Ohe Priya Bandhu-jana

O dear friends, kindly hear my plea, if you desire everlasting bliss. Do not accept happiness in material things. Try to understand that which is of a transcendental nature. Relish the essence of those things.

The delight found in drinking alcohol and eating meat is totally miserable. It is all merely an illusion of happiness. Pleasure gained from the senses may seem to be happiness, but eternal bliss cannot be found in them.

Why do you continuously roam around, bound by hopes on all sides and associating with your anarthas? There is no end to our desires, just like a deer who always remains thirsty. The only result will be an ocean of misery.

Even when we inhabit the form of a tree, and the bird-like jīva departs from it, what will be the use of any sense gratification? At that time, the moon, sun, wind and water may show their strength, but they will not be able to invite you back (for you have already departed and left that form of a tree).

(At the time of death) Your dear ones will cry piteously and your mind will burn with great lamentation and angst – will all these things be able to awaken you? Falling under such a great spell, you will roll around and finally you will be transformed into ashes, worm stool etc.

You have affection for this body which has forced you to wander through so many lands, but it will eventually be eaten by dogs and jackals. No matter how much you may take care of it, the terrible claws of time will never let go of this body. Alas!

Therefore, give up your wandering and strive to attain the highest goal. Worship Kṛṣṇa and absorb yourself in thoughts of Him. Piercing through the physical plane and the vast expanse of the mental sphere, let us go to Vṛndāvana.

Dressed as a cowherd, the colour of a raincloud, youthful, effulgent and peaceful, He takes shelter under a beautiful desire tree. The sound of His extraordinary flute maddens all the jīvas – in this way, Śyāma is the Lord of the heart.

The cow-like jīvas belong to Him. Though He has unlimited opulence, still His sweetness (mādhurya) is most prominent. Sitting under a kadamba tree, the power of His flute is blissfully attracting. He captures the minds and hearts of the sādhakas.

Through detachment you will extinguish all your attachment to material things. By proper knowledge you will destroy ignorance. By sprinkling water in the form of hearing and chanting, the wonderful creeper of prema will manifest.

If you wish to be close to Kṛṣṇa, always take the association of sādhus and shun bad company. Kṛṣṇa is not very far away. Krsna will become your very life if you drink the nectar of love divine.

All types of yajña, homa, fruitive activities, philosophies such as Advaitavāda, and the intoxicating wine of jñāna – know all these to be your enemies. As a jīva, you are a servant of Kṛṣṇa. Jñāna and karma are your fetters, and prema alone is your real wealth.

The material body, mind etc. are your enemies. You should keep them all firmly underfoot! See to it that they do not rebel and hurl you into the realm of material enjoyment under the guise of karma, jñāna, yoga and dharma.

By the strength of prema keep them subservient to sevā. Engage them in activities born out of kṛṣṇa–prema, then these adversaries will become your friends. They will not be able to bind you to material objects.

Always chant, “Hari! Hari!” fix your mind, and surrender your body to Kṛṣṇa. Do not let your mind dwell on other thoughts or desires. In this way, perform sādhana.

With intense internal hankering, allow kṛṣṇa-tattva to penetrate your mind. Then enter deep into the pastures of your heart. Gaze there at that form of divine knowledge, who spiritedly manifests in Vṛndāvana as that Divine Youth (Navīna-Kiśora).

Body, mind, friends, home, pets, food, wealth – all these things will become obscure to you. You will seem to become totally insane and so many people will throw dirt at you, but the wealth of prema will remain with you.

The wealth and assets of Brahmā, the eighteen mystical perfections, enjoyment and liberation etc. become as insignificant as a piece of straw. Due to the influence of prema, all these things will fear you and run away.

Alas, what value does all the land in the world have compared to the wealth you will acquire? You will attain Kṛṣṇa, who is the crest-jewel of sweetness and the opulence of the wealthiest.

You are a jīva endowed with transcendental knowledge, and you are not meant for such fleeting happiness. The bliss of Kṛṣṇa is your dearmost treasure. The tongue, eyes, ears and nose are all trying to satiate your thirst, but they cannot do so even for a moment.

The shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya is my very life. Kedāra says, “O Brothers, please listen! He is the helmsman who will help us cross over this world of birth and death. There is none else other than Him.