Bhavo Na Bhavo Na
AI-drafted translation — pending review
You do not understand, do not understand, O mind, how very wicked you are -- you are steeped in the poison of sense enjoyment. You are overwhelmed by lust, anger, greed, illusion, and pride -- you are under the control of these enemies.
You are drawn by useless talk and by thirst for material enjoyment and liberation -- you find worthless talk pleasing. You are crushed by hypocrisy, deceit, and the desire for fame -- you have never become simple and sincere. Brother, all these misfortunes have surrounded you -- these indeed are your true enemies.
Without giving up all of this, how will you attain Radha and Krishna? Give it all up with great care, give it up. Apart from the company of saintly devotees, where else is your true good? Keep the company of saints, keep it. Immerse yourself at the feet of the Vaishnavas -- all misfortune will then disperse. Just think it over once, won't you?
About Bhavo Na Bhavo Na
One of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's most widely sung Bengali bhajans, addressing the mind directly and confessing its domination by lust, anger, greed, hypocrisy, and the desire for fame, before naming sadhu-sanga and surrender at the feet of the Vaishnavas as the only way out. Its short parenthetical half-lines -- a device distinctive to Bhaktivinoda's bhajans -- restate each accusation in blunter, more intimate language, as though the poet is arguing with himself in real time.
Frequently asked
Who wrote Bhavo Na Bhavo Na?
Bhavo Na Bhavo Na was composed by Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
What is the meaning of Bhavo Na Bhavo Na?
You do not understand, do not understand, O mind, how very wicked you are -- you are steeped in the poison of sense enjoyment. You are overwhelmed by lust, anger, greed, illusion, and pride -- you are under the control of these enemies.
How many verses does Bhavo Na Bhavo Na have?
Bhavo Na Bhavo Na has 3 verses.
Can I download Bhavo Na Bhavo Na as a PPT or PDF?
Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Bhavo Na Bhavo Na — verse and translation on each slide — is available to download in both PowerPoint (.pptx) and PDF formats from this page, for use in kirtan or temple programs.