Śaraṇāgati (Surrendered to the Lord’s Shelter)

Siddhi Lālasā (Hankering for Spiritual Perfection) – Song Three

(1)
bṛṣabhānu-sutā-caraṇa-sevane,
hoibo ye pālya-dāsī
śrī-rādhāra sukha, satata sādhane,
rohibo āmi prayāsī

1) For serving the lotus feet of the daughter of Vṛṣabhānu, I shall become a protected maidservant of one of the gopīs in Vraja. I will always strive to bring about the pleasure of Śrī Rādhā. *

(2)
śrī-rādhāra sukhe, kṛṣṇaera ye sukha,
jānibo manete āmi
rādhā-pada chāḍi’, śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅgame,
kabhu nā hoibo kāmī

2) Within my heart I will know that Rādhā’s pleasure is Kṛṣṇa’s only source of joy. Therefore, I will never desire to abandon Her lotus feet for enjoying His exclusive company. **

(3)
sakhī-gaṇa mama, parama-suhṛt,
yugala-premera guru
tad-anugā ho’ye, sevibo rādhāra,
caraṇa-kalapa-taru

3) The sakhīs are my best friends and teachers concerning the love uniting Rādhā with Kṛṣṇa. By following their example, I shall serve Rādhā’s lotus feet, which are like wish-fulfilling trees.

(4)
rādhā-pakṣa chāḍi’, ye-jana se-jana,
ye bhāve se bhāve thāke
āmi to’ rādhikā- pakṣa-pātī sadā,
kabhu nāhi heri tā’ke

4) I myself am always partial to Rādhikā’s camp and therefore never look upon those who have abandoned Rādhā’s entourage, whoever they may be and whatever their ways. ***

*The mood of a pālya-dāsī is portrayed by Śrīla Raghunātha Dāsa Goswāmī in his Vraja-vilāsa-Stava, verse 29.

**This conviction is described by Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda in his Jaiva Dharma, chapter 39. Therein it is also mentioned how the sakhīs act as one’s зikсд-gurus regarding eternal service.

***Such a vow is maintained by Raghunātha Dāsa Goswāmī in his Sva-Niyama-Daśakam, verse 6, and similarly by Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda in his Sva-Niyama-Dvādaśakam, verse 9.

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