03.18.11
The desire tree of Lord Gauranga’s praises
(Gauranga stava kalpa vriksha)
By Raghunatha das Goswami
Seeing Gauranga’s graceful gait, one does all other grace decry
and gazing on his gorgeous face, does mock the full moon in the sky.
A great mountain of glowing gold, his speech is sweet felicity.
Awakening within my heart, that Lord completely maddens me.
Lovely with all signs of love, bedecked with gems of pure bhakti,
he trembles, weeps and laughs out loud, stuttering euphorically
Before the cart of Jagannnath, dancing majestically
May that Gauranga soon arise within my heart and madden me.
Reeling in rapturous delight, his streams of tears like showers of rain.
Biting his lovely lips in joy; dancing like a man insane.
Struck with deepest love divine, staggering in ecstasy.
May that golden Lord arise within my heart and madden me.
Tormented by the mournful mood of Radha’s parting from her Lord;
with body racked by anguished pangs, collapsing in Misra’s abode.
Tossed with grief upon the ground, groaning in great agony.
That sight of Gaura in my heart rises up and maddens me
How wondrous that impelled by love the Lord did pass three bolted gates
and cross beyond three steep high walls while wandering at night so late.
Until among the cows he fell, his limbs withdrawn invisibly.
Appearing thus within my heart, that Lord Gauranga maddens me.
Lost in longing for Vrindavan, his breath of life and very heart,
With words of wild delirium, mad mind by love all torn apart.
Chafing his face upon the walls, till blood flowed from his injuries.
That vision of Gauranga comes into my mind and maddens me
“O doorkeeper, my dearest friend, where now my Lord, my heart’s one hope?”
Seizing the temple servant’s hand in frenzied words of love he spoke.
Then dragging him that doorman said, “See your beloved, come quickly.”
That Lord Gauranga in my heart, rises up and maddens me
On seeing that great king of hills, named Chataka near Niladri,
He saw there holy Goverdhana, which drew his heart most ardently,
that in his madness thus he ran, chased by his friends full frantically.
May that Gauranga soon arise within my heart and madden me
When in a charming marquee sat Radha and Krishna on their swing
Gauranga watched with heart enthralled and in enchanting tones did sing,
with Svarupa and associates, those holy names of Lord Hari.
This scene arises in my heart and with divine love maddens me.
Narayana’s love for Garuda, is Gaura’s for Govinda.
Krishna’s love for his teacher, is Gaura’s for Ishvara.
As Gopala sees his friend Subal, so Gaura does Svarupa see.
May that Gauranga soon arise within my heart and madden me.
From a forest fire of affluence, this Ragunath so very low,
was saved by graceful Gauranga, who to Svarup’s care bade me go,
and gave me gifts so dear to him, though I am yet unworthy.
That Lord Chaitanya rises up within my heart and maddens me
This great wish granting tree of praise, bright branches of love’s poetry
its brilliant blossoms pure bhakti; when watered with steadfast study,
mixed with the herbs of firmest faith, bestows at once on one the sweet,
and heavy fruit of splendid sight of Lord Gauranga’s lotus feet.
