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Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile

Longing & Aspiration (Lālasā)

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Text

1

hari he! nīra-dharma-gata, jāhnavī-salile, paṅka-phena dṛṣṭa hoya tathāpi kakhona, brahma-drava-dharma, se salila nā chāḍoya

Word for word

hari–Lord; he!–oh!; nīra–of water; dharma–the nature; gata–as; jāhṇavī–the Ganges; salile–in the waters; paṅka–mud; phena–foam; dṛṣṭa–seen; haya– are; tathāpi–still; kakhana–at any time; brahma (chinmaya)–spiritual; drava (tāralya)–fluid (liquid state); dharma–nature; se–that; salila–water; nā–not; chāḍaya–gives up

Translation

O Lord! Mud and foam are seen in the water of the Ganges; they naturally appear within river water. Nevertheless, the water of the Ganges never loses its spiritual nature.

2

vaiṣnava-śarīra, aprākṛta sadā, swabhāva-vapura dharme kabhu nāhe jaḍa, tathāpi ye ninde, poḍe se viṣamādharme

Word for word

vaiṣṇava–of a devotee; śarīra–the body; aprākṛta (prakṛtira niyamera atīta)– supramundane (beyond the laws of material nature); sadā–always

Translation

Similarly, the body of a devotee is always supramundane. Although one may see faults within the inborn nature or body of a devotee, a devotee is never mundane. One who nonetheless criticises a devotee commits a terrible sin.

3

sei aparādhe, yamera jātanā, pāya jīva avirata he nanda-nandana! sei aparādhe, yeno nāhi hoi hata

Word for word

sei–this; aparādhe–as a result of offence; yamera–of Yamarāj, the lord of punishment; yātanā–tortures; pāya–attaining; jīva–the soul; avirata– incessantly; he–oh; nanda–of Nanda Mahārāj; nandana!–darling son!; sei– that; aparādhe–by offence; yena–so that; nāhi–not; ha-i–I become; hata– destroyed

Translation

For such an offence, the soul is incessantly subjected to the tortures of Yamarāj. O Nanda Nandan! May I never be ruined by committing such an offence.

4

tomāra vaiṣṇava, vaibhava tomāra, āmāre korunā doyā tabe mora gati, ha’be tava prati, pā’bo tava pada-chāyā

Word for word

tomāra–Your; vaiṣṇava–devotee; vaibhava–wealth, glory; tomāra–Your; āmāre–to me; karuṇa–may they do; dayā–mercy; tabe–then; mora–my; gati– movement; habe–will be; tava–Your; prati–towards; pā’ba–I will obtain; tava–Your; pada–of the feet; chhāyā–the shade

Translation

Your devotees are Your wealth. May they bestow mercy upon me; then my destiny will lead me towards You, and I will attain the shade of Your feet.

About Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile

Built around an image drawn from the Ganges, called Jāhnavī here, and the natural properties, nīra-dharma, of its water — used to describe what a purified devotional life should resemble.

Further reading

Frequently asked

Who wrote Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile?

Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile was composed by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. It appears in Saranagati.

What is the meaning of Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile?

O Lord! Mud and foam are seen in the water of the Ganges; they naturally appear within river water. Nevertheless, the water of the Ganges never loses its spiritual nature.

How many verses does Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile have?

Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile has 4 verses.

Can I download Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile as a PPT or PDF?

Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Nīra Dharma Gata Jāhnavī Salile — 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.