Chaitanya Mangala
100,055 words
This page relates Song 3 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.
Song 3
Refrain: Dear friends, again and again I beg you. O great souls, I beg for your blessings, so I may be able to sing Lord Gaura’s glories.
45. How can I, a lowly person, a pile of ashes, understand the spiritual truth? How can I sing the glories of Lord Gaura’s virtues and pastimes?
46. Not understanding these truths, I will talk foolishly. Then I will be embarrassed before the great souls.
47. I am not qualified. I am a fool. Still, I yearn to taste the sweetness of Lord Gaura’s glories.
48. Śrī Murārī Gupta lived in Navadvīpa. He always stayed near Lord Gauracandra.
49. Who has the power to describe his glories. The people in this world say he is Hanumān himself.
50. Jumping the ocean, he set Laṅkā afire. He carried Sītā’s message and repeated it to Lord Rāma.
51. Bringing the viśalya-karaṇī herb, he saved Lakṣmaṇa’s life. That same Hanumān became Murārī Gupta and lived in Nadīyā.
52. He knows all the Lord’s sercrets. He is very wise and very devoted to Lord Gaura’s lotus feet.
53. Ṝ edescribed Lord Gaura’s loving pastimes from birth through childhood, from beginning to end
54. Damodara Pandita asked him to describe all these pastimes from beginning to end.
55. In this way Murārī Gupta wrote a book in Sanskrit verse, a book that bears the title "Gaurāṅgacarita" (the Pastimes of Lord Gauarāṅga), a book that came from Murārī Gupta’s mouth as He conversed with Svarūpa Dāmodara.
56. Hearing this book, I became very pleased. That is why I now write of Lord Gaura’s pastimes in these Bengalī verses in the meter pāñcālī.
57. I am not qualified. I make many mistakes. Still, please don’t rebuke me. Don’t become angry.
58. Who does not like to taste nectar when he sees it? I foolish child will wish to grasp the moon in the sky.
59. I yearn to speak of Lord Gaura’s glories. That is why I now need the Vaiṣṇavas mercy.
60. I bow down before the Vaiṣṇavas feet. My heart yearns to sing Lord Gaura’s glories.
61. Naraharī Thākura io my lord and master. I humbly offer obeisances to him. I beg him: Please filfill my desire.