Śocakas for the Six Gosvāmīs
Table of Contents
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī
Śrīmad-Rūpa-Gosvāmī-Prabhur Śocaka
O Mora Jīvana-gati
Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa
o mora jīvana-gati, śrī-rūpa-gõsāi ati,
guṇera samudra dayāmaya
ĵā̃hāra karuṇā haile, caitanya-caraṇa mile,
vraje rādhā-kṛṣṇa-prāpti haya (1)
O destination of my life! Śrī Rūpa Gosāñi is exceedingly compassionate and an ocean of divine qualities. If one receives his mercy, they meet the lotus feet of Caitanya, and thereby attain Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Vraja.
parama-vairāgya ĵā̃’ra, caritrera nāhi pāra,
asīma aiśvarya parihari’
caitanyera āgamana, śuni’ haraṣita mana,
prayāge calilā tvarā kari’ (2)
His supreme renunciation and sublime character know no bounds. Relinquishing unlimited opulence, his mind filled with joy upon hearing of Caitanya’s arrival, and he swiftly traveled to Prayāga.
anuja vallabha-sane, śīghra gelā sei sthāne,
mahāprabhu ĵathāya basiyā
caitanyera śrī-caraṇa, darśane ānanda mana,
bhūme dõhe paḓe loṭāiyā (3)
Along with his younger brother Vallabha (Anupama), he quickly went to the place where Mahāprabhu was sitting. Upon seeing the divine feet of Caitanya, their minds filled with bliss, and they both fell rolling on the ground.
punaḥ punaḥ dui-jane, nirakhiyā prabhu-pāne,
prema-jale bharilo nayana
dante tṛṇa-guccha dhare, vidhi-mate stava kare,
śunile vyākula haya mana (4)
Again and again, the two of them gazed at the Lord, their eyes filling with tears of prema. Holding a cluster of straw in their teeth, they offered prayers according to scriptural injunctions; hearing them, one's mind becomes overwhelmed.
śrī-rūpere nirakhiye, prabhu preme matta ha’ye,
priya-vākya aneka kahilā
aja, bhava, deva-gaṇa, ārādhaye ĵe caraṇa,
se caraṇa mastake dharilā (5)
Seeing Śrī Rūpa, the Lord became intoxicated with prema and spoke many affectionate words to him. The very feet worshipped by Aja [Brahmā], Bhava [Śiva], and the demigods—those feet He placed upon Rūpa's head.
preme vaśa gaura-rāya, uṭho uṭho boli’ tāya,
mahā-sukhe kailo āliṅgana
śrī-rūpa juḓiyā kara, stuti kare bahutara,
tāhā kichu nā haya varṇana (6)
Conquered by prema, Gaura-rāya said to him, "Arise, arise!" and embraced him with immense happiness. Śrī Rūpa, folding his hands, offered profuse prayers which cannot possibly be described.
tabe prabhu rūpe laiye, nikaṭete basāiye,
sanātaner puche samācāra
śrī-rūpa kahilo saba, śuniyā caitanya-deva,
kahe kichu cintā nāhi āra (7)
Then the Lord brought Rūpa close, seated him nearby, and inquired about the news of Sanātana. Śrī Rūpa told Him everything; hearing this, Caitanya-deva said, "There is nothing more to worry about."
śrī-rūpe prasanna haiyā, kichu-dina kāche thu’yā,
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-tattva jānāilā
parama ānanda mana, rūpe kari’ āliṅgana,
vṛndāvana ĵāite ājñā dilā (8)
Being pleased with Śrī Rūpa, the Lord kept him nearby for some days and revealed the tattva of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa to him. With a supremely joyful mind, He embraced Rūpa and gave him the order to go to Vṛndāvana.
kātare śrī-rūpa kaya,— ‘saṅge thāki, ājñā haya’,
śuni’ prabhu mahā-harṣa-citte
kahena madhura vāṇī,— ‘sadā saṅge ācho tumi,
punaśca āsibe vraja haite (9)’
In distress, Śrī Rūpa said, "Let me stay with You, please give the order." Hearing this, the Lord, with a greatly joyful heart, spoke sweet words: "You are always with Me, and you will come again from Vraja."
ei mata kahe ĵato, tabe prabhu śacī-suta,
kāśī cale naukāya caḓiyā
prabhura śrī-mukha-candra, nayane heriyā rūpa,
bhūme paḓe mūrchita ha·iyā (10)
After speaking in this way, the Lord, the son of Śacī, boarded a boat and departed for Kāśī. Gazing at the moon-like divine face of the Lord, Rūpa fell to the ground in a swoon.
se samaye bhelo ĵāhā, kahite nā pāri tāhā,
kato-kṣaṇe kichu sambarilā
mahāprabhur śrīcaraṇa, tāhe samarpiyā mana,
vṛndāvana gamana karilā (11)
I cannot describe what happened at that time; after some moments, he regained composure. Offering his mind to the divine feet of Mahāprabhu, he journeyed to Vṛndāvana.
atyanta ānanda cite, śīghra āilā mathurāte,
subuddhi-rāyera dekhā pāilā
rāya ānandita haiyā, dui-jane saṅge laiyā,
dvādaśa-kānana dekhāilā (12)
With an extremely joyful heart, he swiftly arrived in Mathurā, where he met Subuddhi Rāya. Rāya, becoming joyful, took the two of them along and showed them the twelve forests.
vistārite nāri āra, gamanāgamana tā̃’ra,
kato-dina pare vṛndāvane
śrī-rūpa, śrī-sanātana, hailo dõhe sumilana,
dõhe preme āpta nāhi jāne (13)
I cannot expand further on his coming and going; after some days in Vṛndāvana, Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Sanātana were beautifully reunited. Immersed in prema, neither of them knew their own selves.
āliṅgana kari’ dõhe, caitanyera guṇa kahe,
ĵāhā śuni’ pāṣāṇa milāya
ānanda ha·ilo citte, nāhi pāre sambarite,
kā̃di dõhe dharaṇī loṭāya (14)
Embracing each other, they spoke of Caitanya’s qualities, hearing which even stone melts. Joy arose in their hearts, and unable to contain it, they wept and rolled upon the earth.
ati anurāga mane, śrī-rūpa śrī-vṛndāvane,
rahe sadā premera ullāse
phala-mūla mādhukarī, vipra-gṛhe bhikṣā kari’,
bhuñje, kabhu thāke upavāse (15)
With a mind full of intense anurāga, Śrī Rūpa lived constantly in Śrī Vṛndāvana in the ecstasy of prema. Accepting mādhukarī alms of fruits and roots at the homes of brāhmaṇas, he would eat, or sometimes remain fasting.
chĩḓā kā̃thā bahirvāsa, ei-mātra vahe pāśa,
taru-tale karena śayana
divā-niśi aviśrāma, japaye madhura nāma,
bhāva-bhare karaye nartana (16)
A torn quilt and an outer garment—these alone he kept with him, and he would sleep beneath the trees. Day and night without rest, he chanted the sweet Name, dancing in the fullness of bhāva.
kṣaṇe kare saṅkīrtana, antarmanā anukṣaṇa,
ki ka’bo bhajana-rīti tā̃’ra
prabhura ājñāya kato, varṇilā amṛta grantha,
prema-sama akṣara ĵā̃hāra (17)
At one moment he performs saṅkīrtana, and at every moment he is deeply introspective; what can I say of his method of bhajana? By the Lord's order, he composed many nectarean books, whose every syllable is equal to prema.
mahā-dhīra aty-udāra, ke bujhe hṛdaya tā̃’ra,
kabhu yamunāra taṭe ĵāĩyā
‘hā śacīnandana boli’, kā̃daye du’hāta tuli’,
ḍāke rādhā-kṛṣṇa-nāma laĩyā (18)
Greatly sober and exceedingly magnanimous—who can understand his heart? Sometimes going to the banks of the Yamunā, he weeps, raising both hands, calling out, "Oh, Śacīnandana!" and invoking the names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
ati sukomala deha, sadā preme nāce seha,
āra ki bolibo eka mukhe
adhama pāmara-gaṇe, patita duḥkhita jane,
nija-guṇe kṛpā karena tā’ke (19)
He possesses a very soft and delicate body, yet he constantly dances in prema; what more can I say with only one mouth? To the lowest and most degraded people, to the fallen and sorrowful, he bestows his mercy by his own divine qualities.
narahari durācāra, kara more aṅgīkāra,
tāpete ha·ilo sadā bhora
tuwā pāda-padme mana, rahe ĵeno sarva-kṣaṇa,
ei nivedana śuno mora (20)
This wicked Narahari prays: Please accept me! I am constantly overwhelmed by the miseries of this world. May my mind dwell upon your lotus feet at every moment—please hear this, my petition.
(Word Meanings: āpta—one's own self/relatives; milāya—melts)
Āre Mora Śrī-Rūpa Gosāñi
Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa
āre mora śrī-rūpa gosāñi
gaurāṅga-cā̃dera bhāva, pracāra kariyā saba,
jānāite heno āra nāi (1)
Oh, my Śrī Rūpa Gosāñi! There is no one else like him to fully preach and make known all the inner bhāvas of Gaurāṅga-candra.
vṛndāvana nitya-dhāma, sarvopari anupama,
sarva-avatārī nanda-suta
tā̃’ra kāntā-gaṇādhikā, sarvārādhyā śrī-rādhikā,
tā̃’ra saṅga sakhī-gaṇa-yūtha (2)
Vṛndāvana is the eternal abode, supreme above all and peerless, and the son of Nanda is the source of all incarnations. Among all His beloveds, the supreme and most worshipable is Śrī Rādhikā, accompanied by Her assemblies of sakhīs.
rāga-mārge tāhā pāite, ĵā̃hāra karuṇā haite,
bujhilo, pāilo ĵe te janā
emana dayālu bhāi, kothāo ĵe dekhi nāi,
tā̃’ra pada karaho bhāvanā (3)
To attain this through the rāga-mārga—it is only by his mercy that anyone has understood and attained it. O brothers, I have never seen anyone so merciful anywhere; simply meditate upon his feet.
śrī-caitanya-ājñā pāĩyā, bhāgavata vicāriyā,
ĵato bhakti-siddhāntera khani
tāhā uṭhāiyā kato, nija-grantha kari’ ĵato,
jīve dilā prema-cintāmaṇi (4)
Receiving the order of Śrī Caitanya, he deliberated upon the Bhāgavatam and extracted the mines of bhakti-siddhānta. Unearthing them, he composed his own books and distributed the wish-fulfilling jewel of prema to the jīvas.
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-rasa-keli, nāṭya-gīta-padāvalī,
śuddha ‘parakīyā’ mata kari’
caitanyera manovṛtti, sthāpana karilā kṣiti,
āsvādiyā tāhāra mādhurī (5)
The amorous rasa-keli of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, their dramas, songs, and poetry, all established in the pure mood of parakīyā—he tasted their sweetness and established the inner heart's desire of Caitanya upon the earth.
caitanya-virahe śeṣa, pāi atiśaya kleśa,
tāhe ĵato pralāpa-vilāpa
sei saba kahite bhāi, dehe prāṇa rahe nāi,
e rādhā-vallabha-hiye tāpa (6)
In the end, suffering extreme agony in separation from Caitanya, he uttered many delirious laments. Oh brothers, speaking of all this, life does not remain in the body; this burns the heart of Rādhā-vallabha.
Yaṅ Kali Rūpa Śarīra Na Dharata
Mādho dāsa
yaṅ kali rūpa śarīra na dharata
taṅ vraja-prema, mahā-nidhi kuṭharīka,
kon kapāṭa ughāḓata (1)
If Rūpa had not manifested his body in this Kali-yuga, then who would have opened the doors to the storehouse of the supreme treasure of Vraja-prema?
nīra-kṣīra-haṁsana, pāna-vidhāyana,
kon pṛthak kari pāyata
ko saba tyaji’, bhaji’ vṛndāvana,
ko saba grantha viracita (2)
Like a swan that separates milk from water while drinking, who else could have achieved such pure extraction? Who would have renounced everything to perform bhajana in Vṛndāvana, and who would have composed all these scriptures?
ĵab pitu vana-phula, phalata nānā-vidha,
manorāji aravinda
so madhukara vinu, pāna kon jānata,
vidyamāna kari vandha (3)
When the forest of the mind blossoms with various kinds of yellow flowers and lotuses, who but that bumblebee knows how to drink their nectar, keeping them forever bound [in our presence]?
ko jānata, mathurā vṛndāvana,
ko jānata vrajanīta
ko jānata, rādhā-mādhava-rati,
ko jānata soi prīta (4)
Who would have known Mathurā and Vṛndāvana? Who would have known the ways of Vraja? Who would have known the intimate rati between Rādhā and Mādhava, and who would have understood that supreme affection?
ĵākara-caraṇa-, prasāde sakala jana,
gāi gāoyāi sukha pāota
caraṇa-kamale, śaraṇāgata mādho,
tava mahimā ura lāgata (5)
By the mercy of his lotus feet, everyone sings, makes others sing, and obtains happiness. Surrendered at your lotus feet, Mādho [dāsa] says, your glories deeply touch my heart.
Jaya Jaya Rūpa Mahā-rasa-sāgara
Mādho dāsa
jaya jaya rūpa mahā-rasa-sāgara
daraśana-paraśana, vacana rasāyana,
ānandahu ke gāgara (1)
All glories, all glories to Rūpa, the great ocean of supreme rasa! Seeing him, touching him, and hearing his nectarean words is a pitcher overflowing with pure bliss.
ati gambhīra, dhīra karuṇāmaya,
prema-bhakati ke āgara
ujjvala-prema-, mahāmaṇi prakaṭita,
deśa gauḓa vairāgara (2)
He is exceedingly profound, sober, and full of mercy—a reservoir of prema-bhakti. He manifested the great jewel of ujjvala-prema and established renunciation in the land of Gauḓa.
sad-guṇa-maṇḍita, paṇḍita-rañjana,
vṛndāvana nija nāgara
kirīti vimala ĵaśa, śuna tãhi mādho,
satata rahala hiye jāgara (3)
Adorned with all good qualities, a delight to the learned, he is the personal hero of Vṛndāvana. Hearing his spotless fame and glory, Mādho stays constantly awake within his heart.
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī
Śrīla-Sanātana-Gosvāmī-Prabhur Śocaka
Rūpera Vairāgya-kāle
Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa
rūpera vairāgya-kāle, sanātana vandiśāle,
viṣāda bhāvaye mane mane
“śrī-rūpe karuṇā kari’, trāṇa kailo gaurahari,
mo adhame nahilo smaraṇe (1)
At the time of Rūpa's renunciation, Sanātana was in prison, feeling deep lamentation within his mind. "Bestowing His mercy upon Śrī Rūpa, Gaurahari delivered him, but He did not remember me, the lowest of men.
mora karma-daḓi-phānde, mora hāte gale bāndhe,
rākhiyāche kārāgāre pheli’
āpana karuṇā-phā̃se, dṛḓha bāndhi’ mora keśe,
caraṇa-nikaṭe laho tuli’ (2)
"The noose of my karma's rope has bound me by the hands and neck, casting me into this prison house. With the rope of Your own mercy, firmly bind my hair and pull me close to Your feet.
paścāte agādha-jala, dui pāśe dāvānala,
sammukhe ĵuḓilo vyādha vāṇa
kātare hariṇī ḍāke, paḓiyā viṣama pāke,
tumi nātha more karo trāṇa (3)
"Behind me is fathomless water, on both sides is a blazing forest fire, and in front, a hunter has nocked his arrow. Falling into this terrible predicament, the distressed doe cries out, 'O Lord, please deliver me!'
jagāi-mādhāi hele, vāsudeve ajāmile,
anāyāse karile uddhāra
karuṇā ābhāsa kari, sanātane padatarī,
deho’ ĵeno ghoṣaye saṁsāra (4)
"You effortlessly delivered Jagāi, Mādhāi, Vāsudeva, and Ajāmila. Showing a semblance of Your mercy, please give the boat of Your lotus feet to Sanātana, so that the whole world may proclaim it.
e duḥkha-samudra-ghore, nistāra karaho more,
tomā vinā nāhi anya jana”
heno-kāle anya-jane, alakṣite sanātane,
patra dilo rūpera likhana (5)
"Please deliver me from this terrible ocean of sorrow; other than You, there is no one else." At that very time, another person unseen handed Sanātana a letter written by Rūpa.
rūpera likhana pe’ye, mane ānandita ha’ye,
sadā kare gaurāṅga dheyāna
śrī-rādhā-vallabha-dāsa, mane kare abhilāṣa,
patra pe’ye karilā payāna (6)
Receiving Rūpa's letter, he became joyful in his mind and constantly meditated upon Gaurāṅga. Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa aspires for this: upon receiving the letter, he departed.
Śrī-Rūpera Baḓo Bhāi
Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa
śrī-rūpera baḓo bhāi, śrī-sanātana gõsāi,
pātsāra ujira ha·iyā chilā
śrīrūpera patra pe’ye, bandī haite palāiye,
kāśīpure gaurāṅga bheṭilā (1)
Śrī Rūpa's elder brother, Śrī Sanātana Gosāñi, had been a minister for the emperor. Receiving Śrī Rūpa's letter, he escaped from captivity and met Gaurāṅga in Kāśīpura.
chĩḓā kā̃thā aṅge mali, hāte nakha, māthe culi,
nikaṭe ĵāite aṅga hele
dui guccha tṛṇa kare, eka-guccha dante dha’re,
paḓilā caitanya-pada-tale (2)
With a torn, dirty quilt on his body, overgrown nails on his hands, and matted hair on his head, his body swayed as he approached. Holding two bunches of straw in his hands and one in his teeth, he fell at the lotus feet of Caitanya.
dara-veśa-rūpa dekhi’, prabhura sajala ā̃khi,
bāhu paśāriyā āise dheye
sanātane kari’ kole, kātare gõsāi bole,
“adhamere sparśa ki lāgiye (3)
Seeing his appearance in the dress of a mendicant, the Lord's eyes filled with tears, and He came running with outstretched arms. As He embraced Sanātana, the Gosāñi distressfully said, "Why are You touching this lowest of men?
aspṛśya, pāmara, dīna, durācāra, buddhi-hīna,
nīca-kule nīca vyavahāra
e-heno pāmara-jane, sparśo’ prabhu ki kāraṇe,
ĵogya nahe tomā sparśibāra (4)”
"I am untouchable, fallen, destitute, wicked, unintelligent, born in a low family, and of low behavior. O Lord, for what reason are You touching such a degraded person? I am not fit to touch You."
prabhu kahe, ‘sanātana, dainya karo ki kāraṇa,
tava dainye phāṭe mora hiyā
kṛṣṇera karuṇā āche, bhālo-manda nāhi bāche,
tomā sparśi pāvitrya lāgiyā (5)’
The Lord said, "Sanātana, why are you showing such humility? Your humility breaks My heart. Kṛṣṇa’s mercy does not discriminate between good and bad; I am touching you to purify Myself."
bhoṭa-kambal dekhi’ gāya, prabhu punaḥ punaḥ cāya,
lajjita ha·ilā sanātana
gauḓīyāre bhoṭa diyā, chĩḓā eka kānthā laiyā,
prabhu-pāśe punar-āgamana (6)
Seeing the Bhutanese blanket on his body, the Lord glanced at it again and again, and Sanātana became ashamed. Giving the blanket to a Bengali man and taking a torn quilt in exchange, he returned to the Lord's side.
ājñā dilo rūpa-sane, dekhā ha’be vṛndāvane,
prabhu-ājñāy karilo gamane
gaurāṅga karuṇā kari’, rādhā-kṛṣṇa-nāma-mādhurī,
śikṣā karāilā sanātane (7)
The Lord ordered him to meet Rūpa in Vṛndāvana, and by the Lord's command, he departed. Bestowing His mercy, Gaurāṅga instructed Sanātana in the sweetness of the names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
chē̃ḓā kānthā, neḓā māthā, mukhe kṛṣṇa-guṇa-gāthā,
pari-dhāne chē̃ḓā bahirvāsa
kabhu kānde, kabhu hāse, kabhu premānande bhāse,
kabhu bhikṣā, kabhu upavāsa (8)
With a torn quilt, a shaved head, songs of Kṛṣṇa's qualities in his mouth, and wearing a torn outer garment, he sometimes weeps, sometimes laughs, and sometimes floats in the bliss of prema. Sometimes he begs for alms, and sometimes he fasts.
ataḥpara sanātana, praveśilo vṛndāvana,
rūpa-saṅge ha·ilo milana
preme aśru netre bhari’, sanātaner galā dhari’,
kā̃nde rūpa gadgada-vacana (9)
Thereafter, Sanātana entered Vṛndāvana and was reunited with Rūpa. Filling his eyes with tears of prema and clasping Sanātana's neck, Rūpa wept with faltering words.
vraja-pure ghare ghare, mādhukarī bhikṣā kare,
ei-rūpe gõyāya sanātana
kato-dine tāhā chāḓi’, kuñje kuñje rahe paḓi’,
phala-mūla karaye bhakṣaṇa (10)
From house to house in the town of Vraja, he begged for mādhukarī alms; in this way, Sanātana passed his days. After some days, giving that up, he remained lying in various kuñjas, eating only fruits and roots.
ucca-svare ārta-nāde, rādhā-kṛṣṇa boli’ kā̃de,
‘hā nātha, hā nātha’ boli’ ḍāke
gaurāṅgera ĵato guṇa, kahe rūpa-sanātana,
ei-rūpe kato-dina thāke (11)
In a loud voice and with cries of distress, he wept, calling out to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, crying, "O Lord! O Lord!" Rūpa and Sanātana would speak of all the qualities of Gaurāṅga, and in this way, they spent many days.
kato-dina antarmanā, chāpānna-daṇḍa bhāvanā,
cāri-daṇḍa nidrā vṛkṣa-tale
kṛṣṇa-nāma-gāne thāke, svapne rādhā-kṛṣṇa dekhe,
avasara nahe ekatile (12)
For many days, he remained deeply introspective, spending fifty-six daṇḍas [about 22.4 hours] in meditation, and sleeping for only four daṇḍas [about 1.6 hours] beneath a tree. He was constantly absorbed in singing Kṛṣṇa's names and saw Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in his dreams; he did not waste even a moment.
chāḓi’ bhoga-abhilāṣa, taru-tale kare vāsa,
dui-cāri dina upavāsa
kakhanao vanera śāka, alavaṇe kari’ pāka,
mukhe deya dui-eka grāsa (13)
Giving up all desire for enjoyment, he lived beneath a tree, fasting for two or four days at a time. Sometimes he would cook wild spinach without salt and put only one or two morsels in his mouth.
sūkṣma-vastra bāje gāya, dhūlāya dhūsara kāya,
kaṇṭakete viddha haya pāśa
e rādhā-vallabha-dāsa, mane kare abhilāṣa,
kato-dine ha’bo tā’ra dāsa (14)
Even fine cloth pained his body, his form was covered in dust, and his sides were pierced by thorns. This Rādhā-vallabha dāsa desires in his mind: "When will the day come that I become his servant?"
Jaya Jaya Pãhu Śrīla Sanātana Nāma
Manohara dāsa
jaya jaya pãhu śrīla sanātana nāma
sakala bhuvana māhā ĵachu guṇa-grāma (1)
All glories, all glories to the master named Śrīla Sanātana! The multitudes of his qualities are sung throughout all the worlds.
tejala sakala sukha sampad apāra
śrī-caitanya caraṇa-yugala karu sāra (2)
He renounced all happiness and boundless wealth, making the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya his everything.
śrī-vṛndāvana-bhūme kari’ vāsa
lupata tīrtha saba karalo prakāśa (3)
Residing in the land of Śrī Vṛndāvana, he manifested all the lost holy places.
śrī-govinda-sevā paracāri’
karalo bhāgavata-artha vicāri’ (4)
He preached the service of Śrī Govinda and deeply deliberated upon the meanings of the Bhāgavatam.
ĵugala-bhajana, līlā-guṇa-nāma
karalo vithāra grantha anupama (5)
Through his peerless books, he expanded upon the bhajana of the Divine Couple, Their pastimes, qualities, and names.
satata gaura-preme garagara dehõ
bhrama·i vṛndāvane nā pāya·i theho (6)
His body is constantly overwhelmed with Gaura-prema; he wanders throughout Vṛndāvana, unable to find any steadiness.
vipula pulaka-bhara nayanahi nīra
‘rāi kānu’ boli’ paḓa·i athira (7)
Covered in heavy goosebumps with tears in his eyes, he cries "Rāi! Kānu!" and falls down, deeply agitated.
bhāva-vibhūṣaṇa sakala śarīra
anukhana vihara·i yamunāka tīra (8)
His entire body is decorated with the ornaments of ecstatic bhāva, and he constantly wanders along the banks of the Yamunā.
ĵachu karuṇāmaya vṛndāvana pāi
bhāva·i manohara soi gosāñi (9)
By his mercy, one attains Vṛndāvana; Manohara [dāsa] meditates upon that Gosāñi.
Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī
Śrīla-Raghunāthadāsa-Gosvāmī-Prabhur Śocaka
Ĵabe Rūpa-sanātana
Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa
ĵabe rūpa-sanātana, vraje gelā dui jana,
śuna·ite raghunāthadāsa
nija-rājya adhikāra, indra-sama sukha ĵā̃’ra,
chāḓiyā calilā prabhu-pāśa (1)
When Rūpa and Sanātana both went to Vraja, Raghunātha dāsa heard of it. Leaving behind his authority over his kingdom and happiness equal to Indra's, he departed for the Lord's side.
uṭhi’ rātre niśā-bhāge, duwāre praharī jāge,
patha chāḓi’ vipathe gamana
kṣudhā-tṛṣṇā nāhi pāya, manodvege cali’ ĵāya,
sadā cinte caitanya-caraṇa (2)
Rising in the dead of night while the guards were awake at the door, he left the main road and traveled through untrodden paths. Feeling neither hunger nor thirst, he walked on with an anxious mind, constantly thinking of Caitanya's feet.
eka-dina ekagrāme, sandhyā-kāle go-vāthāne,
‘hā caitanya’ boliyā basilā
eka gopa dugdha dilā, tāhā khe’ye viśrāmilā,
sei rātre tathāi rahilā (3)
One day in a village, at twilight in a cow pasture, he sat down, calling out, "Oh, Caitanya!" A cowherd gave him some milk, and after drinking it, he rested and stayed there for the night.
ĵe aṅga pālaṅka vine, bhūmi-śayyā nāhi jāne,
se aṅga vāthāne gaḓi’ ĵāya
ĵini ghoḓā dolā vine, pathaśrama nāhi jāne,
kaṇṭake hā̃ṭaye sei pāya (4)
The body that knew no bed other than a fine palanquin now rolled in the dust of a cow pasture. He who knew no travel fatigue without a horse or palanquin now walked on feet pierced by thorns.
ĵihõ belā daṇḍa cāri, tolā jale snāna kari,
ṣaḓ-rasa karito bhojana
ebe ĵadi kichu pāna, sandhyā-kāle tāhā khāna,
nā pāile amani śayana (5)
He who would bathe in drawn water at four daṇḍas [mid-morning] and eat foods of six flavors [ṣaḓ-rasa]—now, if he receives anything, he eats it at twilight; if he gets nothing, he simply goes to sleep.
bāra diner patha ĵāna, tina sandhyā anna khāna,
praveśilā nīlācala-pure
dekhiyā se śrī-mandira, du’nayane vahe nīra,
‘hā caitanya’ bole ucca-svare (6)
Traveling a path of twelve days, he ate grains only on three evenings, and finally entered the city of Nīlācala. Seeing the beautiful temple, tears flowed from his two eyes, and he called out "Oh, Caitanya!" in a loud voice.
e rādhā-vallabha-dāsa, mane kare abhilāṣa,
kothā mora raghunātha-dāsa
tā̃hāra prasaṅga-mātra, pulakita haya gātra,
tā̃’ra pada-reṇu kari āśa (7)
This Rādhā-vallabha dāsa desires in his mind: "Where is my Raghunātha dāsa?" Just discussing him makes the hairs of my body stand on end; I hope for the dust of his feet.
Śrī-Caitanya-kṛpā Haite
Śrī Rādhā-vallabha dāsa
śrī-caitanya-kṛpā haite, raghunātha-dāsa-cite,
parama vairāgya upajilo
kalatra, gṛha, sampada, nija-rājya, adhipada,
mala-prāya sakala tejilo (1)
By the mercy of Śrī Caitanya, supreme renunciation arose within the heart of Raghunātha dāsa. Wife, home, wealth, his own kingdom, and high position—he abandoned all of it as if it were stool.
puraścaryā kṛṣṇa-nāme, giyā se puruṣottame,
gaurāṅgera pada-yuga seve
ei mane abhilāṣa, punaḥ raghunātha-dāsa,
nayana-gocara ha’be kabe (2)
Going to Puruṣottama [Jagannātha Purī], his sacred vow [puraścaryā] was the chanting of Kṛṣṇa's name, and he served the lotus feet of Gaurāṅga. This is my mind's desire: when will Raghunātha dāsa become visible to my eyes again?
gaurāṅga dayālu haiyā, rādhākṛṣṇa-mantra diyā,
govardhana-śilā guñjā-hāre
vraja-vane govardhane, śrī-rādhāra śrī-caraṇe,
samarpaṇa karilo ĵā̃hāre (3)
Gaurāṅga, being merciful, gave him the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa mantra, a Govardhana-śilā, and a guñjā necklace. He entrusted him to the forest of Vraja, to Govardhana, and to the divine feet of Śrī Rādhā.
gaurāṅgera agocare, nija-keśa chĩḓi’ kare,
virahe vyākula vraje gelā
deha-tyāga kari’ mane, gelā giri-govardhane,
du’-gõsāi tā̃hāre rākhilā (4)
When Gaurāṅga departed from his vision, tearing his own hair out with his hands and overwhelmed by separation, he went to Vraja. With the intention of giving up his body, he went to Giri-Govardhana, but the two Gosāñis saved him.
dhari’ rūpa sanātana, rākhilo tā̃’ra jīvana,
deha-tyāga karite nā dilā
dui gõsāir ājñā peye, rādhā-kuṇḍer taṭe giye,
niyama kariyā vāsa kailā (5)
Holding him back, Rūpa and Sanātana saved his life and did not allow him to give up his body. Receiving the order of the two Gosāñis, he went to the banks of Rādhā-kuṇḍa and resided there, following strict vows.
chĩḓā vastra paridhāna, vraja-phala, gavya pāna,
anna-ādi nā kare āhāra
tina sandhyā snānā-cari, smaraṇa-kīrtana kari’,
rādhā-pada bhajana ĵā̃hāra (6)
Wearing torn cloth, drinking cow products, and eating fruits of Vraja, he would not partake of grains or other foods. Bathing three times a day, remembering and glorifying the Lord, his bhajana was exclusively dedicated to Rādhā's feet.
ṣāṭa daṇḍa rātri-dine, rādhā-kṛṣṇa-līlā-gāne,
smaraṇete sadāi gõyāya
cāri daṇḍa śuye thāke, svapne rādhā-kṛṣṇa dekhe,
tilārdheka vyartha nāhi ĵāya (7)
For sixty daṇḍas [twenty-four hours] of the day and night, he constantly spent his time singing and remembering the pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. He would sleep for only four daṇḍas, seeing Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in his dreams; not even a fraction of a moment went to waste.
caitanyera pādāmbuje, rākhe mano-bhṛṅga-rāje,
svarūpera sadāi āśraya
bhinna-deha rūpa-sane, gati ĵā̃’ra sanātane,
bhaṭṭa gõsāyer priya mahāśaya (8)
He kept the king-bee of his mind upon the lotus feet of Caitanya and was constantly under the shelter of Svarūpa [Dāmodara]. He and Rūpa were like one soul in different bodies, his ultimate destination was Sanātana, and he was the dear, exalted associate of Bhaṭṭa Gosāñi.
śrī-rūpera gaṇa ĵato, ĵā̃hāra pada āśrita,
atyanta vātsalya ĵā̃’ra ‘jīve’
sei ārta-nāda kari’, kā̃di’ bole hari hari,
prabhura karuṇā habe kabe (9)
All the followers of Śrī Rūpa took shelter at his feet, and he had tremendous parental affection for Jīva. Uttering cries of distress, he wept and called out, "Hari! Hari! When will I receive the Lord's mercy?"
he rādhikāra vallabha, gāndharvikār bāndhava,
rādhikā-ramaṇa rādhānātha
he he vṛndāvaneśvara, hā hā kṛṣṇa dāmodara,
kṛpā kari’ karo ātma-sātha (10)
"O Beloved of Rādhikā! O Friend of Gāndharvikā! O Rādhikā-ramaṇa! O Rādhānātha! O Lord of Vṛndāvana! Alas, alas, O Kṛṣṇa Dāmodara! Please be merciful and make me Your own."
prabhu, rūpa-sanātana, tina hailā adarśana,
andha hailo ei dui nayana
vṛthā ā̃khi kā̃hā dekhi, vṛthā dehe prāṇa rākhi,
sevācāra bāḓāya dvi-guṇa (11)
"The Lord, Rūpa, and Sanātana—when these three vanished from my sight, my two eyes became blind. Vain are these eyes, for what do I see? In vain do I keep life in this body!" Thus, he multiplied his devotional service twofold.
śrī-kṛṣṇa śrī-śacī-suta, tā̃’ra guṇa ĵato ĵato,
avatāra śrī-vigraha nāma
gupta-vyakta līlā-sthāna, dṛṣṭa-śruta vaiṣṇava-gaṇa,
sabhākāre karaye praṇāma (12)
To Śrī Kṛṣṇa, to Śrī Śacī-suta, and to all Their qualities, incarnations, divine forms, and names; to Their hidden and manifest places of pastime, and to all the Vaiṣṇavas he had seen or heard of—he offered his obeisances to them all.
rādhā-kṛṣṇera viyoge, chāḓilo sakala bhoge,
rukhā-śukhā anna-mātra sāra
śrī-caitanyer vicchedete, anna chāḓi’ sei haite,
phala, gavya karena āhāra (13)
In separation from Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, he abandoned all enjoyment, subsisting only on dry, unpalatable grains. In separation from Śrī Caitanya, he gave up even grains from that time on, eating only fruits and cow products.
sanātaner adarśane, tāhā chāḓi’ sei dine,
kevala karena jala pāna
rūpera viccheda ĵabe, jala chāḓi’ dilo tabe,
rādhā-kṛṣṇa boli’ rākhe prāṇa (14)
When Sanātana disappeared from his sight, he gave up even that on the same day, drinking only water. When he suffered separation from Rūpa, he then gave up water as well, keeping his life only by calling out "Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa!"
svarūpera adarśane, nā dekhe rūpera gaṇe,
virahe vikala haiyā kānde
kṛṣṇa-kathālāpa vine, śravaṇe nāhika śune,
ucca-svare ḍāke ārta-nāde (15)
Without seeing Svarūpa, and unable to see the followers of Rūpa, he wept, distraught in separation. Except for conversations about Kṛṣṇa, he would hear nothing with his ears, calling out in a loud voice with cries of agony.
“hā hā rādhā-kṛṣṇa kothā, kothā ācho he lalitā,
he viśākhe deho’ daraśana
hā caitanya-mahāprabhu, hā svarūpa mora prabhu,
hā hā prabhu rūpa-sanātana (16)”
"Alas, alas! Where are Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa? Where are you, O Lalitā? O Viśākhā, please show yourselves to me! Oh, Caitanya Mahāprabhu! Oh, Svarūpa, my master! Alas, alas, masters Rūpa and Sanātana!"
kā̃de gõsāi rātri-dine, puḓi’ ĵāya tanu-mane,
virahe ha·ilo jara jara
manda manda jihvā naḓe, preme aśru netre paḓe,
mane kṛṣṇa karaye smaraṇa (17)
The Gosāñi wept day and night, his body and mind burning away, shattered by separation. His tongue moved very slowly, tears of prema fell from his eyes, and he remembered Kṛṣṇa in his mind.
sei raghunātha-dāsa, pūribe manera āśa,
ei mora baḓo āche sādho
e rādhā-vallabha-dāsa, mane kare abhilāṣa,
sabhe more karaho prasāda (18)
Will that Raghunātha dāsa fulfill my mind's hope? I have a great longing for this. This Rādhā-vallabha dāsa desires in his mind: May all of you please bestow your mercy upon me.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī
Śrīla-Jīva-Gosvāmī-Prabhur Śocaka
Āre Mor Jīvana-dhana
Śrī Narahari dāsa
āre mor jīvana-dhana, anupamera nandana,
śrī-jīva-gõsāi dayāmaya
ati sucarita ĵā̃’ra, śuni’ lāge camatkāra,
parama paṇḍita mahāśaya (1)
Oh, the treasure of my life! The son of Anupama, Śrī Jīva Gosāñi, is full of compassion. His character is extremely sublime; hearing of it fills one with wonder. He is a supreme scholar and a great soul.
gṛhe thāki’ anukṣaṇa, kṛṣṇa-kathā ālāpana,
tilārdheka nāhi ĵāya vṛthā
atyanta udāra-citta, premete satata matta,
kṣaṇeka nā śune anya kathā (2)
While staying at home, he constantly discussed topics of Kṛṣṇa; not half a moment went to waste. His heart was extremely magnanimous, he was constantly intoxicated with prema, and he would not hear any other topic for even a second.
alpa-kāle heno guṇa, aiśvarye nāhika mana,
sadā cinte vṛndāvana ĵāite
ki kahibo anurāga, kari gõsāi sarva-tyāga,
ĵātrā kailo mahā ānandete (3)
Even at a young age, he possessed such qualities and had no mind for opulence, always thinking of going to Vṛndāvana. What can I say of his anurāga? Renouncing everything, the Gosāñi set out on his journey with great bliss.
nityānanda-prabhu sthāne, śīghra gelā harṣa-mane,
ĵāiyā karilo daraśana
netre aśru-yukta haiyā, dharaṇīte loṭāiyā,
vandilena ĵugala caraṇa (4)
With a joyful mind, he swiftly went to the place of Nityānanda Prabhu and attained His sight. With tear-filled eyes, rolling upon the earth, he worshipped His lotus feet.
nityānanda-prabhu prīte, nija-pada tā’ra māthe,
dharilena parama ānande
dui bhuja dhari’ tole, śrī-jīve karilo kole,
rūpa-sanātanera sambandhe (5)
With great affection, Nityānanda Prabhu placed His own foot upon Jīva's head in supreme bliss. Grabbing his two arms, He lifted him and embraced Śrī Jīva in connection with his relationship to Rūpa and Sanātana.
gõsāi ānanda-mana, dainya kare punaḥ punaḥ,
ājñā deho ĵāi vṛndāvana
śuni’ nityānanda rāya, śrī-jīvera pāne cāya,
prema-jale bharilo nayana (6)
With a joyful mind, the Gosāñi expressed his humility again and again, saying, "Please give me the order to go to Vṛndāvana." Hearing this, Nityānanda Rāya looked at Śrī Jīva, His eyes filling with tears of prema.
punaḥ nityānanda-rāma, soṅari caitanya-nāma,
kahe ati madhura vacana
tomār vaṁśe sei sthāna, diyāchena ei śuno,
śīghra tumi ĵāho vṛndāvana (7)
Then Nityānanda Rāma, remembering the name of Caitanya, spoke extremely sweet words: "Listen, He has given that place to your family; you should swiftly go to Vṛndāvana."
nityānander ājñā pāĩyā, cale mahā-sukhī haĩyā,
ki kahibo ĵaichana gamana
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya boli’, kabhu ḍāke bhuja tuli’,
kabhu ḍāke rūpa-sanātana (8)
Receiving the order of Nityānanda, he departed with immense happiness; how can I describe his journey? Raising his arms, sometimes he called out "Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya!", and sometimes he called out "Rūpa-Sanātana!"
cinte mane anukṣaṇa, kabe ĵābo vṛndāvana,
kabe rādhā-govinda dekhibo
sulalita kṛṣṇa-guṇa, kabe ha’be daraśana,
nayana-parāṇa juḓāibo (9)
He constantly thought in his mind, "When will I go to Vṛndāvana? When will I see Rādhā and Govinda? When will I behold the beautiful qualities of Kṛṣṇa and soothe my eyes and life?"
ei-rūpe pathe cale, kā’re kichu nāhi bole,
bhakṣya dravya mile anāyāse
ati sukumāra haya, kabhu duḥkha nā jānaya,
cale mātra premera āveśe (10)
In this way, he walked along the path, speaking nothing to anyone, and easily obtained items to eat. Although he was very delicate, he never knew any distress, moving only in the absorption of prema.
kato-dina mathurāte, gelena ānanda-cite,
madhupurī karilo darśana
yamunāte snāna kari’, vṛndāvana pāne heri’,
avirata jharaye nayana (11)
After some days, with a joyful heart, he went to Mathurā and beheld the city of Madhupurī. Bathing in the Yamunā and gazing toward Vṛndāvana, his eyes shed ceaseless tears.
tathā haite harṣa-mane, praveśilā vṛndāvane,
du’-gõsāira caraṇa vandilo
dūre gelo mano-duḥkha, ha·ilo parama sukha,
āra kato vandite nārilo (12)
From there, with a joyful mind, he entered Vṛndāvana and offered prayers at the feet of the two Gosāñis. The sorrows of his mind vanished, supreme happiness arose, and he could not offer any more prayers.
rūpera ānanda hailo, śrī-jīvere kṛpā kailo,
sanātaner anumati peye
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-tattva-sukhe, sukhī karāilo tāke,
sabe harṣa śrī-jīva dekhiye (13)
Rūpa became joyful and, obtaining Sanātana's permission, bestowed his mercy upon Śrī Jīva. He made him happy with the blissful tattva of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, and everyone rejoiced upon seeing Śrī Jīva.
śrī-jīvera guru-bhakti, kahite nāhiko śakti,
anukṣaṇa karaye sevana
gõsāi ĵe ājñā kare, tāhā ĵatne dhare śire,
anya nā jānaye ĵā’ra mana (14)
I have not the power to describe Śrī Jīva's devotion to his guru; he served him constantly. Whatever order the Gosāñi gave, he carefully held upon his head; his mind knew of nothing else.
nityānander ājñā laiyā, ĵaiche āilā sukhī haiyā,
taiche gõsāi ājñā-phala pāilā
sarva-śāstre vicakṣaṇa, nāhiko tā̃hāra sama,
bahu-grantha varṇana karilā (15)
Just as he had joyfully come carrying the order of Nityānanda, similarly he attained the fruit of the Gosāñi's instruction. Expert in all scriptures, he had no equal, and he composed many books.
guṇera nāhiko anta, ki kahibo bhakti-tattva,
rākhilena siddhānta kariyā
sanātaner dayā ĵato, tāhā vā kahibo kato,
śrī-jīvera vairāgya dekhiyā (16)
There is no end to his qualities; what can I say of bhakti-tattva? He established all philosophical conclusions. Seeing Śrī Jīva's renunciation, how much can I describe the immense mercy Sanātana showed him?
vṛndāvane sabe sukhī, dekhiyā juḓāya ā̃khi,
jīva-gõsāir caritra sudhīra
ĵe-rūpe bhajana kare, tāhā ke kahite pāre,
sadā preme pulaka śarīra (17)
Everyone in Vṛndāvana was happy, their eyes soothed by seeing the very sober character of Jīva Gosāñi. Who can describe the way he performs his bhajana? His body was always horripilating in prema.
vraja-pure ei-mate, rahaye ullāsa-cite,
ke bujhibe tā̃hāra āśaya
du’-gõsāira adarśane, ĵe viraha bhelo mane,
tāhā kahibāra ĵogya naya (18)
In this way, he lived in the town of Vraja with an exultant heart; who can understand his inner intentions? The separation he felt in his mind when the two Gosāñis disappeared from sight is impossible to describe.
dharaṇīte loṭāiyā, kāndaye ākula haiyā,
phutkāra karaye anukṣaṇa
‘hā caitanya’ mora prāṇa, prabhu nityānanda rāma,
kothā prabhu rūpa-sanātana (19)
Rolling upon the earth, he wept in immense distress, crying out constantly, "Oh, Caitanya, my life! Prabhu Nityānanda Rāma! Where are masters Rūpa and Sanātana?"
dhārā vahe du’ nayane, nā cāhaye kā’ra pāne,
citte ati asthira ha·ilā
rātre prabhu rūpa āsi’, svapna dilo kāche basi’,
tabe kichu duḥkha sambarilā (20)
Streams of tears flowed from his two eyes, he looked at no one, and he became extremely restless in his heart. In the night, master Rūpa came, sitting beside him and granting him a dream; only then did he somewhat compose his grief.
sei-dina śrīnivāsa, āilo śrījīva-pāśa,
tā̃’re dekhi’ harṣa hailo mana
narottama tā’ra pare, āsiyā mililā tā̃’re,
jīva-saṅge sadāi du’jana (21)
On that very day, Śrīnivāsa came to Śrī Jīva's side; seeing him, his mind became joyful. After him, Narottama came and met with him, and those two were always in Jīva's association.
premera svarūpa dõhe, dekhiyā ānande rahe,
bhakti-grantha paṭhāya sadāya
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-līlā ĵato, sei rase mahā-matta,
āra kichu mane nāhi bhāya (22)
Seeing the two of them as the very embodiments of prema, he remained in bliss, constantly teaching them the books of bhakti. Deeply intoxicated by the rasa of all the pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, nothing else appealed to his mind.
sadā govindera sevā, paripāṭī jāne kevā,
ĵaichana pirīti nāhi sīmā
ĵadi haya lakṣa mukha, tathāpi nā haya sukha,
ki kahibo jīvera mahimā (23)
Who can comprehend the meticulous care with which he constantly served Govinda? His love had no limit. Even with a hundred thousand mouths, one could not find full satisfaction in it; what can I say of Jīva's glories?
patita adhama jane, kari’ kṛpā nija-guṇe,
ĵatne prema-bhakti kare dāna
āra ki kahibo guṇa, śuniyā pāṣaṇḍa-gaṇa,
anāyāse pāya paritrāṇa (24)
Bestowing his mercy upon the fallen and the lowest by his own divine qualities, he carefully gifted them prema-bhakti. What more can I say of his qualities? Just by hearing of them, even atheists easily attain deliverance.
narahari-dāse kaya, tarāo he mahāśaya,
paḓi’ āchi bhava-sindhu-mājhe
e pāmare kari’ dayā, deha more pada-chāyā,
tabe se dayālu-nāma sāje (25)
Narahari dāsa says: O great soul, please deliver me! I have fallen into the midst of the ocean of material existence. Showing compassion to this degraded person, give me the shade of your feet; only then does the name "Merciful One" truly suit you.
Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī
Śrīla-Gopālabhaṭṭa-Gosvāmī-Prabhur Śocaka
Śrī-Gopāla-Bhaṭṭa Prabhu
Manohara dāsa
śrī-gopāla-bhaṭṭa prabhu, tuwā śrī-caraṇa kabhu,
dekhibo ki nayana bhariyā
śuniyā asīma guṇa, pā̃jare vindhilo ghuṇa,
nichani niyā ĵāire mariyā (1)
O Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Prabhu! Will I ever behold your divine feet to the full satisfaction of my eyes? Hearing of your limitless qualities, my heart is pierced as if by a woodworm; taking your misfortunes upon myself, I shall die.
pirīte gaḓala tanu, daśa-bāṇa hema janu,
cānda mukha aruṇa adhara
jhalake daśana-kā̃ti, jini mukutāra pā̃ti,
hāsi kahe amṛta-madhura (2)
Your body is forged of love, like the purest refined gold. Your face is like the moon, and your lips are like the rising sun. The effulgence of your teeth flashes, defeating a row of pearls, and with a smile, you speak words as sweet as nectar.
parāṇer parāṇa ĵā’ra, rūpa-sanātana āra,
raghunātha-yugala jīvana
paṇḍita kṛṣṇa, lokanātha, jāne deha-bheda-mātra,
saravasva śrī-rādhā-ramaṇa (3)
Rūpa and Sanātana were the very life of his life, and the two Raghunāthas were his existence. He knew Paṇḍita Kṛṣṇa [Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja] and Lokanātha as different only in body, and his all-in-all was Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa.
premete vithāra aṅga, caitanya-caraṇa-bhṛṅga,
śrīnivāse dayāra adhīna
sabhe meli’ rasāsvāda, bhāva-bhare unmāda,
ei vyavasāya cira-dina (4)
His body expanded in prema; he was a bumblebee at the lotus feet of Caitanya, and completely subdued by his compassion for Śrīnivāsa. Meeting together, they tasted rasa and became mad with the fullness of bhāva; this was their constant practice day after day.
līlā-sudhā-suradhunī, rasika-mukuṭamaṇi,
rasāveśe gadagada hiyā
aho aho rāga-sindhu, aho dīna-jana-bandhu,
ĵaśa gāya jagata bhariyā (5)
He is a heavenly river of the nectar of pastimes, the crown jewel of the rasikas, his heart faltering in the absorption of rasa. Oh, oh! He is an ocean of rāga! Oh, oh! He is the friend of the destitute! The whole universe sings his glories.
hā hā mūrti sumadhura, hā hā karuṇāra pūra,
hā hā cintāmaṇi-guṇa-khani
hā hā prabhu eka-bāra, dekhāo mādhurī-sāra,
śrī-caraṇa-kamala-lāvaṇi (6)
Alas, alas! His form is so exceedingly sweet! Alas, alas! He is a flood of mercy! Alas, alas! He is a mine of qualities like the wish-fulfilling jewel! Alas, alas, O Lord! Just once, show me the essence of sweetness—the beauty of your lotus feet!
aneka janmera pare, aśeṣa bhāgyera tare,
tuwā parikara-pada-pāye
nija karamera doṣe, majinu viṣaya-rase,
janama gõyānu khali khāye (7)
After many births, due to endless good fortune, one attains the feet of your associates. By the faults of my own actions, I have drowned in the rasa of worldly sense objects; I have wasted my life consuming the worthless chaff.
aparādha paḓe mane, tathāpi tomāra guṇe,
patita-pāvana āśā-bandha
lobhete cañcala-mati, upekhile nāhi gati,
phukāra·i manohara manda (8)
When my offenses come to mind, still, due to your qualities as the deliverer of the fallen, hope anchors me. My mind is restless with greed; if you neglect me, I have no other shelter. Thus cries out the lowly Manohara.
(Word Meanings: nichani—taking away misfortune/danger; daśavāṇa—exceedingly pure; janu—body; daśana kā̃ti—effulgence of the teeth; vithāra—expansion; vyavasāya—practice/endeavor; khali—worthless/essence-less)
Śrīla Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī
Śrīla-Raghunāthabhaṭṭa-Gosvāmī-Prabhur Śocaka
Tapan-Miśrer Putra Raghunātha Bhaṭṭācārya
Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī - From Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta
tapan-miśrer putra raghunātha bhaṭṭācārya
prabhuke dekhite cale chāḓi’ sarva-kārya (1)
Tapan Miśra's son, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭācārya, leaving aside all duties, went to see the Lord.
kāśī ha·ite calilā gauḓa-patha diyā
saṅgete sevaka eka cale jhā̃pi laiyā (2)
He departed from Kāśī along the path through Gauḓa; one servant walked alongside him, carrying his baggage.
ei-mate raghunātha āilā nīlācale
mahāprabhur-caraṇe giyā mililā kutūhale (3)
In this way, Raghunātha arrived in Nīlācala, and with great eagerness, he went and met the lotus feet of Mahāprabhu.
daṇḍavat praṇāma kari’ paḓilā caraṇe
prabhu raghunātha jāni’ kailā āliṅgane (4)
Offering flat obeisances, he fell at His feet. Knowing him to be Raghunātha, the Lord embraced him.
‘‘bhālo hailo āilā, dekho kamala-locana
āji āmār ihā karibā prasāda-bhojana (5)”
"It is good that you have come; now go see the lotus-eyed Lord [Jagannātha]. Today, you will take prasāda here with Me."
govindere kahi eka vāsā deoyāilā
svarūpādi bhakta-gaṇa-sane milāilā (6)
Speaking to Govinda, the Lord arranged a residence for him and introduced him to Svarūpa and the other devotees.
ei-mate prabhu-sane rahilā aṣṭa-māsa
dine dine prabhu kṛpāy bāḓaye ullāsa (7)
In this way, he stayed with the Lord for eight months. Day by day, by the Lord's mercy, his jubilation increased.
madhye madhye mahāprabhur karen nimantraṇa
ghara-bhāta karen, āra vividha vyañjana (8)
From time to time, he would invite Mahāprabhu, preparing rice at home along with various vegetable dishes.
raghunātha bhaṭṭa—pāke ati sunipuṇa
ĵei rāndhe, sei haya amṛtera sama (9)
Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa was extremely expert in cooking; whatever he cooked was equal to nectar.
parama santoṣe prabhu karena bhojana
prabhur avaśiṣṭa pātra bhaṭṭera bhakṣaṇa (10)
The Lord would eat with supreme satisfaction, and Bhaṭṭa would eat from the plate of the Lord's remnants.
aṣṭa-māsa rahi’ prabhu bhaṭṭe vidāy dilā
‘vivāha nā kariho’ boli’ niṣedha karilā (11)
After he stayed for eight months, the Lord gave Bhaṭṭa permission to depart, forbidding him by saying, "Do not marry.
“vṛddha pitā-mātāra ĵāi’ karaho sevana
vaiṣṇava-pāśa bhāgavata karo adhyayana (12)
"Go and serve your elderly mother and father, and study the Bhāgavatam in the presence of Vaiṣṇavas.
punarapi eka-bāra āsiho nīlācale”
eta kahi’ kaṇṭha-mālā dilo tā’ra gale (13)
"Come again once more to Nīlācala." Saying this, the Lord placed His own neck-garland around Raghunātha's neck.
āliṅgana kari’, prabhu tā’re vidāy dilā
preme gadagada bhaṭṭa kā̃dite lāgilā (14)
Embracing him, the Lord bid him farewell; his voice faltering with prema, Bhaṭṭa began to weep.
svarūp-ādi bhakta ṭhā̃i ājñā māgiyā
vārāṇasī āilā bhaṭṭa prabhu-ājñā pāiyā (15)
Begging permission from Svarūpa and the other devotees, Bhaṭṭa returned to Vārāṇasī, having received the Lord's order.
cāri vatsar ghare pitā-mātār sevā kailā
vaiṣṇava-paṇḍita ṭhā̃i bhāgavat paḓilā (16)
For four years, he served his parents at home and studied the Bhāgavatam under Vaiṣṇava scholars.
pitā-mātā kāśī pāile udāsīna haiyā
punaḥ prabhura- ṭhā̃i gelo bhāvete galiyā (17)
When his parents passed away in Kāśī, he became detached and went back to the Lord, melting with bhāva.
pūrvavat aṣṭa-māsa prabhupāśa chilā
aṣṭa-māsa rahi’ prabhu punaḥ ājñā dilā (18)
As before, he stayed by the Lord's side for eight months. After those eight months, the Lord again gave him an order:
“āmār ājñāy raghunātha, ĵāho vṛndāvane
tathā giyā raho rūpa-sanātana-sane (19)
"By My order, Raghunātha, go to Vṛndāvana. Go there and remain with Rūpa and Sanātana.
bhāgavata paḓo sadā laho kṛṣṇa-nāma
acire kariben kṛpā kṛṣṇa bhagavān (20)”
"Constantly recite the Bhāgavatam and take Kṛṣṇa's name. Soon, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa will bestow His mercy upon you."
eta boli’ prabhu tā̃’re āliṅgana kailā
prabhura kṛpāte kṛṣṇa-preme matta hailā (21)
Saying this, the Lord embraced him; by the Lord's mercy, he became intoxicated with Kṛṣṇa-prema.
cauddahāta jagannāther tulasīra mālā
chuṭā-pāna-ciḓā-mahotsave pāĩyāchilā (22)
At the festival of unspiced betel nuts and chipped rice, the Lord had received a fourteen-cubit long tulasī garland from Jagannātha.
sei mālā, chuṭā-pāna prabhu tā̃’re dilā
iṣṭa-deva kari’ mālā dhariyā rākhilā (23)
That garland and unspiced betel nut the Lord gave to him; worshipping the garland as his worshipable deity, he kept it with him.
prabhu ṭhā̃i ājñā pāĩyā āilā vṛndāvane
āśraya karilā āsi’ rūpa-sanātane (24)
Receiving the order from the Lord, he came to Vṛndāvana and took shelter of Rūpa and Sanātana.
rūpa-gõsāir sabhāy kare bhāgavat-paṭhana
bhāgavat paḓite preme āulāya mana (25)
He would recite the Bhāgavatam in the assembly of Rūpa Gosāñi; while reciting the Bhāgavatam, his mind would become overwhelmed with prema.
aśru-kampa-gadagada prabhura kṛpāte
netre aśru, ruddha-kaṇṭha nā pāre paḓite (26)
By the Lord's mercy, he experienced tears, trembling, and a faltering voice. With tears in his eyes and a choked voice, he was unable to recite.
pika-svara kaṇṭha tā’te rāgera vibhāga
eka śloka paḓite phirāya cāri rāga (27)
His voice was like that of a cuckoo, divided into beautiful melodies; in reciting just one verse, he would shift through four different melodies.
kṛṣṇera mādhurya-guṇa ĵabe paḓe mane
premete vihvala haiyā kichui nā jāne (28)
When the sweet qualities of Kṛṣṇa came to his mind, he would become overwhelmed in prema, unaware of anything else.
govinder caraṇe kailo ātma-samarpaṇa
govinda-caraṇāravinda ĵā̃’ra prāṇa-dhana (29)
He surrendered himself fully at the feet of Govinda; Govinda's lotus feet were the treasure of his life.
nija śiṣye kahi govinda-mandira korāilā
vaṁśī, makar, kuṇḍalādi bhūṣaṇ kari dilā (30)
Instructing his own disciples, he had a temple built for Govinda, and he provided ornaments such as a flute and dolphin-shaped earrings.
grāma-vārtā nā śune, nā kahe jihvāya
kṛṣṇa-kathā-pūjādite aṣṭa-prahara ĵāya (31)
He neither heard village gossip nor spoke it with his tongue; his twenty-four hours passed in discussions of Kṛṣṇa, worship, and similar acts.
vaiṣṇavera nindya-karma nāhi pāḓe kāṇe
sabe kṛṣṇa bhajana kare—ei-mātra jāne (32)
He never let the blamable actions of Vaiṣṇavas enter his ears; he only knew that everyone is engaged in the worship of Kṛṣṇa.
mahāprabhur datta mālā mananera kāle
prasāda-kaḓāra sa·i bāndhi lana gale (33)
At the time of deep meditation upon the garland given by Mahāprabhu, he would tie it around his neck along with the remnants of the Lord.
mahāprabhur kṛpāy kṛṣṇa-prema anargala
mahāprabhur raghunāthe kṛpā-mahā-phala (34)
By Mahāprabhu's mercy, his kṛṣṇa-prema flowed unchecked; this is the great fruit of Mahāprabhu's mercy upon Raghunātha.
Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura
Śrīla-Narottama-Ṭhākurera Śocaka
O Mora Karuṇāmaya
Narahari dāsa
o mora karuṇāmaya, śrī-ṭhākura mahāśaya,
narottama premera mūrati
kibā se komala tanu, śiriṣa-kusuma janu,
jiniyā kanaka deha-jyoti (1)
O my merciful Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya! Narottama is the very personification of prema. How soft is his body, just like the śirīṣa flower, its radiant effulgence defeating even gold.
alapa vayasa tāya, kona sukha nāhi bhāya,
gora-guṇa śuni’ sadā jhure
rājya-bhoga teyāgiyā, ati lālāyita haiyā,
gamana karilā vrajapure (2)
In his early youth, no worldly happiness appealed to him; hearing the qualities of Gorā, he constantly shed tears. Renouncing royal enjoyment and becoming extremely eager, he journeyed to the town of Vraja.
praveśiyā vṛndāvane, parama ānanda-mane,
lokanāthe ātma-samarpilo
kṛpā kari’ lokanātha, karilena ātma-sātha,
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-mantra-dīkṣā dilo (3)
Entering Vṛndāvana with a supremely joyful mind, he surrendered himself to Lokanātha. Bestowing his mercy, Lokanātha accepted him as his own and gave him dīkṣā in the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa mantra.
narottama-ceṣṭā dekhi’, vṛndāvane sabe sukhī,
prāṇera samāna kare sneha
śrīnivāsācārya-sane, ĵe marma tā’ kebā jāne,
prāṇa eka, bhinna-mātra deha (4)
Seeing Narottama's endeavors, everyone in Vṛndāvana became happy and loved him as much as their own lives. Who can understand the deep core of his relationship with Śrīnivāsa Ācārya? They were one life in two different bodies.
śrī-rādhā-vinoda dekhi’, sadāi juḓāya ā̃khi,
prabhu-lokanātha sevā-rata
bhakti-śāstra-adhyayane, mahānanda bāḓaye mane,
pūrṇa hailo abhilāṣa ĵato (5)
Seeing Śrī Rādhā-vinoda, his eyes were constantly soothed, and he was devoted to serving master Lokanātha. By studying the scriptures of bhakti, great bliss increased in his mind, and all his desires were fulfilled.
prabhu-anumati mate, śrī-vraja-maṇḍala haite,
śrī-gauḓa-maṇḍale praveśilā
prabhu-anugraha-bale, navadvīpa-nīlācale,
bhakta-gṛhe bhramaṇa karilā (6)
By the permission of his master, he departed from the district of Śrī Vraja and entered the district of Śrī Gauḓa. By the strength of his master's grace, he traveled through Navadvīpa and Nīlācala, visiting the homes of the devotees.
kibā se madhura rīti, khetari-grāmete sthiti,
seve ‘gaura’, ‘śrī-rādhā-ramaṇe’
‘śrī-vallabhī-kānta’-nāma, ‘rādhā-kānta’ rasa-dhāma,
‘rādhā-kṛṣṇa’, ‘śrī-vraja-mohane’ (7)
How sweet was his behavior while residing in the village of Khetari, where he served Gaura and Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa, along with the Deities named Śrī Vallabhī-kānta, Rādhā-kānta (the abode of rasa), Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, and Śrī Vraja-mohana.
*ei chaya vigraha ĵeno, sākṣāt vihare heno,**
śobhā dekhi’ kebā nāhi bhule
priya-rāmacandra-saṅge, narottama mahā-raṅge,
bhāse prema-rasera hillole (8)
These six Deities* appeared as though They were directly performing Their pastimes; who would not be captivated by seeing Their beauty? In the company of his dear Rāmacandra, Narottama floated in great delight upon the waves of the rasa of prema.
*[[gaurāṅga! vallabhi-kānta! śrī-kṛṣṇa! vraja-mohana!
rādhā-ramaṇa! he rādhe! rādha-kānta! namo’stute]]
narottama guṇa ĵato, ke tāhā kahibe kato,
prema-vṛṣṭi ĵā̃’ra saṅkīrtane
śrī-advaita, nityānanda, gaṇa-saha gauracandra,
nācaye—dekhilo bhāgyavāne (9)
Who can possibly recount all the qualities of Narottama? A shower of prema fell during his saṅkīrtana, where fortunate souls saw Śrī Advaita, Nityānanda, and Gauracandra dancing along with Their associates!
gaura-gaṇa-priya ati, narottama mahā-mati,
vaiṣṇava-sevane ĵā̃’ra dhvani
ki adbhuta dayāvān, kāre vā nā kare dāna,
nirmala-bhakati cintāmaṇi (10)
The great-minded Narottama is exceedingly dear to the associates of Gaura, and his fame in serving the Vaiṣṇavas resonates everywhere. How wondrously compassionate he is! Is there anyone to whom he did not distribute the wish-fulfilling jewel of pure bhakti?
pāṣaṇḍī asura-gaṇe, mātāilā gorā-guṇe,
vihvala ha·iyā premāveśe
alaukika kriyā ĵā’ra, heno ki ha·ibe āra,
se nā ĵaśa ghoṣe deśe deśe (11)
Overwhelmed in the absorption of prema, he intoxicated even atheists and demons with the qualities of Gorā. His activities were extraordinary; will there ever be another like him? His fame is proclaimed from land to land.
kahe narahari dīna, ha’be ki emana dina,
narottama-pade vikāibo?
saghane du’bāhu tuli’, ‘prabhu-narottama’ boli’,
kā̃di’ ki dhūlāya loṭāibo? (12)
The lowly Narahari says: Will such a day ever be mine, when I will sell myself at the feet of Narottama? Frequently raising both my arms and calling out, "O master Narottama!", will I weep and roll in the dust?