Ohe Vaisnava Thakura

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

(1) ohe! vaiṣṇaba ṭhākura, doyāra sāgara,
e dāse koruṇā kori’
diyā pada-chāyā, śodho he āmāya,
tomāra caraṇa dhori

O venerable Vaisnava. O ocean of mercy, be merciful unto your servant. Give me the shade of your lotus feet and purify me. I hold on to your lotus feet.

(2)
chaya bega domi’, chaya doṣa śodhi’,
chaya guṇa deho’ dāse
chaya sat-sańga, deho’ he āmāre,
bosechi sańgera āśe

Teach me to control my six passions; rectify my six faults, bestow upon me the six qualities, and offer unto me the six kinds of holy association.*

(3)
ekākī āmāra, nāhi pāya bala,
hari-nāma-sańkīrtane
tumi kṛpā kori’, śraddhā-bindu diyā,
deho’ kṛṣṇa-nāma-dhane

I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.

(4)
kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dīte pāro,
tomāra śakati āche
āmi to’ kāńgāla, ‘kṛṣṇa’ ‘kṛṣṇa’ boli’,
dhāi tava pāche pāche

Krsna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply your servant running behind you shouting, “Krsna! Krsna!”

* * *

[The six positive qualities are enthusiasm in practicing devotional service, firm faith in devotional processes, a strong desire to attain prema-bhakti, a favorable service attitude, avoidance of non-devotees, and appreciation of the company of devotees.

The six methods of association are to go to an assembly of devotees, to invite devotees into one's home, to discuss and hear devotional topics, to take the maha-prasada of devotees and to offer maha-prasada to devotees.

The six passions are those pertaining to words, the mind, anger, the tongue, the stomach and the genitals.

The six faults are overeating, attachment to material things, inability to follow regulative principles, sense gratification, useless idle talk, and impure habits.]