Bhajana-Rahasya

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya | 2010 | 123,965 words

The Bhajana-rahasya Text 7, English translation, including commentary (vritti). The Bhajana-rahasya is a compilation of verses describing the mercy of the eight pairs of names (Yugala-nama) of the Maha-mantra. This is text 7 belonging to the chapter “Prathama-yama-sadhana (Nishanta-bhajana–shraddha)” representing the last six dandas of the night: approximately 3.30 a.m.–6.00 a.m.

Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.4.15–16) states:

आदौ श्रद्धा ततः साधु-सङ्गो’थ भजन-क्रिया
ततो’नर्थ-निवृत्तिः स्यात् ततो निष्ठा रुचिस् ततः
अथासक्तिस् ततो भावस् ततः प्रेमाभ्युदञ्चति
साधकानाम् अयं प्रेम्णः प्रादुर्भावे भवेत् क्रमः

ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgo’tha bhajana-kriyā
tato’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ
athāsaktis tato bhāvas tataḥ premābhyudañcati
sādhakānām ayaṃ premṇaḥ prādurbhāve bhavet kramaḥ

(This verse describes the gradual development of the sādhaka’s devotion.) Sukṛti that gives rise to bhakti generates transcendental faith (paramārthika-śraddhā). Faith in the words of the scriptures and a desire to hear hari-kathā are the symptoms of this śraddhā. Upon its appearance, one gets the opportunity to associate with saintly persons (sādhu-saṅga), and then devotional activity (bhajana-kriyā) begins. The clearance of all obstructions (anartha-nivṛtti) is also initiated at this time, and thereafter firm faith (niṣṭhā) arises in bhajana. This is followed by taste (ruci), and then attachment (āsakti) arises for both bhajana and the object of bhajana. When this stage ripens, it is transformed into the state of pure transcendental sentiment (bhāva ), and thereafter pure love (prema ) arises. This is how prema gradually manifests in the heart of the sādhaka.

भक्ति-मूला सुकृति हैते श्रद्धोदय
श्रद्धा हैले साधु-सङ्ग अनायासे हय

bhakti-mūlā sukṛti haite śraddhodaya
śraddhā haile sādhu-saṅga anāyāse haya

साधु-सङ्ग-फले हय भजनेर शिक्षा
भजन-शिक्षार सङ्गे नाम-मन्त्र-दीक्षा

sādhu-saṅga-phale haya bhajanera śikṣā
bhajana-śikṣāra saṅge nāma-mantra-dīkṣā

भजिते भजिते हय अनर्थेर क्षय
अनर्थ खर्वित हैले निष्ठार उदय

bhajite bhajite haya anarthera kṣaya
anartha kharvita haile niṣṭhāra udaya

निष्ठा नामे यत हय अनर्थ-विनाश
नामे तत रुचि क्रमे हैबे प्रकाश

niṣṭhā nāme yata haya anartha-vināśa
nāme tata ruci krame haibe prakāśa

रुचि-युक्त नामेते अनर्थ यत याय
ततै आसक्ति नामे भक्त-जन पाय

ruci-yukta nāmete anartha yata yāya
tatai āsakti nāme bhakta-jana pāya

नामासक्ति क्रमे सर्वानर्थ दूर हय
तबे भावोदय हय एइ त निश्चय

nāmāsakti krame sarvānartha dūra haya
tabe bhāvodaya haya ei ta niścaya

इति मध्ये असत्-सङ्गे प्रतिष्ठा जन्मिया
कुटीनाटी द्वारे देय निम्ने फेलाइया

iti madhye asat-saṅge pratiṣṭhā janmiyā
kuṭīnāṭī dvāre deya nimne phelāiyā

अति सावधाने भाइ असत्-सङ्ग त्यज
निरन्तर परानन्दे हरिनाम भज

ati sāvadhāne bhāi asat-saṅga tyaja
nirantara parānande harināma bhaja

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