Chaitanya Mangala

100,055 words

This page relates Song 1 of the Vandana of the Sutra-khanda of the Chaitanya Mangala by Locana Dasa Thakura (1520 A.D.) translated into English. This book contains songs narrating the activities (pastimes) of Lord Chaitanya and represents a Sanskrit biography written as a narrative poem which can be sung in various ragas.

(Paṭha-mañjarī rāga)

1. Obeisances, obeisances, obeisances to the saintly demigod Gaṇeśa, who destroys all obstacles, who has a single tusk, who is stout, and who helps all auspicious projects. Glory, glory to Pārvatī’s son!

2. Folding my palms, I bow my head before Gaurī and Śiva. Falling at their feet, I serve them. They are the creators of the three worlds. They are the givers of devotion to Lord Viṣṇu. They are all the gods and goddesses.

3. I bow my head before Goddess Sarasvatī. O goddess, please play on my tongue. Please give me many songs praising Lord Gaurahari, wonderful songs like nothing known in the three worlds.

4. With a voice choked with emotion, I beg: O spiritual masters, O demigods, please place no obstacles before me. I don’t want money. I am an unimportant person. I want only that no obstacles will stop this book.

5. I bow down before the devotees of Lord Viṣṇu, devotees who are very fortunate, devotees whose virtues purify the whole earth, devotees who are merciful to everyone, devotees who love everyone, devotees whose pastimes bring auspiciousness to the three worlds.

6. I am worthless. I don’t know right from left. I want to climb up and grab the sky. I am a blind man who wants to find a splendid jewel, even though I have no power to see even a mountain. What will become of me? I do not know.

7. There is but one hope. The Lord accepts any person, high or low, that sings His glories.He is merciful to everyone. To everyone He gives the shade of His feet. He does not worry whether the people are worthy to receive His mercy.

8. Please hear the glories of the Vaiṣṇavas. Without any ulterior motive they are merciful to everyone. They live to benefit others. To others they give even their ornaments. Their hearts become happy when they do good to others.

9. Naraharī Thākura is my life. I am his servant. His feet are my hope of hopes. Although I am fallen, I yearn to sing Lord Gaura’s glories. That is the hope of Locana dāsa.

10. By the mercy of his feet I will be able to sing these songs. That is the hope in my heart. His two feet, which fulfill all desires, I always hold in my heart.

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