Bhajana-Rahasya
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya | 2010 | 123,965 words
The Bhajana-rahasya Text 19, 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 19 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.
Text 19
The holy name is the life of all transcendental knowledge, which is compared to a wife (vadhū). This is supported by the following verse from the Garuḍa Purāṇa:
यद् इच्छसि परं ज्ञानं ज्ञानाद् यत् परमं पदम्
तद् आदरेण राजेन्द्र कुरु गोविन्द-कीर्तनम्yad icchasi paraṃ jñānaṃ jñānād yat paramaṃ padam
tad ādareṇa rājendra kuru govinda-kīrtanamO best of kings, if you desire to obtain the topmost knowledge and the supreme goal of that knowledge, prema-bhakti, then chant the holy name of Śrī Govinda with great respect and devotion.
परम ज्ञान हैते ये परम पद पाय
गोविन्द-कीर्तन सेइ करह श्रद्धायparama jñāna haite ye parama pada pāya
govinda-kīrtana sei karaha śraddhāya