Sep 27, 2011 10:43 AM
Part 1
Sri Govinda padarvinda madhupananyabhilashojjhitan
Purna prema rasotsavojjvala mano vritti prasannananan
Shashvat Krishna katha mahamrita payo rashau muda khelato
Vande bhagavatan iman anulavam murdhna nipatya kshitau (1/8)
Padabje krita satkritavapi chaturvarge ghrinam kurvato
Drikpate api gata vyathan vrajapati premamrita svadakan
Manvanan ati dustaram bhava maha pathonidhim goshpadam
Vande bhagavatan iman anulavam murdhna nipatya kshitau (2/8)
Translation
By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Swarupa Tirtha Maharaj
1) Those who are attracted to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Govinda just like bees attracted to the fresh fragrant flowers, being completely bereft of material desires whatsoever except to serve Him can always be seen possessing faces that are radiant resulting from enraptured mind experiencing supreme bliss due to consummate ecstatic loving emotions. I bow down to these great Vaishnavas by touching my head to the ground because these pure devotees of the Supreme Lord are always immersed in the nectar bearing rivers of discussions of His innumerable enchanting pastime with great exuberance.
2) Although the four deceptive pursuits of human life personified, namely, religiosity, wealth, passion and impersonal liberation offer obeisances at their lotus feet, Vaishnavas feel repugnant even to cast a glance in their direction. Being always free from material afflictions due to their being always absorbed in the incomparable bliss of love for Krishna they consider the impassable ocean of material existence to be just like the water contained in the hoof print of a calf. Unto these Vaishnavas I offer my humble obeisances by touching my head to the ground.
Explanation
By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Swarupa Tirtha Maharaj
Srila Rasikananda Prabhu, who has sung these eight verses, is himself a Maha Bhagavata, an exalted devotee, adorned with sublime characteristics of Vaishnavas. Naturally, therefore, he is an indisputable authority to speak on the attributes of Bhagavatas or Vaishnavas.
Constant engagement in glorification of God, Krishna, is the essential characteristic of a great Vaishnava devotee. The moment one starts speaking about Krishna, he feels joy. This is because Krishna is Hrishikesha who gives pleasure to any of the senses that engages in His service. As expressed by the gopis of Vrindavana 'tava katha amritam tapta jivanam', speaking about Krishna all the time can destroy all that is troublesome to the mind. In fact they confirm what great-learned scholars think, 'bhoorida janah', the Vaishnavas are the greatest benefactors of the society because their gift to the living beings is un-matched through incessant narration of topics regarding Krishna.
Giving food to the starved, clothes to the needy, shelter to the deprived, funds to the poor, medical assistance to the diseased, constructing schools, colleges, hospitals etc., although are considered very pious and charitable activities, which sometimes accords them a religious status, but in actuality, these are merely the means of temporary amelioration in this temporal world, whereas Krishna katha when spoken or heard is so auspicious, 'punya shravana kirthanah', that both the bearer and the narrator immediately transcend this mundane environment and float in spiritual ecstacy. Preaching or speaking of Krishna's pastimes is the very life and soul of a Vaishnava.
A fully surrendered Vaishnava is always in a transcendental position outside the purview of or beyond the super-intendance of maya, the material nature. He is always fully conscious of his true identity and at no time does he deviate from his duties as a servant of Krishna. Therefore, he is indifferent to the scripturally defined goals of religiosity, wealth, passion and impersonal liberation. A devotee who has irrevocably established his loving relationship with Krishna is neither interested in the detestable elevations to heavens nor has he any taste for the despicable destination of liberation in impersonal Brahman. What is more, a pure devotee of Krishna has no penchant even for placement in Vaikuntha. He is simply interested in the service of the Supreme Lord.
To be continued...
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