Shikshashtakam- The teachings of Shri Chaitanya

Here is the teachings of Shri Chaitanya to his followers. So wonderful and poignant that only following these ideals one can progress so much in the spiritual journey, and at the end, one can reach the destination :)

I really love to go through these teachings again and again, so sharing it with you all .

(Source- http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/k24.htm

Translated by P. R. Ramchander.)

"Cheto darpana marjanam bhava maha davagni nirvapanam,

Shreyah kairava chandrika vitaranam Vidya vadhujivanam,

Anandambuhdhi vardhanam pratipadam purnamrita asvadanam,

Sarvatmasnapanam param vijayate shrikrishnasankirtanam."                                              1

Victory to the singing of the names of Krishna,

Which cleans the dirt from the mirror of the heart,

Which puts out the fire of the pain of day today life,

Which spreads the cooling rays of moon everywhere,

Which is the knowledge accumulated by the holy,

Which increases the sea of happiness for ever,

Which makes us taste , fully the divine nectar,

And which is eagerly desired by all beings.

"Namnam akari bahudha nija sarvashakti

Statrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha

Etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi

durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah"                                                                            2

You have several millions of names,

Which can give real strength to all beings,

And you do not have any rules to chant them,

And this shows me that you are merciful towards me,

But I being unfortunate am not attracted by them.

"Trinad api sunicena

Taror api sahishnuna

Amanina manadena

Kirtaniyah sada harihi"                                                                                                          3

We should constantly sing the names of Hari,

With more humility than a dried grass,

With more tolerance than a tree,

And with a mind without false prestige.



"Na dhanam na janam na sundarim

Kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye

Mama janmani janmanishvare

Bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi."                                                                                        4

I do not wish for wealth or followers,

I do not wish for pretty women,

Oh Lord of the entire universe,

But I want to dedicate this life,

And all life after it is in your service.

"Ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram

Patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau

Kripaya tava pada-pankaja-

Sthita dhulisadrisham vichintaya "                                                                                        5

I am your slave, Oh son of Nanda,

But have fallen deep in this sea of birth and death,

So please pick me up from here,

And make me in to a dust of,

Your lotus like feet.

"Nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya

Vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira

Pulakair nichitam vapuh kada

Tava nama-grahane bhavishyati"                                                                                   6

When will tears fall form my eyes,

When will my face choke up,

And when will my hairs stand erect,

When I hear the recitation of your names.

"Yugayitam nimeshena

Chakshusha pravrishayitam

Shunyayitam jagat sarvam

Govinda-virahena mey."                                                                                                        7

When I am not with you Govinda,

Every minute appears like an age,

My eyes shed tears like rain,

And the entire world appears empty.

"Ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam

Adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va

Yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato

Mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha"                                                                                 8

My soul will be with him without condition,

Even if he chides me with dirty words,

Even if he breaks my heart by not being with me,

And do as he likes anything and everything.

And the photo here is taken from the Kaali mandir sculpture at C R Park.


Jai Shri Krishna!