Reference: Temple Mantra Guide
Table of Contents
1. Putting on Tilaka
2. Sri Guru Pranama
3. Srila Prabhupada Pranati
4. Sri Panca-tattva Pranama
5. Hare Krsna Maha-mantra, the Great Chanting for Deliverance
6. Sri Sri Gurv-astaka
7. Prema-dhvani Prayers
8. Sri Nrsimha Pranama
9. Sri Tulasi-pranama
10. Sri Tulasi-puja-kirtana
11. Sri Tulasi Pradaksina Mantra
12. The TEN Offenses to the Holy Name
13. Vaisnava-pranama
14. Sri Sri Siksastaka
15. Greeting the Deities
16. Sri Guru-vandana, the Worship of Sri Guru
17. Jaya Radha-Madhava
18. Verses Recited Before Srimad-Bhagavatam Class
19. Sri Sri Sad-gosvamy-astaka
20. Verses Recited Before Reading Krsna Book
21. Other Kirtana Chants
22. Nama-sankirtana
23. Purport
24. Sri Nama-kirtana
25. Gaura-arati
26. Lamentation Due to Separation from the Lord and His Associates
27. Sri Damodarastaka
28. Sri Jagannathastaka
29. Prayers for offering Prasadam
30. Prayers for honering Prasadam
Notice by Srila Prabhupada
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 Visnu, the Supreme Lord. The Vaisnava 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 gopi-candana (mud from Dvaraka) into it. When making tilaka the following mantra from the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Purana should be chanted:
lalate kesavam dhyayen narayanam athodare
vaksah-sthale madhavam tu govindam kantha-kupake
visnum ca daksine kuksau bahau ca madhusudanam
trivikramam kandhare tu vamanam vama-parsvake
sridharam vama-bahau tu hrsikesam tu kandhare
prsthe ca padmanabham ca katyam damodaram nyaset
In Accordance with the above mentioned mantra one should now apply gopi-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 brahmanda Purana 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 Kesava. When one marks the lower abdomen, he must remember Narayana. For the chest, one should remember Madhava, and when marking the hollow of the neck one should remember Govinda. Lord Visnu should be remembered while marking the right side of the belly, and Madhusudana should be remembered when marking the right arm. Trivikrama should be remembered when marking the right shoulder, and Vamana should be remembered when marking the left side of the belly. Sridhara should be remembered while marking the left arm, and Hrsikesa should be remembered when marking the left shoulder. Padmanabha and Damodara should be remembered when marking the back. [Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 20.202, purport]
The sikha area is not marked with tilaka; rather, after washing the right hand, wipe the remaining water on your sikha while chanting om vasudevaya namah.
Tilaka Marking List
Forehead: Sri Kesavaya namah
Abdomen: Sri Narayanaya namah
Chest: Sri Madhavaya namah
Throat: Sri Govindaya namah
Right waist: Sri Visnave namah
Right forearm: Sri Madhusudanaya namah
Right shoulder: Sri Trivikramaya namah
Left waist: Sri Vamanaya namah
Left forearm: Sri Sridharaya namah
Left shoulder: Sri Hrsikesaya namah
Nape of neck: Sri Padmanabhaya namah
Lower back: Sri Damodaraya namah
2. Sri Guru Pranama
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
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. Srila Prabhupada Pranati
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
4. Sri Panca-tattva Pranama
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda
I offer my obeisances to Sri Krsna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and all others in the line of devotion.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Sri Nityananda Prabhu, His incarnation Sri Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency Sri Gadadhara Prabhu, and His marginal potency Srivasa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas. Therefore our obeisances to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are complete when we say, sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. As preachers of the Krsna consciousness movement, we first offer our obeisances to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by chanting this Panca-tattva mantra; then we say, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but these are not considered in the chanting of the Panca-tattva mantra, namely, sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is known as maha-vadanyavatara, 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 maha-mantra (Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare), we must first take shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, learn the Panca-tattva mantra, and then chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. That will be very effective.
5. Hare Krsna Maha-mantra
The Great Chanting for Deliverance
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, 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 nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
“In this age of Kali, the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of Lord Hari, Krsna. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” [Brhan-naradiya Purana, 18.126] This process of Hari-kirtana is to chant the maha-mantra (the great chanting for deliverance): Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. In the Padma Purana 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 Purana] How the holy name of the Lord can be chanted constantly is mercifully described by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself in His Siksastaka 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. Sri Sri Gurv-astaka
Eight Prayers to the Guru
by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth century, is a great spiritual master in the Krsna 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 brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.”
(1)
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
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)
mahaprabhoh kirtana-nrtya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romanca -kampasru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 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)
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-
srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato ’pi
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. 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-sri-bhagavat-prasada-
svadv-anna-trptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
krtvaiva trptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
4) The spiritual master is always offering Krsna 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-prasada, he ist satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(5)
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila guna-rupa-namnam
prati-ksanasvadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, 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)
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apeksaniya
tatrati-daksyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsna’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrndavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(7)
saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
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 Sri Hari [Krsna].
(8)
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. 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 om visnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacarya astottara-sata sri srimad a.c. bhaktivedanta svami maharaja prabhupada—ki jaya.
(All glories to the acarya Om Visnu-pada 108 Tridandi Gosvami A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who travels everywhere, preaching the glories of Hari, and who is situated on the highest platform of sannyasa.)
ISKCON-Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada—ki jaya.
(All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness.)
jaya om visnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacarya astottara-sata sri srimad bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati gosvami maharaja prabhupada—ki jaya.
(All glories to the acarya Om Visnu-pada 108 Tridandi Gosvami Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, who travels across the earth, preaching the glories of Hari, and who is situated on the highest platform of sannyasa.)
jaya om visnu-pada srila gaurakisora dasa babaji maharaja—ki jaya.
(All glories to Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji.)
jaya om visnu-pada srila saccidananda bhaktivinoda thakura—ki jaya.
(All glories to Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura.)
jaya om visnu-pada vaisnava-sarvabhauma srila jagannatha dasa babaji maharaja—ki jaya.
(All glories to Vaisnava-Sarvabhauma Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji.)
jaya sri rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha sri jiva gopala bhatta dasa raghunatha sad-gosvami prabhu—ki jaya.
(All glories to the six Gosvamis, namely, Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Jiva, Gopala Bhatta and Raghunatha Dasa.)
namacarya srila haridasa thakura—ki jaya.
(All glories to the Namacarya Srila Haridasa Thakura.)
prem-se kaho sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri advaita, gadadhara, srivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrnda—ki jaya.
(Call out with love the names Sri Krsna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara, Srivasa and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.)
sri sri radha-krsna, gopa-gopinatha, syama-kunda, radha-kunda giri-govardhana—ki jaya.
(All glories to Radha and Krsna, the cowherd boys and girls, the cows, Syama-kunda, Radha-kunda and Govardhana Hill.
[One may glorify the Deities of the temple at this time.]
sri mayapur dhama—ki jaya.
(All glories to Sri Mayapur-dhama.)
sri vrndavana dhama—ki jaya.
(All glories to Sri Vrndavana-dhama.)
ganga-mayi—ki jaya.
(All glories to Ganga-devi.)
yamuna-mayi—ki jaya.
(All glories to Yamuna-devi.)
bhakti-devi—ki jaya.
(All glories to Bhakti-devi.)
tulasi-devi—ki jaya.
(All glories to Tulasi-devi.)
ananta koti vaisnava-vrnda—ki jaya.
(All glories to the unlimited millions of Vaisnavas.)
sri hari-nama sankirtana—ki jaya.
(All glories to the congregational chanting of the holy name of Hari.)
grantha-raja srimad-bhagavatam —ki jaya.
(All glories to the king of books, Srimad-Bhagavatam.)
ISKCON-vartmana-guru-vrnda—ki jaya.
(All glories to the present gurus of ISKCON.)
samaveta bhakta-vrnda—ki jaya.
(All glories to the assembled devotees.)
gaura-premanande hari-haribol.
(Chant the names Hari! Hari! in the ecstasy of Caitanya-prema.)
All glories to the assembled devotees. [three times]
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
8. Sri Nrsimha Pranama
namas te narasimhaya prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakasipor vaksah-sila-tanka-nakhalaye
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.
ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho yato yato yami tato nrsimhah
bahir nrsimho hrdaye nrsimho nrsimham adim saranam prapadye
Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-srngam
dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhrngam
kesava dhrta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
O Kesava! 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 Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.
9. Sri Tulasi-pranama
In the morning, after mangala-arati (and preferably also in the evening, before sandhya-arati), all the assembled devotees should attend tulasi worship and circumambulate Srimati Tulasi-devi. First we offer obeisances to Tulasi-devi with the tulasi-pranama-mantra, chanted three times:
(om) vrndayai tulasi-devyai priyayai kesavasya ca
krsna-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namah
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrnda, Srimati Tulasi-devi, who is very dear to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Krsna and you possess the highest truth.
Then we sing the tulasi-puja-kirtana while one devotee offers arati to Tulasi-devi with incense, a ghee lamp and flowers. While offering the articles, the devotee offering tulasi-arati 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 Tulasi-devi.
10. Sri Tulasi-puja-kirtana
namo namah tulasi krsna-preyasi namo namah
radha-krsna-seva pabo ei abilasi
1) O Tulasi, beloved of Krsna, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.
ye tomara sarana loy, tara vancha purna hoy
krpa kori’ koro tare vrndavana-vasi
2) Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vrndavana.
mora ei abhilasa, vilasa kunje dio vasa
nayana heribo sada yugala-rupa-rasi
3) My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of Sri Vrndavana-dhama. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krsna.
ei nivedana dhara, sakhira anugata koro
seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi
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.
dina krsna-dase koy, ei yena mora hoy
sri-radha-govinda-preme sada yena bhasi
5) This very fallen and lowly servant of Krsna prays, “May I always swim in the love of Sri Sri Radha and Govinda.”
11. Sri Tulasi Pradaksina Mantra
When the song is finished, the assembled Vaisnavas should circumambulate Tulasi-devi 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,
yani kani ca papani brahma-hatyadikani ca
tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade
When a person circumambulates Srimati Tulasi-devi, all the sins he may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahmana.
12. The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name
The ten offenses to the holy name are listed as follows in the Padma Purana, as quoted in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 8.24, purport):
satam ninda namnah paramam aparadham vitanute
yatah khyatim yatam katham u sahate tad-vigarham
1. To blaspheme the great saintly persons who are preaching the glories of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is the worst offense at the lotus feet of the holy name. The Nama-prabhu, who is identical with Krsna, will never tolerate such blasphemous activities, even from one who passes as a great devotee.
sivasya sri-visnor ya iha guna-namadi-sakalam
dhiya bhinnam pasyet sa khalu hari-namahita-karah
2. In this material world the holy name of Visnu is all-auspicious. Visnu’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 Siva are as good as the name of Lord Visnu is also blasphemous.
guror avajna
3. It is offensive to consider the spiritual master material and therefore to envy his exalted position.
sruti-sastra-nindanam
4. It is offensive to blaspheme the Vedic literature such as the four Vedas and the Puranas.
artha-vadah
5. It is offensive to consider the glories of the holy name exaggerations.
hari-namni kalpanam
6. It is offensive to consider the holy name of the Lord imaginary.
namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhir
na vidyate tasya yamair hi suddhih
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 Yamaraja.
dharma-vrata-tyaga-hutadi-sarva-
subha-kriya-samyam api pramadah
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.
asraddadhane vimukhe ’py asrnvati
yas copadesah siva-namaparadhah
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.
srutvapi nama-mahatmyam yah priti-rahito ’dhamah
aham-mamadi-paramo namni so ’py aparadha-krt
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 pramadah
It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaisnava must carefully guard against these ten offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success, Krsna-prema
13. Vaisnava-pranama
vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava 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. Sri Sri Siksastaka
Eight Instructions
Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Krsna, 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 Siksastaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These supremely valuable prayers are translated herein.
(1)
ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam
1) Glory to the sri-krsna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana 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)
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah
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 Krsna 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)
trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
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 dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki 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 kinkaram
patitam mam visame bhavambudhau
krpaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrsam vicintaya
5) O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krsna], 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)
nayanam galad-asru-dharaya
vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira
pulakair nicitam vapuh kada
tava-nama-grahane bhavisyati
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)
yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena 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)
aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam
adarsanan marma-hatam-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah
8) I know no one but Krsna 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 adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksam
barhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam
kandarpa-koti-kaminiya-visesa-sobham
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
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-samhita Text 5.30]
angani yasya sakalendriya-vrtti-manti
pasyanti panti kalayanti ciram jaganti
ananda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
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-samhita Text 5.32]
16. Sri Guru-vandana
The Worship of Sri Guru
(from Prema-bhakti-candrika)
(1)
sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando mui savadhana mate
jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,
krsna-prapti hoy jaha 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 Krsna.
(2)
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya,
ar na koriho mane asa
sri-guru-carane rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarva asa
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-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jnan hrde prokasito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasa jate,
vede gay jahara 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)
sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu,
lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya,
ebe jasa ghusuk 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.
Srila Prabhupada was very fond of this song and sang it just before his lectures. In Allahabad and Gorakhpur Srila Prabhupada 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 Krsna.” Srila Prabhupada said that this song is “a picture of Vrndavana. Everything is there—Srimati Radharani, Vrndavana, Govardhana, Yasoda, and all the cowherd boys.”
17. Jaya Radha-Madhava
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
(jaya) radha-madhava (jaya) kunja-bihari
(jaya) gopi-jana-vallabha (jaya) giri-vara-dhari
(jaya) jasoda-nandana, (jaya) braja-jana-ranjana,
(jaya) jamuna-tira-vana-cari
Krsna is the lover of Radha. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vrndavana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, the holder of the great hill named Govardhana, the beloved son of mother Yasoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna.
18. Verses Recited Before
Srimad-Bhagavatam Class
narayanam namaskrtya
naram caiva narottamam
devim sarasvatim vyasam
tato jayam udirayet
Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rsi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author. [SB 1.2.4]
srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah
punya-sravana-kirtanah
hrdy antah stho hy abhadrani
vidhunoti suhrt satam
Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [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]
nasta-prayesv abhadresu
nityam bhagavata-sevaya
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam 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. Sri Sri Sad-gosvamy-astaka
Eight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis
by Srinivasa Acarya
(1)
krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamrtambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-krpa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
1) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krsna 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)
nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau
lokanam hita-karinau tri-bhuvane manyau saranyakarau
radha-krsna-padaravinda-bhajananandena mattalikau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
2) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, 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 Radha and Krsna.
(3)
sri-gauranga-gunanuvarnana-vidhau sraddha-samrddhy-anvitau
papottapa-nikrntanau tanu-bhrtam govinda-ganamrtaih
anandambudhi-vardhanaika-nipunau kaivalya-nistarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
3) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, 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)
tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat
bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau
gopi-bhava-rasamrtabdhi-lahari-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
4) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, 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 Krsna and bathe always and repeatedly in the waves of that ocean.
(5)
kujat-kokila-hamsa-sarasa-ganakirne mayurakule
nana-ratna-nibaddha-mula-vitapa-sri-yukta-vrndavane
radha-krsnam ahar-nisam prabhajatau jivarthadau yau muda
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
5) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were always engaged in worshiping Radha-Krsna in the transcendental land of Vrndavana where there are beautiful trees full of fruits and flowers which have under their roots all valuable jewels. The Gosvamis are perfectly competent to bestow upon the living entities the greatest boon of the goal of life.
(6)
sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau
nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau catyanta-dinau ca yau
radha-krsna-guna-smrter madhurimanandena sammohitau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
6) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, 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)
radha-kunda-tate kalinda-tanaya-tire ca vamsivate
premonmada-vasad asesa-dasaya grastau pramattau sada
gayantau ca kada harer guna-varam bhavabhibhutau muda
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
7) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were sometimes on the bank of the Radha-kunda lake or the shores of the Yamuna and sometimes at Vamsivata. There they appeared just like madmen in the full ecstasy of love for Krsna, exhibiting different transcendental symptoms in their bodies, and they were merged in the ecstasy of Krsna consciousness.
(8)
he radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah
sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vane kutah
ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
8) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vrndavana, shouting, “Queen of Vrndavana, Radharani! O Lalita! O son of Nanda Maharaja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamuna? Where are you?” These were their moods in executing Krsna consciousness.
20. Verses Recited Before Reading Krsna Book
Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51): kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has also taught us this. While passing on the road, He used to chant:
krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna he
krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna he
krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna raksa mam
krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna krsna pahi mam
rama raghava rama raghava rama raghava raksa mam
krsna kesava krsna kesava krsna kesava pahi mam
“O Lord Krsna, please protect Me and maintain Me. O Lord Rama, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Krsna, O Kesava, killer of the Kesi demon, please maintain Me.”
If one always chants the holy name of Krsna, 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 Krsna 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 Krsna 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 (prema pum-artho mahan).
21. Other Kirtana Chants
Prayer to Lord Jagannatha
Jagannatha-svami nayana pathagami bhavatu me
May that Jagannatha-svami be the object of my vision
Prayer to Lord Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda
nitai gauranga, nitai gauranga
Jaya sacinandana, gaura-hari
All glories to Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya, the son of Saci-devi, who is Krsna Himself in golden hue.
Prayer to Lord Govinda
govinda jaya jaya, gopala jaya jaya
Radha-Ramana hari, govinda jaya jaya
All glories to Lord Sri Govinda! All glories to Lord Sri Gopala! All glories to Lord Sri Hari, the husband of Radharani.
22. Nama-sankirtana
(1)
hari haraye namah krsna yadavaya namah
yadavaya madhavaya kesavaya namah
1) O Lord Hari, O Lord Krsna, I offer my obeisances to You, who are known as Hari, Yadava, Madhava, and Kesava.
(2)
gopala govinda rama sri-madhusudana
giridhari gopinatha madana-mohana
2) O Gopala, Govinda, Rama, Sri Madhusudana, Giridhari Gopinatha, and Madana-mohana!
(3)
sri-caitanya-nityananda sri-advaita-sita
hari guru vaisnaba bhagavata gita
3) All glories to Sri Caitanya and Nityananda! All glories to Sri Advaita Acarya and His consort, Sri Sita Thakurani. All glories to Lord Hari, to the spiritual master, the Vaisnavas, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Srimad Bhagavad-Gita.
(4)
sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha
sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha
4) All glories to Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.
(5)
ei chay gosair kori carana vandan
jaha hoite bighna-nas abhista-puran
5) I offer my obeisances to the feet of these six Gosvamis. By bowing to them, all obstacles to devotion are destroyed and all spiritual desires are fulfilled.
(6)
ei chay gosai jar—mui tar das
ta-sabara pada-renu mora panca-gras
6) I am the servant of that person who is a servant of these six Gosvamis. The dust of their lotus feet is my five kinds of foodstuffs.
(7)
tadera carana-sebi-bhakta-sane bas
janame janame hoy ei abhilas
7) This is my desire: that birth after birth I may live with those devotees who serve the lotus feet of these six Gosvamis.
(8)
ei chay gosai jabe braje koila bas
radha-krsna-nitya-lila korila prakas
8) When these six Gosvamis lived in Vraja they revealed the lost holy places and explained the eternal pastimes of Radha and Krsna.
(9)
anande bolo hari bhaja brndaban
sri-guru-vaisnaba-pade majaiya man
9) Just shout the names of Lord Hari in great ecstasy and worship the transcendental realm of Vrndavana while absorbing your mind in meditation upon the divine feet of the spiritual master and the Vaisnavas.
(10)
sri-guru-vaisnaba-pada-padma kori as
narottama dasa kohe nama-sankirtana
10) Desiring to serve the lotus feet of Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, Narottama dasa sings this sankirtana of the holy names of Lord Hari.
23. Purport
by His Divine Grace
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This song of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura is very famous among devotees in Bengal and Orissa. When Lord Caitanya returned from Gaya, where He was initiated by Sri Isvara Puri, 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 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This form of grammar was later on developed by Srila Jiva Gosvami in a book called Hari-namamrta-vyakarana, The Grammar of the Nectar and Name of Sri Hari. But Lord Caitanya’s students thought that their teacher had become mad, and they rubbed His head with Visnu oil, an oil that cools the brain. Finally they asked Him, “You say that everything means Krsna and we should ultimately always be chanting the names of Krsna. Just how should we do this?” Then Lord Caitanya began to sing the names of Krsna and clap His hands, and He began His nama-sankirtana movement. The names He sang are the first two lines of this song, and Narottama Dasa Thakura and others have placed these names in the beginning of their writings to immortalize these events in the memory of everyone.
Narottama Dasa Thakura chants the names of Lord Caitanya, Nityananda, Sri Advaita and Sita (Lord Advaita’s consort). Since Lord Hari, the spiritual master, and the Srimad Bhagavad-gita are all on the transcendental platform, they are given the same respect. Then Srila Narottama Dasa chants the names of the six Gosvamis. “I offer my obeisances at their feet,” he sings, “which destroy sufferings accumulated over many long years. I am the servant of these six Gosvamis, 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 Gosvamis were staying at Vrndavana, they revealed the eternal transcendental pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. Before Lord Caitanya the exact location of the places of Lord Krsna’s pastimes were not known, and therefore Lord Caitanya instructed the Gosvamis to uncover the holy places and construct temples. The temple of Sri Radha Damodara is situated near the location of the rasa dance, and Srila Rupa Gosvami and the other Gosvamis used to gather there and discuss the topics of their literatures, which scientifically explained the super-excellent pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. Narottama Dasa Thakura 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 Vaisnavas, Narottama Dasa sings the sankirtana of Lord Hari: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”
24. Sri Nama-kirtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
(from Gitavali)
(1)
yasomati-nandana, braja-baro-nagara,
gokula-ranjana kana
gopi-parana-dhana, madana-manohara,
kaliya-damana-vidhana
1) Lord Krsna is the beloved son of mother Yasoda; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kana [a nickname of Krsna]; the wealth of the lives of the gopis. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kaliya serpent.
(2)
amala harinam amiya-vilasa
vipina-purandara, navina nagara-bora,
bamsi-badana suvasa
2) These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Krsna 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-palana, asura-kula-nasana
nanda-godhana-rakhowala
govinda madhava, navanita-taskara,
sundara nanda-gopala
3) Krsna is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Maharaja’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 Maharaja.
(4)
yamuna-tata-cara, gopi-basana-hara,
rasa-rasika, krpamoya
sri-radha-vallabha, brndabana-natabara,
bhakativinod-asraya
4) Krsna wanders along the banks of the River Yamuna. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rasa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Srimati Radharani; the great dancer of Vrndavana; and the shelter and only refuge of Thakura Bhaktivinoda.
25. Gaura-arati
(from Gitavali)
(1)
(kiba) jaya jaya goracander aratiko sobha
jahnavi-tata-vane jaga-mana-lobha
jaga-jana-mana-lobha
(First Refrain)
gauranger arotik sobha
jaga-jana-mana-lobha
1) All glories, all glories to the beautiful arati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-arati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jahnavi [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.
(2)
dakhine nitaicand, bame gadadhara
nikate adwaita, srinivasa chatra-dhara
2) On Lord Caitanya’s right side is Lord Nityananda, and on His left is Sri Gadadhara. Nearby stands Sri Advaita, and Srivasa Thakura is holding an umbrella over Lord Caitanya’s head.
(3)
bosiyache goracand ratna-simhasane
arati koren brahma-adi deva-gane
3) Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the arati ceremony.
(4)
narahari-adi kori’ camara dhulaya
sanjaya-mukunda-basu-ghos-adi gaya
4) Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with camaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosa sing sweet kirtana.
(5)
sankha baje ghanta baje baje karatala
madhura mrdanga baje parama rasala
(Second Refrain)
sankha baje ghanta baje
madhur madhur madhur baje
5) Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mrdangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.
(6)
bahu-koti candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-dese bana-mala 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)
siva-suka-narada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorara sampada
7) Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Sri Caitanya.
26. Saparsada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilapa
Lamentation Due to Separation
from the Lord and His Associates
(from Prarthana)
(1)
je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela acarya-thakur
1) He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy—where has such a personality as Srinivasa Acarya gone?
(2)
kaha mora swarup rupa kaha sanatan
kaha dasa raghunatha patita-pavan
2) Where are my Svarupa Damodara and Rupa Gosvami? Where is Sanatana? Where is Raghunatha dasa, the savior of the fallen?
(3)
kaha mora bhatta-juga kaha kaviraj
eka-kale kotha gela gora nata-raj
3) Where are my Raghunatha Bhatta and Gopala Bhatta, and where is Krsnadasa Kaviraja? Where did Lord Gauranga, the great dancer, suddenly go?
(4)
pasane kutibo matha anale pasibo
gauranga gunera nidhi kotha gele pabo
4) I will smash my head against the rock and enter into the fire. Where will I find Lord Gauranga, the reservoir of all wonderful qualities?
(5)
se-saba sangira sange je koilo bilas
se-sanga na paiya kande narottama das
5) Being unable to obtain the association of Lord Gauranga accompanied by all of these devotees in whose association He performed His pastimes, Narottama dasa simply weeps.
27. Sri Damodarastaka
(found in the Padma Purana of Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa,
spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi)
“In the month of Kartika one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recite the prayer known as Damodarastaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara. ”
(Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa 2.16.198)
(1)
namamisvaram sac-cid-ananda-rupam
lasat-kundalam gokule bhrajamanam
yasoda-bhiyolukhalad dhavamanam
paramrstam atyantato drutya gopya
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 Yasoda, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed—to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
(2)
rudantam muhur netra-yugmam mrjantam
karambhoja-yugmena satanka-netram
muhuh svasa-kampa-trirekhanka-kantha-
sthita-graivam damodaram 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, Sri Damodara, whose belly is bound not with ropes but with His mother’s pure love, I offer my humble obeisances.
(3)
itidrk sva-lilabhir ananda-kunde
sva-ghosam nimajjantam akhyapayantam
tadiyesita-jnesu bhaktair jitatvam
punah prematas tam satavrtti 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 Damodara hundreds and hundreds of times.
(4)
varam deva moksam na moksavadhim va
na canyam vrne ’ham varesad apiha
idam te vapur natha gopala-balam
sada me manasy avirastam kim anyaih
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 Vaikuntha, 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 Bala Gopala in Vrndavana may ever be manifest in my heart, for what is the use to me of any other boon besides this?
(5)
idam te mukhambhojam atyanta-nilair
vrtam kuntalaih snigdha-raktais ca gopya
muhus cumbitam bimba-raktadharam me
manasy avirastam alam laksa-labhaih
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 Yasoda, 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 damodarananta visno
prasida prabho duhkha-jalabdhi-magnam
krpa-drsti-vrstyati-dinam batanu
grhanesa mam ajnam edhy aksi-drsyah
6) 0 Supreme Godhead, I offer my obeisances unto You. O Damodara! O Ananta! O Visnu! 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)
kuveratmajau baddha-murtyaiva yadvat
tvaya mocitau bhakti-bhajau krtau ca
tatha prema-bhaktim svakam me prayaccha
na mokse graho me ‘sti damodareha
7) 0 Lord Damodara, just as the two sons of Kuvera—Manigriva and Nalakuvara—were delivered from the curse of Narada 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 damne sphurad-dipti-dhamne
tvadiyodarayatha visvasya dhamne
namo radhikayai tvadiya-priyayai
namo ’nanta-lilaya devaya tubhyam
8) 0 Lord Damodara, 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 Srimati Radharani, and I offer all obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes.
28. Sri Jagannathastaka
(1)
kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah
rama-sambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesarcita-pado
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
1) Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha makes a loud concert with His flute in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotuslike faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great personalities such as Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesa worship His lotus feet. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.
(2)
bhuje savye venum sirasi sikhi-puccham kati-tate
dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksam vidadhate
sada srimad-vrndavana-vasati-lila-paricayo
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
2) In His left hand Lord Jagannatha 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 Vrndavana. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.
(3)
mahambhodhes tire kanaka-rucire nila-sikhare
vasan prasadantah sahaja-balabhadrena balina
subhadra-madhya-sthah sakala-sura-sevavasara-do
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
3) On the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace atop the brilliant, golden Nilacala Hill, Lord Jagannatha resides with His powerful brother Balabhadra and His sister Subhadra, who sits between Them. May that Jagannatha Svami, who bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls, be the object of my vision.
(4)
krpa-paravarah sajala-jalada-sreni-ruciro
rama-vani-ramah sphurad-amala-pankeruha-mukhah
surendrair aradhyah sruti-gana-sikha-gita-carito
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
4) Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and as beautiful as a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Laksmi and Sarasvati, and His face resembles a spotless fullblown lotus. The best of demigods and sages worship Him, and the Upanisads sing His glories. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.
(5)
ratharudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalaih
stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam upakarnya sadayah
daya-sindhur bandhuh sakala jagatam sindhu-sutaya
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
5) When Lord Jagannatha moves along the road on His Rathayatra car, at every step large assemblies of brahmanas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His pleasure. Hearing their hymns, Lord Jagannatha becomes very favorably disposed toward them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that Jagannatha Svami, along with His consort Laksmi, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision.
(6)
para-brahmapidah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivasi niladrau nihita-carano 'nanta-sirasi
rasanando radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
6) Lord Jagannatha, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotus petals, is the ornament on Lord Brahma's head. He resides on Nilacala Hill with His lotus feet placed on the heads of Anantadeva. Overwhelmed by the mellows of love, He joyfully embraces Srimati Radharani's body, which is like a cool pond. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.
(7)
na vai yace rajyam na ca kanaka-manikya-vibhavam
na yace 'ham ramyam sakala jana-kamyam vara-vadhum
sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-carito
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami 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 Jagannatha Svami, whose glories Lord Siva always sings, may be the constant object of my vision.
(8)
hara tvam samsaram druta-taram asaram sura-pate
hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate
aho dine 'nathe nihita-carano niscitam idarn
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami 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 Jagannatha bestows His lotus feet upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.
(9)
jagannathastakam punyam yah pathet prayatah sucih
sarva-papa-visuddhatma visnu-lokam sa gacchati
9) The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord Jagannatha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Visnu's abode.
29. Prayers for offering Prasadam
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. 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 Krsna.
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
Prasada-sevaya
From Gitavali
sarira avidya-jal, jodendriya tahe kal,
jive phele visaya-sagore
ta’ra madhye jihva ati, lobhamoy sudurmati,
ta’ke jeta kathina samsare
krsna bado doyamay, karibare jihva jay,
sva-prasad-anna dila bhai
sei annamrta pao, radha-krsna-guna gao,
preme dako caitanya-nitai
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 Krsna, are very kind to us and have given us such nice prasadam just to control the tongue. Now we take this prasadam to our full satisfaction and glorify You—Sri Sri Radha and Krsna—and in love call for the help of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda.
maha-prasade govinde nama-brahmani vaisnave
svalpa-punya-vatam rajan visvaso naiva jayate
O king, for those with little pious credit, faith in maha-prasada, Sri Govinda, the holy name, and the Vaisnavas never arises. [Mahabharata]
NOTICE
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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