Thursday: Goptṛtve Varaṇa – Embracing the Lord's Guardianship
Ki Jāni Ki Bale
ki jāni ki bale, tomāra dhāmete,
ha·inu śaraṇāgata
tumi dayāmaya, patita-pāvana,
patita-tāraṇe rata (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ki jāni ki bale—I do not know by what strength; tomāra dhāmete—within Your dhāma ② ha·inu śaraṇāgata—I have attained shelter ③ tumi dayāmaya—You are most benevolent; patita-pāvana—the sanctifier of the fallen ④ patita-tāraṇe rata—devoted to delivering the fallen.
Word-for-Word: ① ki jāni—what do I know (i.e. I do not know) • ki—what • bale—strength; power; force • tomāra—Your • dhāmete—in the dhāma ② ha·inu—I became • śaraṇāgata—one who has taken shelter ③ tumi—You • dayāmaya—merciful; benevolent • patita-pāvana—sanctifier of the fallen ④ patita-tāraṇe—in delivering the fallen • rata—devoted.
I do not know by what strength I have come to attain shelter of You within Your dhāma. Truly, You are most benevolent, devoted to sanctifying and delivering the fallen.
bharasā āmāra, ei mātra nātha!
tumi to’ karuṇāmaya
tava dayā-pātra, nāhi mora sama,
avaśya ghucābe bhaya (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bharasā āmāra—my hope; ei mātra nātha!—is simply this, O Lord ② tumi to’ karuṇāmaya—that You are saturated with compassion ③ tava dayā-pātra—a beneficiary of Your compassion; nāhi mora sama—there is none equal to me ④ avaśya ghucābe bhaya—You will indeed subjugate all my fears.
Word-for-Word: ① bharasā—hope; reliance • āmāra—my • ei—this • mātra—only; merely • nātha—O Lord ② tumi—You • to’—indeed; certainly • karuṇāmaya—full of compassion; compassionate ③ tava—Your • dayā-pātra—recipient; vessel of mercy • nāhi—there is not • mora—to me; my • sama—equal ④ avaśya—certainly; surely • ghucābe—remove; dispel; subjugate • bhaya—fear.
I rest all my hopes simply in the fact, O Lord, that You are saturated with compassion. There is no beneficiary more in want of Your compassion than I am. You will indeed subjugate all my fears.
āmāre tārite, kāhāro śakati,
avanī-bhitare nāhi
dayāla ṭhākura, ghoṣaṇā tomāra,
adhama pāmare trāhi (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① āmāre tārite—to deliver me; kāhāro śakati—the power of anyone ② avanī-bhitare nāhi—does not exist in this world ③ dayāla ṭhākura—O merciful Lord; ghoṣaṇā tomāra—by Your decree ④ adhama pāmare—this lowly and sinful soul; trāhi—please save.
Word-for-Word: ① āmāre—me • tārite—to deliver • kāhāro—of anyone; anyone's • śakati—power; ability • avanī-bhitare—in the world; within the world • nāhi—there is not; does not exist ③ dayāla—merciful • ṭhākura—Lord • ghoṣaṇā—decree; proclamation • tomāra—Your ④ adhama—lowly; fallen • pāmare—wretched sinner • trāhi—save; please save.
There is no one in the world with the power to deliver me. O merciful Lord, by Your decree, please save this lowly and sinful soul.
sakala chāḓiyā, āsiyāchi āmi,
tomāra caraṇe, nātha!
āmi nitya-dāsa, tumi pālayitā,
tumi goptā, jagannātha! (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① sakala chāḓiyā—having left everything behind; āsiyāchi āmi—I have settled ② tomāra caraṇe—at Your feet; nātha—O Protector ③ āmi nitya-dāsa—I am Your eternal servant; tumi pālayitā—You are my sustainer ④ tumi goptā—You are my custodian; jagannātha—O Jagannātha (Lord of the universe).
Word-for-Word: ① sakala—everything • chāḓiyā—having left • āsiyāchi—I have come • āmi—I ② tomāra caraṇe—at Your feet • nātha—O Lord; Protector ③ āmi—I • nitya-dāsa—eternal servant • tumi—You • pālayitā—maintainer; sustainer ④ tumi—You • goptā—protector; guardian • jagannātha—Lord of the universe.
Leaving everything behind, O Protector, I have settled at Your feet. I am Your eternal servant, and You are my sustainer and custodian, O Jagannātha (Lord of the universe)!
tomāra sakala, āmi mātra dāsa,
āmāre tāribe tumi
tomāra caraṇa, karinu varaṇa,
āmāra nahi to’ āmi (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra sakala—everything is Yours; āmi mātra dāsa—I am simply Your servant ② āmāre tāribe tumi—You shall deliver me ③ tomāra caraṇa—Your feet; karinu varaṇa—I have accepted ④ āmāra nahi—I do not belong; to’ āmi—to myself.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • sakala—everything • āmi—I • mātra—only; merely • dāsa—servant ② āmāre—me • tāribe—will deliver • tumi—You ③ tomāra—Your • caraṇa—feet • karinu varaṇa—I accepted; I accepted as my shelter ④ āmāra—my • nahi—am not • to’—indeed • āmi—I.
Everything is Yours, and I am simply Your servant. You shall deliver me. I have accepted Your feet [as my only shelter]. I do not even belong to myself.
bhakativinoda, kā̃diyā śaraṇa,
la’yeche tomāra pāya
kṣami’ aparādha, nāme ruci diyā,
pālana karaho tāya (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; kā̃diyā—having wept; śaraṇa la’yeche—has taken refuge ② tomāra pāya—at Your feet ③ kṣami’ aparādha—having forgiven my offenses; nāme ruci diyā—having given a taste for the holy name ④ pālana karaho tāya—maintain me in this way.
Word-for-Word: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • kā̃diyā—having wept • śaraṇa la’yeche—has taken refuge ② tomāra—Your • pāya—feet ③ kṣami’—having forgiven • aparādha—offenses • nāme—for the holy name; in the holy name • ruci—taste • diyā—having given ④ pālana karaho—maintain • tāya—in that way; thus.
Weeping, Bhaktivinoda has taken refuge at Your feet. Please forgive my offenses and give me a taste for the holy name. Maintain me in this way.
Dārā-putra-nija-deha-kuṭumba-pālane
dārā-putra-nija-deha-kuṭumba-pālane
sarvadā vyākula āmi chinu mane mane (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① dārā-putra-nija-deha-kuṭumba-pālane—about maintaining my wife, my sons, my relatives, and my own self ② sarvadā vyākula—always anxious; āmi chinu—I was; mane mane—at heart.
Word-for-Word: ① dārā—wife • putra—sons • nija—own • deha—body; self • kuṭumba—relatives; family • pālane—in maintaining ② sarvadā—always • vyākula—anxious; distressed • āmi—I • chinu—was • mane mane—within my mind; at heart.
I have always been anxious at heart about maintaining my wife, my sons, my relatives, and my own self.
kemane arjibo artha, ĵaśa kise pābo
kanyā-putra-vivāha kemane sampādibo (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① kemane arjibo artha—How will I earn money?; ĵaśa kise pābo—How will I achieve distinction? ② kanyā-putra-vivāha—the marriages of my daughters and sons; kemane sampādibo—How will I arrange?
Word-for-Word: ① kemane—how • arjibo—will earn • artha—wealth; money • ĵaśa—fame; distinction • kise—by what means; how • pābo—will obtain ② kanyā—daughters • putra—sons • vivāha—marriage • kemane—how • sampādibo—will arrange; accomplish.
How will I earn money? How will I achieve distinction? How will I arrange the marriages of my daughters and sons?
ebe ātma-samarpaṇe cintā nāhi āra
tumi nirvāhibe prabhu! saṁsāra tomāra (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ebe ātma-samarpaṇe—now that I have surrendered myself; cintā nāhi āra—I have no more worries ② tumi nirvāhibe—You shall oversee everything; prabhu—O Lord; saṁsāra tomāra—for it is Your household.
Word-for-Word: ① ebe—now • ātma-samarpaṇe—upon self-surrender • cintā—anxiety; worry • nāhi—there is not • āra—any longer ② tumi—You • nirvāhibe—will maintain; will oversee • prabhu—O Master • saṁsāra—household • tomāra—Your.
Now that I have surrendered myself to You, I have no more worries. You shall oversee everything, O Lord, for it is Your household.
tumi to’ pālibe more nija-dāsa jāni’
tomāra sevāya prabhu! baḓo sukha māni (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tumi to’ pālibe more—You shall certainly take care of me; nija-dāsa jāni’—knowing me to be Your very own servant ② tomāra sevāya—in Your service; prabhu—O Master; baḓo sukha māni—I consider to be the greatest joy.
Word-for-Word: ① tumi—You • to’—certainly • pālibe—will maintain; will take care of • more—me • nija-dāsa—Your own servant • jāni’—having known ② tomāra—Your • sevāya—in the service • prabhu—O Master • baḓo—great; greatest • sukha—happiness; joy • māni—I consider.
You shall certainly take care of me, knowing me to be Your very own servant. I consider the greatest joy to be in Your service, O Master.
tomāra icchāya prabhu! sarva kārya haya
jīva bole,—‘kari āmi’, se to’ satya naya (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra icchāya—by Your will; prabhu—O Master; sarva kārya haya—all activities take place ② jīva bole—the jīva says; ‘kari āmi’—“I am doing everything”; se to’ satya naya—but this is not the reality.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • icchāya—by the will • prabhu—O Master • sarva—all • kārya haya—activities take place ② jīva—the living being • bole—says • kari āmi—I do • se—that • to’—indeed • satya—true • naya—is not.
By Your will, O Master, all activities take place. The jīva claims, “I am doing everything”, but this is not the reality.
jīva ki karite pāre, tumi nā karile?
āśā-mātra jīva kare, tava icchā—phale (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① jīva ki karite pāre—What ability does the jīva have to act?; tumi nā karile—unless You do ② āśā-mātra—simply hopes; jīva kare—the jīva does; tava icchā—phale—Your desire comes to pass.
Word-for-Word: ① jīva—the living being • ki—what • karite—to do • pāre—is able • tumi—You • nā—not • karile—if You do ② āśā-mātra—mere hope • jīva—the living being • kare—does • tava—Your • icchā—desire • phale—bears fruit; comes to pass.
What ability does the jīva have to act unless You do [meaning, unless You enable it]? The jīva simply hopes. It is Your desire that comes to pass.
niścinta ha·iyā āmi sevibo tomāya
gṛhe bhālo-manda ha’le nāhi mora dāya (7)
Phrase Breakdown: ① niścinta ha·iyā—having become free from worry; āmi sevibo tomāya—I shall serve You ② gṛhe—in the household; bhālo-manda ha’le—whether prosperity or misfortune comes; nāhi mora dāya—it is not my responsibility.
Word-for-Word: ① niścinta—free from worry • ha·iyā—having become • āmi—I • sevibo—shall serve • tomāya—You ② gṛhe—in the household • bhālo-manda—good or bad; prosperity or misfortune • ha’le—if it happens • nāhi—is not • mora—my • dāya—responsibility.
Free from worry, I shall serve You. Whatever prosperity or misfortune touches the household is not my responsibility.
bhakativinoda nija-svātantrya tyajiyā
tomāra caraṇa seve’ akiñcana haiyā (8)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; nija-svātantrya tyajiyā—having resigned his independence ② tomāra caraṇa seve’—in the service of Your feet; akiñcana haiyā—having become completely detached (akiñcana).
Word-for-Word: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • nija-svātantrya—his own independence • tyajiyā—having abandoned ② tomāra—Your • caraṇa—feet • seve’—having served • akiñcana—one possessing nothing; detached • haiyā—having become.
Bhaktivinoda has resigned his independence. In the service of Your feet, he has become completely detached (akiñcana).
Sarvasva Tomāra
sarvasva tomāra, caraṇe sãpiyā,
paḓechi tomāra ghare
tumi to’ ṭhākura, tomāra kukura,
boliyā jānaho more (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① sarvasva tomāra—everything is Yours; caraṇe sãpiyā—having surrendered at Your lotus feet ② paḓechi tomāra ghare—I remain prostrated at Your house ③ tumi to’ ṭhākura—You are my Lord; tomāra kukura—Your dog ④ boliyā jānaho more—kindly accept me as such.
Word-for-Word: ① sarvasva—everything; all possessions • tomāra—Your • caraṇe—at the feet • sãpiyā—having surrendered ② paḓechi—I remain lying; I have fallen • tomāra—Your • ghare—at the house ③ tumi—You • to’—indeed • ṭhākura—Lord; Master • tomāra—Your • kukura—dog ④ boliyā—having said; considering • jānaho—please know; kindly accept • more—me.
Having surrendered everything at Your lotus feet, I remain prostrated at Your house. You are my Lord. Kindly accept me as Your dog.
bā̃dhiyā nikaṭe, āmāre pālibe,
rahibo tomāra dvāre
pratīpa-janere, āsite nā dibo,
rākhibo gaḓera pāre (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bā̃dhiyā nikaṭe—having tethered me nearby; āmāre pālibe—You will maintain me ② rahibo tomāra dvāre—I shall remain at Your door ③ pratīpa-janere—antagonistic persons; āsite nā dibo—I shall not allow to enter ④ rākhibo gaḓera pāre—I shall keep them outside the fortress.
Word-for-Word: ① bā̃dhiyā—having tethered • nikaṭe—nearby • āmāre—me • pālibe—You will maintain; take care of ② rahibo—I shall remain • tomāra—Your • dvāre—at the door ③ pratīpa-janere—antagonistic persons • āsite nā dibo—I shall not allow to come ④ rākhibo—I shall keep • gaḓera pāre—outside the fortress.
Tether me nearby and maintain me as You will. I shall keep watch at Your door. I shall not allow any antagonistic persons to enter and will keep them outside Your fortress.
tava nija-jana, prasāda seviyā,
ucchiṣṭa rākhibe ĵāhā
āmāra bhojana, parama-ānande,
prati-dina habe tāhā (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tava nija-jana—Your devotees; prasāda seviyā—having honored Your prasāda ② ucchiṣṭa rākhibe ĵāhā—whatever remnants they leave behind ③ āmāra bhojana—my sustenance; parama-ānande—in supreme bliss ④ prati-dina habe tāhā—that shall be every day.
Word-for-Word: ① tava—Your • nija-jana—own devotees • prasāda—prasāda • seviyā—having honored ② ucchiṣṭa—remnants • rākhibe—will leave • ĵāhā—whatever ③ āmāra—my • bhojana—food; sustenance • parama-ānande—in supreme bliss ④ prati-dina—every day • habe—shall be • tāhā—that.
Whatever remnants Your devotees leave behind after honoring Your prasāda will be my sustenance. Daily, I will feast on those remnants in supreme bliss.
basiyā śuiyā, tomāra caraṇa,
cintibo satata āmi
nācite nācite, nikaṭe ĵāibo,
ĵakhana ḍākibe tumi (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① basiyā śuiyā—whether sitting up or lying down; tomāra caraṇa—upon Your lotus feet ② cintibo satata āmi—I will constantly meditate ③ nācite nācite—dancing in joy; nikaṭe ĵāibo—I will come near You ④ ĵakhana ḍākibe tumi—whenever You call.
Word-for-Word: ① basiyā—having sat • śuiyā—having lain down • tomāra—Your • caraṇa—lotus feet ② cintibo—I shall meditate upon • satata—constantly • āmi—I ③ nācite nācite—dancing • nikaṭe—near • ĵāibo—I shall go ④ ĵakhana—when • ḍākibe—You will call • tumi—You.
Whether sitting up or lying down, I will constantly meditate upon Your lotus feet. Whenever You call, I will come to You, dancing in joy.
nijera poṣaṇa, kabhu nā bhāvibo,
rahibo bhāvera bhare
bhakativinoda, tomāre pālaka,
boliyā varaṇa kare (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① nijera poṣaṇa—about my own maintenance; kabhu nā bhāvibo—I shall never think ② rahibo bhāvera bhare—I shall remain absorbed in bhāva ③ bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; tomāre pālaka—You as his sole maintainer ④ boliyā varaṇa kare—accepts as such.
Word-for-Word: ① nijera—my own • poṣaṇa—maintenance • kabhu—ever • nā—not • bhāvibo—I shall think ② rahibo—I shall remain • bhāvera bhare—filled with bhāva ③ bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • tomāre—You • pālaka—maintainer ④ boliyā—having considered • varaṇa kare—accepts.
I shall never think about my own maintenance; rather, I shall remain absorbed in bhāva. Bhaktivinoda accepts You as his sole maintainer.
Tumi Sarveśvareśvara
tumi sarveśvareśvara, vrajendra-kumāra!
tomāra icchāya viśve sṛjana saṁhāra (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tumi sarveśvareśvara—You are the Lord of all lords; vrajendra-kumāra—O youthful son of the king of Vraja ② tomāra icchāya—in accord with Your will; viśve sṛjana saṁhāra—universal creation and destruction take place.
Word-for-Word: ① tumi—You • sarveśvareśvara—Lord of all lords • vrajendra-kumāra—youthful son of the king of Vraja ② tomāra—Your • icchāya—by the will • viśve—in the universe • sṛjana—creation • saṁhāra—destruction.
O youthful son of the king of Vraja, You are the Lord of all lords. In accord with Your will, universal creation and destruction take place.
tava icchā-mata brahmā karena sṛjana
tava icchā-mata viṣṇu karena pālana (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tava icchā-mata—in accord with Your will; brahmā karena sṛjana—Lord Brahmā creates ② tava icchā-mata—in accord with Your will; viṣṇu karena pālana—Lord Viṣṇu maintains.
Word-for-Word: ① tava—Your • icchā-mata—according to the will • brahmā—Lord Brahmā • karena sṛjana—creates ② tava—Your • icchā-mata—according to the will • viṣṇu—Lord Viṣṇu • karena pālana—maintains.
In accord with Your will, Lord Brahmā creates, and in accord with Your will, Lord Viṣṇu maintains.
tava icchā-mate śiva karena saṁhāra
tava icchā-mate māyā sṛje kārāgāra (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tava icchā-mate—in accord with Your will; śiva karena saṁhāra—Lord Śiva destroys ② tava icchā-mate—in accord with Your will; māyā sṛje kārāgāra—Māyā-devī constructs the prison house of this world.
Word-for-Word: ① tava—Your • icchā-mate—according to the will • śiva—Lord Śiva • karena saṁhāra—destroys ② tava—Your • icchā-mate—according to the will • māyā—Māyā-devī • sṛje—constructs • kārāgāra—prison house.
In accord with Your will, Lord Śiva destroys, and in accord with Your will, Māyā-devī constructs the prison house of this world.
tava icchā-mate jīver janama-maraṇa
samṛddhi-nipāta duḥkha-sukha-saṁghaṭana (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tava icchā-mate—in accord with Your will; jīver janama-maraṇa—the living beings take birth and die ② samṛddhi-nipāta—they meet with prosperity and ruin; duḥkha-sukha-saṁghaṭana—happiness and sorrow come to pass.
Word-for-Word: ① tava—Your • icchā-mate—according to the will • jīver—of the living beings • janama-maraṇa—birth and death ② samṛddhi—prosperity • nipāta—ruin; downfall • duḥkha—sorrow • sukha—happiness • saṁghaṭana—occurrence; coming together.
In accord with Your will, the living beings take birth and die, and in accord with Your will, they meet with prosperity and ruin, happiness and sorrow.
miche māyā-baddha jīva āśāpāśe phire’
tava icchā vinā kichu karite nā pāre (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① miche māyā-baddha jīva—the living being, bound by illusory māyā; āśāpāśe phire’—simply wanders hither and thither ② tava icchā vinā—without Your will; kichu karite nā pāre—he cannot accomplish anything.
Word-for-Word: ① miche—vainly; uselessly • māyā-baddha—bound by māyā • jīva—the living being • āśāpāśe—in the ropes of hope • phire’—wanders ② tava—Your • icchā—will • vinā—without • kichu—anything • karite—to do • nā pāre—is not able.
The living being, bound by illusory māyā, simply wanders hither and thither. Without Your will, he cannot accomplish anything.
tumi to’ rakṣaka āra pālaka āmāra
tomāra caraṇa vinā āśā nāhi āra (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tumi to’ rakṣaka āra pālaka āmāra—You are my only protector and maintainer ② tomāra caraṇa vinā—except for Your lotus feet; āśā nāhi āra—there is no hope for me.
Word-for-Word: ① tumi—You • to’—indeed • rakṣaka—protector • āra—and • pālaka—maintainer • āmāra—my ② tomāra—Your • caraṇa—lotus feet • vinā—without; except for • āśā—hope • nāhi—there is not • āra—any longer.
You are my only protector and maintainer. Except for Your lotus feet, there is no hope for me.
nija-bala-ceṣṭā-prati bharasā chāḓiyā
tomāra icchāya āchi nirbhara kariyā (7)
Phrase Breakdown: ① nija-bala-ceṣṭā-prati—in my own strength and endeavors; bharasā chāḓiyā—having given up faith ② tomāra icchāya—upon Your will; āchi nirbhara kariyā—I am solely dependent.
Word-for-Word: ① nija—my own • bala—strength • ceṣṭā—endeavors • prati—toward • bharasā chāḓiyā—having given up faith ② tomāra—Your • icchāya—upon the will • āchi—I am • nirbhara kariyā—having become dependent.
Having given up faith in my own strength and endeavors, I am solely dependent upon Your will.
bhakativinoda ati dīna akiñcana
tomāra icchāya tā’ra jīvana-maraṇa (8)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; ati dīna akiñcana—is very lowly and poor ② tomāra icchāya—according to Your will; tā’ra jīvana-maraṇa—he lives and dies.
Word-for-Word: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • ati—very • dīna—lowly; humble • akiñcana—one possessing nothing; poor ② tomāra—Your • icchāya—according to the will • tā’ra—his • jīvana-maraṇa—life and death.
Bhaktivinoda is very lowly and poor. According to Your will, he lives and dies.