Verses in praise of Srila Narottam Das Thakur
This poem was published in Kirtan-manjusa by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
Sri Narottama Prabhor Astakam
Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur
sri-krsna-namamrta-varsi-vaktra-
chandra-prabha-dhvasta-tamo-bharaya
gauranga-devanucharaya tasmai
namo namah srila-narottamaya [1]
Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Sri Gaurangadev’s servant Srila Narottam Thakur, who dispels all darkness with the lustre of his moon-like face by showering the nectar of Sri Krishna-nam.
sankirtananandaja-manda-hasya-
danta-dyuti-dyotita-dinmukhaya
svedasru-dhara-snapitaya tasmai
namo namah srila-narottamaya [2]
When he gently smiles with the joy of Nam-sankirtan, the lustre of his teeth illuminates the directions as he bathes in streams of perspiration and tears. Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
mrdanga-nada-sruti-matra-chanchat-
padambuja-manda-manoharaya
sadyah samudyat-pulakaya tasmai
namo namah srila-narottamaya [3]
As soon as he hears the sound of the mrdanga, his nimble lotus feet capture everyone’s heart and his hair stands on end. Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
gandharva-garva-ksapana-svalasya-
vismapitasesa-krti-vrajaya
sva-srsta-gana-prathitaya tasmai
namo namah srila-narottamaya [4]
He is renowned for the songs he writes, crushes the pride of the Gandharvas, and astonishes even the extremely sober with his dancing. Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
ananda-murchchhavanipata-bhata-
dhuli-bharalankrta-vigrahaya
yad darsanam bhagya-bharena tasmai
namo namah srila-narottamaya [5]
When he faints in ecstasy and falls to the ground, his divine form becomes ornamented with dust. Only by divine fortune does one behold him. Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
sthale sthale yasya krpa-prapabhih
krsnanya-trishna-jana-samhatinam
nirmulita eva bhavanti tasmai
namo namah srila-narottamaya [6]
Establishing watering holes of mercy everywhere, he quenches everyone’s thirst for all things other than Krishna. Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
yad bhakti-nisthopala-rekhikeva
sparsah punah sparsa-maniva yasya
pramanyam evam srutivad yadiyam
tasmai namah srila-narottamaya [7]
His firm devotion is like a line carved in stone, his touch is like that of a wish-fulfilling jewel, and his words are as authoritative as the Vedas. Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
murtaiva bhaktih kim ayam kim esa
vairagya-saras tanuman nrloke
sambhavyate yah krtibhih sadaiva
tasmai namah srila-narottamaya [8]
Seeing him within human society, the wise constantly wonder: “Is he the embodiment of devotion or the epitome of detachment?” Again and again I offer my obeisance unto Srila Narottam Thakur.
sri-radhika-krsna-vilasa-sindhau
nimajjatah srila-narottamasya
pathed ya evastakam etad uchchair
asau tadiyam padavim prayati [9]
He is constantly immersed in the ocean of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna’s Pastimes, and certainly one who loudly recites this poem about Srila Narottam Thakur will also attain that position.
karunya-drsti-samitasrita-mantu-koti-
ramyadharodyad atisundara-danta-kantih
sriman-narottama-mukhambuja-manda-hasyam
lasyam tanotu hrdi me vitarat svadasyam [10]
May Srila Narottam Thakur’s gently smiling lotus face, which is replete with his merciful glance that absolves millions of the surrendered souls’ sins and the lustre of his extremely beautiful teeth shining from his enchanting lips, dance within my heart and bestow upon me his service.
rajan mrdanga-karatala-kalabhiramam
gauranga-gana-madhu-pana-bharabhiramam
sriman-narottama-padambuja-manju-nrtyam
bhrtyam krtarthayatu mam phalitesta-krityam [11]
May the enchanting dance of Srila Narottam Thakur’s lotus feet, which is beautified by the sweet sound of the mrdanga and kartals and the ecstasy of drinking the nectar of Sri Gauranga’s glory, satisfy this servant’s desires and fulfil him.
