(1)
dekha mana, vrate yena, nā hao ācchanna
kṛṣṇa-bhakti āśā kari’ ācha nānā vrata dhari’
rādhā-kṛṣṇe karite prasanna
O mind, be careful not to become absorbed merely in vows and observances. Desiring kṛṣṇa-bhakti, you undertake many different vows in hopes of pleasing Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
(2)
bhakti se sahaja-tattva, citte tā’ra āche sattva
tāhāra samṛddhi tava āśā
dekhibe vicāra kari’, su-kaṭhina vrata dhari’
sahajera nā kara vināśa
Bhakti is a natural principle, eternally present within the heart. Your goal is to nourish and increase that devotion. Therefore consider carefully that, by adopting severe vows, you do not destroy that natural spiritual growth.
(3)
kṛṣṇa-arthe kāya-kleśa, tā’ra phala āche śeṣa
kintu tāhā sāmānya nā haya
bhaktira vādhaka ha’le, bhakti āra nāhi phale
tapaḥ-phala haibe niścaya
Austerities performed for Kṛṣṇa certainly yield results, and those results are not insignificant. However, if such austerities become obstacles to devotion, then bhakti will not arise from them; one will obtain only the ordinary fruits of asceticism.
(4)
kintu bhebe dekha bhāi, tapasyāra kāja nāi
yadi hari ārādhita hana
bhakti yadi nā phalila, tapasyāra tuccha phala
vaiṣṇava nā laya kadācana
But consider this carefully, O brother: when Lord Hari is properly worshiped, separate austerities have little value. *If austerity does not produce bhakti, its results are trivial, and true Vaiṣṇavas never accept such insignificant attainments.
*Nārada Pañcarātra says:
ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ
nā-rādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ
antar-bahir yad-icchasi tapasā tataḥ kiṁ
nāntar-bahir yad-icchasi japasaḥ tataḥ kiṁ
If Hari is worshiped, what is the use of austerities? If Hari is not worshiped, what is the use of austerities? If you desire Him both within and without, what is the use of austerities? If you do not desire Him within and without, what is the use of japa?
(5)
ihāte ye gūḍha marma, bujha vaiṣṇavera dharma
pātra-bhede adhikāra bhinna
vinodera (kedārera) nivedana, vidhi-mukta anukṣaṇa
sāra-grāhī śrī-kṛṣṇa-prapanna
Understand the profound secret of Vaiṣṇava-dharma – qualification differs according to the individual. Bhaktivinoda’s appeal is this – be free from excessive dependence on rules and regulations, always embrace the essential truth, and remain surrendered to Śrī Kṛṣṇa at every moment.*
*Hari-bhakti-vilāsa states:
ekāntitāṁ gatānāṁ hi śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-dvaye
bhaktiḥ svataḥ pravarteta tad-viccheḥ kim etādibhiḥ
For those who have attained exclusive bhakti to the two lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, bhakti arises naturally of its own accord. What is the need of other subsidiary practices for them?
*Translator’s Note: In the original version of Kalyāṇa Kalpataru, the first section, Upadeśa, ends here. In subsequent editions, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura added four more songs.