Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj describes in poetry form Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s devotees’ calls to the lost souls of this world to join them in the service of Mahāprabhu and the circumambulation of His abode.
Śrī Nabadwīp Dhām Parikramāy Āhvān
An Appeal on Śrī Nabadwīp Dhām Parikramā
Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj
Originally published in Śrī Gauḍīya Darśan:
Volume 1, Issue 8, Sunday, 11 March 1956.
bhramite habe nā āra—e‑chhār bhuvana
You do not have to wander any longer in this vile world.
anitya e deha-rathe chaḍiyā mṛtyura pathe
hiṁsra-śārddūla-pūrṇa saṁsāra-kānana
bhramite habe nā āra e‑chhāra bhuvana [1]
You do not have to wander any longer in this vile world, riding along the path of death in the chariot of this temporary body within the forest of material existence, which is filled with ferocious tigers.
añchale añchala bā̐dhi’ yauvanera sādha sādhi’
‘gṛha-vrata’ nāme śudhu ha’le parichita
janma-janmāntara dhari’ gṛha parikramā kari’
bujhile ki māyā-bhūmi—kaṇṭaka-āvṛta? [2]
Pursuing the desires of youth and getting married [lit. ‘tying the borders of your cloth together’], you have known the ‘vow of household life’ in name only. Continuing in this way birth after birth, circling about in household life, have you realised the land of Māyā is covered with thorns?
āra‑o karitechha mana bhramaṇera āyojana—
deśa hate videśete grāma-grāmāntare,
ekhano meṭeni āśā āra‑o bā̐dhitechhe vāsā—
du’dinera pāntha-śālā—pṛthivīra pare? [3]
Not only that, your mind has made arrangements to continue your wandering from country to country, from village to village, yet your desires have never been fulfilled. And still you have built a residence—a mere temporary inn which lasts but a few days—upon this earth?
mahāmāyā-moha-ghore āra kata-kāla ore!
anitya o gṛhaṭire—karabi bhramaṇa,
dārā-putra-paribāra asāra-anitya chhāra
bile—khāle—ā̐stākuḍe mile ki ratan? [4]
Hey! How much longer will you wander in the darkness of Mahāmāyā’s illusion, in that temporary home? Your wife, sons, and family are worthless, temporary, and vile. Will you find a jewel within a swamp, trench, or rubbish heap?
pāye dhari kahi sāra bhramite habe nā āra
nāhi hethā bharasāra—eka-bindu jala,
nāhi āśā sāntvanāra, āchhe śudhu hāhākāra
samasta saṁsāra bharā—jalanta-anala [5]
Clasping your feet, I tell you this essential truth: you do not have to wander here any longer. There is not one drop of the water of hope here. There is no hope of any solace and only cries of distress. The burdens of material existence are like a blazing fire.
bhramite habe nā āra saṁsāra-kānane
ai śona gaura-jana ḍāke sarva-jane [6]
You do not have to wander any longer in the forest of material existence. Śrī Gaurāṅga’s devotees call everyone: “Hey listen!
āya āya tvarā kari bāla-vṛddha nara-nārī
divya-chintāmaṇi-dhāma—gaura-janma-bhūmi
praṇayi-bhakta sane jīvanera śubha-kṣaṇe
gaurāṅga janma-dine āya parikrami [7]
“Men and women, young and old, come immediately! Come to the divine abode made of wish-fulfilling jewels, the land of Śrī Gaurāṅga’s advent! Come circumambulate it in the company of loving devotees during the most auspicious time of your life: the day of Śrī Gaurāṅga’s advent.
dhāma-parikramā ka’re sāṅga habe chira-tare
ananta janama dha’re brahmāṇḍa-bhramaṇa,
dūre yābe bhava-roga khaṇḍibe sakala bhoga
bhūloke-goloka-lābha—ḍāke gaura-jana [8]
“Circumambulate the divine abode and your wandering throughout this universe for innumerable births will end, the disease of material existence will go away, all of your suffering will be dispelled, and you will experience Goloka on this earth.”
bhramite habe nā āra e‑chhāra bhuvana [9]
You do not have to wander any longer in this vile world.