Mar 16, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A Songbook of 62 Bengali Songs by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Published in 1880. Translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa. Published to commemorate the 500th Appearance Anniversary of Lord Caitanya.
FIRST BRANCH: 'UPADESA' (Advice)
--- 19 songs ---
SONG 10 --- MUNDANE KNOWLEDGE MOST HARMFUL
(1)
mana re, keno koro bidyar gauraba
smrti-sastra, byakarana, nana-bhasa-alocana,
brddhi kore' jaser saurabha
Oh mind, why do you give such importance to mundane knowledge? Your discussion and deliberation on the smrti scriptures, various languages and grammar certainly increases the sweet fragrant aroma of your own material reputation, name and fame.
(2)
kintu dekho cinta kori' jadi na bhajile hari,
bidya taba kevala rauraba
krsna prati anurakti, sei bije janme bhakti,
bidya ho'te taha asambhava
But just look here and consider this for your judgement. If you have not worshiped Lord Hari, then all of you so-called knowledge is just like a vicious hell. True devotional service actually takes it's birth from the seed of attraction and affection for Krsna. Such a seed is impossible to get by the cultivation of ordinary worldly knowledge.
(3)
bidyar marjana ta'r, kabhu kabhu apakar,
jagatete kori anubhava
je bidyar alocane, krsna-rati sphure mane,
tahari adara jano' saba
I feel that the hair-splitting scrutiny of mundane knowledge is actually harmful. On the other hand, however, everyone will appreciate the cultivation of that transcendental knowledge which awakens love and attachment for Krsna within the mind.
(4)
bhakti badha jaha ho'te, se bidyar mastakete,
padaghata koro' akaitaba
sarasvati krsna-priya, krsna-bhakti ta'r hiya
binoder sei se baibhava
Among all the obstacles to devotion, this mundane knowledge is certainly the foremost. You mus sincerely kick it out, dear mind, for the real understanding is that Mother Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning, is very dear to Lord Krsna, and devotion to Him is her very heart. This very devotion is indeed the sanctifying grace of Bhaktivinoda.
SONG 11 --- BODILY BEAUTY IS TEMPORARY
(1)
ruper gauraba keno bhai
anitya e kalebar, kabhu nahe sthiratar,
samana aile kichu nai
e anga sitala ho'be, ankhi spanda-hina ro'be,
citar agune ho'be chai
Oh mind, my dear friend, why is your bodily beauty such an object of your proud vanity? This body is temporary, and there is no certainty whatsoever of permanence. After Yamaraja has paid his visit and taken your soul away, this body will then become cold. The eyes will remain motionless, and in the fiery funeral pyre it will simply turn into ashes.
(2)
je saundarya hero, darpanete nirantar,
sva-sibar hoibe bhojana
je bastre adara koro', jeba abarana para',
kotha saba rohibe takhan?
Mind, you repeatedly behold the lovely handsomeness of this face, which is your favorite object of constant vanity. It will simply become delicious food for dogs and jackals. At that time, where will you keep all the decorative ornaments and valuable clothes which you appreciate with such high esteem?
(3)
dara suta bandhu sabe, smasane tomare lo'be,
dagdha kori' grhete asibe
tumi ka'r, ke tomar, ebe bujhi 'dekho sar,
deho-nasa abasya ghatibe
Your beloved wife, sons and friends will take you to the crematorium, and after burning you they will simply return back to their homes. You belong to whom? And whom belongs to you? Now just try to grasp the essential significance of all this. That is, the destruction of this temporary body will definitely come to pass.
(4)
su-nitya-sambala cao, hari-guna sada gao,
harinama japaha sadai
ku-tarka chariya mana, koro' krsna aradhana,
binoder asroy tahai
My dear mind, if you really want the eternal, auspicious way of life, then just sing aloud the glories of the Lord always and everywhere. Also, one should certainly chant Harinama japa at all times. Abandoning all useless arguments, dear mind, just worship Krsna, for such worship is certainly the only shelter of Bhaktivinoda.
SONG 12 --- MADNESS FOR WEALTH IS RIDICULOUS
(1)
mane re, dhana-mada nitanta asar
dhana jana bitta jata, e deher anugata,
deho gele se sakala char
Oh my dear mind, you are greatly intoxicated by your wealth and possessions, but just let me tell you that this is completely useless. When this body is gone, your wealth, followers, property as well as everything else that depends on this body will be good for nothing at all.
(2)
bidyar jateka cesta, cikitsaka upadesta
keho deho rakhibare nare
ajapa hoile sesa, deha-matra abasesa,
jiba nahi thakena adhare
Despite all the vast medical knowledge and dexterous efforts of the advising physician, one will never be able to keep this temporary body. When the life airs expire, the only thing which will be left behind is the gross body, for the soul cannot remain trapped within such a dead container for very long.
(3)
dhane jadi prana dita, dhani raja na marita,
dharamar hoit ravana
dhane nahi rakhe deho, deho gele nahe keho,
ataeva ki koribe dhana?
If wealth had the power to prolong life, then a rich king would never have to die. The demon named Ravana also thought that he possessed deathlessness, until he was finally killed by Lord Rama. Thus we see that no one to date has ever been able to protect and keep his body with any amount of money, for no one can prevent his body from dying. Therefore what is the use of your riches?
(4)
jadi thake bahu dhana, nije ho'be akincana,
baisnaber koro upakar
jibe doya anuksana, radha-krsna-aradhana,
koro sada ho'ye sadacar
Dear mind, if you have any excess wealth, then just make yourself lowly and humble and use that wealth to do something beneficial for the service of the Vaisnavas. Constantly showing compassion to all souls, worship Radha-Krsna and always make your standard of behavior clean, saintly and virtuous.
