Kirtan Guide

Bhajahu̐ Re Mana

by Śrīla Govinda Dās Kavirāj
    1
    • bhajahu̐ re mana    śrī-nanda-nandana
    • abhaya-charaṇāravinda re
    • durlabha mānava    janama sat-saṅge
    • taraha e bhava-sindhu re
    • O mind, serve the son of Nanda’s lotus feet, which make one fearless. Having attained this rare human birth, cross over the ocean of material existence by associating with sādhus.

  • 2
    • śīta ātapa    vāta variṣaṇa
    • e dina yāminī jāgi re
    • viphale sevinu    kṛpaṇa durajana
    • chapala sukha-lava lāgi’ re
    • Day and night I remain awake, suffering from the heat and the cold, the wind and the rain. For a moment of flickering happiness I have uselessly served wicked and miserly men.

  • 3
    • e dhana, yauvana,    putra, parijana
    • ithe ki āchhe paratīti re
    • kamala-dala-jala    jīvana ṭalamala
    • (ei āchhe ei nāi    jīvana ṭalamala)
    • bhajahu̐ hari-pada niti re
    • What is there in having wealth, youth, sons, and family? Life is tottering like water on a lotus petal (it is here, and then it is gone). O mind, serve the Lord’s feet.

  • 4
    • śravaṇa, kīrtana,    smaraṇa, vandana
    • pāda-sevana, dāsya re
    • pūjana, sakhī-jana,    ātma-nivedana
    • govinda-dāsa-abhilāṣa re
    • Govinda Dās desires to engage in the nine practices of devotion: hearing about, glorifying, remembering, praying to, attending to, serving, worshipping, befriending, and surrendering to the Lord.