ISKCON desire tree
Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants
this mantra sincerely.
No other means of spiritual realization, therefore,
is as effective in this age as chanting the maha-
mantra. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna,
Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama,
Hare Hare.
Temple Program Prayers
Song Name: Samsara Davanala Lidha
Official Name: r r Gurv-aaka (Eight
Prayers to the Guru) (Mangala Arati)
Author: Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
Book Name: Stavamrta Lahari
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who
appeared in the middle of the seventeenth
century, is a great spiritual master in the Krsna
conscious chain of gurus and disciples. He says,
One who, with great care and alteration, loudly
recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master
during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service
to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his
death.
(1)
sasra-dvnala-lha-loka
trya kruya-ghanghanatvam
prptasya kalya-guravasya
vande guro r-cararavindam
(2)
mahprabho krtana-ntya-gta
vditra-mdyan-manaso rasena
romca -kampru-taraga-bhjo
vande guro r-cararavindam
(3)
r-vigrahrdhana-nitya-nn
gra-tan-mandira-mrjandau
yuktasya bhakt ca niyujato pi
vande guro r-cararavindam
(4)
catur-vidha-r-bhagavat-prasda
svdvanna-tptn hari-bhakta-saghn
ktvaiva tpti bhajata sadaiva
vande guro r-cararavindam
(5)
r-rdhik-mdhavayor apra
mdhurya-ll gua-rpa-nmnm of Rdhik and Mdhava, and Their qualities,
prati-kasvdana-lolupasya
vande guro r-cararavindam
(6)
nikuja-yno rati-keli-siddhyai
y ylibhir yuktir apekay
tatrti-dkyd ati-vallabhasya
vande guro r-cararavindam
(7)
skd-dharitvena samasta-strair
uktas tath bhvyata eva sadbhi
kintu prabhor ya priya eva tasya
vande guro r-cararavindam
(8)
yasya prasdd bhagavat-prasdo
yasyprasdn na gati kuto pi
dhyyan stuvas tasya yaas tri-sandhya
vande guro r-cararavindam
TRANSLATION
1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction
from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours
water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the
spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted
world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material
existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto
the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an
ocean of auspicious qualities.
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy,
singing, and playing musical instruments, the
spiritual master is always gladdened by the
sakrtana movement of Lord Caitanya
Mahprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows
of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his
hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body,
and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my
respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a
spiritual master.
3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the
temple worship of Sr Sr Rdh and Ka. He
also engages his disciples in such worship. They
dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and
ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other
similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual
master.
4) The spiritual master is always offering Ka
four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that
which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked].
When the spiritual master sees that the devotees
are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasda, he is
satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto
the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear
and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes
names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to
relish these at every moment. I offer my
respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a
spiritual master.
6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is
expert in assisting the gops, who at different
times make different tasteful arrangements for the
perfection of Rdh and Ka's conjugal loving
affairs within the groves of Vndvana. I offer my
(9)