The Gopis Counsel Radha
Gita Govinda, Buler/Basholi, c. 1730
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura's
Sri Prema-bhakti-candrika
(The Moonlight of Loving Devotion)
Table of Contents
Song 1 sri guru carana padma, kebala bhakati sadma page 2
Song 2 anya abhilasa chadi, jnana karma parihari page 4
Song 3 tumi ta dayara sindhu, adhama janera bandhu page 8
Song 4 ana katha ana byatha, nahi jena jai tatha page 10
Song 5 ragera bhajana patha, kahi ebe abhimata page 12
Song 6 jugala carana prati, parama ananda tati page 14
Song 7 Radha krsna karon dhyana, swapane na bala page 18
Song 8 bacanera agocara, brndabana dhama bara page 20
Song 9 ana katha na suniba, ana katha na baliba page 23
Introduction
1 om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurava namah
I was born in the darkest of ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.*
2 sri-caitanya-mano bhistam
sthapitam yena bhutale
svayam rupah kada mahyam
dadati sva-padantikam
When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfil the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet.*
3 akhila-rasamrta-murtih
prasrmara-ruci-ruddha-taraka-palih
kalita-syama-lalito
radha-preyan vidhur jayati
Let Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, be glorified! By virtue of His expanding attractive features, He subjugated the gopis named Taraka and Pali and absorbed Syama and Lalita. He is the most attractive lover of Srimati Radharani and is the reservoir of pleasure for all devotional mellows.*
Song 1
sri-guru-carana-padma, kebala-bhakati-sadma
bando mui sabadhana mate
jahara prasade bhai, ei bhava toriy a jai
krsna-prapti hoy jaha hate
To the lotus feet of my spiritual master, which are the abode of pure devotional service, I who am very fallen bow down with great care and attention in my heart. O brother, crossing the realm of repeated birth and death by his mercy, we will attain Krsna.
2 guru-mukha-padma-bakya, cittete koriba aikya,
ar na koriho mane asa
sri-guru-carane rati, ei sei uttam-gati
je prasade pure sarba asa
I will make the words from my spiritual master's lotus mouth one with my heart. I do not want the desire for any other thing to stay in my heart. Love for the spiritual master's lotus feet is the highest goal. By his mercy all desires are fulfilled.
3 cakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
dibya-jnan hrde prokasito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, abidya binasa jate
bede gay jahara carito
He who gave me eyes to see is my lord, birth after birth. He made divine knowledge shine in my heart. From him has come prema-bhakti, which destroys ignorance. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
4 sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu
lokanath lokera jibana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho mora pada-chaya
ebe jasa ghusuk tribhuvana
O spiritual master, O ocean of mercy, O friend of the fallen, O Lokanatha, O life of the world, O master, be merciful to me. Give me the shade of your feet. May your glories be proclaimed in the three worlds.
5 baisnaba-carana-renu bhusana kariya tanu
jaha haite anubhaba haya
marjana haya bhajana sadhu-sange anuksana
ajnana-abidya-parajaya
By making the dust of the Vaisnavas' feet the ornament of my body, ecstatic love comes. Washing the Vaisnavas' lotus feet is my method of worship. By always associating with the Vaisnavas, I shall overcome the darkness of ignorance.
6 jaya sanatana rupa prema-bhakti-rasa-kupa
jugala-ujjwala-rasa-tanu
janhara prasade loka pasarila saba soka
parakatala kalpa-taru janu
O Srila Sanatana Gosvami and Srila Rupa Gosvami, who are two deep wells of the nectar of pure love, two personifications of the splendid nectar of the Divine Couple, and two desire trees by whose mercy the entire world is free from suffering, all glories to you!
7 prema-bhakti-riti jata nija-granthe su-byakata
kariyachena dui mahasaya
jahara srabana haite parananda haya cite
jugala-madhura-rasasraya
In your books you two great souls clearly described prema-bhakti. You are reservoirs of the sweet nectar of the Divine Couple. Hearing about you brings bliss to the heart.
8 jugala-kisora-prema jini' laksa bana hema
hena dhana prakasila janra
jaya rupa sanatana deha' more sei dhana
sei ratana mora gela hara
You are fabulously wealthy, possessing ecstatic love for the youthful Divine Couple, a love more precious than gold purified in ten thousand flames. O Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami, all glories to you! I beg you, please give me in charity some of these jewel necklaces.
9 bhagabata-sastra-marma naba-bidha bhakti-dharma
sadai kariba su-sebana
anya-devasraya nai tomare kahinu bhai
ei bhakti parama-bhajana
I shall eternally engage in the nine-fold process of devotional service, which is the essential message of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and I shall not worship the demigods. O brother, I say to you: Devotional service is the most exalted kind of worship.
10 sadhu-sastra-guru-bakya cittete kariya aikya
satata bhasiba prema-majhe
karmi jnani bhakti-hina ihare karibe bhina
narottama ei tattwa gaje
Making the words of the guru, sadhus and sastras one with my heart, I constantly float and swim in the ocean of pure love. I am different from the karmis and jnanis, who have no devotion for Krsna. Narottama speaks the truth.
Invocation
srimad-rupa-gosvami-prabhupadenoktam
anyabhilasita-sunyam
jnana-karmady-anavrtam
anukuleyna krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama
Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada has said (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11)
"Uttama bhakti, or unalloyed devotion unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, involves the rendering of devotional service in a way that is favourable to the Lord. This devotional service should be free from any extraneous motive and devoid of fruitive karma, impersonal jnana and all other selfish desires."*
1 anya-abhilasa chadi jnana karma parihari
kaya mane kariba bhajana
sadhu-sange krsna-seba na pujiba devi-deva
ei bhakti parama-karana
Rejecting all other desires, and abandoning philosophical speculation and fruitive work, in the company of the devotees I will worship and serve Lord Krsna with my body and mind. I will not worship the demigods and demigoddesses. Devotional service is the reason for my life.
2 maha janera jei patha tate habe anurata
purbapara kariya bicara
sadhana-smarana-lila ihate na kara hela
kaya mane kariya susara
Devotedly follow the path of the great devotees in the past. Properly using your body and mind, don't neglect either the regulative devotional practices or the remembrance of the Lord's pastimes.
3 asat-sanga sada tyaga chada anya gita-raga
karmi jnani parihari dure
kebala bhakata-sanga prema-katha-rasa-ranga
lila-katha braja-rasa-pure
Always reject the company of the impious. Give up attraction to non-devotional songs. Leave the karmis and jnanis far away. Only associate with the devotees. Take pleasure in hearing the nectar descriptions of pure love for Krsna. Become flooded by the nectar of the narrations of the Lord's pastimes in Vraja.
4 jogi nyasi karmi jnani anya-debata-pu jaka dhyani
iha-loke dure parihari
karma dharma duhkha soka jeba thake anya joga
chadi bhaja giribara-dhari
Putting the yogis, svamis, karmis, jnanis, demigod-worshippers, and meditators far away, and rejecting the torments that are fruitive work, ordinary religion, and the other yogas, worship Lord Giridhari.
5 tirtha-jatra parisrama kebala manera bhrama
sarba-siddhi gobinda-carana
drdha-biswasa hrde dhari mada-matsar ja parihari
sada kara ananya bhajana
The struggle to travel to various holy pilgrimage places is simply the mind's mistake, because to make spiritual advancement all one actually needs is the lotus feet of Lord Govinda. Abandoning pride and envy, and with firm faith in your heart, always worship Lord Govinda without deviation.
6 krsna-bhakta sanga kari krsna-bhakta anga heri
sraddhanbita srabana-kirtana
arcana bandana dhyana naba-bhakti maha-jnana
ei bhakti parama-karana
See the devotees of Lord Krsna, associate with the devotees of Lord Krsna. Faithfully engage in the nine-fold process of devotional service, which includes hearing about the Lord, chanting His glories, worshipping Him, offering obeisances to Him, and remembering Him. Following these activities enlightens the devotees with spiritual knowledge.
7 hrsike gobinda-seba na pujiba devi-deva
ei ta ananya-bhakti-katha
ara jata upalambha bisesa sakali dambha
dekhite lagaye mane byatha
I shall use these senses to serve Lord Govinda, and I shall decline to worship the various demigods and demigoddesses. I shall only speak about pure devotional service. The numberless different philosophies and conceptions of life are all products of the conditioned soul's pride. Trying to understand them brings no real benefit but only a pain within the mind.
8 dehe baise ripu-gana jateka indriya-gana
keha kara badhya nahi haya
sunile na suna kana janile na jane prana
drdhaite na pare niscaya
The insubordinate senses are like enemies that live within the body. Tell the ear to hear and it may rebel, refusing to hear. Tell the mind to understand a particular point, or become firm in a certain way, and it may very well disobey.
9 kama krodha moha lobha mada matsar ja dambha-saha
sthane sthane ni jukta kariba
ananda kari hrdaya ripu kari parajaya
anayase gobinda bhajiba
I shall fight with lust, anger, bewilderment, greed, madness, envy and pride. Defeating them, I will become blissful at heart, and I will easily become able to worship Lord Govinda.
10 kama krsna-karmarpane krodha bhakta-dwesis-jane
lobha sadhu-sange hari-katha
moha ista-lablha-bine mada krsna-guna-gane
nijukta kariba jatha tatha
Lust I will engage in offering the fruits of my work to Lord Krsna. Anger I will direct towards the enemies of the devotees. Greed I will engage by being greedy to hear the topics of Lord Hari in the association of the saintly devotees. Bewilderment will be manifested because I cannot immediately attain my worshipable Lord. Madness will be there when I madly glorify the transcendental attributes of Lord Krsna. In this way I will engage each of these in the service of Lord Krsna.
11 anyatha swatanta kama anrthadi jara dhama
bhakti-patha sada deya bhanga
kiba ba karite pare kama-krodha sadhakere
jadi haya sadhu-janara sanga
If lust is not controlled, then it becomes the breeding ground for a host of vices and checks one's advancement on the path of devotional service. However, if one stays in the association of the saintly devotees, then that association will carry him beyond the influence of lust, anger, and their friends.
12 krodha ba na kare kiba krodha-tyaga sada diba
lobha moha ei ta kathana
chaya ripu sada hina kariba manera adhina
krsnacandra kariya smarana
I shall not become angry. I shall renounce anger. I shall become free from my six enemies, such as greed and bewilderment. I shall control my mind, and always remember Lord Krsnacandra.
13 apani palabe saba suniya gobinda raba
simha-raba jena kari-gana
sakala vipatti jabe mahananda sukha pabe
jara haya ekanta bhajana
When lust and his friends hear the word "Govinda" they immediately begin to flee, as a herd of elephants flees when it hears a lion's roar. If one engages in single-pointed devotional service to Lord Krsna, then the worshipper attains transcendental bliss, and all kinds of calamities flee from him.
14 na kariba asat-cesta labha puja pratistha
sada cinta gobinda-carana
sakala santapa jabe parananda sukha pabe
prema-bhakti parama-karana
Don't sin. Take no interest in profit, adoration, and distinction. Instead meditate on the lotus feet of Lord Govinda. In this way all sufferings will go far away and transcendental bliss and pure love for Lord Krsna will spontaneously come.
15 asat-sanga kutinati chada anya paripati
anya debe na hariha rati
apana apana sthane piriti sabai tane
bhakti-pathe padaye bigati
Give up the association of the impious non-devotees. Give up the tendency to find fault in others. Don't follow any spiritual path other than devotional service. Don't worship the demigods. If one takes to the worship of the demigods, he becomes deviated from the path of devotional service.
16 apana bhajana-pantha taha habe anurata
ista-deva-sthane-lila-gane
naisthika bhajana ei tomare kahila bhai
hanuman tahate pramana
O brother, please become attached to your worshipable Lord alone. Serve Him without deviation and sing the glories of His pastimes. I will now quote the words of Hanuman, who demonstrates this exclusive devotion to one's worshipable Deity. Hanuman said:
17 srinathe janaki-nathe
abhedah paramatmani
tathapi mama sarvasvam
ramah kamala-locanah
Although He is not different from Lord Narayana, lotus-eyed Lord Rama alone is the be-all and end-all of my life.
18 devaloka pitrloka paya tara maha-sukha
sadhu sadhu bale anuksana
jugala bhajaye jara premanande bhase tara
tandera nichani tri-bhubana
If one attains the planets of the demigods or Pitas and enjoys celestial happiness there, then I congratulate him, saying: well done, well done. However, I myself would never strive to attain such a thing. For myself I am content simply to worship the Divine Couple and swim and float in the bliss of pure love for Them. This pure love is the most valuable object in the three worlds.
19 prthak ayasa-joge duhkamaya-bisaya-bhoge
braje basa gobinda-sebana
krsna-katha krsna-nama satya-satya rasa-dhama
braja-jane-sange anuksana
Although I have taken great trouble to try to enjoy the miserable sense-gratification available in this world, I shall now give it up. I shall now reside in Vraja, serve Lord Govinda, hear and chant the topics of Lord Krsna, chant the holy names of Lord Krsna, and at every moment relish the transcendental mellows of devotional service in the association of the residents of Vraja.
20 sada seba-abhilasa manete kari biswasa
sada-kala haiya nirbhaya
narottama dasa bole padinu asat-bhole
paritrana kara mahasaya
I shall always aspire to serve the Lord, and great faith in the Lord will become manifested in my mind. In this way I shall remain always fearless in all situations. Narottama dasa says: Somehow or other I have accepted the role of a non-devotee. O my master, O great soul, please deliver me.
1 tumi ta dayara sindhu adhama-janera bandhu
more prabhu kara abadhana
padinu asat-bhole kama-timingile gile
ohe natha kara paritrana
O Lord, You are an ocean of mercy. You are the friend of the fallen souls. Please notice me. I have become like a non devotee, swallowed by the timingila fish of lust. O Lord, please protect me.
2 javat janama mora aparadhe hainu bhora
niskapate na bhajinu toma
tathapi ha tumi gat na chadiha prana-pati
mora sama nahika adhama
In every birth I repeatedly offended You. In every birth I failed to worship You sincerely. No one is as fallen as I. Nevertheless, You are the only goal of my life. O Lord of my life, please do not abandon me.
3 patita-pabana nama ghosana tomara syama
upekhile nahi mora gati
jadi hana aparadhi tathapiha tumi gati
satya satya jena satyira pati
O Lord, You are known as Patita-pavana, the deliverer of the fallen, and You are also known as Syamasundara. Please do not ignore my appeal. Even if I am an offender, I think that You are the real goal of life. That is the truth.
4 tumi ta parama deba nahi more upekhiba
suna suna pranera iswara
jadi karon aparaadha tathapiha tumi natha
seba diya kara anucara
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, please do not neglect me. O master of my life, please hear my words. Even if I have committed offenses to You, I always think of You as my master. Please allow me to serve You as Your associate and follower.
5 kame mora hata cita nahi jane ni ja hita
manera na ghuce durbasana
more natha angikuru tumi bancha-kalpa-taru
karuna dekhuka sarba-jana
Lust has destroyed my mind. I do not know what is actually beneficial for me. O Lord, You glance mercifully on all living entities and You are like a desire tree fulfilling the desires of everyone. Please accept me as Your servant.
6 mo-sama patita nai tribhuvane dekha cai
narottama-pavana nama dhara
ghusuka samsare nama patita-uddhara syama
nija-dasa kara giridhara
O Lord, You will not see anyone in these three planetary systems who is as fallen as I. O Lord, please accept the name "Narottama-pavana" (the deliverer of Narottama), and let that name be broadcast throughout the material world. O Lord Syamasundara, O lifter of Govardhana Hill, O deliverer of the fallen, please accept me as Your servant.
7 narottama bada duhkhi natha more kara sukhi
tomara bhajana sankirtane
antaraya nahi jaya ei sei parama bhaya
nivedana kari anuksana
Narottama dasa is very unhappy. O Lord please engage him in Your sankirtana movement and thus make him happy. O Lord, I am very afraid that I will not be able to overcome the many obstacles that stop every me from advancing in devotional service. O Lord, at every moment I beg You to remove all those obstacles.
1 ana katha ana byatha nahi jena jai tatha
tomara carana smrti-majhe
abirata abhikala tuya guna kala-kala
gai jena satera samaje
O Lord, I do not perform the painful activity of talking about anything other than You, but instead I only talk and think about Your lotus feet. O Lord, I constantly and without deviation glorify Your transcendental attributes in the assembly of devotees.
2 anya-brata anya-dana nahi karon bastu-jnana
anya-seba any-deba-puja
ha ha krsna bali bali bedara ananda kari
mane ara nahe jena duja
I shall not perform any vows not related to You. I shall not give in charity except as a service to You. I shall not acquire knowledge except to serve You. I shall not worship the demigods. I shall not serve anyone except You. I shall blissfully wander about repeatedly calling out: "O Krsna! O Krsna!" No one but You will stay in my mind.
3 jibane marane gati radha-krsna prana-rati
donhara piriti-rasa-sukhe
jugala bhajaye janra premanande bhase tanra
ei katha rahu mora buke
During the life of this body and after its death, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna will always remain my goal, and the two master's of my life's breath. I worship the Divine Couple and I swim and float in the nectarean ocean of love for Them. I pray that the description of Their forms, qualities, and pastimes may always remain within my heart.
4 jugala-carana-seba ei dana mora diba
jugalete manera piriti
jugala-kisora-rupa kama-rati guna-bhupa
mane bahu o lila-piriti
Please give me the service of the lotus feet of the Divine Couple. Please give this charity to me. My mind is filled with love for the Divine Couple, whose youthful forms are like the beautiful forms of King Kamadeva and his queen Rati.
5 dasanete trna kari ha ha kisora-kisori
caranabje nibedana kari
braja-raja-suta syama brsabhanu-suta nama
sri-radhika-nama manohari
I place a straw between my teeth, and place the following appeal before the lotus feet of the Divine Couple: O Sri Sri Kisora-Kisori, O Lord Syamasundara, O prince of Vraja, O beautiful girl name Sri Radhika, O daughter of Maharaja Vrsabhanu.....
6 kanaka-ketaki rati syama marakata taya
kandarpa-darapa karu cura
nata-bara-siromani natinira sikharini
dunhu-gune dunhun-mana jhura
....O Srimati Radharani, as beautiful as a golden ketaki flower. O Lord Syamasundara, as splendid as a blue sapphire, O Lords whose transcendental glory crushes Kamadeva's pride into fine powder, O two crest-jewels of all expert dancers, please allow my mind to remain rapt in thinking of Your transcendental qualities.
7 abharana manimaya prati ange abhinaya
tachu paye narottama kahe
diba nisi guna gana parama ananda pana
mane ei abhilasa haya
O Lords whose limbs are decorated with many jewel ornaments, Narottama dasa approaches Your lotus feet and says: My Lords, I wish that I may attain transcendental bliss by singing the glories of Your transcendental qualities both day and night. That is my mind's desire.
1 ragera bhajana-patha kahi ebe abhimata
loka-beda-sara ei bani
sakhira anuga hana braje siddha-deha pana
ei bhabe judabe parani
I shall now describe the path of spontaneous love for Krsna, which is glorified by the exalted devotees and the Vedic literatures. By traversing this path of spontaneous love one becomes a follower of the gopis and attains the perfect spiritual body of a liberated soul.
2-3 sri-radhikara sakhi jata taha ba kahiba kata
mukhya sakhi kariye ganana
lalita bisakha tatha sucitra campakalata
rangadevi sudevi kathana
tungabidya indurekha ei asta-sakhi lekha
ei kahi narma -sakhi gana
ihon seba-shacari priya-prestha nama dhari
prema-seba kare anuksana
I shall now describe the most important of Srimati Radharani's gopi-friends. Lalita, Visakha, Sucitra, Campakalata, Rangadevi, Sudevi, Tungavidya, and Indulekha, are the eight most important gopi friends of Srimati Radharani. Her other gopi-friends are divided into groups: the narma-sakhis, priya-sakhis, and prestha-sakhis. All these gopis constantly render loving service to Srimati Radharani.
4 sri rupa-manjari ara sri-rati-manjari sara
labanga-manjari manjunali
sri-rasa-manjari-sange kasturika-adi range
prema-seba kare kutuhali
Sri Rupa-manjari, Sri Rati-manjari, Lavanga-manjari, Manjunali, and Sri Rasa-manjari eagerly and lovingly serve Srimati Radharani, supplying her musk and various other articles.
5 ei-sabara anuga hana prema-seba niba cana
ingite bhujiba saba kaje
rupa guna dagamagi sada haba anuragi
basati kariba sakhi majhe
I am the follower of all these gopis. I shall serve them with great love. I will completely understand their orders, even when couched in casual hints or gestures. I shall become immersed in wonder at their transcendental virtues and beauty, and I shall dearly love them. I shall always remain in their company.
6 brdabane du jana cari-dike cakhi-gana
samayera seba rasa-sukhe
sakhira ingita habe camara dhulaba tabe
tambula jogaba canda-mukhe
Immersed in the happiness of serving the Divine Couple surrounded by Their gopi-friends in Vrndavana, I will understand the gopis' hints, and, taking up the camara wish I will fan the Divine Couple, and after that I will place betel nuts in Their moonlike mouths.
7 jugala-carana sebi nirantara ei bhabi
anurage thakiba sadaya
sadhane bhabiba jaha siddha-dehe paba taha
raga pathera ei sei upaya
Someday I will constantly serve the lotus feet of the Divine Couple with great love. At present I will follow the rules of sadhana-bhakti until I attain a perfected spiritual body and am able to love the Divine Couple spontaneously.
8 sadhane je dhana cai siddha-dehe taha pai
pakwa pakwa matra sei bicara
pakile sei prema-bhakti apakwe sadhana khyati
bhakati-laksana-anusara
That treasure of pure love of God for which I hanker while I follow the regulative practices of sadhana-bhakti, I will attain when I have the spiritual body of a liberated soul. Actually sadhana-bhakti and prema-bhakti are the same devotional service. Sadhana-bhakti is the stage where love for Krsna has not fully ripened yet, and prema-bhakti is the same devotion where love for Krsna has reached the mature, ripened stage. That is the description of devotional service.
9 narottama dasa kahe ei jena mora haye
braja-pure anurage basa
sakhi-gana-gananate amare ganibe tate
tabahun puriba abhilasa
Narottama dasa says: I hope that I may attain the stage of spontaneous love for the Divine Couple in the town of Vraja. I hope that I will be counted among the gopi-friends of the Divine Couple. O Divine Couple,, in this way I will be able to serve You and satisfy all Your desires.
10 tatha hi--
sakhinam sangini-rupam
atmanam vasana-mayim
ajna-seva-param tat-tat-
krpalankara-bhusitam
The stage of prema-bhakti is described in the following statements of Vaisnava literature:
"One should meditate on oneself as being the maidservant of the gopis, and in this way one will attain their mercy."
11 krsnam smaran janam casya
prestham nija-samhitam
tat-tat-katha-ratas casau
kuryad vasam vraje sada
"The devotee should always think of Krsna within himself, and one should choose a very dear devotee who is a servitor of Krsna in Vrndavana. One should constantly engage in topics about that servitor and his loving relationship to Krsna, and one should live in Vrndavana. However, if one is physically unable to go to Vrndavana, he should mentally live there."*
Song 6
1 jugala-carana-prati parama-ananda tati
rati-prema hau para-bandhe
krsna-nama-radha-nama upasana rasa-dhama
carane padiye paranande
Love for the lotus feet of the Divine Couple is the resting place of transcendental bliss. Radha and Krsna's holy names are the reservoir of transcendental sweetness. I happily fall down to offer my respectful obeisances to Radha and Krsna's lotus feet.
2 manera smarana prana madhura madhura nama
bilasa jugala smrti-sara
sadhya sadhana ei ara nai iha bai
ei tattwa sarba-tattwa-sara
The Divine Couple's sweet, sweet holy name is life of the mind's memory. Their pastimes are the best remembering. Remembering Them is both the goal and the way to attain it. That is the truth of all truths. This book is not the only place that it is said.
3 jalada-sundara-kanti madhura madhura bhati
baidagadhi-abadhi subesa
su-pita-basana-dhara abharana mani-bara
mayura-candrika karu kesa
Sri Krsna is splendid like a monsoon cloud, very sweet and charming, expert, gracefully dressed in yellow garments, decorated with jewel ornament, and crowned with a peacock feather placed in His hair.
4 mrgmada su-candana kunkumadi bilepana
mugdha-kari murati tri-bhanga
nabina-kusumabali sri-ange sobhaye bhali
madhu-lobhe phire matta bhrnga
He is decorated with musk, sandal paste, kunkuma, and other fragrances. His three-fold bending form is sweet and charming. His transcendental body is decorated with garlands of flowers so fresh they draw swarms of maddened bumblebees eager for honey.
5 isat madhura-smita baidagadhi-lilamrta
lubadhala braja-badhu-brnda
carana-kamala-para manimaya su-manjira
nakha-mani jini bala-candra
His gentle smile is sweet. He is expert at tasting the nectar of transcendental pastimes. He is surrounded by the amorous girls of Vraja. His lotus feet are decorated with jewel anklets. His toenails eclipse the glory of the crescent moon.
6 nupura-marala-dhwani kula-badhu-maralini
suniya rahite nare ghare
hrdaye barhaye rati jena mile pati sati
kulera dharama jara dure
When they hear the warbling of the male swan that is Krsna's anklets, the female swan gopis can no longer remain peacefully in their homes. Love for Him growing in their hearts, they run, leaving their household duties far behind, to meet Him, their lover.
7 krsna-mukha-dwija-raje sarala-bamsi-biraje
jara dhwani bhubana mataya
srabane patha diya hrdaye prabesa hana
prana adi akarsi anaya
The music of the straight flute placed to Krsna's lips enchants the world. Entering first the ear and then the heart, that music attracts all living beings.
8 gobinda-sebana satya tanhara sebaka nitya
brndabana-bhumi te jomaya
tahate jamuna-jala kare nitya jhalamala
tara tire asta kunja haya
Devotional service to Lord Govinda is eternal. They who serve Him are His servants eternally. The land of Vrndavana is glorious. There the Yamuna's water glitters eternally. Eight forests are on the Yamuna's shore.
9 sitala-kirana-kara kalpa-taru-guna-dhara
taru-lata sad-rtu-seba
purna-candra-sama jyoti cid-ananda-maya murti
mahananda-darsana-lobha
Vrndavana is splendid with cooling moonlight and glorious with kalpa-vrksa trees and kalpa-lata vines blossoming in all six seasons. Full of transcendental bliss and glorious as the full moon, it makes everyone eager to see its blissful form.
10 gobinda anandadamaya nikate banita-caya
bihare madhura ati sobha
dunhu prema dagamagi dunhu donha anuragi
dunhu rupa dunhu manolobha
Surrounded by the gopis and very handsome and charming. Lord Govinda is full of transcendental bliss. The Divine Couple is beautiful, charming and overcome with passionate love.
11 braja-pura-banitara carana asraya sara
kara mana ekanta kariya
anya bola gandu-gola nahi suna utarola
rakha prema hrdaye bhariya
O mind, take shelter of the lotus feet of the Vrajagopis. Don't listen to the useless din of the materialists' words. Fill my heart with pure love for the Divine Couple.
12 krsna prabhu eka-bara karibena angikara
jena mana e satya bacana
dhanya lila brndabana radha-krsna-sri-carana
dhanya sakhi manjirira gana
O mind, just this one time accept Lord Krsna as your supreme master. I tell you the truth. Sri Sri Radha and Krsna's lotus feet are supremely glorious, Their pastimes are glorious, Their land of Vrajapura is glorious, and their friends, the sakhi-gopis and manjari-gopis are glorious.
13 papa-punya-maya deha sakala anitya eha
dhana jana saba micha dhanda
marile jaibe kotha tahate na pao byatha
tabu kar ja kara sada manda
This material body, which one attains because of his previous pious and impious deeds is temporary and the foolish attempt by all conditioned souls to accumulate more and more wealth is a clever trick of the illusory potency maya. When the material body dies, what will happen to all the carefully collected wealth? Where will it go? O mind, don't work day and night with a great struggle simply to collect money. You are so foolish that you constantly work for such a fleeting goal.
14 rajara je rajya-pata jena natujara nata
dekhite dekhite kichu naya
hena maya kare jei parama iswara sei
tanre mana sada kara bhaya
A monarch's kingdom is just like the dramatic performance of an actor: although one sees them, they are never actually real, but only a pretence arranged by the illusory energy maya. O mind, don't pay attention to these false material things. Fix your mind always on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Fear His displeasure. Don't be concerned with other things.
15 pape na kariha mana adhama sei papi-jana
tare mana dure parihari
punyaje sukhera dhama tara na laio nama
punya dui tyaga kari
O mind, don't sin. Stay far away from sinful persons. Don't work to attain material piety, the resting place of material happiness. Don't strive for the false liberation imagined by the impersonalists.
16 prema-bhakti-sudha-nidhi tahe du/ba nirabadhi
ara jata ksara nidhi praya
nirantara sukha pabe sakala santapa jabe
para-tattwa karile upaya
Dive into the shoreless nectar ocean of pure love for Krsna, larger than the largest salt-water ocean. If one swims in that nectar ocean of live for Krsna, Lord Krsna will make all his sufferings disappear, and he will attain endless transcendental bliss.
17 anyera parasa jena nahi haya kadacana
ihate haibe sabadhana
radha-krsna nama gana ei se parama dhyana
ara na kariha paramana
Take great care only to serve the Divine Couple, and don't let any other activity touch you. Know that the chanting of the holy names of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna is the supreme spiritual meditation. Please don't try to raise any objections to this, or try to present evidence confirming any other view.
18 karmi jnani micha-bhakta na habe taya anurakta
suddha-bhajanete kara mana
braja-janera jei mata tahe habe anugata
ei se parama tattwa-dhana
O mind, please engage in pure devotional service, which cannot be followed by the fruitive workers, speculative philosophers, or pseudo-devotees. Just accept that the opinion of the exalted devotees in Vraja is the perfect explanation of the Absolute Truth.
19 prarthana kariba sada suddha-bhave prema-katha
nama-mantre kariya abheda
astika kariya mana bhaja range sri-carane
granthi-papa habe pariccheda
I shall continually offer prayers to the Divine Couple, and I shall describe the pure love of the Lord and His devotees. With my words I shall prove that the Supreme Lord is not different from the chanting of His holy names. O mind, have firm faith in Lord Krsna, and worship the reddish soles of His lotus feet. Do this, and the karmic results of your past sins will be smashed.
20 radha-krsna sri-carana matra paramartha-dhana
sa-jatane hrdayete lao
dunhu nama suni suni bhakta-mukhe puni puni
parama ananda sukha-pana
O mind, please place in my heart Sri Sri Radha Krsna's lotus feet, which are my only treasure. Again and again hear the holy names of the Divine Couple from the mouths of the devotees, and in this way attain transcendental bliss.
21 hema-gaura-tanu rai ankhi darasana cai
rodana karaye abhilase
jaladhara dhara dhara anga ati manohara
rupete bhubana parakase
Srimati Radharani's transcendental form has the splendour of gold. Weeping, I pray to attain the glance of Her lotus eyes. Sri Krsna's handsome form is splendid as a monsoon cloud. From it the entire material cosmos is manifested.
22 sakhi-gana cari-pase seba kare abhilase
parama se sobha-sukha dhare
ei mane asa mora aiche rase hana bhora
narottama sada-i bihare
I yearn to engage in devotional service with the gopis at my four sides. That service is my great happiness. Again and again Narottama says: This is the desire in my heart.
Song 7
1 radha-krsna karon dhyana swapane na bala ana
prema binu ara nahi cana
jugala-kisora-prema jini laksa-bana hema
arati-piriti-rase dhana
Meditate on Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. Don't desire anything else, even in your dreams. The treasure of love for the youthful Divine Couple is more valuable than gold purified in ten thousand flames.
2 jala binu jena mina duhkha paya ayu hina
prema binu ei-mata bhakta
cataka jalada-gati e-mati ekanta-rati
jei jane sei anurakta
As a fish without water suffers and dies, so a devotee perishes without love for the Divine Couple. As a cataka bird carefully follows the clouds, so a devotee loves the Divine Couple.
3 saroja-bhramara jena cakora-candrika tena
pati-brata stri-lokera pati
anyatra na cale mana jena daridrera dhana
ei-mata prema-bhakti-riti
As a bumblebee yearns for lotus flowers, a cakora bird yearns for moonlight, a chaste wife yearns for her husband, and a pauper yearns for money, a devotee yearns to attain love for the Divine Couple.
4 bisaya garala-maya nahe mana sukha-caya
sei na sukha duhkha kari mana
gobinda-bisaya-rasa sanga kara tanra dasa
prema-bhakti satya kari jana
The happiness of the senses is full of poison. Pride does not bring happiness. These things do not bring happiness. They bring only pain. Taste the nectar of serving Lord Govinda. Associate with His devotees. Learn the truth of loving devotional service.
5 madhye madhye ache dusta drsti kari haya rusta
gunahi biguna kari mane
gobinda-bimukha-jane sphurti nahe hena dhane
laukika kariya saba jane
The treasure of divine love does not present itself before the demons, who turn their backs on Lord Govinda, become angry when they see the devotees, and think the devotees are ordinary people.
6 ajnana abhaga jata nahi laya sata-mata
ahankare na jane apane
abhimani bhakti-hina jaga-majhe sei dina
brtha tara asesa bhabana
These unfortunate fools cannot understand the truth. Proud, bewildered by false-ego, and empty of devotion for the Lord, they are the poorest and most wretched people in the world. All their thoughts are empty and without meaning.
7 ara saba parihari parama iswara hari
seba mana prema kari asa
eka-braja-raja-pura gobinda rasika-bara
karaha sadai abhilasa
O mind, renounce everything and desire only to love and serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari. Lord Govinda, the best of they who taste transcendental nectar, stays in King Nanda's house. Desire Him alone.
8 narottama dasa kahe sada mora prana dahe
hena bhakta-sanga na paiya
abhagyera nahi ora micha-mohe hainu bhora
duhkha rahe antare jagiya
Narottama dasa says: Because I cannot attain the association of devotees, my life is like a burning fire. No one is unfortunate as I. I am overcome by material illusion, and great pain is beginning to waken in my heart.
Song 8
1 bacanera agocara brndabana dhama-bara
swaprakasa premananda-ghana
jahate prakata sukha nahi jara-mrtyu-duhkha
krsna-lila-rasa anuksana
Vrndavana is beyond the descriptive power of words. It is the best of all holy places. It is self-manifest, filled with most intense transcendental bliss, free from the touch of material miseries of old-age and death, and the place where Lord Krsna eternally enjoys nectar pastimes.
2 radha-krsna dunhu prema jini laksa-bana hema
donhara hillole rasa-sindhu
cakora nayana-prema kama-rati kare dhyana
piriti sukhera dunhu bandhu
Radha and Krsna's love is more glorious than gold purified in ten thousand flames. Radha and Krsna make great waves in the ocean of nectar. The love in Their eyes is like a cakora bird. Kama and Rati meditate on Them. Their love and happiness are the closest of friends.
3 radhika preyasi-bara bama ange manohara
kanaka-kesara-kanti dhare
anuraga-rakta sari nila-patta manohari
pratyange bhusana sobha kare
Charming Srimati Radharani, the best of the gopis, stays on Lord Krsna's left side, Her complexion the colour of the filament of a golden flower, clothed in the garment of ecstatic love for Krsna and a blue silk sari, and Her limbs are beautiful with many ornaments.
4 karaye locana pana rupa-lila dunhu prana
anande magana sahacari
beda-bidhi-agocara ratana-bedira para
seba niti kisora-kisori
Become Their gopi-companion. Make Them more dear than life. With your eyes drink the nectar of Their beauty and pastimes. Dive in an ocean of bliss. Always serve the youthful Divine Couple, who are seated on a jewel throne and beyond the rules of the Vedas.
5 durlabha janama hena nahi bhaja hari kena
ki lagiya mara bhaba bandhe
chada anya kriya karma nahi dekha deba-dharma
bhakti kara krsna-pada-dwandwa
Why don't you worship Lord Hari now that you have this rare human birth? If you don't worship Him, what do you think will be your fate after death? Give up all other duties. Don't worship the demigods. Serve Lord Krsna's feet.
6 bisaya bisama-gati nahi bhaja braja-pati
sri-nandanandana sukha-sara
swarga ara apabaraga samsare naraka-bhoga
sarba-nasa janama-bikara
Do not worship Lord Nandanandana, the blissful master of Vraja, and the entire world around you will become filled with pain. Become attracted to higher material realms, the attainment of liberation, or the hellish pleasures of this sphere, and your valuable human birth will become spoiled.
7 dehe na kariha astha manda rite jama sasta
duhkhera samudre karma-gati
dekhiya suniya bhaja sadhu-sastra-mata yaja
jugala-carane kara rati
Do not put your trust in the material body. After death Yamaraja will punish you and your karma will push you into an ocean of pain. Now that you have heard and understood this, please follow the path of the saints and scriptures. Worship and love the feet of the youthful Divine Couple.
8 karma-kanda jnana-kanda kebala bisera bhanda
amrta baliya jeba khaya
nana joni sada phire kadar ja bhaksana kare
tara janma adhah-pate jaya
The fruitive worker of karma-kanda and the speculations of jnana-kanda are two pots of poison. If one drinks these two poisons, and then proclaims that they are both as sweet as nectar, he will fall from the human realm and spend a long time wandering in many species of life, eating many abominable things, and enjoying many horrible pleasures.
9 radha-krsne nahi rati anya jane bale pati
prema-bhakti kichu nahi jane
nahi bhaktira sandhana bharame karaye dhyana
brtha tara se chara bhabane
They who proclaim someone else as their Lord and don't love Radha-Krsna don't understand anything of loving devotional service. Not asking about devotional service and all their thoughts placed in the illusory material world, they have wasted their lives.
10 jnana karma kare loka nahi jane bhakti-yoga
nana-mate haiya ajnana
tara katha nahi suni paramartha-tattwa jani
prema-bhakti bhakta-gana-prana
Most people know only of work and philosophy. They don't know anything about devotional service. Each with a different opinion, they are all fools. Don't listen to their talk. Learn about devotional service, the life of the devotees.
11 jagata-byapaka hari aja-bhaba ajna-kari
madhura madhura lila-katha
ei tattwa jane jei parama uttama sei
tanra sanga kariba sarbatha
Lord Hari is present in every corner of the material world. Brahma and Siva are His order-carriers. Talk of His pastimes is very very sweet. One who know this is a great soul. I yearn for his association.
12 parama iswara krsna tankhe hao ati-trsna
bhaja tanre braja-bhaba lana
rasika-bhakata sange bihara ni jata range
braja-pure basati karina
Thirst to attain Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Worship Him. Love Him as the residents of Vraja did. Reside in Vrajapura, where Lord Krsna eternally enjoys pastimes. Stay in the company of great souls that relish the nectar of Krsna.
13 diba-nisi bhaba-bhare manete bhabana kare
nanda-braje rahibe sadai
ei bakya satya jana kabhu ithe nahi ana
pramana sri-jiva gosai
Great souls stay always in Vraja, day and night their hearts full of love for Krsna. That is the truth. It is not otherwise. Srila Jiva Gosvami has proved it.
14 sri-krsna-bhakata-jana tanhara carane mana
aropiya katha-anusare
sakhira sarbatha mata haina tanhara jutha
sada bihariba braja-pure
I will meditate on the lotus feet of the devotees, hear from them, remember Lord Krsna's gopi-friends, and always be happy in Vrajapura.
15 lila-rasa-katha gana jugala-kisora dhyana
prarthana kariba abhilase
jibane marane ei ara kichu nahi cai
kahe dina narottama-dasa
I will meditate on the youthful Divine Couple and sing of Their nectar pastimes. I pray for that. In this life or after death I have no other desire. Thus speaks poor-hearted Narottama dasa.
Song 9
1 ana katha na suniba ana katha na baliba
sakali kahiba paramartha
prarthana kariba sada lalasa abhista-katha
iha binu sakali anartha
I will not hear other talk. I will not speak other talk. I will speak about the most precious thing. I always pray for this. Aside from the talk I yearn to hear, all other words are useless.
2 iswarera tattwa jata taha kahiba kata
ananta apara keba jane
braja-pura-prema nitya ei se parama satya
bhaja sada anuraga-mane
How can I describe the Supreme Personality of Godhead? He is limitless. Who can know Him? The love the people of Vraja feel for Lord Krsna is eternal. It is the true reality. Always strive to attain that love.
3 gobinda gokulacandra parama ananda-kanda
paribara-gopa-gopi sange
nandiswara janra dhama giridhari janra nama
sakhi-sange bhaja tanra range
Lord Krsna is the pleasure of the cows, land and senses, the moon of Gokula, and the root of transcendental bliss. He stays with many gopa and gopi friends. His home is Nandisvara, and His name is Giridhari. Please, in the company of the gopis, worship Him with love.
4 prema-bhakti-tattwa ei tomare kahila bhai
ara durbasana parihari
sri-guru-prasade bhai ei saba bhajana pai
prema-bhakti sakhi anucari
O brother, the truth of loving devotional service has already been explained to you. O brother, I will leave all material desires behind and, by my guru's mercy I will perfectly worship Lord Krsna with pure love, and I will become His gopi-maidservant.
5 sarthaka bhajana-patha sadhu-sanga abirata
smarana bhajana krsna-katha
prema-bhakti haya jadi tabe haya manah suddhi
tabe jaya hrdayera byatha
Follow the path of sincere devotional service. Stay among the devotees. Remember Krsna and talk about Him. When loving devotion comes, your mind will become pure and all sufferings will flee from your heart.
6 hisaya bipatti jana samsara swapana mana
nara-tanu bhajanera mula
anurage bhaja sada prema-bhabe lila-katha
ara jata hrdayera sula
Know that sense happiness is a calamity. Know that the material world is a dream. Know that this human life is the root from which devotional service may sprout. With love always worship Lord Krsna. With love always hear His pastimes. To do anything else is to plunge a spear in your own heart.
7 radhika-carana-renu bhusana kariya tanu
anayase pabe giridhari
radhika-caranasraya kare jei mahasaya
tanre muni jana balihari
If one decorates his body with the dust from Srimati Radharani's lotus feet, then it will be very easy for him to attain Lord Giridhari. I congratulate such a great soul who takes shelter of Srimati Radharani's lotus feet and I say to him" Well done! Bravo! Excellent!
8 jaya jaya radha-nama brndabana yanra dhama
krsna-sukha-bilasera nidhi
hena radha-guna-gana na sunila mora kana
bancita karila more bidhi
Glory, glory to She who is named Radha, whose home is Vrndavana, and who is Lord Krsna's treasury of blissful pastimes! Alas, destiny has cheated me, for my ears have not heard Radha's glories.
9 tanra bhakta-sange sada rasa-lila-prema-katha
je kare se paya ghanasyama
ihate bimukha jei tara kabhu siddhi nai
nahi jena suni tara nama
A person who, in the company of the devotees, again and again hears the stories of the pure love in the rasa-dance pastimes will attain Lord Krsna, who is dark as a monsoon cloud. A person averse to hearing these pastimes will never attain perfection. I refuse to hear the name of such an offender.
10 krsna-nama-gane bhai radhika-carana pai
radha-nama-gane krsnacandra
sanksepe kahila katha ghucaha manera byatha
duhkha-maya any-katha-dwandwa
O brother, by chanting Krsna's name I will attain Radha, and by chanting Radha's name I will attain Krsna. Now I have briefly told you how to chase all sufferings from your heart. What contradicts my words will bring only pain.
11 ahankara abhimana asat-sanga asaj-jnana
chadi bhaja guru-pada-padma
kara atma-nibedana deha-geha-parijana
guru-bakya parama mahattwa
Abandon false ego, pride, company with materialists, and useless material knowledge, and worship the lotus feet of your spiritual master. Offer your home, friends, relatives, body and self to him. His words are supreme.
12 sri-krsna-caitanyadeba nirabadhi tanre seba
prema-kalpa-taru-bara-data
sri-braja-raja-nandana radhika-jibana-dhana
aparupa ei saba katha
Always serve Sri Krsna Caitanyadeva, who is a kalpa-vrksa tree giving away the treasure of pure love. He is Lord Krsna Himself, the prince of Vraja and the life of Srimati Radharani. Talk about Him is full of wonder.
13 nabadwipe abatari radha-bhabe angikari
tanra kanti angera bhusana
tina bancha abhilasi saci-garbhe parakasi
sange lana parisada-gana
Accepting the loving emotions of Sri Radha and accepting Her bodily lustre as the ornament of His limbs, Lord Krsna descended to Navadvipa. Desiring to attain three things, He appear in Saci's womb. He attained His desires in the company of His devotees.
14 gaura-hari-abatari premera badara kari
sadhila manera tina kaja
radhikara prana-pati kiba bhabe kande niti
iha bujhe bhakata-samaja
Appearing in a fair-complexioned form, He made a great monsoon of spiritual love. In this way He attained His three desires. Why did Lord Krsna, the master of Radha, cry again and again? Only the devotees can know.
15 gopane sadhile siddhi sadhana nabadha bhakti
prarthana kariba dainye sada
kari hari-sankirtana sadai bibhola mana
ista-labha binu saba badha
In private I will practice the nine kinds of devotional service and in this way I will attain perfection. I will always humbly pray for that. In public I will perform Hari-sankirtana, my heart overcome with love. Any activity that does not lead to My worshipable Lord is an obstacle.
16 samsara batojare kama-phanse banhi mare
phukari kahaye haridasa
karaha bhakata-sanga prema-katha-rasa-ranga
tabe habe bipada binasa
When arrested by the highwaymen of material illusion, bound about the neck with ropes of lust, and about to take his last breath, the devotee of Lord Hari calls out for the Lord's help and is saved. O devotees, call out in this way, glorifying the nectar topics of pure love for Krsna. Then the calamity of repeated birth and death will come to an end.
17 stri-putra bandhaba jata mari jabe sata sata
apanake hao sabadhana
muni se bisaye hata na bhajinu hari-pada
mora ara nahi paritrana
Hundreds and hundreds of women, children and other relatives will someday die. Take care of yourself. I, who am very fallen, am already killed by sense gratification. I would not worship Lord Hari's feet. Now I have no protection.
18 ramacandra kabiraja sei sange mora kaja
tanra sanga binu saba sunya
jadi haya janma punah tanra sanga haya jena
tabe haya narottama dhanya
I desire the association of Ramcandra Kaviraja. Without his company the entire world is a desert. If I must take birth again, I would feel myself fortunate to have his association.
19 apana bhajana-katha na kahiba jatha tatha
ihate haio sabadhana
na kariha keha rosa na laiho mora dosa
pranamaha bhaktera carana
I will not describe the specific devotional activities of each devotee. Perform your devotional service carefully. Don't become angry. Don't find fault with others. Offer obeisances to the devotees' feet.
20 sri-gauranga prabhu more bolana je bani
taha kahi bhala manda kichui na jani
Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu has enabled me to write these words. Without His mercy I am simply a fool who cannot distinguish right from wrong.
21 lokanatha prabhupada hrde kari asa
prema-bhakti-candrika kaya narottama dasa
In his heart aspiring to attain the mercy of Srila Lokanatha Gosvami Prabhupada, Narottama dasa speaks this book, Sri Prema-bhakti-candrika (The Moonlight of Loving Devotion).
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