(1)
ore mana karmera kuhare gela kāla
svargādi-sukhera āśe, paḍilāma karma-phāṅse
ūrṇanābhi-sama karma-jāla
O my heart, my time has passed in the dark cave of karma. Hoping for the pleasures of the celestial realm and similar rewards, I became trapped in the snare of karma, a network spread out like a spider’s web.
(2)
upavāsa-vrata dhari’, nānā kāya-kleśa kari’
bhasme ghṛta ḍhāliyā apāra
marilāma nija-doṣe, jarā-maraṇera phāṅse
haibāre nārinu uddhāra
Observing fasts and vows, and tormenting my body in many ways, I merely poured unlimited ghee upon ashes. By my own fault I have fallen into the noose of old age and death, and I have been unable to deliver myself.
(3)
varṇāśrama-dharma yaji’, nānā deva-devī bhaji’
mada-garbe kāṭāinu jīvana
sthira nā haila mana, nā labhinu śānti-dhana
nā bhajinu śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa
Following varṇāśrama-dharma, worshiping many gods and goddesses, and filled with the pride of false prestige, I passed my life. Yet my mind never became steady, nor did I attain the treasure of peace, for I never worshiped the feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
(4)
dhik mora e jīvane, dhik mora dhana-jane
dhik mora varṇābhimāna
dhik mora kula-māne, dhik śāstrādhyayane
hari-bhakti nā pāila sthāna
Shame upon this life of mine! Shame upon my wealth and followers! Shame upon my pride of caste! Shame upon my pride of family! Shame upon my study of śāstra! Hari-bhakti never found a place within my heart.