Śrīla Guru Mahārāj Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj and Śrīla Gurudev Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj established the daily programme of Śrī Chaitanya Sāraswat Maṭh. To assist pilgrims follow that programme, the first English Kīrtan Guide in 1990 brought together many of the principal kīrtans sung in the Maṭh.

Since that first printing, the Kīrtan Guide has gradually evolved with corrections and with additional content in line with the original Bengali Gauḍīya Gītāñjali songbook of the Maṭh. Over the years, devotees have suggested the inclusion of various important kīrtans, several of which have been incorporated into this new edition.

Some higher kīrtans are included, as found in the original Gauḍīya Gītāñjali. These are to help us follow when a qualified devotee leads.

From the Seventh Edition onwards, a more phonetic style of transliteration was adopted in an effort to assist devotees with the pronunciation of the Bengali texts. While this proved helpful to some degree, there remained a repeated request that the kīrtans be consistently transliterated according to the established international standard as in Śrī Chaitanya Charitāmṛta and related publications. This current edition seeks to fulfil that need while following the direct instruction of Śrīla Gurudev, that the letter pronounced “ch” is transliterated accordingly – for example, ‘Chaitanya’ rather than ‘Caitanya’.

In every language, proper pronunciation of the written word needs to be learned. Particularly note the pronunciation in Bengali of letters such as a, y, ḍ, kṣ, and the chandrabindu * ̐* each of which carries its own particularity. Notably, the Bengali a is often, indeed usually, pronounced as a short o, as in ‘cot’, while the chandrabindu indicates a distinct nasalisation of the vowel beneath it.

Readers are encouraged to consult the brief pronunciation guide at the back of this book (page 335). Pronunciation (and meaning) may vary according to context, and naturally the best way to learn is from a native speaker, especially one conversant with sādhu-bhāṣā, the classical literary Bengali in which most of these kīrtans are composed.

There are distinctions between the pronunciation of Bengali and Sanskrit. Most of the kīrtans in this guide are composed in Bengali – those in Sanskrit, or other languages, are indicated as such.

In general, previously published translations are given. As the learned devotees point out, these should be taken as indications of the meaning rather than necessarily comprehensive translations.

With respects and appreciation to the many who have assisted in the evolution of the Kīrtan Guide from its early beginnings to the present day, and with my sincere obeisances to all the Vaiṣṇavas:

sakala vaiṣṇava-pade mora namaskāra
ithe kichhu aparādha nahuka āmāra
haiyachen haiben prabhura jata bhakta jana
vandanā kari’ āmi sabāra charaṇa

I respectfully bow to the lotus feet of all the Vaiṣṇavas, praying that there is no offence in my attempt to please them. To all Vaiṣṇavas who have been, and all Vaiṣṇavas who shall be, I offer my obeisances to their lotus feet.

Hoping to be helpful to everyone in following the perfect guidance of our perfect masters,

    B. R. Madhusūdan (Mahānanda Dās B. R.)
    Foreign Secretary
    Śrī Chaitanya Sāraswat Maṭh
    of Śrīla Guru Mahārāj and Śrīla Gurudev
    (2026)