Maribo Maribo Sakhi Niscoy Maribo

I shall die, I shall die, O sakhi, I shall surely die; to whom shall I give such a treasure of virtues as Kanu when I go?

Whichever of you sakhis stays by my side, at the time of my death write Krishna's name upon my body.

O Lalita, friend of my life, whisper the mantra in my ear, so that as my body burns it may still hear the name of Krishna.

Do not burn my body, do not cast it into the water; when I die, lift me up and lay me upon the branch of a tamala tree.

That very tamala tree is dark like Krishna himself; let my lifeless body remain resting there.

If ever that beloved comes again to Vrindavana, I shall regain my life at the very sight of him.

But if again I fail to see that moon-like face, I shall give up this body in the fire of separation.

Saying this again and again, the noble lady fell unconscious; Visakha rushed and took her into her lap.

Her limbs trembled violently, her breath grew faint; holding wisps of cotton to the tip of her nose, Visakha checked for her breath.

Putting her mouth to Radha's ear, she spoke the name of Krishna; regaining consciousness, Radha said, "Where is my dark-as-cloud beloved?"

Seeing the tamala tree right before her, she gazed at it; growing mad with longing, she rushed to embrace it.

Beholding such a state of the noble lady, Govinda Dasa's own eyes filled with tears.