Śaraṇāgati (Surrendered to the Lord’s Shelter)

Bhajana Lālasā (Hankering for Divine Service) – Song Four

(1)
hari he!
dāna, pratigraha, mitho gupta-kathā,
bhakṣana, bhojana-dāna
saṅgera lakṣana, ei chaya hoya,
ihāte bhaktira prāna

1) O my Lord Hari! Offering and receiving gifts, giving and receiving spiritual food, revealing one’s thoughts, and making confidential inquiries-these are the six characteristics of loving association, and in them is found the very life of devotion. *

(2)
tattva nā bujhiye, jñāne vā ajñāne,
asate e saba kori’
bhakti hārāinu, saṁsārī hoinu,
sudūre rohile hari

2) I have failed to understand the truth, and by practicing these six activities with non-devotees, either knowingly or unknowingly, I lost all devotional inclination and have become a materialist. Consequently You, O Lord, still remain far away.

(3)
kṛṣṇa-bhakta-jane, ei saṅga-lakṣane,
ādara koribo jabe
bhakti-mahā-devī, āmāra hṛdoya-
āsane bosibe tabe

3) The day I cherish these activities of intimate association with the devotees of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, that very day the high goddess of devotion will take her seat upon the throne of my heart.

(4)
yoṣit-saṅgī-jana, kṛṣṇā-bhakta āra,
duṅhu-saṅga-parihari’
tava bhakta-jana-saṅga anukṣana,
kabe vā hoibe hari!

4) When will I give up the company of those who are addicted to the company of materialistic women and those who are averse to You? And when will I cultivate the constant association of Your devotees, O Lord?

*This song is based on the fourth verse of Upadeśāmṛta – dadāti pratighṛṇāti…

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