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Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra

Instruction & Guidance (Upadeśa)

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Text

1

mana re dhana-mada nitānta asāra dhana jana bitta jata e dehera anugata deho gele se sakala chāra

Word for word

mana—heart; re—O; dhana—for wealth; mada—passion; nitānta—extreme; asāra—useless; dhana—wealth; jana—followers; bitta—treasure; jata—which; e—this; dehera—of the body; anugata—followed; dehaḥ—body; gele—goes; se—that; sakala—all; chāra—pile of ashes

Translation

O my heart, you passion for wealth is foolish. Wealth and servants only follow the body. When the body goes, all your wealth will turn into ashes.

2

bidyāra jateka ceṣṭā cikitsaka upadeṣṭā keho deho rākhibāre nāre ajapā hoile śeṣa deha-mātra abaśeṣa jība nāhi thākena ādhāre

Word for word

bidyāra—of knowledge; jateka—which; ceṣṭā—action; cikitsaka—cure; upadeṣṭā—teaching; kehaḥ—someone; dehaḥ—body; rākhibāre—to protect; nāre—is not able; ajapā—reath; hoile—is; śeṣa—end; deha-mātra—body only; abaśeṣa—remaining; jība—soul; nāhi—not; thākena—stays; ādhāre—in the container

Translation

Even the most learned physician cannot protect the body. When the breath leaves, and the body is breathless, the soul will not stay in that empty shell.

3

dhane jadi prāṇa dita dhani rājā nā marita dharāmara hoito rābaṇa dhane nāhi rākhe deho deho gele nāhe keho ata eba ki koribe dhana

Word for word

dhane—in wealth; jadi—if; prāṇa—breath; dita—given; dhani—welahty person; rājā—king; nā—not; marita—dead; dhara—held; amara—freedom from death; hoitaḥ—was; rābaṇa—Ravana; dhane—in wealth; nāhi—not; rākhe—saved; dehaḥ—body; dehaḥ—body; gele—goes; nāhe—not; kehaḥ—anyone; ata eba—therefore; ki—what?; koribe—will do; dhana—wealth

Translation

If wealth gave eternal life, then wealthy kings would never die. Rāvaṇa thought he had become immortal, At the end wealth will not save the body. When death comes, no one can stop it. Therefore, what is the use of your wealth?

4

jadi thāke bahu dhana nije ho'be akiñcana baiṣṇabera koro upakāra jībe doyā anukhaṇa rādhā-kṛṣṇa-arādhana koro sadā ho'ye sadācāra

Word for word

jadi—if; thāke—stays; bahu—many; dhana—wealth; nije—own; ho'be—will be; akiñcana—without any possessions; baiṣṇabera—of a Vaiṣṇava; koraḥ—do; upakāra—help; jībe—to the soul; doyā—mercy; anukhaṇa—moment after moment; rādhā-kṛṣṇa-arādhana koraḥ—do; sadā—aklways; ho'ye—is; sadācāra—good conduct

Translation

If you have great wealth, don't keep it. Use it to help the Vaiṣṇavas. Be kind to everyone always, always worship Śrī Śrī Rādhā, and always be saintly.

About Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra

From Updesa, naming the intoxication of wealth, dhana mada, as utterly insubstantial, nitanta asara — completing a short run of songs examining pride of wealth, beauty, learning, and birth in close sequence. Bhaktivinoda Thakura's own career as a district magistrate gave him direct exposure to how wealth could distort priorities.

Further reading

Frequently asked

Who wrote Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra?

Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra was composed by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. It appears in Kalyanakalpataru.

What is the meaning of Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra?

O my heart, you passion for wealth is foolish. Wealth and servants only follow the body. When the body goes, all your wealth will turn into ashes.

How many verses does Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra have?

Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra has 4 verses.

Can I download Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra as a PPT or PDF?

Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Mana Re Dhana Mada Nitānta Asāra — 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.