MADHU BINDAVAH
SRI SRI SAD-GOSWAMY-ASTAKAM
Homage to the six Goswamis of Vraja
By Srila Srinivas Acharya
krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamrtambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-chaitanya-krpa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [1]
parau–Absorbed nartana–in dancing, gana–chanting, [and] utkirtana–glorifying krsna–Sri Krishna, [they are] nidhi–reservoirs ambhah–of the waters amrta–of the nectar prema–of divine love. [They are] priyau–dear dhira–to the learned [and] adhira-jana–unlearned, [and] karau–behave priya–pleasingly [with everyone]. nirmatsarau–Nonenvious [and] pujitau–worshippable [to all], [they are] bharau–carriers krpa–of the grace sri-chaitanya–of Sri Chaitanya bhuvi–in [this] world, [and they] avahantarakau–relieve bhara–the burden bhuvah–of the earth. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal. [1]
Absorbed in dancing, chanting, and glorifying Sri Krishna, they are oceans of the nectar of divine love. They are dear to the learned and the unlearned, and behave pleasingly with everyone. Nonenvious and worshippable to all, they carry the grace of Sri Chaitanya in this world and relieve the burden of the earth. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
nana-sastra-vicharanaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau
lokanam hita-karinau tribhuvane manyau saranyakarau
radha-krsna-padaravinda-bhajananandena mattalikau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [2]
eka–Solitarily nipunau–expert vicharana–in the principles nana–of the various sastra–scriptures, [they are] samsthapakau–establishers sad–of true dharma–religion [and] hita-karinau–benefactors lokanam–of society. [They are] manyau–revered tribhuvane–throughout the three worlds [and are] akarau–the givers saranya–of shelter [to all]. [They are] mattalikau–bees intoxicated anandena–by the joy bhajana–of service aravinda–to the lotus pada–feet radha–of Radha [and] krsna–Krishna. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal. [2]
As the foremost experts in the principles of the various scriptures, they fully establish the true dharma and uplift society. They are revered throughout the three worlds and give shelter to all. Intoxicated by the joy of service to the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna, they resemble honey bees. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
sri-gauranga-gunanuvarnana-vidhau sraddha-samrddhy-anvitau
papottapa-nikrntanau tanu-bhrtam govinda-ganamrtaih
anandambudhi-vardhanaika-nipunau kaivalya-nistarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [3]
[They are] anvitau–endowed with samrddhi–an abundance sraddha–of faith vidhau–in the practice anuvarnana–of describing guna–the qualities sri-gauranga–of Sri Gauranga. amrtaih–With the nectar gana–of songs govinda–about Sri Govinda, [they are] nikrntanau–subduers papa–of the sin uttapa–and suffering bhrtam–of souls bearing tanu–bodies. [They] eka–alone [are] nipunau–experts vardhana–in expanding ambudhi–the ocean ananda–of joy, [and they are] nistarakau–deliveres [of souls] kaivalya–from dissolution (sayujya-mukti). vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal. [3]
They have deep faith in the practice of glorifying Sri Gauranga, and they subdue the sin and suffering of embodied souls with the nectar of songs about Sri Govinda. They are experts in expanding the ocean of joy, and they save souls from spiritual dissolution. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuchchhavat
bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau
gopi-bhava-rasamrtabdhi-lahari-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [4]
[They] turnam–quickly tyaktva–rejected asesa–the entire srenim–class mandala–of social pati–leaders [as] sada–invariably tuchchhavat–insignificant [and] karunaya–mercifully bhutva–became isakau–the guardians dina-gana–of the humble. [They are] asritau–wearers [of only] kaupina–loincloths [and] kantha–quilts, [and are] muhuh–always magnau–absorbed lahari–in the waves kallola–of joy abdhi–within the ocean amrta–of nectar gopi–produced by the gopis’ bhava–love [and] rasa–devotion. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal. [4]
They quickly rejected the entire aristocracy as invariably insignificant and mercifully became the guardians of the humble. They wear only loincloths and quilts, and are always absorbed in the waves of joy within the ocean of the nectar produced by the gopis’ love and devotion. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
kujat-kokila-hamsa-sarasa-ganakirne mayurakule
nana-ratna-nibaddha-mula-vitapa-sri-yukta-vrndavane
radha-krsnam ahar-nisam prabhajatau jivarthadau yau muda
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [5]
vrndavane–In Vrndavan, [which is] akirne–resonant kujat–with the calls kokila–of koels, hamsa–swans, [and] sarasa-gana–cranes, akule–filled with mayura–peacocks, [and] sri-yukta–beautified vitapa–by trees nibaddha–decorated nana–with various ratna–jewels mula–at [their] bases, prabhajatau–they are servants radha–of Radha [and] krsnam–Krishna ahah–day [and] nisam–night. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal, yau–who [are] muda–the joyful dau–fulfillers jiva–of [all] souls’ artha–desires. [5]
In Vrndavan, which is resonant with the calls of koels, swans, and cranes, filled with peacocks, and beautified by trees decorated with various jewels at their bases, they serve Radha and Krishna day and night, and joyfully fulfil all souls’ desires. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau
nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau chatyanta-dinau cha yau
radha-krsna-guna-smrter madhurimanandena sammohitau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [6]
[They] avasani-krtau–spend [their] kala–time gana–by chanting nama–the Name [and] natibhih–offering obeisances purvaka–according to sankhya–a quota. [They have] cha–also vijitau–conquered nidra–sleeping, ahara–eating, viharaka–recreation, [and] adi–so on, cha–and [are] atyanta–extremely dinau–humble. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal, yau–who [are] sammohitau–completely captivated anandena–by the joy madhurima–produced by the sweetness smrteh–of remembrance radha–of Radha [and] krsna–Krishna’s guna–qualities. [6]
They spend their time chanting the Name and offering obeisances in a regulated manner, having conquered sleeping, eating, recreation, and so on. They are extemely humble and completely captivated by the joy produced by the sweetness of remembrance of Radha and Krishna’s qualities. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
radha-kunda-tate kalinda-tanaya-tire cha vamsi-vate
premonmada-vasad asesa-dasaya grastau pramattau sada
gayantau cha kada harer guna-varam bhavabhibhutau muda
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [7]
tate–On the bank radha-kunda–of Radha Kunda, tire–on the shore kalinda–of Mount Kalinda’s tanaya–daughter, cha–or [at] vate–the banyan tree vamsi–known for the Vamsi (the flute), vasad–captivated unmada–by the madness prema–of divine love, [they are] grastau–seized asesa–by unlimited dasaya–states of ecstasy [and] sada–always pramattau–intoxicated. kada–Sometimes, cha–also, gayantau–they sing varam–the superb guna–glories hareh–of the Lord, [and] muda–joyfully [become] abhibhutau–overwhelmed bhava–by emotions. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal. [7]
On the bank of Radha Kunda, on the shore of the Yamuna, or at the base of Vamsi Vat, captivated by the madness of divine love, they are seized by unlimited states of ecstasy and always intoxicated. Sometimes they sing the superb glories of the Lord, and sometimes they joyfully become overwhelmed by emotions. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
he radhe vraja-devike cha lalite he nanda-suno kutah
sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vanye kutah
ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahavihvalau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau [8]
he–“O radhe–Radha, devike–Goddess vraja–of Vraja! cha–And, lalite–Lalita! he–O sunah–Son nanda–of Nanda! kutah–Where [are you]? tale–At the base kalpa-padapa–of the wish-fulfilling tree sri-govardhana–near Sri Govardhan? vanye–In the grove kalindi–beside the Yamuna? kutah–Where [are you]?” ghosantau–Calling out iti–thus sarvatah–everywhere pure–throughout the town vraja–of Vraja, [they are] mahavihvalau–completely overwhelmed khedaih–with sorrow. vande–I offer my obeisance rupa–to Sri Rupa, sanatanau–Sri Sanatan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunaths, sri-jiva–Sri Jiva, [and] gopalakau–Sri Gopal. [8]
“O Radha, Goddess of Vraja! O Lalita! O Son of Nanda! Where are you? At the base of the wish-fulfilling tree near Govardhan? In the grove beside the Yamuna? Where are you?” Calling out in this way everywhere through Vraja, they are completely overwhelmed with sorrow. I offer my obeisance to Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Raghunath Bhatta, Sri Raghunath Das, Sri Jiva, and Sri Gopal.
Note
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj appreciated Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad’s chanting of this composition and instructed that the text should be translated and published.