Songs Sung Before Evening Class
Gurudeva! Kabe Tava Karuṇā Prakāśe
gurudeva! kabe tava karuṇā prakāśe
śrī-gaurāṅga-līlā, haya nitya-tattva, ei dṛḓha viśvāse
‘hari hari’ bôli’, godruma-kānane, bhramibô darśana-āśe (1)
O Gurudeva! When, by the manifestation of your mercy, with a deep conviction that Śrī Gaurāṅga’s līlās are eternal truth and while chanting the name of Hari, will I wander throughout the forest of Godruma with the aspiration to witness those līlās?
nitāi, gaurāṅga, advaita, śrīvāsa, gadādhara—pañca-jana
kṛṣṇa-nāma-rase, bhāsā’be jagat, kôri’ mahā-saṅkīrtana (2)
Nitāi, Gaurāṅga, Advaita, Śrīvāsa, and Gadādhara—these five personalities will flood the entire universe with the nectar of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s name by performing mahā-saṅkīrtana.
nartana-vilāsa, mṛdaṅga-vādana, śunibô āpana kāṇe
dekhiyā dekhiyā, se-līlā-mādhurī, bhāsibô premera bāṇe (3)
I shall hear the pastimes of dancing and mṛdaṅgas playing, with my own ears. Constantly beholding the sweetness of these pastimes, I will float in the flood of prema.
nā dekhi’ ābāra, se-līlā-ratana, kā̃di ‘hā gaurāṅga’ bôli’
āmāre viṣayī, pāgala bôliyā, aṅgete dibeka dhūli (4)
Upon losing my vision of these jewel-like pastimes, I shall cry out, “Hā Gaurāṅga!” The materialists will proclaim that I am a madman and throw dust on my body.
Kṛpā Karô Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura
kṛpā karô vaiṣṇava ṭhākura
sambandha jāniyā, bhajite bhajite, abhimāna hau dūra (1)
Please bestow your mercy, O Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura, so that I will know my relationship with Śrī Kṛṣṇa and thus constantly engage in bhajana. In this way, my false ego may be dispelled.
‘āmi tô’ vaiṣṇava’—e buddhi hôile, amānī nā ha’bô āmi
pratiṣṭhāśā āsi’, hṛdaya dūṣibe, hôibô niraya-gāmī (2)
If I develop the idea that ‘I am a Vaiṣṇava,’ then I will never become humble. My heart will become contaminated with the desire to receive honor from others, and I shall go to hell.
tomāra kiṅkara, āpane jānibô, ‘guru’-abhimāna tyaji’
tomāra ucchiṣṭa, pada-jala-reṇu, sadā niṣkapaṭe bhaji (3)
I will know myself to be your servant, having given up the false conception of being guru. I shall sincerely honor your remnants, the water that has washed your feet, and the dust of your feet.
‘nije śreṣṭha’ jāni’, ucchiṣṭādi-dāne, ha’be abhimāna-bhāra
tāi śiṣya tava, thākiyā sarvadā, nā lôibô pūjā kāra (4)
If I consider myself to be superior to all and give my remnants and so forth to others, the weight of my false pride will become very heavy. Thus, always remaining [in the mood of] your disciple, I will not accept worship from others.
amānī mānada, hôile kīrtane, adhikāra dibe tumi
tomāra caraṇe, niṣkapaṭe āmi, kā̃diyā luṭibô bhūmi (5)
If I renounce the desire for honor for myself and instead offer respect to others, you will give me the qualification to perform kirtana. Without duplicity, I shall cry and roll on the ground at your lotus feet.
Panca Tattva
Ānanda-kanda
ānanda-kanda, nitāi-canda, aruṇa nayana karuṇa chanda
karuṇa-pūra, saghane jhura, hari hari dhvani bola re (1)
Śrī Nitāi-candra is the root of divine bliss. His eyes, which are the color of a crimson sunrise, overflow with a desire to bestow mercy. He is an abode of mercy. From him a stream of compassion ceaselessly flows as He sweetly sings, “Hari! Hari!”
naṭaka-raṅga, bhakata-saṅga, vividha-bhāsa rasa-taraṅga
īṣata-hāsa, madhura-bhāṣa, saghane gīmadola re (2)
While enjoying spectacular dancing in the company of His devotees, Nitāi floats in multicolored waves of rasa. He smiles gently, speaks sweetly, and sways His neck to and fro.
patita kora, japata gaura, dina-rajanī ānanda bhora
prema-ratana, kôriyā ĵatana, jaga-jane karu dāna re (3)
Remaining absorbed in bliss day and night, He embraces the fallen while chanting the names of Gaura. With great vigor, He distributes the treasure of prema to the people of the world.
kīrtana-mājha, rasika-rāja, ĵaichana kanayā-giri virāja
vraja-vihāra, rasa-bithāra, madhura madhura gāna re (4)
In the midst of kīrtana, Śrī Nitāi-candra, the king of rasikas, is like a golden mountain. He spreads the rasa of the playful pastimes of Vraja through His sweet, sweet singing.
dhūli-dhūsara, dharaṇī-upara, kabahũ luṭhata preme garagara
kabahũ calata, kabahũ khelata, kabahũ aṭṭahāsa re (5)
Overwhelmed with prema, sometimes He rolls on the earth, covering Himself with ashen-grey dust. Sometimes He wanders restlessly, sometimes He plays, and sometimes He laughs very loudly.
kabahũ sveda, kabahũ kheda, kabahũ pulaka, svara-vibheda
kabahũ lampha, kabahũ jhampa, kabahũ dīrgha-śvāsa re (6)
Sometimes He perspires, sometimes He laments, sometimes He experiences horripilation, and sometimes He stammers. Sometimes He leaps long distances, sometimes He jumps high into the air, and sometimes He heaves deep sighs.
karuṇā-sindhu, akhila bandhu, kali-ĵuga-tama-pūraṇa-indu
jagata-locana, paṭala-mocana, nitāi pūralô āśa re (7)
He is the ocean of mercy, the friend of all, and the full moon dissipating the darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali. By removing the cataracts of illusion from the eyes of the residents of this world, Śrī Nitāi has fulfilled their desires.
andha-adhama, dīna-durajana, prema-dāne karalô mocana
pāola jagata, kevala vañcita, e rādhā-vallabha dāsa re (8)
By bestowing prema, He has delivered the blind, the fallen, the destitute, and the wicked. The whole world has been delivered; only this Rādhā-vallabha dāsa has been deprived.
Gaurāṅga Tumi More Dayā Nā Chāḓihô
gaurāṅga tumi more dayā nā chāḓihô
āpana kôriyā, rāṅgā caraṇe rākhihô (1)
O Gaurāṅga, do not fail to bestow Your mercy upon me. Making me Your own, keep me close to the reddish soles of Your lotus feet.
tomāra caraṇa lāgi saba teyāginu
śītala caraṇa pāiyā śaraṇa lôinu (2)
For Your lotus feet, I have renounced everything. Upon attaining those cooling lotus feet, I have taken shelter of them.
e-kule o-kule muĩ, dilu tilāñjali
rākhihô caraṇe more, āpanāra bôli’ (3)
Regardless of the family I belonged to, I have abandoned them completely. Keep me at Your lotus feet and call me Your own.
vāsudeva ghoṣa bôle caraṇe dhôriyā
kṛpā kôri rākhô more pada-chāyā diyā (4)
Grasping Your lotus feet, Vāsudeva Ghoṣa prays, “Kindly keep me here, forever giving me the shade of Your feet.”
Varaja-vipine
varaja-vipine yamunā-kūle
mañca-manohara śobhita phule (1)
vanaspati latā tuṣaye ā̃khi
tadupari katô ḍākaye pākhī (2)
In the forests of Vraja, along the banks of the Yamunā, there are enchanting platforms beautifully decorated with flowers. Varieties of fruit trees and creepers give satisfaction to the eyes. On them, many birds sing sweetly.
malaya anila vahaye dhīre
alikula-madhu- lobhete phire (3)
vāsantīra rākā- uḓupa tadā
kaumudī bitare ādare sadā (4)
A cooling breeze from the Malaya Hills blows gently, and a swarm of bumblebees wanders about in search of honey. The full moon of the spring season continuously distributes its soothing rays out of love.
ematô samaye rasika-vara
ārambhilô rāsa muralīdhara (5)
śata-koṭī gopī- mājhete hari
rādhā-saha nāce ānanda kôri’ (6)
At such a time, the supreme relisher of nectarean mellows, Mūralīdhara Śrī Kṛṣṇa, begins the rāsa dance. In the midst of millions of lovely cowherd damsels, Śrī Hari blissfully dances with Rādhā.
mādhava-mohinī gāiyā gīta
harilô sakala jagata-cita (7)
sthāvara-jaṅgama mohilā satī
hārāolô candrā- valīra mati (8)
Singing beautiful songs, the enchantress of Mādhava captivates the minds of all living beings. All moving and non-moving beings are enchanted by the chaste Rādhā, who has defeated the pride of Candrāvalī.
mathiyā varaja- kiśora-mana
antarita haya rādhā takhôna (9)
bhakativinoda paramāda gaṇe
rāsa bhāṅgalô (āji) rādhā vihane (10)
After churning Vraja-kiśora’s heart, Rādhārāṇī disappears from the vāsantī-rāsa. Bhaktivinoda foresees trouble. In the absence of Rādhā, the rāsa dance has (now) stopped.
Yamunā-puline
yamunā-puline, kadamba-kānane, ki herinu sakhī! āja
śyāma vaṁśīdhārī, maṇi-mañcopari, kare līlā rasarāja (1)
O sakhī! What have I seen today? In a kadamba grove on the banks of the Yamunā, a beautiful blackish flute-player, seated upon a jeweled platform, is performing His pastimes as the king of all rasa.
kṛṣṇa-keli sudhā-prasravaṇa
aṣṭa-dalopari, śrī rādhā śrī hari, aṣṭa-sakhī parijana (2)
The amorous pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa are just like a waterfall of nectar. Situated upon the eight petals [of the jeweled throne] are Śrī Rādhā and Śrī Hari, surrounded by Their attendants, the eight principal sakhīs.
sugīta-nartane, saba sakhī-gaṇe, tuṣiche ĵugala-dhane
kṛṣṇa-līlā heri’, prakṛti sundarī, vistāriche śobhā vane (3)
By singing sweet songs and dancing gracefully, all the sakhīs satisfy their treasured Divine Couple. Beholding Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, the beautiful spiritual energy expands the splendor of the Vṛndāvana forest.
ghare nā ĵāibô, vane praveśibô, o līlā-rasera tare
tyaji’ kula-lāja, bhajô vraja-rāja, vinoda minati kare (4)
To relish the nectar of such pastimes, I shall not go home but shall enter the forest instead. Renouncing all shyness due to fear of family and society, just worship the king of Vraja. This is the humble entreaty of Bhaktivinoda.
Śrī Gaṅgā-stotram
devi! sureśvari! bhagavati! gaṅge!
tri-bhutvana-tāriṇi! tarala-taraṅge
śaṅkara-mauli-nivāsini! vimale!
mama matir āstāṁ tava pada-kamale (1)
O brilliant goddess! O sovereign of all the demigods! O Bhagavati, dearly beloved of the Supreme Lord! O Gaṅgā, who brings liberation to the three worlds! Your waves are playful, and you reside on Lord Śaṅkara’s crown. O immaculate one! May my attention be fixed upon your lotus-like feet.
bhāgirathi! sukha-dāyini! māt-
stava jala-mahimā nigame-khyātaḥ
nāhaṁ jāne tava mahimānaṁ
trāhi kṛpāmayi! māmajñānam (2)
O Bhāgirathī, who answered the prayers of King Bhāgiratha! O Mother, who bestows bliss! The glory of your holy waters is described in the Vedas. I am entirely ignorant of your magnificence. O merciful one, please save this dullard!
hari-pādapadma-vihariṇi! gaṅge!
hima-vidhu-muktā-dhavala-taraṅge!
dūri-kuru mama duṣkṛiti-bhāraṁ
kuru kṛpayā bhava-sāgara-pāram (3)
O Gaṅgā, who frolics at Lord Hari’s lotus feet! Your waves are as white as snow, as white as the moon, and as white as pearls. Please eradicate the burden of my sins. Mercifully carry me across the ocean of material existence.
tava jalam amalaṁ yena nipītaṁ
parama-padam khalu tena gṛhītam
mātar gaṅge! tvayi yo bhaktaḥ
kila taṁ draṣṭuṁ na yamaḥ śaktaḥ (4)
Anyone who drinks your pure water attains the highest destination. O Mother Gaṅgā! Yama, the god of death, cannot even look at that person who is devoted to you.
patitoddhāriṇi! jāhnavi! gaṅge!
khaṇḍita-giri-vara-maṇḍita-bhaṅge!
bhīṣma-jananī! khalu muni-vara-kanye!
patita-nivāriṇi! tri-bhuvana-dhanye! (5)
O savior of the fallen! O Gaṅgā, daughter of the sage Jahnu! Your streams are adorned by the best of mountains. O mother of Bhīṣma! You are indeed the daughter of the best of sages. O savior of the fallen! You are glorious thoughout the three worlds.
kalpa-latām iva phala-dāṁ loke
praṇamati yas tvāṁ na patati śoke
pārāvāra-vihāriṇi! mātar gaṅge!
vibudha-vanitā-kṛta-taralāpāṅge! (6)
You fulfill one’s desires just like a wish-fulfilling creeper. He who offers respect to you never perishes in grief. O Mother Gaṅgā, who frisks between two banks! The wives of the demigods restlessly glance at you from the corners of their eyes.
tava kṛpayā cet srotaḥ-snātaḥ
punar api jaṭhare so ‘pi na jātaḥ
naraka-nivāriṇi! jāhnavi! gaṅge!
kaluṣa-vināśinī! mahimottuṅge! (7)
If by your mercy one gets the chance to bathe in your waters, he never takes birth from a mother’s womb again. O Gaṅgā, daughter of the sage Jahnu, you save one from hell and eliminate sinful reactions. You are always at the pinnacle of glory.
punar asad-aṅge! puṇya-taraṅge!
jaya jaya jāhnavi! karuṇāpāṅge!
indra-mukuṭa-mani-rājita-caraṇe!
śukha-de! śubha-de! sevaka-śaraṇe! (8)
Your body consists of numerous river branches, and your waves are holy. Glory, glory to you, O Jāhnavi, whose whole body is comprised of compassion! Indra’s crown, studded with precious stones, always decorates your feet. O you who bestow happiness and goodness, you are the shelter of your servants.
rogaṁ śokaṁ tāpaṁ pāpaṁ
hara me bhagavati! kumati-kalāpam
tri-bhuvana-sāre! vasudhā-hāre!
tvam asi gatir mama khalu saṁsāre (9)
O Bhagavati, please take away my disease, grief, suffering, sins, and delusion. Your presence is essential in the three worlds. You are the precious necklace embellishing the Earth. You are doubtlessly my only shelter in the repeated cycle of birth and death.
alakānande! paramānande!
kuru mayi karuṇāṁ kātara-vandye!
tava taṭa-nikaṭe yasya nivāsaḥ
khalu vaikuṇṭhe tasya nivāsaḥ (10)
O Alakānanda who descends from the Himālayas! O you who personify supreme bliss! Please bestow mercy upon me, for you are worshiped by all the wretched. Whoever lives on your banks indisputably resides in the transcendental abode of Vaikuṇṭha.
varam iha nīre kamaṭho mīnaḥ
kiṁ vā tīre śaraṭaḥ kṣīṇaḥ
atha vā gavyūti-śvapaco dīnas
tava na hi dūre nṛ-patiḥ-kulīnaḥ (11)
It is better to be a turtle or fish in your waters, or a tiny lizard on your banks, or even a wretched dog-eater living within two krośas (four square miles) from you, than a king of noble lineage who lives far from you.
bho bhuvaneśvari! puṇye! dhanye!
devi! dravamayi! munivara-kanye!
gaṅgā-stavam imam amalaṁ nityaṁ
paṭhati naro yaḥ sa jayati satyam (12)
O Lady of the universe! O blessed one! O glorious one! O goddess, whose form is liquid! O daughter of the best of sages! That person who always recites this impeccable prayer in praise of Gaṅgā-devī truly gains victory.
yeṣāṁ hṛdaye gaṅgā-bhaktis
teṣāṁ bhavati sadā sukha-muktiḥ
madhura-manohara-pajjhaṭikābhih
paramānanda-kalita-lalitābhiḥ (13)
gaṅgā-stotram idaṁ bhava-sāraṁ
vāñchita-phala-daṁ vigalita-bhāram
śaṅkara-sevaka-śaṅkara-racitaṁ
paṭhati ca vinayīdam iti samāptam (14)
Bliss and liberation are the property of those whose heart is the abode of devotion to Gaṅgā. The amazing verses of this Gaṅgā-stotra, which are saturated with supreme bliss, are written by Śaṅkarācārya, the servant of Lord Śaṅkara, in the enchanting meter known as pajjhatika. This stotra bestows the desired result and liberates one from all types of burden. Thus ends this prayer, which is chanted regularly by gentle persons.