PILLARS

dina-yaminyau sayam pratah
sisira-vasantau punar ayatah
kalah kridati gachchhaty ayus
tad api na munchaty asa-vayuh

Day and night, dusk and dawn, winter and spring come again and again. Time plays on, and life passes away, but the disease of desire (the false hope of material happiness) never leaves.

—Sri Sankar Acharya

gurur na sa syat svajano na sa syat
pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat
daivam na tat syan na patis cha sa syan
na mochayed yah samupeta-mrtyum

That guru is no Guru, that kinsman is no kinsman, that father is no father, that mother is no mother, that god is no god, and that husband is no husband, who cannot not save their dependents from impending death.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

aho baki yam stana-kala-kutam
jighamsayapayayad apy asadhvi
lebhe gatim dhatry-uchitam tato 'nyam
kam va dayalum saranam vrajema

How wonderful! Although the wicked Putana nursed Him with her poison-smeared breasts, intending to kill Him, she attained the position of His nurse! What more merciful Lord can we take shelter of other than Him?

—Srimad Bhagavatam

ahankara-nivrttanam kesavo nahi duragah
ahankara-yutanam hi madhye parvata-rasayah

Kesava is not far from those who are free from egotism. There is, however, a mountain range between Him and those who are ridden with egotism.

—Sri Brahma-vaivarta-purana

jananta eva janantu kim bahuktya na me prabho
manaso vapuso vacho vaibhavam tava gocharah

Some say they know You—let them say so. As for me, O Lord, all I can say is that Your glory is beyond the reach of my mind, body, or words.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

NICHE

Sri Nama Prabhu

yad asanga kriya karma janata vapy ajanata
purnam bhavatu tat sarvam sri harer nama-kirtanat

May whatever offences I have knowingly or unknowingly committed be completely absolved by chanting the Holy Names of the Lord.

—Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa

namaikam yasya vachi smarana-patha-gatam srotra-mulam gatam va
suddham vasuddha-varnam vyavahita-rahitam tarayaty eva satyam
tach ched deha-dravina-janata-lobha-pasanda-madhye
niksiptam syan na phala-janakam sighram evatra vipra

The Holy Name most certainly delivers anyone who once calls, remembers, or hears Him, regardless of whether one pronounces the Name correctly, incorrectly, or without proper spacing. But, O brahman, should the Name be used for the body, wealth, prestige, greed, or evil, the Name does not produce any quick (spiritual) result (though He does eventually).

—Sri Padma-purana

namaparadha-yuktanam namany eva haranty agham
avisranti-prayuktani tany evartha-karani cha

When constantly chanted, the Holy Names remove the sins of those who commit offences against Them and grant the ultimate wealth.

—Sri Padma-purana

akrstih krta-chetasam sumanasam uchchatanam chamhasam
achandalam amuka-loka-sulabho vasyas cha mukti-sriyah
no diksam na cha sat-kriyam na cha purascharyam manag iksate
mantro 'yam rasana-sprg eva phalati sri-krsna-namatmakah

This mantra, Sri Krsna-nam, attracts the devout who are pure in heart, eradicates sin, is easily chanted by anyone who can speak, even the uncultured, and controls the dispensation of liberation. Sri Krsna-nam does not rely upon (brahmnical) initiation, pious works, or preparatory practices in the least; Sri Krsna-nam produces results simply by touching the tongue.

—Sri Laksmidhar

hrdaya ha-ite bale jihvara agrete chale
sabda-rupe nache anuksana

Forcibly, the Name moves from my heart to the tip of my tongue and incessantly dances there in the form of sound.

—Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

nama nache jiva nache nache prema-dhana
jagat nachaya maya kare palayana

The Name dances, the soul dances, and divine love dances. The whole world then begins to dance and Maya flees.

—Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

seva mora nama-brahma-nada

My service is to chant and glorify the divine Name of Lord Krsna.

—Srila Saraswati Thakur

WALL

Dasavidha Nama-aparadha

hari-nama mahamantra sarva-mantra-sara
yandera karuna-bale jagate prachara
sei nama-parayana sadhu, mahajana
tanhadera ninda na kariha kadachana [1]

The Hari-nam mahamantra, the best of all mantras, is distributed throughout the world by the mercy of the sadhus devoted to the Name. Never criticise such great souls.

vrajendra-nandana krsna sarvesvaresvara
mahesvara adi tanra sevana-tatpara
nama chintamani krsna-chaitanya-svarupa
bheda-jnana na karibe lila-guna-rupa [2]

Vrajendra Nandan Krsna is the Lord of all Lords. Siva and all other gods are dedicated to His service. The Name is a wish-fulfilling jewel and a spiritual form of Krsna Himself. Do not consider Krsna's Name to be distinct from His Form, Qualities, or Pastimes.

"guru krsna-rupa hana sastrera pramane
guru-rupe krsna krpa kare bhagyavane"
se gurute martya-buddhi avajnadi tyaji
ista-labha kara, nirantara nama bhaji [3]

"The scriptures confirm that Guru is a form of Krsna. In the form of Guru, Krishna bestows His mercy upon the fortunate" (Cc: 1.1.45). Give up the conception that Guru is a mortal, and all other types of disrespect, and fulfil your cherished dream: serving the Name eternally.

sruti, sruti-mata-saha satvata purana
sri-nama-charana-padma kare nirajana
sei sruti-sastra yeba karaye nindana
se aparadhira sanga karibe varjana [4]

The Vedas, the veda mata (Gayatri), the Puranas related to the Supreme Truth—they all worship the lotus feet of the Holy Name. You must avoid the association of such sinful offenders who criticise these scriptures.

namera mahima sarva-sastrete vakhane
atistuti, hena kabhu na bhaviha mane
agastya, ananta, brahma, sivadi satata
ye nama-mahima-gatha sankirtana-rata
se nama-mahima-sindhu ke paibe para?
atistuti bale yei'sei durachara [5]

All scriptures proclaim the glory of the Name. Never even think that such praise is excessive or unreasonable. When Agastya, Ananta, Brahma, Siva, and others are constantly engaged in the sankirtan, chanting the glories of the Name, who can then cross this ocean of the glories of the Name? Those who say that it is excessive or unreasonable, are wicked.

krsna-namavali nitya golokera dhana
kalpita, prakrta, bhave'aparadhi-jana [6]

Krsna's Names are the eternal wealth of Goloka. Anyone who considers Them imaginary or mundane is an offender.

name sarva-papa-ksaya sarva-sastre kaya
sara-dina papa kari' sei bharasaya'
emata durbuddhi yara sei aparadhi
maya-pravanchita, duhkha bhunje niravadhi [7]

All the scriptures declare that the Name destroys all sin. The wicked and foolish who sin all day long in expectation of this are offenders. They are deluded by maya and enjoy endless sorrow.

atulya sri-krsna-nama purna-rasa-nidhi
tanra sama na bhaviha subha-karma adi [8]

The incomparable Name of Sri Krishna is an ocean full of ecstasy. Do not consider it equal to pious actions, religious rites, etc.

name sraddha-hina-jana'vidhata vanchita
tare nama dane aparadha sunischita [9]

To give the Name to those who are deceived by the Providence and have no faith in the Name, is definitely an offence.

suniyao krsna-nama-mahatmya apara
ye priti-rahita, sei naradhama chhara
ahamta mamata yara antare bahire
suddha krsna-nama tara kabhu nahi sphure [10]

Those who, hearing the boundless glories of the Name of Krishna, remain devoid of love, are wretched, worthless souls. The pure Name of Krishna will never manifest to one is within and without filled with the "I" and "mine" mentality.

ei dasa aparadha kariya varjana
ye sujana kare hari-nama sankirtana
apurva sri-krsna-prema labhya tara haya
nama-prabhu tara hrde nitya vilasaya [11]

Great souls who avoid these ten offences and engage in Hari-nam-sankirtan attain unprecedented Sri Krsna-prema, and the Name Himself forever sports within their hearts.

—Srila Govinda Dev-Goswami

kamadinam kati na katidha palita durnidesas
tesam jata mayi na karuna na trapa nopasantih
utsrjyaitan atha yadu-pate sampratam labdha-buddhis
tvam ayatah saranam abhayam mam niyunksvatma-dasye

O Lord, for how long and in how many ways have I obeyed the wicked dictates of lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and envy! They have never taken pity upon me, and I have never felt shame or satisfaction. O Lord of the Yadus, having abandoned them, I have now become conscious and come to You, the shelter where there is no fear. Please engage me in Your service.

—Revered Votary

mam hi partha vyapasritya ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras te 'pi yanti param gatim

By taking shelter of Me in all respects, even untouchables, women, merchants, and labourers certainly attain the supreme destination.

—Sri Gita

na naka-prstham na cha paramesthyam
na sarva-bhaumam na rasadhipatyam
na yoga-siddhir apunar-bhavam va
samanjasa tva virahayya kankse

O Ultimate Principle, I do not desire heaven, the post of Brahma, dominion over the earth, reign of the lower planets, the powers of yoga, or even liberation if I have to leave You.

—Srimad Bhagavatam

emana durmati samsara bhitare
padiya achhinu ami
tava nija-jana kona mahajane
pathaiya dile tumi

O Lord! I am so sinful-hearted and have fallen into this material world, but You have sent a great soul, Your own associate (to rescue me).

—Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

vairagya-yug-bhakti-rasam prayatnair
apayayan mam anabhipsum andham
krpambudhir yah para-duhkha-duhkhi
sanatanas tam prabhum asrayami

I take shelter of Srila Sanatan Goswami Prabhu. He is an ocean of mercy and sorrowful to see the sorrow of others. Although I was blind and unwilling, he carefully forced me to drink the nectar of devotion combined with detachment.

—Srila Das Goswamipad

padabjayos tava vina vara-dasyam eva
nanyat kadapi samaye kila devi yache
sakhyaya te mama namo 'stu namo 'stu nityam
dasyaya te mama raso 'stu raso 'stu satyam

Dear Devi, servitude to Your lotus feet is definitely the best. I shall never ever ask You for anything other than that. Eternally shall I pay my obeisances, shall I pay my obeisances to the friendly relationship with You, and forever shall I relish, shall I relish the servitude to You.

—Srila Das Goswamipad

sakhi vina ei lilaya anyera nahi gati
sakhi-bhave ye tanre kare anugati
radha-krsna-kunja-seva-sadhya sei paya
sei sadhya paite ara nahika upaya

No one has entrance into Radha and Krsna's Pastimes except the sakhis. One who follows the sakhis and their mood attains Radha and Krsna's confidential service. There is no other way to attain this end.

—Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta

tvam rupa-manjari sakhi prathita pure 'smin
pumsah parasya vadanam na hi pasyasiti
bimbadhare ksatam anagata-bhartrkaya
yat te vyadhayi kim u tach chhuka-pungavena

O friend! O Rupa Manjari! You are renowned in Vraja, as you do not even look at the face of another man. So, in the absence of your husband, which great parrot has made that bite on your red lips?

—Srila Das Goswamipad

matala hari-jana kirtana-range
pujala raga-patha gaurava-bhange

From afar we shall worship the raga-patha, the path of spontaneous affectionate service, while we ourselves shall live within the Vedic guideline.

(Vyasa-Puja Offering, 1997)

apanake janai koti dandavat nati
chira-dina oi pade thake yena mati [1]

I offer you ten million prostrate obeisances. My desire is to forever remain at your feet.

maya pase yadi phamsi ye kona samaya
taribara lagi yena, daki go tomaya [2]

I can be strangled by the noose of maya at any time, but I am calling out to you for help.

sadhu, guru, vaisnavera gane, sukha pai
yakhana ya khusi mane, takhani ta gai [3]

The glories of the sadhu, gurus, and Vaishnavs bring so much happiness. When I feel this joy, I suddenly start to sing myself.

papa purna labha ksati, nahika vichara
jani, vaisnava krpate saba yabe anachara [4]

I know nothing about piety or sin, gain or loss. I know that by the mercy of Vaishnavs, all bad things will go away.

tandera guna-gana-sakti, mora kabhu nai
tabu pagalera mata, ki ye yena gai [5]

I will never be able to glorify their qualities. Still, like a madman I am singing whatever comes to my mind.

sadhu, guru, vaisnava, krsnera prana-dhana
tandera pada-jala-renu mage mora mana [6]

My mind prays for the foot dust and the water that washed the feet of the sadhus, Gurus, Vaishnavs, who are life and soul of Krishna.

manera pipasa bada sadhu sane vasa
sarvasva tyajiya tai kari abhilasa [7]

My mind thirsts for living in the association of sadhus. Giving up everything, I long for this only.

tandera charane kata koti papa kari
mana tabu pade thake oi pada dhari [8]

How many millions of sins do I commit at you feet? Still, you keep me at your lotus feet, and I am clasping them.

arao kata bale mana, koti duhkha sahi
janme janme yena ami, oi pade rahi [9]

My mind also prays that no matter how many millions of miseries I have to tolerate I may still be at your feet birth after birth.

hathat dese uthala sara, sahara theke sakala pada,
vichitra kutuhale
sakale aja anandete, ekatre saba uthala mete,
nache gaya dale dale [10]

All of a sudden, throughout the land, in all wards of the town, there arose a peculiar delight. Today everybody is filled with bliss and all together dances and sings in many crowds.

bhakta-gana saba avirata sraddhanjali dichchhe kata,
sri-mathete asi
gauda desera hrdaya majhe, yena sakala, dupura, sanje,
bajachhe mohana vamsi [11]

The devotees keep bringing so many offerings, coming to the holy temples. That day, in the heart of Gaura-desh, morning, noon, and evening as if merged and there sounded a stupefying song of flute.

subha atharoi disembara, krsna-dvitiya buddhabara
barddhamanera akasa kari alo
bamuna padara bamuna ghare, janama nila jivera tare,
apurva sundara sisu mohaniya bhalo [12]

On the auspicious day of December 18, on the second night of the waning moon (Krishna-dvitiya), Wednesday, a ray of light fell from the sky. In the district of brahmans (Bamunpara), in a house of a brahman, for the sake of jiva souls there took birth an unprecedentedly beautiful child, attracting all good.

sri tarangini devi mata, nitai pada, nitya pita,
sri devaki-vasudeva sama
guru-rupe nanda-kumara, yena krpa karila e bara,
jivera nasibe rajah tama [13]

Mother Sri Tarangini Devi and eternal father Nitaipad are like Sri Devaki and Vasudev. The youthful son of Nanda came in the form of a Guru to bestow His mercy and destroy the ignorance and passion in the jiva souls.

sei sisu aja mahajana, bhakti sundara govinda dhana,
jagatera ananta gaurava
brahmanda bhodiya goloka dhama, sarvatra prakasa tomara nama,
he prabhu, tava seva-saurabha [14]

That child is now a great soul, the treasure named Bhakti Sundar Govinda, the never-ending glory of the world. You revealed Goloka Dham in this universe; my Lord, your name is now renowned everywhere, and there can be felt a sweet fragrance of your service.

tomara komala murati aja, gantha raya yena hrdaya majha,
chintiba o pada niti
bhakta sajjana mile kata, mahima rachibe sata sata,
ke kata gahibe tava giti [15]

Your present form is very soft and graceful, and I keep it as if tied within the core of my heart. I will eternally meditate upon your feet. So many great souls and devotees will come and compose hundreds of verses, but how many of your glories is one able to describe?

paiya tava sitala charana, mangalakanksi karibe varana,
parabe phulera mala
jivera lagi dharile kaya, tomara bhaye palabe maya,
judabe jagata jvala [16]

Attaining your cooling lotus feet, those who desire true welfare will worship and garland them. You accepted a body for the sake of the jiva souls. Seeing you, maya will flee in fear, and the burning fire of this world will be soothed.

rajasanera raja yemana, tomara sobha ajake temana,
raja michhe, tumi nitya satya
agadha tava sastra jnane, golokera sei nitya-dhane,
bilao bharuk artta jivera chita [17]

Your beauty and lustre are such that you resemble today a king sitting on a royal throne. However, a king is false, useless, but you are eternally true. Your knowledge of the scriptures is unfathomable, and you distribute this eternal wealth of Goloka and fill the distressed minds of the souls with it.

paramparara sutra dhare, asiyachha modani pare,
prakasite jivoddhara lila
krpara adhara guru-maharaja, tomate sarva-sakti sanchara,
kariya sva-simhasana dila [18]

You have come in this world in this disciplic succession to manifest your pastimes of delivering the souls. Srila Guru Maharaj, a fountainhead of mercy, passed all his potency onto you and made you sit on his own throne.

chira pankila dharani-tale, suddha bhakati prakata karile'
yena apurva chinmaya saroja
tara sumadhura divya gandha, tomara majhare ankichhe chhanda,
bilabe sakale prema-varaja [19]

On this ever covered with mud surface of the earth, you have revealed pure devotion which is like an extraordinary transcendental lotus. Its extremely sweet smell has borne a desire within you to distribute the divine love of Vraja to everybody.

tava krpa-taru-sitala chhaya, e duhkhi-jana yena thani paya,
ohe dina-dayala thakura
tumi navodita nirmala bhaskara, dayamaya deva bhakati sundara,
bhavio tomara kukura [20]

My Lord, you are so merciful to the poor, and this miserable man has got a place in the cool shade under the tree of your mercy. You are the spotless newly risen sun! O merciful Lord, Sri Bhakti Sundar, please consider me your dog.

sri bhakti-raksaka prabhu sri sridhara, tomake banala bhava karna-dhara,
mo sama patita lagi
tai tava subha avirbhava dine, gati nai ai-charana vihane,
e patita kande krpa magi [21]

Lord Sri Bhakti Raksak Sridhar made you the helmsman of the world for the sake of such fallen, degraded souls like me. So, on the auspicious day of your appearance, there is no other refuge for me other than your feet, and this fallen soul is crying and begging you for mercy.

—Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya