Chapter 9. Sri Madhyadwip and Sri Naimisa
জয় গৌরাচন্দ্র জয় নিত্যানন্দ
জয় জয় গদাধর ।
শ্রীবাসাদি জয় জয় ভক্তালয়
নববদ্বীপ ধামবর ॥১॥
jaya gaurachandra jaya nityānanda
jaya jaya gadādhara
śrīvāsādi jaya jaya bhaktālaya
navadvīpa-dhāma-vara [1]
jaya–All glory gaurachandra–to Gaurachandra! jaya–All glory nityananda–to Nityananda! jaya jaya–All glory gadadhara–to Gadadhar! jaya–All glory srivasadi–to Srivas and all the devotees of the Lord! jaya–All glory bhaktalaya–to the home of the devotees, navadvipa-dhama-vara–the best of abodes, Nabadwip! [1]
Translation:
All glory to Gaurachandra, Nityananda, Gadadhar, Srivas, all the devotees of the Lord! All glory to their home, the best of abodes, Sri Nabadwip!
নিশি অবসানে মত্ত গৌরগানে
চলিলেন নিত্যানন্দ ।
সঙ্গে ভক্তগণ প্রেমেতে মগন
বিস্তারিয়া পরানন্দ ॥২॥
niśi avasāne matta gaura-gāne
chalilena nityānanda
saṅge bhakta-gaṇa premete magana
vistāriyā parānanda [2]
magana–Immersed premete–in divine love [and] matta–madly gaura-gane–chanting about Gaura, nityananda–Nityananda chalilena–departed sange–with bhakta-gana–the devotees avasane–at the end nisi–of the night, vistariya–distributing parananda–divine joy. [2]
Translation:
Immersed in divine love and madly chanting about Gauranga, Nityananda departed with the devotees at the end of the night, distributing divine joy.
মধ্যদ্বীপে আসি’ বলে হাসি’ হাসি’
«এই ত মাজিদা গ্রাম ।
হেথা সপ্তঋষি ভজি’ গৌরশশী
করিলেন সুবিশ্রাম ॥৩॥
madhyadvīpe āsi’ bale hāsi’ hāsi’
«ei ta mājidā grāma
hethā sapta-ṛṣi bhaji’ gaura-śaśī
karilena suviśrāma [3]
asi’–Coming madhyadvipe–into Madhyadwip [and] hasi’ hasi’–laughing, bale–Nityananda Prabhu said, «ei ta–This [is] majida grama–the village of Majida. sapta-rsi–The seven sages suvisrama karilena–resided hetha–here [and] bhaji’–worshipped gaura-sasi–the moon-like Sri Gaura. [3]
Translation:
Coming into Madhyadwip and laughing, Nityananda Prabhu said, «This is Majida Gram. The seven sages resided here and worshipped the moon-like Sri Gaura.
পিতৃ-সন্নিধানে গৌর-গুণগানে
সত্যযুগে ঋষিগণ ।
হইয়া মগন যাচিল তখন
গৌরপ্রেম নিত্যধন ॥৪॥
pitṛ-sannidhāne gaura-guṇa-gāne
satya-yuge ṛṣi-gaṇa
ha-iyā magana yāchila takhana
gaura-prema nitya-dhana [4]
satya-yuge–During Satya-yuga, rsi-gana–the sages magana ha-iya–became immersed gaura-guna-gane–in chanting Gaura’s glories [and] takhana–then yachila–prayed pitr-sannidhane–to [their] father nitya-dhana–for the eternal wealth gaura-prema–of divine love for Gaura. [4]
Translation:
«During Satya-yuga, the sages became immersed in chanting Gaura’s glories and prayed to their father, Brahma, for the eternal wealth of divine love for Gauranga.
ব্রহ্মা চতুর্ম্মুখ পেয়ে বড় সুখ
সপ্তপুত্রে বলে তবে ।
‘নবদ্বীপে যাও গৌরণ্ডণ গাও
অনায়াসে প্রেম হবে ॥৫॥
brahmā chaturmukha peye baḍa sukha
sapta-putre bale tabe
‘navadvīpe yāo gaura-guṇa gāo
anāyāse prema habe [5]
chaturmukha brahma–Four-headed Brahma peye–felt bada–great sukha–joy [and] tabe–then bale–said sapta-putre–to [his] seven sons, ‘yao–‘Go navadvipe–to Nabadwip [and] gao–chant gaura-guna–the glories of Gaura. anayase–Easily, prema habe–you will attain divine love. [5]
«Four-headed Brahma felt great joy and said to his seven sons*, ‘Go to Nabadwip and chant the glories of Gaura. You will easily attain divine love.
Translation:
* According to the Visnu-purana (3.1.32), the seven rsis of the current manvantara are Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kasyapa, Vasistha, and Visvamitra. In previous eras, these and numerous other rsis served in this capacity. Because the seven rsis are described here as sons of Lord Brahma, the seven rsis who received Sriman Mahaprabhu’s mercy may have been Angira, Atri, Kratu, Marichi, Pulaha, Pulastya, and Vasistha, as this group is the only group of rsis listed as the seven rsis in the scriptures (in this case the Brhat-samhita) in which all seven of the rsis are sons of Brahma.
ধাম-কৃপা সার লাভ হয় যার
তার হয় সাধুসঙ্গ ।
সাধুসঙ্গে ভজে কৃষ্ণপ্রেমে মজে
এই ত পরম রঙ্গ ॥৬॥
dhāma-kṛpā sāra lābha haya yāra
tāra haya sādhu-saṅga
sādhu-saṅge bhaje kṛṣṇa-preme maje
ei ta parama raṅga [6]
dhama-krpa–The mercy of the abode [of the Lord] [is] sara–supreme. yara tara–Those who labha haya–attain [it,] sadhu-sanga haya–attain the association of the sadhus. bhaje–Serving sadhu-sange–in the association of the sadhus, maje–becoming immersed krsna-preme–in divine love for Krsna — ei ta–this [is] parama ranga–the ultimate joy. [6]
Translation:
«‘The mercy of the Dham is supreme. Those who attain it, attain the association of the sadhus. Serving in the association of the sadhus and becoming immersed in divine love for Krsna is the ultimate joy.
নবদ্বীপে রতি লভে যার মতি
সেই পায় ব্রজবাস ।
অপ্রাকৃত ধাম গৌরহরি নাম
কেবল সাধুর আশ’ ॥৭॥
navadvīpe rati labhe yāra mati
sei pāya vraja-vāsa
aprākṛta dhāma gaurahari nāma
kevala sādhura āśa’ [7]
yara sei mati–Those whose hearts labhe–develop rati–attachment navadvipe–to Nabadwip paya–attain vraja-vasa–residency in Vraja. aprakrta dhama–The supramundane Dham [and] gaurahari nama–the Name of Gaurahari [are the] kevala–only asa–desires sadhura’–of the sadhus.’ [7]
Translation:
«‘Those whose hearts develop attachment to Nabadwip attain residency in Vraja. The supramundane Dham and the Name of Gaurahari are the only desires of the sadhus.’
পিতৃ-উপদেশ বুঝিয়া বিশেষ
সপ্তঋষি আসি’ তবে ।
‘হরি’ বলি’ নাচে গৌরপ্রেম যাচে
গায় গুণ উচ্চরবে ॥৮॥
pitṛ-upadeśa bujhiyā viśeṣa
sapta-ṛṣi āsi’ tabe
‘hari’ bali’ nāche gaura-prema yāche
gāya guṇa uchcha-rave [8]
visesa–Properly bujhiya–understanding pitr-upadesa–the instructions of [their] father, sapta-rsi–the seven sages tabe–then asi’–came [here,] bali’–chanted ‘hari’–‘Hari’, [and] nache–danced. yache–They prayed gaura-prema–for divine love for Gaura [and] uchcha-rave–loudly gaya–chanted [His] guna–glories. [8]
Translation:
«Properly understanding the instructions of their father, the seven sages came here, chanted the Name of the Lord, and danced. They prayed for divine love for Gauranga and loudly chanted His glories.
বলে, ‘গৌরহরি অনুগ্রহ করি’
দেখা দাও একবার ।
নানা ধর্ম্ম সাধি’ হৈনু অপরাধী
ভক্তি এবে কৈনু সার’ ॥৯॥
bale, ‘gaurahari anugraha kari’
dekhā dāo eka-bāra
nānā dharma sādhi‘ hainu aparādhī
bhakti ebe kainu sāra’ [9]
bale–They chanted, ‘gaurahari–‘O Gaurahari! eka-bara–Once anugraha kari’–mercifully dekha dao–reveal [Yourself]. sadhi’–Practising nana–various dharma–dharmas, hainu–we became aparadhi–offenders, [but] ebe–now kainu–we have accepted bhakti–devotion [to be] sara’–all-in-all.’ [9]
Translation:
«They prayed, ‘O Gaurahari! Just once mercifully reveal Yourself to us. Practising various dharmas, we became offenders, but we have now accepted devotion to be all-in-all.’
ভক্তিনিষ্ঠা করি’ ভজি’ গৌরহরি
ঋষিগণ করে তপ ।
কিছু নাহি খায় নিদ্রা নাহি যায়
গৌরনাম করে জপ ॥১০॥
bhakti-niṣṭhā kari’ bhaji’ gaurahari
ṛṣi-gaṇa kare tapa
kichhu nāhi khāya nidrā nāhi yāya
gaura-nāma kare japa [10]
rsi-gana–The sages kare–performed tapa–austerities [and] bhaji’–served gaurahari–Gaurahari bhakti-nistha kari’–with firm devotion. khaya–They ate kichhu nahi–nothing, nahi yaya–never went nidra–to sleep, [and] japa kare–constantly chanted gaura-nama–the Name of Gaura. [10]
Translation:
«The sages performed austerities and served Gaurahari with firm devotion. They ate nothing, never went to sleep, and constantly chanted the Name of Gaura.
মধ্যাহ্ন সময় গৌর দয়াময়
দেখা দিল ঋষিগণে ।
শতসূর্য্য-প্রভা যোগি-মনোলোভা
শুদ্ধ পঞ্চতত্ত্ব সনে ॥১১॥
madhyāhna samaya gaura dayāmaya
dekhā dila ṛṣi-gaṇe
śata-sūrya-prabhā yogi-mano-lobhā
śuddha pañcha-tattva sane [11]
madhyahna samaya–At midday, dayamaya–merciful gaura–Gaura, sane–in the company suddha pancha-tattva–of the divine Pancha Tattva (Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhar, and Srivas), dekha dila–revealed [Himself] rsi-gane–to the sages sata-surya-prabha–with an effulgence like that of a hundred suns, [which was] yogi-mano-lobha–alluring to the minds of yogis. [11]
Translation:
«Once, at midday, merciful Gauranga, in the company of the Pancha Tattva, revealed Himself to the sages. As bright as a hundred suns, His effulgence was alluring to the minds of yogis.
কিবা সেই রূপ অতি অপরূপ
সুবর্ণ সুন্দর মূর্ত্তি ।
গলে বনমালা দিক্ করে আলা
তাহে আভরণ স্ফূর্ত্তি ॥১২॥
kibā sei rūpa ati aparūpa
suvarṇa sundara mūrti
gale vana-mālā dik kare ālā
tāhe ābharaṇa sphūrti [12]
kiba–How ati aparupa–extraordinary [was] sei rupa–His form! [How] suvarna–golden [and] sundara–beautiful [was His] murti–figure! [There was] vana-mala–a forest garland gale–on [His] neck, [and] tahe sphurti–the glittering abharana–of [His] ornaments ala kare–illumined dik–the directions. [12]
Translation:
«How extraordinary was His form! How beautiful and golden was His figure! He had a forest garland around His neck, and the glittering of His ornaments illumined the directions.
চাহনি সুন্দর চিকুর চাঁচর
চন্দনের বিন্দু ভালে ।
ত্রিকচ্ছ বসন সূত্র সুশোভন
শোভিত মল্লিকা-মালে ॥১৩॥
chāhani sundara chikura chā̐chara
chandanera bindu bhāle
trikachchha vasana sūtra suśobhana
śobhita mallikā-māle [13]
[His] sundara chahani–charming glance, [His] chikura cha̐chara–wavy hair, chandanera bindu–the spot of sandalwood paste bhale–on [His] forehead, [His] trikachchha vasana–cloth tucked three times, [His] sutra–sacred thread — [all were] susobhana–extremely beautiful [and] sobhita–beautified mallika-male–by [His] garland of jasmine flowers. [13]
Translation:
«His charming glance, His wavy hair, the spot of sandalwood paste on His forehead, His dhoti tucked in three places, His sacred thread — all were extremely beautiful and further beautified by His garland of jasmine flowers.
সে রূপ দেখিয়া মোহিত হইয়া
সবে করে নিবেদন ।
‘তোমার চরণ লইনু শরণ
দেহ পদে ভক্তিধন’ ॥১৪॥
se rūpa dekhiyā mohita ha-iyā
sabe kare nivedana
‘tomāra charaṇa la-inu śaraṇa
deha pade bhakti-dhana’ [14]
dekhiya–Seeing se rupa–His form [and] mohita ha-iya–becoming enchanted, sabe–they nivedana kare–prayed, ‘la-inu–‘May we take sarana–shelter tomara charana–at Your feet. deha–Please give [us] bhakti-dhana–the wealth of devotion pade’–to [Your] feet.’ [14]
Translation:
«Seeing His form and becoming enchanted, the sages prayed, ‘May we take shelter at Your feet. Please give us the wealth of devotion to Your feet.’
শুনি’ গৌরহরি বলে দয়া করি’
‘শুন ওহে ঋষিগণ ।
ছাড়ি’ অভিলাষ জ্ঞান-কর্ম্ম-পাশ
কর কৃষ্ণ আলোচন ॥১৫॥
śuni’ gaurahari bale dayā kari’
‘śuna ohe ṛṣi-gaṇa
chhāḍi’ abhilāṣa jñāna-karma-pāśa
kara kṛṣṇa ālochana [15]
suni’–Hearing [their prayer,] gaurahari–Gaurahari daya kari’–mercifully bale–said, ‘ohe–‘O rsi-gana–sages, suna–listen! chhadi’–Leave behind abhilasa–[other] desires [and] jnana-karma-pasa–the chains of exploitation and renunciation, [and] alochana kara–discuss [only] krsna–Krsna. [15]
Translation:
«Hearing their prayer, Gaurahari mercifully said, ‘O sages, listen! Leave behind all other desires and the chains of exploitation and renunciation, and discuss only Krsna.
্বল্প দিনান্তরে নদীয়া নগরে
হইবে প্রকট লীলা ।
তুমি সবে তবে দর্শন করিবে
নামসঙ্কীর্ত্তনখেলা ॥১৬॥
svalpa dināntare nadīyā nagare
ha-ibe prakaṭa līlā
tumi sabe tabe darśana karibe
nāma-saṅkīrtana-khelā [16]
[My] lila–Pastimes prakata ha-ibe–will manifest svalpa dinantare–after a short time nadiya nagare–in the city of Nadia, [and] tumi sabe–you all darsana karibe–will see [My] nama-sankirtana-khela–Pastime of chanting [My] Name tabe–then. [16]
Translation:
«‘My Pastimes will manifest in Nadia soon, and you all will then see My Pastime of chanting My Name.
এ কথা এখন রাখহ গোপন
আমার বচন ধর ।
শ্রীকুমারহট্টে নিজকৃত ঘট্টে
কৃষ্ণের ভজন কর’ ॥১৭॥
e kathā ekhana rākhaha gopana
āmāra vachana dhara
śrī-kumāra-haṭṭe nija-kṛta ghaṭṭe
kṛṣṇera bhajana kara’ [17]
ekhana–For now, rakhaha–keep e katha–this matter gopana–secret. dhara–Remember amara–My vachana–words [and] krsnera bhajana kara–worship Krsna ghatte–at the ghat nija-krta–you made sri-kumara-hatte’–in Sri Kumar Hatta.’ [17]
Translation:
«‘For now, keep this secret. Remember My words and worship Krsna at the ghat you made in Sri Kumar Hatta.’
গৌর-অদর্শনে সপ্তর্ষি তখনে
কুমারহট্টেতে যায় ।
এস্থানে এখন কর দরশন
সপ্তটীলা শোভা পায় ॥১৮॥
gaura-adarśane saptarṣi takhane
kumāra-haṭṭete yāya
e-sthāne ekhana kara daraśana
sapta-ṭīlā śobhā pāya [18]
takhane–Then, [when] gaura-adarsane–Gaura disappeared, saptarsi–the seven sages yaya–went kumara-hattete–to Kumar Hatta. darasana kara–See ekhana–now sapta-tila–the seven hills sobha paya–shining e-sthane–here. [18]
Translation:
«When Gaura disappeared, the seven sages went to Kumar Hatta. See now the seven hills shining here.
সপ্তর্ষি আকাশে যেমতে প্রকাশে
সপ্তটীলা তাঁর সম ।
হেথা বাস করি’ পায় গৌরহরি
না সাধি’ নিয়ম যম ॥১৯॥
saptarṣi ākāśe yemate prakāśe
sapta-ṭīlā tā̐ra sama
hethā vāsa kari’ pāya gaurahari
nā sādhi’ niyama yama [19]
sapta-tila–The seven hills prakase–are arranged yemate ta̐ra sama–just as saptarsi–the seven sages [are] akase–in the sky (as the constellation known as the ‘Big Dipper’). vasa kari’–Residing hetha–here, paya–the sages attained gaurahari–Gaurahari sadhi’ na–without following niyama yama–the rules and regulations (for astanga-yoga practice). [19]
Translation:
«They are arranged just as the seven sages are in the sky. Residing here, the sages attained Gaurahari without following the rules and regulations of yoga practice.
ইহার দক্ষিণে দেখহ নয়নে
আছে এক জলধার ।
এই ত গোমতী সুপবিত্র অতি
নৈমিষকানন আর ॥২০॥
ihāra dakṣiṇe dekhaha nayane
āchhe eka jaladhāra
ei ta gomatī supavitra ati
naimiṣa-kānana āra [20]
dekhaha–See nayane–with [your] eyes ihara daksine–to the south achhe–there is eka–a jaladhara–river; ei ta–this [is] gomati–the Gomati. [She is] ati supavitra–extremely pure. [See] ara–also naimisa-kanana–the Naimisa forest. [20]
Translation:
«See the river to the south of here; this is the Gomati. She is extremely pure. See also the Naimisa forest.
পুরা কল্পে কলি হৈলে মহাবলী
শৌনকাদি ঋষিগণ ।
সূতের শ্রীমুখে শুনে সবে সুখে
গৌর-ভাগবত-ধন ॥২১॥
purā kalpe kali haile mahābalī
śaunakādi ṛṣi-gaṇa
sūtera śrī-mukhe śune sabe sukhe
gaura-bhāgavata-dhana [21]
pura kalpe–In the previous manifestation of the universe, kali mahabali haile–as Kali became very strong, saunakadi rsi-gana sabe–Saunaka and other sages sukhe–joyfully sune–heard gaura-bhagavata-dhana–about the wealth of Lord Gaura sutera sri-mukhe–from the holy mouth of Suta Goswami. [21]
Translation:
«In the previous manifestation of the universe, as Kali became very strong, Saunaka and other sages joyfully heard about Lord Gaura from the holy mouth of Suta Goswami.
হেথা যেই জন পুরাণ পঠন
করয় কার্ত্তিক মাসে ।
সর্ব্বক্লেশ ত্যজে গৌররঙ্গে মজে
ব্রজ লভে অনায়াসে ॥২২॥
hethā yei jana purāṇa paṭhana
karaya kārtika māse
sarva-kleśa tyaje gaura-raṅge maje
vraja labhe anāyāse [22]
yei jana–Anyone who pathana karaya–recites purana–the Puranas hetha–here kartika mase–during the month of Kartik (October–November) tyaje–leaves behind sarva-klesa–all miseries, maje–becomes immersed gaura-range–in the Pastimes of Gaura, [and] anayase–easily labhe–attains vraja–Vraja. [22]
Translation:
«Anyone who recites the Puranas here during the month of Kartik leaves behind all miseries, becomes immersed in the Pastimes of Gaura, and easily attains Vraja.
কভু পঞ্চানন ছাড়ি’ বৃষাসন
শ্রীহংসবাহন হয়ে ।
শুনিল পুরাণ গৌরগুণগান
আপন ভকত লয়ে ॥২৩॥
kabhu pañchānana chhāḍi’ vṛṣāsana
śrī-haṁsa-vāhana haye
śunila purāṇa gaura-guṇa-gāna
āpana bhakata laye [23]
kabhu–Once, panchanana–Siva chhadi’–left [his] vrsasana–bull-carrier (Nandi), sri-hamsa-vahana haye–rode [Brahma’s] swan [here] apana bhakata laye–with his devotees, [and] sunila–heard purana–the Puranas [and] gaura-guna-gana–songs about the glories of Gaura. [23]
Translation:
«Once, Siva left Nandi, rode Brahma’s swan here with his devotees, and heard the Puranas and songs about the glories of Gaura.
গাইয়া গাইয়া নাচিয়া নাচিয়া
শৈব যত কাশীবাসী ।
পঞ্চাননে ঘেরি’ বলি’ ‘গৌরহরি’
পুষ্প ফেলে রাশি রাশি» ॥২৪॥
gāiyā gāiyā nāchiyā nāchiyā
śaiva yata kāśī-vāsī
pañchānane gheri’ bali’ ‘gaurahari’
puṣpa phele rāśi rāśi» [24]
gaiya gaiya–Chanting [and] nachiya nachiya–dancing, yata saiva–Siva’s followers, [who] kasi-vasi–resided in Kasi, gheri’–surrounded panchanane–Siva, bali’–chanted ‘gaurahari’–‘Gaurahari’, [and] phele–threw rasi rasi–heaps puspa»–of flowers.» [24]
Translation:
«Chanting and dancing, Siva’s followers from Kasi surrounded him, chanted the Name of Gaurahari, and showered flowers.»
নিতাই-বচন শুনিয়া তখন
জীবের উথলে ভাব ।
গড়াগড়ি যায় ধৈরয না পায়
আস্বাদে ধামপ্রভাব ॥২৫॥
nitāi-vachana śuniyā takhana
jīvera uthale bhāva
gaḍāgaḍi yāya dhairaya nā pāya
āsvāde dhāma-prabhāva [25]
takhana–Then, suniya–hearing nitai-vachana–the words of Nitai, jivera bhava uthale–Jiva became ecstatic. dhairaya paya na–He lost [his] composure [and] gadagadi yaya–rolled on the ground, asvade–relishing dhama-prabhava–the glory of [the Lord’s] abode. [25]
Translation:
Hearing the words of Nitai, Jiva became ecstatic. He lost his composure and rolled on the ground, relishing the glory of the Dham.
সে দিন যাপন করে ভক্তগণ
নিতাইচাঁদের সনে ।
পরদিন সবে চলিলেন তবে
শ্রীপুষ্কর দরশনে ॥২৬॥
se dina yāpana kare bhakta-gaṇa
nitāichā̐dera sane
para-dina sabe chalilena tabe
śrī-puṣkara daraśane [26]
bhakta-gana–The devotees yapana kare–spent se dina–the day nitaicha̐dera sane–with Nitaicha̐d. tabe–Then, para-dina–the next day, sabe–they chalilena–went darasane–to see sri-puskara–Sri Puskara. [26]
Translation:
The devotees spent the day there with Nitaicha̐d. The next day, they went to see Sri Puskara.
জাহ্নবা-নিতাই ভজন সদাই
যাহার অন্তরে জাগে ।
নদীয়া-মহিমা ভক্ত-মধুরিমা
গাইছে সে জন রাগে ॥২৭॥
jāhnavā-nitāi bhajana sadāi
yāhāra antare jāge
nadīyā-mahimā bhakta-madhurimā
gāichhe se jana rāge [27]
se jana yahara antare–He within whose heart sadai–constant bhajana–service jahnava–nitai–to Jahnava and Nitai jage–arises rage–lovingly gaichhe–sings bhakta-madhurima–of the sweetness of the devotees [and] nadiya-mahima–the glories of Nadia. [27]
Translation:
As constant service to Jahnava and Nitai arises in his heart, this soul lovingly sings of the sweetness of the devotees and the glories of Nadia.