Gītāvalī (A Collection of Songs)

Śreyo-Nirṇaya
(Ascertainment of Spiritual Welfare) – Song 5

(1)
keno ār koro dveṣa, videśi-jana-bhajane


bhajanera liṅga nānā, nānā deśe nānā jane


1) Why do you continue to hate the way the Lord is worshiped by people of other lands? There exist a number of authentic ways to worship God, according to the customs of various peoples living in different countries.

(2)
keho mukta-kacche bhaje, keho hāṭu gāḍi’ pūje


keho vā nayana mudi’ thāke brahma-ārādhāne


2) Some people worship the Lord in an untidy or careless manner; some worship Him by bending down on their knees; still others close their eyes while worshiping His impersonal Brahman aspect.

(3)
keho yogāsane pūje, keho saṅkīrtane maje


sakale bhajiche sei eka-mātra kṛṣṇa-dhane


3) Some people worship Him by assuming various yoga postures, and some immerse themselves in the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names; but all of them worship that one and only supreme treasure-Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

(4)
ataeva bhrātṛ-bhāve, thāko sabe su-sadbhāve


hari-bhakti sādho sadā, e jīvane vā maraṇe


4) Therefore you should all reflect a mood of brotherhood and live together in transcendental friendship. Always practice devotional service to Lord Hari, whether in situations of life or death.

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