Monday: Dainya – Expressions of Humility

Bhuliyā Tomāre

bhuliyā tomāre,     saṁsāre āsiyā,
peye nānā-vidha vyathā
tomāra caraṇe,     āsiyāchi āmi,
bolibo duḥkhera kathā (1)

Phrase Breakdown: ① bhuliyā tomāre—having forgotten You, saṁsāre āsiyā—having come into this material world; ② peye nānā-vidha vyathā—having experienced various kinds of pains; ③ tomāra caraṇe—at Your lotus feet, āsiyāchi āmi—I have come; ④ bolibo duḥkhera kathā—I will speak my tale of sorrow.

Word-for-Word: ① bhuliyā—having forgotten • tomāre—You • saṁsāre—into the material world • āsiyā—having come ② peye—having experienced • nānā-vidha—various kinds • vyathā—of pains ③ tomāra—Your • caraṇe—at the feet • āsiyāchi—have come • āmi—I ④ bolibo—I will tell • duḥkhera—of sorrow • kathā—the tale.

Forgetting You and falling into worldliness, I have suffered many pains. Now, falling at Your feet, I shall tell You my woeful tale.

jananī-jaṭhare,     chilāma ĵakhana,
viṣama bandhana-pāśe
eka-bāra prabhu,     dekhā diyā more,
vañcile e dīna dāse (2)

Phrase Breakdown: ① jananī-jaṭhare—in the mother's womb, chilāma ĵakhana—when I was; ② viṣama bandhana-pāśe—in the terrible bonds of confinement; ③ eka-bāra prabhu—once, O Lord, dekhā diyā more—having revealed Yourself to me; ④ vañcile e dīna dāse—You cheated this poor servant.

Word-for-Word: ① jananī—of the mother • jaṭhare—in the womb • chilāma—I was • ĵakhana—when ② viṣama—terrible • bandhana—of confinement • pāśe—in the bonds ③ eka-bāra—once • prabhu—O Lord • dekhā diyā—having revealed (Yourself) • more—to me ④ vañcile—You cheated • e—this • dīna—lowly • dāse—servant.

When I was still in my mother’s womb, I was tightly confined, but once, O Lord, You appeared to me. However, this lowly servitor was simply cheated…

takhana bhāvinu,     janama pāiyā,
karibo bhajana tava
janama ha·ilo,     paḓi’ māyā-jāle,
nā ha·ilo jñāna-lava (3)

Phrase Breakdown: ① takhana bhāvinu—then I thought, janama pāiyā—having taken birth; ② karibo bhajana tava—I will perform Your worship; ③ janama ha·ilo—birth happened, paḓi’ māyā-jāle—having fallen into the net of māyā; ④ nā ha·ilo jñāna-lava—there was not a drop of knowledge.

Word-for-Word: ① takhana—then • bhāvinu—I thought • janama—birth • pāiyā—having taken ② karibo—I will perform • bhajana—worship • tava—Your ③ janama—birth • ha·ilo—occurred • paḓi’—having fallen • māyā-jāle—into the net of illusion ④ nā ha·ilo—there was not • jñāna—of knowledge • lava—a trace.

…for I thought that I would take birth and serve You. Instead, I was born and fell into the net of māyā, and I was without a trace of wisdom.

ādarera chele,     svajanera kole,
hāsiyā kāṭānu kāla
janaka-jananī,     snehete bhuliyā,
saṁsāra lāgilo bhālo (4)

Phrase Breakdown: ① ādarera chele—as an adored child, svajanera kole—on the laps of relatives; ② hāsiyā kāṭānu kāla—having laughed, I passed the time; ③ janaka-jananī—of father and mother, snehete bhuliyā—having forgotten (everything) in their affection; ④ saṁsāra lāgilo bhālo—material life felt good.

Word-for-Word: ① ādarera—adored • chele—child • svajanera—of relatives • kole—on the laps ② hāsiyā—having laughed • kāṭānu—I passed • kāla—time ③ janaka—father • jananī—mother • snehete—in affection • bhuliyā—having forgotten ④ saṁsāra—material life • lāgilo—struck me as • bhālo—good.

Smothered with affection by my family members, sitting on their laps and laughing, I wasted time. I forgot everything in my parents’ fondness for me. Worldly life struck me as quite appealing.

krame dina dina,     bālaka ha·iyā,
khelinu bālaka-saha
āra kichu dine,     jñāna upajilo,
pāṭha paḓi’ aharahaḥ (5)

Phrase Breakdown: ① krame dina dina—gradually, day by day, bālaka ha·iyā—having become a boy; ② khelinu bālaka-saha—I played with other boys; ③ āra kichu dine—in a few more days, jñāna upajilo—awareness grew; ④ pāṭha paḓi’ aharahaḥ—having studied my lessons daily.

Word-for-Word: ① krame—gradually • dina dina—day by day • bālaka—a boy • ha·iyā—having become ② khelinu—I played • bālaka-saha—with boys ③ āra—more • kichu—few • dine—in days • jñāna—awareness • upajilo—grew ④ pāṭha paḓi’—having studied lessons • aharahaḥ—daily.

Gradually, I became a small child and played with other small children. As my awareness of the world grew, I began my daily schooling.

vidyāra gaurave,     bhrami’ deśe deśe,
dhana upārjana kari
svajana-pālana,     kari eka-mane,
bhulinu tomāre hari! (6)

Phrase Breakdown: ① vidyāra gaurave—in the pride of learning, bhrami’ deśe deśe—having wandered from country to country; ② dhana upārjana kari—I earn wealth; ③ svajana-pālana—maintaining my family, kari eka-mane—I do with single-minded focus; ④ bhulinu tomāre hari!—I forgot You, O Hari!

Word-for-Word: ① vidyāra—of learning • gaurave—in the pride • bhrami’—having traveled • deśe deśe—from country to country ② dhana—wealth • upārjana kari—I earn ③ svajana—family • pālana—maintenance • kari—I do • eka-mane—with single mind ④ bhulinu—I forgot • tomāre—You • hari!—O Hari!

Proud of my learning, I travelled abroad in search of wealth. Fixated on the maintenance of my family, I forgot You, O Hari!

vārdhakye ekhana,     bhakativinoda,
kā̃diyā kātara ati
nā bhajiyā tore,     dina vṛthā gelo,
ekhana ki ha’be gati! (7)

Phrase Breakdown: ① vārdhakye ekhana—now in old age, bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; ② kā̃diyā kātara ati—having wept, greatly distressed; ③ nā bhajiyā tore—not having worshiped You, dina vṛthā gelo—days passed in vain; ④ ekhana ki ha’be gati!—now what will become of me!

Word-for-Word: ① vārdhakye—in old age • ekhana—now • bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda ② kā̃diyā—having wept • kātara—distressed • ati—greatly ③ nā bhajiyā—not having served • tore—You • dina—days • vṛthā—in vain • gelo—went ④ ekhana—now • ki—what • ha’be—will be • gati!—destination/fate!

Now aged, Bhaktivinoda weeps, greatly distressed. In not serving You, all my days were wasted. Now what will become of me?

Vidyāra Vilāse, Kāṭāinu Kāla

vidyāra vilāse,     kāṭāinu kāla,
parama sāhase āmi
tomāra caraṇa,     nā bhajinu kabhu,
ekhana śaraṇa tumi (1)

Phrase Breakdown: ① vidyāra vilāse—rapt in the pleasures of learning, kāṭāinu kāla—I wasted the time; ② parama sāhase āmi—I, with great audacity; ③ tomāra caraṇa—Your feet, nā bhajinu kabhu—I never worshiped; ④ ekhana śaraṇa tumi—now You are my refuge.

Word-for-Word: ① vidyāra—of learning • vilāse—in the pleasures • kāṭāinu—I wasted • kāla—time ② parama—great • sāhase—with audacity • āmi—I ③ tomāra—Your • caraṇa—feet • nā bhajinu—never worshiped • kabhu—once ④ ekhana—now • śaraṇa—refuge • tumi—You.

With great audacity, I wasted my time rapt in the pleasures of learning. Never once did I worship Your feet, but now, You alone are my refuge.

paḓite paḓite,     bharasā bāḓilo,
jñāne gati habe māni’
se-āśā viphala,     se-jñāna durbala,
se-jñāna ajñāna jāni (2)

Phrase Breakdown: ① paḓite paḓite—persevering with my studies, bharasā bāḓilo—my anticipation grew; ② jñāne gati habe māni’—having believed I would find fulfillment through knowledge; ③ se-āśā viphala—that hope proved futile, se-jñāna durbala—that knowledge is feeble; ④ se-jñāna ajñāna jāni—I know that knowledge to be ignorance.

Word-for-Word: ① paḓite paḓite—studying and studying • bharasā—anticipation • bāḓilo—grew ② jñāne—by knowledge • gati—fulfillment/destination • habe—will be • māni’—having believed ③ se-āśā—that hope • viphala—futile • se-jñāna—that knowledge • durbala—feeble ④ se-jñāna—that knowledge • ajñāna—ignorance • jāni—I realize.

As I persevered with my studies, my anticipation and self-assurance grew, and I believed I would find fulfillment through that knowledge. That hope proved futile, for such knowledge is feeble. I have come to realize that such knowledge is ignorance.

jaḓa-vidyā ĵato,     māyāra vaibhava,
tomāra bhajane bādhā
moha-janamiyā,     anitya-saṁsāre,
jīvake karaye gādhā (3)

Phrase Breakdown: ① jaḓa-vidyā ĵato—all forms of materialistic knowledge, māyāra vaibhava—are the allure of māyā; ② tomāra bhajane bādhā—a hindrance to worshiping You; ③ moha-janamiyā—having spawned a deluding infatuation, anitya-saṁsāre—with this fleeting world; ④ jīvake karaye gādhā—it turns the jīva into a donkey.

Word-for-Word: ① jaḓa-vidyā—materialistic knowledge • ĵato—all • māyāra—of māyā • vaibhava—glittering allure ② tomāra—Your • bhajane—in worship • bādhā—a hindrance ③ moha—infatuation • janamiyā—having spawned • anitya—fleeting • saṁsāre—in the world ④ jīvake—the soul • karaye—turns into • gādhā—a donkey.

All forms of materialistic knowledge are but the glittering allure of māyā and a hindrance to worshiping You. It spawns a deluding infatuation with this fleeting world and turns the jīva into a donkey.

sei gādhā ha’ye,     saṁsārera bojhā,
vahinu aneka kāla
vārdhakye ekhana,     śaktira abhāve,
kichu nāhi lāge bhālo (4)

Phrase Breakdown: ① sei gādhā ha’ye—having become such a donkey, saṁsārera bojhā—the load of materialistic life; ② vahinu aneka kāla—I have borne for an extremely long time; ③ vārdhakye ekhana—now aged, śaktira abhāve—incapacitated; ④ kichu nāhi lāge bhālo—I find no satisfaction in anything.

Word-for-Word: ① sei—such • gādhā—donkey • ha’ye—having become • saṁsārera—of materialistic life • bojhā—the load ② vahinu—I have borne • aneka—a long • kāla—time ③ vārdhakye—in old age • ekhana—now • śaktira—of strength • abhāve—in the lack ④ kichu nāhi—nothing • lāge—strikes me as • bhālo—good.

Having become such a donkey, I have borne the load of materialistic life for an extremely long time. Now aged and incapacitated, I find no satisfaction in anything.

jīvana—ĵātanā,     ha·ilo ekhana,
se-vidyā avidyā bhelo
avidyāra jvālā,     ghaṭilo viṣama,
se-vidyā ha·ilo śela (5)

Phrase Breakdown: ① jīvana—ĵātanā—life is a torment, ha·ilo ekhana—now; ② se-vidyā avidyā bhelo—all my learning has proven to be ignorance; ③ avidyāra jvālā—the searing agony of that ignorance, ghaṭilo viṣama—has become intolerable; ④ se-vidyā ha·ilo śela (marma-bhedī astra viśeṣa)—that knowledge has become a dagger (a special weapon that pierces the heart).

Word-for-Word: ① jīvana—life • ĵātanā—a torment • ha·ilo—is • ekhana—now ② se-vidyā—that learning • avidyā—ignorance • bhelo—proven to be ③ avidyāra—of ignorance • jvālā—the searing agony • ghaṭilo—has occurred • viṣama—intolerable ④ se-vidyā—that knowledge • ha·ilo—has become • śela (marma-bhedī astra viśeṣa)—a dagger (a special weapon that pierces the heart).

Life is a torment now; all my learning has proven to be ignorance. The searing agony of that ignorance has become intolerable. That [supposed] knowledge has become a dagger [in my heart].

tomāra caraṇa,     vinā kichu dhana,
saṁsāre nā āche āra
bhakativinoda,     jaḓa-vidyā chāḓi’,
tuwā pada kare sāra (6)

Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra caraṇa—Your feet, vinā kichu dhana—apart from [there is] no other value; ② saṁsāre nā āche āra—there is nothing else within this material existence; ③ bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda, jaḓa-vidyā chāḓi’—having forsaken worldly knowledge; ④ tuwā pada kare sāra—has made Your feet his all in all.

Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • caraṇa—feet • vinā—apart from • kichu—any • dhana—value/wealth ② saṁsāre—within this material existence • nā āche—there is nothing • āra—else ③ bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • jaḓa-vidyā—worldly knowledge • chāḓi’—having forsaken ④ tuwā—Your • pada—feet • kare—has made • sāra—all in all.

Apart from Your feet, there is nothing of value within this material existence. Having forsaken worldly knowledge, Bhaktivinoda has made Your feet his all in all.

Ĵauvane Ĵakhana

ĵauvane ĵakhana,     dhana-upārjane,
ha·inu vipula kāmī
dharama smariyā,     gṛhinīra kara,
dharinu takhana āmi (1)

Phrase Breakdown: ① ĵauvane ĵakhana—when in my youth, dhana-upārjane—in amassing wealth; ② ha·inu vipula kāmī—I became greatly desirous; ③ dharama smariyā—having remembered my religious obligations, gṛhinīra kara—a wife's hand; ④ dharinu takhana āmi—I then took.

Word-for-Word: ① ĵauvane—in youth • ĵakhana—when • dhana-upārjane—in amassing wealth ② ha·inu—I became • vipula—greatly • kāmī—desirous ③ dharama—religious obligations • smariyā—having remembered • gṛhinīra—of a wife • kara—the hand ④ dharinu—took • takhana—then • āmi—I.

During my youth, I became greatly desirous of amassing wealth. Remembering my religious obligations, I then took a wife’s hand [in marriage].

saṁsāra pātā’ye,     tāhāra sahita,
kāla-kṣaya kainu kato
bahu suta-sutā,     janama labhilo,
marame ha·inu hata (2)

Phrase Breakdown: ① saṁsāra pātā’ye—having established a household, tāhāra sahita—with her; ② kāla-kṣaya kainu kato—so much time I wasted; ③ bahu suta-sutā—many sons and daughters, janama labhilo—took birth; ④ marame ha·inu hata—I became stricken in my heart.

Word-for-Word: ① saṁsāra—a household • pātā’ye—having established • tāhāra sahita—with her ② kāla-kṣaya—waste of time • kainu—I did • kato—so much ③ bahu—many • suta-sutā—sons and daughters • janama labhilo—took birth ④ marame—in my heart • ha·inu—I became • hata—stricken.

In establishing a household together, so much time was wasted. Many sons and daughters were born to us, and my heart became stricken [with responsibility].

saṁsārera bhāra,     bāḓe dine dine,
acala ha·ilo gati
vārdhakya āsiyā,     gherilo āmāre,
asthira ha·ilo mati (3)

Phrase Breakdown: ① saṁsārera bhāra—the burden of family obligations, bāḓe dine dine—intensifies day by day; ② acala ha·ilo gati—life's objective became stagnant; ③ vārdhakya āsiyā—old age having arrived, gherilo āmāre—besieged me; ④ asthira ha·ilo mati—my mind became agitated.

Word-for-Word: ① saṁsārera—of family obligations • bhāra—the burden • bāḓe—intensifies • dine dine—day by day ② acala—stagnant • ha·ilo—became • gati—objective/progress ③ vārdhakya—old age • āsiyā—having arrived • gherilo—besieged • āmāre—me ④ asthira—agitated • ha·ilo—became • mati—mind.

The burden of family obligations intensified day by day, leaving life’s objective left to stagnate. Besieged on all sides by the onset of old age, my mind became agitated.

pīḓāya asthira,     cintāya jvarita,
abhāve jvalita cita
upāya nā dekhi’,     andhakāra-maya,
ekhana ha’yechi bhīta (4)

Phrase Breakdown: ① pīḓāya asthira—agitated with disease, cintāya jvarita—feverish with anxiety; ② abhāve jvalita cita—my mind burns with wants and needs; ③ upāya nā dekhi’—not seeing any respite, andhakāra-maya—enveloped in darkness; ④ ekhana ha’yechi bhīta—now I am terrified.

Word-for-Word: ① pīḓāya—with disease • asthira—agitated • cintāya—with anxiety • jvarita—feverish ② abhāve—in want/need • jvalita—burns • cita—mind ③ upāya—respite/remedy • nā dekhi’—not seeing • andhakāra-maya—enveloped in darkness ④ ekhana—now • ha’yechi—I have become • bhīta—terrified.

Agitated with disease and feverish with anxiety, my mind burns with wants and needs. Seeing no respite and enveloped in darkness, now I am terrified.

saṁsāra-taṭinī-,     srota nahe śeṣa,
maraṇa nikaṭe ghora
saba samāpiyā,     bhajibo tomāya,
e āśā viphala mora (5)

Phrase Breakdown: ① saṁsāra-taṭinī-srota—the current of the river of worldly life, nahe śeṣa—carries on unabated; ② maraṇa nikaṭe ghora—an abysmal demise draws near; ③ saba samāpiyā—having settled everything, bhajibo tomāya—I will worship You; ④ e āśā viphala mora—this hope of mine is futile.

Word-for-Word: ① saṁsāra-taṭinī—of the river of worldly life • srota—the current • nahe—is not • śeṣa—ended ② maraṇa—demise • nikaṭe—draws near • ghora—abysmal ③ saba—everything • samāpiyā—having settled • bhajibo—I will worship • tomāya—You ④ e—this • āśā—hope • viphala—futile • mora—my.

The current of worldly life carries on unabated, as an abysmal demise draws near. To be able to settle my worldly matters and worship You seems like a futile hope.

ebe śuno, prabhu!     āmi gati-hīna,
bhakativinoda kaya
tava kṛpā vinā,     sakali nirāśā,
deho more padāśraya (6)

Phrase Breakdown: ① ebe śuno, prabhu!—now listen, Prabhu! āmi gati-hīna—I have no refuge; ② bhakativinoda kaya—Bhaktivinoda says; ③ tava kṛpā vinā—without Your favor, sakali nirāśā—everything is hopeless; ④ deho more padāśraya—grant me refuge at Your feet.

Word-for-Word: ① ebe—now • śuno—listen • prabhu!—Lord! • āmi—I • gati-hīna—without refuge ② bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • kaya—says ③ tava—Your • kṛpā—favor/mercy • vinā—without • sakali—everything • nirāśā—hopeless ④ deho—grant/give • more—me • padāśraya—refuge at the feet.

Bhaktivinoda says, “Now listen, Prabhu! I have no refuge. Without Your favor, everything is hopeless. Grant me refuge at Your feet.”

Āmāra Jīvana

āmāra jīvana,     sadā pāpe rata,
nāhiko puṇyera leśa
parere udvega,     diyāchi ĵe kato,
diyāchi jīvere kleśa (1)

Phrase Breakdown: ① āmāra jīvana—my life, sadā pāpe rata—is perpetually dedicated to sin; ② nāhiko puṇyera leśa—there is not a trace of piety; ③ parere udvega—anxiety to others, diyāchi ĵe kato—so much I have given; ④ diyāchi jīvere kleśa—I have given misery to living beings.

Word-for-Word: ① āmāra—my • jīvana—life • sadā—perpetually • pāpe—to sin • rata—dedicated ② nāhiko—there is not • puṇyera—of piety • leśa—a trace ③ parere—to others • udvega—anxiety • diyāchi—I have given • ĵe kato—so much ④ diyāchi—I have given • jīvere—to living beings • kleśa—misery.

My life is perpetually dedicated to sin; thus I am without a trace of piety. I have given others great anxiety and brought only misery to living beings.

nija-sukha lāgi’,     pāpe nāhi ḍari,
dayā-hīna svārthapara
para-sukhe duḥkhī,     sadā mithyā-bhāṣī,
para-duḥkha sukhakara (2)

Phrase Breakdown: ① nija-sukha lāgi’—for the sake of my own pleasure, pāpe nāhi ḍari—I do not fear to commit sin; ② dayā-hīna svārthapara—devoid of compassion and selfish; ③ para-sukhe duḥkhī—sorrowful at the happiness of others, sadā mithyā-bhāṣī—an inveterate liar; ④ para-duḥkha sukhakara—the misery of others brings me happiness.

Word-for-Word: ① nija-sukha—own pleasure • lāgi’—for the sake of • pāpe—in sin • nāhi ḍari—I do not fear ② dayā-hīna—devoid of compassion • svārthapara—selfish ③ para-sukhe—at the happiness of others • duḥkhī—sorrowful • sadā—always • mithyā-bhāṣī—liar ④ para-duḥkha—the misery of others • sukhakara—brings happiness.

For the sake of my own pleasure, I am not afraid to commit any sin. Devoid of all compassion and full of selfishness, I feel sorrow at the happiness of others. I am an inveterate liar, and the misery of others delights me.

aśeṣa kāmanā,     hṛdi mājhe mora,
krodhī dambha-parāyaṇa
mada-matta sadā,     viṣaye mohita,
hiṁsā-garva-vibhūṣaṇa (3)

Phrase Breakdown: ① aśeṣa kāmanā—unlimited material desires, hṛdi mājhe mora—within my heart; ② krodhī dambha-parāyaṇa—I am full of anger and devoted to false pride; ③ mada-matta sadā—always intoxicated by conceit, viṣaye mohita—bewildered by mundane enjoyment; ④ hiṁsā-garva-vibhūṣaṇa—envy and egotism are my ornaments.

Word-for-Word: ① aśeṣa—unlimited • kāmanā—desires • hṛdi mājhe—within the heart • mora—my ② krodhī—angry • dambha-parāyaṇa—devoted to false pride ③ mada-matta—intoxicated by conceit • sadā—always • viṣaye—by mundane enjoyment • mohita—bewildered ④ hiṁsā—envy • garva—egotism • vibhūṣaṇa—ornaments.

There are unlimited material desires within my heart. I am full of anger and devoted to false pride. Indeed, I am always intoxicated by conceit and bewildered by mundane enjoyment. Envy and egotism are my ornaments.

nidrālasya-hata,     sukārye virata,
akārye udyogī āmi
pratiṣṭhā lāgiyā,     śāṭhya ācaraṇa,
lobha-hata sadā kāmī (4)

Phrase Breakdown: ① nidrālasya-hata—plagued by sleep and indolence, sukārye virata—disinclined to pious work; ② akārye udyogī āmi—I am enthusiastic to undertake forbidden deeds; ③ pratiṣṭhā lāgiyā—for the sake of prestige, śāṭhya ācaraṇa—I behave duplicitously; ④ lobha-hata sadā kāmī—destroyed by greed and always filled with desire.

Word-for-Word: ① nidrālasya-hata—destroyed by sleep and indolence • sukārye—to good work • virata—disinclined ② akārye—to forbidden deeds • udyogī—enthusiastic • āmi—I ③ pratiṣṭhā—prestige • lāgiyā—for the sake of • śāṭhya—duplicitous • ācaraṇa—behavior ④ lobha-hata—destroyed by greed • sadā—always • kāmī—filled with desire.

Plagued by indolence, I am disinclined to perform pious work, but I am enthusiastic to undertake forbidden deeds. For want of prestige, I behave most duplicitously. I have been destroyed by greed and am always filled with desire.

e heno durjana,     sajjana-varjita,
aparādhī nirantara
śubha-kārya-śūnya,     sadānartha-manā,
nānā duḥkhe jara jara (5)

Phrase Breakdown: ① e heno durjana—such a miscreant, sajjana-varjita—rejected by saintly persons; ② aparādhī nirantara—a perpetual offender; ③ śubha-kārya-śūnya—devoid of good deeds, sadānartha-manā—always habituated to vice; ④ nānā duḥkhe jara jara—oppressed by various miseries.

Word-for-Word: ① e heno—such a • durjana—miscreant • sajjana-varjita—rejected by saintly persons ② aparādhī—offender • nirantara—perpetual ③ śubha-kārya—good deeds • śūnya—devoid of • sadā—always • anartha-manā—habituated to vice ④ nānā—various • duḥkhe—by miseries • jara jara—oppressed/shattered.

Being such a miscreant and being rejected by saintly persons, I am a perpetual offender. Devoid of good deeds and habituated to vice, I am oppressed by various miseries.

vārdhakye ekhana,     upāya-vihīna,
tā’te dīna akiñcana
bhakativinoda,     prabhura caraṇe,
kare duḥkha nivedana (6)

Phrase Breakdown: ① vārdhakye ekhana—now in old age, upāya-vihīna—deprived of any remedy; ② tā’te dīna akiñcana—thus humbled and poor; ③ bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda, prabhura caraṇe—at the feet of the Lord; ④ kare duḥkha nivedana—submits his sorrows.

Word-for-Word: ① vārdhakye—in old age • ekhana—now • upāya-vihīna—without remedy ② tā’te—thus • dīna—humbled • akiñcana—poor ③ bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • prabhura—of the Lord • caraṇe—at the feet ④ kare nivedana—submits • duḥkha—sorrows.

Now, in old age, I am deprived of any remedy. Thus, the humbled and poor Bhaktivinoda submits his sorrows at the feet of the Lord.

(Prabhu He!) Śuno Mora Duḥkhera Kāhinī

(prabhu he!) śuno mora duḥkhera kāhinī
viṣaya-halāhala,     sudhā-bhāṇe piyalũ,
āb avasāna dina-maṇi (1)

Phrase Breakdown: ① (prabhu he!) śuno mora duḥkhera kāhinī—O Lord, please hear my sad story; ② viṣaya-halāhala—the poison of worldly enjoyment, sudhā-bhāṇe piyalũ—I drank, mistaking it to be nectar; ③ āb avasāna dina-maṇi—now the sun is setting.

Word-for-Word: ① (prabhu he!)—O Lord! • śuno—please hear • mora—my • duḥkhera—sad • kāhinī—story ② viṣaya—of worldly enjoyment • halāhala—the poison • sudhā—as nectar • bhāṇe (bhrame)—mistaking • piyalũ (pān karilāma)—I drank ③ āb (ekhana)—now • avasāna—is setting • dina-maṇi (sūrya)—jewel of the day (sun).

O Lord, please hear my sad story. I drank the poison of worldly enjoyment, mistaking it to be nectar. Now the sun is setting [on the horizon of my life].

khelā-rase śaiśava,     paḓha·ite kaiśora,
gõwāolũ, nā bhelo viveka
bhoga-vaśe ĵauvane,     ghara pāti’ basilũ,
suta-mita bāḓalo aneka (2)

Phrase Breakdown: ① khelā-rase śaiśava—my early years in play, paḓha·ite kaiśora—my boyhood in schooling; ② gõwāolũ, nā bhelo viveka—I squandered, and I never developed a sense of right and wrong; ③ bhoga-vaśe ĵauvane—in my youth, allured by worldly pleasures, ghara pāti’ basilũ—having settled into family life; ④ suta-mita bāḓalo aneka—progeny and acquaintances increased greatly.

Word-for-Word: ① khelā-rase—in the taste of play • śaiśava—early years • paḓha·ite (pāṭha karite)—in schooling • kaiśora—boyhood ② gõwāolũ (ativāhita karilāma)—I squandered • nā bhelo (ha-ila)—did not develop • viveka—discrimination ③ bhoga-vaśe—allured by worldly pleasures • ĵauvane—in youth • ghara pāti’—having established a home • basilũ—I settled ④ suta-mita—progeny and acquaintances • bāḓalo (vṛddhi prāpta ha-ila)—increased • aneka—greatly.

I squandered my early years in play and my boyhood in schooling, so I never developed a good sense of right and wrong. In my youth, allured by worldly pleasures, I settled into family life, where progeny and acquaintances increased greatly.

vṛddha-kāla āolo,     saba sukha bhāgalo,
pīḓā-vaśe ha·inu kātara
sarvendriya durbala,     kṣīṇa kalevara,
bhogābhāve duḥkhita antara (3)

Phrase Breakdown: ① vṛddha-kāla āolo—as old age arrived, saba sukha bhāgalo—all pleasure fled away; ② pīḓā-vaśe ha·inu kātara—under the grip of disease, I have become distressed; ③ sarvendriya durbala—all senses dull, kṣīṇa kalevara—my body frail; ④ bhogābhāve duḥkhita antara—my heart is despondent in the absence of pleasures.

Word-for-Word: ① vṛddha-kāla—old age • āolo (āsila)—arrived • saba—all • sukha—pleasure • bhāgalo (palāyana karila)—fled ② pīḓā-vaśe—under the grip of disease • ha·inu—I became • kātara—distressed ③ sarva-indriya—all senses • durbala—dull/weak • kṣīṇa—frail • kalevara—body ④ bhoga-abhāve—in the absence of pleasures • duḥkhita—despondent/sad • antara—heart.

As old age set in, all pleasure fled away. Under the grip of disease, I have become anxious and distressed. All my senses dull and my body frail, I remain despondent in the absence of physical pleasures.

jñāna-lava-hīna,     bhakti-rase vañcita,
āra mora ki ha’be upāya
patita bandhu tuhũ,     patitādhama hāma,
kṛpāya uṭhāo tava pāya (4)

Phrase Breakdown: ① jñāna-lava-hīna—without a trace of wisdom, bhakti-rase vañcita—deprived of bhakti-rasa; ② āra mora ki ha’be upāya—what recourse do I have left? ③ patita bandhu tuhũ—You are the friend of the fallen, patitādhama hāma—I am the lowest of sinners; ④ kṛpāya uṭhāo tava pāya—kindly lift me up to Your feet.

Word-for-Word: ① jñāna—wisdom • lava—a trace • hīna—without • bhakti-rase—of bhakti-rasa • vañcita—deprived ② āra—else/left • mora—my • ki—what • ha’be—will be • upāya—recourse ③ patita—of the fallen • bandhu—the friend • tuhũ (tumi)—You • patita-adhama—the lowest of sinners • hāma (āmi)—I ④ kṛpāya—kindly • uṭhāo—lift • tava—Your • pāya—to the feet.

I am without a trace of wisdom and deprived of bhakti-rasa. What recourse do I have left? You are the friend of the fallen and I am the lowest of sinners. Kindly lift me up and place me at Your feet.

vicārite ābahi,     guṇa nāhi pāobi,
kṛpā karo, choḓato vicāra
tava pada-paṅkaja-,     sīdhu pibāoto,
bhakativinode karo’ pāra (5)

Phrase Breakdown: ① vicārite ābahi—having considered now, guṇa nāhi pāobi—You will find no good qualities; ② kṛpā karo—please show mercy, choḓato vicāra—having abandoned all judgment; ③ tava pada-paṅkaja-sīdhu pibāoto—simply make me drink the ambrosia of Your lotus feet; ④ bhakativinode karo’ pāra—deliver this Bhaktivinoda.

Word-for-Word: ① vicārite—having considered • ābahi (ekhana)—now • guṇa—good qualities • nāhi—no • pāobi (pāibe)—You will find ② kṛpā karo—show mercy • choḓato (chhāḍa)—abandon • vicāra—judgment ③ tava—Your • pada-paṅkaja—lotus feet • sīdhu—ambrosia • pibāoto (pāna karāiyā)—having made to drink ④ bhakativinode—Bhaktivinoda • karo’ pāra—deliver/take across.

Consider what I am now, and You will find no good qualities. Therefore, kindly abandon all judgment and simply make me drink the ambrosia of Your lotus feet, thereby delivering this Bhaktivinoda.