KĪRTAN GUIDE

বন্দনা
Vandanā

Obeisances

বন্দেঽহং শ্রীগুরোঃ শ্রীযুতপদকমলং শ্রীগুরূন্ বৈষ্ণবাংশ্চ
শ্রীরূপং সাগ্রজাতং সহগণরঘুনাথান্বিতং তং সজীবম্ ।
সাদ্বৈতং সাবধূতং পরিজনসহিতং কৃষ্ণচৈতন্যদেবং
শ্রীরাধাকৃষ্ণপাদান্ সহগণললিতা-শ্রীবিশাখান্বিতাংশ্চ ॥

vande ’haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś cha
śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṇa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam
sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṇa-chaitanya-devaṁ
śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pādān saha-gaṇa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś cha
(Śrī Chaitanya-charitāmṛta: Antya-līlā, 2.1)

aham–I vande–offer [my] obeisance [to the] śrī-yuta–holy kamalam–lotus pada–feet śrī-guroḥ–of the divine master (my Mantra-dīkṣā-guru or Bhajana-śikṣā-guru), śrī-gurūn–to the divine masters (Gurus in the succession: Śrī Madhva Āchārya, Śrī Mādhavendra Purī, and so forth), cha–and vaiṣṇavān–to the Vaiṣṇavas (the devotees who have appeared throughout the four ages), tam śrī-rūpam–to him, Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī Prabhu, sa–along with [his] agra-jātam–elder brother (Śrīla Sanātan Goswāmī Prabhu), anvitam–accompanied by raghunātha–Śrīla Raghunāth Dās Goswāmī saha–with [his] gaṇa–associates [and] sa–with jīvam–Śrīla Jīva Goswāmī Prabhu, kṛṣṇa-chaitanya-devam–to the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Chaitanya sahitam–attended by [His] parijana–associates sa–along with advaitam–Śrī Advaita Āchārya [and] sa–with avadhūtam–the Avadhūt (Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu), cha–and pādān–to the feet śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa–of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa anvitān–accompanied by lalitā–Śrī Lalitā Devī, śrī-viśākhā–Śrī Viśākhā Devī, saha–along with [Their] gaṇa–associates (the sakhīs and mañjarīs).

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, the predecessor Gurus, the Vaiṣṇavas, Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth, Śrī Jīva, their followers, Śrī Advaita Prabhu, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Chaitanyadev and His associates, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Lalitā Devī, Śrī Viśākhā Devī, and all Their associates.

ওঁ অজ্ঞানতিমিরান্ধস্য জ্ঞানাঞ্জনশলাকয়া ।
চক্ষুরুন্মিলিতং যেন তস্মৈ শ্রীগুরবে নমঃ ॥

om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
chakṣur unmilitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

om–[A prayerful invocation:] namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance tasmai–unto him, śrī-gurave–unto the divine master, yena–by whom [my] chakṣuḥ–eyes andhasya–blinded timira–by the darkness ajñāna–of ignorance [have been] unmilitam–opened śalākayā–with the wand [used to apply] añjana–the collyrium jñāna–of [divine] knowledge.

I offer my obeisance unto Śrī Guru, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the collyrium of divine knowledge.

গুর্ব্বাভীষ্টসুপূরকং গুরুগণৈরাশীষসংভূষিতং
চিন্ত্যাচিন্ত্যসমস্তবেদনিপুণং শ্রীরূপপন্থানুগম্ ।
গোবিন্দাভিধমুজ্জ্বলং বরতনুং ভক্ত্যন্বিতং সুন্দরং
বন্দে বিশ্বগুরুঞ্চ দিব্যভগবৎ-প্রেম্​ণো হি বীজপ্রদম্ ॥

gurv-ābhīṣṭa-supūrakaṁ guru-gaṇair āśīṣa-saṁbhūṣitaṁ
chintyāchintya-samasta-veda-nipuṇaṁ śrī-rūpa-panthānugam
govindābhidham ujjvalaṁ vara-tanuṁ bhakty-anvitaṁ sundaraṁ
vande viśva-guruñ cha divya-bhagavat-premṇo hi bīja-pradam
(Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj)

vande–I offer [my] obeisance [unto] supūrakam–the fulfiller [of his] guru–Guru’s ābhīṣṭa–cherished desires saṁbhūṣitam–fully adorned āśīṣa–with the blessings guru–of [his] Guru’s gaṇaiḥ–associates, nipuṇam–the expert samasta–in all veda–of the Vedas, [both] chintya–conceivable [and] achintya–inconceivable, anugam–the [pre-eminent] follower śrī-rūpa–of Śrī Rūpa’s panthā–path abhidham–named govinda–‘Govinda’ (Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj) [whose] sundaram–beautiful, ujjvalam–effulgent, [and] vara–exalted tanum–form [is] anvitam–infused bhakti–with devotion; [he is gurum–the spiritual master viśva–of the universe cha–and pradam–the giver hi–indeed bīja–of the seed divya–of divine premṇaḥ–love bhagavat–for the Supreme Lord.

I offer my obeisance unto he who perfectly fulfils his Guru’s cherished desires and is fully adorned with the blessings of his Guru’s associates. He is expert in all aspects of Vedic knowledge, both conceivable and inconceivable, and is the pre-eminent follower of Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī Prabhu’s line. He is known as ‘Govinda’ (Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj), and his beautiful, effulgent, and exalted form is infused with devotion. He is the Guru of the entire universe and the giver of the seed of divine love for the Supreme Lord.

দেবং দিব্যতনুং সুচন্দবদনং বালার্কচেলাঞ্চিতং
সান্দ্রানন্দপুরং সদেকবরণং বৈরাগ্য-বিদ্যাম্বুধিম্ ।
শ্রীসিদ্ধান্তনিধিং সুভক্তিলসিতং সারস্বতানাম্বরং
বন্দে তং শুভদং মদেকশরণং ন্যাসীশ্বরং শ্রীধরম্ ॥

devaṁ divya-tanuṁ suchanda-vadanaṁ bālārka-chelāñchitaṁ
sāndrānanda-puraṁ sad-eka-varaṇaṁ vairāgya-vidyāmbudhim
śrī-siddhānta-nidhiṁ subhakti-lasitaṁ sārasvatānām varaṁ
vande taṁ śubhadaṁ mad-eka-śaraṇaṁ nyāsīśvaraṁ śrīdharam
(Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj)

vande–I offer my obeisance tam–unto him, [my] devam–lord, śrīdharam–Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj, [whose] divya–divine tanum–form [is] añchitam–adorned chela–with garments [the colour] bālārka–of the newly risen sun [and whose] vadanam–speech [is] suchhanda–most pleasing; [he is] ambudhim–an ocean vairāgya–of renunciation [and] vidyā–knowledge [and] puram–an abode sāndra–divine ānanda–ecstasy lasitam–resplendent subhakti–with pure devotion; [he is] nidhim–a treasure-house śrī-siddhānta–of perfect conclusions, īśvaram–the leader nyāsī–of the tridaṇḍi sannyāsīs, [and] varam–the best sārasvatānām–of the followers of Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur; [he is] eka–the only varanam–choice sad–of the sādhus, śubhadam–the giver of [all] goodness, [and] mad–my eka–sole śaraṇam–shelter.

I offer my obeisance unto my lord, Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj. His divine form is adorned with garments the colour of the newly-risen sun and his speech is most pleasing. He is an ocean of renunciation and knowledge and an abode of divine ecstasy resplen­dent with pure devotion. He is a treasure-house of perfect conclusions, the leader of the tridaṇḍi sannyāsīs, and the best of Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur’s followers. He is the only choice of the sādhus, the giver of all goodness, and my sole shelter.

শ্রীসিদ্ধান্তসরস্বতীতি বিদিতো গৌড়ীয়-গুর্ব্বন্বয়
ভাতো ভানুরিব প্রভাতগগনে যো গৌর-সংকীর্ত্তনৈঃ ।
মায়াবাদ-তিমিঙ্গিলোদরগতানুদ্ধৃত্য জীবনিমান্
কৃষ্ণপ্রেম-সুধাব্ধিগাহনসুখং প্রাদাৎ প্রভুং তং ভজে ॥

śrī-siddhānta-sarasvatīti vidito gauḍīya-gurv-anvaye
bhāto bhānur iva prabhāta-gagane yo gaura-saṅkīrtanaiḥ
māyāvāda-timiṅgilodara-gatān uddhṛtya jīvanimān
kṛṣṇa-prema-sudhābdhi-gāhana-sukhaṁ prādāt prabhuṁ taṁ bhaje
(Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj)

bhaje–I serve tam–him, [my] prabhum–master, viditaḥ–known iti–as śrī-siddhānta-sarasvatī–Śrī Siddhānta Saraswatī [who] anvaye–within the lineage gauḍīya–of the Gauḍīya guru–of masters bhātaḥ–shines iva–like bhānuḥ–the sun [in the] prabhāta–morning gagane–sky [and] yaḥ–who saṅkīrtanaiḥ–with the saṅkīrtan gaura–of Gaura uddhṛtya–rescues jīvanimān–the souls gatān–situated udara–in the belly timiṅgila–of the extraordinarily sea-creature (lit. ‘whale-swallower’) māyāvāda–of illusionism [and] prādāt–bestows [upon them] sukham–the joy gāhana–of swimming abdhi–in the ocean sudhā–of the nectar prema–divine love kṛṣṇa–for Kṛṣṇa.

I serve my master known as Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta Saraswatī Ṭhākur, who within the Gauḍīya sampradāya’s lineage of Gurus shines like the sun in the morning sky. With the saṅkīrtan of Gaura, he rescues the souls engulfed in the belly of the timiṅgila of māyāvād and bestows upon them the ecstasy of swimming in the ocean of the nectar of divine love for Kṛṣṇa.

নমো গৌরকিশোরায় ভক্তাবধূত-মূর্ত্তয়ে ।
গৌরাঙ্ঘ্রিপদ্মভৃঙ্গায় রাধাভাবনিষেবিণে ॥

namo gaura-kiśorāya bhaktāvadhūta-mūrtaye
gaurāṅghri-padma-bhṛṅgāya rādhā-bhāva-niṣeviṇe
(Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj)

namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance gaura-kiśorāya–unto Gaura Kiśor, mūrtaye–the epitome bhakta–of a devotee avadhūta–renunciant, [who is] bhṛṅgāya–a honey-bee padma–in the lotus gaura–of Gaura’s aṅghri–feet [and] niṣeviṇe–ever-engaged in service bhāva–out of love rādhā–to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇ

I offer my obeisance unto Śrīla Gaura Kiśor Dās Bābājī Mahārāj, the epitome of a devotee renunciant who is a honey-bee in the lotus of Gaura’s feet and ever-engaged in loving service to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

বন্দে ভক্তিবিনোদং শ্রীগৌরশক্তিস্বরূপকম্ ।
ভক্তিশাস্ত্রজ্ঞসম্রাজং রাধারসসুধানিধিম্ ॥

vande bhaktivinodaṁ śrī-gaura-śakti-svarūpakam
bhakti-śāstrajña-samrājaṁ rādhā-rasa-sudhā-nidhim
(Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj)

vande–I offer [my] obeisance bhakti-vinodam–to Śrīla Bhakti Vinod Ṭhākur, svarūpakam–the embodiment śrī-gaura–of Śrī Gaura’s śakti–energy, samrājam–paramount king śāstrajña–amongst the knowers of the scriptures bhakti–on devotion, [and] nidhim–reservoir sudhā–of the nectar rasa–of love rādhā–for Śrī Rādhā.

I offer my obeisance unto Śrīla Bhakti Vinod Ṭhākur, the embodiment of Śrī Gaura’s śakti, paramount king amongst all the knowers of the bhakti scriptures, and reservoir of the nectar of love for Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

গৌড়ব্রজাশ্রিতাশেষৈর্বৈষ্ণবৈর্বন্দ্যবিগ্রহম্ ।
জগন্নাথপ্রভুং বন্দে প্রেমাব্ধিং বৃদ্ধবৈষ্ণবম্ ॥

gauḍa-vrajāśritāśeṣair vaiṣṇavair vandya-vigraham
jagannātha-prabhuṁ vande premābdhiṁ vṛddha-vaiṣṇavam
(Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj)

vande–I offer [my] obeisance vigraham–to the figure vandya–worshipped aśeṣaiḥ–by all vaiṣṇavaiḥ–the Vaiṣṇavas āśrita–sheltered gauḍa–in Gauḍa vraja–and Vraja, vṛddha–the elder vaiṣṇavam–Vaiṣṇava [and] abdhim–ocean prema–of divine love, jagannātha-prabhum–Śrīla Jagannāth Dās Bābājī Mahārāj.

I offer my obeisance unto the figure worshipped by all the Vaiṣṇavas who have taken shelter in Gauḍa and Vraja, the elder Vaiṣṇava and ocean of divine love, Śrīla Jagannāth Dās Bābājī Mahārāj.

বাঞ্ছাকল্পতরুভ্যশ্চ কৃপাসিন্ধুভ্য এব চ ।
পতিতানাং পাবনেভ্যো বৈষ্ণবেভ্যো নমো নমঃ ॥

vāñchhā-kalpa-tarubhyaś cha kṛpā-sindhubhya eva cha
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ

namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance [and] namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance [again] vaiṣṇavebhyaḥ–unto the devotees of Viṣṇu, [who are] pāvanebhyaḥ–purifiers patitānām–of the fallen, eva cha–indeed sindhubhyaḥ–oceans kṛpā–of mercy, cha–and vāñchhā-kalpa-tarubhyaḥ–wish-fulfilling trees.

I offer my obeisance again and again unto the Vaiṣṇavas, who are purifiers of the fallen, oceans of mercy, and wish-fulfilling trees.

পঞ্চতত্ত্বাত্মকং কৃষ্ণং ভক্তরূপস্বরূপকম্ ।
ভক্তাবতারং ভক্তাখ্যং নমামি ভক্তশক্তিকম্ ॥

pañcha-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ namāmi bhakta-śaktikam
(Śrī Chaitanya-charitāmṛta: Ādi-līlā, 1.14)

namāmi–I offer [my] obeisance kṛṣṇam–to Kṛṣṇa ātmakam–made up of pañcha–of five tattva–aspects: rūpa–the form bhakta–of a devotee, svarūpakam–an expansion thereof, bhakta–a devotee- avatāram–avatār, ākhyam–one known as bhakta–a devotee, [and] bhakta–devotee- śaktikam–energy.

I offer my obeisance unto the five-fold manifestation of Kṛṣṇa: the form of a devotee, an expansion thereof, a devotee-avatār, devotees, and devotee-śaktis.

নমো মহাবদান্যায় কৃষ্ণপ্রেম-প্রদায় তে ।
কৃষ্ণায় কৃষ্ণচৈতন্যনাম্নে গৌরত্বিষে নমঃ ॥

namo mahāvadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-chaitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ
(Śrī Chaitanya-charitāmṛta: Madhya-līlā, 19.53)

namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance [and] namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance [again] te–unto You, mahāvadānyāya–the supremely merciful pradāya–giver prema–of divine love kṛṣṇa–for Kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇāya–Kṛṣṇa [Himself] [in] gaura–golden tviṣe–lustre nāmne–known by the name kṛṣṇa-chaitanya–‘Kṛṣṇa Chaitanya’.

I offer my obeisance again and again unto You, the supremely merciful the giver of Kṛṣṇa-prema, Kṛṣṇa Himself in golden lustre known as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Chaitanya.

জয়তাং সুরতৌ পঙ্গোর্মম মন্দমতের্গতী ।
মৎসর্ব্বস্বপদাম্ভোজৌ রাধামদনমোহনৌ ॥

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gatī
mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau
(Śrī Chaitanya-charitāmṛta: Ādi-līlā, 1.15)

jayatām–Glory suratau–to the merciful rādhā–Rādhā [and] mohanau–the enchanter madana–of Cupid; [They are] gatī–the shelter paṅgoḥ–of this lame body [and] mama–my manda–wicked mateḥ–mind; [Their] ambhojau–lotus pada–feet mat–my sarvasva–everything.

Glory to the merciful Śrī Śrī Rādhā–Madan Mohan! They are the shelter of this lame body and my wicked mind; Their lotus feet are everything to me.

দীব্যদ্​বৃন্দারণ্যকল্পদ্রুমাধঃ-
শ্রীমদ্রত্নাগারসিংহাসনস্থৌ ।
শ্রীগান্ধর্ব্বা-শ্রীলগোবিন্দদেবৌ
প্রেষ্ঠালীভিঃ সেব্যমানৌ স্মরামি ॥

dīvyad-vṛndāraṇya-kalpa-drumādhaḥ-
śrīmad-ratnāgāra-siṁhāsana-sthau
śrī-gāndharvā-śrīla-govinda-devau
preṣṭhālībhiḥ sevyamānau smarāmi
(Śrī Chaitanya-charitāmṛta: Ādi-līlā, 1.16)

smarāmi–I meditate śrī-gāndharvā–upon Śrī Gāndharvā [and] śrīla-govinda-devau–Śrī Govindadev [as They are] sevyamānau–worshipped [by Their]  preṣṭha–dear ālībhiḥ–girlfriends [and] sthau–situated siṁha-āsana–upon a ’lion seat’ [within] śrīmat–a beautiful ratna–jewelled āgāra–dwelling [beneath] kalpa-drumādhaḥ–the wish-fulfilling trees dīvyad–of the divine vṛndā–Vṛndā āraṇya–forest.

I meditate upon Śrī Śrī Gāndhavā-Govindadev as They are worshipped by Their dear girlfriends and seated upon a throne within a beautiful jeweled dwelling beneath the wish-fulfilling trees of the Vṛndā forest.

শ্রীমান্ রাসরসারম্ভী বংশীবটতটস্থিতঃ ।
কর্ষন্ বেণুস্বনৈর্গোপীর্গোপীনাথঃ শ্রিয়েঽস্তু নঃ ॥

śrīmān rāsa-rasārambhī vaṁśī-vaṭa-taṭa-sthitaḥ
karṣan veṇu-svanair gopīr gopīnāthaḥ śriye ’stu naḥ
(Śrī Chaitanya-charitāmṛta: Ādi-līlā, 1.17)

[May] gopīnāthaḥ–the Lord of the gopīs, śrīmān–the beautiful ārambhī–instigator rasa–of the taste rāsa–of the Rāsa Dance [who] sthitaḥ–stands taṭa–on the riverbank vaṁśī-vaṭa–beneath the ‘flute tree’ (the sacred fig tree where He plays His flute) [and] karṣan–attracts gopīḥ–the gopīs svanaiḥ–with the sound veṇu–of [His] flute, astu–bestow śriye–good fortune naḥ–upon us.

May Gopīnāth, the beautiful instigator of the Rāsa Dance who stands on the riverbank at Vaṁśī Vaṭ and attracts the gopīs with the sound of His flute, bestow good fortune upon us.

বৃন্দায়ৈ তুলসীদেব্যৈ প্রিয়ায়ৈ কেশবস্য় চ ।
কৃষ্ণভক্তিপ্রদে দেবি সত্যবত্যৈ নমো নমঃ ॥

vṛndāyai tulasī-devyai priyāyai keśavasya cha
kṛṣṇa-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namaḥ

devi–O Goddess! prade–O you who are the bestower bhakti–of devotion kṛṣṇa–to Kṛṣṇa! namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance [and] namaḥ–I offer [my] obeisance [again unto you,] vṛndāyai–Vṛndā Devī, priyāyai–the beloved keśavasya–of Keśava, devyai–the goddess [who is known as] tulasī–she who is incomparable’ cha–and satyavatyai–‘she who is truthful’.

O Devī, O you who bestow Kṛṣṇa-bhakti! I offer my obeisance again and again unto you, Vṛndā Devī, the beloved of Kṛṣṇa, who are known as Tulasī Devī and Satyavatī.

অথ নত্বা মন্ত্রগুরূন্ গুরূন্ ভাগবতার্থদান্ ।
ব্যাসান্ জগদ্গুরূন্ নত্বা ততো জয়মুদীরয়েৎ ॥

atha natvā mantra-gurūn gurūn bhāgavatārthadān
vyāsān jagad-gurūn natvā tato jayam udīrayet

atha–Then, natvā–having offered obeisances mantra-gurūn–unto the divine masters who confer mantras [and] gurūn–the divine masters [who] dān–teach artha–the meaning bhāgavata–of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, [and] natvā–having offered obeisance vyāsān–unto the expounders (of the revealed scriptures) [who are] gurūn–the masters jagat–of the world, tataḥ–the speaker udīrayet–should say jayam–‘Jay!’ [Glory!].

Then, having offered obeisances unto the Gurus who confer mantras and the Gurus who teach the meaning of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, and having offered obeisances unto the Vyāsas, who are the Gurus of the entire world, the speaker should say, “Jay!”

জয়ঃ সপরিকর-শ্রীশ্রীগুরু-গৌরাঙ্গ-গান্ধর্ব্বা-গোবিন্দসুন্দর-পাদপদ্মানাং জয়স্তু ।

jayaḥ sa-parikara-śrī-śrī-guru-gaurāṅga-gāndharvā-govindasundara-pāda-padmānāṁ jayastu!

jayaḥ–Glory padmānāṁ–to the lotus pāda–feet śrī-guru–of the divine master, śrī-gaurāṅga–Śrī Gaurāṅga, [and] gāndharvā-govindasundara–Śrī Śrī Gāndharvā-Govindasundar, sa–along with [all their] parikara–associates! jayastu!–May they be victorious!

Glory to the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, Śrī Gaurāṅga, and Śrī Śrī Gāndharvā-Govindasundar along with all their associates! Glory be to them all!

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শ্রীগুর্বষ্টকম্
Śrī Gurvaṣṭakam

Eight Prayers to Śrī Guru

সংসার-দাবানল-লীঢ়-লোক-
ত্রাণায় কারুণ্য-ঘনাঘনত্বম্ ।
প্রাপ্তস্য কল্যাণ-গুণার্ণবস্য
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥১॥

saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [1]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, arṇavasya–the ocean kalyāṇa–of auspicious guṇa–qualities [who] prāptasya–assumes ghanāghanatvam–the form of a dense cloud kāruṇya–of compassion trāṇāya–to deliver loka–souls līḍha–swallowed dāva–by forest anala–fire saṁsāra–of material existence. [1]

I offer my obeisance unto the holy lotus feet of Śrī Guru, the ocean of auspicious qualities who assumes the form of a dense cloud of compassion to deliver souls swallowed by the forest fire of material existence.

মহাপ্রভোঃ কীর্ত্তন-নৃত্য-গীত-
বাদিত্র-মাদ্যন্মনসো রসেন ।
রোমাঞ্চ-কম্পাশ্রু-তরঙ্গ-ভাজো
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥২॥

mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta-
vāditra-mādyan–manaso rasena
romāñcha-kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [2]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, [who becomes] mādyat–ecstatic manasaḥ–at heart kīrtana–by chanting, nṛtya–dancing, gīta–singing, [and playing] vāditra–musical instruments mahāprabhoḥ–for Mahāprabhu [and] rasena–with the [the taste] of rasa bhājaḥ–experiences taraṅga–waves romāñcha–of horripilation, kampa–trembling, [and] aśru–tears. [2]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet Śrī Guru, who becomes ecstatic at heart by chanting, dancing, singing, and playing instruments for Śrīman Mahāprabhu and with the taste of rasa experiences waves of horripilation, trembling, and tears.

শ্রীবিগ্রহারাধন-নিত্য-নানা-
শৃঙ্গার-তন্মন্দির-মার্জ্জনাদৌ ।
যুক্তস্য ভক্তাংশ্চ নিযুঞ্জতোঽপি
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥৩॥

śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāṁś cha niyuñjato ’pi
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [3]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, [who] yuktasya–engages [himself] cha–and api–also niyuñjataḥ–engages bhaktān–devotees [in] nitya–daily ārādhana–worship śrī-vigraha–of the Deity, [offering] nānā–various [types of] śṛṅgāra–elegant dress [to the Deity], mārjana–cleaning tat–the Deity’s mandira–Temple, [and] ādau–so forth. [3]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, who engages himself and engages devotees in daily worship of the Deity, dressing the Deity in various types of elegant dress, cleaning the Deity’s Temple, and other devotional services.

চতুর্ব্বিধ-শ্রীভগবৎ-প্রসাদ-
স্বাদ্বন্ন-তৃপ্তান্ হরিভক্ত-সঙ্ঘান্ ।
কৃত্বৈব তৃপ্তিং ভজতঃ সদৈব
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥৪॥

chatur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda-
svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [4]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, [who] sadā eva–always [is] bhajataḥ–a recipient tṛptim–of satisfaction eva–just kṛtvā–by making saṅghān–the assembly bhakta–of the devotees hari–of the Lord tṛptān–satisfied svādu–by tasteful anna–food [in the form of] chatur–the four vidha–types śrī-bhagavat–the Lord’s prasāda–prasādam. [4]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, who is always satisfied by satisfying the Lord’s devotees with tasteful food in the form of the four types of the Lord’s prasādam.

শ্রীরাধিকা-মাধবয়োরপার-
মাধুর্য্যলীলা-গুণ-রূপ-নাম্নাম্ ।
প্রতিক্ষণাস্বাদন-লোলুপস্য
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥৫॥

śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra-
mādhurya-līlā-guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [5]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, [who is] lolupasya–eager [at] prati–every kṣaṇa–moment āsvādana–to relish apāra–the unlimitedly mādhurya–sweet nāmnām–Names rūpa–forms, guṇa–Qualities, [and] līlā–Pastimes [of] śrī-rādhikā–Śrī Rādhikā [and]  mādhavayoḥ–Mādhava. [5]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, who is always eager to relish the unlimitedly sweet Names, Forms, Qualities, and Pastimes of Śrī Śrī Rādhikā-Mādhava.

নিকুঞ্জযূনো রতি-কেলি-সিদ্ধ্যৈ-
র্যা যালিভির্যুক্তিরপেক্ষণীয়া ।
তত্রাতি-দাক্ষ্যাদতি-বল্লভস্য
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥৬॥

nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyair
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [6]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, [who is] ati–very dākṣyāt–expert tatra–in yā yā–the particular yuktiḥ–art apekṣaṇīyā–required ālibhiḥ–of the friends siddhyaiḥ–to bring about nikuñja–the Forest yūnaḥ–Couple’s rati–Love keli–Play [and is thus] ati–very vallabhasya–dear [to Them]. [6]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, who is very expert in the particular art required of the gopīs to bring about the Forest Couple’s Love Play and is thus very dear to Them.

সাক্ষাদ্ধরিত্বেন সমস্ত-শাস্ত্রৈ-
রুক্তস্তথা ভাব্যত এব সদ্ভিঃ ।
কিন্তু প্রভোর্যঃ প্রিয় এব তস্য
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥৭॥

sākṣād dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇāravindam [7]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, tasya–he yaḥ–who [is] uktaḥ–said [by] samasta–all śāstraiḥ–the scriptures [to be] haritvena–in the position of the Lord sākṣāt–Himself [and] tathā–so bhāvyataḥ–considered eva–also sadbhiḥ–by the sādhus, kintu–yet [is] eva–indeed priyaḥ–one who is dear prabhoḥ–to the Lord. [7]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, who is said by all the scriptures to be the Lord Himself, and considered to be so by the sādhus, yet is indeed one who is dear to the Lord.

যস্য প্রসাদাদ্ভগবৎ-প্রসাদো
যস্যাপ্রসাদান্ন গতিঃ কুতোঽপি ।
ধ্যায়ং স্তুবংস্তস্য যশস্ত্রিসন্ধ্যং
বন্দে গুরোঃ শ্রীচরণারবিন্দম্ ॥৮॥

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyaṁ stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-charaṇaravindam [8]

vande–I offer [my] obeisance śrī–unto the holy aravindam–lotus charaṇa–feet guroḥ–of the divine master, dhyāyan–meditating upon [and] stuvan–praising tasya–his yaśaḥ–glory tri-sandhyam–at the three junctions [of the day, by] yasya–whose prasādāt–grace [one gains] prasādaḥ–the grace bhagavat–of the Lord, [and] aprasādāt–without the grace yasya–of whom [one has] na–no gatiḥ–shelter kutaḥ api–anywhere. [8]

I offer my obeisance unto the lotus feet of Śrī Guru, meditating upon and praising his glory at the three junctions of the day. By his grace, one gains the Lord’s grace, and without his grace, one has no shelter anywhere.

শ্রীমদ্গুরোরষ্টকমেতদুচ্চৈ-
র্ব্রাহ্মে মুহূর্ত্তে পঠতি প্রযাত্নাৎ ।
যস্তেন বৃন্দাবননাথ-সাক্ষাৎ
সেবৈব লভ্যা জনুষোঽন্ত এব ॥৯॥

śrīmad guror aṣṭakam etad uchchair
brāhme muhūrte paṭhati prayātnāt
yas tena vṛndāvana-nātha-sākṣāt
sevaiva labhyā januṣo ’nta eva [9]

sākṣāt–Direct sevā–service eva–indeed nātha–to the Lord vṛndāvana–of Vṛndāvan [is] eva–certainly labhyā–attained anta–at the end januṣaḥ–of life tena–by one yaḥ–who prayātnāt–very carefully paṭhati–recites uchchaiḥ–aloud etat–this śrīmat guror aṣṭakam–Śrī Gurvaṣṭakam muhūrte–during the forty-eight minute period brāhme–called ‘Brāhma’ (the one-fifteenth portion of the night that starts at dawn). [9]

One who very carefully recites aloud this Śrī Gurvaṣṭakam during the brāhma-muhūrta attains direct service to the Lord of Vṛndāvan at the end of life.

(Śrīla Viśvanāth Chakravartī Ṭhākur)

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