Today we celebrate the Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur with a half day fast, and one of my favorite songs written by Thakur Bhaktivinoda.
The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiastic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion.
…When I hear the sound of the mrdanga in my heart I always desire to join in kirtana; and when I hear the bonafide songs describing Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, my heart dances in ecstasy.
Suddha-Bhakata
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Full song and lyrics
(1)
śuddha-bhakata-caraṇa-reṇu,
bhajana-anukūla
bhakata-sevā, parama-siddhi,
prema-latikāra mūla
śuddha-bhakata–of pure devotees; caraṇa-reṇu–dust from the lotus feet; bhajana-anukūla–is conducive to devotional service; bhakata-sevā– service to the Vaiṣṇavas; parama-siddhi–is the supreme perfection; prema-latikāra mūla–and the root of the creeper of divine love.
The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiastic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion.
(2)
mādhava-tithi, bhakti-jananī,
jetane pālana kori
kṛṣṇa-basati, basati boli’,
parama ādare bori
mādhava-tithi–the holy days like Ekādaśī and Janmāṣṭamī bhaktijananī–the mother of devotion; yatane pālana kori–I observe with great care; kṛṣṇa-basati–the transcendental abode of Srī Kṛṣṇa; vasati boli’ –I choose as my dwelling place; parama ādare bori–with the greatest of reverence and love.
The holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Krsna’s pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me.
(3)
gaur āmāra, je-saba sthāne,
koralo bhramaṇa rańge
se-saba sthāna, heribo āmi,
praṇayi-bhakata-sańge
gaur āmāra–my Lord Gaurasundara; ye-saba sthāne–all the places; koralo bhramaṇa–had traveled; rańge–for pastimes; se-saba sthāna–all those places; heribo āmi–I will behold; praṇayi-bhakata-sańge–in the company of loving devotees.
May I always visit all the holy places associated with the lila of Lord Caitanya and His devotees.
(4)
mṛdańga-bādya, śunite mana,
abasara sadā jāce
gaura-bihita, kīrtana śuni’,
ānande hṛdoya nāce
mṛdańga-vādya–the music of the mṛdańga drum; śunite–to hear; mana– my mind; avasara–an opportunity; sadā yāce–always begs; gaura-vihita– approved by Lord Gauracandra; kīrtana–the congregational chanting; śuni’ –hearing; ānande–in ecstasy; hṛdoya nāce–my heart dances.
When I hear the sound of the mrdanga in my heart I always desire to join in kirtana; and when I hear the bonafide songs describing Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, my heart dances in ecstasy.
(5)
jugala-mūrti, dekhiyā mora,
parama-ānanda hoya
prasāda-sebā korite hoya,
sakala prapañca jaya
yugala-mūrti–the Deity forms of the divine couple; dekhiyā–beholding; mora–my; parama-ānanda hoya–supreme bliss comes about; prasāda-sevā korite–to honor the prasāda food remnants; hoya–there is; sakala prapañca–all worldly illusions; jaya–I conquer.
Whenever I see the transcendental sri-vigrahas of Radha-Krsna I am in bliss, for by taking Their Lordships’ prasada we can conquer over the material elements.
(6)
je-dina gṛhe, bhajana dekhi,
gṛhete goloka bhāya
caraṇa-sīdhu, dekhiyā gańgā,
sukha sā sīmā pāya
ye-dina–that day; gṛhe–in my house; bhajana dekhi–seeing the worship ceremonies; gṛhete–within the house; goloka bhāya–Goloka Vṛndāvana appears; caraṇa-sīdhu–the river of nectar emanating from the Lord’s lotus feet; dekhiyā gańgā–seeing the Ganges river; sukha–my happiness; nā sīmā pāya–knows no bounds.
One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrndavana. When I take the caranamrta of the Deity, I see the holy Ganges waters that come from the feet of Lord Visnu, and my bliss knows no bounds.
(7)
tulasī dekhi’, jurāya prāṇa,
mādhava-toṣaṇī jāni’
gaura-priya, śāka-sevane,
jīvana sārthaka māni
tulasī dekhi’ –seeing the holy tulasī tree; juḍāya prāṇa–soothes my soul; mādhava-toṣaṇī–she who is pleasing to Lord Mādhava; jāni’ –I understand; gaura-priya–dear to Lord Caitanya; śāka-sevane–honoring the spinach preparation; jīvana–life itself; sārthaka māni–I consider successful.
By seeing the tulasi tree my heart feels joy and Lord Madhava (Krsna) is also satisfied. When I eat the prasada favored by Lord Caitanya it is a new life’s experience. (Lord Caitanya was very fond of a green vegetable preparation called sak, and there is another song in this book that tells of the amazing effects of this type of prasada.)
(8)
bhakativinoda, kṛṣṇa-bhajane,
anakūla pāya jāhā
prati-dibase, parama-sukhe,
swīkāra koroye tāhā
bhakativinoda–this Bhaktivinoda; kṛṣṇa-bhajane–for the worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa; anukūla–favorable; pāya yāhā–whatever is obtained; pratidivase–every day; parama-sukhe–with the greatest of joy; svīkāra koroye– accepts; tāhā–that
Bhaktivinoda concludes by saying: “Whosoever attains the stage of enthusiasm for these devotional practices will be supremely blissful wherever he may be.”
Just to borrow a page from the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook…
The Hare Krishna Movement 