PILLARS

tarko 'pratisthah srutayo vibhinna
nasav rsir yasya matam na bhinnam
dharmasya tattvam nihitam guhayam
mahajano yena gatah sa panthah

Your own reasoning and logic have no ground because there are so many various scriptures in the world, and unless you produce a conception that has some new light you cannot consider yourself a great sage. The truth, dharma, is actually concealed, and to reach that truth you have to follow the footsteps of the great souls.

—Sri Mahabharata

ohe prabhu dayamaya tomara charana-dvaya
sruti-siropari sobha paya
guru-jana-sire puna sobha paya sata guna
dekhi' amara parana judaya

O merciful Lord! Your feet shine atop the heads of the scriptures and shine a hundred times more atop the heads of my Gurus. When I see this, my heart becomes peaceful.

—Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

ayur harati vai pumsam udyann astam cha yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita uttama-sloka-varttaya

The rising and setting of the sun decreases the life of everyone except those whose spend their time talking about the Supreme Lord.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

mad-guna-sruti-matrena mayi sarva-guhasaye
mano-gatir avichchhinna yatha gangambhaso 'mbudhau

I reside in the hearts of all, and supramundane devotion is such that when devotees simply hear My glories, their minds flow freely towards Me, just as the Ganges water flow freely towards the ocean.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

ye vai bhagavata prokta upaya hy atma-labdhaye
anjah pumsam avidusam viddhi bhagavatan hi tan

No doubt, even ignorant people can reach the Lord if they follow the process prescribed by the Lord Himself, namely bhagavat-dharma (devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead).

—Srimad Bhagavatam

NICHE

Bhagavan Sri Chaitanyadev

yatha yatha gaura-padaravinde
vindeta bhaktim krta-punya-rasih
tatha tathotsarpati hrdy akasmad
radha-padambhoja-sudhamburasih

As a fortunate soul develops devotion to Sri Gaurasundar's lotus feet, so the nectarean ocean of Sri Radha's lotus feet automatically swells within their heart.

—Srila Prabodhanandapad

yadi gaura na ha'ta tabe ki ha-ita
kemane dharitam de
radhara mahima, prema-rasa-sima
jagate janata ke ?

If Gaura had not come, then what would have happened? How would we have maintained our lives? Who would have revealed to the world Radha's glory and the extremes of Her ecstatic divine love?

—Srila Vasudev Ghos

sancharya ramabhidha-bhakta-meghe
sva-bhakti-siddhanta-chayamrtani
gaurabdhir etair amuna vitirnais
taj-jnatva-ratnalayatam prayati

Filling the cloud-like devotee Ramananda with the nectars of understanding devotion to Himself and then receiving those nectars back from him, the ocean-like Sri Gaura became a reservoir of the jewels of that knowledge.

—Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami

radha krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini-saktir asmad
ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau
chaitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam chaikyam aptam
radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalitam naumi krsna-svarupam

Sri Radha is a transformation of Krsna's love, His hladini-sakti. Thus, although Sri Radha and Sri Krsna are by nature one, They previously existed in two separate forms on earth. Now They have manifest in one combined form: Sri Chaitanya. I offer my obeisance unto Him, Krsna Himself adorned with Sri Radha's heart and halo.

—Srila Svarup Damodar Goswami

heloddhunita-khedaya visadaya pronmilad-amodaya
samyach-chhastra-vivadaya rasa-daya chitarpitonmadaya
sasvad-bhakti-vinodaya samadaya madhurya-maryadaya
sri-chaitanya daya-nidhe tava daya bhuyad amandodaya

Your mercy expels all kinds of sorrow, it purifies and takes one to bliss; by Your mercy all apparent contradictions of the scriptures are harmonised, and, giving fulfilment to the soul, the heart is infused with ecstacy; Your mercy is an eternal playground of devotion, full of ecstacy, it spans up to madhurya rasa! O Ocean of mercy, Sri Chaitanya! May this auspicious mercy of Yours flow forever!

—Srila Svarup Damodar Goswami

kalah kalir balina indriya-vairi-vargah
sri-bhakti-marga iha kantaka-koti-ruddhah
ha ha kva yami vikalah kim aham karomi
chaitanya-chandra yadi nadya krpam karosi

It is the Age of Kali: my enemies, the senses, are very strong, and the path of devotion is now blocked by millions of thorns. Alas! Alas! Where shall I go? I am overwhelmed! What shall I do, O Chaitanyachandra, if You do not bestow Your mercy upon me now?

—Srila Prabodhanandapad

Murali-dhar Krishna

smeram bhangi-traya-parichitam sachi-vistirna-drstim
vamsi-nyastadhara-kisalayam ujjvalam chandrakena
govindakhyam hari-tanum itah kesi-tirthopakanthe
ma preksisthas tava yadi sakhe bandhu-sange 'sti rangah

O friend! If you are attached to your material friends, then do not look at Sri Govinda's form standing near Keshi Ghat in a threefold posture, shining in the moonlit night with a peacock feather in His crown, casting sidelong glances, and smiling sweetly with the flute at His tender lips.

—Srila Rupa Goswamipad

rundhann ambu-bhrtas chamatkrti-param kurvan muhus tumburum
dhyanad antarayan sanandana-mukhan vismapayan vedhasam
autsukyavalibhir balim chatulayan bhogindram aghurnayan
bhindann anda-kataha-bhittim abhito babhrama vamsi-dhvanih

Stopping the cloud's movements, constantly astonishing Tumburu (the king of the celestial musicians), breaking the meditation of Sanandan and the other sages, amazing Brahma, exciting Bali with curiosity and joy, spinning around Ananta Sesa, and penetrating the coverings of the universe, the flute's sound resonated everywhere.

—Srila Rupa Goswamipad

barhapidam nata-vara-vapuh karnayoh karnikaram
bibhrad vasah kanaka-kapisam vaijayantim cha malam
randhran venor adhara-sudhaya purayan gopa-vrndair
vrndaranyam sva-pada-ramanam pravisad-gita-kirtih

"While the gopis were describing the sweet vibration of Krishna's flute, they also remembered their pastimes with Him; thus their minds became enchanted, and they were unable to describe completely the beautiful vibrations. While discussing the transcendental vibration, they remembered also how Krishna dressed, decorated with a peacock feather on His head, just like a dancing actor, and with blue flowers pushed over His ear. His garment glowed yellow gold, and he was garlanded with a vaijayanti garland made of tulasi, kunda, mandara, parijata, and lotus flowers. Dressed in such an attractive way, Krishna filled up the holes of His flute with the nectar emanating from His lips. So they remembered Him, entering the forest of Vrindavan, whose soil experiences the pleasure of consorthood upon being embraced by the touch of Krishna's lotus feet."

—Srimad Bhagavatam (Translation by Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj)

mahendra-mani-mandali-mada-vidambi-deha-dyutir
vrajendra-kula-chandramah sphurati ko 'pi navyo yuva
sakhi sthira-kulangana-nikara-nivi-bandhargala-
chchhida-karana-kautuki jayati yasya vamsi-dhvanih

That young adolescent, the moon of Nanda Maharaj's family, shines with a bodily lustre that crushes the pride of an array of sapphires. O friend, His flute song playfully loosens the belts and tightly tied garments of chaste ladies and conquers them.

—Srila Rupa Goswamipad

vamsi-ganamrta-dhama lavanyamrta-janma-sthana
ye na dekhe se chanda vadana
se nayane kiba kaja paduk tara munde vaja
se nayana rahe ki karana

What is the use of the eyes that do not see Krsna's moon-like face, which is the origin of the nectar of all beauty and the abode His nectarean flute-songs? May a thunderbolt strike your head! What is the use of such eyes?

—Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami

Akhila-rasamrita-murti Krishna

krsnera yateka khela sarvottama nara-lila
nara-vapu tahara svarupa
gopa-vesa, venu-kara nava-kisora, nata-vara
nara-lilara haya anurupa

Of all Pastimes of Lord Krsna, His human-like Pastimes are the best. In these Pastimes Lord Krsna is in His original human-like Form: a young cowherd with a flute in His hands, excelling everyone at dancing.

—Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami

kasturi-tilakam lalata-phalake vaksah-sthale kaustubham
nasagre nava-mauktikam karatale venum kare kankanam
sarvange-hari-chandanam kalayan kanthe cha muktavali
gopa-stri-parivestito vijayate gopala-chudamanih

With a musk tilaka-mark decorating His forehead, a kaustubha jewel on His chest, a superb pearl on the tip of His nose, a flute in His hands, bracelets on His wrists, yellow sandalwood paste on all His body, a string of pearls around His neck, and surrounded by the women of gopas, this crown-jewel Gopal conquers all.

—Srila Bilvamangal Thakur

visvesam anuranjanena janayann anandam indivara-
sreni-syamala-komalair upanayann angair anangotsavam
svachchhandam vraja-sundaribhir abhitah praty-angam alingitah
srngarah sakhi murtiman iva madhau mugdho harih kridati

O friend, affectionately delighting all, creating a festival of Cupid with His soft, bluish, lotus flower limbs, freely embraced in full by the beauties of Vraja on both sides, charming Sri Hari plays during the season of spring like the embodiment of amorous love.

—Srila Jayadev Goswami

lalita-lavanga-lata-parisilana-komala-malaya-samire
madhukara-nikara-karambita-kokila-kujita-kunja-kutire
viharati harir iha sarasa-vasante
nrtyati yuvati-janena samam sakhi virahi-janasya durante

As the gentle breeze from the sandalwood mountains embraces the graceful flowers and vines, and the forest cottages resound with the coos of cuckoos and the swarming of honeybees, Sri Hari is enjoying Himself here during the lovely spring season and dances happily with young girls. My friend, it makes those afflicted by separation feel miserable.

—Srila Jayadev Goswami

kam prati kathayitum ise samprati ko va pratitim ayatu
go-pati-tanaya-kunje gopa-vadhuti-vitam brahma

Who can I tell, and who will now believe, that the Absolute hunts the cowherd men's wives in the groves along the banks of the Yamuna?

—Srila Raghupati Upadhyaya

advaita-vithi-pathikair upasyah svananda-simhasana-labdha-diksah
sathena kenapi vayam hathena dasi-krta gopa-vadhu-vitena

Although consecrated on the throne of self-satisfaction and worshipped by the wanderers on the path of non-dualism, I have been forcibly converted into a maidservant by some deceitful hunter of cowherd men's wives.

—Srila Bilvamangal Thakur

WALL

kaivalyam narakayate tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate
durdantendriya-kala-sarpa-patali protkhata-damstrayate
visvam purna-sukhayate vidhi-mahendradis cha kitayate
yat-karunya-kataksa-vaibhavavatam tam gauram eva stumah

For the fortunate souls who have received His merciful side-long glance, merging into the Lord is hellish, the abode of the gods seems phantasmagorical, the uncontrollable senses become like defanged poisonous serpents, they see the world is filled with joy, and Brahma, Indra, and the other gods are like insects. Thus we glorify this Sri Gaura.

—Srila Prabodhanandapad

stri-putradi-katham jahur visayinah sastra-pravadam budha
yogindra vijahur marun-niyama-ja-klesam tapas tapasah
jnanabhyasa-vidhim jahus cha yatayas chaitanya-chandre param
aviskurvati bhakti-yoga-padavim naivanya asid rasah

When Sri Chaitanyachandra revealed the highest path of devotion, the materialists abandoned talk of their wives and children, the intellectuals abandoned their debates regarding the scriptures, the yogis abandoned the hardships produced by their practices of breath regulation, the ascetics abandoned their austerities, and the sannyasis abandoned their studies. No other joy remained.

—Srila Prabodhanandapad

jagate nikhila tamasavrta
supta jagata-jana
samudita aji gauda gagane
gaudiya-darsana

Covered by the darkness of ignorance, the people of this world are fast asleep, but today Sri Gaudiya Darshan has risen up in the sky of Gauda.

chhute aya ore santira dake
abala-vrddha-nari
abhimana sudhu maya-bandhana
osudha enechhi ta'ri

"Hey! Come, run here!" Sri Gaudiya Darshan peacefully calls to the young and the old, men and women: "Ego is the only cause of bondage of Maya. We have brought the medicine to deliver you.

soka bhaya tapa vidurita kari
prajnanaloka diya
karma-jnanera moha vinasiya
rakhiba svarupe niya—

purnananda chinmaya-dhame,
labhibe apana dhana
gandhe yahara sajjana-gana
mugdha-pagala hana

"'I will drive away your lamentation, fear, and suffering with the light of transcendental knowledge. I will destroy the illusions of worldly action and knowledge. I will establish you within your true self and take you to the supremely ecstatic spiritual abode. There you will realise your own wealth, a faint connection with which astonishes and maddens the sadhus.

—Srila Govinda Dev-Goswami (From the poem 'Ahvan', selected verses)

hladinira sara 'prema', prema-sara 'bhava'
bhavera parama-kastha, nama—'maha-bhava'
mahabhava-svarupa sri-radha-thakurani
sarva-guna-khani krsna-kanta-siromani

The acme of pleasure is love, the acme of love is ecstasy, and the acme of ecstasy is Mahabhava. The embodiment of Mahabhava is Sri Radha Thakurani. She is the mine of all good qualities and the crest jewel of Krsna's lovers.

—Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami

devi krsna-mayi prokta radhika para-devata
sarva-laksmi-mayi sarva-kantih sammohini para

Sri Radhika is called 'Devi', 'Krsnamayi', 'Para-devata', 'Sarva-Laksmi-mayi', 'Sarva-kanti', 'Sammohini', and 'Para'.

—Brhad-Gautamiya-tantra

radha-bhajane yadi mati nahi bhela
krsna-bhajana tava akarana gela

If you do not desire to serve Radha, your service to Krsna is useless.

—Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau

Krsna is unapproachable by even the Vedas, yet attainable by the soul's devotion.

—Sri Brahma-samhita

vidantas te santah ksiti-virala-charah katipaye

Practically no one in this world knows that place but for only a few pure devotees.

—Sri Brahma-samhita

yat presthair apy alam asulabham kim punar bhakti-bhajam

Prema is extremely difficult to attain even for those who are dear to Krsna, let alone practitioners of devotion.

—Srila Rupa Goswamipada (Sri Upadesamrta)

ajna gurunam hy avicharaniya

Sri Guru's order should never be doubted.

— Sri Raghu-vamsa

sarvasva tomara charane sampiya
padechhi tomara ghare
tumi ta' thakura tomara kukkura
baliya janaha more

I have come to your house placing everything at Your feet. You are my Master, please consider me your dog.

—Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

avismrtih sridhara-pada-padmayor
gunanuvada-sravanadaradibhih

By hearing and honouring with faith the narrations about the glories of Sridhar's lotus feet, you can attain the state of uninterrupted remembrance of Him.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

sri bhakti raksaka kabe sange lana yabe
sri rupera pada-padme more samarpibe

When will Sri Bhakti Raksak take me with him and offer me to the lotus feet of Sri Rupa?

—(Adapted from) Srila Narottam Das Thakur

adadanas trnam dantair idam yache punah punah
srimad rupa-padambhoja-dhulih syam janma-janmani

Taking a blade of grass between my teeth, I pray again and again, "May I be a speck of dust at Sri Rupa's lotus feet birth after birth."

—Srila Das Goswamipad

yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti-
kotisv asesa-vasudhadi-vibhuti-bhinnam
tad brahma niskalam anantam asesa-bhutam
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

I serve Govinda, the original Lord. He is omnipotent, His effulgence is the indivisible, eternal, and unlimited Brahma, who is beyond the opulences of the earth and unlimited other planets within the billions of material universes.

—Sri Brahma-samhita

madhuram madhuram vapur asya vibhor
madhuram madhuram vadanam madhuram
madhu-gandhi mrdu-smitam etad aho
madhuram madhuram madhuram madhuram

O, Lord Krishna! The beauty of your transcendental form is sweet, but your beautiful face is even sweeter. The sweet smile on your face, which is like the sweet aroma of honey, is sweeter still.

—Srila Bilvamangal Thakur

ratnakaras tava grham grhini cha padma
kim deyam asti bhavate jagadisvaraya
abhira-vama-nayana-hrta-manasaya

Your home is a treasure house, and Your wife is Laksmi Devi. What can be given to You, who are the Lord of the universe? Your mind has been stolen by the glances of the left-wing gopis. Thus, I have given You my mind. O Lord of the Yadus, please accept it.

—Kesancit (revered votary)

chintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-
laksavrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam
laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

I worship Govinda, the original Lord, who is lovingly served by hundreds of thousands of goddesses of fortune and tends cows in abodes made of spiritual gemstone filled with millions of wish-fulfilling trees.

—Sri Brahma-samhita

pramada-madana-lilah kandare kandare te
rachayati nava-yunor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanartham lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana tvam

O Govardhan, the Divine Couple liberally enact Pastimes of mad love in your caves. Please grant me a dwelling beside you so I can see Their Pastimes.

—Srila Das Goswamipad

chintamanis charana-bhusanam angananam
srngara-puspa-taravas taravah suranam
vrndavane vraja-dhanam nanu kama-dhenu-
vrndani cheti sukha-sindhur aho vibhutih

In Vrndavan, the ladies' anklets are made of wish-fulfilling jewels, the trees, whose flowers are used for amorous decoration, are wish-fulfilling trees, and the village's wealth is its herds of wish-fulfilling cows. Oh! Vrndavan's opulence is an ocean of joy!

—Srila Bilvamangal Thakur

Raso Vai Sah

pallavaruna-pani-pankaja-sangi-venu-ravakulam
phulla-patala-patali-parivadi-pada-saroruham
ullasan-madhuradhara-dyuti-manjari-sarasananam
ballavi-kucha-kumbha-kunkuma-pankilam prabhum asraye

I take shelter of the Lord, who is delighted with the sound of the flute He holds in His lotus hands that are reddish like young buds, whose lotus feet reproach blooming scarlet patali flowers, whose lotus face is radiant with the blossom-like lustre of His sweet, shining lips, and who is smeared with kumkum from the gopis' breasts that resemble waterpots.

—Srila Bilvamangal Thakur

jaya jaya sundara nanda-kumara!
saurabha-sankata-vrndavana-tata-vihita-vasanta-vihara
abhinava-kutamala-guchchha-samujjvala-kunchita-kuntala-bhara
pranayi-janerita-vandana-sahakrta-churnita-vara-ghanasara

O beautiful Nanda-kumar! May You be victorious! You perform Your spring Pastimes at the fragrant river bank in Vrindavan, Your locks of hair are curled and shining amidst a crown of newly blossoming flower buds, and the scented powder and camphor that are thrown at You by Your affectionate friends make You even more beautiful.

—Srila Rupa Goswamipad

yat kinchit trna-gulma-kikata-mukham gosthe samastam hi tat
sarvananda-mayam mukunda-dayitam lilanukulam param
sastrair eva muhur muhuh sphutam idam nistankitam yachnaya
brahmader api sa-sprhena tad idam sarvam maya vandyate

The grass, shrubs, insects, and other creatures in Vraja—everything there—are completely joyful, dear to Krsna, and fully supportive of His Pastimes. The scriptures repeatedly explain this, and even Brahma, Uddhava, and other great souls worship them. With longing, I bow to them all.

—Srila Das Goswamipad

sandhya-vandana bhadram astu bhavato bho snana tubhyam namo
bho devah pitaras cha tarpana-vidhau naham ksamah ksamyatam
yatra kvapi nisadya yadava-kulottamsasya kamsa-dvisah
smaram smaram agham harami tad alam manye kim anyena me

O morning, noon, and evening prayers, all the best to you. O daily ablutions, my obeisance unto you. O demigods, O forefathers, I am unable to follow the injunctions to offer you oblations; please forgive me. Laid up wherever I am, I eradicate my sins by constantly remembering Krishna, the Yadu dynasty's crown. I consider this sufficient. What else is necessary for me?

—Srila Madhavendra Puripad

yavat achhaye prana, dehe achhe sakti
tavat karaha krsna-pada-padme bhakti

As long as you have life, and there is strength in your body, serve Krsna's lotus feet.

—Sriman Mahaprabhu

etam samasthaya paratma-nistham
upasitam purvatamair mahadbhih
aham tarisyami duranta-param
tamo mukundanghri-nisevayaiva

Rising to the consciousness of the higher self, which was honoured by the great souls of the past, I will cross over the insurmountable darkness by serving Mukunda's feet.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

naham vipro na cha nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
naham varni na cha grha-patir no vanastho yatir va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah

I am not a priest, king, merchant, or labourer. I am not a student, householder, retiree, or mendicant. Rather, I am the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of the gopis' Lord—the ocean of nectar that brims with the totality of divine ecstasy.

—Bhagavan Sri Chaitanyadeva (Padyavali: 74)