(1)
mana re, kena kara vidyāra gaurava
smṛti-śāstra vyākaraṇa, nānā-bhāṣā-ālocana
vṛddhi kare yaśera saurabha
O mind, why are you so proud of learning? Study of the smṛti-śāstras, grammar, and various languages may increase the sweet fragrance of one’s reputation…
(2)
kintu dekha cintā kari,’ yadi nā bhajile hari
vidyā tava kevala raurava
kṛṣṇa prati anurakti, sei bīje janme bhakti
vidyā haite tāhā asambhava
…but consider this carefully – if you do not worship Hari, your learning simply becomes a cause of suffering. Bhakti is born from attachment to Kṛṣṇa. That seed cannot arise from mundane learning alone.
(3)
vidyāra mārjana tāra, kabhu kabhu apakāra
jagatete kari anubhava
ye vidyāra ālocane, kṛṣṇa-rati sphure mane
tāhāri ādara jāna saba
From experience I have seen that excessive cultivation of scholarship sometimes harms the world. But that learning which awakens attraction for Kṛṣṇa within the heart – know that alone to be worthy of honour.
(4)
bhakti-bādhā yāhā haite, se vidyāra mastakete
padāghāta kara akaitava
sarasvatī kṛṣṇa-priyā, kṛṣṇa-bhakti tā’ra hiyā
vinodera (kedārera) sei se vaibhava
Without duplicity, kick upon the head of any learning that obstructs bhakti. Sarasvatī Devī is dear to Kṛṣṇa, and kṛṣṇa-bhakti resides within her heart. That kṛṣṇa-bhakti is Bhaktivinoda’s true glory.