Sadhanamrta Candrika

[madanmohandas]

Something I've toying with for a while. This is the mangalacaran guru vandana.


ajnAnatimirAndhasya jnAnAnjanaZalAkayA/
caksurUnmIlitaM yena tasmai zrI gurave namah//

Salutations to the divine preceptor, who
did physic the cataract of dark ignorance,
with the surgical implement and salve of wisdom;
so that, with eyes wide open, I might see.

zrImad guru padAmbuje koTi namaskAra/
emana karuNAsindhu prabhu nAhi Ara//
ajnAnatimire mora andhadrSTi chila/
jnAnAnjana diyA mora caksu pakAzila//
ajnAnatamera nAma kahiye kaitava/
dharma-artha-kAma-moksa-vAncA ei saba//
ihAtei andhadrSTi Achila AmAra/
bhAla-manda vastujnAna nA chila vicAra//
krpAzalAkAte kari kRSNajnAnAnjana/
diyA prakAzila yeho e mora nayana//
athavA ajnAnatamah avidyAra nAma/
se chAnite AvaraNa kaila drSTi jnAna//
suzItala sAdhusanga-zalAkAte kari/
zravaNAdi-jnAnAnjana dila dayA kari//
tAte chAni dura kari' netra prakAzila/
rAdhAkRSNojjvala-lIlAratna dekhAila//
emana zrI gurudeva patitapAvana/
harinAmAmrta diyA tArila bhuvana//
jaya jaya gurudeva caraNakamala/
yAhAra smaraNe nAze sarva amangala//
ei krpA kara more karuNAsAgara/
tuyA-pAdapadme mana rahu nirantara//

A million salutations to sri guru's lotus-feet!
there is no sea of kindness such as the master is.
By dark ignorance my vision was obscured,
but with wisdom's salve applied, my sight restored.
Dark ignorance is also self-deception called;
virtue, wealth, love, salvation, are its aspiration,
blinded indeed by which, I could not see,
nor discriminate, in the nature of things, the good or ill.
But the implement of grace and salve of Krsna-knowledge,
has granted new vision to these eyes of mine.
Dark ignorance is also by the name of nescience known,
which, covers like a veiling cataract, wisdom's eye,
yet with the implement of the society of holy men,
and gracious application of the soothing balsam
of disciplines like hearing, chanting, and the rest,
has removed the obscuration, so that my eyes may see
the bright jewel of Radha-Krsna's playful deeds.
That divine preceptor redeems the base and vile,
admistering the ambrosia of Hari's name, saves the world.
From whose grace, the grace of Radha-Krsna comes,
without whose grace there is indeed no place to go.
Hail, all hail to the master's lotus-feet,
by whose recollection all evils are effaced.
O thou Sea of grace! that kindness to me show,
that my mind upon thy lotus-feet may forever dwell.

[madanmohandas]

Interestingly enough I saw a documentary a while ago that showed the zalAkA which is a surgical implement, about the size of a led pensil, that the ancients used for the easy removal of cataracts from the eye.

[madanmohandas]

Here is an excerpt from the Nisa Lila, also from the same book by 'accomplished' Krsna das of Govardhan.

Gauracandra, Nityananda, lord Advaita acarya,
Gadadhara, Srivasa and all the eminent bhaktas,
begin the grand Sankirtan in the coutyard of Srivasa.
On all sides the bhaktas make circular formation,
in the centre with Gadadhara dances Gauracnadra,
and Nityananda and Advaita, O what merriment!
'Hail Krsna Govinda, flower-garlanded Gopal!'
These and many names they sing with clapping hands;
waves of wondour rise from sounding anklets on feet,
a wreath of varied flowers beautifies Gaura's limbs,
his lotus-eyes shed tears like waves of Jahnu's child,
his hair stands on end like soft kadamba flowers,
his exquisit charm enhanced by beads of perspiration,
and violent trembling and shivering limbs,
all utterance fails but 'gadgada' in his throat.
Now he is with paralasys seized, now palour,
now he swoons, now rumbles and roars aloud;
now he laughs like one gone mad and rolls about,
even as a golden mountain rolling in the dust.
On all sides the bhaktas cry, ' Hari Hari!'
Some hold each other round the neck and weep.
Thus the Sankirtan continues for some time;
whereafter the Master with the bhaktas rests,
and the attendants minister varied service;
massaging the feet, presenting tambul, fanning,
offering various fruits and viands made with rice.
And so the Master relishes repast with all the bhaktes,
and then rince mouths and chew tambul with delight.
Thence they proceed to a beautiful pavillion
in the flower garden where the lordly son of Sachi
takes repose while servants tend him in diverse ways.
This then is the narrative of Sri Gauranga Lila,
now, O bhaktas, the Radha-Krsna Lila hear!
With eager anticipation Radha and Krsna meet
in the bower pavillion, attended by the sakhis.
Goddess Vrnda guides all the forest nymphs
to render adoration to the couple with great love.
Vrndavana shines with all six seasons graced,
where the couple roam and diverse love-sports play.
Seizing Sri Radha's right hand in is own left hand,
Sri Govinda, with a regal tusker's pace, proceeds.
Goddess Vrnda leads on the way ahead,
on their right Lalita, on the left Visakha shines;
some make presentation of esculent tambul;
others, by fanning, drive a pleasant breeze;
some, taking flowers and batons, proceed ahead;
others, behind, uphold a flower-wraught umbrela.
On all sides sakhis sing and sport with glee,
and thus, on waves of joy, the couple roam.
Having played the forest-play with great delight,
they arrive at Yamuna's soft and sandy bank.
On all sides the sakhis make circular formation,
in the centre Radha and Krsna dance with joy.
After song, dance, music and aspects of the Rasa,
Sri Hari goes with his consorts to drink honey-wine.
Delerious from honey-wine with rolling eyes,
they, on beds in the bower pavillion recline.
Having enjoyed with his consorts diverse love-play,
they enter the Yamuna to revel in water-sports,
whereafter, ascending the bank, adorn themselves
with garments, ornaments and odorous sandal,
collyrium, vermillion, crushed safron and flower wreaths.
They then relish a repast of varied viands
in the bower courtyard, and having eaten,
rinse their mouths. The couple thence proceed
to a flower-strewn bed together to take repose;
and each sakhi to her respective grove retires,
and full of joy, they lay them down to rest.
The maidservants attend upon Radha and Krsna
by massaging their feet and fanning with whisks.
And thus the couple lay in blest repose,
and maidservants to their respective places go.
These nocturnal exploits are as tonic to the ears,
only the briefest outline has here been scetched.

[madanmohandas]

This is the short section of Navadvip Pradosa Lila.

Recalling the anterior exploits, Gauracandra
Becomes extremely anxcious, restless in body and mind.
His eyes like lotus petals trickle copious nectar,
body thrilled, hair on end like Kadamba fillaments;
He stutters, 'gadgada', and in broken accents says,
' Come sakhi, away, to the bower grove without delay!'
And saying so, proceeds with a mad elephant's gait.
And so walks on Gauracandra, jewel of vitue;
now stumbles in his haste, now moves at moderate pace,
and eventually arrives at Srivas Thakura's house.
In Srivas' yard is a beautiful grand pavillion,
where Gaura, best of twice-borns, takes his seat.
On all sides his bhaktas make circular formation,
even as the constelations with their lord the moon.
O mind, in this manner recall the deeds of Gaurahari,
taking straw betwixt the teeth, this is my submission.