Chapter 8 Sri Bhakta-vacanamrtam - Words of Nectar from the Devotees

Karpanyam - Surrender in Humility

8.1-2
        bhagavan raksa raksaivam, arta-bhavena sarvatah
        asamorddhva-daya-sindhor, hareh karunya-vaibhavam
        smaratams ca visesena, nijati-socya-nicatam
        bhaktanam arti-bhavas tu, karpanyam kathyate budhaih

'O Lord, please protect me, protect me . . .'
        Such an internal sense of heartbreak in the devotees, which causes their remembrance in love, in all circumstances, of the extension of grace from the unequaled and unexcelled ocean of compassion, Sri Hari, and which characteristically causes them to ever remember their feeling of most lamentable destitution, is known by the learned as karpanyam - Surrender in Humility.

8.3
sri-krsna-nama-svarupasya parama-pavanatvam, jivasya durdaivan ca -
        namnam-akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
        tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
        etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
        durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah

Sri Sri Bhagavatas Caitanyacandrasya

The holy name of the Lord is the supreme purifier, yet the soul's misfortune is to deny it -
"O Lord, Your holy name alone bestows all the good fortune of the soul, and this is why You have revealed Your many different names such as 'Krsna' and 'Govinda.' You have offered all Your transcendental potency in your holy name, without initiating any (scriptural or philosophical) hard and fast rules and regulations, concerning time, place, or circumstance, to be observed in chanting it. Dear Lord, in this way You have given Your mercy to the living entity by making Your name so easily available, and yet, my misfortune in the form of offense (nama-aparadha) does not allow love for that merciful name to be born within my heart."
-the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyacandra

8.4

udbuddha-svarupe svabhava-karpanyam -

parama-karuniko na bhavat-parah

parama-socyatamo na ca mat-parah

iti vicintya hare mayi pamare

yad ucitam yadunatha tadacara

kasyacit

Humility is the natural symptom of the soul in his awakened state -
"O Lord Hari, You are the supreme merciful, second to none, and my condition of life is the most lamentable, second to none. O Lord of the Yadu dynasty, considering this, dispense whatever You deem fit for this sinful wretch."

- votary

8.5
maya-vasa-jivasya mayadhisa-krpaika-gatitvam -
        naitan manas tava kathasu vikuntha-natha
        sampriyate durita-dustam asadhu tivram
        kamaturam harsa-soka-bhayaisanartam
        tasmin katham tava gatim vimrsami dinah

Sri Prahladasya

The only hope for the soul enslaved by maya is the mercy of the Master of maya -

durita-dusita-mana asadhu manasa, kama-harsa-soka-bhaya-esanara vasa
tava katha-rati kise haibe amara, kise krsna tava lila kanbo vicara

(Bengali verse by Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura)

        "Sinful, wicked mind - full of evil thought:
        lusting, laughing, crying, fearing - in worldly search is caught.
        O Krsna, how will I develop attachment to talks of You?
        how will I e'er comprehend Your pastimes ever-new?"

(Bengali verse translation)

8.6
krsnonmukha-citte baddha-bhavasya durvilasa-paricayah -
        jihvaikato 'cyuta vikarsati mavitrpta
        sisno 'nyatas tvag-udaram sravanam kutascit
        ghrano 'nyatas capala-drk kva ca karma-saktir
        bahvyah sapatnya iva geha-patim lunanti

Sri Prahladasya

A game of misfortune: an adverse mentality in the heart aspiring to serve Krsna -

jihva tane rasa prati upastha kadarthe, udara bhojane tane visama anarthe

carmma tane sayadite, sravana kathaya, ghrana tane surabhite, caksu drsye yaya

karmendriya karme sane, bahu-patni yatha, grha-pati akarsaya mora mana tatha

e mata avastha mora sri-nandanandana, ki rupe tomara lila kariba smarana

(Bengali poem by Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura)

"Dragged by tongue towards a taste, by genital to perversion;

needlessly the belly craves lavish food consumption.

The skin demands luxurious comforts, the ear demands sweet talks;

the nose demands sweet fragrance, as the eye for scenery looks.

Like a man with many wives, splayed by their demands -

thus the mind is dragged by the senses' commands.

O dear son of Nanda, this is my situation;

		how will Your sweet pastimes be my heart's contemplation?"
							(Bengali verse translation)

8.7
purusottama-seva-prarthino bhaktasya nija-lajjakarayogyata-nivedanam -
mat-tulyo nasti papatma, naparadhi ca kascana
parihare 'pi lajja me, kim bruve purusottama

kasyacit

The regretful submission of incompetence by the devotee who aspires for the service of the Supreme Person -
"There is no parallel to my sinful, criminal life. Everything that can be conceived of as bad is found in me. O Supreme Lord, I am even ashamed to come before You to petition, 'please forgive my offenses.' What more can I say than this?"

- votary

8.8
mangalamaya-bhagavan-namabhase papinam atma-dhikkarah -
kva caham kitavah papo, brahma-ghno nirapatrapah
kva ca narayanety etad, bhagavan-nama mangalam

Ajamilasya

The sinful revile themselves when they are exposed to a mere facsimile of the all-auspicious holy name of the Lord (namabhasa) -
"Who am I? A cheater, a sinner, a defiler of my brahminical status, a shameless wretch. What is my position in comparison to this holy name of the Lord, 'Narayana,' the embodiment of all auspiciousness?"

Ajamila

8.9
sri-bhagavat-krpodaye brahma-bandhunam daridryam api na badhakam -
kvaham daridrah papiyan, kva krsnah sri-niketanah
brahma-bandhur iti smaham, bahubhyam parirambhitah

Sri Sudamnah

The Lord's mercy does not consider the disqualification of even a fallen brahmana -
"I am the most sinful and destitute, so who am I compared to Krsna, the shelter of the Goddess of Fortune? He knew I was the unqualified son of a brahmana, but nonetheless He embraced me. Indeed, this is most astonishing."

Sri Sudama

8.10
vidhatur api hari-sambandhi-pasvadi-janma-prarthana -
        tad astu me natha sa bhuri-bhago
        bhave 'tra vanyatra tu va tirascam
        yenaham eko 'pi bhavaj-jananam
        bhutva niseve tava pada-pallavam

					Sri Brahmanah
					- Lord Brahma

Even the universal creator, Brahma, prays to be born as an animal or a bird, if that is conducive to the service of Lord Hari -

ei brahma janmei va anya kona bhave, pasu-paksi haye janmi tomara vibhave
ei matra asa tava bhakta-gana-sange, thaki tava pada-seva hari nana range

(Bengah verse by Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

"In this life as Lord Brahma, or in any other place,

if I'm born as beast or bird, that will be Your grace:

my only aspiration is to be with Your servants,

		and in Your pastimes serve Your feet, as one of Your attendants."
								(Bengali verse translation)

8.11
ananya-saranesu mrgesv api bhagavat-krpa -
        kim citram acyuta tavaitad asesa-bandho
        dasesv ananya-saranesu yad atma-sattvam
        yo 'rocayat saha mrgaih svayam isvaranam
        srimat-kirita-tata-pidita-pada-pithah

Srimad Uddhavasya

The Lord is merciful upon even the animals who have exclusively surrendered unto Him -
"O Lord Krsna, friend of all, in Your form of Lord Rama, even when the tips of the magnificent crowns of the great gods headed by Lord Brahma were subjugated before Your lotus feet, You simply showed Your affection for the monkeys. Thus it is no wonder that You are seen to be subordinate to Your exclusive servitors such as Nanda Maharaja, the Gopis, Bali, and others."

Sri Uddhava

8.12
bhagavat-krpopalabdha-mahatmyasya tat kainkarya-prarthanapi auddhatyavad eva pratiyate -
        dhig asucim avinitam nirdayam mam alajjam
        parama-purusa yo 'ham yogi-varyagraganyaih
        vidhi-siva-sanakadyair dhyatum atyanta-duram
        tava parijana-bhavam kamaye kama-vrttah

Sri Yamunacaryasya

Even to pray for the Lord's servitorship is felt as an impertinence, when the glory of the Lord is realized by His mercy -
"Fie on me - an impure, impertinent, hard-hearted, and shameless fellow. O Supreme Personality, simply governed by my whims do I dare to aspire for Your servitorship, a position practically inconceivable to great, powerful personalities like Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, and the four Kumaras."

Sri Yamunacarya

8.13
upalabdha-sva-dosa-sahasrasyapi tac carana-paricarya-lobho 'py avaryamanah -         amaryadah ksudras calamatir asaya-prasavabhuh
        krtaghno durmani smara-paravaso vancana-parah
        nrsamsah papisthah katham aham ito duhkha-jaladher
        aparad uttirnas tava paricareyam caranayoh

Sri Yamumcaryasya

Despite thousands of personal defects, a devotee can never check his desire for the Lord's service -
        "Uncultured, mean, fickle-minded, envious, ungrateful, proud, subservient to lust, deceitful, hard-hearted, and sinful am I. O Lord, how will I ever be able to cross this insurmountable ocean of misery and attain to the service of Your lotus feet?"
        Sri Yamunacarya

8.14
prapannasya prapatti-samanya-krpayam api nijayogyata-pratitih -
        nanu prayatnah sakrd eva natha
        tavaham asmiti ca yacamanah
        tavanukampyah smaratah pratijnam
        mad eka varjjam kim idam vratante

Sri Yamunacaryasya

Although the Lord is naturally gracious upon the surrendered soul, the surrendered soul considers himself unfit to receive that grace -
"O Lord, one who keeps Your pledge in mind and wholly surrenders unto You, declaring, 'I am Yours alone,' is a fit recipient for Your grace. Is it only I who am not included in Your promise?"

Sri Yamunacarya

8.15
suspasta-dainyenatma-vijnaptih -
        na ninditam karma tad asti loke
        sahasraso yan na maya vyadhayi
        so 'ham vipakavasare mukunda
        krandami sampraty agatis tavagre

Sri Yamunacaryasya

Heartfelt petition in stark humility -
"O Mukunda, there is no offensive activity in this world that I have not performed thousands of times. Now, finally, I have no alternative but to simply weep before You."

Sri Yamunacarya

8.16
asima-krpasya krpayah sesa-simantargatam atmanam anubhavati -
        nimajjato 'nanta bhavarnavantas
        ciraya me kulam ivasi labdhah
        tvayapi labdham bhagavann idanim
        anuttamam patram idam dayayah

Sri Yamunacaryasya

The realization of feeling oneself to be situated on the outer limit of the unlimitedly merciful Lord's mercy -
"O Lord, I was drowning in the fathomless, endless ocean of material existence, and now, after immeasurable time, I have reached the shore - Your Divine Self. And You also have finally obtained the most fit recipient for Your mercy."

Sri Yamunacarya

8.17
bhagavad-bhaktasya svasmin dinatva-buddhir eva svabhaviki, na tu bhaktatva-buddhih -
dinabandhur iti nama te smaran, yadavendra patito 'ham utsahe
bhakta-vatsalataya tvayi srute, mamakam hrdayam asu kampate

Jagannathasya

A devotee of the Lord naturally considers himself to be lowly, and never does he consider himself a devotee -
"O Yadavendra, when I think of Your name, Dinabandhu - friend of the fallen, I, who am afallen, feel encouraged. But hearing that You are Bhaktavatsala - affectionate to the devotees, my heart suddenly trembles."

Jagannatha

8.18
siva-virincy-adi-deva-sevya svasambandha-lesasambhavanaya nairasyam -
stavakas tava caturmukhadayo, bhavaka hi bhagavan bhavadayah
sevakah sata-makhadayah sura, vasudeva yadi ke tada vayam

Dhananjayasya

A devotee feels disappointed in the improbability of his ever having a slight relationship with the Supreme Lord who is worshippable by the great gods headed by Lord Siva and Lord Brahma -
"O Lord, the demigods headed by four-headed Lord Brahma are engaged in offering their worshipful prayers unto You; the demigods headed by five-headed Lord Siva are absorbed in meditation upon You; and the demigods headed by Lord Indra, the performer of a hundred sacrifices, are Your order carriers. O Lord Vasudeva, who then, are we to You?"

Dhananjaya

8.19
gauravatarasyaty-utkrsta-phala-datvam-aty-audaryatvan ca vilokya tatrati-lobhatvad-atmany-ati-vancitatva-bodhah -
vancito 'smi vancito 'smi, vancito 'smi na samsayah
visvam gaura-rase magnam, sparso 'pi mama nabhavat

Sri Prabodhanandapadanam

Seeing the Lord's most munificent descent as Sri Gauranga who is the bestower of the paramount gift of love divine, the devotee, feeling insatiable desire for the mercy of this Lord, considers himself to be drastically deceived -
"Deceived, deceived, no doubt, deceived am I! The whole universe became flooded with the love of Sri Gauranga, but alas, my fate was not to get even the slightest touch of it."

Sri Prabodhananda Saraswati

8.20
sri-gaura-seva-rasa-grdhnu-janasya tad aprapty asankaya khedoktih -
        adarsaniyan api nica-jatin
        samviksate hanta tathapi no mam
        mad-eka-varjjam krpayisyatiti
        nirniya kim so 'vatatara devah

Sri Prataparudrasya

The lament of one deeply aspiring for the service of Sri Gaurahari, in the apprehension of not attaining that service -
"He casts His merciful glance upon even low-born persons who are unfit to be seen; yet He will not grant me His audience. Has the Lord (Sri Caitanyadeva) made His advent deciding that He will give His grace to all but me?"

Sri Pratapa Rudra

8.21
premamaya-svanathati-vadanyatopalabdhes tan nitya-parsadasya dainyoktih -
bhavabdhim dustaram yasya, dayaya sukham uttaret
bharakrantah kharo 'py esa, tam sri-caitanyam asraye

Sri Sanatanapadanam

Realizing his loving Lord's extreme magnanimity, deep humility is expressed by the intimate servitor of the Lord -
"Even this overburdened ass takes shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose grace the formidable ocean of material existence can be crossed very easily."

Sri Sanatana Goswami

8.22
maha-prema-piyusa-bindu-prarthinah svadainyanubhutih -
prasarita-mahaprema-, piyusa-rasa-sagare
caitanya-candre prakate, yo dino dina eva sah

Sri Prabodhanandapadanam

One who begs for a drop of the nectar of divine love supreme perceives his own destitution -
"Now that Sri Caitanyacandra - the unlimitedly expansive ocean of the joy of divine love supreme - has made His gracious advent, anyone who remains destitute is surely a genuine pauper."

Sri Prabodhananda Saraswati

8.23
vipralambha-rasasritasya parama-siddhasyapi viraha-duhkhe hrdayodghatanam -
ayi dina-dayardra-natha he, mathura-natha kadavalokyase
hrdayam tvad-aloka-kataram dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham

Sri Madhavendra Puripadanam

The heart's eruption in the sorrow of separation, even for one who has achieved the ultimate perfection of love in separation -
"O gentle-hearted Lord, ever-gracious upon the destitute, O Lord of Mathura, when shall I see You again? In Your absence my broken heart trembles. Beloved! what shall I do now?"

Sri Madhavendra Puri

8.24
sri-krsna-virahe asahayavat svanatha-karunakarsanam -
        amuny adhanyani dinantarani
        hare tvad alokanam antarena
        anatha-bandho karunaika-sindho
        ha hanta ha hanta katham nayami

Sri Bilvamangalasya

A devotee in separation of Krsna helplessly draws the grace of the
Lord of his life -
"O Hari, O guardian of the shelterless, O one and only ocean of mercy, how will I pass my unblest days and nights without a glimpse of You?"

Sri Bilvamangala Thakura

8.25
vrajendranandana-virahe taj-jivitesvaryah svayam-rupaya api dasivat karpanyam -
ha natha ramana prestha, kvasi kvasi maha-bhuja
dasyas te krpanaya me, sakhe darsaya sannidhim

Sri Radhikayah

Like a maidservant, even Sri Radhika, the heroine of the son of King Nanda, humbly petitions the Lord in His separation -
"O Lord, my loving consort and dearmost hero, where are You? I am Your poor maidservant, please come to Me."

Srimati Radharani

8.26
vipralambhe sri-krsna-vallabhanam api grhasaktavad dainyoktih -
        ahus ca te nalina-nabha padaravindam
        yogesvarair hrdi vicintyam agadha-bodhaih
        samsara-kupa-patitottaranavalambam
        geham jusam api manasy udiyat sada nah

Sri Gopikanam

Like persons attached to hearth and home, even the Gopis, the damsels beloved of Lord Sri Krsna, humbly petition the Lord in His separation -
"O lotus-navelled one, Your lotus feet, eternally held as the object of meditation within the hearts of the greatest yogis of profound intellect, are the only resort for delivering those souls fallen into the well of material life. May those holy lotus feet graciously appear within the hearts of we ordinary household ladies."

- the Gopis

8.27
viraha-kataro bhakta atmanam aty-asahayam manyate -
gato yamo gatau yamau, gata yama gatam dinam
ha hanta kim karisyami, na pasyami harer mukham

Sankarasya

A devotee afflicted in separation feels himself to be drastically helpless -
"Three hours have passed, six hours have passed, nine hours have passed, a whole day has passed . . . alas, alas, what shall I do? I could not catch a glimpse of the lotus face of Sri Hari!"

Sankara

8.28
govinda-virahe sarva-sunyataya aty-anathavad-dirgha-duhkha-bodha-
rupa-prema-cesta -
yugayitam nimesena, caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam, govinda-virahena me

Sri Sri Bhagavatas Caitanyacandrasya

Because everything appears vacant in the separation of Sri Krsna, divine love's attempt becomes prolonged sorrow in desperate shelterlessness -
        "O Govinda, my every moment seems to be a great millennium. Tears flow from my eyes like torrents of rain, and the whole world seems empty in the absence of You."
        - the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyacandra

8.29
sri-krsnaika-vallabhayas tad virahe anubhutakhila-prana-cesta-vyarthataya deha-yatra-nirvahasyapi lajjakara-socya-vyavaharavat pratitih -
        sri-krsna-rupadi-nisevanam vina
        vyarthani me 'hany akhilendriyany alam
        pasana-suskendhana bharakany aho
        vibharmi va tani katham hata-trapah

kesancit

When, in His separation, Krsna's faithful sweetheart realizes Her whole urge for living has been thwarted, even to maintain her body is felt to be a shamefully lamentable task -
"My dear companion, without the service of Sri Krsna's divine form, nature, and pastimes, all my senses have become senseless. Now, how will I be able to shamelessly bear the burden of these wood-like, stone-like senses?"

- revered votary

8.30
ati-vipralambhe jivita-pranayinya rodanam api nija-dambha-matratvena pratiyate -         yasyamiti samudyatasya vacanam visrabdham akarnitam
        gacchan duram upeksito muhur asau vyavrtya pasyann api
        tac chunye punar agatasmi bhavane pranas ta eva sthitah
        sakhyah pasyata jivita-pranayini dambhad aham rodimi

Rudrasya

His sweetheart who lives despite intensely feeling His separation thinks that even Her tears are only due to Her pride -
"When He was about to leave, He said, 'I am going.' I heard His words without a care. As He left, from afar He glanced back again and again, but I paid no attention. Now, upon returning to my house which is bereft of Krsna, I am still living - O my friends! see how I cry out of the pride of being the love of His life . . ."

Rudra

8.31
labdha-sri-krsna-prema-parakasthasya pratiksana-vardhamana-tad-asvadana-lolupataya tad-apraptivat pratitih; tatra sri-krsna-premnastu sarvocca-saubhagyakara-parama- sudurllabha-pumarthatvan ca sucitam -
        na prema-gandho 'sti darapi me harau
        krandami saubhagya-bharam prakasitum
        vamsi-vilasy-anana-lokanam vina
        vibharmi yat prana-patangakan vrtha

Sri Sri Bhagavatas Caitanyacandrasya

A person who has attained to the acme of love for Krsna appears as one bereft of that love, due to the moment by moment growing insatiable desire to taste it; this indicates love for Krsna to be the bestower of the supreme fortune, and the most rarely attained goal of life -
"O My companion, I do not have the slightest scent of love for Krsna - and yet, I cry. This is only for the purpose of exhibiting my great fortune. Without seeing the lovely face of Krsna playing His flute, I worthlessly pass My days, like an insignificant insect."

- the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyacandra

iti sri-prapanna-jivanamrte
sri-bhakta-vacanamrtantargatam
karpanyam nama astamo 'dhyayah

thus ends the eighth chapter
Surrender in Humility - Words of Nectar from the Devotees
in
Life-Nectar of the Surrendered Souls
Positive and Progressive Immortality

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