu tathā

When Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura would explain this, indeed, an ocean of nectar truly arose.

(55)

*prabho tumi sei grantha vahi ānite sabhāya

*basiyā śunite śāstra ekānta hiyāya

**O Master, you would carry this book into the assembly and sit down and listen diligently to this śāstra. **

(56)

*kṛṣṇa-bhakta-saṅge sadā kṛṣṇa-kathā raṅge

*rahiyā bhesecha sadā premera taraṅge

You relished kṛṣṇa-kathā in the association of Kṛṣṇa’s devotees, and constantly floated in the waves of prema.

(57)

*skula-pāṭhya-grantha saba paḍi alpa-kṣaṇe

*bhakti-grantha pāṭhemana diyācha nirjane

You spent little time reading all your school books, and spent more time by yourself reading books on bhakti.

(58)

*jyotiṣa-śāstrete chila prabalānurāga

*bhakti-bādhā haya bali tāhā kailā tyāga

You had a strong attachment to the jyotiṣa-śāstra (texts on astronomy and astrology), but eventually you rejected them as a hinderance to bhakti.

(59)

*śrī-bhaktivinoda ṭhākura-mahāśaya sane

*bhramiyācha bahu-tīrtha kṛṣṇa-anveṣaṇe

Along with Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Mahāśaya, you travelled to many holy places, doing research in connection with Kṛṣṇa.

(60)

*śrī-bhaktivinoda ṭhākura-ājñā anusāre

*atimartya caritra eka avadhūta vare

In accordance with the instructions of Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, **you attained the benediction of an avadhūta who possessed the most transcendental characteristics. ***

*** T****ranslator’s Note: **This refers to Śrīla Gaura Kiśora Dāsa Bābājī.

(61)*

bhāgavatī dīkṣā labha guru-rūpe vari’

*(tad-āśraye) nirviṇṇa haiyā bhaja girivara-dhārī

You accepted him as your guru and attained bhāgavatī-dīkṣā. Under his shelter, you became indifferent to the world and began to engage in bhajana of Giri-vara-dhārī (the Lifter of Govardhana Hill).

(62)

*śrī-candraśekharālaye māyāpura-dhāme

*ekānte bāṅdhiyā kuṭī bhaja avirāme

In Māyāpura-dhāma, at the place of Śrī Candraśekhara, you constructed a kuṭīra and remained alone, tirelessly engaged in bhajana.

(63)

*hari-dāsa-ṭhākurera ādarśānusari

*tina lakṣa nāma laha bahu ārtti kari

Following the ideal of Hari Dāsa Ṭhākura, you had the strong desire to chant three lakhs of Holy Names.

(64)

*cāturmāsya-vrata-kāle kaṭhora vairāgya

*pāliyā bhajecha kṛṣṇe kari nāma-yajña

Your renunciation was severe at the time of observing Cāturmāsya intensely worshiping Kṛṣṇa through nāma-yajña (the sacrifice of the Holy Name).

(65)

*śata-koṭi mahā-mantra karecha kīrtana

*bhūmete go-grāse haviṣya karecha grahaṇa

**You chanted a billion mahā-mantras, and acceptied haviṣya from the ground like a cow. ***

*** ****Translator’s Note: **Haviṣya refers to boiled rice with no spice. It is customary for those who strictly observe Cāturmāsya to eat haviṣya from the ground with their hands behind their back. This is called go-grāsa (eating like a cow). When one bends down to eat the haviṣya from the ground, if he raises his head again, he cannot take any more food for that day.

(66)

*anya-vākyālāpa nāhi kṛṣṇa-nāma vinu

*aharniśa cakṣu-jale bhāsiyāche tanu

You would not speak anything besides kṛṣṇa-nāma. Day and night, tears washed over your body.

(67)

*ādarśa bhajana-ceṣṭā dekhiyā tomāra

*hayeche vismita sabe jaṅgama sthāvara

Animate and inanimate living beings were astounded upon seeing your unparalleled endeavours in bhajana.

(68)

*(śrī) rūpānuga gaura-śakti śrī-bhaktivinoda

*(śrī) gaura-mano’bhīṣṭa-sevāya sadā yāṅra moda

Śrī Bhaktivinoda is the potency of Gaura and the follower of Śrī Rūpa. He finds pleasure in always serving Śrī Gaura’s inner desires.

(69)

*gaura-deśe gaura-janma-sthāna nirūpila

*nirmatsara gaura-jana ānande mātila

He described Gaura’s birthplace as being in the land of Gaura (Māyāpura) and this made the unenvious followers of Gaura intoxicated with bliss.

(70)

*(śrī)-jagannātha-dāsa tathā śrī-gaura-kiśora

*nitya-siddha gaura-jana nitya-parikara

**Śrī Jagannātha Dāsa and Śrī Gaura Kiśora were eternal perfected associates of Gaura. **

(71)

*sabe mili eka-vākye kahe tāra-svare

*gaurāṅgera janma-sthāne ei māyāpure

Others, along with them, came together to declare with one voice that Gaurāṅga’s birthplace was in Māyāpura.

(72)

*ei sei su-prācīna nadīyā-nagarī

*sa-pārṣade yathā līlā kailā gaura-hari

This is that ancient city of Navadvīpa where Gaura Hari, along with His associates, performed pastimes.

(73)

*sarasvatī bhagīrathī saṅgama sthānete

*gaura-gṛha haya ballāla-dīghikā nikaṭe

Gaura’s home is situated at the confluence of the Sarasvatī and the Bhagīrathī (Gaṅgā), close to Ballāla-dīghi.*

*****Translator’s Note: Ballāla-dighi is a lake in Māyāpura that was excavated by King Ballāla Sena in the 12th Century CE.

(74)

*ekhano ra’yeche cihna ballāla-dīghira

*dhvaṁsa-stūpa virājita ballāla-vāṭīra

Even now, there are signs of Ballāla-dīghi, a demolished Buddhist stupa and the ruins of Ballāla’s palace.

(75)

*kājīra samādhi ai ta rahe avidūre

*(kata) prācīna kāhinī kahe mauna-mudrā dhare

Not so far from this is the Kāzī’s samādhi. How many ancient stories are told in silence!

(76)

*sei ta cinmaya-dhāma cinmaya-saundarya

*sei ta gaurāṅga-līlāra cinmaya-mādhurya

This transcendental dhāma possesses transcendental beauty. The pastimes of Gaurāṅga possess transcendental sweetness.

(77)

*āpāmare prema-dāna apūrva audārya

*saba āche nāhi mora bhajana-cāturya

His munificence due to His distributing prema is unparalleled. All this is there, yet I am still not expert in bhajana.

(78)

*tāi bhāgya-hīna āmi bujhite nārinu

*premera ṭhākura gaura hāya nā bhajinu

I am devoid of good fortune as I have not been able to understand. Alas! I have not worshiped Gaura, the Lord of prema.

(79)

*adyāpi ta gaura-hari dubāhu tuliyā

*nācichena hari-bali premete mātiyā

**Even now, Gaura-hari raises both His arms and dances, crying, ‘Haribol!’ in ecstasy. **

(80)

*nije kāṅdi kāṅdāiche sarva-nārī-nare

*vitariche vraja-prema giyā ghare ghare

He Himself cried and made every man and woman cry also. Going door to door, He distributed vraja-prema.

(81)

*tava kṛpā vinā prabho kon jīva chāra

*se mahā-vadānya-līlā dekhibe gorāra

O Master, without your mercy, which wretched jīva can see the most munificent pastimes of Gora?

(82)

*viṣaya-dhulāya andha yāhāra nayana

*kirūpe dekhibe sei tava prāṇa-dhana

How can those whose eyes have been blinded by the dust of materialism ever perceive the treasure of your life?

(83)

*gaura-kṛpā-śakti tumi gaura-nija-jana

*gaura-dhāma gaura-nāma tomāra jīvana

You are the potency of Gaura’s mercy and you are His intimate associate. The abode of Gaura and the Name of Gaura are your very life.

(84)

*tumi yāṅre kṛpā kari deha divya-netra

*gaura-līlā nirakhite tiṅho yogya pātra

Whoever you mercifully give transcendental eyes to becomes an eligible recipient to perceive gaura-līlā.

(85)

*nirvyalīka haye tava caraṇe śaraṇa

*nārinu labhite tāi adhanya jīvana

I was unable to take refuge at your feet without pretence, so this life has become unfortunate.

(86-87)

*ayogya adhame kṛpā kara dayāmaya

**amāyāya abhāgāre ṭāni laha pāya

tabe ta haibe dhanya ei abhājana

*samarpibe o caraṇa kāya-prāṇa-mana

O you who are full of compassion! Be merciful to this unqualified wretch. Without reservation, bring this unfortunate person to your feet, then this unworthy soul will become fortunate and surrender his body, life and mind at your feet.

(88)

*sevibe parāṇa bhari’ o-pada-kamala

*daikṣya-janma tabe tāre haibe saphala

By serving those lotus feet with my heart and soul, this birth as an initiated disciple may produce some result.

(89)

*śrī-guru-prasāda vinā śrī-kṛṣṇa-prasāda

*kichu nāhi haya, āro ghaṭaye pramāda

Without the mercy of Śrī Guru, one cannot attain Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. It only creates more bewilderment.

(90)

*prasanna haile guru sarva-siddhi haya

*gaura-kṛṣṇa-kṛpā tāṅre haya suniścaya

When the guru is satisfied, there is all perfection. Indeed, one will achieve the mercy of Gaura-Kṛṣṇa.

(91)

*śuddha-bhakti-śikṣā-dātā sad-guru jagate

*baṛai durlabha vastu milaye bhāgyete

In this world, a true guru imparts teachings on pure bhakti. Only those who are fortunate come in contact with such an extremely rare thing.

(92)

*hena ratna pāiyāo yei ajña-nara

*(jaḍa)-viṣaye bhuliyā tāṅre kare anādara

Although some persons come across this jewel, such ignorant people forget about it, or show no respect towards it because they are immersed in mundane sense-objects.

(93)

*bhāgya-hīna kebā āra āche tāra sama

*sudhā chāḍi’ viṣa māge se bhrānta adhama

Who is more bereft of good fortune than such a person? This wretch is so bewildered that he rejects nectar and begs for poison.

(94)

*hena guru-pāda-padme ha’ye-o āśrita

*gaura-prema-rasāsvāde haila vañcita

Although I have taken shelter in the lotus feet of my guru, I have been cheated of relishing gaura-prema.

(95)

*gurvātma-daivata haiyā bhāgavata-dharma

*śuniyā śikhaye yei sarva-śāstra-marma

He who makes the guru his very life and soul, and listens to his teachings on bhāgavata-dharma achieves the essence of all śāstra.

(96)

*aikāntikī bhakti-saha gaura-kṛṣṇa bhaje

*śrī-guru-kṛpāya sei prema-rase maje

Worshipping Gaura-Kṛṣṇa with exclusive bhakti and, by the mercy of Śrī Guru, he becomes absorbed in prema-rasa.

(97)

*guru-kṛta upakāra smariyā satata

*śrī-guru-caraṇe prīti haya ta’ vardhita

Always remembering whatever beneficial acts the guru has done for him, his love for the feet of Śrī Guru increases.

(98)

*prīti yata gāḍha haya bāḍhaye mamatā

*guru-sevā lāgi prāṇe jāge vyākulatā

As such love intensifies, his attachment increases and distress awakens in him to serve the guru with his very being.

(99)

*(takhana) kṣaṇekera adarśana sahite nā pāre

*guru-pāda-padma smari sadā āṅkhi jhare

Then, he cannot spend even a moment without seeing him. Remembering the guru’s lotus feet, tears constantly flow from his eyes.

(100)

*śrī-guru-mahimā kare satata smaraṇa

*guru-mukha-vākya citte karaye milana

He always remembers the glories of Śrī Guru and the words that have emanated from the guru’s lips meet within his heart.

(101)

*guru-mano’bhīṣṭa sevā vinā nāhi jāne

*guru prīta hale māne sārthaka jīvane

**He knows nothing except for the guru’s innermost desires. If the guru is pleased, then his life has meaning. **

(102)

*gurudeva yāhā nāhi bāsitena bhāla

*tāhā tiṅho kabhu nāhi smare kṣaṇa-kāla

He never remembers anything, even for a moment, that his Gurudeva did not like during his lifetime.

(103)

*viraha-tithira pūjā sei jana kare

*śrī-guru-vihane yā’ra hṛdaya vidare

When such a person worships the guru on his disappearance day, his heart breaks being without Śrī Guru.

(104-105)

*dhyāna-jñāna sarvasva yāra guru-pada

**guru-prīti māne yei parama-sampada

nija lābha-pūjā-khyāti svapne-o nā cāya

**śrī-guru-mahimā vṛddhi satata cintaya

**dveṣa-hiṁsā-mātsarya nāhi mane yāṅra

*śrī-guru-sevake māne mānya āpanāra

**He for whom the guru’s feet are his meditation, his knowledge, his everything, who considers the guru’s satisfaction to be his supreme wealth, who does not desire any profit, worship or fame even in his dreams, who constantly thinks about spreading the glories of Śrī Guru, who possesses no hatred, violence or envy, and who gives respect to the other servants of Śrī Guru, such a devotee considers thus – **

(106-107)

*śrī-guru-dāsānudāsa muñi bhṛtyādhama

**āmāra prabhura bhakta sakale uttama

āmi tāṅhādera dāsa-anudāsa hañā

*seviba śrī-guru-pada parāṇa bhariyā

“I am the fallen servant of Śrī Guru’s servants, and all of my Master’s devotees are superior to me. I will become the servant of their servants, and I will serve Śrī Guru’s feet with all my heart and soul.”

(108)

guru-vākya *– **eka āśraya-vigrahānugatye

*sabe mile miśe sevā kara eka citte

My guru’s words were as follows –** “Following the one āśraya-vigraha, all of you should cooperate together in service with one heart. ***

*** ****Translator’s Note: **Here, the āśraya-vigraha (that form under whom one should take shelter) refers to the guru.

(109)

*(śrī) rūpa-prabhu-pada-dhūli modera svarūpa

*rāgānuga cintā-srotaḥ pravāhita hauk

“Our inherent nature is to be a speck of dust at the feet of Śrī Rūpa Prabhu. May the conceptual stream of rāgānugā always flow.

(110)

*sapta-jihva kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana-yajña prati

*anurāga haile habe sarva artha-siddhi

**“If we have attachment towards the seven-flames of the yajña of śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana, then all our life’s objectives will be fulfilled. ***

*** ****Translator’s Note: **The seven flames of the saṅkīrtana-yajña are the seven characteristics of the Holy Name, explained in the first verse of Mahāprabhu’s Śikṣāṣṭakam

(111)

*rūpānuga-jana-ānugatya kari sadā

*rūpa-raghunātha vāṇī pracāra sarvathā

“Always follow in the footsteps of the associates of Śrī Rūpa and propagate the message of Rūpa-Raghunātha in all respects.

(112)

*bhaktivinoda-dhārā kabhu ruddha nāhi habe

*bhaktivinoda-mano’bhīṣṭa sadā pracāribe

“The conceptual flow from Bhaktivinoda will never cease. Always propagate the innermost desires of Bhaktivinoda.

(113)

*anurāga vā virāga-pātra keha nāhi bhave

*(jāgatika) ākarṣaṇa-vikarṣaṇātīta hate habe

“In this world, nobody is a worthy recipient of your love or hate. You should transcend attraction and repulsion.

(114)

*kṛṣṇa-pāda-padma-sevā nitya-prayojana

*tāhe lakṣya sthira rākhi yāpibe jīvana

“Service to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa is our eternal necessity. Remain focused on that aim as you go through life.

(115)

*ekoddeśye aikatāne avasthita haye

*mūlāśraya-vigraha seva’ yatana kariye

“Keeping this single purpose exclusively in mind, endeavour to serve the original āśraya-vigraha (Śrī Rādhā).

(116)

*vipada gañjanā śata śata lāñchanāya

*kabhu nāhi teyāgibe śrī-hari-sevāya

“Let there be hundreds and hundreds of dangers, insults and humiliations, but never give up your service to Śrī Hari.

(117)

*tṛṇāpekṣā hīna sahiṣṇu taru-sama

*amānī mānada haye labe kṛṣṇa-nāma

“Chant kṛṣṇa-nāma while being as humble as grass, as tolerant as a tree, giving respect unto others and being devoid of for respect for oneself.”

(118)

*dayāmaya prabhupāda! tava śeṣa vākya

*karitechi anādara kari matānaikya

**Most merciful Prabhupāda! These were your last words. But I have disrespected them and have even disagreed with them. **

(119)

*tumi kṛpā kari modera hṛdaye basiyā

*tavājñā pālana karāo śakti sañcāriyā

Be compassionate to us and reside in our hearts. Give us the strength to follow your instructions.

(120)

*tava yaśo-gāthā gāhi sakale miliyā

*tava mano’ bhīṣṭa sevi eka-citta hañā

Let us all join together to sing your glories. May we be of one mind to serve your heart’s desire.

(121)

*śrī-caitanya-vāṇī viśve kariyā pracāra

*tava sukha sādhi ei hauka vicāra

May you derive happiness by our propagating the message of Śrī Caitanya within this world. Let this be our consideration.

(122)

*tava kṛtī śiṣya madhye āmi ta’ adhama

*śikhāye śaraṇāgati karahe uttama

There are those amongst your disciples who are very accomplished, but I am most wretched. Teach me the path of surrender so that I may advance.

(123)

*lekhanī-dhāraṇe śakti deha he āmāre

*kṛṣṇa-kārṣṇa guṇa yena pāri varṇibāre

O give me the strength to take up my pen so I am able to describe the qualities of Kṛṣṇa and the devotees.

(124)

*jihvāya sphurāo vāṇī kaṇṭhe uccasvara

*guru-gaura-kṛṣṇa-guṇa gāhi nirantara

May your message constantly be on my tongue. May I loudly sing the qualities of Śrī Guru-Gaura and Kṛṣṇa always.

(125)

*prāṇavān bhakta-mukhe śrī-kṛṣṇa-kīrtana

*śunite āgraha prabho kailā prakaṭana

Śrī-kṛṣṇa-kīrtana** emanates from the mouth of that devotee who has life.** You displayed enthusiasm to hear such kīrtana, O Master.

(126)

*kintu ye śaraṇāgati bhaktera prāṇa

*kothā pāba sei ‘prāṇa’ ki gāhiba gāna

But where will I attain the life-force to sing about śaraṇāgati, which is the very life of a devotee?

(127-128)

*tabe yadi prabho more prāṇavān kara

**prāṇa-hīna śaba-dehe śakati-sañcāra

tabe ta’ gāhite pāri kṛṣṇa-guṇa-gāthā

*sukhī hate pāra śuni prāṇavanta kathā

**O Master, this lifeless corpse is powerless, but if you make me full of life, then I will be able to sing about the glories of Kṛṣṇa. When you hear such life-giving narrations, then perhaps you will become happy. **

(129)

*oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā

*cakṣur-unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śri-gurave namaḥ

**My eyes were blinded by the cataracts of ignorance. I offer my respects unto Śrī Guru who opened them with the salve of wisdom. **

(130)

*namas te gaura-vāṇī-śrī-mūrtaye dīna-tāriṇe

*rūpānuga-viruddhāpa-siddhānta-dhvānta-hāriṇe

I offer my respects unto you, the divine personification of the message of Śrī Gaura. You remove those misconceptions that are opposed to the conclusions of the followers of Śrī Rūpa.

Related Articles, Songs and Prayers

Rasa Saṅketa (The Indications of Rasa) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrī Māyāpura Prasaṅgaḥ (Topics Concerning Śrī Māyāpura) by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja Śrīla Prabhupāda Dvādaśakam by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja O Keśava! Your World is Very Wonderful! – With Illumination by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja Śrī Gaura-hari Kusuma Stavāṣṭākam by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Śrī Kusumañjalī (An Offering of Flowers) by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Śrī Nāma Māhātmya (The Glories of the Holy Name) by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Śrī Nityānanda Dvādaśakam by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Śrīmad Bhaktivinoda Viraha Daśakam by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Śrī Śrī Gaurasundara Āvirbhava Vāsare by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī ‘The Best of Thieves’ – An Illumination by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Mā Muñca Pañca-daśakam (Fifteen Verses Praying Not to be Abandoned) by Śrīla Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Mahārāja Śrīla Sarasvatī Gosvāmyāṣṭakam by Śrīla Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Mahārāja Vṛndāvane Bhajana (Worship in Vṛndāvana) by Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda Vaiśiṣṭyāṣṭaka (Eight Stanzas of Significance) by Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda Svasti No Gaura-vidhur Dadhātu (May the Moon-like Gaura Bestow Auspiciousness) by Śrīla B.P. Purī Mahārāja A Prayer Composed on the Occasion of the Disappearance of Śrīla Gadādhara Paṇḍita by Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Śrī Śrī Gaura Gopāla Praśasti
 (In Praise of Śrī Śrī Gaura Gopāla) by Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Viraha-Gītikā (A Song of Separation) by Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Mahārāja Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava by Śrīla Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha Mahārāja Purport to Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlā Smaraṇa-Maṅgala Stotram by Śrīla Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha Mahārāja Purī Mahārāja’s Praṇāma Mantra by Śrīla Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha Mahārāja Śrī Guru-viraha Ṣaṭakam – Six Verses in Separation from Śrī Guru by Swami B.V. Giri Śrī Guru Praṇāma Anuvākya – An Explanation of Śrīla Guru Mahārāja’s Praṇāma Mantra by Swami B.V. Giri Śrī Ārati-Kīrtana Vivaraṇa – A Commentary on Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja’s Ārati Kīrtana

Further Reading from the Bhaktivinoda Institute

Gītā-mālā (A Garland of Songs) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (Songbook) Kalyāṇa Kalpataru (‘The auspicious Desire Tree’) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (Songbook) Śaraṇāgati (Surrendered to the Lord’s Shelter) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (Songbook) Gītāvalī (A Collection of Songs) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (Songbook) Bāula Saṅgīta by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (Songbook) Sevā Lālasā (Hankering for Service) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (Songbook) Śrī Godruma-candra Bhajanopadeśa by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrī Gīta Govinda Introduction by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Poems by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura