1. Putting on Tilaka
Tilaka is sometimes called the ornamentation of the spirit soul. The decoration, made by applying wet clay mixture, marks the body as a temple of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord. The Vaiṣṇava devotee marks his body in twelve places for sanctification and protection, and one who is wearing tilaka can at once be identified as a devotee of the Lord. Just as one can recognize that the strength of the government is behind a uniformed policeman, one can understand that the strength of God is behind a devotee marked with tilaka.
One should pour a little water into the palm of his/her left hand and rub gopÄ« –candana (mud from DvÄrakÄ) into it. When making tilaka the following mantra from the Uttara Khaṇá¸a of the Padma PurÄṇa should be chanted:
lalÄá¹e keÅ›avaá¹ dhyÄyen nÄrÄyaṇam athodare
vaká¹£aḥ-sthale mÄdhavaá¹ tu govindaá¹ kaṇá¹ha-kÅ«pake
viṣṇuá¹ ca daká¹£iṇe kuká¹£au bÄhau ca madhusÅ«danam
trivikramaá¹ kandhare tu vÄmanaá¹ vÄma-pÄrÅ›vake
Å›rÄ«dharaá¹ vÄma-bÄhau tu hṛṣīkeÅ›aá¹ tu kandhare
pṛṣá¹he ca padmanÄbhaá¹ ca kaá¹yÄá¹ dÄmodaraá¹ nyaset
In Accordance with the avove mentioned mantra one should now apply gopÄ« –candana with the ball of the finger tip of the right ring finger, to make the tilaka markings on the twelve parts of the body. According to the brahmÄṇá¸a PurÄṇa one should not use the fingernail to make the space in the middle of the tilaka. One should place a damp cloth over the finger and make the space with that.
When one marks the forehead with tilaka, he must remember KeÅ›ava. When one marks the lower abdomen, he must remember NÄrÄyaṇa. For the chest, one should remember MÄdhava, and when marking the hollow of the neck one should remember Govinda. Lord Viṣṇu should be remembered while marking the right side of the belly, and MadhusÅ«dana should be remembered when marking the right arm. Trivikrama should be remembered when marking the right shoulder, and VÄmana should be remembered when marking the left side of the belly. ÅšrÄ«dhara should be remembered while marking the left arm, and HṛṣīkeÅ›a should be remembered when marking the left shoulder. PadmanÄbha and DÄmodara should be remembered when marking the back. [Caitanya –caritÄmá¹›ta , Madhya 20.202 , purport]
The Å›ikhÄ area is not marked with tilaka; rather, after washing the right hand, wipe the remaining water on your Å›ikhÄ while chanting oá¹ vÄsudevÄya namaḥ.
Tilaka Marking List
Forehead: ÅšrÄ« KeÅ›avÄya namaḥ
Abdomen: ÅšrÄ« NÄrÄyaṇÄya namaḥ
Chest: ÅšrÄ« MÄdhavÄya namaḥ
Throat: ÅšrÄ« GovindÄya namaḥ
Right waist: Śrī Viṣṇave namaḥ
Right forearm: ÅšrÄ« MadhusÅ«danÄya namaḥ
Right shoulder: ÅšrÄ« TrivikramÄya namaḥ
Left waist: ÅšrÄ« VÄmanÄya namaḥ
Left forearm: ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ«dharÄya namaḥ
Left shoulder: ÅšrÄ« HṛṣīkeÅ›Äya namaḥ
Nape of neck: ÅšrÄ« PadmanÄbhÄya namaḥ
Lower back: ÅšrÄ« DÄmodarÄya namaḥ
Head: ÅšrÄ« VÄsudevÄya namaḥ
2. ÅšrÄ« Guru PraṇÄma
om ajñÄna-timirÄndhasya jñÄnÄñjana-Å›alÄkayÄ
cakṣur unmīlitaṠyena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.
3. ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda Praṇati
nama oá¹ viṣṇu-pÄdÄya kṛṣṇa-preá¹£á¹hÄya bhÅ«-tale
Å›rÄ«mate bhaktivedÄnta-svÄmin iti nÄmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupÄda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
namas te sÄrasvate deve gaura-vÄṇī-pracÄriṇe
nirviÅ›eá¹£a-śūnyavÄdi-pÄÅ›cÄtya-deÅ›a-tÄriṇe
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of SarasvatÄ« GosvÄmÄ«. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
4. ÅšrÄ« Pañca-tattva PraṇÄma
Å›rÄ«-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityÄnanda
Å›rÄ«-advaita gadÄdhara Å›rÄ«vÄsÄdi-gaura-bhakta-vá¹›nda
I offer my obeisances to ÅšrÄ« Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Prabhu NityÄnanda, ÅšrÄ« Advaita, GadÄdhara, ÅšrÄ«vÄsa and all others in the line of devotion.
ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion ÅšrÄ« NityÄnanda Prabhu, His incarnation ÅšrÄ« Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency ÅšrÄ« GadÄdhara Prabhu, and His marginal potency ÅšrÄ«vÄsa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas. Therefore our obeisances to ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu are complete when we say, Å›rÄ«-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityÄnanda Å›rÄ«-advaita gadÄdhara Å›rÄ«vÄsÄdi-gaura-bhakta-vá¹›nda. As preachers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we first offer our obeisances to ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu by chanting this Pañca-tattva mantra; then we say, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare RÄma, Hare RÄma, RÄma RÄma, Hare Hare. There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahÄ-mantra, but these are not considered in the chanting of the Pañca-tattva mantra, namely, Å›rÄ«-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityÄnanda Å›rÄ«-advaita gadÄdhara Å›rÄ«vÄsÄdi-gaura-bhakta-vá¹›nda. ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu is known as mahÄ-vadÄnyÄvatÄra, the most magnanimous incarnation, for He does not consider the offenses of the fallen souls. Thus to derive the full benefit of the chanting of the mahÄ-mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare RÄma, Hare RÄma, RÄma RÄma, Hare Hare), we must first take shelter of ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu, learn the Pañca-tattva mantra, and then chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahÄ-mantra. That will be very effective.
5. Hare Kṛṣṇa MahÄ-mantra
The Great Chanting for Deliverance
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare RÄma, Hare RÄma, RÄma RÄma, Hare Hare
My dear Lord, and the spiritual energy of the Lord, kindly engage me in Your service. I am now embarrassed with this material service. Please engage me in Your service.
harer nÄma harer nÄma harer nÄmaiva kevalam
kalau nÄsty eva nÄsty eva nÄsty eva gatir anyathÄ
“In this age of Kali, the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of Lord Hari, Kṛṣna. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” [Bá¹›han-nÄradÄ«ya PurÄṇa , 18.126] This process of Hari-kÄ«rtana is to chant the mahÄ-mantra (the great chanting for deliverance): Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare RÄma, Hare RÄma, RÄma RÄma, Hare Hare. In the Padma PurÄṇa it is stated: “There is no difference between the holy name of the Lord and the Lord Himself. As such, the holy name is as perfect as the Lord Himself in fullness, purity and eternity. The holy name is not a material sound vibration, nor has it any material contamination.”[Padma PurÄṇa ] How the holy name of the Lord can be chanted constantly is mercifully described by Lord ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu Himself in His Åšiká¹£Äá¹£á¹aka verse 3: “One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of falseprestige, and should be ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.”
6. ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« Gurv-aá¹£á¹aka
Eight Prayers to the Guru
by ÅšrÄ«la ViÅ›vanÄtha CakravartÄ« ṬhÄkura
ÅšrÄ«la ViÅ›vanÄtha CakravartÄ« ṬhÄkura, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth century, is a great spiritual master in the Kṛṣṇa conscious chain of gurus and disciples. He says, “One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the brÄhma-muhÅ«rta obtains direct service to Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Vá¹›ndÄvana, at the time of his death.”
(1)
saá¹sÄra-dÄvÄnala-lÄ«á¸ha-loka-
trÄṇÄya kÄruṇya-ghanÄghanatvam
prÄptasya kalyÄṇa-guṇÄrṇavasya
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
(2)
mahÄprabhoḥ kÄ«rtana-ná¹›tya-gÄ«ta-
vÄditra-mÄdyan-manaso rasena
romÄñca -kampÄÅ›ru-taraá¹…ga-bhÄjo
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the saá¹…kÄ«rtana movement of Lord Caitanya MahÄprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(3)
Å›rÄ«-vigrahÄrÄdhana-nitya-nÄnÄ-
śṛṅgÄra-tan-mandira-mÄrjanÄdau
yuktasya bhaktÄá¹Å› ca niyuñjato ’pi
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(4)
catur-vidha-Å›rÄ«-bhagavat-prasÄda-
svÄdv-anna-tá¹›ptÄn hari-bhakta-saá¹…ghÄn
kṛtvaiva tṛptiṠbhajataḥ sadaiva
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
4) The spiritual master is always offering Kṛṣṇa four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasÄda, he ist satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(5)
Å›rÄ«-rÄdhikÄ-mÄdhavayor apÄra-
mÄdhurya-lÄ«lÄ guṇa-rÅ«pa-nÄmnÄm
prati-ká¹£aṇÄsvÄdana-lolupasya
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of RÄdhikÄ and MÄdhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(6)
nikuñja-yÅ«no rati-keli-siddhyai
yÄ yÄlibhir yuktir apeká¹£aṇīyÄ
tatrÄti-dÄká¹£yÄd ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopÄ«s, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vá¹›ndÄvana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(7)
sÄká¹£Äd-dharitvena samasta-Å›Ästrair
uktas tathÄ bhÄvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Śrī Hari [Kṛṣṇa].
(8)
yasya prasÄdÄd bhagavat-prasÄdo
yasyÄprasÄdÄn na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyÄyan stuvaá¹s tasya yaÅ›as tri-sandhyaá¹
vande guroḥ Å›rÄ«-caraṇÄravindam
8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.
7. Prema-dhvani Prayers
jaya oá¹ viṣṇu-pÄda paramahaá¹sa parivrÄjakÄcÄrya aá¹£á¹ottara-Å›ata Å›rÄ« Å›rÄ«mad a.c. bhaktivedÄnta svÄmÄ« mahÄrÄja prabhupÄda—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the ÄcÄrya Oá¹ Viṣṇu-pÄda 108 Tridaṇá¸Ä« GosvÄmÄ« A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupÄda, who travels everywhere, preaching the glories of Hari, and who is situated on the highest platform of sannyÄsa .)
ISKCON-Founder-Ä€cÄrya ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda, the Founder-Ä€cÄrya of the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.)
jaya oá¹ viṣṇu-pÄda paramahaá¹sa parivrÄjakÄcÄrya aá¹£á¹ottara-Å›ata Å›rÄ« Å›rÄ«mad bhaktisiddhÄnta sarasvatÄ« gosvÄmÄ« mahÄrÄja prabhupÄda—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the ÄcÄrya Oá¹ Viṣṇu-pÄda 108 Tridaṇá¸Ä« GosvÄmÄ« BhaktisiddhÄnta SarasvatÄ« PrabhupÄda, who travels across the earth, preaching the glories of Hari, and who is situated on the highest platform of sannyÄsa .)
jaya om viṣṇu-pÄda Å›rÄ«la gaurakiÅ›ora dÄsa bÄbÄjÄ« mahÄrÄja—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to ÅšrÄ«la GaurakiÅ›ora dÄsa BÄbÄjÄ«.)
jaya oá¹ viṣṇu-pÄda Å›rÄ«la saccidÄnanda bhaktivinoda á¹hÄkura—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to ÅšrÄ«la Sac-cid-Änanda Bhaktivinoda ṬhÄkura.)
jaya oá¹ viṣṇu-pÄda vaiṣṇava-sÄrvabhauma Å›rÄ«la jagannÄtha dÄsa bÄbÄjÄ« mahÄrÄja—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to Vaiṣṇava-SÄrvabhauma ÅšrÄ«la JagannÄtha dÄsa BÄbÄjÄ«.)
jaya Å›rÄ« rÅ«pa sanÄtana bhaá¹á¹a-raghunÄtha Å›rÄ« jÄ«va gopÄla bhaá¹á¹a dÄsa raghunÄtha á¹£aá¸-gosvÄmÄ« prabhu—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely, ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa, SanatÄna, RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a, JÄ«va, GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a and RaghunÄtha DÄsa.)
nÄmÄcÄrya Å›rÄ«la haridÄsa á¹hÄkura—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the NÄmÄcÄrya ÅšrÄ«la HaridÄsa ṬhÄkura.)
prem-se kaho Å›rÄ«-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityÄnanda Å›rÄ« advaita, gadÄdhara, Å›rÄ«vÄsÄdi gaura-bhakta-vá¹›nda—kÄ« jaya.
(Call out with love the names ÅšrÄ« Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Prabhu NityÄnanda, ÅšrÄ« Advaita, ÅšrÄ« GadÄdhara, ÅšrÄ«vÄsa and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.)
Å›rÄ« Å›rÄ« rÄdha-kṛṣṇa, gopa-gopÄ«natha, Å›yÄma-kuṇá¸a, rÄdhÄ-kuṇá¸a giri-govardhana—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa, the cowherd boys and girls, the cows, ÅšyÄma-kuṇá¸a, RÄdhÄ-kuṇá¸a and Govardhana Hill.
[One may glorify the Deities of the temple at this time.]
Å›rÄ« mÄyÄpur dhÄma—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to ÅšrÄ« MÄyÄpur-dhÄma.)
Å›rÄ« vá¹›ndÄvana dhÄma—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to ÅšrÄ« Vá¹›ndÄvana-dhÄma.)
gaá¹…gÄ-mayÄ«—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to Gaá¹…gÄ-devÄ«.)
yamunÄ-mayÄ«—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to YamunÄ-devÄ«.)
bhakti-devÄ«—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to Bhakti-devī.)
tulasÄ«-devÄ«—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to Tulasī-devī.)
ananta koá¹i vaiṣṇava-vá¹›nda—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the unlimited millions of Vaiṣṇavas.)
Å›rÄ« hari-nÄma saá¹…kÄ«rtana—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the congregational chanting of the holy name of Hari.)
grantha-rÄja Å›rÄ«mad-bhÄgavatam —kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the king of books, ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam .)
ISKCON-vartmÄna-guru-vá¹›nda—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the present gurus of ISKCON.)
samÄveta bhakta-vá¹›nda—kÄ« jaya.
(All glories to the assembled devotees.)
gaura-premÄnande hari-haribol.
(Chant the names Hari! Hari! in the ecstasy of Caitanya-prema.)
All glories to the assembled devotees. [three times]
All glories to ÅšrÄ« Guru and ÅšrÄ« GaurÄá¹…ga.
All glories to ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda.
8. ÅšrÄ« Ná¹›siá¹ha PraṇÄma
namas te narasiá¹hÄya prahlÄdÄhlÄda-dÄyine
hiraṇyakaÅ›ipor vaká¹£aḥ-Å›ilÄ-á¹aá¹…ka-nakhÄlaye
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasiá¹ha who gives joy to PrahlÄda MahÄrÄja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon HiraṇyakaÅ›ipu.
ito ná¹›siá¹haḥ parato ná¹›siá¹ho yato yato yÄmi tato ná¹›siá¹haḥ
bahir ná¹›siá¹ho há¹›daye ná¹›siá¹ho ná¹›siá¹ham Ädiá¹ Å›araṇaá¹ prapadye
Lord Ná¹›siá¹ha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Ná¹›siá¹ha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Ná¹›siá¹ha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgaá¹
dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgam
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare
O KeÅ›ava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon HiraṇyakaÅ›ipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.
9. ÅšrÄ« TulasÄ«-praṇÄma
In the morning, after maá¹…gala-ÄratÄ« (and preferably also in the evening, before sandhyÄ-ÄratÄ« ), all the assembled devotees should attend tulasÄ« worship and circumambulate ÅšrÄ«matÄ« TulasÄ«-devÄ«. First we offer obeisances to TulasÄ«-devÄ« with the tulasÄ«-praṇÄma-mantra, chanted three times:
(oá¹) vá¹›ndÄyai tulasÄ«-devyai priyÄyai keÅ›avasya ca
kṛṣṇa-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namaḥ
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vá¹›ndÄ, ÅšrÄ«matÄ« TulasÄ«-devÄ«, who is very dear to Lord KeÅ›ava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Kṛṣṇa and you possess the highest truth.
Then we sing the tulasÄ«-pÅ«jÄ-kÄ«rtana while one devotee offers ÄratÄ« to TulasÄ«-devi with incense, a ghee lamp and flowers. While offering the articles, the devotee offering tulasÄ«-ÄratÄ« should stand on a mat and ring a bell with his left hand. Each of the items may be distributed to the assembled devotees after they have been offered to TulasÄ«-devÄ«.
10. ÅšrÄ« TulasÄ«-pÅ«jÄ-kÄ«rtana
namo namaḥ tulasī kṛṣṇa-preyasi namo namaḥ
rÄdhÄ-kṛṣṇa-sevÄ pÄbo ei abilÄṣī
1) O TulasÄ«, beloved of Kṛṣṇa, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa.
ye tomÄra Å›araṇa loy, tara vÄñchÄ pÅ«rṇa hoy
ká¹›pÄ kori’ koro tÄre vá¹›ndÄvana-vÄsi
2) Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vá¹›ndÄvana.
mora ei abhilÄá¹£a, vilÄsa kuñje dio vÄsa
nayana heribo sadÄ yugala-rÅ«pa-rÄÅ›i
3) My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of ÅšrÄ« Vá¹›ndÄvana-dhÄma. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa.
ei nivedana dhara, sakhīra anugata koro
sevÄ-adhikÄra diye koro nÄ«ja dÄsÄ«
4) I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.
dÄ«na kṛṣṇa-dÄse koy, ei yena mora hoy
Å›rÄ«-rÄdhÄ-govinda-preme sadÄ yena bhÄsi
5) This very fallen and lowly servant of Kṛṣṇa prays, “May I always swim in the love of ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ and Govinda.”
11. Śrī Tulasī Pradakṣiṇa Mantra
When the song is finished, the assembled Vaiṣṇavas should circumambulate Tulasī-devī at least four times and offer her water by pouring some drops at her root (only during morning worship, not in the evening). While circumambulating, we chant,
yÄni kÄni ca pÄpÄni brahma-hatyÄdikÄni ca
tÄni tÄni praṇaÅ›yanti pradaká¹£iṇaḥ pade pade
When a person circumambulates ÅšrÄ«matÄ« TulasÄ«-devÄ«, all the sins he may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brÄhmaṇa .
12. The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name
The ten offenses to the holy name are listed as follows in the Padma PurÄṇa, as quoted in the Caitanya-caritÄmá¹›ta (Ä€di 8.24, purport ):
satÄá¹ nindÄ nÄmnaḥ paramam aparÄdhaá¹ vitanute
yataḥ khyÄtiá¹ yÄtaá¹ katham u sahate tad-vigarhÄm
1. To blaspheme the great saintly persons who are preaching the glories of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahÄ-mantra is the worst offense at the lotus feet of the holy name. The NÄma-prabhu, who is identical with Kṛṣṇa, will never tolerate such blasphemous activities, even from one who passes as a great devotee.
Å›ivasya Å›rÄ«-viṣṇor ya iha guṇa-nÄmÄdi-sakalaá¹
dhiyÄ bhinnaá¹ paÅ›yet sa khalu hari-nÄmÄhita-karaḥ
2. In this material world the holy name of Viṣṇu is all-auspicious. Viṣṇu’s name, form, qualities, and pastimes are all transcendental, absolute knowledge. Therefore, if one tries to separate the Absolute Personality of Godhead from His holy name or His transcendental form, qualities, and pastimes, thinking them material, that is offensive. Similarly, to think that the names of demigods such as Lord Åšiva are as good as the name of Lord Viṣṇu is also blasphemous.
guror avajñÄ
3. It is offensive to consider the spiritual master material and therefore to envy his exalted position.
Å›ruti-Å›Ästra-nindanam
4. It is offensive to blaspheme the Vedic literature such as the four Vedas and the PurÄṇas.
artha-vÄdaḥ
5. It is offensive to consider the glories of the holy name exaggerations.
hari-nÄmni kalpanam
6. It is offensive to consider the holy name of the Lord imaginary.
nÄmno balÄd yasya hi pÄpa-buddhir
na vidyate tasya yamair hi śuddhiḥ
7. The greatest offense at the lotus feet of the holy name is to think that since chanting the holy name can counteract all sinful reactions one may therefore go on sinning and at the same time chant the holy name to neutralize the reactions. One who thinks in this way cannot be purified by any program of sense restraint and severe austerities, nor by the various punishments of YamarÄja.
dharma-vrata-tyÄga-hutÄdi-sarva-
Å›ubha-kriyÄ-sÄmyam api pramÄdaḥ
8. It is offensive to consider the chanting of the holy name equal to the performance of ordinary religious ceremonies or fire sacrifices, the observance of austere vows, or the practice of renunciation, all of which are materialistic auspicious activities.
aÅ›raddadhÄne vimukhe ’py aśṛṇvati
yaÅ› copadeÅ›aḥ Å›iva-nÄmÄparÄdhaḥ
9. It is an offense to preach the glories of the holy name to those unwilling to hear, to atheists, or to those who have no faith in chanting the holy name.
Å›rutvÄpi nÄma-mÄhÄtmyaá¹ yaḥ prÄ«ti-rahito ’dhamaḥ
ahaá¹-mamÄdi-paramo nÄmni so ’py aparÄdha-ká¹›t
10. If a person has heard the glories of the transcendental holy name of the Lord but nevertheless continues in the materialistic concept of life, thinking, “I am this body and everything belonging to this body is mine,” and if he thus shows no respect or love for the chanting of the holy name, that is an offense.
api pramÄdaḥ
It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaiṣṇava must carefully guard against these ten offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success, Kṛṣṇa-prema
13. Vaiṣṇava-praṇÄma
vÄñchÄ-kalpa-tarubhyaÅ› ca ká¹›pÄ-sindhubhya eva ca
patitÄnÄá¹ pÄvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṇava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone. They are oceans of mercy and are the purifiers of the fallen souls.
14. ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« Åšiká¹£Äá¹£á¹aka
Eight Instructions
Lord ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu
Lord Caitanya MahÄprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Kṛṣṇa, a task which His followers have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are, in fact, the most voluminous, exacting, and consistent, due to the system of disciplic succession. Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He left only eight verses, called Åšiká¹£Äá¹£á¹aka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These supremely valuable prayers are translated herein.
(1)
ceto-darpaṇa-mÄrjanaá¹ bhava-mahÄ-dÄvÄgni-nirvÄpaṇaá¹
Å›reyaḥ-kairava-candrikÄ-vitaraṇaá¹ vidyÄ-vadhÅ«-jÄ«vanam
ÄnandÄmbudhi-vardhanaá¹ prati-padaá¹ pÅ«rṇÄmá¹›tÄsvÄdanaá¹
sarvÄtma-snapanaá¹ paraá¹ vijayate Å›rÄ«-kṛṣṇa-saṇkÄ«rtanam
1) Glory to the śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana , which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This saṅkīrtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.
(2)
nÄmnÄm akÄri bahudhÄ nija-sarva-Å›aktis
tatrÄrpitÄ niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kÄlaḥ
etÄdṛśī tava ká¹›pÄ bhagavan mamÄpi
durdaivam Ä«dṛśam ihÄjani nÄnurÄgaḥ
2) O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Kṛṣṇa and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.
(3)
tṛṇÄd api sunÄ«cena
taror api sahiṣṇunÄ
amÄninÄ mÄnadena
kÄ«rtanÄ«yaḥ sadÄ hariḥ
3) One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
(4)
na dhanaá¹ na janaá¹ na sundarÄ«á¹
kavitÄá¹ vÄ jagad-Ä«Å›a kÄmaye
mama janmani janmanīśvare
bhavatÄd bhaktir ahaitukÄ« tvayi
4) O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.
(5)
ayi nanda-tanuja kiá¹…karaá¹
patitaá¹ mÄá¹ viá¹£ame bhavÄmbudhau
ká¹›payÄ tava pÄda-paá¹…kaja-
sthita-dhūlī-sadṛśaṠvicintaya
5) O son of MahÄrÄja Nanda [Kṛṣṇa], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.
(6)
nayanaá¹ galad-aÅ›ru-dhÄrayÄ
vadanaá¹ gadgada-ruddhayÄ girÄ
pulakair nicitaá¹ vapuḥ kadÄ
tava-nÄma-grahaṇe bhaviá¹£yati
6) O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?
(7)
yugÄyitaá¹ nimeá¹£eṇa
caká¹£uá¹£Ä prÄvṛṣÄyitam
śūnyÄyitaá¹ jagat sarvaá¹
govinda-viraheṇa me
7) O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.
(8)
ÄÅ›liá¹£ya vÄ pÄda-ratÄá¹ pinaá¹£á¹u mÄm
adarÅ›anÄn marma-hatÄm-hatÄá¹ karotu vÄ
yathÄ tathÄ vÄ vidadhÄtu lampaá¹o
mat-prÄṇa-nÄthas tu sa eva nÄparaḥ
8) I know no one but Kṛṣṇa as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally.
15. Greeting the Deities
govindam Ädi-puruá¹£aá¹ tam ahaá¹ bhajÄmi
govindam Ädi-puruá¹£aá¹ tam ahaá¹ bhajÄmi
govindam Ädi-puruá¹£aá¹ tam ahaá¹ bhajÄmi
veṇuá¹ kvaṇantam aravinda-dalÄyatÄká¹£aá¹
barhÄvataá¹sam asitÄmbuda-sundarÄá¹…gam
kandarpa-koá¹i-kaminÄ«ya-viÅ›eá¹£a-Å›obhaá¹
govindam Ädi-puruá¹£aá¹ tam ahaá¹ bhajÄmi
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming eyes like lotus petals with head decked with peacock’s feather, with the figure of beauty tinged with the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of Cupids. [Brahma-saá¹hitÄ Text 5.30 ]
aá¹…gÄni yasya sakalendriya-vá¹›tti-manti
paÅ›yanti pÄnti kalayanti ciraá¹ jaganti
Änanda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindam Ädi-puruá¹£aá¹ tam ahaá¹ bhajÄmi
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, whose transcendental form is full of bliss, truth, substantiality and is thus full of the most dazzling splendor. Each of the limbs of that transcendental figure possesses in Himself, the full-fledged functions of all the organs, and eternally sees, maintains and manifests the infinite universes, both spiritual and mundane. [Brahma-saá¹hitÄ Text 5.32 ]
16. ÅšrÄ« Guru-vandanÄ
The Worship of Śrī Guru
(from Prema-bhakti-candrikÄ)
(1)
śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando mui sÄvadhÄna mate
jÄhÄra prasÄde bhÄi, e bhava toriyÄ jÄi,
kṛṣṇa-prÄpti hoy jÄhÄ ha’te
1) The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.
(2)
guru-mukha-padma-vÄkya, cittete koriyÄ aikya,
Är nÄ koriho mane ÄÅ›Ä
śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasÄde pÅ«re sarva ÄÅ›Ä
2) My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
(3)
cakhu-dÄn dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jñÄn há¹›de prokÄÅ›ito
prema-bhakti jÄhÄ hoite, avidyÄ vinÄÅ›a jÄte,
vede gÄy jÄhÄra carito
3) He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
(4)
Å›rÄ«-guru karuṇÄ-sindhu, adhama janÄra bandhu,
lokanÄth lokera jÄ«vana
hÄ hÄ prabhu koro doyÄ, deho more pada-chÄyÄ,
ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana
4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.
ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda was very fond of this song and sang it just before his lectures. In Allahabad and Gorakhpur ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda fell into a trance after singing the first two lines, and after some time he came back into external consciousness and said, “Now just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.” ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda said that this song is “a picture of Vá¹›ndÄvana. Everything is there—ÅšrÄ«matÄ« RÄdhÄrÄṇī, Vá¹›ndÄvana, Govardhana, YaÅ›odÄ, and all the cowherd boys.”
17. Jaya RÄdhÄ-MÄdhava
by ÅšrÄ«la Bhaktivinoda ṬhÄkura
(jaya) rÄdhÄ-mÄdhava (jaya) kuñja-bihÄrÄ«
(jaya) gopÄ«-jana-vallabha (jaya) giri-vara-dhÄrÄ«
(jaya) jaÅ›odÄ-nandana, (jaya) braja-jana-rañjana,
(jaya) jÄmuna-tÄ«ra-vana-cÄrÄ«
Kṛṣṇa is the lover of RÄdhÄ. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vá¹›ndÄvana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, the holder of the great hill named Govardhana, the beloved son of mother YaÅ›odÄ, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River YamunÄ.
18. Verses Recited Before
ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam Class
nÄrÄyaṇaá¹ namaská¹›tya
naraá¹ caiva narottamam
devÄ«á¹ sarasvatÄ«á¹ vyÄsaá¹
tato jayam udīrayet
Before reciting this ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, NÄrÄyaṇa, unto Nara-nÄrÄyaṇa Ṛṣi, the supermost human being, unto mother SarasvatÄ«, the goddess of learning, and unto ÅšrÄ«la VyÄsadeva, the author. [SB 1.2.4 ]
śṛṇvatÄá¹ sva-kathÄḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
há¹›dy antaḥ stho hy abhadrÄṇi
vidhunoti suhá¹›t satÄm
ÅšrÄ« Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the ParamÄtmÄ [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. [SB 1.2.17 ]
naá¹£á¹a-prÄyeá¹£v abhadreá¹£u
nityaá¹ bhÄgavata-sevayÄ
bhagavaty uttama-śloke
bhaktir bhavati naiá¹£á¹hikÄ«
By regular attendance in classes on the BhÄgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. [SB 1.2.18 ]
19. ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« á¹¢aá¸-gosvÄmy-aá¹£á¹aka
Eight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis
by ÅšrÄ«nivÄsa Ä€cÄrya
(1)
kṛṣṇotkÄ«rtana-gÄna-nartana-parau premÄmá¹›tÄmbho-nidhÄ«
dhÄ«rÄdhÄ«ra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pÅ«jitau
Å›rÄ«-caitanya-ká¹›pÄ-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bhÄrÄvahantÄrakau
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
1) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.
(2)
nÄnÄ-Å›Ästra-vicÄraṇaika-nipuṇau sad-dharma-saá¹sthÄpakau
lokÄnÄá¹ hita-kÄriṇau tri-bhuvane mÄnyau Å›araṇyÄkarau
rÄdhÄ-kṛṣṇa-padÄravinda-bhajanÄnandena mattÄlikau
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
2) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who are very expert in scrutinizingly studying all the revealed scriptures with the aim of establishing eternal religious principles for the benefit of all human beings. Thus they are honored all over the three worlds and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa.
(3)
Å›rÄ«-gaurÄṇga-guṇÄnuvarṇana-vidhau Å›raddhÄ-samá¹›ddhy-anvitau
pÄpottÄpa-niká¹›ntanau tanu-bhá¹›tÄá¹ govinda-gÄnÄmá¹›taiḥ
ÄnandÄmbudhi-vardhanaika-nipuṇau kaivalya-nistÄrakau
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
3) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who are very much enriched in understanding of Lord Caitanya and who are thus expert in narrating His transcendental qualities. They can purify all conditioned souls from the reactions of their sinful activities by pouring upon them transcendental songs about Govinda. As such, they are very expert in increasing the limits of the ocean of transcendental bliss, and they are the saviors of the living entities from the devouring mouth of liberation.
(4)
tyaktvÄ tÅ«rṇam aÅ›eá¹£a-maṇá¸ala-pati-Å›reṇīṠsadÄ tuccha-vat
bhÅ«tvÄ dÄ«na-gaṇeÅ›akau karuṇayÄ kaupÄ«na-kanthÄÅ›ritau
gopÄ«-bhÄva-rasÄmá¹›tÄbdhi-laharÄ«-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
4) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who kicked off all association of aristocracy as insignificant. In order to deliver the poor conditioned souls, they accepted loincloths, treating themselves as mendicants, but they are always merged in the ecstatic ocean of the gopis’ love for Kṛṣṇa and bathe always and repeatedly in the waves of that ocean.
(5)
kÅ«jat-kokila-haá¹sa-sÄrasa-gaṇÄkÄ«rṇe mayÅ«rÄkule
nÄnÄ-ratna-nibaddha-mÅ«la-viá¹apa-Å›rÄ«-yukta-vá¹›ndÄvane
rÄdhÄ-kṛṣṇam ahar-niÅ›aá¹ prabhajatau jÄ«vÄrthadau yau mudÄ
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
5) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who were always engaged in worshiping RÄdhÄ-Kṛṣṇa in the transcendental land of Vá¹›ndÄvana where there are beautiful trees full of fruits and flowers which have under their roots all valuable jewels. The GosvÄmÄ«s are perfectly competent to bestow upon the living entities the greatest boon of the goal of life.
(6)
saá¹…khyÄ-pÅ«rvaka-nÄma-gÄna-natibhiḥ kÄlÄvasÄnÄ«-ká¹›tau
nidrÄhÄra-vihÄrakÄdi-vijitau cÄtyanta-dÄ«nau ca yau
rÄdhÄ-kṛṣṇa-guṇa-smá¹›ter madhurimÄnandena sammohitau
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
6) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who were engaged in chanting the holy names of the Lord and bowing down in a scheduled measurement. In this way they utilized their valuable lives and in executing these devotional activities they conquered over eating and sleeping and were always meek and humble enchanted by remembering the transcendental qualities of the Lord.
(7)
rÄdhÄ-kuṇá¸a-taá¹e kalinda-tanayÄ-tÄ«re ca vaá¹Å›Ä«vaá¹e
premonmÄda-vaÅ›Äd aÅ›eá¹£a-daÅ›ayÄ grastau pramattau sadÄ
gÄyantau ca kadÄ harer guṇa-varaá¹ bhÄvÄbhibhÅ«tau mudÄ
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
7) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who were sometimes on the bank of the RÄdhÄ-kunda lake or the shores of the Yamuna and sometimes at Vaá¹Å›Ä«vaá¹a. There they appeared just like madmen in the full ecstasy of love for Kṛṣṇa, exhibiting different transcendental symptoms in their bodies, and they were merged in the ecstasy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
(8)
he rÄdhe vraja-devÄ«ke ca lalite he nanda-sÅ«no kutaḥ
Å›rÄ«-govardhana-kalpa-pÄdapa-tale kÄlindÄ«-vane kutaḥ
ghoá¹£antÄv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahÄ-vihvalau
vande rÅ«pa-sanÄtanau raghu-yugau Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va-gopÄlakau
8) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six GosvÄmÄ«s, namely ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, and ÅšrÄ« GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vá¹›ndÄvana, shouting, “Queen of Vá¹›ndÄvana, RÄdhÄrÄṇī! O Lalita! O son of Nanda MahÄrÄja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the YamunÄ? Where are you?” These were their moods in executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
20. Verses Recited Before Reading Kṛṣṇa Book
ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam (12.3.51): kÄ«rtanÄd eva kṛṣṇasya mukta-saá¹…gaḥ. Caitanya MahÄprabhu has also taught us this. While passing on the road, He used to chant:
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa raká¹£a mÄm
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa pÄhi mÄm
rÄma rÄghava rÄma rÄghava rÄma rÄghava raká¹£a mÄm
kṛṣṇa keÅ›ava kṛṣṇa keÅ›ava kṛṣṇa keÅ›ava pÄhi mÄm
“O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please protect Me and maintain Me. O Lord RÄma, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Kṛṣṇa, O KeÅ›ava, killer of the Keśī demon, please maintain Me.”
If one always chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, gradually one is freed from all reactions of sinful life, provided he chants offenselessly and does not commit more sinful activities on the strength of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. In this way one is purified, and his devotional service causes the arousal of his dormant love of God. If one simply chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and does not commit sinful activities and offenses, one’s life is purified, and thus one comes to the fifth stage of perfection, or engagement in the loving service of the Lord (premÄ pum-artho mahÄn ).
21. Other KÄ«rtana Chants
Prayer to Lord JagannÄtha
JagannÄtha-svÄmÄ« nayana paá¹hagami bhavatu me
May that JagannÄtha-svÄmÄ« be the object of my vision
Prayer to Lord Lord Caitanya and Lord NityÄnanda
nitÄi gaurÄá¹…ga, nitÄi gaurÄá¹…ga
Jaya śacīnandana, gaura-hari
All glories to Lord NityÄnanda and Lord Caitanya, the son of ÅšacÄ«-devÄ«, who is Kṛṣṇa Himself in golden hue.
Prayer to Lord Govinda
govinda jaya jaya, gopÄla jaya jaya
RÄdhÄ-Ramaṇa hari, govinda jaya jaya
All glories to Lord ÅšrÄ« Govinda! All glories to Lord ÅšrÄ« Gopala! All glories to Lord ÅšrÄ« Hari, the husband of RÄdhÄrÄṇī.
22. NÄma-saá¹…kÄ«rtana
(1)
hari haraye namaḥ kṛṣṇa yÄdavÄya namaḥ
yÄdavÄya mÄdhavÄya keÅ›avÄya namaḥ
1) O Lord Hari, O Lord Kṛṣṇa, I offer my obeisances to You, who are known as Hari, YÄdava, MÄdhava, and KeÅ›ava.
(2)
gopÄla govinda rÄma Å›rÄ«-madhusÅ«dana
giridhÄrÄ« gopÄ«nÄtha madana-mohana
2) O GopÄla, Govinda, RÄma, ÅšrÄ« MadhusÅ«dana, GiridhÄrÄ« GopÄ«nÄtha, and Madana-mohana!
(3)
Å›rÄ«-caitanya-nityÄnanda Å›rÄ«-advaita-sÄ«tÄ
hari guru vaiṣṇaba bhÄgavata gÄ«tÄ
3) All glories to ÅšrÄ« Caitanya and NityÄnanda! All glories to ÅšrÄ« Advaita Ä€cÄrya and His consort, ÅšrÄ« SÄ«tÄ á¹¬hÄkurÄṇī. All glories to Lord Hari, to the spiritual master, the Vaiṣṇavas, ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam, and ÅšrÄ«mad Bhagavad-GÄ«tÄ.
(4)
Å›rÄ«-rÅ«pa sanÄtana bhaá¹á¹a-raghunÄtha
Å›rÄ«-jÄ«va gopÄla-bhaá¹á¹a dÄsa-raghunÄtha
4) All glories to ÅšrÄ« RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«, SanÄtana GosvÄmÄ«, RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, ÅšrÄ« JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ«, GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a GosvÄmÄ«, and RaghunÄtha dÄsa GosvÄmÄ«.
(5)
ei chay gosÄir kori caraṇa vandan
jÄhÄ hoite bighna-nÄÅ› abhÄ«á¹£á¹a-pÅ«raṇ
5) I offer my obeisances to the feet of these six GosvÄmÄ«s. By bowing to them, all obstacles to devotion are destroyed and all spiritual desires are fulfilled.
(6)
ei chay gosÄi jÄr—mui tÄr dÄs
tÄ-sabÄra pada-reṇu mora pañca-grÄs
6) I am the servant of that person who is a servant of these six GosvÄmÄ«s. The dust of their lotus feet is my five kinds of foodstuffs.
(7)
tÄdera caraṇa-sebi-bhakta-sane bÄs
janame janame hoy ei abhilÄá¹£
7) This is my desire: that birth after birth I may live with those devotees who serve the lotus feet of these six GosvÄmÄ«s.
(8)
ei chay gosÄi jabe braje koilÄ bÄs
rÄdhÄ-kṛṣṇa-nitya-lÄ«lÄ korilÄ prakÄÅ›
8) When these six GosvÄmÄ«s lived in Vraja they revealed the lost holy places and explained the eternal pastimes of RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa.
(9)
Änande bolo hari bhaja bá¹›ndÄban
Å›rÄ«-guru-vaiṣṇaba-pade majÄiyÄ man
9) Just shout the names of Lord Hari in great ecstasy and worship the transcendental realm of Vá¹›ndÄvana while absorbing your mind in meditation upon the divine feet of the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas.
(10)
Å›rÄ«-guru-vaiṣṇaba-pada-padma kori ÄÅ›
narottama dÄsa kohe nÄma-saá¹…kÄ«rtana
10) Desiring to serve the lotus feet of ÅšrÄ« Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas, Narottama dÄsa sings this saá¹…kÄ«rtana of the holy names of Lord Hari.
23. Purport
by His Divine Grace
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupÄda
This song of ÅšrÄ«la Narottama DÄsa ṬhÄkura is very famous among devotees in Bengal and Orissa. When Lord Caitanya returned from Gaya, where He was initiated by ÅšrÄ« Īśvara PurÄ«, He was completely transformed into a God-intoxicated personality whom His students of grammar had never known before. Instead of teaching ordinary grammar studies, Lord Caitanya explained every sentence in such a way that every Sanskrit word and every letter was understood to indicate Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This form of grammar was later on developed by ÅšrÄ«la JÄ«va GosvÄmÄ« in a book called Hari-nÄmÄmá¹›ta-vyÄkaraṇa, The Grammar of the Nectar and Name of ÅšrÄ« Hari. But Lord Caitanya’s students thought that their teacher had become mad, and they rubbed His head with Viṣṇu oil, an oil that cools the brain. Finally they asked Him, “You say that everything means Kṛṣṇa and we should ultimately always be chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa. Just how should we do this?” Then Lord Caitanya began to sing the names of Kṛṣṇa and clap His hands, and He began His nÄma-saá¹…kÄ«rtana movement. The names He sang are the first two lines of this song, and Narottama DÄsa ṬhÄkura and others have placed these names in the beginning of their writings to immortalize these events in the memory of everyone.
Narottama DÄsa ṬhÄkura chants the names of Lord Caitanya, NityÄnanda, ÅšrÄ« Advaita and SÄ«tÄ (Lord Advaita’s consort). Since Lord Hari, the spiritual master, and the ÅšrÄ«mad Bhagavad-gÄ«tÄ are all on the transcendental platform, they are given the same respect. Then ÅšrÄ«la Narottama DÄsa chants the names of the six GosvÄmÄ«s. “I offer my obeisances at their feet,” he sings, “which destroy sufferings accumulated over many long years. I am the servant of these six GosvÄmÄ«s, and the dust of their lotus feet is my five kinds of foodstuffs. To serve their lotus feet and keep the association of devotees is my only business, birth after birth.” When the six GosvÄmÄ«s were staying at Vá¹›ndÄvana, they revealed the eternal transcendental pastimes of ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ-Kṛṣṇa. Before Lord Caitanya the exact location of the places of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes were not known, and therefore Lord Caitanya instructed the GosvÄmÄ«s to uncover the holy places and construct temples. The temple of ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ DÄmodara is situated near the location of the rasa dance, and ÅšrÄ«la RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ« and the other GosvÄmÄ«s used to gather there and discuss the topics of their literatures, which scientifically explained the super-excellent pastimes of ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ-Kṛṣṇa. Narottama DÄsa ṬhÄkura says, “In great ecstasy shout the name of Hari and serve the real transcendental master and devotees.” He concludes by saying, “With all hopes in the lotus feet of my guru and the holy Vaiṣṇavas, Narottama DÄsa sings the saá¹…kÄ«rtana of Lord Hari: Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare/Hare RÄma Hare RÄma RÄma RÄma Hare Hare.”
24. ÅšrÄ« NÄma-kÄ«rtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
(from GÄ«tÄvalÄ«)
(1)
yaÅ›omatÄ«-nandana, braja-baro-nÄgara,
gokula-rañjana kÄna
gopÄ«-parÄṇa-dhana, madana-manohara,
kÄliya-damana-vidhÄna
1) Lord Kṛṣṇa is the beloved son of mother YaÅ›odÄ; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; KÄna [a nickname of Kṛṣṇa]; the wealth of the lives of the gopÄ«s. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the KÄliya serpent.
(2)
amala harinÄm amiya-vilÄsÄ
vipina-purandara, navÄ«na nÄgara-bora,
baá¹Å›Ä«-badana suvÄsÄ
2) These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja, He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.
(3)
braja-jana-pÄlana, asura-kula-nÄÅ›ana
nanda-godhana-rÄkhowÄlÄ
govinda mÄdhava, navanÄ«ta-taskara,
sundara nanda-gopÄlÄ
3) Kṛṣṇa is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda MahÄrÄja’s cows; the giver of pleasure to the cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda MahÄrÄja.
(4)
yÄmuna-taá¹a-cara, gopÄ«-basana-hara,
rÄsa-rasika, ká¹›pÄmoya
Å›rÄ«-rÄdhÄ-vallabha, bá¹›ndÄbana-naá¹abara,
bhakativinod-ÄÅ›raya
4) Kṛṣṇa wanders along the banks of the River YamunÄ. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rÄsa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of ÅšrÄ«matÄ« RÄdhÄrÄṇī; the great dancer of Vá¹›ndÄvana; and the shelter and only refuge of ṬhÄkura Bhaktivinoda.
25. Gaura-Ärati
(from GÄ«tÄvalÄ«)
(1)
(kiba) jaya jaya gorÄcÄnder Äratiko Å›obhÄ
jÄhnavÄ«-taá¹a-vane jaga-mana-lobhÄ
jaga-jana-mana-lobhÄ
(First Refrain)
gaurÄá¹…ger Ärotik Å›obhÄ
jaga-jana-mana-lobhÄ
1) All glories, all glories to the beautiful Ärati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-Ärati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the JÄhnavÄ« [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.
(2)
dakhiṇe nitÄicÄnd, bÄme gadÄdhara
nikaá¹e adwaita, Å›rÄ«nivÄsa chatra-dhara
2) On Lord Caitanya’s right side is Lord NityÄnanda, and on His left is ÅšrÄ« GadÄdhara. Nearby stands ÅšrÄ« Advaita, and ÅšrÄ«vÄsa ṬhÄkura is holding an umbrella over Lord Caitanya’s head.
(3)
bosiyÄche gorÄcÄnd ratna-siá¹hÄsane
Ärati koren brahmÄ-Ädi deva-gaṇe
3) Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord BrahmÄ, perform the Ärati ceremony.
(4)
narahari-Ädi kori’ cÄmara dhulÄya
sañjaya-mukunda-bÄsu-ghoá¹£-Ädi gÄya
4) Narahari SarakÄra and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with cÄmaras, and devotees headed by Sañjaya Paṇá¸ita, Mukunda Datta, and VÄsu Ghoá¹£a sing sweet kÄ«rtana.
(5)
Å›aá¹…kha bÄje ghaṇá¹Ä bÄje bÄje karatÄla
madhura má¹›daá¹…ga bÄje parama rasÄla
(Second Refrain)
Å›ankha bÄje ghaṇá¹Ä bÄje
madhur madhur madhur bÄje
5) Conchshells, bells, and karatÄlas resound, and the má¹›daá¹…gas play very sweetly. This kÄ«rtana music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.
(6)
bahu-koá¹i candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deÅ›e bana-mÄlÄ kore jhalamala
6) The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.
(7)
Å›iva-Å›uka-nÄrada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorÄra sampada
7) Lord Åšiva, Åšukadeva GosvÄmÄ«, and NÄrada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus ṬhÄkura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord ÅšrÄ« Caitanya.
26. SapÄrá¹£ada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilÄpa
Lamentation Due to Separation
from the Lord and His Associates
(from PrÄrthanÄ)
(1)
je Änilo prema-dhana koruá¹‡Ä pracur
heno prabhu kothÄ gelÄ ÄcÄrya-á¹hÄkur
1) He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy—where has such a personality as ÅšrÄ«nivÄsa Ä€cÄrya gone?
(2)
kÄhÄ mora swarÅ«p rÅ«pa kÄhÄ sanÄtan
kÄhÄ dÄsa raghunÄtha patita-pÄvan
2) Where are my SvarÅ«pa DÄmodara and RÅ«pa GosvÄmÄ«? Where is SanÄtana? Where is RaghunÄtha dÄsa, the savior of the fallen?
(3)
kÄhÄ mora bhaá¹á¹a-juga kÄhÄ kavirÄj
eka-kÄle kothÄ gelÄ gorÄ naá¹a-rÄj
3) Where are my RaghunÄtha Bhaá¹á¹a and GopÄla Bhaá¹á¹a, and where is KṛṣṇadÄsa KavirÄja? Where did Lord GaurÄá¹…ga, the great dancer, suddenly go?
(4)
pÄá¹£Äṇe kuá¹ibo mÄthÄ anale paÅ›ibo
gaurÄá¹…ga guṇera nidhi kothÄ gele pÄbo
4) I will smash my head against the rock and enter into the fire. Where will I find Lord GaurÄá¹…ga, the reservoir of all wonderful qualities?
(5)
se-saba saá¹…gÄ«ra saá¹…ge je koilo bilÄs
se-saá¹…ga nÄ pÄiyÄ kÄnde narottama dÄs
5) Being unable to obtain the association of Lord GaurÄá¹…ga accompanied by all of these devotees in whose association He performed His pastimes, Narottama dÄsa simply weeps.
27. ÅšrÄ« DÄmodarÄá¹£á¹aka
(found in the Padma PurÄṇa of Kṛṣṇa DvaipÄyana VyÄsa,
spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with NÄrada Muni and Åšaunaka Ṛṣi)
“In the month of KÄrtika one should worship Lord DÄmodara and daily recite the prayer known as DÄmodarÄá¹£á¹aka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord DÄmodara. ”
(ÅšrÄ« Hari-bhakti-vilÄsa 2.16.198)
(1)
namÄmÄ«Å›varaá¹ sac-cid-Änanda-rÅ«paá¹
lasat-kuṇá¸alaá¹ gokule bhrÄjamanam
yaÅ›odÄ-bhiyolÅ«khalÄd dhÄvamÄnaá¹
parÄmṛṣá¹am atyantato drutya gopyÄ
1) To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who [due to the offense of breaking the pot of yogurt that His mother was churning into butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a swing] is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of mother YaÅ›odÄ, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed—to that Supreme Lord, ÅšrÄ« DÄmodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
(2)
rudantaá¹ muhur netra-yugmaá¹ má¹›jantam
karÄmbhoja-yugmena sÄtaá¹…ka-netram
muhuḥ Å›vÄsa-kampa-trirekhÄá¹…ka-kaṇá¹ha-
sthita-graivaá¹ dÄmodaraá¹ bhakti-baddham
2) [Seeing the whipping stick in His mother’s hand,] He is crying and rubbing His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes are filled with fear, and the necklace of pearls around His neck, which is marked with three lines like a conchshell, is shaking because of His quick breathing due to crying. To this Supreme Lord, ÅšrÄ« DÄmodara, whose belly is bound not with ropes but with His mother’s pure love, I offer my humble obeisances.
(3)
itÄ«dá¹›k sva-lÄ«lÄbhir Änanda-kuṇá¸e
sva-ghoá¹£aá¹ nimajjantam ÄkhyÄpayantam
tadÄ«yeá¹£ita-jñeá¹£u bhaktair jitatvaá¹
punaḥ prematas taá¹ Å›atÄvá¹›tti vande
3) By such childhood pastimes as this He is drowning the inhabitants of Gokula in pools of ecstasy, and is revealing to those devotees who are absorbed in knowledge of His supreme majesty and opulence that He is only conquered by devotees whose pure love is imbued with intimacy and is free from all conceptions of awe and reverence. With great love I again offer my obeisances to Lord DÄmodara hundreds and hundreds of times.
(4)
varaá¹ deva moká¹£aá¹ na moká¹£Ävadhiá¹ vÄ
na canyaá¹ vṛṇe ’haá¹ vareá¹£Äd apÄ«ha
idaá¹ te vapur nÄtha gopÄla-bÄlaá¹
sadÄ me manasy ÄvirÄstÄá¹ kim anyaiḥ
4) 0 Lord, although You are able to give all kinds of benedictions, I do not pray to You for the boon of impersonal liberation, nor the highest liberation of eternal life in Vaikuṇá¹ha, nor any other boon [which may be obtained by executing the nine processes of bhakti ]. O Lord, I simply wish that this form of Yours as BÄla GopÄla in Vá¹›ndÄvana may ever be manifest in my heart, for what is the use to me of any other boon besides this?
(5)
idaá¹ te mukhÄmbhojam atyanta-nÄ«lair
vá¹›taá¹ kuntalaiḥ snigdha-raktaiÅ› ca gopyÄ
muhuÅ› cumbitaá¹ bimba-raktÄdharaá¹ me
manasy ÄvirÄstÄm alaá¹ laká¹£a-lÄbhaiḥ
5) 0 Lord, Your lotus face, which is encircled by locks of soft black hair tinged with red, is kissed again and again by mother YaÅ›odÄ, and Your lips are reddish like the bimba fruit. May this beautiful vision of Your lotus face be ever manifest in my heart. Thousands and thousands of other benedictions are of no use to me.
(6)
namo deva dÄmodarÄnanta viṣṇo
prasÄ«da prabho duḥkha-jÄlÄbdhi-magnam
ká¹›pÄ-dṛṣá¹i-vṛṣá¹yÄti-dÄ«naá¹ batÄnu
gá¹›hÄṇeá¹£a mÄm ajñam edhy aká¹£i-dṛśyaḥ
6) 0 Supreme Godhead, I offer my obeisances unto You. O DÄmodara! O Ananta! O Viṣṇu! O master! O my Lord, be pleased upon me. By showering Your glance of mercy upon me, deliver this poor ignorant fool who is immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows, and become visible to my eyes.
(7)
kuverÄtmajau baddha-mÅ«rtyaiva yadvat
tvayÄ mocitau bhakti-bhÄjau ká¹›tau ca
tathÄ prema-bhaktiá¹ svakÄá¹ me prayaccha
na moká¹£e graho me ‘sti dÄmodareha
7) 0 Lord DÄmodara, just as the two sons of Kuvera—ManigrÄ«va and NalakÅ«vara—were delivered from the curse of NÄrada and made into great devotees by You in Your form as a baby tied with rope to a wooden grinding mortar, in the same way, please give to me Your own prema-bhakti. I only long for this and have no desire for any kind of liberation.
(8)
namas te ’stu dÄmne sphurad-dÄ«pti-dhÄmne
tvadÄ«yodarÄyÄtha viÅ›vasya dhÄmne
namo rÄdhikÄyai tvadÄ«ya-priyÄyai
namo ’nanta-lÄ«lÄya devÄya tubhyam
8) 0 Lord DÄmodara, I first of all offer my obeisances to the brilliantly effulgent rope which binds Your belly. I then offer my obeisances to Your belly, which is the abode of the entire universe. I humbly bow down to Your most beloved ÅšrÄ«matÄ« RÄdhÄrÄṇī, and I offer all obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes.
SVA 4: ÅšrÄ« JagannÄthÄá¹£á¹aka
28. ÅšrÄ« JagannÄthÄá¹£á¹aka
(1)
kadÄcit kÄlindÄ«-taá¹a-vipina-saá¹…gÄ«taka-ravo
mudÄbhÄ«rÄ«-nÄrÄ«-vadana-kamalÄsvÄda-madhupaḥ
ramÄ-Å›ambhu-brahmÄmara-pati-gaṇeÅ›Ärcita-pado
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
1) Sometimes in great happiness Lord JagannÄtha makes a loud concert with His flute in the groves on the banks of the YamunÄ. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotuslike faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great personalities such as Laká¹£mÄ«, Åšiva, BrahmÄ, Indra, and GaṇeÅ›a worship His lotus feet. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ« be the object of my vision.
(2)
bhuje savye veṇuá¹ Å›irasi Å›ikhi-puccham kaá¹i-taá¹e
dukÅ«laá¹ netrÄnte sahacara-kaá¹Äká¹£aá¹ vidadhate
sadÄ Å›rÄ«mad-vá¹›ndÄvana-vasati-lÄ«lÄ-paricayo
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
2) In His left hand Lord JagannÄtha holds a flute, on His head He wears peacock feathers, and on His hips He wears fine yellow silken cloth. From the corners of His eyes He bestows sidelong glances upon His loving devotees, and He always reveals Himself through His pastimes in His divine abode of Vá¹›ndÄvana. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ« be the object of my vision.
(3)
mahÄmbhodhes tÄ«re kanaka-rucire nÄ«la-Å›ikhare
vasan prÄsÄdÄntaḥ sahaja-balabhadreṇa balinÄ
subhadrÄ-madhya-sthaḥ sakala-sura-sevÄvasara-do
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
3) On the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace atop the brilliant, golden NÄ«lÄcala Hill, Lord JagannÄtha resides with His powerful brother Balabhadra and His sister SubhadrÄ, who sits between Them. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ«, who bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls, be the object of my vision.
(4)
ká¹›pÄ-pÄrÄvÄraḥ sajala-jalada-Å›reṇi-ruciro
ramÄ-vÄṇī-rÄmaḥ sphurad-amala-paá¹…keruha-mukhaḥ
surendrair ÄrÄdhyaḥ Å›ruti-gaṇa-Å›ikhÄ-gÄ«ta-carito
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
4) Lord JagannÄtha is an ocean of mercy and as beautiful as a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Laká¹£mÄ« and SarasvatÄ«, and His face resembles a spotless fullblown lotus. The best of demigods and sages worship Him, and the Upaniá¹£ads sing His glories. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ« be the object of my vision.
(5)
rathÄrÅ«á¸ho gacchan pathi milita-bhÅ«deva-paá¹alaiḥ
stuti-prÄdurbhÄvam prati-padam upÄkarṇya sadayaḥ
dayÄ-sindhur bandhuḥ sakala jagatÄá¹ sindhu-sutayÄ
jagannÄthah svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
5) When Lord JagannÄtha moves along the road on His RathayÄtrÄ car, at every step large assemblies of brÄhmaṇas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His pleasure. Hearing their hymns, Lord JagannÄtha becomes very favorably disposed toward them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ«, along with His consort Laká¹£mÄ«, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision.
(6)
para-brahmÄpÄ«á¸aḥ kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivÄsÄ« nÄ«lÄdrau nihita-caraṇo ‘nanta-Å›irasi
rasÄnando rÄdhÄ-sarasa-vapur-Äliá¹…gana-sukho
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
6) Lord JagannÄtha, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotus petals, is the ornament on Lord BrahmÄ’s head. He resides on NÄ«lÄcala Hill with His lotus feet placed on the heads of Anantadeva. Overwhelmed by the mellows of love, He joyfully embraces ÅšrÄ«matÄ« RÄdhÄrÄṇī’s body, which is like a cool pond. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ« be the object of my vision.
(7)
na vai yÄce rÄjyaá¹ na ca kanaka-mÄṇikya-vibhavaá¹
na yÄce ‘haá¹ ramyÄá¹ sakala jana-kÄmyÄá¹ vara-vadhÅ«m
sadÄ kÄle kÄle pramatha-patinÄ gÄ«ta-carito
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
7) I do not pray for a kingdom? nor for gold, rubies, or wealth. I do not ask for a beautiful wife. as desired by all men. I simply pray that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ«, whose glories Lord Åšiva always sings, may be the constant object of my vision.
(8)
hara tvaá¹ saá¹sÄraá¹ druta-taram asÄraá¹ sura-pate
hara tvaá¹ pÄpÄnÄá¹ vitatiá¹ aparÄá¹ yÄdava-pate
aho dÄ«ne ‘nÄthe nihita-caraṇo niÅ›citam idará¹…
jagannÄthaḥ svÄmÄ« nayana-patha-gÄmÄ« bhavatu me
8) 0 Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast, shoreless ocean of sins. Alas, this is certain: Lord JagannÄtha bestows His lotus feet upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that JagannÄtha SvÄmÄ« be the object of my vision.
(9)
jagannÄthÄá¹£á¹akaá¹ punyaá¹ yaḥ paá¹het prayataḥ Å›uciḥ
sarva-pÄpa-viÅ›uddhÄtmÄ viṣṇu-lokaá¹ sa gacchati
9) The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord JagannÄtha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Viṣṇu’s abode.
29. Prayers for offering Prasadam
nama oá¹ viṣṇu-pÄdÄya kṛṣṇa-preá¹£á¹hÄya bhÅ«-tale
Å›rÄ«mate bhaktivedÄnta-svÄmin iti nÄmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupÄda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
namas te sÄrasvate deve gaura-vÄṇī-pracÄriṇe
nirviÅ›eá¹£a-śūnyavÄdi-pÄÅ›cÄtya-deÅ›a-tÄriṇe
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of SarasvatÄ« GosvÄmÄ«. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
namo maha-vadanyaya
krishna-prema-pradaya te
krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-
namne gaura-tvishe namaha
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya, who is more magnanimous than any other incarnation, even Krishna Himself, because He is bestowing freely what no one else has ever given pure love of Kṛṣṇa.
namo-brahmanya-devaya
go brahmana hitaya cha
jagad-hitaya krishnaya
govindaya namo namaha
I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, who is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the living entities in general. I offer my repeated obeisances to Govinda [Krishna], who is the pleasure reservoir for all the senses.
30. Prayers for honering Prasadam
PrasÄda-sevÄya
From GÄ«tÄvalÄ«
Å›arÄ«ra avidyÄ-jÄl, joá¸endriya tÄhe kÄl,
jÄ«ve phele viá¹£aya-sÄgore
tÄ’ra madhye jihvÄ ati, lobhamoy sudurmati,
tÄ’ke jetÄ kaá¹hina saá¹sÄre
kṛṣṇa baá¸o doyÄmay, karibÄre jihvÄ jay,
sva-prasÄd-anna dila bhÄi
sei annÄmá¹›ta pÄo, rÄdhÄ-kṛṣṇa-guṇa gÄo,
preme á¸Äko caitanya-nitÄi
O Lord, this material body is a place of ignorance, and the senses are a network of paths leading to death. Somehow we have fallen into this ocean of material sense enjoyment, and of all the senses the tongue is the most voracious and uncontrollable. It is very difficult to conquer the tongue in this world. But You, dear Kṛṣṇa, are very kind to us and have given us such nice prasÄdam just to control the tongue. Now we take this prasÄdam to our full satisfaction and glorify You—ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ« RÄdhÄ and Kṛṣṇa—and in love call for the help of Lord Caitanya and NityÄnanda.
mahÄ-prasÄde govinde nÄma-brahmaṇi vaiṣṇave
svalpa-puṇya-vatÄá¹ rÄjan viÅ›vÄso naiva jÄyate
O king, for those with little pious credit, faith in mahÄ-prasÄda , ÅšrÄ« Govinda, the holy name, and the Vaiṣṇavas never arises. [MahÄbhÄrata ]
All initiated devotees must attend morning and evening classes.
Must not be addicted to any kind of intoxicants including coffee, tea and cigarettes.
They are forbidden to have any illicit sex connections.
Must be strictly vegetarian.
Should not extensively mix with non-devotees.
Should not eat foodstuff cooked by non-devotees.
Should not waste time in idle talks nor
Engage himself in frivolous sports.
Should always chant and sing the Lord’s Holy names:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama HareRama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
____
Thank you,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Acharya
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
26 Second Avenue
New York, N.Y.
Nov: 25, 1966
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