Śrīla Śrīnivās Āchārya’s homage to the six Goswāmīs of Vraja.
In honour of the disappearance days of Śrīla Śrīnivās Āchārya and Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupād, we present Śrīla Śrīnivās Āchārya’s Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ Goswāmy Aṣṭakam. Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj appreciated Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupād’s chanting of this composition and instructed that it should be translated and published by Śrī Chaitanya Sāraswat Maṭh.
Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ Goswāmy Aṣṭakam
kṛṣṇotkīrtana-gāna-nartana-parau premāmṛtāmbho-nidhī
dhīrādhīra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pūjitau
śrī-chaitanya-kṛpā-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bhārāvahantārakau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [1]
parau–Absorbed nartana–in dancing, gāna–chanting, [and] utkīrtana–glorifying kṛṣṇa–Śrī Kṛṣṇa, [they are] nidhī–reservoirs ambhaḥ–of the waters amṛta–of the nectar prema–divine love. [They are] priyau–dear dhīra–to the learned [and] adhīra-jana–unlearned, [and] karau–behave priya–pleasingly [with everyone. They are] nirmatsarau–nonenvious [and] pūjitau–worshippable [to all]. [They are] bharau–carriers kṛpā–of the grace śrī-chaitanya–of Śrī Chaitanya bhuvi–in [this] world, [and they] avahantārakau–relieve bhāra–the burden bhuvaḥ–of the earth. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl. [1]
Absorbed in dancing, chanting, and glorifying Śrī Kṛṣṇa, they are oceans of the nectar of divine love. They are dear to the learned and the unlearned, and behave pleasingly with everyone. Nonenvious and worshippable to all, they carry the grace of Śrī Chaitanya in this world and relieve the burden of the earth. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
nānā-śāstra-vichāraṇaika-nipuṇau sad-dharma-saṁsthāpakau
lokānāṁ hita-kāriṇau tribhuvane mānyau śaraṇyākarau
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-padāravinda-bhajanānandena mattālikau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [2]
eka–Solitarily nipuṇau–expert vichāraṇa–in the principles nānā–of the various śāstra–scriptures, [they are] saṁsthāpakau–establishers sad–of true dharma–religion [and] hita-kāriṇau–benefactors lokānām–of society. [They are] mānyau–revered tribhuvane–throughout the three worlds [and are] ākarau–the givers śaraṇya–of shelter [to all]. [They are] mattālikau–bees intoxicated ānandena–by the joy bhajana–of service aravinda–to the lotus pada–feet rādhā–of Rādhā [and] kṛṣṇa–Kṛṣṇa. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl. [2]
As the foremost experts in the principles of the various scriptures, they fully establish the true dharma and uplift society. They are revered throughout the three worlds and give shelter to all. Intoxicated by the joy of service to the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, they resemble honey bees. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
śrī-gaurāṅga-guṇānuvarṇana-vidhau śraddhā-samṛddhy-anvitau
pāpottāpa-nikṛntanau tanu-bhṛtāṁ govinda-gānāmṛtaiḥ
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaika-nipuṇau kaivalya-nistārakau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [3]
[They are] anvitau–endowed with samṛddhi–an abundance śraddhā–of faith vidhau–in the practice anuvarṇana–of describing guṇa–the qualities śrī-gaurāṅga–of Śrī Gaurāṅga. amṛtaiḥ–With the nectar gāna–of songs govinda–about Śrī Govinda, [they are] nikṛntanau–subduers pāpa–of the sin uttāpa–and suffering bhṛtām–of souls bearing tanu–bodies. [They] eka–alone [are] nipuṇau–experts vardhana–in expanding ambudhi–the ocean ānanda–of joy, [and they are] nistārakau–deliveres [of souls] kaivalya–from dissolution (sāyujya-mukti). vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl. [3]
They have deep faith in the practice of glorifying Śrī Gaurāṅga, and they subdue the sin and suffering of embodied souls with the nectar of songs about Śrī Govinda. They are experts in expanding the ocean of joy, and they save souls from spiritual dissolution. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
tyaktvā tūrṇam aśeṣa-maṇḍala-pati-śreṇīṁ sadā tuchchhavat
bhūtvā dīna-gaṇeśakau karuṇayā kaupīna-kanthāśritau
gopī-bhāva-rasāmṛtābdhi-laharī-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [4]
[They] tūrṇam– quickly tyaktvā–rejected aśeṣa–the entire śreṇīm–class maṇḍala–of social pati–leaders [as] sadā–invariably tuchchhavat–insignificant [and] karuṇayā–mercifully bhūtvā–became īśakau–the guardians dīna-gaṇa–of the humble. They are āśritau–wearers [of only] kaupīna–loincloths [and] kanthā–quilts, [and are] muhuḥ–always magnau–absorbed laharī–in the waves kallola–of joy abdhi–within the ocean amṛta–of nectar gopī–produced by the gopīs’ bhāva–love [and] rasa–devotion. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl. [4]
They quickly rejected the entire aristocracy as invariably insignificant and mercifully became the guardians of the humble. They wear only loincloths and quilts, and are always absorbed in the waves of joy within the ocean of the nectar produced by the gopīs’ love and devotion. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
kūjat-kokila-haṁsa-sārasa-gaṇākīrṇe mayūrākule
nānā-ratna-nibaddha-mūla-viṭapa-śrī-yukta-vṛndāvane
rādhā-kṛṣṇam ahar-niśaṁ prabhajatau jīvārthadau yau mudā
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [5]
vṛndāvane–In Vṛndāvan, [which is] ākīrṇe–resonant kūjat–with the calls kokila–of koels, haṁsa–swans, [and] sārasa-gaṇa–cranes, ākule–filled with mayūra–peacocks, [and] śrī-yukta–beautified viṭapa–by trees nibaddha–decorated nānā–with various ratna–jewels mūla–at [their] bases, prabhajatau–they are servants rādhā–of Rādhā [and] kṛṣṇam–Kṛṣṇa ahaḥ–day [and] niśam–night. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl, yau–who [are] mudā–the joyful dau–fulfillers jīva–of [all] souls’ artha–desires. [5]
In Vṛndāvan, which is resonant with the calls of koels, swans, and cranes, filled with peacocks, and beautified by trees decorated with various jewels at their bases, they serve Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa day and night, and joyfully fulfil all souls’ desires. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
saṅkhyā-pūrvaka-nāma-gāna-natibhiḥ kālāvasānī-kṛtau
nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau chātyanta-dīnau cha yau
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-guṇa-smṛter madhurimānandena sammohitau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [6]
[They] avasānī-kṛtau–spend [their] kāla–time gāna–by chanting nāma–the Name [and] natibhiḥ–offering obeisances pūrvaka–according to saṅkhyā– a quota. [They have] cha–also vijitau–conquered nidrā–sleeping, āhāra–eating, vihāraka–recreation, [and] ādi–so on, cha–and [are] atyanta–extremely dīnau–humble. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl, yau–who [are] sammohitau–completely captivated ānandena–by the joy madhurimā–produced by the sweetness smṛteḥ–of remembrance rādhā–of Rādhā [and] kṛṣṇa–Kṛṣṇa’s guṇa–qualities. [6]
They spend their time chanting the Name and offering obeisances in a regulated manner, having conquered sleeping, eating, recreation, and so on. They are extemely humble and completely captivated by the joy produced by the sweetness of remembrance of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s qualities. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
rādhā-kuṇḍa-taṭe kalinda-tanayā-tīre cha vaṁśī-vaṭe
premonmāda-vaśād aśeṣa-daśayā grastau pramattau sadā
gāyantau cha kadā harer guṇa-varaṁ bhāvābhibhūtau mudā
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [7]
taṭe–On the bank rādhā-kuṇḍa–of Rādhā Kuṇḍa, tīre–on the shore kalinda–of Mount Kalinda’s tanayā–daughter, cha–or [at] vaṭe–the banyan tree vaṁśī–known for the Vaṁśī (the flute), vaśād–captured unmāda–the madness prema–of divine love, [they are] grastau–seized aśeṣa–by unlmited daśayā–states of ecstasy [and] sadā–always pramattau–intoxicated. kadā–Sometimes, cha–also, gāyantau–they sing varam–the superb guṇa–glories hareḥ–of the Lord, [and] mudā–joyfully [become] abhibhūtau–overwhelmed bhāva–by emotions. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl. [7]
On the bank of Rādhā Kuṇḍa, on the shore of the Yamunā, or at the base of Vaṁśī Vaṭ, captured by the madness of divine love, they are seized by unlimited states of ecstasy and always intoxicated. Sometimes they sing the superb glories of the Lord, and sometimes they joyfully become overwhelmed by emotions. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.
he rādhe vraja-devīke cha lalite he nanda-sūno kutaḥ
śrī-govardhana-kalpa-pādapa-tale kālindī-vanye kutaḥ
ghoṣantāv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahāvihvalau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau [8]
he–“O rādhe–Rādhā, devīke–Goddess vraja–of Vraja! cha–And, lalite–Lalitā! he–O sūnaḥ–Son nanda–of Nanda! kutaḥ–Where [are you]? tale–At the base kalpa-pādapa–of the wish-fulfilling tree śrī-govardhana–near Śrī Govardhan? vanye–In the grove kālindī–beside the Yamunā? kutaḥ–Where [are you]?” ghoṣantāu–Calling out iti–thus sarvataḥ–everywhere pure–throughout the town vraja–of Vraja, [they are] mahāvihvalau–completely overwhelmed khedaiḥ–with sorrow. vande–I offer my obeisance rūpa–to Śrī Rūpa, sanātanau–Śrī Sanātan, yugau–the two raghu–Raghunāths, śrī-jīva–Śrī Jīva, [and] gopālakau–Śrī Gopāl. [8]
“O Rādhā, Goddess of Vraja! O Lalitā! O Son of Nanda! Where are you? At the base of the wish-fulfilling tree near Govardhan? In the grove beside the Yamunā? Where are you?” Calling out in this way everywhere through Vraja, they are completely overwhelmed with sorrow. I offer my obeisance to Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātan, Śrī Raghunāth Bhaṭṭa, Śrī Raghunāth Dās, Śrī Jīva, and Śrī Gopāl.