Hare Krishna: Standard Songs In Hare Krishna Temple

Standard Songs Used in the Hare Krishna Temples

Obeisances to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

(Said upon entering the temple room by his disciples, and sung during many arati ceremonies.)

nama om vishnu-padaya

krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale

shrimate bhaktivedanta-

svamin iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve

gaura-vani-pracharine

nirvishesha-shunyavadi-

pashcatya-desha-tarine

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Sri Sri Gurvashtaka

(Glories of the Spiritual Master, sung for early morning mangala arati,

by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura)

(1)

samsara-davanala-lidha-loka

tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam

praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(2)

mahaprabhoh kirtana-nritya-gita-

vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena

romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(3)

shri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-

shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau

yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato 'pi

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(4)

chatur-vidha-shri-bhagavat-prasada-

svadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan

kritvaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(5)

shri-radhika-madhavayor apara-

madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam

prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(6)

nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai

ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya

tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(7)

sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair

uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih

kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(8)

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado

yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi

dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas tri-sandhyam

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(9)

srimad-guror ashtakam etad uccair

brahme muhurte pathati prayatnat

yas tena vrindavana-natha-sakshat-

sevaiva labhya janusha 'nta eva

Translation

(1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

(2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(4) The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krishna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrindavana. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Shri Hari [Krishna].

(8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my a spiritual master.

(9) That person who very attentively recites this ashtakam to Sri Gurudeva during the brahma muhurta is sure to achieve direct service to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, the very life and soul of Vrindavana (Vrindavana-natha), upon attaining his vastu-siddhi, or pure spiritual form.

Additional Prayers Sung During Mangala Arati

The Pancha-Tattva Maha Mantra

(Jaya) shri-krishna-caitanya

prabhu nityananda

shri-advaita gadadhara

shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with His associates, Lord Nityananda, Shri Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara, Shrivasa and all the devotees of the Lord. (This mantra is very important and is known as the Pancha-tattva Maha-mantra. In order to derive the full benefit of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, we must first take shelter of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, learn the Pancha-tattva mantra, and then chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. That will be very effective. So this mantra is sung in most kirtanas before singing Hare Krishna, as well as before chanting japa.)

The Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

Translation

"Oh Lord Krishna, Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service." (This is a simple call to the Lord and His energies. It should be chanted exactly like a small child crying for it's mother. The transcendental sound vibration of this mantra is the essence of all the Vedas and non-different from Lord Krishna personally. In the temples, this mantra is sung during some portion of almost all kirtanas.)

Prema-Dhvani or Pranam Prayers

(Someone says these prayers after the arati, while everyone joins in with the "Jaya" at the end of each line. This is a very basic rendition, while additional lines and obeisances to other personalities and holy places can be said as well.)

1. Jaya-nitya-lila-pravishta om Vishnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacharya ashtottara-shata Shri Srimad His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada ki jaya.

2. Jaya om Vishnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacharya ashtottara-shata Shri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada ki jaya.

3. Ananta-kotivaishnava-vrinda ki jaya.

4. Namacharya Haridasa Thakura ki jaya

5. Iskcon founder acharya Srila Prabhupada ki jaya.

6. Premse kaho Shri-Krishna-Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, jaya Advaita, Gadadhara, Shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya.

7. Shri-Shri-Radha-Krishna Gopa-Gopinatha, Shyama Kund, Radha Kund, Girigovardhana ki jaya.

8. Vrindavana-dhama ki jaya.

9. Mathura-dhama ki jaya.

10. Navadvipa-dhama ki jaya.

11. Jagannatha-puri dhama ki jaya.

12. Ganga-mayi ki jaya

13. Yamuna-mayi ki jaya.

14. Tulasi-devi ki jaya.

15. Bhakti-devi ki jaya.

16. Sankirtana-yajna ki jaya.

17. Brihad-mridanga ki jaya.

18. Samaveta-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya.

19. Gaura-premananda Hari Hari bol,

20. All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Shri Nrisimha Pranam

(Obeisances to Lord Nrisimha, sung at the end of arati)

namas te narasimhaya

prahladahlada-dayine

hiranyakashipor vakshah-

shila-tanka-nakhalaye

ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho

yato yato yami tato nrisimhah

bahir nrisimho hridaye nrisimho

nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye

tave kara-kamala-vare nakham

adbhuta-shringam

dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu-bhrigam

keshava-dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisha hare

Translation

I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakashipu.

Lord Nrisimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrisimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrisimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.

O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp-like demon, Hiranyakashipu, has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands. (This verse is from Shri Dasavatara-stotra, the Gita-govinda, written by Jayadeva Gosvami.)

Tulasi-arati Kirtana

vrindayai tulasi-devyai

priyayai keshavasya cha

vishnu-bhakti-prade devi

satyavatyai namo namaha

Translation

(The first mantra is offering of obeisances to Shrimati Tulasi Devi. Srila Prabhupada explains that the Tulasi tree is a pure devotee of Krishna in the body of a plant. Worship of the Tulasi plant is very important in devotional service.) "I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrinda, Shrimati Tulasi Devi, who is very dear to Lord Keshava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krishna and possess the highest truth."

namo namah tulasi krishna-preyasi namo namaha

radha-krishna-seva pabo ei abhilashi

ye tomara sharana loy, tara vancha purna hoy

kripa kori' koro tare brindavana-basi

mor ei abhilash bilas kunje dio vas

nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa-rashi

ei nivedana dharo sakhir anugata koro

seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi

dina krishna-dase koy ei jena mora hoy

shri-radha-govinda-preme sada jena bhasi

Translation

O Tulasi, beloved of Krishna, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna.

Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vrindavana.

My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves of Shri Vrindavana-dhama. Thus, within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.

This very fallen and lowly servant of Krishna prays, "May I always swim in the love of Shri Radha and Govinda."

Devotees circumambulate the Tulasi plant while singing the following prayer:

yani kani cha papani

brahma-hatyadikani cha

tani tani pranashyanti

pradakshina pade pade

"By the circumambulation of Shrimati Tulasi Devi all the sins that one may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahman."

The Ten Offenses in Chanting the Holy Names

(The general order of prayers in many temples is that after the Tulasi puja, the ten offenses in Chanting Hare Krishna japa are recited, usually together with whoever is at the morning program.)

1. To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives to the propagation of the holy names of the Lord.

2. To consider the names of the demigods like lord Shiva or lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Vishnu.

3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.

4. To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.

5. To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna as imagination.

6. To give mundane interpretation of the holy name of the Lord.

7. To commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the holy names of the Lord.

8. To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna as one of the auspicious, ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).

9. To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name.

10. To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments even after understanding so many instructions on this matter. It is also offensive to be inattentive while chanting.

Anyone who claims to be a Vaishnava must carefully guard against these ten offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success, Krishna Prema!

Now let us offer are respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnavas, devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.

Shri Vaishnava Pranam

(Obeisances to fellow devotees often said after the early aratis and before doing japa)

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha

kripa-sindubhya eva cha

patitanam pavanabhyo

vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnavas, devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.

Sri Sri Shikshashtaka

by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not do much writing, but was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth. Nonetheless, He did leave these eight verses known as Sikshashtaka. These explain the essence of His mission and the philosophy of devotional service to Lord Krishna. See the article on Lord Caitanya to learn more about Him.

(1)

cheto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam

shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam

anandambhudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam

sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam

Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord's holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.

(2)

namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis

tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha

etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi

durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah

O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names, you have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach you by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.

(3)

trinad api sunicena

taror api sahishnuna

amanina manadena

kirtaniyah sada harihi

One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

(4)

na dhanam na janam na sundarim

kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye

mama janmani janmanishvare

bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi

O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.

(5)

ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram

patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau

kripaya tava pada-pankaja-

sthita-dhuli-sadrisham vichintaya

O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.

(6)

nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya

vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira

pulakair nichitam vapuh kada

tava nama-grahane bhavishyati

O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?

(7)

yugayitam nimeshena

chakshusha pravrishayitam

shunyayitam jagat sarvam

govinda-virahena me

O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.

(8)

ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam

adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va

yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato

mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha

I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally.

Jaya Radha-Madhava

(Sung before morning class, written by Shrila Bhaktinoda Thakura)

jaya radha-madhava kunja-bihari

gopi-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhari

yashoda-nandana braja-jana-ranjana

jamuna-tira-vana-chari

Translation

Krishna is the lover of Radha. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vrindavana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, the holder of the great hill named Govardhana, the beloved son of Mother Yashoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna.

(Srila Prabhupada was very fond of this song and sang it just before his lectures. In Allahabad and Gorakhpur, Srila Prabhupada fell into a trance after singing the first two lines, and after some time he came back into external consciousness and said: "Now just chant Hare Krishna." Srila Prabhupada said that this song is "a picture of Vrindavana. Everything is there--Shrimati Radharani, Vrindavana, Govardhana, Yashoda, and all the cowherd boys.")

Mantras Chanted Before Class

Om namah bhagavate vasudevaya

I offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva.

narayanam namaskritya

naram chaiva narottamam

devim sarasvatim vyasam

tato jayam udirayet

Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rishi, the supermost human being, unto Mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.4)

Shrinvatam sva-kathah krsnah

punya-shravana-kirtanah

hridy antah stho hy abhadrani

vidhunoti suhrit satam

Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.17)

nashta-prayeshu abhadreshu

nityam bhagavata-sevaya

bhagavaty uttama-shloke

bhaktir bhavati naishthiki

By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.

Mantras Chanted Before Class Commentary

Sri Guru Pranama

Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-shalakaya

chakshur unmilitam yena tasmai shri-guruve namaha

I was born in the darkest of ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.

Sri Rupa Pranama

shri-chaitanya-mano 'bhishtam sthapitam yena bhu-tale

svayam rupah kada mahyam dadati sva-padantikam

When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Chaitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?

Mangalacarana

vande 'ham shri-guroh shri-yuta-pada-kamalam shri-gurun vaishnavams cha

shri-rupam sagrajatam saha-gana-raghunathanvitam tam sa-jivam

sadvaitam savadhutam parijana-sahitam krishna-chaitanya-devam

shri-radha-krishna-padan saha-gana-lalita-shri-vishakhanvitamsh cha

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and unto the feet of all Vaishnavas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Shrila Rupa Gosvami along with his elder brother Sanatana Gosvami, as well as Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta, Gopala Bhatta, and Shrila Jiva Gosvami. I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda, along with Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara, Shrivasa, and other associates. I offer my respectful obeisances to Shrimati Radharani, and Shri Krishna along with Their associates, Shri Lalita and Vishakha.

Sri Krishna Pranama

he krishna karuna-sindho dina bandho jagat pate

gopesha gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo 'stu te

O my dear Krishna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the gopis and the lover of Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

Sri Radha Pranama

tapta-kanchana-gaurangi radhe vrindavaneshvari

vrishabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye

I offer my respects to Radharani whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krishna.

Sri Vaishnava Pranama

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha

patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord who can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and who are full of compassion for the fallen souls.

Pancha-tattva Maha-mantra

shri krishna chaitanya prabhu nityananda

shri advaita gadadhara shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

I offer my obeisances to Shri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Shrivasa and all others in the line of devotion.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Additional Pranama Mantras

(These, along with the previous ones listed above, are often used during pushpa abhisheka ceremonies)

Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Pranati

namo om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhutale

shrimate bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvati namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter of His lotus feet.

shri-varshabhanavi-devi-dayitaya kripabdhaye

krishna-sambandha-vijnana-dayine prabhave namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Varshabhanavi-devi-dayita dasa [another name of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati], who is favored by Srimati Radharani and who is the ocean of transcendental mercy and the deliverer of the science of Krishna.

madhuryojjvala-premadhya-sri-rupanuga-bhaktida-

sri-gaura-karuna-shakti-vigrahaya namo 'stu te

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Sri Chaitanya's mercy, who delivers devotional service which is enriched with conjugal love of Radha and Krishna, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Srila Rupa Goswami.

namas te gaura-vani-shri-murtaye dina-tarine

rupanuga-viruddhapasiddhanta-dhvanta-harine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, who are the personified teachings of Lord Chaitanya. You are the deliverer of the fallen souls. You do not tolerate any statement which is against the teachings of devotional service enunciated by Srila Rupa Goswami.

Srila Gaurakishora Pranati

namo gaura-kishoraya sakshad-vairagya-murtaye

vipralambha-rasambhode padambujaya te namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Gaurakishora dasa Babaji Maharaja [the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati], who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Krishna.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Pranati

namo bhaktivinodaya sac-cid-ananda-namine

gaura-shakti-svarupaya rupanuga-varaya te

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa.

SrilaJagannatha Pranati

gauravirbhava-bhumes tvam nirdeshta saj-jana-priyaha

vaishnava-sarvabhaumah sri-jagannathaya te namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances to Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who is respected by the entire Vaishnava community and who discovered the place where Lord Caitanya appeared.

Sri Gauranga Pranama

namo maha-vadanyaya krishna-prema-pradaya te

krishnaya krishna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namaha

O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

Sri Pancha-tattva Pranama

pancha-tattvatmakam krishnam bhakta-rupa-svarupakam

bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam namami bhakta-shaktikam

I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee, and devotional energy.

Sambandhadhideva Pranama

jayatam suratau pangor mama manda-mater gati

mat-sarvasva-padambhojau radha-madana-mohanau

Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill advised, yet they are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.

Abhidheyadhideva Pranama

divyad-vrindaranya-kalpa-drumadhaha

shrimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthau

shrimad-radha-shrila-govinda-devau

preshthalibhih sevyamanau smarami

In a temple of jewels in Vrindavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.

Prayojanadhideva Pranama

shriman rasa-rasarambhi vamshi-vata-tata-sthitaha

karshan venu-svanair gopir gopinathaha shriye 'stu naha

Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore in Vamshivata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.

From the Brahma-samhita

(Sung during the greeting of the Deities)

venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksham

barhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam

kandarpa-koti-kamaniya-vishesha-shobham

govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami

angani yasya sakalendriya-vittimanti

pasyanti panti kalayanti chiram jaganti

ananda-chin-maya-saduj-jvala-virgrahasya

govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami

Sri Guru-vandana

(Sung during Guru-puja, worship of the spiritual master, by Shrila Narottama dasa Thakura)

(1)

shri-guru-charana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma

bando mui savadhana mate

jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,

krishna-prapti hoy jaha ha'te

(2)

guru-mukha-padma-vakya, chittete koriya aikya

ar na koriho mane asha

shri-guru-charane rati, ei se uttama-gati

je prasade pure sarva asha

(3)

chakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei

divya-jnan hride prokashito

prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasha jate

vede gay jahara charito

(4)

shri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu

lokanath lokera jivana

ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya

ebe jasha ghushuk tribhavana

tuya pade loinu sarana

jaya jaya prabhupada! jaya jaya gurudeva!

Translation

(1) The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.

(2) My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.

(3) He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

(4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. We take shelter of your lotus feet. You are the friend of the most fallen.

I take shelter at your lotus feet

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Gurudeva!

Sri Nama-Kirtana

(Another nice song sung anytime, but often after greeting the Deities,

by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

(1)

yashomati-nandana, braja-baro-nagara

gokula-ranjana kana

gopi-parana-dhana, madana-manohara

kaliya-damana-vidhana

(2)

amala harinam amiya-vilasa

vipina-purandara, navina nagara-bora

bamshi-badana suvasa

(3)

braja-jana-palana, asura-kula-nashana

nanda-godhana-rakhowala

govinda madhava, navanita-taskara

sundara nanda-gopala

(4)

jamuna-tata-chara, gopi-basana-hara

rasa-rasika kripamoya

shri-radha-vallabha, brindabana-natabara

bhakativinod-ashraya

Translation

(1) Lord Krishna is the beloved son of mother Yashoda; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kana [a nickname of Krishna]; the wealth of the lives of the gopis. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kaliya serpent.

(2) These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Krishna is the Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja. He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.

(3) Krishna is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Maharaja's cows; the giver of pleasure to the cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda Maharaja.

(4) Krishna wanders along the banks of the River Yamuna. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rasa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Shrimati Radharani; the great dancer of Vrindavana; and the shelter and only refuge of Thakura Bhaktivinoda.

Govinda Jaya Jaya

(Another nice song that is often used)

govinda jaya jaya gopala jaya jaya

radha-ramana hari govinda jaya jaya

Translation

All glories to Lord Govinda (the giver of pleasure to the senses and cows) and Lord Gopala (the transcendental Cowherd Boy). All glories to Radha-Ramana (another name of Krishna), Hari (Lord Krishna who takes away the material attachments of the devotees) and Govinda.

Prasada-sevaya

(Sung before honoring the Lord's prasada--from Gitavali)

Sharira abidya-jal, jodendriya tahe kal,

jiva phele vishaya-sagore

ta'ra madhye jihwa ati, lobhamoy sudurmati,

ta'ke jeta kathina samsare

krishna baro doyamoy, koribare jihwa jay,

swa-prasad-anna dilo bhai

sei annamrita pao, radha-krishna-guna gao,

preme dako chaitanya-nitai

1. This material body is a network of ignorance, and the senses are one's deadly enemies, for they throw the soul into this ocean of material sense enjoyment. Among those senses the tongue is the most voracious and uncontrollable; it is very difficult to conquer the tongue in this world.

2. Lord Krishna is very merciful and has given us the remnants of His own food just to control the tongue. Now please accept that nectarean Krishna-prasada and sing the glories of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, and in love call out "Chaitanya Nitai!"

Glorification of the Lord's Prasada

(from the Mahabharata)

maha-prasade govinde

nama-brahmani-vaishnava

svalpa-punya-vatam rajan

vishvaso naiva jayate

"O King, for those who have amassed very few pious activities, their faith in maha-prasada, in Sri Govinda, in the Holy Name and in the Vaishnava is never born [again]."

ADDITIONAL KIRTANS

From Shri Shri Shad-goswamy-ashtaka

(Verse 2 is sung before reading The Nectar of Devotion)

Verse 1

krishnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamritambho-nidhi

dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau

sri-caitanya-kripa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau