Śaraṇāgati (Surrendered to the Lord’s Shelter)
Second Principle of Surrender: Ātma-Nivedana (Dedication of the Self) – Song 1
(1)
nā koroluṅ karama, geyāna nāhi bhelo,
nā sevilun caraṇa tohār
jaḍa-sukhe mātiyā, āpanaku vañca-i,
pekhahuṅ caudiśa āndhiyār
1) I have not performed any good works. I have not amassed any transcendental knowledge. I have never worshiped Your feet. Being intoxicated by sensual pleasures, I have simply cheated myself. Now I see only darkness in all directions.*
(2)
tuhuṅ nātha! karunā-nidān
tuwā pada-paṅkaje, ātma samarpiluṅ,
more kṛpā korobi vidhān
2) You, O Lord, are the fountainhead of all mercy. I surrender myself at Your lotus feet; kindly show me Your compassion.
(3)
pratijñā tohāra oi, jo hi śaraṇāgata,
nāhi so jānabo paramād
so hāma duṣkṛti, gati nā hera-i āna,
āb māgoṅ tuwā parasād
3) It is Your promise that one who takes refuge in You will come to no harm. For a sinner like me I see no other shelter; therefore I beg You now for Your grace.
(4)
āna mano-ratha, niḥśeṣa choḍato,
kab hāma haubuṅ tohārā
nitya-sevya tuhuṅ, nitya-sevaka mui,
bhakativinoda bhāva sārā
4) O when will I know freedom from incessant material desires and thus become exclusively Yours? This is the sum of Bhaktivinoda’s musings-You are eternally to be served, and I am Your eternal servant.
*This song is based on the moods found in the Stotra-Ratnam, verse 19.