Wednesday: Ātma-nivedana – Offering Myself
Table of Contents
‘Ahaṁ’-‘Mama’-Śabda-arthe
‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-śabda-arthe ĵāhā kichu haya
arpilũ tomāra pade ohe dayāmaya! (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-śabda-arthe—in the meaning of the words “I” and “mine”; ĵāhā kichu haya—whatever there is. ② arpilũ tomāra pade—I have submitted at Your feet; ohe dayāmaya—O kindhearted one!
Word-for-Word: ① ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’—“I” and “mine” • śabda-arthe—in the meaning of the words • ĵāhā kichu—whatever • haya—there is ② arpilũ—I have submitted • tomāra—Your • pade—at the feet • ohe—O • dayāmaya—kindhearted one.
Whatever is suggested by the words “I” and “mine” I have submitted at Your feet, O kindhearted one.
‘āmāra’ āmi to’ nātha! nā rahinu āra
ekhana ha·inu āmi kevala tomāra (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ‘āmāra’ āmi—I am my own; to’ nātha—O Lord; nā rahinu āra—I no longer remain. ② ekhana ha·inu āmi—now I have become; kevala tomāra—solely Yours.
Word-for-Word: ① ‘āmāra’—my own • āmi—I • to’—indeed • nātha—O Lord • nā—not • rahinu—remained • āra—any longer ② ekhana—now • ha·inu—have become • āmi—I • kevala—solely • tomāra—Yours.
I no longer maintain, my Lord, that I belong to myself. Now I am solely Yours.
‘āmi’-śabde dehī jīva ahaṁtā chāḓilo
tvadīyābhimāna āji hṛdaye paśilo (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ‘āmi’-śabde—with respect to the word “I”; dehī jīva—this embodied jīva; ahaṁtā chāḓilo—has abandoned egoism. ② tvadīyābhimāna—the conception of belonging to You; āji hṛdaye paśilo—has today entered the heart.
Word-for-Word: ① ‘āmi’-śabde—in relation to the word “I” • dehī—embodied • jīva—living being • ahaṁtā—egoism • chāḓilo—has abandoned ② tvadīyābhimāna—the conception of belonging to You • āji—today • hṛdaye—into the heart • paśilo—has entered.
This embodied jīva has shed the egoism (ahaṁtā) associated with the word “I”, and now the self-conception of being Yours (tvadīyā) has entered his heart.
āmāra sarvasva—deha, geha, anucara
bhāi, bandhu, dārā, suta, dravya, dvāra, ghara (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① āmāra sarvasva—all that I have; deha, geha, anucara—my body, home, and followers. ② bhāi, bandhu, dārā, suta—my brothers, friends, wife, and children; dravya, dvāra, ghara—my belongings, means, and household.
Word-for-Word: ① āmāra—my • sarvasva—all that I have • deha—body • geha—home • anucara—followers ② bhāi—brothers • bandhu—friends • dārā—wife • suta—children • dravya—belongings • dvāra—means • ghara—household.
All that I have—my body, home, followers, brothers, friends, wife, children, belongings, my means, and my household—…
se-saba ha·ilo tava, āmi hainu dāsa
tomāra gṛhete ebe āmi kari vāsa (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① se-saba ha·ilo tava—all those have become Yours; āmi hainu dāsa—I have become Your servant. ② tomāra gṛhete—in Your household; ebe āmi kari vāsa—now I reside.
Word-for-Word: ① se-saba—all those • ha·ilo—have become • tava—Yours • āmi—I • hainu—have become • dāsa—servant ② tomāra—Your • gṛhete—in the household • ebe—now • āmi—I • kari—do / make • vāsa—residence.
…they have all become Yours, and I have become Your servant. Now I simply reside in Your household.
tumi gṛha-svāmī, āmi sevaka tomāra
tomāra sukhete ceṣṭā ekhana āmāra (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tumi gṛha-svāmī—You are the head of the household; āmi sevaka tomāra—I am Your servant. ② tomāra sukhete—for Your happiness; ceṣṭā ekhana āmāra—all my endeavors are now directed.
Word-for-Word: ① tumi—You • gṛha-svāmī—head of the household • āmi—I • sevaka—servant • tomāra—Your ② tomāra—Your • sukhete—for the happiness • ceṣṭā—endeavor • ekhana—now • āmāra—my.
You are the head of the household and I am Your attendant. All my endeavors now are for Your happiness.
sthūla-liṅga-dehe mora sukṛta-duṣkṛta
āra mora nahe, prabhu! āmi to’ niṣkṛta (7)
Phrase Breakdown: ① sthūla-liṅga-dehe mora—my gross and subtle bodies; sukṛta-duṣkṛta—my merit and sin. ② āra mora nahe—are no longer mine; prabhu—O Prabhu; āmi to’ niṣkṛta—I am now free.
Word-for-Word: ① sthūla-liṅga-dehe—gross and subtle bodies • mora—my • sukṛta-duṣkṛta—merit and sin ② āra—any longer • mora—mine • nahe—are not • prabhu—O Prabhu • āmi—I • to’—indeed • niṣkṛta—free.
My gross and subtle bodies, my merit and sin—these no longer belong to me, Prabhu. I am now free.
tomāra icchāya mora icchā miśāilo
bhakativinoda āja āpane bhulilo (8)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra icchāya—with Your will; mora icchā miśāilo—my desires have merged. ② bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; āja—today; āpane bhulilo—has forgotten himself.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • icchāya—in the will • mora—my • icchā—desires • miśāilo—have merged ② bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • āja—today • āpane—himself • bhulilo—has forgotten.
All of my desires have merged with Yours. Today, Bhaktivinoda has forgotten himself.
‘Āmāra’ Bolite Prabhu!
‘āmāra’ bolite prabhu! āra kichu nāi
tumi·i āmāra mātra pitā-bandhu-bhāi (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ‘āmāra’ bolite—to call “my own”; prabhu—O Lord; āra kichu nāi—there is nothing else. ② tumi·i āmāra mātra—You alone are my only; pitā-bandhu-bhāi—father, friend, and brother.
Word-for-Word: ① ‘āmāra’—my own • bolite—to call • prabhu—O Lord • āra—apart from that • kichu—anything • nāi—there is not. ② tumi·i—You alone • āmāra—my • mātra—only • pitā—father • bandhu—friend • bhāi—brother.
O Lord, apart from You, there is nothing else that I can call my own. You alone are my father, friend, and brother.
bandhu, dārā, suta-sutā—tava dāsī-dāsa
sei to’ sambandhe sabe āmāra prayāsa (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bandhu, dārā, suta-sutā—friends, wife, sons, and daughters; tava dāsī-dāsa—are Your maidservants and servants. ② sei to’ sambandhe—only in that relationship; sabe āmāra prayāsa—are all my endeavors.
Word-for-Word: ① bandhu—friends • dārā—wife • suta-sutā—sons and daughters • tava—Your • dāsī-dāsa—maidservants and servants. ② sei—that • to’—indeed • sambandhe—in relation • sabe—all • āmāra—my • prayāsa—endeavors.
My friends, wife, sons, and daughters are all Your servants and maidservants. My endeavors for them are based on that relationship only.
dhana, jana, gṛha, dvāra ‘tomāra’ boliyā
rakṣā kari āmi mātra sevaka ha·iyā (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① dhana, jana, gṛha, dvāra—wealth, family members, home, and household; ‘tomāra’ boliyā—considering them to be Yours. ② rakṣā kari āmi—I protect them; mātra sevaka ha·iyā—only as Your servant.
Word-for-Word: ① dhana—wealth • jana—family members • gṛha—home • dvāra—household • ‘tomāra’—Yours • boliyā—considering. ② rakṣā—protect • kari—I do • āmi—I • mātra—only • sevaka—servant • ha·iyā—being.
Considering my wealth, family members, home, and possessions to be Yours, I protect them, only as Your servant.
tomāra kāryera tare upārjibo dhana
tomāra saṁsāra-vyaya karibo vahana (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra kāryera tare—for Your service; upārjibo dhana—I shall earn wealth. ② tomāra saṁsāra-vyaya—the expenses of Your household; karibo vahana—I shall bear.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • kāryera—service • tare—for the sake of • upārjibo—I shall earn • dhana—wealth. ② tomāra—Your • saṁsāra-vyaya—household expenses • karibo—I shall do • vahana—bearing.
For Your service I shall earn money and bear the expenses of Your household.
bhālo-manda nāhi jāni sevā-mātra kari
tomāra saṁsāre āmi viṣaya-praharī (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhālo-manda nāhi jāni—I know neither good nor bad; sevā-mātra kari—I only render service. ② tomāra saṁsāre—in Your household; āmi viṣaya-praharī—I am a watchman over its interests.
Word-for-Word: ① bhālo-manda—good or bad • nāhi—do not • jāni—I know • sevā-mātra—nothing but service • kari—I do. ② tomāra—Your • saṁsāre—in the household • āmi—I • viṣaya-praharī—watchman over the property/interests.
I know neither good nor bad—I only serve. I am but a watchman, guarding the interests of Your household.
tomāra icchāya mora indriya-cālanā
śravaṇa, darśana, ghrāṇa, bhojana-vāsanā (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra icchāya—according to Your desire; mora indriya-cālanā—the engagement of my senses. ② śravaṇa, darśana, ghrāṇa—hearing, sight, and smell; bhojana-vāsanā—the desire for eating.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • icchāya—according to the desire • mora—my • indriya-cālanā—engagement of the senses. ② śravaṇa—hearing • darśana—sight • ghrāṇa—smell • bhojana-vāsanā—desire for eating.
I engage my senses—hearing, sight, smell, and taste—in accordance with Your desire.
nija-sukha lāgi’ kichu nāhi kari āra
bhakativinoda bole, tava sukha-sāra (7)
Phrase Breakdown: ① nija-sukha lāgi’—for my own pleasure; kichu nāhi kari āra—I no longer do anything. ② bhakativinoda bole—Bhaktivinoda says; tava sukha-sāra—Your happiness is the essence.
Word-for-Word: ① nija-sukha—my own pleasure • lāgi’—for the sake of • kichu—anything • nāhi—do not • kari—I do • āra—any longer. ② bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • bole—says • tava—Your • sukha-sāra—happiness is the essence.
I no longer do anything for the sake of my own pleasure. Bhaktivinoda says, “Your happiness is the essence [of my life].”
Vastutaḥ Sakali Tava
vastutaḥ sakali tava, jīva keho naya
‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-bhrame bhrami’ bhoge śoka-bhaya (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① vastutaḥ—in actuality; sakali tava—everything is Yours; jīva keho naya—nothing belongs to the jīva. ② ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-bhrame—under the illusion of “I” and “mine”; bhrami’—wandering; bhoge śoka-bhaya—he experiences lamentation and fear.
Word-for-Word: ① vastutaḥ—in actuality • sakali—everything • tava—Yours • jīva—to the jīva • keho—anything • naya—is not. ② ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-bhrame—under the illusion of “I” and “mine” • bhrami’—wandering • bhoge—he experiences • śoka-bhaya—lamentation and fear.
In actuality, everything is Yours and nothing belongs to the jīva. Under the false conceptions of “I” and “mine”, the jīva meanders [aimlessly through saṁsāra] suffering lamentation and fear.
‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-abhimāna ei-mātra dhana
baddha-jīva nija-boli’ jāne mane mana (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-abhimāna—the false conception of “I” and “mine”; ei-mātra dhana—is the only wealth. ② baddha-jīva—the conditioned jīva; nija-boli’—considering it his own; jāne mane mana—thinks within his heart.
Word-for-Word: ① ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-abhimāna—the false conception of “I” and “mine” • ei-mātra—this alone • dhana—wealth. ② baddha-jīva—the conditioned jīva • nija—his own • boli’—considering • jāne—thinks • mane—within the heart • mana—mind.
The egoistic sense of “I” and “mine” are what the conditioned jīva considers in his heart to be his sole assets.
sei abhimāne āmi saṁsāre paḓiyā
hābuḍubu khāi bhava-sindhu sā̃tāriyā (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① sei abhimāne—with those false conceptions; āmi saṁsāre paḓiyā—I, having fallen into material existence. ② hābuḍubu khāi—I gasp and thrash about; bhava-sindhu sā̃tāriyā—having tried to swim across the ocean of material existence.
Word-for-Word: ① sei—those • abhimāne—false conceptions • āmi—I • saṁsāre—into material existence • paḓiyā—having fallen. ② hābuḍubu khāi—I gasp and thrash about • bhava-sindhu—the ocean of material existence • sā̃tāriyā—having tried to swim across.
With these false conceptions, I have fallen into this world (saṁsāra). I gag and thrash about as I try to swim within this ocean of material existence.
tomāra abhaya pade la·iyā śaraṇa
āji āmi karilāma ātma-nivedana (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra abhaya pade—at Your fear-dispelling feet; la·iyā śaraṇa—having taken shelter. ② āji āmi—today I; karilāma ātma-nivedana—have submitted my very self.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • abhaya—fearlessness • pade—at the feet • la·iyā—having taken • śaraṇa—shelter. ② āji—today • āmi—I • karilāma—have made • ātma-nivedana—self-submission.
Taking shelter of Your feet, which award fearlessness, today, I have submitted my very self unto You.
‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-abhimāna chāḓilo āmāya
āra ĵeno mama hṛde sthāna nāhi pāya (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-abhimāna—the false conception of “I” and “mine”; chāḓilo āmāya—has left me. ② āra ĵeno—never again; mama hṛde—in my heart; sthāna nāhi pāya—may it find no place.
Word-for-Word: ① ‘ahaṁ’-‘mama’-abhimāna—the false conception of “I” and “mine” • chāḓilo—has left • āmāya—me. ② āra—again • ĵeno—may • mama—my • hṛde—in the heart • sthāna—place • nāhi—not • pāya—may find.
The false sense of “I” and “mine” has left me for good, never to find a place in my heart again.
ei-mātra bolo prabhu! dibe he āmāre
ahaṁtā-mamatā dūre pāri rākhibāre (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ei-mātra bolo—simply assure me; prabhu—O Master; dibe he āmāre—You will grant me. ② ahaṁtā-mamatā—this sense of egoism and proprietorship; dūre pāri rākhibāre—the ability to keep it at bay.
Word-for-Word: ① ei-mātra—only this • bolo—say • prabhu—O Master • dibe—You will give • he—indeed • āmāre—to me. ② ahaṁtā-mamatā—egoism and proprietorship • dūre—far away • pāri rākhibāre—to be able to keep.
Please, O Master, simply assure me that You will grant me the ability to keep this sense of egoism and proprietorship at bay.
ātma-nivedana-bhāva hṛde dṛḓha raya
hasti-snāna-sama ĵeno kṣaṇika nā haya (7)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ātma-nivedana-bhāva—the disposition of self-submission; hṛde dṛḓha raya—may it remain firmly rooted in my heart. ② hasti-snāna-sama—like the bathing of an elephant; ĵeno kṣaṇika nā haya—may it not be transient.
Word-for-Word: ① ātma-nivedana-bhāva—the disposition of self-submission • hṛde—in my heart • dṛḓha—firmly • raya—may it remain. ② hasti-snāna-sama—like the bathing of an elephant • ĵeno—may • kṣaṇika—transient • nā—not • haya—be.
Let this disposition of self-submission remain firmly rooted in my heart, and not be transient [and futile] like the bathing of an elephant.
bhakativinoda prabhu-nityānanda-pāya’
māge parasāda, ĵāhe abhimāna ĵāya (8)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; prabhu-nityānanda-pāya’—at the feet of Nityānanda Prabhu; māge parasāda—begs for mercy. ② ĵāhe—by which; abhimāna ĵāya—false self-conceptions may depart.
Word-for-Word: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • prabhu-nityānanda-pāya’—at the feet of Nityānanda Prabhu • māge—begs • parasāda—mercy. ② ĵāhe—by which • abhimāna—false self-conceptions • ĵāya—may depart.
Bhaktivinoda begs at the feet of Nityānanda Prabhu for His mercy, by which his false self-conceptions may depart.
Nivedana Kari Prabhu!
nivedana kari prabhu! tomāra caraṇe
patita-adhama āmi, jāne tribhuvane (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① nivedana kari—I make this submission; prabhu—O Lord; tomāra caraṇe—at Your feet. ② patita-adhama āmi—I am lowly and wretched; jāne tribhuvane—this is known throughout the three worlds.
Word-for-Word: ① nivedana—submission • kari—I make • prabhu—O Lord • tomāra—Your • caraṇe—at the feet. ② patita-adhama—fallen and wretched • āmi—I • jāne—is known • tribhuvane—throughout the three worlds.
I make this submission at Your feet, O Lord. I am lowly and wretched. This is known throughout the three worlds.
āmā-sama pāpī nāhi jagat-bhitare
mama-sama aparādhī nāhiko saṁsāre (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① āmā-sama pāpī—a sinner like me; nāhi jagat-bhitare—does not exist within this world. ② mama-sama aparādhī—an offender like me; nāhiko saṁsāre—does not exist in all of existence.
Word-for-Word: ① āmā-sama—like me • pāpī—sinner • nāhi—does not exist • jagat-bhitare—within the world. ② mama-sama—like me • aparādhī—offender • nāhiko—does not exist • saṁsāre—in all of existence.
There is no sinner like me in this world; there is no offender like me in all of existence.
sei saba pāpa āra aparādha, āmi
parihāre pāi lajjā, saba jāno’ tumi (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① sei saba pāpa āra aparādha—all those sins and offenses; āmi parihāre—in casting them off, I; pāi lajjā—feel shame. ② saba jāno’ tumi—You know everything.
Word-for-Word: ① sei—those • saba—all • pāpa—sins • āra—and • aparādha—offenses • āmi—I • parihāre—in casting off • pāi—feel • lajjā—shame. ② saba—everything • jāno’—You know • tumi—You.
I feel shame even in casting off all these sins and offenses, for You know everything [about how vast and egregious my wrongdoings are].
tumi vinā kā’ra āmi la·ibo śaraṇa?
tumi sarveśvareśvara vrajendra-nandana (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tumi vinā—other than You; kā’ra āmi—in whom shall I; la·ibo śaraṇa—seek shelter? ② tumi sarveśvareśvara—You are the Lord of lords; vrajendra-nandana—O Vrajendra-nandana.
Word-for-Word: ① tumi—You • vinā—without / other than • kā’ra—in whom • āmi—I • la·ibo—shall take • śaraṇa—shelter? ② tumi—You • sarveśvareśvara—Lord of lords • vrajendra-nandana—O son of Vrajendra.
In whom shall I seek refuge other than You? You are the Lord of lords, O Vrajendra-nandana!
jagat tomāra nātha! tumi sarvamaya
tomā-prati aparādha tumi karo’ kṣaya (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① jagat tomāra—the world is Yours; nātha—O Master; tumi sarvamaya—You encompass everything. ② tomā-prati aparādha—my offenses to You; tumi karo’ kṣaya—please destroy.
Word-for-Word: ① jagat—the world • tomāra—Your • nātha—O Master • tumi—You • sarvamaya—all-pervading / encompassing everything. ② tomā-prati—toward You • aparādha—offenses • tumi—You • karo’—please do • kṣaya—destruction.
The world is Yours, O Master, and You encompass everything. Please absolve me of my offenses to You!
tumi to’ skhalita-pada janera āśraya
tumi vinā āra kebā āche, dayāmaya! (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tumi to’—indeed You; skhalita-pada janera—of those who have faltered; āśraya—are the refuge. ② tumi vinā āra kebā āche—who else is there besides You? dayāmaya—O Benevolent One!
Word-for-Word: ① tumi—You • to’—indeed • skhalita-pada—those who have faltered • janera—of persons • āśraya—refuge. ② tumi—You • vinā—without / besides • āra—else • kebā—who • āche—is there • dayāmaya—O Benevolent One!
You are the sanctuary of those who have faltered. O Benevolent One, who is there but You?
sei-rūpa tava aparādhī jana ĵato
tomāra śaraṇāgata ha·ibe satata (7)
Phrase Breakdown: ① sei-rūpa tava aparādhī jana—all such offenders to You; ĵato—whoever they may be. ② tomāra śaraṇāgata ha·ibe—shall become surrendered unto You; satata—always.
Word-for-Word: ① sei-rūpa—such • tava—to You • aparādhī—offenders • jana—persons • ĵato—whoever / however many. ② tomāra—unto You • śaraṇāgata—surrendered • ha·ibe—shall become • satata—always.
All such offenders to You shall always [come to a point of] surrender to You.
bhakativinoda pade la·iyā śaraṇa
tuwā pade kare āja ātma-samarpaṇa (8)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; pade la·iyā śaraṇa—having taken shelter at Your feet. ② tuwā pade—at Your feet; kare āja—now offers; ātma-samarpaṇa—his very self.
Word-for-Word: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • pade—at the feet • la·iyā—having taken • śaraṇa—shelter. ② tuwā—Your • pade—at the feet • kare—offers • āja—today • ātma-samarpaṇa—self-surrender.
Having taken shelter at Your feet, Bhaktivinoda now offers You his very self.
Ātma-nivedana
ātma-nivedana, tuwā pade kari’,
ha·inu parama sukhī
duḥkha dūre gelo, cintā nā rahilo,
caudike ānanda dekhi (1)
Phrase Breakdown: ① ātma-nivedana—self-submission; tuwā pade kari’—having made at Your feet. ② ha·inu parama sukhī—I have become supremely happy. ③ duḥkha dūre gelo—sorrow has gone far away; cintā nā rahilo—no anxiety remains. ④ caudike ānanda dekhi—I see bliss in every direction.
Word-for-Word: ① ātma-nivedana—self-submission • tuwā—Your • pade—at the feet • kari’—having made. ② ha·inu—I have become • parama—supremely • sukhī—happy. ③ duḥkha—sorrow • dūre—far away • gelo—has gone • cintā—anxiety • nā—not • rahilo—remains. ④ caudike—in every direction • ānanda—bliss • dekhi—I see.
Having submitted my soul at Your feet, I am supremely elated. Sorrow is banished and no anxieties remain. I see only bliss in the four directions.
aśoka-abhaya, amṛta-ādhāra,
tomāra caraṇa-dvaya
tāhāte ekhana, viśrāma labhiyā,
chāḓinu bhavera bhaya (2)
Phrase Breakdown: ① aśoka-abhaya—free from lamentation and fear; amṛta-ādhāra—reservoirs of nectar. ② tomāra caraṇa-dvaya—Your two lotus feet. ③ tāhāte ekhana—there now; viśrāma labhiyā—having found repose. ④ chāḓinu bhavera bhaya—I have cast aside the fear of worldly existence.
Word-for-Word: ① aśoka—free from lamentation • abhaya—fearlessness • amṛta-ādhāra—reservoirs of nectar. ② tomāra—Your • caraṇa-dvaya—two lotus feet. ③ tāhāte—there • ekhana—now • viśrāma—repose • labhiyā—having found. ④ chāḓinu—I have cast aside • bhavera—of worldly existence • bhaya—fear.
Your two lotus feet are reservoirs of nectar that bestow freedom from lamentation and fear. Now, having found repose at those feet, I have cast aside all fear of worldly existence.
tomāra saṁsāre, karibo sevana,
nahibo phalera bhāgī
tava sukha ĵāhe, karibo ĵatana,
ha’ye pade anurāgī (3)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra saṁsāre—in Your household; karibo sevana—I shall render service. ② nahibo phalera bhāgī—I shall not partake of the fruits. ③ tava sukha ĵāhe—for Your happiness alone; karibo ĵatana—I shall endeavor diligently. ④ ha’ye pade anurāgī—having become attached to Your feet.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • saṁsāre—in the household • karibo—I shall render • sevana—service. ② nahibo—I shall not be • phalera—of the fruits • bhāgī—a partaker. ③ tava—Your • sukha—happiness • ĵāhe—for which / alone • karibo—I shall make • ĵatana—endeavor. ④ ha’ye—having become • pade—to the feet • anurāgī—deeply attached.
I shall serve in Your household, never partaking of the fruits [of my labor]. I shall diligently tend to Your satisfaction only, being fully dedicated to Your feet.
tomāra sevāya, duḥkha haya ĵato,
seo to’ parama sukha
sevā-sukha-duḥkha, parama-sampad,
nāśaye avidyā-duḥkha (4)
Phrase Breakdown: ① tomāra sevāya—in Your service; duḥkha haya ĵato—whatever difficulties arise. ② seo to’—even those; parama sukha—are the highest happiness. ③ sevā-sukha-duḥkha—the pleasures and pains of service; parama-sampad—are the greatest wealth. ④ nāśaye avidyā-duḥkha—they destroy the misery of ignorance.
Word-for-Word: ① tomāra—Your • sevāya—in the service • duḥkha—difficulties • haya—arise • ĵato—whatever. ② seo—even those • to’—indeed • parama—supreme • sukha—happiness. ③ sevā-sukha-duḥkha—the pleasures and pains of service • parama-sampad—the greatest wealth. ④ nāśaye—destroy • avidyā-duḥkha—the misery of ignorance.
In the course of serving You, whatever difficulties may come are indeed the topmost joy. The pains and pleasures of service [to You] are the greatest assets, for they destroy the misery of nescience.
pūrva-itihāsa, bhulinu sakala,
sevā-sukha pe’ye mane
āmi to’ tomāra, tumi to’ āmāra,
ki kāja apara dhane (5)
Phrase Breakdown: ① pūrva-itihāsa—my former history; bhulinu sakala—I have completely forgotten. ② sevā-sukha pe’ye—having attained the joy of service; mane—in my heart. ③ āmi to’ tomāra—I am Yours; tumi to’ āmāra—You are mine. ④ ki kāja—what need is there; apara dhane—for any other treasure?
Word-for-Word: ① pūrva-itihāsa—former history • bhulinu—I have forgotten • sakala—completely. ② sevā-sukha—the joy of service • pe’ye—having attained • mane—in my heart. ③ āmi—I • to’—indeed • tomāra—am Yours • tumi—You • to’—indeed • āmāra—are mine. ④ ki—what • kāja—need • apara—other • dhane—for treasure?
I have completely forgotten my past history, due to experiencing the joy of service to You. All I know is that I am Yours and You are mine. What need is there for any other treasure?
bhakativinoda, ānande ḍubiyā,
tomāra sevāra tare
saba ceṣṭā kare, tava icchā-mata,
thākiyā tomāra ghare (6)
Phrase Breakdown: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda; ānande ḍubiyā—having become immersed in bliss. ② tomāra sevāra tare—for Your service. ③ saba ceṣṭā kare—makes every endeavor; tava icchā-mata—according to Your desire. ④ thākiyā tomāra ghare—residing in Your household.
Word-for-Word: ① bhakativinoda—Bhaktivinoda • ānande—in bliss • ḍubiyā—having become immersed. ② tomāra—Your • sevāra—service • tare—for the sake of. ③ saba—every • ceṣṭā—endeavor • kare—makes • tava—Your • icchā-mata—according to the desire. ④ thākiyā—residing • tomāra—Your • ghare—in the home.
Having become immersed in bliss, Bhaktivinoda devotes all his efforts to Your service and remains in Your home, living according to Your desire.