Kirtan Guide

Manaḥ-Śikṣā

by Śrīla Narottam Dās Ṭhākur
    1
    • nitāi-pada-kamala,    koṭī-chandra-suśītala,
    • je chāyāya jagata juḍāy
    • heno nitāi bine bhāi,    rādhā-kṛṣṇa pāite nāi,
    • dṛḍha kori dharo nitāira pāya
    • The holy lotus feet of Nitāi,
          cooling like ten million moons —
      In the shade of which
          the world gains soothing relief;
      Without that Nitāi, O brother,
          No one can reach Rādhā and Krishna —
      Clasp His lotus feet with full conviction.

  • 2
    • se sambandha nāhi jāra,    vṛthā janma gelo tāra,
    • sei paśu boḍo durāchāra
    • nitāi nā bolilo mukhe,    majilo saṁsāra-sukhe,
    • vidyā-kule ki koribe tāra
    • One who never got His connection,
          passed his life in vain —
      Such an animal is so very wicked;
      He whose mouth never uttered ‘Nitāi,’
          merged in mundane pleasures —
      How can his aristocratic lineage save him?

  • 3
    • ahaṅkāre matta hoiyā, nitāi-pada pāsariyā,
    • asatyere satya kori māni
    • nitāiyer karuṇā habe, vraje rādhā-kṛṣṇa pābe,
    • dharo nitāiyer charaṇ du’ khāni
    • Maddened with pride,
          forgetting the lotus feet of Nitāi —
      I embrace untruth as truth;
      But when Nitāi gives His Grace
          you’ll reach Rādhā and Krishna in Vraja —
      O embrace the lotus feet of Nitāi!

  • 4
    • nitāiyer charaṇa satya, tā̐hāra sevaka nitya,
    • nitāi-pada sadā kara āśa
    • narottama boḍo duḥkhī, nitāi more kara sukhī
    • rākho rāṅgā-charaṇera pāśa
    • The lotus feet of Nitāi are truth,
          His servitors are eternal —
      Ever aspire for the shelter of His feet;
      Narottam is very sad — O Nitāi make me happy —
      Please keep me at Your lovely lotus feet!