Disappearance Day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Today marks the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. We honor it with a half day fast followed by a nice vegetarian feast. We share with you one of my favorite songs composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda.

When, oh when, will that day be mine?
When my offenses ceasing,
taste for the name increasing,
when in my heart will your mercy shine?
When, oh when will that day be mine?

Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree.
When will my mind attain this quality?
Respectful to all, not expecting their honour, then shall I taste the name’s nectar sublime.
When oh when will that day be mine?

Kabe Ha’be Bolo (Invocation of the Holy Name)
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

For complete lyrics and translation

kabe ha’be bolo se-dina āmār
(āmār) aparādha ghuci’, śuddha nāme ruci,
kṛpā-bale ha’be hṛdoye sañcār
kabe ha’be bolo se-dina āmār

When, oh when will that day be mine?
When my offenses ceasing,
taste for the name increasing,
when in my heart will your mercy shine?
When, oh when will that day be mine?

tṛṇādhika hīna, kabe nije māni’,
sahiṣṇutā-guṇa hṛdoyete āni’
sakale mānada, āpani amānī,
ho’ye āswādibo nāma-rasa-sār

dhana jana āra, kobitā-sundarī,
bolibo nā cāhi deho-sukha-karī
janme-janme dāo, ohe gaurahari!
ahaitukī bhakti caraṇe tomār

Great wealth of followers, feminine beauty,
I won’t care for them or the comforts of my body.
Birth after birth give me, Oh Lord Caitanya,
causeless devotion to Your feet divine.
When, oh when will that day be mine?

(kabe) korite śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāma uccāraṇa,
pulakita deho gadgada bacana
baibarṇya-bepathu ha’be sańghaṭana,
nirantara netre ba’be aśru-dhār

When will I utter Krishna, Krishna, Krishna,
with words choked up and shivering body?
When will I be trembling all over,
lose bodily color, tears pouring from my eyes?
When, oh when, will that day be mine?

kabe navadwīpe, suradhunī-taṭe,
gaura-nityānanda boli’ niṣkapaṭe
nāciyā gāiyā, berāibo chuṭe,
bātulera prāya chāriyā bicār

When in Navadvipa along the Ganges bank,
shouting ‘Gaura-Nityananda’ as a surrendered soul,
dancing, chanting, running everywhere, when will I become half mad of mind?
When, oh when, will that day be mine?

kabe nityānanda, more kori ‘doyā,
chārāibe mora viṣayera māyā
diyā more nija-caraṇera chāyā,
nāmera hāṭete dibe adhikār

When will Lord Nityananda show mercy upon me?
When will I reject the world of maya?
Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet,
let the right to preach the name be mine.
When, oh when, will that day be mine?

kinibo, luṭibo, hari-nāma-rasa,
nāma-rase māti’ hoibo bibaśa
rasera rasika-caraṇa paraśa,
koriyā mojibo rase anibār

I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name.
By the name’s effect I will feel praalyzed.
Oh! Enjoyer of the nectar of the name,
when will I touch your lotus feet till the end of time?
When, oh when, will that day be mine?

kabe jībe doyā, hoibe udoya,
nija-sukha bhuli’ sudīna-hṛdoya
bhakativinoda, koriyā binoya,
śrī-ājñā-ṭahala koribe pracār

When kindness to all beings will be appearing,
with free heart forget myself comforting,
Bhaktivinoda in all humility prays,
“Now I will set out to preach Your order sublime”
When, oh when, will that day be mine?

Bengali lyrics pasted from; Krishna Kirtan Songs

English translation taken from the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” 1974