Gītā-mālā

(1)
kṛṣṇera yateka khelā, tāra madhye nara-līlā
sarvottama rasera ālaya
e rasa goloke nāi, tabe bala kothā pāi
vraja-dhāma tāhāra nilaya

Among all of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, His human-like pastimes are the highest reservoir of rasa. If this rasa is not found even in Goloka generally, then where is it to be found? Vraja-dhāma is its abode.

(2)
nitya-līlā dvi-prakāra, sāntara o nirantara
yāhe mājhe rasikera mana
janma-vṛddhi daitya-nāśa, mathurā-dvārakā-vāsa
nitya-līlā sāntare gagana

The eternal līlā is of two kinds – sāntara and nirantara. The minds of rasikas dwell within these. Kṛṣṇa’s birth, growth, the killing of demons, and His residence in Mathurā and Dvārakā are counted among the sāntara-līlās.

(3)
divā-rātra aṣṭa-bhāge, vraja-jana anurāge
kare kṛṣṇa-līlā nirantara
tāhāra virāma nāi, sei nitya-līlā bhāi
brahma-rudra-śeṣa agocara

Throughout the day and night, divided into eight periods, Kṛṣṇa performs uninterrupted pastimes out of affection for the residents of Vraja. These pastimes never cease. Therefore, O brother, they are called nitya-līlā. They remain beyond the vision of Brahmā, Rudra, and Śeṣa.

(4)
jñāna-yoga kara yata, haya tāhā dūra-gata
śuddha rāga nayane kevala
sei līlā rākhita haya, parānanda vitaraya
haya bhakta-jīvana sambala

However much one may cultivate jñāna and yoga, they remain far removed from these pastimes. They are perceived only through the eyes of pure rāga. These līlās are carefully preserved and bestow supreme spiritual bliss. They are the very sustenance of a devotee’s life.