Srila Rupa Gosvami's

.heo Sri Padyavali #

Auspicious Introduction

Text 1

padyävalé viracitä rasikair mukunda-

sambandha-bandhura-padä pramadormi-sindhuù
ramyä samasta-tamasäà damané krameëa
saìgåhyate kåti-kadambaka-kautukäya

padya-of verses; ävalé-anthology; viracitä-written; rasikaiù-by those who are expert a

relishing the mellows of devotional service; mukunda-with Lord Mukunda; sambandha-in
relation; bandhura-beautiful; pramada-of delight; ürmi-with waves; sindhuù-ocean; ramyä-
pleasing; samasta-all; tamasam-of ignorance; damäni-the destroyer; krameëa-with a methodical
arrangement; saìgåhyate-collected; kåti-of devotees; kadambaka-of the multitude; kautukäya-for
the pleasure.

This Padyävalé (Anthology of Poetry) was written by devotees expert in the mellows of
devotional service. This book contains many beautiful verses, which have been collected for the
pleasure of the devotees. It illuminates the darkness of ignorance, and it is an ocean of
transcendental bliss. -Çré Rüpa Gosvämé

Granthärambhe maìgaläcaraëam
Auspicious Introductions

Text 2

namo nalina-neträya
veëu-vädya-vinodine
rädhädhara-sudhä-päna-
çäline vana-mäline

namaù-obeisances; nalina-lotus flowers; netraya-eyes; veëu-flute; vädya-music; vinodine-

pastimes; rädhä-of Çrématé Rädhäräëé; ädhara-of the lips; sudhä-nectar; päna-drinking; çäline-
engaged; vana-mäline-wearing a garland of forest flowers.

To Çré Kåñëa, whose eyes are beautiful as lotus flowers, who delights in playing the flute,
who drinks the nectar Rädhä's lips, and who is garlanded with forest flowers, I offer respectful
obeisances.
-author unknown

Text 3

bhakti-prahva-vilokana-praëayiné nélotpala-spardhiné
dhyänälambanatäà samädhi-niratair néte hita-präptaye
lävaëyaika-mahä-nidhé rasikatäà rädhä-dåços tanvalé
yuñmäkaà kurutäà bhavärti-çamanaà netre tanur vä hareù

bhakti-with devotion; prahva-bowed down; vilokana-with the sight; praëayiëé-affectionate;

néla-blue; utpala-lotus flowers; spardhiné-rivalling; dhyäna-meditation; älambanatäm-support;
samädhi-in meditation; nirataiù-by those who are engaged; néte-attained; hita-of auspiciousness;
präptaye-for the attainment; lävaëya-of beauty; eka-one; mahä-great; nidhé-abode; rasikatäm-
love; rädhä-of Çrématé Rädhäräëé; dåçoù-of the eyes; tanvaté-expanding; yuçmäkam-of you;
kurutäm-may He create; bhava-of the material world; ärti-of the distresses; çamanam-the
quelling; netre-eyes; tanuù-form; vä-or; hareù-of Lord Hari.

This verse may be interpreted for either Lord Kåñëa's eyes or form. The two possible
translations follow.

Translation 1

May Lord Hari's eyes, which lovingly gaze on the devotees, which rival the splendor of blue
lotuses, on which the yogés meditate to attain auspiciousness, which are two great oceans of
handsomeness, and which fill Rädhä's eyes with the nectar of love, quell for you the sufferings
of material life.

Translation 2

May Lord Hari's form, on which the devotees lovingly gaze, which rivals the splendor of blue
lotuses, on which the yogés meditate to attain auspiciousness, which is a great ocean of
handsomeness, and which fills Rädhä's eyes with the nectar of love, quell for you the sufferings
of material life.
-Çré Säraìga

Text 4

ye govardhana-müla-kardama-rasa-vyädåñöa-barhäìgadä
ye våndävana-kukñiñu vraja-vadhü-nélopadhänä ni ca
ye cäbhyäìga-sugandhayaù kuvalayäpéòasya dänämbhasä
te vo maìgalam ädiçantu satataà kaàsa-dviño bähavaù

ye-which; govardhana-of Govardhana Hill; müla-from the base; kardama-rasa-with mud;

vyädåñöa-observed; barha-peacock feather; aìgadäù-bracelets; ye-which; våndävana-of
Våndävana; kukñiñu-in the depths; vraja-of Våndävana; vadhü-of the wives; néla-dark;
upadhänä ni-pillows; ca-and; ye-which; ca-and; abhyaìga-with aromatic substances;
sugandhayaù-fragant; kuvalayäpéòasya-of Kuvaläypéòa elephant; däna-ambhasä-with the liquid
which flows from the temples of a maddened elephant; te-they; vaù-to you; maìgalam-
auspiciousness; ädiçantu-may show; satatam-always; kaàsa-of Kaàsa; dviñaù-of the enemy (Çré
Kåñëa); bähavaù-arms.

May Kåñëa's arms, their golden ornaments and peacock feathers anointed with mud when He
lifted Govardhana Hill, deep in Våndävana forest the gopés' two blue pillows, and anointed with
Kuvalayäpéòa's fragrant ichor, always grant auspiciousness to you.
-Çubhäìka

Text 5

säyaà vyävartamänäkhila-surabhi-kulähväna-saìketa-nämäny
äbhéré-vånda-ceto-haöha-haraëa-kalä-siddha-manträkñaräëi
saubhägyaà vaù samantäd dadhatu madhu-bhidaù keli-gopäla-mürteù
sä nandäkåñöa-våndävana-rasika-måga-çreëayo veëu-nädäù

säyam-at evening; vyävartamäha-becoming separated; akhila-all; surabhi-of surabhi cows;

kula-community; ähväna-calling; saìketa-hints; nämä ni-names; äbhéré-of gopés; vånda-of the
multitude; cetaù-minds; haöha-forcibly; haraëa-enchanting; kalä-trick; siddha-successful;
mantra-mantra; akñaräëi-syllables; saubhägyam-blessedness; vaù-to you; samantät-completely;
dadhatu-may grant; madhu-of the Madhu demon; bhidaù-of the destroyer (Çré Kåñëa); keli-
pastimes; gopäla-cowherd boy; mürteù-form; sa-with; ä nanda-bliss; äkåñöa-attracted;
våndävana-of Våndävana; rasika-connoisseurs; måga-deer; çreëayaù-multitudes; veëu-of the
flute; nädäù-sounds.

May playful Gopäla's flute-music, which calls the faraway surabhi cows by name, which is
the mystic mantra that charms the gopés' hearts, and which delights and attracts the deer
enjoying in Våndävana, bless you all.
-Çré Hara

Çré Kåñëasya mahimä

The Glory of Kåñëa

Text 6

ambhodhiù sthalatäà sthalaà jaladhitäà dhüli-lavaù çailatäà

çailo måt-kaëatäà tåëaà kuliçatäà vajraà tåëa-kñéëatäm
vahniù çétalatäà himaà dahanatäm äyäti yasyecchayä
 lélä-durlalitädbhuta-vyasanine kåñëäya tasmai namaù

ambhodhiù-ocean; sthalatäm-the state of being dry land; sthalam-dry land; jaladhitäm-the

state of being the ocean; dhüli-of dust; lavaù-a particle; çailatäm-the state of being a mountain;
çailaù-a mountain; måt-kaëatäm-the state of being a particle of dust; tåëam-a blade of grass;
kuliçatäm-the state of being a thunderbolt; vajram-a thunderbolt; tåëa-as a blade of grass;
kñéëatam-the state of being insignificant; vahniù-fire; çétalatäm-the state of being cool; himam-
snow; dahanatäm-the state of being able to burn; äyäti-goes; yasya-of whom; icchayä-with the
wish; lélä-pastimes; durlalita-mischievous; adbhuta-wonderful; vyasanine-attached to
performing; kåñëäya-to Kåñëa; tasmai-to Him; namaù-I offer respectful obeisances.

I offer my respectful obeisances to wonderful, playful, mischievous Kåñëa who, if He

desires, can make an ocean dry land, dry land an ocean, a blade of grass a thunderbolt, a
thunderbolt an insignificant blade of grass, fire cool, or snow a blazing fire.
-author unknown

Text 7

vätsalyäd abhaya-pradäha-samayäd ärtärti-nirväpaëäd

audäryäd agha-çoñanäd agaëita-çreyaù-präpaëät
sevyaù çré-patir eva sarva-jagatäm ete yataù säkñiäù
prahlädaç ca vibhéñaëaç ca kari-räö päïcäly ahalyä dhruvaù

vätsalyät-because of paternal affection; abhaya-of fearlessness; pradäna-gift; samayät-because

of the promise; ärta-of the distressed; ärti-of the distress; nirväpaëät-because of the negation;
audäryät-because of generosity; agha-of sins; çoñaëät-because of the removal; agaëita-
immeausurably; çreyaù-auspicious; pada-position; präpaëät-because of the gift; sevyaù-should
be served; çré-of the goddess of fortune (Çrématé Rädhäräëé); patiù-the lord (Çré Kåñëa); eva-
certainly; sarva-all; jagataà-by the universes; ete-these; yataù-because; säkñinaù-witnesses;
prahlädaù-Prahläda; ca-and; vibhéñaëaù-Vibhéñaëa; kari-räö-Gajendra, the king of the
elephants; päïcälé-Draupadé; ahalyä-Ahalyä; dhruvaù-Dhruva.

Because He is very affectionate, He promises to give fearlessness to His devotees, He

removes His devotees' sufferings, He is generous, He takes away His devotees' sins, and He
bestows limitless auspiciousness, and because Prahläda, Vibhéñaëa, Gajendra, Draupadé,
Ahalyä, and Dhruva tesify to these virtues, Lord Kåñëa, the husband of the goddess of fortune,
should be served by all the worlds.
-author unknown

Bhajana-mähätmya
The Glory of Devotional Service
Text 8

vyädhasyäcaraëaà dhruvasya ca vayo vidyä gajendrasya kä

kubjäyäù kim u näma rüpam adhikaà kià sudämno dhanam
vaàsaù ko vidurasya yädava-pater ugrasya kim pauruñaà
bhaktyä tuñyati kevalaà na ca guëair bhakti-priyo mädhavaù

vyädhasya-of the hunter named Dharma; acaraëam-pious activities; dhruvasya-of Dhruva

Mahäräja; ca-and; vayaù-mature age; vidyä-knowledge; gajendrasya-of Gajendra; kä-what?;
kubjäyäù-of Kubjä; kim u näma-how much more; rüpam-beauty; adhikam-great; kim-what; tat-
that; sudämnaù-of Sudämä Vipra; dhanam-wealth; vaàçaù-good family; kaù-what; vidurasya-of
Vidura; yädava-of the Yadu dynasty; pateù-of the king; ugrasya-of Ugrasena; kim-what;
pauruñam-prowesss; bhaktyä-by devotional service; tuñyati-is pleased; kevalam-only; na-not;
ca-and; guëaiù-by material qualifications; bhakti-of devotional; priyaù-fond; mädhavaù-Lord
Mädhava.

Where were the hunter Dharma's piety, Dhruva's maturity, and Gajendra's knowledge? Where
was Kubjä's beauty? Where was Sudämä's wealth? Where was Vidura's noble birth? Where was
Ugrasena's chivalrous strength? Lord Mädhava is pleased only by devotional service and not by
material qualifications.
-Çré Däkñiëätya

Text 9

anucitam ucitaà vä karma ko 'yaà vihägo

bhagavati param ästäà bhakti-yogo dradòhéyän
kirati viñam ahéndraù sändra-péyüñam indur
dvayam api sa maheço nirviçeñaà bibharti

anucitam-improper; ucitam-proper; vä-or; karma-activities; kaù-what?; ayam-this; vibhägaù-

difference; bhagavati-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; param-however; ästäm-there may
be; bhakti-yogaù-devotional service; draòhéyän-firm; kirati-emanates; viñam-poison; ahi-of
snakes; indraù-king; sändra-intense; péyüñam-nectar; induù-the moon; dvayam-both; api-even;
saù-he; maheçaù-Lord Çiva; niviçeñam-without making distinction; bibharti-carries.

What is the difference between good and bad deeds? Let there be only firm devotional
service to the Supreme Lord. Although the king of snakes gives poison and the moon gives
sweet nectar, Lord Çiva and does not see any difference betweeen them.
-Çré Viñëu Puré

Text 10

yadi madhu-mathana tvad-aìghri-seväà

 hådi vidadhäti jahäti vä viveké
tad-akhilam api duñkåtaà triloke
kåtam akåtaà na kåtaà kåtam ca sarvam

yadi-if; madhu-of the Madhu demon; mathana-O killer; tvat-Your; aìghri-feet; seväm-service;
hådi-in the heart; vidadhäti-perform; jahäti-abandon; vä-or; viveké-discriminating person; tat-of
him; akhilam-all; api-even; duskåtam-sinful deeds; tri-loke-in the three worlds; kåtam-
performed; akåtam-not performed; na-not; kåtam-performed; kåtam-performed; ca-and; sarvam-
all.

O Madhusüdana, if a wise person in his heart serves Your lotus feet then any sins he may
have done are all nullified. If he rejects Your service he gets all sinful reactions even though he
may not have done any sinful deed.
-author unknown

Text 11

käçäyan na ca bhojanädi-niyammän no vä vane väsato

vyäkhyänäd athavä muni-vrata-bharäc cittodbhavaù kñéyate
kintu sphéta-kalinda-çaila-tanayä-téreñu vikréòato
govindasya padäravinda-bhajanärambhasya leçäd api

käçäyät-from the saffron color; na-not; ca-and; bhojana-of eating; ädi-etc.; niyamät-from
restraint; na-not; vä-or; vane-in the forest; väsataù-from the residence; vyäkhyänät-from
explanation of the scriptures; athavä-or; muni-vrata-from the vow of silence; bharät-great; citta-
udbhavaù-cupid; kñéyate-becomes weakened; kintu-but; sphéta-broad; kalinda-of Mount
Kalinda; çaila-mountain; tanayä-of the daughter (the Yamunä river); téreñu-on the baìks;
vikréòataù-playing; govindasya-of Lord Govinda; pada-feet; aravinda-lotus flowers; bhajana-of
the devotional service; ärambhasya-of the beginning; leçät-from a little particle; api-even.

Not by wearing saffron cloth, not by restricting food and other sense-activities, not by living
in the forest, not by discussing philosophy, and not by observing a vow of silence, but only by
even the slightest beginning of devotional service to the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, who enjoys
pastimes on the Yamunä's wide banks, is Kämadeva stopped.
-author unknown

Text 12

alam alam iyam eva präëinäà pätakänäà

nirasana-viñaye yä kåñëa kåñëeti väëé
yadi bhavati mukunde bhaktir ä nanda-sändrä
vilutöhati caraëäbje mokña-sämräjya-lakñméù
 alam-enough; alam-enough; iyam-this; eva-certainly; präëinäm-of the living entities;
pätakänäm-of the sins; nirasana-viñaye-in the matter of becoming free; yä-which; kåñëa-O
Kåñëa; kåñëa-O Kåñëa; iti-thus; väëé-words; yadi-if; bhavati-there is; mukunde-for Lord
Mukunda; bhaktiù-devotional service; ä nanda-bliss; sändrä-abundance; viluöhati-rolls; caraëa-
feet; abje-lotus; mokña-of liberation; sämräjya-lakñméù-kingly opulence.

The words Kåñëa Kåñëa are sufficient to purify the people's sins. If they have blissful service
to Lord Mukunda, then the goddess of liberation bows before their lotus feet.
-Çré Sarvajïa

Text 13

näncopacära-kåta-püjanam ärta-bandhoù
premëaiva bhakta-hådayaà sukha-vidrutaà syät
yävat kñud asti jaöhare jaraöhä pipäsä
tävat sukhäya bhavato nanu bhakñya-peye

nänä-upacära-by varieties of ingredients; kåta-performed; püjanam-worshiping; ärta-

bandhoù-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the friend of all distressed persons;
premëä-by ecstatic love; eva-indeed; bhakta-hådayam-the heart of a devotee; sukha-vidrutam-
melted in transcendental bliss; syät-becomes; yävat-as long as; kñut-appetite; asti-there is;
jaöhare-in the stomach; jaraöhä-strong; pipäsä-thirst; tävat-so long; sukhäya-for happiness;
bhavataù-are; nanu-indeed; bhakñya-eatables; peye-and drinkables.

As long as there is hunger and thirst, eating and drinking make one feel very happy. When
the Lord is worshiped with pure love, transcendental bliss is awakened in the heart of the
devotee.*
-Çré Rämänanda Räya

Text 14

kåñëa-bhakti-rasa-bhävitä matiù
kréyatäà yadi kuto 'pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mülyam ekalaà
janma-koöi-sukåtair na labhyate

kåñëa-bhakti-rasa-bhävitä-absorbed in the mellows of executing devotional service to Kåñëa;

matiù-intelligence; kréyatäm-let it be purchased; yadi-if; kutaù api-somewhere; labhyate-is
available; tatra-there; laulyam-greed; api-indeed; mülyam-price; ekalam-only; janma-koöi-of
millions of births; sukåtaiù-by pious activities; na-not; labhyate-is obtained.

Pure devotional service in Kåñëa consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in
hundreds and thousand of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price-that is, intense greed
to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.*
-Çré Rämänanda Räya

Text 15

jïänam asti tulitaà ca tuläyäà

prema naiva tulitaà tu tuläyäm
siddhir eva tulitätra tuläyäà
kåñëa-näma tulitaà na tuläyäm

jïänam-knowledge; asti-is; tulitam-equalled; ca-and; tuläyäm-in the scale; prema-of love of

God; na-not; eva-certainly; tulitam-equal; tu-but; tuläyäm-in the scale; siddhiù-mystic powers;
eva-certainly; tulitä-equal; atra-here; tuläyäm-in the scale; kåñëa-of Çré Kåñëa; näma-name;
tulitam-equal; na-not; tuläyäm-in the scale.

Knowledge is not equal to love of Kåñëa, and the ability to perform mystic tricks is not equal
to Kåñëa's holy name.
-Çré Çrédhara Svämé

Näma-mähätmya
The Glory of the Holy Name

Text 16

aàhaù samharad akhilaà

sakåd udayäd eva sakala-lokasya
taraëir iva timira-jaladhià
jayati jagan-maìgalaà harer näma

aàhaù-sins; samharat-removes; akhilam-all; sakåt-once; udayät-from the arisal; eva-certainly;

sakala-entire; lokasya-of the world; taraëiù-the sun; iva-like; timira-of darkness; jaladhim-an
ocean; jayati-all glories; jagat-to the universe; maìgalam-auspiciousness; hareù-of Lord Hari;
näma-the name.

All glories to the holy name of Lord Hari. As the boat of the sun goes to the other shore of
the ocean of darkness, so the all-auspicious holy name, rising once, destroys all sins.
-ǵré Lakñmédhara

Text 17
caturëäà vedänäm hådayam idam äkåñya hariëä
caturbhir yad varëaiù sphuöam aghati näräyaëa-padam
tad etad gäyanto vayam aniçam ätmänam adhunä
punémo jänémo na hari-paritoñäya kim api

caturëäm-of the four; vedänäm-Vedas; hådayam-the heart; idam-this; äkåçya-extracted;

hariëä-by Lord Hari; caturbhiù-with four; yat-which; varëaiù-syllables; sphuöam-clearly; aghati-
manifests; näräyaëa-Näräyaëa; padam-the word; tat-therefore; etat-this; gäyantaù-chanting;
vayam-we; aniçam-day and night; ätmänam-ourselves; adhunä-now; punémaù-purifying;
jänémaù-we know; na-not; hari-of Lord Kåñëa; paritoñäya-for the satisfaction; kim api-
something.

Extracting the four syllables that are the heart of the four Vedas, Lord Hari makes the word
Näräyaëa. Day and night chanting this name, we become purified. We do not know any other
better way to please Lord Hari.
-author unknown

Text 18

yoga-çruty-upapatti-nirjana-vana-dhyänädhva-sambhävita-
sväräjyaà pratipadya nirbhayam amé muktä bhavantu dvijäù
asmäkaà tu kadamba-kuïja-kuhara-pronmélad-indévara-
çreëé-çyämala-dhäma-näma juñatäà janmästu lakñävadhi

yoga-of yoga; çruti-and Vedic study; upapatti-attainment; nirjana-in a solitary; vana-forest;

dhyäna-meditation; adhva-path; sambhävita-may be; sväräjyam-kingdom; pratipadya-entering;
nirbhayam-fearless; amé-they; muktäù-liberated; bhavantu-may become; dvijäù-the twice-born;
asmäkam-of us; tu-however; kadamba-of kadamba trees; kuïja-of a grove; kuhara-deep within;
pronmélat-blooming; indévara-of blue lotus flowers; çreëé-of a series; çyämala-a dark; dhäma-
splendor; näma-the name; juñatäm-engaged; janma-birth; astu-may be; lakña-avadhi-100,000.

Let the twice-born enter the fearless kingdom of yoga, vedic study, and solitary meditation in
the forest. Let them become liberated in that way. As for us, we will spend hundreds of
thousands of births chanting the holy name of Lord Kåñëa, whose splendid dark complexion and
yellow garments are like a host of blue lotus flowers blooming in a grove of yellow-flower-
bearing kadamba trees.
-Çré Içvara Puré

Text 19

kalyäëänäà nidhänaà kali-mala-mathanaà pävanaà pävanänäà

pätheyaà yan mumukñoù sapadi para-pada-präptaye procyamänam
viçräma-sthänam ekaà kavi-vara-vacasäà jévanaà saj-janänäà
 béjaà dharma-drumasya prabhavatu bhavatäà bhütaye kåñëa-näma

kalyäëänäm-of an abundance of happinesses; nidhänam-the reservoir; kali-of the Kali-yuga;

mala-of sins; mathanam-chasing away; pävanam-the purifier; pävanänäm-of purifiers;
pätheyam-the lunch; yat-which; mumukñoù-of one aspiring for liberation; sapadi-at once; para-
pada-the supreme abode; präptaye-for attaining; procyamänam-described; viçräma-sthänam-the
pleasure garden; ekam-sole; kavi-os saints, philosophers, and poets; vara-of the best; vacasäm-of
the words; jévanam-the life; sat-janänäm-of the righteous; béjam-the seed; dharma-of religion;
drumasya-of the tree; prabhavatu-may be; bhavatäm-of you; bhütaye-for the auspiciousness;
kåñëa-of Lord Kåñëa; näma-the name.

May Kåñëa's holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness, the destruction
of Kali-yuga's sins, the most purifying of all purifying things, the saintly person's food as he
traverses the path to the spiritual world, the pleasure-garden where the voices of the greatest
saints, philosophers, and poets play, the life of the righteous, and the seed of the tree of religion,
bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.
-author unknown

Text 20

vepante duritä ni moha-mahimä sammoham älambate

çataìkaà nakha-raïjanéà kalayati çré-citraguptaù kåté
sä nandaà madhu-parka-sambhåti-vidhou vedhäù karoty udyamaà
vaktuà nämni taveçvaräbhilañite brümaù kim anyat Šparam

vepante-tremble; duritä ni-sins; moha-of illusion; mahimä-the glory; sammoham-fainting;

älambate-attains; sa-with; ätaìkam-fear; nakha-raïjaném-the toenails; kalayati-observes; çré-
citraguptaù-Yamaräja's scribe Citragupta; kåté-satisfied; sa-withp; ä nandam-bliss; madhu-parka-
water and honey; sambhåti-vidhau-in the offering; vedhäù-Lord Brahmä; karoti-does; udyamam-
readiness; vaktum-to be spoken; nämni-when the name; tava-of You; éçvara-O Supreme
Personality of Godhead; abhilañite-is desired; brümaù-we may say; kim-what?; anyat-else;
param-more.

O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name, sins
tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaräja's scribe Citragupta
becomes happy and gazes at the chanter's toenails with awe and reverence, and Lord Brahmä
prepares madhu-parka to worship him. O Lord, what more can we say than this?
-author unknown

Text 21

kaù pareta-nagaré-purandaraù
ko bhavad atha tadéya-kiìkaraù
kåñëa-näma jagad-eka-maìgalaà
kaëöha-péöham uraré-karoti cet

kaù-who?; pareta-nagaré-of the other world; purandaraù-the king; kaù-who?; bhavet-is; atha-
then; tadéya-of him; kiìkaraù-the servant; kåñëa-of Kåñëa; näma-the holy name; jagat-in the
world; eka-the sole; maìgalam-auspiciousness; kaëöha-of the neck; péöham-on the seat; uraré-
karoti-places; cet-if.

Lord Kåñëa's holy name is the only auspiciousness in this world. If one places it on his neck,
then what is Yamaräja, the king of the other world, to him? What are Yamaräja's sevants to him?
-Çré Anandäcärya

Text 22

ceto-darpana-märjanaà bhava-mahädävägni-nirväpaëaà
çreyaù-kairava-candrikä-vitaraëaà vidyä-vadhü-jévanam
ä nandämbudhi-vardhanaà prati-padaà pürëämåtäsvädanaà
sarvätma-snapanaà paraà vijayate çré-kåñëa-saìkértanam

cetaù-of the heart; darpana-the mirror; märjanam-cleansing; bhava-of material existance;

mahä-dävägni-the blazing forest fire; nirväpaëam-extinguishing; çreyaù-of good fortune;
kairava-the white lotus; candrikä-the moonshine; vitaëam-spreading; vidyä-of all education;
vadhü-wife; jévanam-the life; ä nanda-of bliss; ambudhi-the ocean; vardhanam-increasing; prati-
padam-at every step; pürëa-amåta-of the full nectar; äsvädanam-giving a taste; sarva-for
everyone; ätma-snapanam-bathing of the self; param-transcendental; vijayate-let there be
victory; çré-kåñëa-saìkértanam-for the congregational chanting of the holy name of Kåñëa.

Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kåñëa, which can cleanse
the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That
chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It
is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kåñëa expands the blissful
ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full
nectar at every step.*
-Bhagavän Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Text 23

brahmäëòänäà koöi-saìkhyädhikänäm
aiçvaryaà yac cetanä vä yad-aàçaù
ävirbhütaà tan-mahaù kåñëa-näma
tan me sädhyän sädhanaà jévanaà ca

brahmandanam-of universes; koti-of millions; saìkhya-the number; adhikanam-exceeding;

aisvaryam-the opulence; yat-which; cetana-knowledge; va-or; yat-of which; aàsaù-a portion;
avirbhütam-manifested; tat-of that; mahaù-the glory; kåñëa-of Lord Kåñëa; näma-the name; tat-
that; me-of me; sadhyam-the goal; sadhanam-the means of attaining the goal; jévanam-the life;
ca-also.

If the opulence or knowledge of many millions of universes were clustered together, they
would hardly equal a small fragment of the glory of Kåñëa's holy name. Kåñëa's holy name is
my life. It is the goal of my life. It is the means I will employ to attain the goal of my life.
-author unknown

Text 24

viñëor nämaiva puàsaù çamalam apaharat puëyam utpädayac ca

brahmädi-sthäna-bhogäd viratim atha guroù çré-pada-dvandva-bhaktim
tattva-jïänaà ca viñëor iha måti-jananä-bhränti-béjaà ca dagdhvä
sampürëänanda-bodhe mahati ca puruñaà sthäpayitvä nivåttam

viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; näma-the holy name; eva-certainly; pumsaù-of a person; samalam-sin;
apaharat-removes; punyam-piety; utpädayat-establishes; ca-and; brahma-with Lord Brahma; ädi-
beginning; sthana-of the posts; bhogat-to the enjoyment; viratim-indifference; atha-then; guroù-
of the spiritual master; çré-pada-of the feet; dvandva-for the pair; bhaktim-devotion; tattva-of the
truth; jïänam-knowledge; ca-also; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; iha-here; måti-of death; janana-and
birth; bhranti-the wandering; bijam-the seed; ca-also; dagdhva-burning; sampurna-perfect and
complete; änanda-of transcendental bliss; bodhe-in awareness; mahati-great; ca-also; purusam-a
person; sthapayitva-placing; nivåttam-saintly.

Lord Viñëu's holy name removes sin, establishes piety, makes one disinterested in the attempt
to gain an exalted post like that of Lord Brahmä, grants devotion for the lotus feet of the spiritual
master, brings transcendental knowledge of Lord Viñëu, burns the seed of repeated birth and
death, and places the saintly devotee in complete awareness of perfect transcendental bliss.
-Çré Vyäsa

Text 25

näma cintämaëiù kåñëaç

caitanya-rasa-vigrahaù
pürnaù çuddho nitya-mukto
'bhinnatvän näma-näminoù

nämaù-the holy name; cintämaëiù-transcendentally blissful giver of all spiritual benedictions;

kåñëaù-not different from Kåñëa; caitanya-rasa-vigrahaù-the form of all transcendental mellows;
pürëaù-complete; çuddhaù-pure, witout material contamination; nitya-eternal; muktaù-liberated;
abhinn-tvät-due to not being different; näma-of the holy name; näminoù-and of the person who
has the name.

The holy name of Kåñëa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for
it is Kåñëa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kåñëa's name is complete, and it is the form of
all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less
powerful than Kåñëa Himself. Since Kåñëa's name is not contaminated by the material qualities,
there is no question of its being involved with mäyä. Kåñëa's name is always liberated and
spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of
Kåñëa and Kåñëa Himself are identical.*
-Çré Vyäsa
Text 26

madhura-madhuram etan maìgalaà maìgalänäà

sakala-nigama-vallé-sat-phalaà cit-svarüpam
sakåd api parigétaà çraddhayä helayä vä
bhågu-vara nara-mätraà tärayet kåñëa-näma

madhura-of sweet things; madhuram-the sweetest; etat-this; maìgalam-most auspicious;

maìgalanam-of auspicious things; sakala-of all; nigama-the Vedic literatures; valli-of the vine;
sat-phalam-the best fruit; cit-spiritual; svarupam-in nature; sakåt-once; api-even; parigitam-
chanted; sraddhaya-with faith; helaya-with contempt; va-or; bhrgu-vara-O best of the Bhrgus;
nara-matram-a person; tarayet-delivers; kåñëa-of Lord Kåñëa; näma-the name.

Kåñëa's name is the sweetest of sweet things, the most auspicious of auspicious things, the
transcendental fruit of the vine of all Vedic literature. O best of the Bhågus, chanted even once,
either with faith or contempt, it delivers the chanter.
-Çré Vyäsa

Text 27

svargärthéyä vyavasitir asau dénayaty eva lokän

mokñäpekñä janayati janaà kevalaà kleça-bhäjam
yogäbhyäsaù parama-virasas tädåçaiù kià prayäsaiù
sarvaà tyaktvä mama tu rasanä kåñëa kåñëeti rautu

svarga-the heavenly material realms; arthéyä-to attain; vyavasitiù-the attempt; asau-this;

dénayati-impoverishes; eva-certainly; lokän-the worlds; mokña-for liberation; apekñä-the desire;
janayati-makes; janam-a person; kevalam-only; kleça-of sufferings; bhäjam-the possessor; yoga-
of yoga; abhyäsaù-the endeavors; sarvam-all of them; tyaktvä-abandoning; mama-of me; tu-
indeed; rasanä-the tongue; kåñëa-Kåñëa; kåñëa-Kåñëa; iti-thus; rautu-may chant.

The attempt to attain the heavenly svarga planets impoverishes the entire world. The desire to
attain impersonal liberation brings only trouble. The regimen of yoga is dry and tasteless. What
is the use of endeavors like these? I will abandon them all, and simply make my tongue chant
"Kåñëa, Kåñëa".
-author unknown

Text 28

sadä sarvaträste nanu vimalam ädyaà tava padaà

tathäpy ekaà stokaà na hi bhava-taroù pätram abhinat
kñaëaà jihvä-grastaà tava tu bhagavan näma nikhilaà
sa-mülaà saàsäraà kasati katarät sevyam anayoù

sada-always; sarvatra-everywhere; aste-is; nanu-it not?; vimalam-splendid; adyam-spiritual;

tava-Your; padam-effulgence; tathä api-still; ekam-one; stokam-small; na-not; hi-indeed; bhava-
of birth and death; taroù-from the tree; patram-a leaf; abhinat-breakñ; kñaëam-for a moment;
jihva-by the tongue; grastham-grasped; tava-Your; tu-indeed; bhagavan-O Lord; näma-name;
nikhilam-completely; sa-with; mulam-the root; saàsaram-the cycle of repeated birth and death;
kasati-destroys; katarat-which?; sevyam-should be accepted; anayoù-of the two.

O Lord, is Your impersonal spiritual effulgence not always present everywhere? Even so, it
has not been able to break even a single small leaf from the tree of repeated birth and death. On
the other hand, the moment Your holy name is taken by the tongue it thoroughly shatters the tree
of birth and death down to it's roots. Of these two (the spiritual effulgence or the holy name):
which should be served?
-Çré Çrédhara Svämé

Text 29

äkåñöiù kåta-cetasäà sumanasäm uccäöanaà cäàhasäm

äcaëdälam amüka-loka-sulabho vaçyaç ca mukti-çriyaù
no dikñäà na ca sat-kriyäà na ca puraçcaryäà manäg ékñate
mantro 'yaà rasanä-spåg eva phalati çré-kåñëa-nämätmakaù

äkåñöiù-attraction; kåta-cetasäm-of saintly persons; su-manasäm-of the most liberal-minded;

uccäöanam-annihilator; ca-also; aàhasäm-of sinful reactions; ä-caëòälam-even to the caëòälas;
amüka-except the dumb; loka-sulabhaù-very easy to achieve for all persons; vaçyaù-full
controller; ca-and; mukti-çriyaù-of the opulence of liberation; no-not; dékñäm-initiation; na-not;
ca-also; sat-kriyäm-pious activities; na-not; ca-also; puraçcaryäm-regulative principles before
initiation; manäk-slightly; ékñate-depends upon; mantraù-mantra; ayam-this; rasanä-tongue;
spåk-touching; eva-simply; phalati-is fruitful; çré-kåñëa-näma-ätmakaù-consisting of the holy
name of Lord Kåñëa.

The holy name of Lord Kåñëa is an attractive feature for many saintly liberal people. It is the
annihilator of all sinful reactions and is so powerful that save for the dumb who cannot chant it,
it is readily available to everyone, including the lowest type of man, the caëòäla. The holy name
of Kåñëa is the controller of the opulence of liberation, and it is identical with Kåñëa. Simply by
touching the holy name with one's tongue, immediately effects are produced. Chanting the holy
name does not depend on initiation, pious activities or the puraçcaryä regulative principles
generally observed before initiation. The holy name does not wait for all these activities. It is
self-sufficient.*
-Çré Lakñmédhara

Text 30

viceyä ni vicäryäëi
vicintyä ni punaù punaù
kåpaëasya dhanänéva
tvan-nämäni bhavantu naù

viceyä ni-to be collected; vicäryäëi-to be counted; vicintyä ni-to become the object of
thoughts; punaù-again; punaù-and again; kåpaëasya-of a miser; dhänä ni-the wealth; iva-like;
tvat-of You; nämä ni-the holy names; bhavantu-may become; naù-for us.

O Lord, just as a miser continually collects, counts and remembers his money, in the same
way let us continually collect, count, and remember Your holy names,
-Çré Bhavänanda

Text 31

nämnäm akäri bahudhä nija-sarva-çaktis

taträrpitä niyamitaù smaraëe na kälaù
etädåçé tava kåpä bhagavan mamä pi
durdaivam édåçam ihäjäni nänurägaù

nämnäm-of the holy names of the Lord; akäri-manifested; bahudhä-various kinds; nija-sarva-
çaktiù-all kinds of personal potency; tatra-in that; arpitä-bestowed; niyamitaù-restricted;
smaraëe-in remembering; na-not; kälaù-consideration of time; etädåçi-so much; tava-Your;
kåpä-mercy; bhagavan-O Lord; mama-My; api-although; durdaivam-misfortune; édåçam-such;
iha-in this (the holy name); ajäni-was born; na-not; anurägaù-attachment.

My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good fortune
for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as Kåñëa and Govinda, by which
You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your potencies in those names, and there are no
hard and fast rules for remembering them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon
the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I
commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for
chanting.*
-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Näma-kértana
Glorification of the Holy Names

Text 32

tånäd api sunicena

taror iva sahiñnunä
amäninä mänadena
kértanéyaù sadä hariù

tåëät-then downtrodden grass; sunécena-being lower; taroù-than a tree; iva-like; sahiñnunä-

with tolerance; amäninä-without being puffed up by false pride; mänadena-giving respect of all;
kértanéyaù-to be chanted; sadä-always; hariù-the holy name of the Lord.

One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does
not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others, can very easily
always chant the holy name of the Lord.*
-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Text 33

çré-rämeti janärdaneti jagatäà nätheti näräyaëety

änandeti dayäpareti kamaläkänteti kåñëeti ca
çréman-näma-mahämåtäbdhi-laharé-kallola-magnaà muhur
muhyantaà galad-açru-netram avaçaà mäà nätha nityaà kuru

çré-rama-O Çré Rama; iti-thus; janardana-O Janardana; iti-thus; jagatam-of the universes;
nätha-O Lord; iti-thus; narayana-O Narayana; iti-thus; änanda-O bliss; iti-thus; daya-para-O
merciful one; iti-thus; kamala-of Laksmi; känta-O husband; iti-thus; kåñëa-O Kåñëa; iti-thus; ca-
and; çrémat-beautiful; näma-of names; maha-great; amåta-of nectar; abdhi-of the ocean; lahari-
kallola-in the waves; magnam-plunged; muhuù-constantly; muhyantam-overwhelmed; galat-
flowing; açru-tears; netram-eyes; avasam-not free; mam-me; nätha-O Lord; nityam-always;
kuru-make.

"O Çré Räma, O Janärdana (rescuer of the devotees), O Jagatäà Nätha (master of the
universe), O Näräyaëa, O Ananda (personified transcendental bliss), O Dayäpara (merciful one),
O Kamaläkänta (husband of Lakñmé), O Kåñëa," O Lord please make me become overwhelmed
with tears streaming from my eyes as I repeatedly plunge into the waves of the great nectar
ocean of these beautiful transcendental names.
 -Çré Lakñmédhara

Text 34

çré-känta kåñëa karuëämaya kaïja-näbha

kaivalya-vallabha mukunda muräntaketi
nämävalià vimala-mauktika-hära-lakñmi
lävaëya-vaïcana-karià karaväëi kaëöhe

çré-of the goddess of fortune; känta-O husband; kåñëa-O Kåñëa; karuna-maya-merciful;

kaïja-lotus; nabha-navel; kaivalya-vallabha-O liberator; mukunda-O Mukunda; mura-of the
Mura demon; antaka-O death; iti-thus; näma-of holy names; avalim-the series; vimala-splendid;
mauktika-of pearls; hara-of a necklace; lakñmé-lavanya-the great beauty; vaïcana-theft; karim-
doing; karaväni-let me place; kaëöhe-on the neck.

Calling out, "O Çrékänta (husband of the goddess of fortune), O Kåñëa, (all-attractive one),
O Karuëämaya (merciful one), O Kaïjanäbha (whose navel is like a lotus flower), O
Kaivalyavallabha (O master of liberation), O Mukunda (giver of liberation), O Muräntaka (killer
of the Mura demon)," I will place upon my neck the Lord's holy names, which eclipse the beauty
of a splendid strand of pearls.
-Çré Lakñmédhara

Text 35

kåñëa räma mukunda vämana väsudeva jagad-guro

matsya kacchapa närasiàha varäha räghava pähi mäm
deva-dänava-näradädi-munindra-vandya dayä-nidhe
devaké-suta dehi me tava päda-bhaktià acaïcaläm

kåñëa-O Kåñëa; räma-O Balaräma; mukunda-O Mukunda; vämana-O Vämana; väsudeva-O

Väsudeva; jagat-of the universe; guro-O master; matsya-O Matsya; kacchapa-O Kürma;
närasiàha-O Nåsiàha; varäha-O Varäha; räghava-O Rämacandra; pähi-please protect; mäm-me;
deva-by the demigods; dänava-demons; närada-with Närada; ädi-beginning; muni-of sages;
indra-by the leaders; vandya-worshiped; dayä-of mercy; nidhe-O ocean; devaké-of Devaké; suta-
O son; dehi-please grant; me-to me; tava-of You; päda-for the feet; bhaktim-devotion;
acaïcaläm-unwavering.

O Kåñëa, O Balaräma, O Mukunda, O Vämana, O Väsudeva, O master of the universe, O

Matsya, O Kürma, O Nåsiàha, O Varäha, O Rämacandra, please protect me. O Lord worshiped
by the demigods, demons, and great sages who have Närada as their leader, O ocean of mercy, O
son of Devaké, please grant me unwavering devotion to Your feet,
-author unknown
Text 36

he gopälaka he kåpä-jala-nidhe he sindhu-kanyä-pate

he kaàsäntaka he gajendra-karuëä-päréëa he mädhava
he rämänuja he jagat-traya-guro he puëòarékäkña mäà
he gopéjana-nätha pälaya paraà jänä mi na tväà vinä

he-O; gopalaka-transcendental cowherd boy; he-O; krpa-of mercy; jala-nidhe-O ocean; he-O;
sindhu-kanya-of Lakñmé (the daughter of the ocean); pate-husband; he-O; kaàsa-of Kaàsa;
antaka-killer; he-O; gajendra-to Gajendra; karuna-parina-merciful; he-O; mädhava-Mädhava; he-
O; rama-of Balarama; anuja-younger brother; he-O; jagat-worlds; traya-three; guro-spiritual
master; he-O; pundarika-lotus; akña-eyes; mam-me; he-O; gopé-jana-of the gopés; nätha-O
master; palaya-please protect; param-superior; janämi-I understand; na-not; tvam-You; vina-
except for.

O Gopälaka (cowherd boy), O Kåpä-jala-nidhi (ocean of mercy), O Sindhukanyä-pati

(husband of Lakñmé), O Kaàsäntaka (killer of Kaàsa), O Gajendra-karuëa-paréëa (merciful
savior of Gajendra), O Mädhava (husband of Lakñmé), O Rämänuja (younger brother of
Balaräma, O Jagat-traya-guru (master of the three worlds), O Puëòarékäkña (lotus-eyed), O
Gopéjana-nätha (master of the gopés), please protect me. I do not accept anyone as the Supreme,
except for You.
-Çré Vaiñëava

Text 37

çré-näräyaëa puëòaréka-nayana çré-räma sétä-pate

govindäcyuta nandanandana mukundänanda dämodara
viñëo räghava väsudeva nåhare devendra-cüòämaëe
saàsärärëava-karëadhäraka hare çré-kåñëa tubhyaà namaù

çré-narayana-O Çré Narayana; pundarika-lotus; nayana-eyes; çré-rama-O Çré Rama; sita-of

Sita; pate-O husband; govinda-O Govinda; acyuta-O infallible one; nanda-of Nanda Maharaja;
nandana-O son; mukunda-O Mukunda; änanda-O bliss; damodara-O Damodara; viñëo-O Viñëu;
raghava-O Raghava; vasudeva-O Vasudeva; nrhare-O Nrsimha; deva-of the devas; indra-of the
king; cuda-mane-O crest jewel; saàsara-of repeated birth and death; arëava-in the ocean;
karëadharaka-O captain; hare-O Hari; çré-kåñëa-O Çré Kåñëa; tubhyam-to You; namaù-
obeisances.

O Çré Näräyaëa, O Puëòaréka-nayana (lotus-eyed one), O Çré Räma, O Sétä-pati (husband of

Sétä), O Govinda, O Acyuta (infallible one), O Nandanandana (son of Nanda) O Mukunda
(giver of liberation), O Ananda (personified transcendental bliss), O Dämodara (whose waist
Mother Yaçodä bound with a rope), O Viñëu, O Räghava (descendant of Raghu), O Väsudeva
(son of Vasudeva), O Nåhari (Nåsiàha), O Devendra-cüòämaëi (crest jewel of the demigods), O
Saàsärärëava-karëadhäraka (captain of the boat for crossing the ocean of repeated birth and
death), O Hari, O Çré Kåñëa, I offer my respectful obeisances to You.
-Çré Vaiñëava

Text 38

bhaëòéreça çikhaëòa-maëòana vara çrékhaëòa-liptäìga he

våndäraëya-purandara sphurad-amandendévara-çyämala
kälindé-priya nanda-nandana paränandäravindekñaëa
çré-govinda mukunda sundara-tano mäà dénam änandaya

bhandira-of Bhandiravana; isa-O Lord; sikhanda-with a peacock feather; mandana-decorated;

vara-O Supreme Personality of Godhead; çrékhanda-with sandalwood paste; lipta-anointed;
aìga-whose limbs; he-O; våndä-aranya-of Våndävana forest; purandara-O king; sphurat-
glistening; amanda-great; indivara-blue lotus flower; çyämala-dark; kälindé-of the Yamunä
River; priya-fond; nanda-of Nanda Maharaja; nandana-O son; para-transcendental; änanda-with
bliss; aravinda-lotus; ékñaëa-whose eyes; çré-govinda-O Çré Govinda; mukunda-O Mukunda;
sundara-handsome; tano-whose form; mam-me; dinam-poor; änandaya-please delight.

O Bhäëòéreça (master of Bhäëòéravana), O Çikhaëòa-maëòana (decorated with peacock

feathers), O Vara (Supreme Personality of Godhead), O Çrékhaëòa-liptäìga (whose limbs are
anointed with sandalwood paste), O Våndäraëya-purandara (king of Våndävana), O Sphurad-
amandendévara-çyämala (whose dark complexion is like a splendid blue lotus flower), O
Kälindé-priya (fond of the Yamunä), O Nandanandana (son of Nanda), O Paränanda (filled with
transcendental bliss), O Aravindekñaëa (lotus-eyed), O Çré Govinda, O Mukunda, O Sundara-
tanu (handsome one), to me, who am very poor and weak, please give transcendental bliss.
-Çré Gopäla Bhaööa

Çré Kåñëa-kathä-mähätmya
The Glory of the Description of Çré Kåñëa

Text 39

çrutam apy aupaniñadaà

düre hari-kathämåtät
yan na santi dravac-citta-
Š kampäçru-pulakädayaù

çrutam-the knowledge; api-even; aupaniñadam-of the Upaniñads; dure-is far away; hari-of
Lord Hari; katha-of the narrations; amåtat-from the nectar; yat-because; na-not; santi-are; dravat-
melting; citta-heart; kampa-trembling; açru-tears; pulaka-hairs standing up; ädayaù-beginning
with.
 The message of the Upaniñads is far from the nectar topics of Lord Hari. For this reason
Upaniñad study does not result in a heart melting with emotion, or ecstatic symptoms, such as
trembling, shedding tears, or standing of hairs on the body.
-Çré Bhagavän Vyäsapada

Text 40

naiva divya-sukha-bhogam arthaye

näpavargam api nätha kämaye
yäntu karëa-vivaraà dine dine
kåñëa-keli-caritämåtä ni me

na-not; eva-certainly; divya-of the demigods; sukha-of the happiness; bhogam-the enjoyment;
arthaye-I pray; na-not; apavargam-liberation; api-even; nätha-O Lord; kämaye-I desire; yäntu-
may travel; karëa-vivaram-to the ears; dine-day; dine-after day; kåñëa-of Kåñëa; keli-carita-of
the pastimes; amåtä ni-the nectar; me-my.

O Lord, I do not pray for heavenly happiness, I do not even aspire for liberation. Simply let,
day after day, the nectar of Kåñëa's transcendental pastimes flood my ears,
-Çré Kaviratna

Text 41

aho ahobhir na kaler vidüyate

sudhä-su-dhärä-madhuraà pade pade
dine dine candana-candra-çétalaà
yaço yaçodä-tanayasya géyate

aho-Oh!; ahobhir-by the days; na-not; kaleù-of Kali-yuga; vidüyate-is troubled; sudhä-of
nectar; su-a great; dhärä-torrent; madhuram-sweet; pade-step; pade-after step; dine-day; dine-
after day; candana-of sandalwood; candra-and camphor; çétalam-cooling; yaçaù-the glory;
yaçodä-of Yaçodä; tanayasya-of the son; géyate-is sung.

One who daily sings the glories of Yaçodä's son, Kåñëa, which are cooling as sandalwood
and camphor, is not troubled by the days of Kali-yuga. For him at every step there is a torrential
flood of the sweetest nectar.
-Çré Kaviratna

Text 42

nandanandana-kaiçora-
lélämåta-mahämbudhau
nimagnänäà kim asmäkaà
nirväëa-lavaëämbhasä

nandänandana-of Lord Kåñëa, the son of Mahäräja Nanda; kaiçora-youthful; lélä-of pastimes;
amåta-of nectar; mahä-great; ambudhau-in the ocean; nimagnänäm-immersed; kim-what is the
use?; asmäkam-for us; nirväëa-of impersonal liberation; lavaëa-salt; ambhasä-with the water.

We have now plunged into the great nectar-ocean of the transcendental youthful pastimes of
Mahäräja Nanda's son, Kåñëa. Of what use to us is the salt-water of impersonal liberation?
-Çré Yädavendra Puré

Text 43

tvat-kathämåta-päthodhau
viharanto maha-mudaù
kurvanti kåtinaù kecic
catur-vargaà tåëopanam

tvat-of You; kathä-of the topics; amåta-of the nectar; päthodhau-in the ocean; viharantaù-
playing; mahä-with great; mudaù-happiness; kurvanti-make; kåtinaù-the saintly devotees; kecit-
some; catuù-vargam-the four goals of life; tåëa-a blade of straw; upamam-like.

O Lord, the saintly devotees, who happily play in the nectar ocean of the narration of Your
glories, think the four puruñärthas (material piety, economic development, sense-gratification,
and liberation) insignificant as a blade of grass.
-Çré Çrédhara Svämé

Text 44

tatraiva gaìgä yamunä ca tatra

godävaré tatra sarasvaté ca
sarväëi térthä ni vasanti tatra
yaträcyutodära-kathä-prasaìgaù

tatra-there; eva-certainly; gaìgä-the Ganges River; yamunä-the Yamunä River; ca-also; tatra-
there; godävaré-the Godävaré River; tatra-there; sarasvaté-the Sarasvaté River; ca-and; sarväëi-
all; térthä ni-holy places of pilgrimage; vasanti-reside; tatra-there; yatra-where; acyuta-of the
infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead; udära-the transcendental; kathä-topics; prasaìgaù-
contact.

The Ganges, Yamunä, Godävaré, Sarasvaté, as well as all holy places of pilgrimage, stay
where the transcendental topics of the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead are narrated,
 -author Unknown

Text 45

yä bhukti-lakñmér bhuvi kämukänäà

yä mukti-lakñmér hådi yoga-bhäjäm
yänanda-lakñmé rasikendra-mauleù
sä käpi lélävatu mädhavasya

ya-which; bhukti-of sense-gratification; lakñméù-the opulence; bhuvi-in this world;

kamukanam-of hedonist; ya-which; mukti-of liberation; lakñméù-the opulence; hådi-in the
hearts; yoga-bhajam-of the yogis; ya-which; änanda-of trancendental bliss; lakñméù-the
opulence; rasika-indra-of those expert at relishing mellows; mauleù-of the crown; sa-that; ka api-
a certain; lélä-transcendental pastimes; avatu-may protect; mädhavasya-of Lord Kåñëa.

May Lord Mädhava's pastimes, which bring a sense-pleasure stronger than that experienced
by the hedonists, a liberation more real than that felt by the yogés in their hearts, and a bliss
more intense than that tasted by the most experts drinkers of nectar, protect you.
-Çré Çaìkara

Çré Kåñëa-dhyäna
Meditation on Çré Kåñëa

Text 46

phullendévara-käntim indu-vadanaà barhävataàsa-priyaà

çrévatçaìkam udära-kaustubha-dharaà pétämbaraà sundaram
gopénäà nayanotpalärcita-tanuà go-gopa-saìghävåtaà
govindaà kala-veëu-vädana-paraà divyäìga-bhüñaà bhaje

phulla-blossoming; indivara-of a blue lotus flower; käntim-the splendor; indu-moon;

vadanam-whose face; barha-peacock feather; avataàsa-crown; priyam-fond; çrévatsa-of
Çrévatsa; aìkam-with mark; udara-large; kaustubha-Kaustubha gem; dharam-wearing; pita-
yellow; ambaram-with garments; sundaram-handsome; gopénam-of the gopés; nayana-of the
eyes; utpala-with the lotus flowers; arcita-worshiped; tanum-whose transcendental form; go-of
surabhi cows; gopa-and gopas; saìgha-with the hosts; avåtam-accompanied; govindam-Kåñëa;
kala-sweet; veëu-of the flute; vadana-of music; param-fond; divya-glittering; aìga-of the body;
bhusam-with ornaments; bhaje-I worship.

I worship Lord Govinda, whose complexion is the color of a blooming blue lotus flower,
whose His face is like the moon, who is fond of wearing a peacock feather crown, who bears the
mark of Çrévatsa, who wears a great Kaustubha gem, who is dressed in yellow garments, whose
handsome form is worshiped with offerings of the lotus flowers that are the gopés' glances, who
is accompanied by a host of surabhi cows and gopas, who is fond of sweetly playing the flute,
and whose transcendental body is decorated with glittering ornaments.
-Çré Çäradäkära

Text 47

aàsälambita-väma-kuëòala-dharaà mandonnata-bhrü-lataà
kiïcit-kuïcita-komalädhara-putaà säci-prasärekñaëam
äloläìguli-pallavair muralikäm äpürayantaà mudä
müle kalpa-taros tri-bhaìga-lalitaà dhyayej jagan-mohanam

aàsa-to His shoulders; älambita-reaching; väma-splendid; kuëòala-earrings; dharam-wearing;

manda-gently; unnata-raised; bhrü-of eyebrows; latam-vines; kiïcit-somewhat; kuïcita-curved;
komala-delicate; adhara-puöam-lips; säci-crooked; prasära-ékñaëam-glances; älola-moving;
aìguli-of fingers; pallavaiù-by the blossoms; muralikäm-the flute; äpürayantam-filling; mudä-
with happiness; müle-at the root; kalpa-taroù-of a kalpa-våkña tree; tri-three; bhaìga-bending;
lalitam-charming; dhyäyet-may meditate; jagat-the universe; mohanam-enchanting.

His handsome form gracefully bending in three places, His beautiful earrings reaching to His
shoulders, the vines of His eyebrows slightly raised, His glance crooked, His delicate lips
slightly pursed, and His flower-blossom fingers moving restlessly, Kåñëa happily enchants the
entire world as He fills His flute with music under a kalpa-våkña tree. In this way one may
meditate on Lord Kåñëa,
-author Unknown

Text 48

adhare vinihitaà vaàsaà

campaka-kusumena kalpitottaàsam
vinatam dadhänaà aàsaà
vämaà satataà namä mi jita-kaàsam

adhare-on His lips; vinihitam-placed; vaàsam-the flute; campaka-kusumena-with campaka

flowers; kalpita-fashioned; uttaàsam-a garland; vinatam-bending; dadhänam-wearing; aàsam-
shoulders; vämam-graceful; satatam-eternally; namä mi-I offer my respectful obeisances; jita-
who defeated; kaàsam-Kaàsa.

A garland of campaka flowers resting on His gracefully sloping shoulders, Kåñëa places the
flute to His lips. I eternally offer my respectful obeisances to Kåñëa, who was victorious over
Kaàsa.
-Çré Puruñottamadeva
Text 49

vyatyasta-päda-kamalaà lalita-tri-bhaìgi-
saubhägyam aàsa-viralé-kåta-keça-päçam
piïchävataàsam uraré-kåta-vaàça-nälam
avyäja-mohanam upaimi kåpä-viçeñam

vyatyasta-crossed; päda-feet; kamalam-lotus; lalita-graceful; tri-three; bhaìgi-bending;

saubhägyam-handsomeness; aàsa-on the shoulders; viralé-kåta-disveheled; keça-päçam-hair;
piïcha-peacock feather; avataàsam-crown; uraré-kåta-taken; vaàça-nälam-the flute; avyäja-of
simplicity; mohanam-with charm; upaimi-I worship; kåpä-viçeñam-very merciful.

His loosened hair crowned with a peacock-feather and flowing over His shoulders, His
handsome form bending in three places, and His feet crossing as He dances, merciful and
charming Kåñëa plays His flute. Such is the Lord whom I worship.
-Çré Närada

Bhakta-vätsalyam
Love For the Devotees

Text 50

atandrita-camüpati-prahita-hastam asvé-kåta-
praëéta-maëi-pädukaà kim iti vismåtäntaùpuram
avähana-pariñkriyaà pataga-räjam ärohattaù
kari-pravara-båàhite bhagavatas tvaräyai namaù

atandrita-vigilant; camupati-by the general; prahita-offered; hastam-hand; asvi-kåta-not

accepted; pranita-made; mäni-of jewels; padukam-sandal; kim-why?; iti-thus; vismåta-forgotten;
antaù-puram-within the palace; avahana-without a carrier; pariskriyam-decorated; pataga-rajam-
Garuda, the king of birds; arohataù-climbing; kari-of elephants; pravara-the best; brmhite-in the
expansive trumpeting; bhagavataù-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tvarayai-to the
speed; namaù-obeisances.

Carrying Lord Kåñëa, undecorated, saying "Why?" as he rejects the jewel sandals a military
commander offers in his hand, and forgetting that they are inside the palace, the bird-king
Garuòa suddenly leaves, making a sound like the trumpeting of elephants. I offer my respectful
obeisances to the Lord's swift departure.
-Çré Dakñiëätya

Draupadé-träëe tad-väkyam
Draupadé's Appeal for Protection

Text 51

tamasi ravir ivodyan majjatäm äplavänäà

plava iva tåñitänäà svädu-varñéva meghaù
nidhir iva nidhanänäà tévra-duùkhämayänäà
bhiñag iva kuçalaà no dätum äyäti çauriù

tamasi-in the darkness; raviù-the sun; iva-like; udyan-rising; majjatam-drowing; aplavanam-

without a boat; plavaù-a boat; iva-like; trsitanam-dying of thirst; svadu-sweet; varsi-with rain;
iva-like; meghaù-a cloud; nidhiù-wealth; iva-like; nidhanam-of the poverty-stricken; tivra-sharp;
duhkha-with pain; amayanam-of the diseased; bhisak-a physician; iva-like; kusalam-
auspiciousness; naù-to us; datum-to give; ayati-comes; sauriù-Kåñëa.

Lord Kåñëa, who is like a sun rising in the darkness, like a boat to the drowning, like a sweet
raincloud to those dying of thirst, like fabulous wealth to the poverty-stricken, and like an
infallible physician to those afflicted with the most painful disease, has come to grant
auspiciousness to us.
-Çré Vyäsa

Bhaktänäm mähätmyam
The Glory of the Devotees

Text 52

prahläda-närada-paräçara-puëòaréka-
vyäsämbaréña-çuka-çaunaka-bhéñma-dalbhyän
rukmäìgadoddhava-vibhéñaëa-phälgunädén
puëyän imän parama-bhägavatän namämi

prahlada-Prahlada; narada-Narada; parasara-Parasara; pundarika-Pundarika; vyasa-Vyasa;

ambarisa-Ambarisa; suka-Suka; saunaka-Saunaka; bhisma-Bhisma; dalbhyan-Dalbhya;
rukmaìgada-Rukmaìgada; uddhava-Uddhava; vibhisana-Vibhisana; phalguna-Arjuna; ädin-
beginning with; punyan-saintly; iman-to these; parama-transcendental; bhagavatan-devotees of
the Lord; namämi-I offer respectful obeisances.

To the saintly devotees of the Lord, headed by Prahläda, Närada, Paräçara, Puëòaréka,
Vyäsa, Ambaréña, Çuka, Çaunaka, Bhéñma, Dalbhya, Rukmäìgada, Uddhava, Vibhéñaëa, and
Arjuna, I offer my respectful obeisances.
-Çré Dakñiëätya
Text 53

çré-viñëoù çravaëe parékñid abhavad vaiyäsakiù kértane

prahlädaù smaraëe tad-aìghri-bhajane lakñmiù påthuù püjane
akrüras tv abhivandane kapi-patir däsye 'tha sakhye 'rjunaù
sarvasvätma-nivedane balir abhüt kåñëäptir eñäà parä

çré-viñëoù-of Lord Çré Viñëu; çravaëe-in hearing; parékñit-King Parékñit, known also as
Viñëuräta, or one who is protected by Lord Viñëu; abhavat-was; vaiyäsakiù-Çukadeva Gosvämé;
kértane-in reciting Çrémad-Bhägavatam; prahlädaù-Mahäräja Prahläda; smarane-in
remembering; tat-aìghri-of Lord Viñëu's lotus feet; bhajane-in serving; lakñméù-the goddess of
fortune; påthuù-Mahäräja Påthu; püjane-in worshiping the Deity of the Lord; akrüraù-Akrüra;
tu-but; abhivandane-in offering prayers; kapi-patiù-Hanumäïjé, or Vajrägajé; däsye-in servitude
to Lord Rämacandra; atha-moreover; sakhye-in friendship; arjunaù-Arjuna; sarvasva-ätma-
nivedane-in fully dedicating oneself; baliù-Mahäräja Bali; abhüt-was; kåñëa-äptiù-the
achievement of lotus feet of Lord Kåñëa; eñäm-of all of them; parä-transcendental.

Mahäräja Parékñit attained the highest perfection, shelter at Lord Kåñëa's lotus feet, simply
by hearing about Lord Viñëu. Çukadeva Gosvämé attained perfection simply by reciting
Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Prahläda Mahäräja attained perfection by remembering the Lord. The
goddess of fortune attained perfection by massaging the transcendental legs of Mahä-Viñëu.
Mahäräja Påthu attained perfection by worshiping the Deity, and Akrüra attained perfection by
offering prayers unto the Lord. Vajräìgajé [Hanumän] attained perfection by rendering service to
Lord Rämacandra, and Arjuna attained perfection simply by being Kåñëa's friend. Bali Mahäräja
attained perfection by dedicating everything to the lotus feet of Kåñëa.*
-author unknown

Text 54

tebhyo namo 'stu bhava-väridhi-jérëa-paìka-

sammagna-mokñaëa-vicakñaëa-pädukebhyaù
kåñëeti varëa-yugala-çravaëena yeñäm
ä nandathur bhavati nartita-roma-våndaù

tebhyaù-to them; namaù-obeisances; astu-let there be; bhava-of repeated birth and death;
väridhi-of the ocean; jérëa-in the festering; paìka-mud; sammagna-stuck; mokñaëa-releasing;
vicakñaëa-expert; pädukebhyaù-with their sandals; kåñëa-Kåñëa; iti-thus; varëa-of syllables;
yugala-the pair; çravaëena-by hearing; yeñäm-of whom; ä nandathuù-in bliss; bhavati-become;
nartita-dancing; roma-våndaù-hairs standing up.

I offer my respectful obeisances to the devotees of the Lord. Simply by hearing the two
syllables "Kåñëa", their
bodily hairs stand up in ecstasy and they become moved to dance
in ecstatic bliss. With their sandals they expertly extricate
the fallen souls deeply sunk in the fetid mud of the ocean of
repeated birth and death.
-Çré Autkala

Text 55

hari-småty-ähläda-stimita-manaso yasya kåtinaù

sa-romäïcaù käyaù nayanam api sä nanda-saléläm
tam eväcandrärkaà vaha puruña-dhaureyam avane
kim anyais tair bhärair yama-sadana-gaty ägati-paraiù

hari-of Lord Kåñëa; småti-by the memory; ähläda-by bliss; stimita-overwhelmed; manasaù-
heart; yasya-whose; kåtinaù-the devotee; sa-with; romäïcaù-hairs standing up; käyaù-body;
nayanam-eyes; api-also; sa-with; ä nanda-of joy; saléläm-tears; tam-him; eva-certainly; äcandra-
as long as there is a moon; arkam-and a sun; vaha-please carry; puruña-of men; dhaureyam-the
best; avane-O earth; kim-what is the use?; anyaiù-of others; taiù-them; bhäraiù-burdens; yama-of
Yamaraja; sadana-to the abode; gati-going; ägati-coming; paraiù-intently.

By remembering Lord Hari, the devotees' hearts become overwhelmed with bliss, their bodily
hairs stand erect, and their eyes become filled with tears of joy. O earth, these devotees are the
best of men. Please carefully maintain them for long as the sun and the moon shine in the sky.
What is the use of your carefully maintaining those other burdensome persons who are simply
intent on coming and going to and from the house of Yamaräja?
-Çré Sarvänanda

Text 56

tvad-bhaktaù saritäà patià culukavat khadyotavad bhäskaraà

merum paçyati loñöravat kim aparaà bhümeù patià bhåtyävat
cintäratna-cayaà çilä-sakala vat kalpa-drumaà kañöavat
saàsäraà tåëa-räçivat kim aparaà dehaà nijaà bhäravat

tvat-of You; bhaktaù-the devotee; saritaà-of rivers; patim-the king; culuka-a handful of
water; vat-like; khadyota-a firefly; vat-like; bhäskaram-the sun; merum-Mount Meru; paçyati-
sees; loñöra-a clod; vat-like; kim-what?; aparam-further; bhümeù-of the earth; patim-the
emperor; bhåtya-a servant; vat-like; cintäratna-of precious jewels; cayam-a host; çilä-of a rock;
sakala-a portion; vat-like; kalpa-drumam-a kalpa-druma tree; kañöa-wood; vat-like; saàsaram-
the world; tåëa-räçi-straw; vat-like; kim-what?; aparam-further; deham-body; nijam-own; bhära-
a burden; vat-like.

O Lord, Your devotee sees the king of rivers as a handful of water, the sun a firefly, Mount
Meru a clump of earth, the emperor of the world a servant, a multitude of cintämaëi jewels
simply pebbles, a valuable kalpa-druma tree a mere stick, the entire world a bunch of straw, and
his onw body a burden only.
-Çré Sarvajïa

Text 57

mémäàsä-rajasä malémasa-dåçäà tävan na dhér ésvare

garvodarka-ku-karkaña-dhiyäà düre 'pi vartä hareù
jänanto 'pi na jänate çruti-mukhaà çré-raìgi-saìgäd åte
su-sväduà pariveçayanty api rasam gurvé na darvé spåçet

mémäàsä-of the karma-mémäàsä philosophy; rajasä-by the dust; malémasa-dirtied; dåçäm-

whose eyes; tävat-then; na-not; dhéù-the consciousness; éçvare-on the Supreme Personality of
Godhead; garva-of pride; udarka-the conclusion; ku-bad; tarka-logic; karkaça-hard; dhiyäm-
whose minds; düre-far away; api-also; vartä-the topics; hareù-of Lord Kåñëa; jänantaù-
understanding; api-although; na-do not; jänate-understand; çruti-mukham-the Vedas; çré-raìgi-
of Lord Kåñëa, who enjoys pastimes with the goddess of fortune; saìgät-of the contact; åte-
bereft; su-very; svädum-sweet; pariveçayanti-distributing; api-even; rasam-nectar; gurvé-a great
ladle; na-not; darvi-their own spoon; spåset-touches.

They whose eyes are blinded by the dust of the Karma-mémäàsä philosophy cannot fix their
hearts on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They whose intelligence is atrophied by illogical
conclusions dictated by pride stay far away from the topics of Lord Hari. They who understand
the Vedas but cannot become devotees of Lord Kåñëa do not actually understand the Vedas.
Distributing the sweetest nectar with a great ladle, these persons will not touch it with their own
spoon.
-Çré Mädhava Sarasvaté

Text 58

jïänävalambakäù kecit
kecit karmävalambakäù
vayaà tu hari-däsänäà
päda-träëävalambakäù

jïäna-of knowledge; avalambakäù-taking shelter; kecit-some; kecit-some; karma-of fruitive

action; avalambakäù-taking shelter; vayam-we; tu-but; hari-of Lord Kåñëa; däsänäm-of the
servants; päda-of the feet; träëa-the shelter; avalambakäù-taking shelter.

Some are inclined to speculative knowledge and other are inclined to fruitive work. We,
however, are inclined to take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Hari's servants.
-Çré Mädhava Sarasvaté
Text 59

nämä ni praëayena te sukåtinäà tanvanti tuëòotsavaà

dhämä ni prathayanti hanta jalada-çyämä ni neträïjanam
sämä ni çruti-çañkulém muralikä-jätäny alaìkurvate
kaàänévåta-cetasäm iha vibho näçä pi naù çobhate

nämä ni-the names; praëayena-with love; te-of You; sukåtinäm-of the saintly devotees;
tanvanti-manifest; tuëòa-for the mouth; utsavam-a jubilant festival; dhämä ni- the bodily
splendor; prathayanti-manifests; hanta-indeed; jalada-of a raincloud; çyämä ni-the dark color;
netra-for the eyes; aïjanam-ointment; sämä ni-the music; ñruti-çañkulém-the ears; muralikä-from
the flute; jätä ni- produced; alaìkurvate-decorates; käma-in material sense-gratification; anévåta-
not finding happiness; cetasäm-in our hearts; iha-here; vibho-O almighty Lord; na-does not; äçä-
material desire; api-also; naù-to us; çobhate-appear beautiful.

Now that we have become Your devotees, Your holy names have affectionately created a
jubilant festival in our mouths. Your bodily splendor, like a dark raincloud, has become the
black ointment of our eyes, and the music of Your flute has become the ornament of our ears.
We no longer take pleasure in material desires. O Almighty Lord, material desires no longer
appear beautiful to us.
Š -Çré Rüpa Gosvämé

Text 60

saàsärämbhasi sambhåta-bhrama-bhare gambhéra-täpa-traya-

gräheëäbhigåhétam ugra-gatinä kroçantam antar-bhayät
dépreëädya sudarçanena vibudha-klänti-cchidäkäriëä
cintä-santatati-ruddham uddhara hare mac-citta-dantéçvaram

saàsära-of repeated birth and death; ambhasi-in the waters; sambhåta-held; bhrama-of
illusions; bhare-in the bewilderment; gambhéra-deep; täpa-of miseries; traya-threefold; gräheëa-
by the crocodile; abhigåhétam-grasped; ugra-gatinä-ferocious; kroçantam-crying; antaù-within;
bhayät-out of fear; dépreëa-glowing; adya-now; sudarçanena-with the Sudarçana cakra; vibudha-
of the demigods; klänti-the sufferings; chidäkäriëä-cutting; cintä-of anxieties; santatati-by a host;
ruddham-overwhelmed; uddhara-please rescue; hare-O Kåñëa; mat-of me; citta-of the mind;
dantéçvaram-the elephant.

The elephant of my mind is drowning in the waters of material illusion. Strongly held by the
ferocious crocodile of the threefold miseries, it anxiously cries with fear in its heart. O Lord
Hari, please rescue it with Your glowing Sudarçana cakra, which cuts the sufferings of the
demigods to pieces.
-Çré Rüpa Gosvämé
Text 61

vivåta-vividha-bädhe bhränti-vegäd agädhe

balavati bhava-püre majjato me vidüre
açaraëa-gaëa-bandho hä kåpä-kaumudéndo
sakåd akåta-vilambaà dehi hastävalambam

vivåta-manifested; vividha-various; bädhe-sufferings; bhränti-of the whirpool; vegät-by the

force; agädhe-fathomless; balavati-powerful; bhava-of repeated birth and death; püre-in the
ocean; majjataù-drowning; me-me; vidüre-far; açarëa-gaëa-of those who have no shelter;
bandho-O friend; hä-O; kåpä-of mercy; kaumudé-moonlight; indo-O moon; sakåt-this one;
akåta-without; vilambam-delay; dehi--please give; hasta-of Your hand; avalambam-the
extension.

I am drowning in the painful, fathomless whirlpool of repeated birth and death. O Lord, O
friend of the shelterless, O effulgent moon of mercy, please, this one time, quickly extend Your
hand to save me.
-Çré Rüpa Gosvämé

Text 62

nåtyan väyu-vighürëitaiù sva-viöapair gäyann alénäà rutair

muïcann açru maranda-bindubhir alaà romä{.sy 241}ca-vänäìkuraiù
mäkando 'pi mukunda mürcchati tava småtyä nu våndävane
brühi präëa-samäna cetasi kathaà nämäpi näyäti te

nrtyan-dancing; vayu-by the wind; vighurnitaiù-agitated; sva-own; vitapaiù-by the branches;

gayan-singing; alinam-of the bees; rutaiù-with the sounds; muïcan-releasing; açru-tears;
maranda-of honey; bindubhiù-with drops; alam-greatly; romaïca-hairs standing erect; vana-in
the forest; aìkuraiù-by the new sprouts; makandaù-the mango tree; api-also; mukunda-O Kåñëa;
murchati-faints; tava-of You; småtya-by the memory; nu-indeed; våndävane-in Våndävana;
bruhi-please tell; praëa-as life; samana-who is as dear; cetasi-in the heart; katham-why?; näma-
the name; api-even; na-does not; ayati-arrive; te-Your.

This mango tree in Våndävana is now overwhelmed by remembering You. It dances, moving
it's branches in the breeze. It sings in the form of these humming bees. It sheds tears in the form
of these many drops of honey. Its hairs stand erect in ecstasy in the form of these new sprouts. O
Mukunda, as dear to me as my own life, why is this tree so filled with love for You? Who am I
so hard-hearted that even Your name will not enter my heart?
-Çré Içvara Puré

Text 63
yä draupadé-pariträëe
yä gajendrasya mokñaëe
mayy arte karuëä-mürte
sä tvarä kva gatä hare

ya-which; draupadi-of Draupadi; paritrane-in the protection; ya-which; gajendrasya-of

Gajendra; mokñaëe-in the liberation; mayi-to me; arte-suffering; karuna-of mercy; murte-O
form; sa-that; tvara-speed; kva-where?; gata-gone; hare-O Kåñëa.

O Lord Hari, O form of mercy, You quickly rescued both Draupadé and Gajendra. What has
happened to that quick action now that I suffer so acutely?
-Çré Autkala

Text 64

déna-bandhur iti näma te smaran

yädavendra patito 'ham utsahe
bhakta-vatsalatayä tvayi ñrute
mämakaà hådayam äçu kampate

déna-of the wretched; bandhuù-the friend; iti-thus; näma-the name; te-of You; smaran-
remembering; yädava-of the Yädavas; indra-O king; patitaù-fallen; aham-I; utsahe-become
encouraged; bhakta-to the devotees; vatsalatayä-with affection; tvayi-to You; ñrute-heard;
mämakam-my; hådayam-heart; äçu-at once; kampate-trembles.

O Lord Yädavendra, I am fallen. When I remember Your name Déna-bandhu (the friend of
the fallen) I become encouraged, and when I hear that You love Your devotees my heart
trembles.
-Çré Jagannätha Sena

Text 65

stävakäs tava caturmukhädayo

bhävakäs tu bhagavan bhavädayaù
sevakäù çatamakhädayaù suräù
väsudeva yadi ke tadä vayam

stavakaù-offering prayers; tava-to You; caturmukha-by Lord Brahma; ädayaù-those headed;

bhavakaù-filled with love; tu-indeed; bhagavan-O Lord; bhava-with Lord Siva; ädayaù-those
headed; sevakaù-servants; satamakha-by Lord Indra; ädayaù-those headed; suraù-demigods;
vasudeva-O Kåñëa; yadi-if; ke-who?; tada-then; vayam-are we.
 O Lord, Brahmä and his associates offer prayers to You, Çiva and his associates are full of
love for You, and Indra and the demigods are Your servants. Who are we in comparison to
them?
-Çré Dhanaïjaya

Text 66

parama-käruëiko na bhavat-paraù
parama-çocyatamo na ca mat-paraù
iti vicintya hare mayi pämare
yad ucitaà yadu-nätha tad äcara

parama-supremely; käruëikaù-merciful; na-not; bhavat-than You; paraù-more; parama-

supremely; çocyatamaù-lamentable; na-not; ca-and; mat-than me; paraù-more; iti-thus; vicintya-
considering; hare-O Kåñëa; mayi-to me; pämare-fallen and lowly; yat-what; ucitam-is proper;
yadu-of the Yadus; nätha-O Lord; tat-that; äcara-please do.

O Lord, no one is more merciful than You, and no one is more pathetic than I. I am very
lowly and fallen. O Lord Yadunätha, please reflect on my case and do to me whatever is
appropriate.
-author unknown

Text 67

bhavodbhava-kleça-kaçä-çatähataù
paribhramann indriya-käpathäntare
niyamyatäà mädhava me mano-hayas
tvad-aìghri-çaìkau dåòha-bhakti-bandhane

bhava-by material nature; udbhava-produced; kleça-of sufferings; kaçä-by the whips; çata-
hundreds; ähataù-struck; paribhraman-wandering; indriya-of the material senses; käpatha-the bad
road; antare-on; niyamyatäm-may be restrained; mädhava-O Kåñëa; me-of me; manaù-of the
mind; hayaù-the horse; tvat-of You; aìghri-of the feet; çaìkau-to the post; dåòha-firm; bhakti-of
devotional service; bandhane-in the rope.

Beaten by the hundred whips of material sufferings, the horse of my mind runs wildly on the
bad road of the senses. O Lord Mädhava, please pull up the reins of devotional service. Stop the
horse and tie it to the post of Your lotus feet.
-author unknown

Text 68
na dhyäto 'si na kértito 'si na manäg ärädhito 'si prabho
no janmäntara-gocare tava padämbhoje ca bhaktiù kåtä
tenähaà bahu-duùkha-bhäjanatayä präpto daçäm édrçém
tvaà käruëya-nidhe vidhehi karuëäà çré-kåñna déne mayi

na-not; dhyätaù-meditated; asi-You have been; na-not; kértitaù-glorified; asi-You have been;
na-not; manäk-slightly; ärädhitaù-worshipped; asi-You have been; prabho-O Lord; na-not; u-
indeed; janma-birth; antara-gocare-within; tava-of You; pada-feet; ambhoje-for the lotus; ca-
also; bhaktiù-devotion; kåtä-done; tena-by this; aham-I; bahu-many; duùkha-of sufferings;
bhäjanatayä-by attaining; präptaù-attained; daçäm-a condition; édåsém-like this; tvam-You;
käruëya-of mercy; nidhe-O ocean; vidhehi-please grant; karuëäm-mercy; çré-kåñëa-O Çré
Kåñëa; déne-poor; mayi-to me.

O Lord, in this birth I have not meditated on You, glorified You, even slightly worshiped
You, or developed any devotion for Your lotus feet. That is why I suffer in this condition. I am
very poor and fallen. O Çré Kåñëa, O ocean of mercy, please be compassionate on me.
-Çré Çaìkara

Text 69

çaraëam asi hare prabho muräre

jaya madhusüdana väsudeva viñëo
niravadhi kaluñäugha-käriëaà mäà
gati-rahitaà jagadéça rakña rakña

çaraëam-the shelter; asi-You are; hare-O Hari; prabho-O Lord; muräre-O enemy of the Mura
demon; jaya-all glories; madhusüdana-O killer of the Madhu demon; väsudeva-O son of
Vasudeva; viñëo-O all-pervading Lord; niravadhi-boundless; kaluça-of sins; augha-a host;
käriëam-performing; mäm-me; gati-a goal; rahitam-without; jagadéça-O master of the universe;
rakña-please protect; rakña-please protect.

I have no goal in life, and I have commited countless sins. O Lord Hari, O Muräri, You are
my shelter. O Madhusüdana, O Väsudeva. O Viñëu, all glories to You. O Jagadéça, please
protect me, please protect me.
-author unknown

Text 70

dinädau muräre niçädau muräre

dinärdhe muräre niçärdhe muräre
dinänte muräre niçänte muräre
tvam eko gatir nas tvam eko gatir naù
 dina-of the day; ädau-in the beginning; muräre-O Kåñëa; niçä-of the night; ädau-in the
beginning; muräre-O Kåñëa; dina-of the day; ardhe-in the middle; muräre-O Kåñëa; niçä-of the
night; ardhe-in the middle; muräre-O Kåñëa; dina-of the day; ante-at the end; muräre-O Kåñëa;
niçä-of the night; ante-at the end; muräre-O Kåñëa; tvam-You; ekaù-the only; gatiù-goal of life;
naù-for us; tvam-You; ekaù-the only; gatiù-goal of life; naù-for us.

O Lord Muräri, during the beginning, middle and end of all our days and nights, You always
remain the only goal of our lives.
-Çré Dakñiëätya

Text 71

ayi nanda-tanuja kiìkaraà

patitaà mäà viñame bhavämbudhau
kåpayä tava päda-paìkaja-
sthita-dhülé-sadåçaà vicintaya

ayi-oh, My Lord; nanda-tanuja-the son of Nanda Mahäräja, Kåñëa; kiìkaram-the servant;

patitam-fallen; mäm-Me; viçame-horrible; bhava-ambudhau-in the ocean of nescience; kåpayä-
by causeless mercy; tava-Your; päda-paìkaja-lotus feet; sthita-situated at; dhüli-sadåçam-like a
particle of dust; vicintaya-kindly consider.

O My Lord, O Kåñëa, son of Mahäräja Nanda, I am Your eternal servant, but because of My
own fruitive acts, I have fallen in this horrible ocean of nescience. Now please be causelessly
merciful to Me. Consider Me a particle of dust at Your lotus feet.*
-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Bhaktänäà niñöhä
The Devotees' Faith

Text 72

na vayaà kavayo na tarkikä

na ca vedänta-nitänta-päragäù
na ca vädi-nivärakäù paraà
kapaöäbhéra-kiçora-kiìkaräù

na-not; vayam-we; kavayaù-poets; na-not; tarkitäù-logicians; na-not; ca-and; vedänta-of

Vedanta; nitänta-greatly; pära-to the farther shore; gäù-gone; na-not; ca-also; vädi-nivärakäù-
expert in debate; param-then; kapaöa-cheating; abhéra-cowherd; kiçora-of a boy; kiìkaräù-the
servants.
 We are not poets. We are not logicians. We are not philosophers who have crossed to the
farther shore of Vedänta. We are not eloquent debaters. We are the servants of a rascal cowherd
boy.
-Çré Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya

Text 73

parivadatu jano yathä tathäyaà

nanu mukharo na vayaà vicärayämäù
hari-rasa-madira-madäti-mattä
bhuvi viluthäma natäma nirviñäma

parivadatu-may rebuke; janaù-the people; yathä-just as; tathä-in that way; ayam-this; nanu-is
it not so?; mukharaù-talkative; na-not; vayam-we; vicarayamaù-consider it; hari-of Lord Hari;
rasa-of the nectar; madira-mada-by the liquor; ati-extremely; mattaù-intoxicated; bhuvi-on the
ground; viluthama-I will roll; natama-I will dance; nirvisama-I will enjoy.

The talkative people will rebuke us. Is it not? We do not care. We will drink the liquor of
love for Lord Hari. We will become completely intoxicated. We will roll about on the ground.
We will dance. We will experience ecstasy.
-Çré Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya

Text 74

nähaà vipro na ca nara-patir nä pi vaiçyo na çüdro

nähaà varëi na ca gåha-patir no vanastho yatir vä
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramä nanda-pürëämåtäbdher
gopé-bhartuù pada-kamalayor däsa-däsänudäsaù

na-not; aham-I; vipraù-a brähmaëa; na-not; ca-also; nara-patiù-a king or kñatriya; na-not; api-
also; vaiçyaù-belonging to the merchantile class; na-not; çüdraù-belonging to the worker class;
na-not; aham-I; varëé-belonging to any caste, or brahmacäré (A brahmacäré may belong to any
caste. Anyone can become a brahmacäré or lead a life of celibacy); na-not; ca-also; gåha-patiù-
householder; no-not; vana-sthaù-vänaprastha, one who, after retirement from family life, goes to
the forest to learn how to be detached from family life; yatiù-mendicant or renunciant; vä-either;
kintu-but; prodyan-brilliant; nikhila-universal; parama-ä nanda-with transcendental bliss; pürëa-
complete; amåta-abdheù-who is the ocean of nectar; gopé-bhartuù-of the Supreme Person, who
is the maintainer of the gopés; pada-kamalayoù-of the two lotus feet; däsa-of the servant; däsa-
anudäsaù-the servant of the servant.

I am not a brähmaëa, I am not a kñatriya, I am not a vaiçya or a çüdra. Nor am I a

brahmacäré, a householder, a vänapratha or a sannyäsé. I identify Myself only as the servant of
the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Çré Kåñëa, the maintainer of the gopés. He is
like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always
existing with brilliance.*
-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Text 75

dhanyänäà hådi bhäsatäà girivara-pratyagra-ku{.sy 241}jaukasäà

satyänanda-rasaà vikära-vibhava-vyävåttam antar-mahaù
asmäkaà kila ballavé-rati-raso våndäöavé-lälaso
gopaù ko 'pi mahendranéla-ruciraç citte muhuù kréòatu

dhanyanam-of those who are fortunate; hådi-in the heart; bhasatam-manifest; girivara-of
Govardhana Hill; prati-in each; agra-kuïja-grove; aukasam-residing; satya-transcendental;
änanda-of bliss; rasam-nectar; vikara-vibhava-vyavåta-m-transcendental ecstasy; antaù-in the
heart; mahaù-festival; asmäkam-of us; kila-indeed; ballavé-with the gopés; rati-rasaù-with the
nectar of love; våndä-atavi-in Våndävana forest; lalasaù-eagerly enjoying pastimes; gopaù-
cowherd boy; kah api-a certain; maha-great; indranéla-of a sapphire; ruciraù-with the splendor;
citte-in the heart; muhuù-repeatedly; kréòatu-may enjoy pastimes.

May the cowherd boy who is a festival of ecstatic bliss for the hearts of the fortunate
creatures residing in the groves of Govardhana Hill, who is the lover of the gopés, who eagerly
enjoy pastimes in Våndävana forest, and whose complexion is as splendid as a great sapphire,
eternally enjoy transcendental pastimes in our hearts.
-Çré Içvara Puré

Text 76

rasaà praçaàsantu kavitva-niñöhä

brahmämåtaà veda-çiro-niviñöäù
vayaà tu guïjä-kalitävataàsaà
gåhéta-vaàçaà kam api çrayämaù

rasam-the mellows of poetry; praçaàsantu-may glorify; kavitva-to poetry; niñöhäù-those

devoted; brahma-of Brahman; amåtam-the nectar; veda-çiraù-niviñöäù-those devoted to studying
the Vedas; vayam-we; tu-but; guïja-of guïja; kalita-fashioned; avataàsam-with a garland; gåhéta-
taken; vaàçam-a flute; kam api-of a certain person; çrayämaù-we have taken shelter.

Those devoted to poetry may praise the nectar of poetry and those devoted to Vedic study
may praise the nectar of impersonal Brahman. We will praise neither. We will simply take
shelter of a flutist who wears a guïjä-necklace.
-Çré Yädavendra Puré
Text 77

dhyänätétaà kim api paramaà ye tu jänanti tattvaà

teñäm ästäm hådaya-kuhare çuddha-cin-mätra ätmä
asmäkaà tu prakåti-madhuraù smera-vakträravindo
megha-çyämaù kanaka-paridhiù paìkajäkño 'yam ätmä

dhyäna-meditation; atétam-beyond; kim api-something; paramam-supreme; ye-who; tu-

indeed; jänanti-understand; tattvam-the truth; teñäm-of them; ästäm-may be; hådaya-kuhare-in
the heart; çuddha-pure; cit-mätraù-transcendent; ätmä-self; asmäkam-of us; tu-but; prakåti-by
nature; madhuraù-sweetly charming; smera-smiling; vaktra-face; aravindaù-lotus; megha-as a
cloud; çyämaù-dark; kanaka-with golden; paridhiù-garments; paìkaja-lotus; akñaù-with eyes;
ayam-this; ätmä-person.

They who understand the inconceivable, impersonal absolute will find that pure
transcendence in their hearts. That is not, however, what is in our hearts. In our hearts resides a
charming, lotus-faced, lotus-eyed person who wears golden garments and whose complexion is
the color of a dark raincloud.
-Çré Kaviratna

Text 78

jätu prärthayate na pärthiva-padaà naindre pade modate

sandhate na ca yoga-siddhiñu dhiyaà mokñaà ca näkäìkñate
kälindé-vana-sémäni sthira-taòin-megha-dyutau kevalam
çuddhe brahmaëi ballavé-bhuja-latä-baddhe mano dhävati

jätu-ever; prärthayate-prays; na-not; pärthiva-of an earthly king; padam-the post; na-not;

aindre-of Indra, the king of Svargaloka; pade-the post; modate-pleases; sandhatte-fixes; na-not;
ca-and; yoga-of the yoga system; siddhiñu-on the mystic perfections; dhiyam-the mind;
mokñam-liberation; ca-also; na-not; äkäëçate-desires; kälindé-of the Yamunä River; vana-in the
forest; sémäni-on the shore; sthira-stationary; taòit-lightning flash; megha-a cloud; dyutau-the
splendor; kevalam-only; çuddhe-pure; brahmaëi-the Brahman; ballavé-of a gopé; bhuja-of the
arm; latä-by the vine; baddhe-bound; manaù-the mind; dhävati-runs.

My mind never prays for the post of an earthly king. The post of King Indra does not appeal
to it. It does not like the yogic perfections. It does not yearn after liberation. It only runs after the
pure supreme Brahman, who, bound by the vine of a gopé's arm, appears like a dark raincloud
and stationary lightning flash in the forest by the Yamunä's shore.
-Çré Kaviratna

Text 79
sandhyä-vandana bhadram astu bhavato bhoù snäna tubhyaà namo
bho deväù pitaraç ca tarpaëa-vidhau nähaà kñamaù kñamyatäm
yatra kvä pi niçadya yädava-kulottamasya kaàsa-dviñaù
smäraà smäram aghaà harä mi tad alaà manye kim anyena me

sandhya-vandana-O Sandhya-vadana; bhadram-auspiciousness; astu-let there be; bhavate-to

you; bhoù-O; snana-bath; tubhyam-to you; namaù-obeisances; bhoù-O; devaù-demigods;
pitaraù-forefather; ca-also; tarpana-vidhau-in the offering of tarpana; na-not; aham-I am;
kñamaù-able; kñamyatam-may be forgiven; yatra-where; kva api-somewhere; nisadya-sitting;
yadava-of the Yadu; kula-of the dynasty; uttaàsasya-of the crown; kaàsa-of Kaàsa; dviñaù-of the
enemy; smaram-remembering; smaram-and remembering; agham-sin; harämi-I remove; tat-that;
alam-sufficient; manye-I think; kim-what is the use?; anyena-of something else; me-for me.

O my evening prayer, all good unto you. O my morning bath, I bid you good-bye. O
demigods and forefathers, please excuse me. I am unable to perform any more offerings for your
pleasure. Now I have decided to free myself from all reactions to sins simply by remembering
anywhere and everywhere the great descendant of Yadu and the great enemy of Kaàsa [Lord
Kåñëa]. I think that this is sufficient for me. So what is the use of further endeavors?*
-Çré Mädhavendra Puré

Text 80

snänaà mlänam abhüt kriyä na ca kriyä sandhyä ca vandhyäbhavad

vedaù khedam aväpa çästra-paöalé sampüöitäntaù-sphuöa
dharmo marma-hato hy adharma-nicayaù präyaù kñayaà präptavän
cittaà cumbati yädavendra-caraëämbhoje mamähar-niçam

snanam-bathing; mlanam-withered; abhüt-was; kriya-Vedic studies; na-not; ca-also; kriya-to

be done; sandhya-rituals performed at sunrise, noon and sunset; ca-also; vandhya-barren;
abhavat-were; vedaù-the Veda; khedam-unhappiness; avapa-attained; sastra-of scriptures; patali-
the multitude; smaputita-boxed up; antaù-sphuta-in the heart; dharmaù-piety; marma-at the core
of life; hataù-wounded; hi-indeed; adharma-of sinful acts; nicayaù-the host; prayaù-for the most
part; kñayam-destruction; präptavan-attained; cittam-heart; cumbati-kisses; yadava-of the Yadu
dynasty; indra-of the king (Kåñëa); caraëa-of the feet; ambhoje-the two lotus flowers; mama-of
me; ahaù-day; nisam-and night.

My ritual bath has wilted away, my religious duties are undone, my prayers at sunrise, noon,
and sunset are unsaid, the four Vedas are unhappy, the host of other scriptures stay boxed in the
heart, their orders unfollowed, material piety is wounded at the core of its life, and a multitude
of sins are anihilated, for day and night my heart kisses the two lotus feet of Lord Yädavendra.
-author unknown
Text 81

devaké-tanaya-sevaké-bhavän
yo bhaväni sa bhaväni kià tataù
utpathe kvacana sat-pathe 'pi vä
mänasaà vrajatu daiva-deçikam
Š
devaki-of Devaki; tanaya-of the son; sevaki-a servant; bhavan-become; yaù-one who;
bhaväni-becomes; saù-he; bhaväni-becomes; kim-how?; tataù-then; utpathe-on a rough path;
kvacana-someone; sat-pathe-on a smooth path; api-even; va-or; manasam-the heart; vrajatu-may
go; daiva-of the Supreme Lord; desitam-to the instructions.

I will become a servant of the son of Devaké. Because of my past karma the path may be
rough or smooth. What is that to me?
-author unknown

Text 82

mugdhaà mäà nigadantu néti-nipuëä bhräntaà muhur vaidikäù

mandaà bändhava-saïcayä jaòa-dhiyaà muktädaräù sodaräù
unmattaà viveka-caturäù kämam mahä-dämbhikam
moktuà na kñämate manäg api mano govinda-päda-spåhäm

mugdham-illusioned; mam-me; nigadantu-may say; niti-in morality; nipunaù-the experts;

bhrantam-misled; muhuù-continually; vaidikaù-experts in Vedic activities; mandam-a fool;
bandhava-of friends and relatives; saïcayaù-hosts; jada-stunted; dhiyam-whose intelligence;
mukta-without; adaraù-respect; sodaraù-brothers; unmattam-mad; dhaninaù-the wealthy; viveka-
caturaù-learned philosophers; kamam-to their hearts content; maha-dambhikam-very proud;
moktum-to abandon; na-not; kñamate-is able; manak-slightly; api-even; manaù-my mind;
govinda-of Lord Kåñëa; pada-of the feet; sprham-the desire.

Let the sharp moralist accuse me of being illusioned; I do not mind. Experts in Vedic
activities may slander me as being misled, friends and relatives may call me frustrated, my
brothers may call me a fool, the wealthy mammonites may point me out as mad, and the learned
philosophers may assert that I am much too proud; still my mind does not budge an inch from
the determination to serve the lotus feet of Govinda, though I be unable to do it.*
-Çré Mädhavendra Puré

Text 83

çyämam eva paraà rüpaà

puré madhu-puré varä
vayaù kaiçorakaà dhyeyam
 ädya eva paro rasaù

çyämam-the form of Çyamasundara; eva-certainly; param-supreme; rüpam-form; puré-the

place; madhu-puré-Mathurä; varä-best; vayaù-the age; kaiçorakam-fresh youth; dhyeyam-always
to be meditated on; ädyaù-the original transcendental mellow, or conjugal love; eva-certainly;
paraù-the supreme; rasaù-mellow.

The form of Çyämasundara is the supreme form, the city of Mathurä is the supreme abode,
Lord Kåñëa's fresh youth should always be meditated upon, and the mellow of conjugal love is
the supreme mellow.*
-Çré Raghupati Upädhyäya

Text 84

purataù sphuratu vimuktiç

ciram iha räjyaà karotu vairäjyam
paçupäla-bälaka-pateù
seväm eväbhivaïchämi

purataù-in the presence; sphuratu-may become manifest; vimuktiù-liberation; ciram-

enduring; iha-here; rajyam-kingdom; karotu-may be; vairajyam-of Lord Brahma; pasupala-of the
cowherd; balaka-boys; pateù-of the leader; sevam-the service; eva-certainly; abhivaïchämi-I
desire.

Liberation may appear before me. The enduring kingdom of Lord Brahmä may also appear
before me. I do not care for them. I simply desire to serve Lord Kåñëa, the leader of the cowherd
boys.
-Çré Surottamäcärya

Text 85

kñauëi-patitvam athavaikam akiïcanatvam

nityaà dadäsi bahu-mänam athäpamänam
vaikuëöha-väsam atha vä narake niväsaà
hä väsudeva mama nästi gatis tvad-anyä

kñauni-patitvam-the post of a king; athava-or; ekam-one; akiïcanatvam-a poverty-stricken

condition; nityam-always; dadasi-You give; bahu-very; manam-respectable; atha-or; apamanam-
not respected; vaikuntha-in Vaikuntha; vasam-residence; atha va-or; narake-in hell; nivasam-
residence; ha-O; vasudeva-Kåñëa; mama-of me; na-not; asti-is; gatiù-goal; tvat-for You; anya-
except.
 O Väsudeva, You may make a king, or a poverty-stricken beggar. You may make others
respect me, or revile me. You may give residence in Vaikuëöha, or in hell. Whatever You do,
You will always remain the only goal of my life. No one else will ever become my goal.
-Çrégarbha Kavéndra

Text 86

diçatu sväräjyaà vä
vitaratu täpa-trayaà vä pi
sukhitam duùkhitam api mäà
na vimuïcatu keçavaù svämé

diçatu-may show; sväräjyam-Your own kingdom; va-or; vitaratu-may give; täpa-miseries;

trayam-three-fold; vä-or; api-even; sukhitam-happy; duùkhitam-distressed; api-even; mäm-me;
na-not; vimuïcatu-may abandon; keçavaù-Kåñëa; svämé-Lord.

He may show His own kingdom, or He may make me suffer the three-fold miseries. Whether
I suffer or enjoy, I pray that Lord Keçava never abandon me.
-Çré Kaviräja Miçra

Bhaktänäà sautsukya-prärthanä
The Devotees' Earnest Prayers

Text 87

nandanandana-padäravindayoù
syandamäna-makaranda-bindavaù
sindhavaù parama-saukhya-sampadäà
nandayantu hådayaà mamäniçam

nanda-nandana-of Lord Kåñëa, the son of Mahäräja Nanda; pada-feet; aravindayoù-of the
two lotus flowers; syandamäna-flowing; makaranda-of honey; bindavaù-drops; sindhavaù-
oceans; parama-transcendental; saukhya-of happiness; sampadäm-the opulence; nandayantu-may
delight; hådayam-heart; mama-my; aniçam-day and night.

The drops of honey trickling from the two lotus flowers of Lord Nandanandana's feet are so
many oceans of transcendental bliss. I pray those drops of honey may eternally delight my heart.
-Çrékaräcärya

Text 88

iha vatsän samacärayad

 iha naù svämé jagau vaàsém
iti säsraà gadato me
yamunä-tére dinaà yäyät

iha-here; vatsän-the calves; samacärayat-herded; iha-here; naù-our; svämé-Lord; jagau-

played; vaàçém-the flute; iti-thus; sa-with; asram-tears; gadataù-speaking; me-of me; yamunä-of
the Yamunä; tére-on the shore; dinam-the day; yäyät-may pass.

"Here our Lord herded the calves, and here He played the flute." I pray that I may pass my
days shedding tears as I speak these words on the Yamunä's shore.
-Çré Raghupati Upädhyäya

Text 89

anuçélita-kuïja-väöikäyäà
jaghanälambita-péta-çäöikäyäm
muralé-kala-küjite ratäyäà
mama ceto 'stu kadamba-devatäyäm

anuçélita-staying; kuïja-in the grove; väöikäyäm-in the garden; jaghana-on the hips; älambita-
resting; péta-yellow; çäöikäyäm-garment; muralé-of the flute; kala-the sweet music; küjite-
sounding; ratäyäm-intent; mama-of me; cetaù-the heart; astu-may be; kadamba-of the kadamba
flowers; devatäyäm-on the diety.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is decorated with yellow kadamba flowers. A yellow
dhoté girds His waist, He enjoys playing sweet flute music in the forest garden. I pray that my
heart may become fixed on Him.
-Çré Govinda

Text 90

arakta-dérgha-nayano nayanäbhirämaù
kandarpa-koöi-lalitaà vapur ädadhänaù
bhüyät sa me 'dya hådayämburuhädhivarté
våndäöavé-nagara-nägara-cakravarté

ärakta-reddish; dérgha-long; nayanaù-eyes; nayana-of the eyes; abhirämaù-the delight;

kandarpa-of cupids; koöi-of millions; lalitam-more charming; vapuù-a form; ädadhänaù-
manifesting; bhüyät-may be; saù-He; me-of me; adya-now; hådaya-of the heart; amburuha-of the
lotus flower; adhivarté-in the middle; våndäöavé-of Våndävana; nagara-of the town; nägara-of
the residents; cakravarté-the ruler.
 May Lord Kåñëa, who has long reddish eyes, whose transcendental form is more charming
than millions of Kämadevas, who is very pleasing to the eyes, and who is the king of Våndävana
village, appear on the lotus flower of my heart.
-Çré Bhavänanda

Text 91

lävaëyämåta-vanyä
madhurima-laharé-parépäkaù
kärunyäëäm hådayaà
kapaöa-kiçoraù parisphuratu

lävaëya-of beauty; amåta-of the nectar; vanyä-the flood; madhurima-of sweetness; laharé-
with waves; parépäkaù-filled; käruëyähäm-of mercy; hådayam-the heart; kapaöa-rascal; kiçoraù-
a youth; parisphuratu-may appear.

I pray that Lord Kåñëa, the mischievous youth who is a flood of handsomeness, who is waves
of sweet charm, and who is the heart of mercy, may appear before me.
-Çré Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya

Text 92

bhavantu tatra janmäni

yatra te muralé-kalaù
karëa-peyatvam äyäti
kià me nirväëa-värtayä

bhavantu-may be; tatra-there; janmä ni-births; yatra-where; te-of You; muralé-of the flute;
kalaù-the sweet music; karëa-by the ears; peyatvam-the state of being drunk; äyäti-attains; kim-
what?; me-for me; nirväëa-of impersonal liberation; värtayä-is the use of talking.

O Lord, I pray that I may take birth again and again in a place where my ears may drink the
sweet music of Your flute. What is the use of talking to me about impersonal liberation?
-Çré Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya

Text 93

äsvädyaà pramadä-radacchadam iva çravyaà navaà jalpitaà

bäläyä iva dåçya uttama-vadhü-lävaëya-lakñmér iva
prodghoñyaà cira-viprayukta-vanitä-sandeça-väëéva me
naivedyaà caritaà ca rüpam aniçaà çré-kåñëa nämästu te
 äsvädyam-to be tasted; pramadä-of a woman; radacchadam-the lips; iva-like; çravyam-to be
heard; navam-new; jalpitam-conversation; bäläyäù-of a young girl; iva-like; dåçyam-to be seen;
uttama-supreme; vadhü-of a wife; lävaëya-of beauty; lakñméù-the opulence; iva-like;
prodghoçyam-to be spoken aloud; cira-for a long time; viprayukta-separated; vanitä-of a woman;
sandeça-in a letter; väëé-the statement; iva-like; me-for me; naivedyam-the remnants of
foodstuff; caritam-pastimes; ca-and; rüpam-form; aniçam-day and night; çré-kåñëa-O Çré
Kåñëa; näma-the name; astu-may become; te-of You.

O Lord Kåñëa, I pray that the remnants of Your foodstuff may become as palatable for to me
as a woman's lips are palatable for a materialist. I pray that the narration of Your pastimes may
become as sweet to my ears as the words of a young girl are sweet for a materialist. I pray that
the sight of Your transcendental form may become as pleasing to my eyes as the beauty of a
young bride is pleasing to her husband. I pray that I may always chant Your holy name in the
same way a lover reads aloud a letter from his long-separated beloved.
-author unknown

Text 94

nayanaà galad-açru-dhärayä
vadanaà gadgada-ruddhyä girä
pulakair nicitaà vapuù kadä
tava näma-grahaëe bhaviñyati

nayanam-the eyes; galat-açru-dhärayä-by streaàs of tears running down; vadanam-mouth;

gadgada-faltering; ruddhayä-choked up; girä-with words; pulakaiù-with erection of the hairs due
to transcendental happiness; nicitam-covered; vapuù-the body; kadä-when; tava-Your; näma-
grahaëe-in chanting the name; bhaviñyati-will be.

My dear Lord, when will My eyes be beautified by filling with tears that constantly glide
down as I chant Your holy name? When will My voice falter and all the hairs on My body stand
erect in transcendental happiness as I chant Your holy name?*
-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Text 95

na dhanaà na janaà na sundaréà

kavitäà vä jagadiça kämaye
mama janmäni jamanéçvare
bhavatäd bhaktir ahaituké tvayi

na-not; dhanam-riches; na-not; janam-followers; na-not; sundarém-a very beautiful woman;

kavitäm-fruitive activities described in flowery language; vä-or; jagat-éça-O Lord of the
universe; kämaye-I desire; mama-My; janmäni-in birth; janmäni-after birth; éçvare-unto the
Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhavatät-let there be; bhaktiù-devotional service; ahaituké-
with no motives; tvayi-unto You.

O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful
wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated
devotional service to You.*
-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Text 96

govardhana-prastha-navämbuvähaù
kälinda-kanyä-nava-néla-padmän
våndävanodära-tamäla-çäkhé
täpa-trayasyäbhibhavaà karotu

govardhana-on Govardhana Hill; prastha-staying; nava-a new; ambuvahaù-raincloud;

kalinda-kanya-in the Yamunä River; nava-a fresh; néla-blue; padmam-lotus flower; våndävana-
in Våndävana forest; udara-a great; tamala-tamala; sakhi-tree; tapa-miseries; trayasya-of the
three-fold; abhibhavam-the defeat; karotu-may do.

May Lord Kåñëa, who is a fresh raincloud over Govardhana Hill, a new blue lotus in the
Yamunä River, and a great tamäla tree in Våndävana forest, protect me from the three-fold
miseries of material existance.
-Çré Gauòéya

Text 97

anaìga-rasa-cäturé-capala-cäru-neträïcalaç
calan-makara-kuëòala-sphurita-känti-gaëòa-sthalaù
vrajollasita-nägaré-nikara-räsa-läsyotsukaù
sa me sapadi mänase sphuratu ko 'pi gopälakaù

anaìga-of amorous love; rasa-in the mellows; caturi-expertness; capala-restless; caru-

beautiful; netra-of the eyes; aïcalaù-the corners; calat-moving; makara-shark; kundala-earrings;
sphurita-glistening; känti-splendor; ganda-sthalaù-on the cheekñ; vraja-of Vraja; ullasita-
splendid; nagari-of girls; nikara-with a multitude; lasya-dance; rasa-rasa; lasya-dance; utsukaù-
eager; saù-He; me-of me; sapadi-at once; manase-in the heart; sphuratu-may appear; kah api- a
certain; gopalakaù-cowherd boy.

I pray that the cowherd boy who expertly casts amorous glances from the corners of His
restless eyes, whose cheeks are decorated with glistening, beautiful, swinging shark-shaped
earrings, and who is very eager to enjoy the räsa dance with the beautiful girls of Vraja, may at
once appear within my heart.
-Çré Mädhavendra Puré

Bhaktänäm utkaëöhä
The Devotees' Yearning

Text 98

çrutayaù palala-kapaù
kim iha vayaà sämprataà cinumaù
ähriyata puraiva nayanair
äbhérébhiù paraà brahma

çrutayaù-the çruti-sastras; palala-a bunch of straw; kalpaù-like; kim-why?; iha-here; vayam-

we; sampratam-now; cinumaù-consider; ahriyata-has been taken; pura-before; eva-certainly;
nayanaiù-by the eyes; abhiribhiù-with the gopés; param-the Supreme Brahman.

The çruti-çästra is insignificant as a bunch of straw. Why do we now think in this way? Our
eyes have seen the Supreme Brahman enjoying pastimes with the gopés.
-Çré Raghupati Upädhyäya

Text 99

kaà prati kathayitum éçe

samprati ko vä pratétim äyätu
go-pati-tanayä-küïje
gopa-vadhüöé-viöaà brahma

kam prati-unto whom; kathayitum-to speak; éçe-am I able; samprati-now; kaù-who; vä-or;
pratétim-belief; äyätu-would do; go-pati-of the sun-god; tanayä-of the daughter (the Yamunä);
kuïje-in the bushes on the baìk; gopa-vadhüöi-of the cowherd girls; viöam-the hunter; brahma-
the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

To whom can I speak who will believe me when I say that Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, is hunting the gopés in the bushes by the banks of the River Yamunä? In this way the
Lord demonstrates His pastimes.*
-Çré Raghupati Upädhyäya