Vaishnava Songs by Mood
In the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, songs are grouped not by subject but by bhāva — the devotional mood in which they are sung. A song of repentance, a song of longing and a song of praise may all address Kṛṣṇa, yet each carries a completely different feeling. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura divided Śaraṇāgati into humility, self-surrender and longing; Kalyāṇa-kalpataru has its sections of repentance and prayer; Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura’s Prārthanā has its songs of separation and glorification. Every mood below comes from those divisions made by the ācāryas themselves — not assigned by us.
New here? Start with Glories of the Holy Name for kirtan, or Surrender for personal prayer.
8 entries
Surrender & Self-Offering (Śaraṇāgati)
Songs of taking complete shelter of Krishna and offering oneself to Him without reservation.
22 songsHumility & Repentance (Dainya, Anutāpa)
Songs of humility and honest self-reproach, lamenting a life spent away from devotion.
39 songsLonging & Aspiration (Lālasā)
Songs of intense spiritual longing, asking again and again: when will that day be mine?
54 songsSeparation (Vipralambha, Viraha)
Songs sung in the pain of separation from the Lord — love intensified by His absence.
8 songsGlorification & Praise (Stuti, Mahimā)
Joyful songs praising the names, form, qualities and pastimes of the Lord.
124 songsPrayer & Petition (Vijñapti)
Songs of direct, heartfelt appeal to the Lord and to His devotees.
79 songsInstruction & Guidance (Upadeśa)
Songs of counsel on devotional life, very often addressed to one's own mind.
71 songsGlories of the Holy Name (Nāma-māhātmya)
Songs celebrating the glory, power and sweetness of the holy name.
27 songsQuestions
What is bhāva in Vaishnava songs?
Bhāva is the devotional mood or emotional register in which a song is sung. Gaudiya Vaishnava songbooks are traditionally arranged by bhāva rather than by topic, so songs of humility, longing, separation and praise each form their own section.
What are Vaishnava songs of separation called?
Songs sung in the mood of separation from the Lord are called vipralambha or viraha songs. They express the intensifying of love through the pain of absence.
What is the difference between dainya and lalasa?
Dainya is the mood of humility and repentance, in which the devotee laments their own fallen condition. Lalasa is the mood of longing and aspiration, in which the devotee yearns for future service — often phrased as "when will that day be mine?"
Who decided which mood each song belongs to?
The acaryas themselves. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura and others divided their own songbooks into these sections, so each song mood is taken from the chapter its author placed it in.
Which mood should I sing in?
Any mood is auspicious. Many devotees begin with surrender (saranagati) or the glories of the holy name, turn to humility and longing in personal prayer, and sing songs of glorification in festive kirtan.