Kirtan Guide

Daśa-vidha Nāmāparādha

The Ten Offences to the Holy Name
Bengali poem composed by
Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj
    1
    • hari-nāma mahāmantra sarva-mantra-sāra
    • jādera karuṇābale jagate prachāra
    • sei nāma-parāyaṇ sādhu, mahājana
    • tāhādera nindā nā koriho kadāchana
    • Hare Krishna Mahāmantra — of all mantras the best,
      Throughout the world is preached by saints’ potent grace behest;
      Such saints to the Name devoted, such pure souls great:
      Never dare offend them — never show them hate.

  • 2
    • vrajendranandana kṛṣṇa sarveśvareśvara
    • maheśvara ādi tāra sevana-tatpara
    • nāma chintāmaṇi kṛṣṇa-chaitanya-svarūpa
    • bheda-jñāna nā koribe līlā-guṇa-rūpa
    • Lord Krishna, son of Nanda, of all lords the Leader —
      The great Shiva and all the gods serve His feet forever;
      The touchstone of the Name is Krishna incarnate —
      His Pastimes, nature, form, also think not separate.

  • 3
    • ‘‘guru kṛṣṇa-rūpa hon śāstrera pramāṇe
    • guru-rūpe kṛṣṇa kṛpā kore bhāgyavāne’’
    • se gurute martya-buddhi avajñādi tyaji
    • iṣṭa-lābha kara, nirantara nāma bhaji
    • “Guru’s a form of Krishna — the Scriptures corroborate;
      In the form of Guru, Krishna blesses the fortunate.”
      Never offend that Guru by thinking him mere mortal;
      Gain your highest objective — serve the Name for time eternal.

  • 4
    • śruti, śruti-mātā-saha sātvata-purāṇa
    • śrī-nāma-charaṇa-padma kore nīrājana
    • sei śruti śāstra jebā karaye nindana
    • se aparadhīra saṅga koribe varjana
    • The Vedas with Mother Gāyatrī and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
      Illuminate the lotus feet of Śrī Hari’s Name;
      Whoever vilifies those Holy Vedic Scriptures —
      Never keep their company, know them as offenders.

  • 5
    • nāmera mahimā sarva-śāstrete vākhāne
    • atistuti, heno kabhu nā bhāviha mane
    • agastya, ananta, brahmā, śivādi satata
    • je nāma-mahimā-gāthā saṅkīrtana-rata
    • se nāma-mahimā-sindhu ke pāibe pāra
    • atistuti bole jei—sei durāchāra
    • The glories of the Name — all Scriptures’ exaltation;
      Dare not think their praise to be exaggeration.
      Agastya, Ananta, Brahmā, Shiva, etc., ever
      Sing the glories of that Name with full-hearted fervour.
      Who can cross the ocean of the glories of that Name?
      Whoever says ‘exaggeration’ have their sin to blame.

  • 6
    • kṛṣṇa-nāmāboli nitya golokera dhana
    • kalpita, prākṛta, bhāve—aparādhi-jana
    • The Holy Names of Krishna — eternal wealth of Goloka:
      Who thinks those Names imaginary, mundane — he’s offender.

  • 7
    • nāme sarva-pāpa-kṣaya sarva-śāstre kaya
    • sārā-dina pāpa kori sei bharasāya—
    • emata durbuddhi jāra sei aparādhi
    • māyā-pravañchita, duḥkha bhuñje niravadhi
    • All Scriptures claim the Name all sin it can destroy,
      But those who spend their time in sin making it a ploy —
      Such a wicked attitude is that of an offender
      Deceived by illusion, perpetually to suffer.

  • 8
    • atulya śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāma pūrṇa-rasa-nidhi
    • tāra sama nā bhāviha śubha-karma ādi
    • Incomparable Name of Krishna — the treasure of ecstasy:
      Never dare compare it with auspicious piety.

  • 9
    • nāme śraddhā-hina-jana—vidhātā vāñchita
    • tāre nāma dāne aparādha suniśchita
    • Those who’re faithless t’ward the Name — deceived by Providence:
      Giving them the Holy Name surely’s an offence.

  • 10
    • śuniyāo kṛṣṇa-nāma-māhātmya apāra
    • je priti-rahita, sei narādhama chāra
    • allaṅtā mamatā jāra antare bāhire
    • śuddha kṛṣṇa-nāma tāra kabhu nāhi sphure
    • Despite them hearing the infinite glories of Krishna’s Name,
      Those whose hearts don’t melt in love are rascals of ill fame;
      Only pride and avarice their thoughts and deeds do yield —
      The Pure Name of Krishna to them is ne’er revealed.

  • 11
    • ei daśa aparādha koriyā varjana
    • jena jana kore harināma saṅkīrtana
    • apūrva śrī-kṛṣṇa-prema labhya tāre hoy
    • nāma-prabhu tāra hṛde nitya vilasay
    • Casting off these ten offences, leaving no exception,
      Those pure souls who chant the Name in Holy Congregation —
      The miracle of love for Krishna they will surely savour,
      The Name Divine Himself will shine within their hearts forever.