'Sadhaka-dehocita-Sri-brndabana-basa-lalasa' is one of a collection of devotional songs written by Narottama Das Thakura the work entitled Prarthana, or prayer, in Sanskrit. Prarthana is comprised of fifty-three songs in a humble mood requesting the mercy of Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda, Sri Sri Radha Krsna, and the Vaisnava devotees. In a mood of humility and seva, Srila Narottama das Thakur sings this prayer to the Lord, glorifying His abode of Vraja.
Song 26
hari hari ara ki emana dasa haba
ei bhaba samsara tyaji' parama anande maji'
ara kabe brajabhume jaba
When will I renounce the circle of material family life, and, drowning in transcendental bliss, go to Vrajabhumi? O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, when will this be?
sukhamaya brndaba kaba habe darsana
se dhuli lagibe kabe gaya
preme gadagada haina radha-krsna-nama laina
kandiya bedaba ubharaya
When will I see the blissful land of Vrndavana? When will I smear the dust of Vrndavana over my body? When will I walk about Vrndavana, loudly singing the names of Radha and Krsna, and crying, my voice choked with ecstatic love.
nibhrta nikunja jana astange pranama haina
dakiba ha radha-natha bali
kabe jamunara tire parasa kariba nire
kabe piba kara-pute tuli'
When, in a solitary grove in Vrndavana, will I offer my full obeisances to the Divine Couple? When will I call out: "O Krsna, O master of Srimati Radharani"? When, standing on the shore of the Yamuna, will I drink some of its water in my cupped hands?
ara kabe emana haba sri-rasa-mandale jaba
kabe gadagadi diba taya
bamsibata-chaya pana parama ananda hana
padiya rahiba tara chaya
When will this be? When will I go to the arena of the rasa-dance, and roll about in the dust, overwhelmed with ecstasy? When will I visit Vamsivata, and fall down to the ground, overwhelmed by transcendental bliss?
kabe gobardhana giri dekhiba nayane bhari'
kabe habe radha-kunde basa
bhramite bhramite kabe ei deha patana habe
kahe dina narottama dasa
When will I see Govardhana Hill, my eyes filling with tears? When will I reside at Radha-kunda? When, as a result of constantly wandering Vrndavana, will this body fall down? Poor-hearted Narottama dasa speaks in this way.
Song 27
hari hari ara kabe palatibe dasa
e saba kariya bame jaba brndabana-dhame
ei mane kariyachi asa
When will I renounce all material impediments and go to Vrndavana dhama? O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, when will my life change in this way? I hope I shall be able to change my mode of living in this way.
dhana jana putra dare e saba kariya dure
ekanta haiya kabe jaba
saba duhkha parihari brndabane basa kari'
madhukari magiya khaiba
When will I leave all my wealth, followers, children, and wife far behind, and with only one desire, go to Vrndavana? When will I lelave all material miseries, and live in Vrndavana, eating only whatever foodstuff I can obtain by begging?
jamunara jala jena amrta samana hena
kabe piba udara puriya
kabe radha-kunda-jale snana kari' kutuhale
syama-kunda rahiba padiya
When will I take long drinks of the Yamuna's water, which is as sweet as nectar? When, with great happiness, will I bathe at Radha-kunda? When will I premanently reside at Syama-kunda?
bhramiba dwadasa bane rasa-keli je je sthane
premabese gadagadi diya
sudhaiba jane jane draja-basi-gana-sthane
nibediba carana dhariya
bhajanera sthana kabe nayana-gocara habe
ara jata ache upabana
ara madhye brndabana narottma dasera mana
asa kare jugala carana
When will I be able to see the gardens of Vrndavana where the great devotees whrshipped the Lord? Narottama dasa hopes to one day attain the lotus feet of the Divine Couple.
Song 28
karanga kaupina lana chenda kanha gaya diya
tejagiba sakala bisaya
krsna anuraga habe brajera nikunja kabe
jaina kariba nijalaya
When will I renounce all sense-gratification? When will I accept only a water-pot and torn garment? When will I constantly sing Lord Krsna's holy names? When will I go to the groves of Vraja and make my permanent residence there? When will I attain ecstatic love for Lord Krsna?
hari hari kabe mora haibe su-dina
phala-amula brndabane khana diba-abasane
bhramiba haiya udasina
When will I wander in Vrndavana, detached from material affairs, and only eating some roots and fruit at the end of the day? O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, when will that auspicious day be mine?
sitala jamuna jale snana kari kutuhale
premabese anandita hana
bahura upara bahu tuli' brndabane kuli kuli
krsna bali bedaba kandiya
When will I become full of bliss, overwhelmed by ecstatic love by bathing in the cool waters of the Yamuna river? When will I wander about Vrndavana with my arms upraised calling out the name of Lord Krsna, and crying?
dekhiba sanketa-sthana judabe tapita prana
premabese gadagadi diba
kanha radha praneswari kanha giribara-dhari
kanha natha baliya dakiba
When will I see the place where Radha and Krsna secretly met? When, overwhelmed with ecstatic love, will I roll about in the dust at that place? When will I call out; "O Radha, O controller of my life, where are You? O Krsna, O lifter of Govardhana Hill, where are You? O my masters, where are You?"
madhavi-kunjera 'pari sukhe basi' suka-sari
gaibeka radha-krsna-rasa
taru-mule basi' taha suni' judaiba hiya
kabe sukhe gonaba dibasa
When will I happily pass my days at the roots of a tree in the grove of madhavi creepers, listening to a parrot-couple jubilantly sing the glories of the nectarean pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna?
sri-govinda gopinatha srimati-radhika-sakha
dekhiba ratana-simhasane
dina narottama dasa karaye durlabha asa
e-mati haibe kata dine
When will I see Lord Govinda, the master of the gopis, accompanied by Srimati Radharani, asa They both sit on a jewelled throne? Poor-hearted Narottama dasa hopes that some day he will be able to obtain this so-difficult-to-obtain desire.
Song 29
hari hari kabe haba brndabana-basi
nirakhiba nayane jugala-rupa-rasi
O Lord Hari, Lord Hari, when will I become a resident of Vrndavana? When with my own eyes, will I see the great beauty of the Divine Couple.
tyajiya sayana-sukha bicitra palanka
kabe brajera dhulaya dhurasa habe anga
When will I renounce very comfortable sleeping arrangements and instead take rest on the ground of Vraja?
jada-rasa-bhojana dure parihari
kabe braje magiya khaiba madhukari
When will I renounce materially palatable foodstuffs, and simply eat whatever I can obtain by begging in the land of Vraja?
parikrama kariya bedaba bane bane
bisrama kariba jai jamuna-puline
When will I circumambulate the land of Vraja, wandering from forest to forest? When, becoming fatigued, will I stop to rest on the shore of the Yamuna?
tapa dura kariba sitala bamsibate
kabe kunje baithaba hama baisnaba-nikate
When will I find relief from the heat of midday by resting in the cooling shade of Vamsivata? When will I associate with the Vaisnavas in the froves of Vrndavana?
narottama dasa kahe kari' parihara
kabe ba emana dasa haibe amara
Narottama dasa renounces the materialistic way of life and says: "When will I attain this perfection of spiritual life?"
Replies
Sa-bilapa Sri-brndabana-basa-lalasa
(Lamentation and Yearning to Reside in Sri Vrndavana)
Song 30
ara ki emana dasa haba
saba chadi' brndabane jaba
When will I renounce everything and go to Vrndavana? When will this be?
ara kabe sri-rasa-mandale
gadagadi diba kutuhale
When in great ecstasy will I roll about on the ground where Lord Krsna performed the rasa-dance?
ara kabe gobardhana giri
dekhiba nayana-juga bhari
When will I see Govardhana Hill, my eyes filling with tears.
syama-kunde radha-kunde snana
kari' kabe judaba parana
When by bathing in Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda, will I attain the stage of dedicating my entire life and soul to the service of the Divine Couple?
ara kabe jamunara jale
majjane haiba niramale
When will I become pure at heart by bathing in the waters of the yamuna river?
sadhu-sange brndabane basa
narottama dasa kabe asa
Narottama dasa hopes that he will be able to reside in Vrndavana in the association of the saintly devotees.
(The Author Yearns to Again see Mathura)
Song 31
kabe krsna-dhana paba hiyara majhare thoba
judaiba tapita-parana
sajaiya diba hiya basaiba prana-priya
nirakhiba se candra-bayana
When will I attain the dark treasure known as Lord Krsna? When, agitated with ecstatic love, will I give my heart to Lord Krsna? When will I consider Lord Krsna more dear to me than my own life's breath? When will I be able to see Lord Krsna's moonlike face?
he sajani kabe mora haibe su-dina
seprana-nathera sanga kabe ba phiriba range
sukhamaya jamuna-pulina
When will I regain my master's association? When will I happily return with singing and dancing to the shore of the Yamuna? O friend, when will this auspicious day be mine.
lalita bisakha lana tanhare bhetiba giya
sajaiya nana upahare
sadaya haiya bidhi milaibe guna-nidhi
hena bhagya haibe amara
When, in the company of Lalita and Visakha, will I meet Lord Krsna? When will I be able to offer various gifts to please Him? When will destiny be compassionate to me? When will my destiny become like a virtuous person who is an ocean of good qualities? When will this good fortune be mine?
daruna bidhira nata alinga premera hata
tila-matra na rakhila ta'ra
kahe narottama dasa ki mora jibane asa
chadi' gela brajendra-kumara
Cruel fate has made me poverty-stricken and i do not have even a penny to purchase the goods sold in the markdetplace of pure love for Krsna. Nevertheless, Narottama dasa says: "My life's hope is to renounce everything and attain the prince of Vraja.
Song 32
ei-bara paile dekha carana du' khani
hiyara majhare rakhi' juda'ba parani
I pray that I may now see the two lotus feet of Lord Krsna. I shall place these lotus feet in my heart. I will dedicate my entire life and soul to them.
tan're na dekhiya mora mane bada tapa
anale pasiba kimba jale diba jhampa
If I am not able to see Lord Krsna's lotus feet, my heart will burn with suffering. I will end this life by entering a blazing fire, or jumping into the water.
mukhera muchaba ghama khaojaba pana guja
ghamete batasa diba candanadi cuja
When I meet Lord Krsna I will serve Him in various ways. I will wipe the perspiration from His face. I will give Him nice food and drink. I will offer Him betel-nuts. I will fan Him. I will anoint His body with sandalwood paste and other aromatic substances.
brndabandera phulera ganthiya diba hara
binaiya bandhiba cuda kuntalera bhara
I will string a garland of Vrndavana forest flowers, and then present that garland to Lord Krsna. I will carefully arrange His hair and tie His topknot.
kalape tilaka diba candanera canda
narottama dasa kahe piritera phanda
I will decorate Lord Krsna with a peacock feather, tilaka markings, and a moon drawn in sandalwood paste. Narottamadasa says; In this way I will gradually attain love for Lord Krsna.
Song 33
brndabana ramya-sthana dibya-cintamani-dhama
ratana-mandira manohara
abrta kalindi-nire raja-hamsa keli kore
tahe sobhe kanaka-kamala
Beautiful Vrndavana is filled with cintamani gems and many jewelled palaces and temples. Many regal swans play in the waters of the Yamuna, and in those waters a splendid golden lotus flower grows.
tara madhye hema-pitha asta-dale bestita
asta-dale pradhana nayika
tara madhye ratnasane bosi' achen dui-jane
syama-sange sundari radhika
In the middle of that lotus is a golden place surrounded by eight petals. On these eight petals the eight principal gopis reside, and in the center Lord Syamasundara and beautiful Srimati Radharani sit on a jewelled throne.
o-rupa-labanya-rasi amiya poriche khasi'
hasya-pariasa-sambhasane
narottama-dasa koy nitya-lila sukha-moy
sadai sphuruka mora mane
The great beauty of the Divine Couple, and Their charming joking and laughter appears to be constantly showering nectar everywhere. Narottama dasa says: I pray that these blissful eternal transcendental pastimes of the Divine Couple may be always manifest in my heart.
Song 34
kadamba tarura dala namiyache bhume bhala
phutiyache phula sari sari
parimale bharala sakala brndabana
keli kare bhramara bhramari
In Vrndavana the kadamba trees offer obeisances, their flowering branches reverentially touching the ground. bumvle bees perform pastimes in that Vrndavana, which is filled with a very sweet fragrance.
rai kanu bilasai range
kiba rupa labani baidagadha-khani dhani
manimaya abharana ange
Radha and Krsna stay in the place where They perform pastimes. How beauriful They are. Their bodies are decorated with jewelled ornaments, and They are like two wealthy aristocrats who own many gem mines of intelligence and with.
radhara daksina kare dhari' priya giridhari
madhura madhura cali' jaya
age pache sakhi-gana kare phula barisana
kona sakhi camara dhulaya
Dear Giridhari holds Srimati Radharani's right hand, and together They gracefully stroll about. The gopis shower flowers before and behind Them, and one gopi fans them with a camara wisk.
parage dhusara sthala candra-kare su-sitala
manimaya bedira upare
rai kanu kara jodi' nrtya kare phiri' phiri'
parase pulake tanu bhare
That place is filled with the aromatic pollen of the lotus, and it is made pleasantly cool by the shining of the moon. On a raised platform there, Radha and Krsna dance, holding hands, the hairs of Their bodies standing up in ecstasy.
Song 35
mrgamada-candana kare kari' sakhi-gana
barikhaye phula gandha-raje
srama-jala bindu bindu sobha kare mukha-indu
adhare murali kiba raje
The gopis decorate the Divine Couple with musk and sandalwood paste, and shower Them with aromatic flower. Drops of perspiration make Lord Krsna's moonlike face appear splendidly beautiful. The flute is gracefully placed agains Lord Krsna's lips.
hasa-bilasa-rasa sarala madhura bhasa
narottama-manoratha bharu
dunhuka bicitra besa kusuma racita kesa
locana-mohana lila karu
With the nectar of Their joking and laughter, and the sweetness of Their charming talks, the Divine Couple fulfills all the desires of Narottama dasa. Dressed in wonderful colorful garments, Their hair decorated with flowers, the Divine Couple performs pastimes, enchanting the eyes of everyone.
Swa-nistha (My Faith)
Song 30
dhana mora nityananda pati mora gauracandra
prana mora jugala-kisora
adwaita acarya bala gadadhara mora kula
narahari bilasai mora
Lord Nityananda is my wealth. Lord Gauracandra is my master. The Youthful Divine Couple is my life. Advaita Acarya is my strength. Gadadhara is my family. narahari Sarakara is my glory.
baisnabera pada-dhuli tahe mora snana-keli
tarpana mora baisnabera nama
bicara kariya mane bhakti-rassa aswadane
madhyastha sri-bhagabata purana
The dust of the devotees' lotus feet is my bathing water. The chanting of the devotees names is my satisfaction. Considering the merits of all Vedic literatures in the light of devotional service, I have concluded the the Srimad- Bhagavatam is the best of all scriptures.
baisnabera ucchista tahe mora mano-nistha
baisnabera namete ullasa
brndabane cautara tahe mora mano-ghera
kahe dine narottama dasa
My mind is firmly convinced of the spiritual benefit obtained by eating the remnants of foodstuff left by the devotees. The names of the devotees are my happiness. The land of Vrndavana is the enclosure within which I keep my mind. Poor-hearted Narottama dasa speaks in this way.
Song 37
nitai-pada-kamala, koti-candra-susitala
je chayay jagata juray
heno nitai bine bhai radha-krsna paite nai,
drrha kori' dharo nitair pay
Lord Nityananda's lotus feet are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. The shade of Lord Nityananda's lotus feet give relief from the sufferings of material existance. If one does not take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, then it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha and Krsna. Therefore, with firm conviction, one should take shelter of Lord Nityananda's lotus feet.
se sambandha nahi jar brtha janma gelo ta'r
sei pasu boro duracar
nitai na bolilo mukhe majilo somsara-sukhe
bidya-kule ki koribe tar
Anyone who has not contacted a relationship with Lord Nityananda is understood to have spoiled his human birth. Such a person is just like a misbehaved animal. Such persons never say the name of Lord Nityananda. Such persons simply become absorbed in so-called material enjoyment. What benefit will such persons obtain by their so-called academic education or birth in a high family or great nation?
ahankare matta hoiya nitai-pada pasariya
asatyere satya kori mani
nitaiyer koruna habe braje radha-krsna pabe
dharo nitai-carana du'khani
These persons have become maddened by a false concept of bodily life, and thus they have forgotten their eternal relationship with Nityananda, and instead accept the illusory material energy as factual. If you actually want to approach the association of Radha-Krsna, you must achieve the mercy of Lord Nityananda first. When he is merciful toward you, then you will be able to approach Radha-Krsna. For this reason one should firmly catch the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.
nitaiyer carana satya tahara sebaka nitya,
nitai-pada sada koro asa
narottama boro dukhi nitai more koro sukhi
rakho ranga caranera pasa
The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are not illusion; they are a fact, and therefore one who engages in the transcendental loving service of Nityananda is also transcendental. For this reason one should always try to catch the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. O Lord Nityananda, this Narottama dasa is very unhappy, and therefore I am praying that You please make me happy. Please keep me in a corner of Your reddish lotus feet.