Viracaya Mayi Dandam
O friend of the fallen, deal out punishment to me, or mercy — whichever You please. Apart from You I have no other refuge in this world. Let a thunderbolt fall upon it, or let pure, fresh rain fall — still it is only the cloud that the cataka bird praises.
Hearing of the incomparable and difficult devotional practice of the great souls of old, my heart burns with despair, for I am sluggish in even a trace of devotion. Yet, O remover of sin, upon hearing of Your wave of mercy that spreads over the whole world, this heart — alas — sprinkled with a single drop of hope, grows cool again within.
About Viracaya Mayi Dandam
A short two-verse prayer of surrender attributed to Rupa Goswami. The first verse gives the famous image of the cataka bird, which by nature drinks only rainwater falling directly from a cloud and so praises the cloud alone regardless of what it sends — a figure for the soul's exclusive dependence on the Lord's mercy. The second verse turns inward, contrasting the poet's own weak, half-hearted devotion against the vast mercy of the Lord that alone can warm a despairing heart.
- Composer
- Rupa Goswami · Read biography
- Verses
- 2
Frequently asked
Who wrote Viracaya Mayi Dandam?
Viracaya Mayi Dandam was composed by Rupa Goswami.
What is the meaning of Viracaya Mayi Dandam?
O friend of the fallen, deal out punishment to me, or mercy — whichever You please. Apart from You I have no other refuge in this world. Let a thunderbolt fall upon it, or let pure, fresh rain fall — still it is only the cloud that the cataka bird praises.
How many verses does Viracaya Mayi Dandam have?
Viracaya Mayi Dandam has 2 verses.
Can I download Viracaya Mayi Dandam as a PPT or PDF?
Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Viracaya Mayi Dandam — 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.