jūgala-caraṇaunto the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa;prītīlove;paramaSupreme;ānandahappiness;tatiTheir;ratiattachment;premā mayaloving;para-bandhein the topics of;kṛṣṇa-nāmathe holy names of Kṛṣṇa;rādhā-nāmathe holy names of Rādhā;upāsanaworship;rasa-dhāmaabode of transcendental mellows;caraṇeat the feet;paḍiyefalling;parānandespiritual bliss
Translation
In spiritual bliss, I will develop intense love for the youthful Divine Couple Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, and hear the glorious topics of Their loving affairs. Worshiping and chanting the holy names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the abode of all transcendental mellows. I will fall at Their lotus feet in ecstasy.
manera smaraṇa prāṇa madhūra madhūra dhāmajūgala bilāsa smṛti-sārasādhya sādhana ei ihā bai āra nāiei tattwa sarba-siddha-sāra
Word for word
maneraof the mind;smaraṇaremembrance;prāṇalife;madhūra madhūravery sweet;dhāmaabode;jūgala bilāsapastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa;smṛtiremembrance;sāraessence;sādhyagoal;sādhanaprocess of achieving the goal;eithis;ihā baiwithout this;āra nāinothing else;ei tattwathis truth;sarba-siddha-sāraamong all the prescription
Translation
Remembrance of the Lord’s pastimes is the life and soul of the devotee. Remembering the sweet loving pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the essence of all the processes. This is the goal of life and as well as the best means of achieving the goal.
jaladaclouds;sūndarabeautiful;kāṅtieffulgence;madhūra madhūrasweet;bhātilike;baidagadhiexpert in conjugal pastimes;abadhiexpert;sūbeśahandsomely dressed;pītayellow;basanadress;dharawearing;ābharaṇaornaments;maṇi-barajewels;mayūrapeacock;candrikāfeather;karu keśacurly hairs
Translation
The sweet Śyāma complexion of Kṛṣṇa is like the effulgent new rain clouds. He is wonderfully dressed and the most expert in performing conjugal pastimes. Jewelled ornaments adorn His yellow garments and a peacock feather decorates His curling Hair.
mṛgamadamusk;candanasandalwood pulp;kūṅkūmared ointment;bilepanasmear;manaenchanting;mūratiform;tri-bhaṅgathree-fold bending forms;nabīnanew;kūsūmābalīflowers;śrī-aṅgein His beautiful body;śobhayedecorated;bhāligreat;madhū-lābhebeing greedy for honey;phirewanders;mattamaddened;bhṛṅgabees
Translation
Sandalwood pulp mixed with saffron and musk is smeared upon His forehead. He stands in a most enchanting threefold bending form. His beautiful limbs are decorated with newly blossomed flowers which attract maddened bees for their honey.
īṣatalittle;madhūrasweet;smitasmile;baidagadhi-līlāmṛtaexpert in conjugal pastimes;lūbadhalaattracted;braja-badhū-bṛṇdathe damsels of Vṛndāvana;caraṇa-kamala-paraupon the lotus feet;maṇimayajewelled;nūpūraankle bells;nakha-maṇithe jewel-like nails;jhalamalashinning brightly;candrathe moon
Translation
The sweet attractive smile of the Lord and His expertise in conjugal pastimes capture the minds of the damsels of Braja. Gem-studded ankle bells adorn His lotus feet, His jewel-like toe-nails shine brightly like the moon.
nūpūra-mūrālī-dhwani kūla-badhū-marālinīśuniyā rahite nāre gharehṛdaye bāḍaye rati jena mile pati satīkūlera dharama jara dūre
Word for word
nūpūraankle bells;mūrālī-dhwanithe sounds of flute;kūla-badhūdamsels of Braja;marālinīgoose;śuniyāhearing;rahiteremain;nāredo not;ghareat home;hṛdayein their hearts;bāḍayeincreases;ratilust;jenajust as;milemeets;patihusband;satīchaste wife;kūlerafamiliar;dharamareligious principles;jara dūretransgressed
Translation
Hearing the sweet sounds of His ankle bells, and His flute which is like the call of a male swan, the female swan Braja gopis cannot remain in their homes. Forgetting the transgression of mundane morality in their hearts, their attraction for Kṛṣṇa increases unlimitedly and they run to Him like chaste wives meeting their husbands.
gobinda-śarīra nitya taṅhāra sebaka satyabṛndābana-bhūmi tejomayatāhāte jamunā-jala kare nitya jhalamalatāra tīre aṣṭa kūṅja haya
Word for word
gobindaLord Govinda;śarīrabody;nityaeternal;taṅhāraHis;sebakaservant;satyaeternal;bṛndābana-bhūmithe land of Vṛndāvana;tejomayaeffulgent;tāhātein that land;jamunā-jalathe waters of Yamunā;karedoes;nityaeternal;jhalamalashining brightly;tāra tīreon the bank of;aṣṭaeight;kūṅjagroves;hayais
Translation
The transcendental body of Govinda is eternal. His servants are eternal. The abode of Vṛndāvana is effulgent. The water of the Yamunā is crystal clear. There are eight kuñjas or groves on the banks of Yamunā.
śītalacooling;kiraṇa-karamoonshines;kalpa-tarūdesire tree;guṇa-dharaquality;tarutrees;latācreepers;saḍa ṛtūthe six seasons;śobābeauty;purna-candrafull moon;samaequal;jyotieffulgence;cidānanda-mayafull of bliss and knowledge;mūrtiform;mahālīlāgreat pastimes;darśanato see;lobhagreedy
Translation
The groves of Vṛndāvana are charming with soothing moonbeams. The six seasons beautify the forests wherein the trees fulfill all desires. The blissful personality of Kṛṣṇa is more effulgent than the full moon, and one should be eager to have a glimpse of His wonderful pastimes.
gobinda ānandamaya nikaṭe banitā-cayabihare madhūra ati śobhāduṅhu preme dagamagi duṅhu doṅha anūragīduṅhu rūpa duṅhu mana lobhā
Word for word
gobindaLord Govinda;ānandamayamost blissful;nikaṭenear;banitā-cayathe damsels;bihareenjoys;madhūrasweet;ativery;śobhābeautiful;duṅhuboth of Them;premewith love;dagamagioverwhelmed;duṅhuboth of Them;doṅhatowards each other;anūragīattached;duṅhuboth;rūpawith beauty;duṅhuboth;manamind;lobhāattracted
Translation
Śrī Govinda is personified bliss. He is surrounded by the gopīs and enjoys various sweet pastimes. They are overwhelmed by love, attracted and attached to each other’s beauty.
braja-pūra-banitāra caraṇa āśraya sārakara mana ekānta kariyāanya bola gaṅdu-gola nā śuniha uttarolarākha prema hṛdaye bhariyā
Word for word
braja-pūraof Braja;banitārathe damsels;caraṇathe lotus feet;āśrayathe shelter;sāraessence;karado;manamind;ekāntawithout deviation;kariyādoing;anyaother;bolatopics;gaṅdu-golagossiping;nānot;śunihahear;uttarolaurge;rākhakeep;premalove;hṛdayein the heart;bhariyāfilled
Translation
O my mind, take shelter of the lotus feet of the damsels of Braja without deviation. Do not hear useless gossips, instead fill my heart with Kṛṣṇa’s prema.
pāpa-puṅya-maya deha sakali anitya ehidhana jana saba michā dhandamarile jāibe kothā nā pāo tāhāte byathātabū niti kara karjya manda
Word for word
pāpa-puṅya-mayamix with sin and piety;dehathe owner of the body;sakaliall;anityatemporary;ehithis;dhanawealth;janafollowers;sabaall;michāfalse;dhandaconception;marileafter death;jāibewill go;kothāwhere;nānot;pāoget;tāhātein that;byathāpain;tabūstill;nitirepeatedly;karado;karjya mandasinful activities
Translation
O my mind, you should know this for certain that the dualities of sin and piety are all temporary. Wealth and followers are all false. You do not know where you will go after death. You do not feel pain about this and still you continue with your sinful activities.
rājāra je rājya-pāṭa jena natūjāra nāṭadekhite dekhite kichū nayahena māyā kare jei parama īśwara seitāṅre mana sadā kara bhaya
Word for word
rājāraof the king;jethat;rājya-pāṭathe kingdom;jenaas if;natūjāra nāṭaact of play;dekhite dekhitegradually;kichū nayaas if nothing;henasuch;māyāillusory;karedoes;jeiwhoever;parama īśwarathe Supreme Lord;seihis;tāṅreto him;manaO my mind;sadāalways;kara bhayabe afraid of
Translation
The state and administration of a king is just like an act of a play. It gradually vanquishes in due course of time. O my mind, it is He, the Supreme Lord who causes this show by His illusory energy. Be always afraid of falling under its control.
pāpe nā kariha mana adhama se pāpī-janatāre mana dūre pariharipūṅyaje sūkhera dhāma tāra nā laio nāmapūṅya mukti dui tyaga kari
Word for word
pāpein sinful activities;nānot;karihado;manamind;adhamafallen;sehe;pāpī-janaa sinner;tāreto him;manaO my mind;dūrefar away;pariharigive up;pūṅyapiety;jethat which;sūkheraof happiness;dhāmaabode;tārathat;nādo not;laiotake;nāmaname;pūṅyapiety;muktiliberation;duiboth;tyāga karigive up
Translation
O mind, do not indulge in sinful activities because sinners are most fallen. Give up bad association from a distance. Although piety is the abode of material happiness, do not strive for it, rather give up the desire for piety and liberation.
prema-bhaktiloving devotional service;sūdha-nidhiocean of nectar;tāhein that;dūbadrowned;nirabadhiconstantly;āra jataall others;kṣara nidhiocean of salt;prāyaalmost;niraṅtaraalways;sūkhahappiness;pābewill receive;sakalaall;saṅtapathe threefold miseries;jābewill go away;para-tattwathe supreme truth;karileI have thus explained;upāyaprocess
Translation
Loving devotional service is the ocean of nectar. Be always drowned in that ocean. Everything else is like an ocean of salt. If you follow this process, you will achieve eternal bliss and all your lamentations will go away.
anyera paraśa jena nāhi kadācit henaihāte haibe sabādhānarādhā-kṛṣṇa nāma gāna ei se parama dhyānaāra nā kariha paramāṇa
Word for word
anyeraof others;paraśatouch;jenaeven;nāhido not;kadācitseldom;henahappens;ihātein this;haibewill be;sabādhānacautious;rādhā-kṛṣṇaŚrī Rādhikā and Śrī Kṛṣṇa;nāma gānachant Their names;eithis;sethat;paramasupreme;dhyānameditation;āramore;nānot;karihado;paramāṇagoal
Translation
Never associate with non-devotees. Be very careful about them. Chanting the names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the highest form of meditation. Do not accept any other process as the goal of life.
karmī jñānī miśra-bhakta nā habe tāya anūraktaśuddha-bhajanete kara manabraja-janera jei mata tāhe habe anugataei se parama tattwa-dhana
Word for word
karmīthe performers of fruitive activities;jñānīimpersonalists;miśra-bhaktamixed devotees;nādo not;habewill be;tāyain that;anūraktaattached;śuddhapure;bhajanetein worshipping the Lord;kara manaengage your mind;braja-janeraof the residents of Braja;jei matathe opinion;tāhein that;habewill be;anugatafollow;ei sethis is the;parama tattwasupreme truth;dhanawealth
Translation
Do not mingle with fruitive workers, mental speculators and mixed devotees. Instead engage yourself in pure devotional service under the guidance of the residents of Braja. This is the highest treasure.
prārthanāpray;karibewill do;sadāalways;śuddha-bhāvepurely;prema-kathāloving topics;nāma-maṅtrewith holy names and mantras;kariyāconsidering;abhedanon-different;āstikapurify;kariyādoing;manamind;bhajaworship;rāṅgārelished;śrī-caraṇalotus feet;granthiknots;pāpasinful activities;habewill be;paricchedaunfolded
Translation
I will always desire to glorify the transcendental topics of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, considering the holy names and mantras as non-different from Them. I will fix my mind in worshipping the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Then the knots of sinful desires within my heart will be undone.
rādhā-kṛṣṇaŚrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa;śrī-caraṇalotus feet;tātein that;sabaeverything;samarpaṇasurrender;śrī-caraṇeunto the lotus feet;balihāri jāṅagreat;dūṅhuboth;nāmathe holy names;śuni śunirepeatedly hearing;bhakta mūkhethrough the mouths of the devotees;pūni pūniagain and again;parama ānandagreat happiness;sūkha-pāñāwill be satisfied
Translation
I surrender myself unto the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa and take Their merciful shelter. I will repeatedly hear the names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa from the mouths of pure devotees and attain great happiness and satisfaction.
hema-gaurimolten gold;tanūbody;rāiŚrī Rādhā;āṅkhieyes;daraśana cāiwant to see;rodana karibawill cry;abhilāṣewith a desire;jaladharathe clouds;dhara dharanewly;aṅgathe limbs;ati manoharamost enchanting;rūpein beauty;guṇein qualities;bhūbana prakāśeilluminates the whole world
Translation
I will desire to see the golden complexioned Rādhā with my own eyes. I will cry to see the enchanting form and qualities of Kṛṣṇa whose complexion is like the new clouds.
sakhī-gaṇa cāri-pāśe sebā kare abhilāṣeparama se sebā-sūkha dhareei bhaṇe mane mora ei rase hañā bhoranarottama sadā-i bihare
Word for word
sakhī-gaṇathe sakhīs;cāri-pāśeon four sides;sebā kareserve;abhilāṣeaccording to their desire;paramasupreme;sethat;sebāservice;sūkhahappiness;dhareyields;ei bhaṇethis desire;mane morain my mind;ei rasein this mellows;hañā bhorabeing absorbed;narottamaŚrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura;sadāialways;bihareenjoys
Translation
The sakhīs surround Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa on all four sides, and while serving Them, feel ecstatic bliss in their hearts. Narottama dāsa desires such service being absorbed in loving transcendental mellows.
About Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti
Twenty verses of meditation topics meant to arouse genuine prema-bhakti — traditionally, contemplation on the forms and pastimes of Radha and Krishna, in the manner associated with raganuga-bhakti practice.
Who wrote Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti?
Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti was composed by Narottama Dasa Thakura. It appears in Prema Bhakti Chandrika.
What is the meaning of Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti?
In spiritual bliss, I will develop intense love for the youthful Divine Couple Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, and hear the glorious topics of Their loving affairs. Worshiping and chanting the holy names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the abode of all transcendental mellows. I will fall at Their lotus feet in ecstasy.
How many verses does Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti have?
Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti has 20 verses.
Can I download Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti as a PPT or PDF?
Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Topics of Meditation for Arousing Prema-bhakti — 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.