Bhajana-Rahasya
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya | 2010 | 123,965 words
The Bhajana-rahasya Text 1, 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 1 belonging to the chapter “Tritiya-yama-sadhana (Purvahna-kaliya-bhajana–nishtha-bhajana)” representing the six dandas until two praharas: approximately 8.30 a.m.–11.00 a.m.
Text 1
The third verse of Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka describes the qualification for nāmasaṅkīrtana and the process for chanting the holy name:
तृणाद् अपि सुनीचेन तरोर् अपि सहिष्णुना
अमानिना मानदेन कीर्तनीयः सदा हरिःtṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥThinking oneself to be even lower and more worthless than insignificant grass that has been trampled beneath everyone’s feet, being more tolerant than a tree, being prideless and offering respect to all others according to their respective positions, one should continuously chant the holy name of Śrī Hari.
ये रूपे लैले नाम प्रेम उपजय
तार लक्षण-श्लोक शुन, स्वरूप-रामरायye rūpe laile nāma prema upajaya
tāra lakṣaṇa-śloka śuna, svarūpa-rāmarāyaउत्तम हञा आपनाके माने तृणाधम
दुइ प्रकारे सहिष्णुता करे वृक्ष समuttama hañā āpanāke māne tṛṇādhama
dui prakāre sahiṣṇutā kare vṛkṣa samaवृक्ष येन काटिलेओ किछु ना बोलय
शुकाइया मैले कारे पानी ना मागयvṛkṣa yena kāṭileo kichu nā bolaya
śukāiyā maile kāre pānī nā māgayaयेइ ये मागये, तारे देय आपन धन
घर्म-वृष्टि सहे, आनेर करये रक्षणyei ye māgaye, tāre deya āpana dhana
gharma-vṛṣṭi sahe, ānera karaye rakṣaṇaउत्तम हञा वैष्णव ह’बे निरभिमान
जीवे सम्मान दिबे जानि ‘कृष्ण’-अधिष्ठानuttama hañā vaiṣṇava ha’be nirabhimāna
jīve sammāna dibe jāni ‘kṛṣṇa’-adhiṣṭhāna
Commentary: Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti:
Four symptoms are observed in sādhakas who chant the holy name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa without offences: (1) natural humility born of complete detachment from sense objects, (2) pure compassion devoid of envy, (3) purity of heart and freedom from false ego and (4) an attitude of respect for everyone according to their position.
Taror api sahiṣṇunā refers to the tolerance of a tree. A tree is so tolerant that it does not forget to show kindness by offering its cool shade and sweet fruits even to the person who comes to cut it down. Since Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s devotees are even more merciful than a tree, they show kindness to all, both friend and enemy. This is compassion completely free from envy. Although such devotees are topmost in the kingdom of bhakti, they remain clear of pride. They know that Śrī Kṛṣṇa resides in the hearts of all living entities, and therefore give them all appropriate respect. Such persons are truly eligible to perform kṛṣṇa-nāma-kīrtana, and only performers of kṛṣṇa-nāmakīrtana attain kṛṣṇa-prema.