Temple Songs

This free for download ebook is a direct reproduction of the
original bona fide personally approved and blessed by Srila

Prabhupada.
This ebook was made by the official website for Srila

Prabhupada’s original books:
Krishnapath.org
All the content was directly taken from the original scans, is
unchanged and intact.
More free downloads at:

www.krishnapath.org
Contents
Contents
1. Śrī Guru praṇāma
2. Śrīla Prabhupāda praṇati
3. Śrī Pañca-tattva praṇāma
4. Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahā-mantra
5. Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka
6. Prema-dhvani Prayers
7. Śrī Nṛsiṁha Praṇāma
8. Śrī Tulasī-praṇāma
9. Śrī Tulasī-pūjā-kīrtana
10. Śrī Tulasī Pradakṣiṇa Mantra
11. The Ten Offences to the Holy Name
12. Vaiṣṇava-praṇāma
13. Śrī Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka
14. Greeting the Deities
15. Śrī Guru-vandanā
16. Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava
17. Verses Recited Before Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Class
18. Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka
19. Other Kīrtana prayers
20. Nāma-saṅkīrtana
21. Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
22. Gaura-ārati
23. Sapārṣada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilāpa
24. Śrī Dāmodarāṣṭaka
25. Śrī Jagannāthāṣṭaka
26. Bhajahū Re Mana Śrī Nanda-nandana
27. Kṛṣṇa Jinakā
28. Jaya Mādhava Madana Murārī
29. Vande Kṛṣṇa Nanda Kumāra
30. Lālasāmayī Prārthanā
31. Sāvarana-śrī-gaura-pāda-padme
32. Offering Food
33. Prayers for honouring Prasadam
34. Offering Arati
35. Offering procedure
36. How to offer each item
37. Completing the Arati
38. Ekadasi
39. Applying Tilak
40. Tilaka Marking List
41. Temple Etiquette
42. Drinking Caranamrta
43. Circumbulating the temple of Visnu
44. Japa
45. Setting up a Temple at Home
46. Tulasi Devi
47. Tulasi arati
48. More about Tulasi
49. Concluding words
Temple Timetable
Temple Timetable
4:10 A.M. : Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi
Mangala-arati
4:30 A.M. : Temple Mangala-arati
Narsimha prayers
5:00 A.M. : Tulasi-arati
Obeisances to the Vaisnavas
5:10 A.M. : Chanting Hare Krsna on japa mala
7:15 A.M. : Sringara-arati
7:20 A.M. : Guru Puja to Srila Prabhupada
8:00 A.M. : Srimad Bhagavatam Class
8:30 A.M. : Dhupa-arati
12:00 P.M. : Raj Bhoga-arati
Winter/Summer
4:00/4:30 P.M. : Dhupa-arati
6:30/7:00 P.M. : Sandhya-arati
8:00/8:30 P.M. : Sayana-arati

Śrī Guru praṇāma
Śrī Guru praṇāma
om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes,
blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.
Śrīla Prabhupāda praṇati
Śrīla Prabhupāda praṇati
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe

nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvatī Gosvāmī.
You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western
countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
Śrī Pañca-tattva praṇāma
Śrī Pañca-tattva praṇāma
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda

śrī-advaita gadādhara
śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
I offer my obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Prabhu Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita, Gadādhara,
Śrīvāsa and all others in the line of devotion.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Śrī Nityānanda
Prabhu, His incarnation Śrī Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency Śrī Gadādhara Prabhu,
and His marginal potency Śrīvāsa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. One should know that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is always
accompanied by these other tattvas. Therefore our obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
are complete when we say, śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara
śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda.
As preachers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we first offer our obeisances to Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu by chanting this Pañca-tattva mantra; then we say, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare
Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. There
are ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, but these are not
considered in the chanting of the Pañca-tattva mantra, namely, śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu
nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
is known as mahā-vadānyāvatāra, the most magnanimous incarnation, for He does not
consider the offenses of the fallen souls. Thus to derive the full benefit of the chanting of
the mahā-mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare
Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare), we must first take shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu,
learn the Pañca-tattva mantra, and then chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. That will be
very effective.
Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahā-mantra
Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahā-mantra

The Great Chanting for Deliverance
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa,

Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma,
Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
My dear Lord, and the spiritual energy of the Lord, kindly engage me in Your service. I am
now embarrassed with this material service. Please engage me in Your service.
harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā
“In this age of Kali, the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of Lord Hari,
Kṛṣna. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” [Bṛhan-
nāradīya Purāṇa, 18.126] This process of Hari-kīrtana is to chant the mahā-mantra (the
great chanting for deliverance): Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare
Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. In the Padma Purāṇa it is stated: “There is no
difference between the holy name of the Lord and the Lord Himself. As such, the holy
name is as perfect as the Lord Himself in fullness, purity and eternity. The holy name is not
a material sound vibration, nor has it any material contamination.”[Padma Purāṇa] How the
holy name of the Lord can be chanted constantly is mercifully described by Lord Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself in His Śikṣāṣṭaka verse 3: “One can chant the holy name of
the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street; one
should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of falseprestige, and should be
ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of
the Lord constantly.”
Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka
Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka

Eight Prayers to the Guru
by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth
century, is a great spiritual master in the Kṛṣṇa conscious chain of gurus and disciples. He
says, “One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the
spiritual master during the brāhma-muhūrta obtains direct service to Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of
Vṛndāvana, at the time of his death.”
(1)
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
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)
mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta-
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca-kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo
Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the
spiritual master is always gladdened by the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya
Mahāprabhu. 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)
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāṁś ca niyuñjato ’pi
The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
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)
catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda-
svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva
The spiritual master is always offering Kṛṣṇa 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-prasāda, he ist satisfied. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(5)
śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra-
mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal
pastimes of Rādhikā and Mādhava, and Their qualities, 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)
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopīs, who at
different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Rādhā and
Kṛṣṇa’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vṛndāvana. I offer my most humble
obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
(7)
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most
confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and
followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of
such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Śrī Hari [Kṛṣṇa].
(8)
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. Without the
grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should
always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer
my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.
Prema-dhvani Prayers
Prema-dhvani Prayers
• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda paramahaṁsa parivrājakācārya aṣṭottara-śata śrī śrīmad a.c.

bhaktivedānta svāmī mahārāja prabhupāda—kī jaya.
All glories to the ācārya Oṁ Viṣṇu-pāda 108 Tridaṇḍī Gosvāmī A. C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupāda, who travels everywhere, preaching the glories of Hari, and who is
situated on the highest platform of sannyāsa .
• ISKCON-Founder-Ācārya Śrīla Prabhupāda—kī jaya.

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Kṛṣṇa
Consciousness.
• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda paramahaṁsa parivrājakācārya aṣṭottara-śata śrī śrīmad

bhaktisiddhānta sarasvatī gosvāmī mahārāja prabhupāda—kī jaya.
All glories to the ācārya Oṁ Viṣṇu-pāda 108 Tridaṇḍī Gosvāmī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī
Prabhupāda, who travels across the earth, preaching the glories of Hari, and who is situated
on the highest platform of sannyāsa .
• jaya om viṣṇu-pāda śrīla gaurakiśora dāsa bābājī mahārāja—kī jaya.

All glories to Śrīla Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī.
• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda śrīla saccidānanda bhaktivinoda ṭhākura—kī jaya.

All glories to Śrīla Sac-cid-ānanda Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.
• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda vaiṣṇava-sārvabhauma śrīla jagannātha dāsa bābājī mahārāja

—kī jaya.
All glories to Vaiṣṇava-Sārvabhauma Śrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī.
• jaya śrī rūpa sanātana bhaṭṭa-raghunātha śrī jīva gopāla bhaṭṭa dāsa raghunātha
ṣaḍ-gosvāmī prabhu—kī jaya.
All glories to the six Gosvāmīs, namely, Śrī Rūpa, Sanatāna, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, Jīva,
Gopāla Bhaṭṭa and Raghunātha Dāsa.
• nāmācārya śrīla haridāsa ṭhākura—kī jaya.

All glories to the Nāmācārya Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura.
• prem-se kaho śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda śrī advaita, gadādhara,

śrīvāsādi gaura-bhakta-vṛnda—kī jaya.
Call out with love the names Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Prabhu Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita, Śrī
Gadādhara, Śrīvāsa and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.
• śrī śrī rādha-kṛṣṇa, gopa-gopīnatha, śyāma-kuṇḍa, rādhā-kuṇḍa giri-govardhana—

kī jaya.
All glories to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, the cowherd boys and girls, the cows, Śyāma-kuṇḍa,
Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Govardhana Hill.
(One may glorify the Deities of the temple at this time.)
• śrī māyāpur dhāma—kī jaya.

All glories to Śrī Māyāpur-dhāma.
• śrī vṛndāvana dhāma—kī jaya.

All glories to Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma.
• gaṅgā-mayī—kī jaya.
All glories to Gaṅgā-devī.
• yamunā-mayī—kī jaya.
All glories to Yamunā-devī.
• bhakti-devī—kī jaya.
All glories to Bhakti-devī.
• tulasī-devī—kī jaya.
All glories to Tulasī-devī.
• ananta koṭi vaiṣṇava-vṛnda—kī jaya.

All glories to the unlimited millions of Vaiṣṇavas.
• śrī hari-nāma saṅkīrtana—kī jaya.

All glories to the congregational chanting of the holy name of Hari.
• grantha-rāja śrīmad-bhāgavatam —kī jaya.

All glories to the king of books, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam .
• ISKCON-vartmāna-guru-vṛnda—kī jaya.
All glories to the present gurus of ISKCON.
• samāveta bhakta-vṛnda—kī jaya.

All glories to the assembled devotees.
• gaura-premānande hari-haribol.
Chant the names Hari! Hari! in the ecstasy of Caitanya-prema.
• All glories to the assembled devotees. [three times]

• All glories to Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga.
• All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Śrī Nṛsiṁha Praṇāma
Śrī Nṛsiṁha Praṇāma
namas te narasiṁhāya prahlādāhlāda-dāyine

hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-śilā-ṭaṅka-nakhālaye
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasiṁha who gives joy to Prahlāda Mahārāja and whose
nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu.
ito nṛsiṁhaḥ parato nṛsiṁho

yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiṁhaḥ
bahir nṛsiṁho hṛdaye nṛsiṁho
nṛsiṁham ādiṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye
Lord Nṛsiṁha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nṛsiṁha is there. He is in the
heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nṛsiṁha, the origin of all things and the
supreme refuge.
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgaṁ

dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgam
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare
O Keśava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man,
half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails,
so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon Hiraṇyakaśipu has been ripped apart
by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.
Śrī Tulasī-praṇāma
Śrī Tulasī-praṇāma
In the morning, after maṅgala-āratī (and preferably also in the evening, before sandhyā-
āratī ), all the assembled devotees should attend tulasī worship and circumambulate Śrīmatī
Tulasī-devī. First we offer obeisances to Tulasī-devī with the tulasī-praṇāma-mantra,
chanted three times:
(oṁ) vṛndāyai tulasī-devyai priyāyai keśavasya ca

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namaḥ
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vṛndā, Śrīmatī Tulasī-devī, who is very dear to Lord
Keśava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Kṛṣṇa and you possess the highest
truth.
Then we sing the tulasī-pūjā-kīrtana while one devotee offers āratī to Tulasī-devi with
incense, a ghee lamp and flowers. While offering the articles, the devotee offering tulasī-
āratī should stand on a mat and ring a bell with his left hand. Each of the items may be
distributed to the assembled devotees after they have been offered to Tulasī-devī.
Śrī Tulasī-pūjā-kīrtana
Śrī Tulasī-pūjā-kīrtana
namo namaḥ tulasī kṛṣṇa-preyasi namo namaḥ

rādhā-kṛṣṇa-sevā pābo ei abilāṣī
O Tulasī, beloved of Kṛṣṇa, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the
service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
ye tomāra śaraṇa loy, tara vāñchā pūrṇa hoy

kṛpā kori’ koro tāre vṛndāvana-vāsi
Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you
make him a resident of Vṛndāvana.
mora ei abhilāṣa, vilāsa kuñje dio vāsa

nayana heribo sadā yugala-rūpa-rāśi
My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of Śrī
Vṛndāvana-dhāma. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of
Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
ei nivedana dhara, sakhīra anugata koro

sevā-adhikāra diye koro nīja dāsī
I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the
privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.
dīna kṛṣṇa-dāse koy, ei yena mora hoy

śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi
This very fallen and lowly servant of Kṛṣṇa prays, “May I always swim in the love of Śrī
Śrī Rādhā and Govinda.”
Śrī Tulasī Pradakṣiṇa Mantra
Śrī Tulasī Pradakṣiṇa Mantra
When the song is finished, the assembled Vaiṣṇavas should circumambulate Tulasī-devī at
least four times and offer her water by pouring some drops at her root (only during
morning worship, not in the evening). While circumambulating, we chant,
yāni kāni ca pāpāni brahma-hatyādikāni ca

tāni tāni praṇaśyanti pradakṣiṇaḥ pade pade
When a person circumambulates Śrīmatī Tulasī-devī, all the sins he may have committed
are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa .
The Ten Offences to the Holy Name
The Ten Offences to the

Holy Name
The ten offenses to the holy name are listed as follows in the Padma Purāṇa, as quoted in
the Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 8.24, purport):
satāṁ nindā nāmnaḥ paramam

aparādhaṁ vitanute
yataḥ khyātiṁ yātaṁ katham
u sahate tad-vigarhām
1. To blaspheme the devotee who have dedicated their lives to propagating the Holy
Names of the Lord.
This is the worst offense at the lotus feet of the holy name. The Nāma-prabhu, who is
identical with Kṛṣṇa, will never tolerate such blasphemous activities, even from one who
passes as a great devotee.
śivasya śrī-viṣṇor ya iha

guṇa-nāmādi-sakalaṁ
dhiyā bhinnaṁ paśyet sa
khalu hari-nāmāhita-karaḥ
2. To consider the holy Name of demigods such as Lord Shiva or Lord Brahma to be equal
to or independent of the Names of Visnu.
In this material world the holy name of Viṣṇu is all-auspicious. Viṣṇu’s name, form,
qualities, and pastimes are all transcendental, absolute knowledge. Therefore, if one tries to
separate the Absolute Personality of Godhead from His holy name or His transcendental
form, qualities, and pastimes, thinking them material, that is offensive. Similarly, to think
that the names of demigods such as Lord Śiva are as good as the name of Lord Viṣṇu is
also blasphemous.
guror avajñā
3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.
It is offensive to consider the spiritual master material and therefore to envy his exalted
position.
śruti-śāstra-nindanam
4. It is offensive to blaspheme the Vedic literature such as the four Vedas and the Purāṇas
or literatures in pursuance of the Vedic version.
hari-nāmni kalpanam
5. It is offensive to consider the glories of the holy name to be imagination or

exaggerations.
artha-vādaḥ
6. To give some mundane interpretation on the Holy Name of the Lord.
nāmno balād yasya hi pāpa-buddhir

na vidyate tasya yamair hi śuddhiḥ
7. To commit sinful activities on the strength of the Holy Names of the Lord.
The greatest offense at the lotus feet of the holy name is to think that since chanting the
holy name can counteract all sinful reactions one may therefore go on sinning and at the
same time chant the holy name to neutralize the reactions. One who thinks in this way
cannot be purified by any program of sense restraint and severe austerities, nor by the
various punishments of Yamarāja.
dharma-vrata-tyāga-hutādi-sarva-
śubha-kriyā-sāmyam api pramādaḥ
8. To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna as one of the auspicious ritualistic activities
offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).
It is offensive to consider the chanting of the holy name equal to the performance of
ordinary religious ceremonies or fire sacrifices, the observance of austere vows, or the
practice of renunciation, all of which are materialistic auspicious activities.
aśraddadhāne vimukhe ’py aśṛṇvati

yaś copadeśaḥ śiva-nāmāparādhaḥ
9. It is an offense to preach the glories of the holy name to those unwilling to hear, to
atheists, or to those who have no faith in chanting the holy name.
Anyone can take part in the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord, but in the beginning
one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are
too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord and therefore it is better
not to instruct them in this matter.
śrutvāpi nāma-māhātmyaṁ
yaḥ prīti-rahito ’dhamaḥ
ahaṁ-mamādi-paramo
nāmni so ’py aparādha-kṛt
10. Not to have complete faith in the chanting the Holy Name and to maintain material
attachment even after understanding so may instructions on the matter.
If a person has heard the glories of the transcendental holy name of the Lord but
nevertheless continues in the materialistic concept of life, thinking, “I am this body and
everything belonging to this body is mine,” and if he thus shows no respect or love for the
chanting of the holy name, that is an offense.
api pramādaḥ
It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaiṣṇava must carefully guard against these ten offenses
in order to quickly achieve the desired success Kṛṣṇa-prema
Vaiṣṇava-praṇāma
Vaiṣṇava-praṇāma
vāñchā-kalpa-tarubhyaś ca
kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo
vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṇava devotees of the Lord Who are just
like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone. They are full of compassion and
can deliver all the fallen souls.
Śrī Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka
Śrī Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka

Eight verses written by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Himself.
Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Kṛṣṇa,
a task which His followers have continued to carry out down to the present day. The
elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are, in fact, the
most voluminous, exacting, and consistent, due to the system of disciplic succession.
Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He left only eight
verses, called Śikṣāṣṭaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These
supremely valuable prayers are translated herein.
(1)
ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ
bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ
śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ
vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ prati-padaṁ
pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ
sarvātma-snapanaṁ paraṁ vijayate
śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṇkīrtanam
Glory to the śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for
years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This
saṅkīrtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the
rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the
ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are
always anxious.
(2)
nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis
tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ
etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi
durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ
O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus
You have hundreds and millions of names, like Kṛṣṇa and Govinda. In these transcendental
names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and
fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily
approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for
them.
(3)
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself
lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all
sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of
mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
(4)
na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ
kavitāṁ vā jagad-īśa kāmaye
mama janmani janmanīśvare
bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women,
nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service,
birth after birth.
(5)
ayi nanda-tanuja kiṅkaraṁ
patitaṁ māṁ viṣame bhavāmbudhau
kṛpayā tava pāda-paṅkaja-
sthita-dhūlī-sadṛśaṁ vicintaya
O son of Mahārāja Nanda [Kṛṣṇa], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have
fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and
place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.
(6)
nayanaṁ galad-aśru-dhārayā
vadanaṁ gadgada-ruddhayā girā
pulakair nicitaṁ vapuḥ kadā
tava-nāma-grahaṇe bhaviṣyati
O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I
chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body
stand on end at the recitation of Your name?
(7)
yugāyitaṁ nimeṣeṇa
cakṣuṣā prāvṛṣāyitam
śūnyāyitaṁ jagat sarvaṁ
govinda-viraheṇa me
O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or
more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in
the world in Your absence.
(8)
āśliṣya vā pāda-ratāṁ pinaṣṭu mām
adarśanān marma-hatām-hatāṁ karotu vā
yathā tathā vā vidadhātu lampaṭo
mat-prāṇa-nāthas tu sa eva nāparaḥ
I know no one but Kṛṣṇa as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me
roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is
completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord,
unconditionally.
Greeting the Deities
Greeting the Deities
veṇuṁ kvaṇantam aravinda-dalāyatākṣaṁ

barhāvataṁsam asitāmbuda-sundarāṅgam
kandarpa-koṭi-kaminīya-viśeṣa-śobhaṁ
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming
eyes like lotus petals with head decked with peacock’s feather, with the figure of beauty
tinged with the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of Cupids.
[Brahma-saṁhitā Text 5.30]
aṅgāni yasya sakalendriya-vṛtti-manti

paśyanti pānti kalayanti ciraṁ jaganti
ānanda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, whose transcendental form is full of bliss, truth,
substantiality and is thus full of the most dazzling splendor. Each of the limbs of that
transcendental figure possesses in Himself, the full-fledged functions of all the organs, and
eternally sees, maintains and manifests the infinite universes, both spiritual and mundane.
[Brahma-saṁhitā Text 5.32]
Śrī Guru-vandanā
Śrī Guru-vandanā
The Worship of Śrī Guru
(from Prema-bhakti-candrikā)
(1)
śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando mui sāvadhāna mate
jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi,
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha’te
The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure
devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one
can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.
(2)
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koriyā aikya,
ār nā koriho mane āśā
śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasāde pūre sarva āśā
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus
mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
(3)
cakhu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jñān hṛde prokāśito
prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte,
vede gāy jāhāra carito
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my

Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed.
The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
(4)
śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu,
lokanāth lokera jīvana
hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā,
ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana
Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master
of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your
fame is spread all over the three worlds.
Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava
Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
Śrīla Prabhupāda was very fond of this song and sang it just before his lectures. In
Allahabad and Gorakhpur Śrīla Prabhupāda fell into a trance after singing the first two
lines, and after some time he came back into external consciousness and said, “Now just
chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.” Śrīla Prabhupāda said that this song is “a picture of Vṛndāvana.
Everything is there—Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Vṛndāvana, Govardhana, Yaśodā, and all the
cowherd boys.”
(jaya) rādhā-mādhava (jaya) kuñja-bihārī

(jaya) gopī-jana-vallabha (jaya) giri-vara-dhārī
(jaya) jaśodā-nandana, (jaya) braja-jana-rañjana,
(jaya) jāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
Kṛṣṇa is the lover of Rādhā. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of
Vṛndāvana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, the holder of the great hill
named Govardhana, the beloved son of mother Yaśodā, the delighter of the inhabitants of
Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamunā.
Verses Recited Before Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Class
Verses Recited Before Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Class
nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya
naraṁ caiva narottamam
devīṁ sarasvatīṁ vyāsaṁ
tato jayam udīrayet
Before reciting this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should
offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, unto Nara-nārāyaṇa
Ṛṣi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvatī, the goddess of learning, and unto
Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the author. [SB 1.2.4]
śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ

puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt satām
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s
heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment
from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are
in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. [SB 1.2.17]
naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu
nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
bhagavaty uttama-śloke
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī
By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure
devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving
service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is
established as an irrevocable fact. [SB 1.2.18]
Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka
Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka

Eight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis
by Śrīnivāsa Ācārya
(1)
kṛṣṇotkīrtana-gāna-nartana-parau
premāmṛtāmbho-nidhī
dhīrādhīra-jana-priyau priya-karau
nirmatsarau pūjitau
śrī-caitanya-kṛpā-bharau bhuvi bhuvo
bhārāvahantārakau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau
śrī-jīva-gopālakau
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvāmīs, namely Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī
Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Śrī
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who are always engaged in chanting the
holy name of Kṛṣṇa and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are
popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone.
Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord
Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the
conditioned souls in the material universe.
(2)
nānā-śāstra-vicāraṇaika-nipuṇau
sad-dharma-saṁsthāpakau
lokānāṁ hita-kāriṇau tri-bhuvane
mānyau śaraṇyākarau
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-padāravinda-bhajanānandena
mattālikau
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who are very expert in scrutinizingly
studying all the revealed scriptures with the aim of establishing eternal religious principles
for the benefit of all human beings. Thus they are honored all over the three worlds and
they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are
engaged in the transcendental loving service of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
(3)
śrī-gaurāṇga-guṇānuvarṇana-vidhau
śraddhā-samṛddhy-anvitau
pāpottāpa-nikṛntanau tanu-bhṛtāṁ
govinda-gānāmṛtaiḥ
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaika-nipuṇau
kaivalya-nistārakau
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who are very much enriched in
understanding of Lord Caitanya and who are thus expert in narrating His transcendental
qualities. They can purify all conditioned souls from the reactions of their sinful activities
by pouring upon them transcendental songs about Govinda. As such, they are very expert
in increasing the limits of the ocean of transcendental bliss, and they are the saviors of the
living entities from the devouring mouth of liberation.
(4)
tyaktvā tūrṇam aśeṣa-maṇḍala-pati-
śreṇīṁ sadā tuccha-vat
bhūtvā dīna-gaṇeśakau karuṇayā
kaupīna-kanthāśritau
gopī-bhāva-rasāmṛtābdhi-laharī-
kallola-magnau muhur
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who kicked off all association of
aristocracy as insignificant. In order to deliver the poor conditioned souls, they accepted
loincloths, treating themselves as mendicants, but they are always merged in the ecstatic
ocean of the gopis’ love for Kṛṣṇa and bathe always and repeatedly in the waves of that
ocean.
(5)
kūjat-kokila-haṁsa-sārasa-
gaṇākīrṇe mayūrākule
nānā-ratna-nibaddha-mūla-viṭapa-
śrī-yukta-vṛndāvane
rādhā-kṛṣṇam ahar-niśaṁ prabhajatau
jīvārthadau yau mudā
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who were always engaged in worshiping
Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in the transcendental land of Vṛndāvana where there are beautiful trees full of
fruits and flowers which have under their roots all valuable jewels. The Gosvāmīs are
perfectly competent to bestow upon the living entities the greatest boon of the goal of life.
(6)
saṅkhyā-pūrvaka-nāma-gāna-natibhiḥ
kālāvasānī-kṛtau
nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau
cātyanta-dīnau ca yau
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-guṇa-smṛter
madhurimānandena sammohitau
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who were engaged in chanting the holy
names of the Lord and bowing down in a scheduled measurement. In this way they utilized
their valuable lives and in executing these devotional activities they conquered over eating
and sleeping and were always meek and humble enchanted by remembering the
transcendental qualities of the Lord.
(7)
rādhā-kuṇḍa-taṭe kalinda-tanayā-
tīre ca vaṁśīvaṭe
premonmāda-vaśād aśeṣa-daśayā
grastau pramattau sadā
gāyantau ca kadā harer guṇa-varaṁ
bhāvābhibhūtau mudā
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who were sometimes on the bank of the
Rādhā-kunda lake or the shores of the Yamuna and sometimes at Vaṁśīvaṭa. There they
appeared just like madmen in the full ecstasy of love for Kṛṣṇa, exhibiting different
transcendental symptoms in their bodies, and they were merged in the ecstasy of Kṛṣṇa
consciousness.
(8)
he rādhe vraja-devīke ca lalite
he nanda-sūno kutaḥ
śrī-govardhana-kalpa-pādapa-tale
kālindī-vane kutaḥ
ghoṣantāv iti sarvato vraja-pure
khedair mahā-vihvalau
Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who were chanting very loudly everywhere
in Vṛndāvana, shouting, “Queen of Vṛndāvana, Rādhārāṇī! O Lalita! O son of Nanda
Mahārāja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you
under the trees on the bank of the Yamunā? Where are you?” These were their moods in
executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Verse Recited Before Reading Kṛṣṇa Book Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.3.51): kīrtanād eva
kṛṣṇasya mukta-saṅgaḥ. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has also taught us this. While passing on the
road, He used to chant:
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa pāhi mām
rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava pāhi mām
"O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please protect Me and maintain Me. O Lord Rāma, descendant of King
Raghu, please protect Me. O Kṛṣṇa, O Keśava, killer of the Keśī demon, please maintain
Me."
If one always chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, gradually one is freed from all reactions of
sinful life, provided he chants offenselessly and does not commit more sinful activities on
the strength of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. In this way one is purified, and his
devotional service causes the arousal of his dormant love of God. If one simply chants the
Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and does not commit sinful activities and offenses, one’s life is
purified, and thus one comes to the fifth stage of perfection, or engagement in the loving
service of the Lord (premā pum-artho mahān).
Other Kīrtana prayers
Other Kīrtana prayers

Prayer to Lord Jagannātha
Jagannātha-svāmī nayana paṭhagami bhavatu me
May that Jagannātha-svāmī be the object of my vision

Prayer to Lord Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda
nitāi gaurāṅga, nitāi gaurāṅga

Jaya śacīnandana, gaura-hari
All glories to Lord Nityānanda and Lord Caitanya, the son of Śacī-devī, who is Kṛṣṇa
Himself in golden hue.
Prayer to Lord Govinda

govinda jaya jaya, gopāla jaya jaya
Rādhā-Ramaṇa hari, govinda jaya jaya
All glories to Lord Śrī Govinda! All glories to Lord Śrī Gopala! All glories to Lord Śrī
Hari, the husband of Rādhārāṇī.
Nāma-saṅkīrtana
Nāma-saṅkīrtana
(hari haraye nama krishna)
(1)
hari haraye namaḥ kṛṣṇa yādavāya namaḥ
yādavāya mādhavāya keśavāya namaḥ
O Lord Hari, O Lord Kṛṣṇa, I offer my obeisances to You, who are known as Hari,
Yādava, Mādhava, and Keśava.
(2)
gopāla govinda rāma śrī-madhusūdana
giridhārī gopīnātha madana-mohana
O Gopāla, Govinda, Rāma, Śrī Madhusūdana, Giridhārī Gopīnātha, and Madana-mohana!
(3)
śrī-caitanya-nityānanda śrī-advaita-sītā
hari guru vaiṣṇaba bhāgavata gītā
All glories to Śrī Caitanya and Nityānanda! All glories to Śrī Advaita Ācārya and His
consort, Śrī Sītā Ṭhākurāṇī. All glories to Lord Hari, to the spiritual master, the Vaiṣṇavas,
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and Śrīmad Bhagavad-Gītā.
(4)
śrī-rūpa sanātana bhaṭṭa-raghunātha
śrī-jīva gopāla-bhaṭṭa dāsa-raghunātha
All glories to Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva
Gosvāmī, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī.
(5)
ei chay gosāir kori caraṇa vandan
jāhā hoite bighna-nāś abhīṣṭa-pūraṇ
I offer my obeisances to the feet of these six Gosvāmīs. By bowing to them, all obstacles to
devotion are destroyed and all spiritual desires are fulfilled.
(6)
ei chay gosāi jār—mui tār dās
tā-sabāra pada-reṇu mora pañca-grās
I am the servant of that person who is a servant of these six Gosvāmīs. The dust of their
lotus feet is my five kinds of foodstuffs.
(7)
tādera caraṇa-sebi-bhakta-sane bās
janame janame hoy ei abhilāṣ
This is my desire: that birth after birth I may live with those devotees who serve the lotus
feet of these six Gosvāmīs.
(8)
ei chay gosāi jabe braje koilā bās
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-nitya-līlā korilā prakāś
When these six Gosvāmīs lived in Vraja they revealed the lost holy places and explained
the eternal pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
(9)
ānande bolo hari bhaja bṛndāban
śrī-guru-vaiṣṇaba-pade majāiyā man
Just shout the names of Lord Hari in great ecstasy and worship the transcendental realm of
Vṛndāvana while absorbing your mind in meditation upon the divine feet of the spiritual
master and the Vaiṣṇavas.
(10)
śrī-guru-vaiṣṇaba-pada-padma kori āś
narottama dāsa kohe nāma-saṅkīrtana
Desiring to serve the lotus feet of Śrī Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas, Narottama dāsa sings this
saṅkīrtana of the holy names of Lord Hari.
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
(Yashomati Nandana)
Chanting of the Holy Names

(from Gītāvalī)
(1)
yaśomatī-nandana, braja-baro-nāgara,
gokula-rañjana kāna
gopī-parāṇa-dhana, madana-manohara,
kāliya-damana-vidhāna
Lord Kṛṣṇa is the beloved son of mother Yaśodā; the transcendental lover in the land of
Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kāna [a nickname of Kṛṣṇa]; the wealth of the lives of the
gopīs. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kāliya serpent.
(2)
amala harinām amiya-vilāsā
vipina-purandara, navīna nāgara-bora,
baṁśī-badana suvāsā
These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Kṛṣṇa is the
Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja, He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is
always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.
(3)
braja-jana-pālana, asura-kula-nāśana
nanda-godhana-rākhowālā
govinda mādhava, navanīta-taskara,
sundara nanda-gopālā
Kṛṣṇa is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac
dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Mahārāja’s cows; the giver of pleasure to the
cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and
the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda Mahārāja.
(4)
yāmuna-taṭa-cara, gopī-basana-hara,
rāsa-rasika, kṛpāmoya
śrī-rādhā-vallabha, bṛndābana-naṭabara,
bhakativinod-āśraya
Kṛṣṇa wanders along the banks of the River Yamunā. He stole the garments of the young
damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rāsa dance; He
is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; the great dancer of
Vṛndāvana; and the shelter and only refuge of Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda.
Gaura-ārati
Gaura-ārati
(from Gītāvalī)
(1)
(kiba) jaya jaya gorācānder āratiko śobhā
jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā
(First Refrain)
gaurāṅger ārotik śobhā
jaga-jana-mana-lobhā
All glories, all glories to the beautiful ārati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-ārati is
taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jāhnavī [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of
all living entities in the universe.
(2)
dakhiṇe nitāicānd, bāme gadādhara
nikaṭe adwaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara
On Lord Caitanya’s right side is Lord Nityānanda, and on His left is Śrī Gadādhara.
Nearby stands Śrī Advaita, and Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura is holding an umbrella over Lord
Caitanya’s head.
(3)
bosiyāche gorācānd ratna-siṁhāsane
ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe
Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord
Brahmā, perform the ārati ceremony.
(4)
narahari-ādi kori’ cāmara dhulāya
sañjaya-mukunda-bāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya
Narahari Sarakāra and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with cāmaras, and
devotees headed by Sañjaya Paṇḍita, Mukunda Datta, and Vāsu Ghoṣa sing sweet kīrtana.
(5)
śaṅkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla
madhura mṛdaṅga bāje parama rasāla
(Second Refrain)
śankha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje
madhur madhur madhur bāje
Conchshells, bells, and karatālas resound, and the mṛdaṅgas play very sweetly. This kīrtana
music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.
(6)
bahu-koṭi candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deśe bana-mālā kore jhalamala
The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the
garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.
(7)
śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada
Lord Śiva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and Nārada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked
with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of
Lord Śrī Caitanya.
Sapārṣada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilāpa
Sapārṣada-bhagavad-viraha-
janita-vilāpa
Lamentation Due to Separation
from the Lord and His Associates
(from Prārthanā)
(1)
je ānilo prema-dhana koruṇā pracur
heno prabhu kothā gelā ācārya-ṭhākur
He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy
—where has such a personality as Śrīnivāsa Ācārya gone?
(2)
kāhā mora swarūp rūpa kāhā sanātan
kāhā dāsa raghunātha patita-pāvan
Where are my Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rūpa Gosvāmī? Where is Sanātana? Where is
Raghunātha dāsa, the savior of the fallen?
(3)
kāhā mora bhaṭṭa-juga kāhā kavirāj
eka-kāle kothā gelā gorā naṭa-rāj
Where are my Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa and Gopāla Bhaṭṭa, and where is Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja?
Where did Lord Gaurāṅga, the great dancer, suddenly go?
(4)
pāṣāṇe kuṭibo māthā anale paśibo
gaurāṅga guṇera nidhi kothā gele pābo
I will smash my head against the rock and enter into the fire. Where will I find Lord
Gaurāṅga, the reservoir of all wonderful qualities?
(5)
se-saba saṅgīra saṅge je koilo bilās
se-saṅga nā pāiyā kānde narottama dās
Being unable to obtain the association of Lord Gaurāṅga accompanied by all of these
devotees in whose association He performed His pastimes, Narottama dāsa simply weeps.
Śrī Dāmodarāṣṭaka
Śrī Dāmodarāṣṭaka
(found in the Padma Purāṇa of Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa,

spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Nārada Muni and Śaunaka Ṛṣi)
“In the month of Kārtika one should worship Lord Dāmodara and daily recite the prayer
known as Dāmodarāṣṭaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which
attracts Lord Dāmodara.”
( Śrī Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 2.16.198)
(1)
namāmīśvaraṁ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaṁ
lasat-kuṇḍalaṁ gokule bhrājamanam
yaśodā-bhiyolūkhalād dhāvamānaṁ
parāmṛṣṭam atyantato drutya gopyā
To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and
bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in
the divine realm of Gokula, who [due to the offense of breaking the pot of yogurt that His
mother was churning into butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a
swing] is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of mother Yaśodā, but
who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed—to that
Supreme Lord, Śrī Dāmodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
(2)
rudantaṁ muhur netra-yugmaṁ mṛjantam
karāmbhoja-yugmena sātaṅka-netram
muhuḥ śvāsa-kampa-trirekhāṅka-kaṇṭha-
sthita-graivaṁ dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham
[Seeing the whipping stick in His mother’s hand,] He is crying and rubbing His eyes again
and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes are filled with fear, and the necklace of pearls
around His neck, which is marked with three lines like a conchshell, is shaking because of
His quick breathing due to crying. To this Supreme Lord, Śrī Dāmodara, whose belly is
bound not with ropes but with His mother’s pure love, I offer my humble obeisances.
(3)
itīdṛk sva-līlābhir ānanda-kuṇḍe
sva-ghoṣaṁ nimajjantam ākhyāpayantam
tadīyeṣita-jñeṣu bhaktair jitatvaṁ
punaḥ prematas taṁ śatāvṛtti vande
By such childhood pastimes as this He is drowning the inhabitants of Gokula in pools of

ecstasy, and is revealing to those devotees who are absorbed in knowledge of His supreme
majesty and opulence that He is only conquered by devotees whose pure love is imbued
with intimacy and is free from all conceptions of awe and reverence. With great love I
again offer my obeisances to Lord Dāmodara hundreds and hundreds of times.
(4)
varaṁ deva mokṣaṁ na mokṣāvadhiṁ vā
na canyaṁ vṛṇe ’haṁ vareṣād apīha
idaṁ te vapur nātha gopāla-bālaṁ
sadā me manasy āvirāstāṁ kim anyaiḥ
0 Lord, although You are able to give all kinds of benedictions, I do not pray to You for the
boon of impersonal liberation, nor the highest liberation of eternal life in Vaikuṇṭha, nor
any other boon [which may be obtained by executing the nine processes of bhakti]. O Lord,
I simply wish that this form of Yours as Bāla Gopāla in Vṛndāvana may ever be manifest
in my heart, for what is the use to me of any other boon besides this?
(5)
idaṁ te mukhāmbhojam atyanta-nīlair
vṛtaṁ kuntalaiḥ snigdha-raktaiś ca gopyā
muhuś cumbitaṁ bimba-raktādharaṁ me
manasy āvirāstām alaṁ lakṣa-lābhaiḥ
0 Lord, Your lotus face, which is encircled by locks of soft black hair tinged with red, is
kissed again and again by mother Yaśodā, and Your lips are reddish like the bimba fruit.
May this beautiful vision of Your lotus face be ever manifest in my heart. Thousands and
thousands of other benedictions are of no use to me.
(6)
namo deva dāmodarānanta viṣṇo
prasīda prabho duḥkha-jālābdhi-magnam
kṛpā-dṛṣṭi-vṛṣṭyāti-dīnaṁ batānu
gṛhāṇeṣa mām ajñam edhy akṣi-dṛśyaḥ
0 Supreme Godhead, I offer my obeisances unto You. O Dāmodara! O Ananta! O Viṣṇu! O

master! O my Lord, be pleased upon me. By showering Your glance of mercy upon me,
deliver this poor ignorant fool who is immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows, and
become visible to my eyes.
(7)
kuverātmajau baddha-mūrtyaiva yadvat
tvayā mocitau bhakti-bhājau kṛtau ca
tathā prema-bhaktiṁ svakāṁ me prayaccha
na mokṣe graho me ‘sti dāmodareha
0 Lord Dāmodara, just as the two sons of Kuvera—Manigrīva and Nalakūvara—were

delivered from the curse of Nārada and made into great devotees by You in Your form as a
baby tied with rope to a wooden grinding mortar, in the same way, please give to me Your
own prema-bhakti. I only long for this and have no desire for any kind of liberation.
(8)
namas te ’stu dāmne sphurad-dīpti-dhāmne
tvadīyodarāyātha viśvasya dhāmne
namo rādhikāyai tvadīya-priyāyai
namo ’nanta-līlāya devāya tubhyam
0 Lord Dāmodara, I first of all offer my obeisances to the brilliantly effulgent rope which
binds Your belly. I then offer my obeisances to Your belly, which is the abode of the entire
universe. I humbly bow down to Your most beloved Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and I offer all
obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes.
Śrī Jagannāthāṣṭaka
Śrī Jagannāthāṣṭaka
(1)
kadācit kālindī-taṭa-vipina-saṅgītaka-ravo
mudābhīrī-nārī-vadana-kamalāsvāda-madhupaḥ
ramā-śambhu-brahmāmara-pati-gaṇeśārcita-pado
jagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me
Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannātha makes a loud concert with His flute in the
groves on the banks of the Yamunā. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotuslike
faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great personalities such as Lakṣmī, Śiva,
Brahmā, Indra, and Gaṇeśa worship His lotus feet. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the
object of my vision.
(2)
bhuje savye veṇuṁ śirasi śikhi-puccham kaṭi-taṭe
dukūlaṁ netrānte sahacara-kaṭākṣaṁ vidadhate
sadā śrīmad-vṛndāvana-vasati-līlā-paricayo
In His left hand Lord Jagannātha holds a flute, on His head He wears peacock feathers, and
on His hips He wears fine yellow silken cloth. From the corners of His eyes He bestows
sidelong glances upon His loving devotees, and He always reveals Himself through His
pastimes in His divine abode of Vṛndāvana. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of
my vision.
(3)
mahāmbhodhes tīre kanaka-rucire nīla-śikhare
vasan prāsādāntaḥ sahaja-balabhadreṇa balinā
subhadrā-madhya-sthaḥ sakala-sura-sevāvasara-do
On the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace atop the brilliant, golden Nīlācala
Hill, Lord Jagannātha resides with His powerful brother Balabhadra and His sister
Subhadrā, who sits between Them. May that Jagannātha Svāmī, who bestows the
opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls, be the object of my vision.
(4)
kṛpā-pārāvāraḥ sajala-jalada-śreṇi-ruciro
ramā-vāṇī-rāmaḥ sphurad-amala-paṅkeruha-mukhaḥ
surendrair ārādhyaḥ śruti-gaṇa-śikhā-gīta-carito
Lord Jagannātha is an ocean of mercy and as beautiful as a row of blackish rain clouds. He
is the storehouse of bliss for Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī, and His face resembles a spotless
fullblown lotus. The best of demigods and sages worship Him, and the Upaniṣads sing His
glories. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of my vision.
(5)
rathārūḍho gacchan pathi milita-bhūdeva-paṭalaiḥ
stuti-prādurbhāvam prati-padam upākarṇya sadayaḥ
dayā-sindhur bandhuḥ sakala jagatāṁ sindhu-sutayā
jagannāthah svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me
When Lord Jagannātha moves along the road on His Rathayātrā car, at every step large
assemblies of brāhmaṇas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His pleasure. Hearing
their hymns, Lord Jagannātha becomes very favorably disposed toward them. He is the
ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that Jagannātha Svāmī, along
with His consort Lakṣmī, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my
vision.
(6)
para-brahmāpīḍaḥ kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivāsī nīlādrau nihita-caraṇo 'nanta-śirasi
rasānando rādhā-sarasa-vapur-āliṅgana-sukho
Lord Jagannātha, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotus petals, is the ornament on Lord
Brahmā's head. He resides on Nīlācala Hill with His lotus feet placed on the heads of
Anantadeva. Overwhelmed by the mellows of love, He joyfully embraces Śrīmatī
Rādhārāṇī's body, which is like a cool pond. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object of
my vision.
(7)
na vai yāce rājyaṁ na ca kanaka-māṇikya-vibhavaṁ
na yāce 'haṁ ramyāṁ sakala jana-kāmyāṁ vara-vadhūm
sadā kāle kāle pramatha-patinā gīta-carito
I do not pray for a kingdom? nor for gold, rubies, or wealth. I do not ask for a beautiful
wife. as desired by all men. I simply pray that Jagannātha Svāmī, whose glories Lord Śiva
always sings, may be the constant object of my vision.
(8)
hara tvaṁ saṁsāraṁ druta-taram asāraṁ sura-pate
hara tvaṁ pāpānāṁ vitatiṁ aparāṁ yādava-pate
aho dīne 'nāthe nihita-caraṇo niścitam idarṅ
0 Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am
undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast, shoreless ocean of sins. Alas,
this is certain: Lord Jagannātha bestows His lotus feet upon those who feel themselves
fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that Jagannātha Svāmī be the object
of my vision.
(9)
jagannāthāṣṭakaṁ punyaṁ yaḥ paṭhet prayataḥ śuciḥ
sarva-pāpa-viśuddhātmā viṣṇu-lokaṁ sa gacchati
The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord Jagannātha
becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Viṣṇu's abode.
Bhajahū Re Mana Śrī Nanda-nandana
Bhajahū Re Mana
Śrī Nanda-nandana
by Govinda Dāsa Kavirāja
(1)
bhajahū re mana śrī-nanda-nandana
abhaya-caraṇāravinda re
durlabha mānava-janama sat-sańge
taroho e bhava-sindhu re
O mind, just worship the lotus feet of the son of Nanda, which make one fearless. Having
obtained this rare human birth, cross over this ocean of worldly existence through the
association of saintly persons.
(2)
śīta ātapa bāta bariṣaṇa
e dina jāminī jāgi re
biphale sevinu kṛpaṇa durajana
capala sukha-laba lāgi' re
My dear brother, I request that you just worship Lord Caitanya and Nityananda with firm
conviction and faith. If one wants to be Kṛṣṇa conscious by this process, one has to give up
his engagement in sense gratification. One simply has to chant, "Hare Kṛṣṇa! Hari Hari!"
without any motive.
(3)
e dhana, yaubana, putra, parijana
ithe ki āche paratīti re
kamala-dala-jala, jīvana ṭalamala
bhajahū hari-pada nīti re
What assurance of real happiness is there in all of one's wealth, youthfulness, sons, and
family members? This life is tottering like a drop of water on a lotus petal; therefore you
should always serve and worship the divine feet of Lord Hari.
(4)
śravaṇa, kīrtana, smaraṇa, vandana,
pāda-sevana, dāsya re
pūjana, sakhī-jana, ātma-nivedana
govinda-dāsa-abhilāṣa re
It is the desire and great longing of Govinda Dasa to engage himself in the nine processes
of bhakti, namely hearing the glories of Lord Hari and chanting those glories, constantly
remembering Him and offering prayers to Him, serving the Lord's lotus feet, serving the
Supreme Lord as a servant, worshiping Him with flowers and incense and so forth, serving
Him as a friend, and completely offering the Lord one's very self.
Kṛṣṇa Jinakā
Kṛṣṇa Jinakā
Traditional Hindi Song
(1)
kṛṣṇa jinakā nāma hai,
gokula jinakā dhāma hai
aise śrī bhagavāna ko (mere)
barāmbāra praṇāma hai
He whose name is Krsna, and whose abode is Gokula–unto such a Supreme Personality of
Godhead, I offer my most humble obeisances again and again.
(2)
yaśodā jinakī maiyā hai,
nandajī bapaiyā hai
aise śrī gopāla ko (mere)
bārambāra praṇāma hai
He whose mother is Yaśodā, and whose father is Nandajī–unto such a cowherd boy named
Gopāla, I offer my most humble obeisances again and again.
(3)
rādhā jinakī jāyā hai,
adbhuta jinakī māyā hai
aise śrī ghana-śyāma ko (mere)
He whose Beloved if Rādhā, and whose illusory energy is very amazing–unto He whose
splendrous complexion is the color of the fresh raincloud, I offer my most humble
obeisances again and again.
(4)
lūṭa lūṭa dadhi mākhana khāyo,
gvāla-bāla sańga dhenu carāyo
aise līlā-dhāma ko (mere)
He who sneaks around to steal yogurt and butter, then hides to eat it, and who tends the
cows in the company of His cowherd boyfriends–unto He who is the reservoir of playful
pastimes, I offer my most humble obeisances, again and again.
(5)
drupada sutā ko lāja bacāyo,
grāha se gaja ko phanda chuḍāyo
aise kṛpā-dhāma ko (mere)
barāmbāra praṇāma hai
He who prevented the dishonoring of the daughter of Drupada, and who delivered the
elephant Gajendra from the grasp of the alligator–unto He who is the abode of all
compassion, I offer my most humble obeisances, again and again.
(6)
kuru pāṇḍava ko yuddha macāyo,
arjuna ko upadeśa sunāyo,
aise dīnā-nātha ko (mere)
He who caused the great war between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, and who spoke divine
instructions to Arjuna on the battlefield–unto He who is the Lord of all helpless fallen
souls, I offer my most humble obeisances, again and again.
bhaja re! bhaja govinda gopāla hare

rādhe govinda, rādhe govinda, rādhe govinda
rādhe gopāla, rādhe gopāla, rādhe gopāla
aise śrī bhagavāna ko (mere)
bārambāra praṇāma hai *
Jaya Mādhava Madana Murārī
Jaya Mādhava Madana Murārī

Traditional Hindi Song
(refrain)jaya mādhava madana murārī rādhe-

śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
jaya keśava kali-mala-hārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-
śyāma
Glories to the husband of the goddess of fortune, who is the transcendental Cupid and the
enemy of the demon Mura. Glories to the divine couple Rādhe-Śyāma, also known as
Śyāma-Śyāma! Glories to Lord Keśava, who has fine hair, who removes the miseries of the
age of Kali—Rādhe-Śyāma Śyāma-Śyāma!
(1)
sundara kuṇḍala naina viśāla,
gale sohe vaijantī-mālā
yā chavi kī balihārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
O Kṛṣṇa, You wear beautiful earrings, and You have lovely widened eyes. Around Your
neck hangs the splendorous vaijantī flower garland. Your complexion is most excellent—
Rādhe-Śyāma, Śyāma-Śyāma!
(2)
kabahūń luṭa luṭa dadhi khāyo,
kabahūṅ madhu-vana rāsa racāyo
nācata vipina-vihārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
Sometimes You secretly plunder yogurt and eat it, and sometimes You design a rāsa-dance
performance with the young gopīs in the forest of Madhuvana. There dances Vipina-
Vihārī, You who love to sport in the forest—Rādhe-Śyāma, Śyāma-Śyāma!
(3)
gvāla-bāla saṅga dhenu carāi,
vana-vana bhramata phire yadu-rāi
kāṅdhe kāmara kārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
You herd the cows in the company of the cowherd boys. You, the monarch of the Yadu
dynasty, thus wander from forest to forest, carrying a blanket draped over Your shoulder—
(4)
curā curā nava-nīta jo khāyo,
vraja-vanitana pai nāma dharāyo
mākhana-cora murārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
Because You, O Murāri, repeatedly steal fresh butter from the homes of the women of
Vraja and secretly eat it, they have named You ‘Mākhan-Chor’ (the butter thief)—Rādhe-
Śyāma, Śyāma-Śyāma!
(5)
eka-dina māna indra ko māryo,
nakha upara govardhana dhāryo
nāma paḍāyo giridhārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
One day You curbed the pride of Indra by lifting the great mountain Govardhana upon the
tip of Your fingernail, thus winning for Yourself the name Giridhārī—Rādhe-Śyāma,
Śyāma-Śyāma!
(6)
duryodhana ko bhoga na khāyo,
rūkho sāga vidura ghara khāyo
aise prema pujārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
You did not accept the sumptuous feast of the wicked Duryodhana, but took the coarse
food offered by Your devotee Vidura. Therefore You are worshipped by love and not by
mere rituals—Rādhe-Śyāma, Śyāma-Śyāma!
(7)
karuṇā kara draupadī pukārī,
paṭa lipaṭa gaye vana-vārī
nirakha rahe nara nārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
To bestow mercy upon Draupadī, You, the Lord of the forest, supplied unlimited cloth to
protect her from shame, while the assembly of men and women looked on—Rādhe-Śyāma,
Śyāma-Śyāma!
(8)
bhakta-bhakta saba tumane tāre,
binā bhakti hama ṭhāḍe dvāre
lījo khabara hamārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
You deliver each of Your devotees in unique ways. Alas, we who are bereft of devotion are
standing here outside Your door. Please favorably receive the news of our presence—
(9)
arjuna ke ratha hāṅkana hāre,
gītā ke upadeśa tumhāre
cakra-sudarśana-dhārī rādhe-śyāma śyāmā-śyāma
You were the driver of Arjuna’s chariot, and on the battlefield You gave Arjuna the
instructions of the Bhagavad-Gita. During the fight You exhibited Your form as the
wielder of the discus Sudarśana—Rādhe-Śyāma, Śyāma-Śyāma!
Vande Kṛṣṇa Nanda Kumāra
Vande Kṛṣṇa Nanda Kumāra

Traditional Bengali Bhajan
govinda hari gopāla hari

jaya jaya deva hari
jaya jaya deva hari
All glories to Govinda Hari, and to Gopāla Hari! All glories, All glories, all glories to the
Supreme Lord Hari!
vande kṛṣṇa nanda-kumāra

nanda-kumāra madana-gopāla
madana-gopāla mohana-rūpa
mohana-rūpa nanda-kumāra
I praise the all-alternative Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is the youthful son of Nanda Mahārāja. The
youthfulson of the Nanda Mahārāja is the cupid among the cowherdesses. The cupid
among the cowherdesses possesses an enchantingly beautiful form. He of enchanting
beautiful form is the youthful son of Nanda Mahārāja.
jaya jaya deva hari

jaya jaya deva hari
jaya prabhu dīna-doyāla hari
I praise Lord Hari, who is most compassionate to the fallen souls.

jaya jaya deva hari
jaya jaya deva hari
All glories, all glories to the Supreme Lord Hari! Glory to Govinda Hari who please the
cows, to Gopāla Hari who tends the cows!
jaya rāma hari jaya kṛṣṇa hari

jaya jaya-śacī-nandana gaura-hari
All glories to Rāma Hari, and to Kṛṣṇa Hari! All glories, all glories to the son of Mother
Śacī, who is the fair Gaura Hari!

jaya jaya deva hari
jaya jaya deva hari
All glories to Govinda Hari, and to Gopāla Hari! All glories, all glories to the Supreme
Lord Hari!
Lālasāmayī Prārthanā
Lālasāmayī Prārthanā
(Gauranga Bolite Habe)
(from Prārthanā)
(1)
'gaurāṅga' bolite habe pulaka-śarīra
'hari hari' bolite nayane ba' be nīra
When will that opportune moment come to me, when there will be shivering of the body as
soon as I chant Lord Gaurāṅga's name? And after the shivering, While chanting Hare
Kṛṣṇa, when will there be tears pouring down from my eyes?
(2)
āra kabe nitāi-cānder koruṇā hoibe
saḿsāra-bāsanā mora kabe tuccha ha'be
When will that day come when Lord Nityānanda's causeless mercy is bestowed upon me so
that my desire for material enjoyment become very insignificant?
(3)
viṣaya chāriyā kabe śuddha ha 'be mana
kabe hāma herabo śrī-bṛndābana
When my mind is completely purified, being freed from material anxieties and desires,
then I shall be able to understand Vṛndāvana and the conjugal love of Rādha and Kṛṣṇa,
and then my spiritual life will be successful.
(4)
rūpa-raghunātha-pade hoibe ākuti
kabe hāma bujhabo se jugala-pīriti
When shall I be very much eager to study the books left by the six Gosvāmī's? One has to
learn of the conjugal loving affairs of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa through the teachings of these six
Gosvāmīs.
(5)
rūpa-raghunātha-pade rahu mora āśa
prārthanā koroye sadā narottama-dāsa
Narottama dāsa always wishes to understand this conjugal love under the direction of the
six Gosvāmis.
Sāvarana-śrī-gaura-pāda-padme
Sāvarana-śrī-gaura-pāda-padme
(Sri Krishna Caitanya Prabhu)
A prayer to the Lotus Feet of Śrī Gaurāṅga
(from prārthanā)
(1)
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu doyā koro more
tomā binā ke doyālu jagat-saḿsāre
My dear Lord Caitanya, please be merciful to me, because who can be more merciful than
Your Lordship within these three worlds?
(2)
patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra
mo sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra
Your incarnation is just to reclaim the conditioned, fallen souls, but I assure You that You
will not find a greater fallen soul than me. Therefore, my claim is first.
(3)
hā hā prabhu nityānanda, premānanda sukhī
kṛpābalokana koro āmi boro duḥkhī
My dear Lord Nityānanda, You are always joyful in spiritual bliss. Since You always
appear very happy, I have come to You because I am most unhappy. If You kindly put
Your glance over me, then I may also become happy.
(4)
doyā koro sītā-pati adwaita gosāi
tava kṛpā-bale pāi caitanya-nitāi
My dear Advaita Prabhu, husband of Sītā, You are so kind. Please be merciful to me. If
You are kind to me, naturally Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda will also be kind to me.
(5)
hā hā swarūp, sanātana, rūpa, raghunātha
bhaṭṭa-juga, śrī-jīva hā prabhu lokanātha
O Svarūpa Dāmodara, personal secretary of Lord Caitanya, O six Gosvāmīs O Śrī Rupa
Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa
Gosvāmī, Śrī Jiva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī! O Lokanātha Gosvāmī,
my beloved spiritual master! Narottama dāsa also prays for your mercy.
(6)
doyā koro śrī-ācārya prabhu śrīnivāsa
rāmacandra-saṅga māge narottama-dāsa
O Śrīnivāsa Ācārya, successor to the six Gosvāmīs! Please be merciful to me. Narottama
dāsa always desires the company of Rāmacandra Cakravartī.
Offering Food
Offering Food
If acceptable vegetarian food is offered to Krsna with love and devotion, it becomes
prasadam (see Bg. 9:26 & 3:13). The procedure for offering food to Krsna is as follows:
Keep a plate, a spoon, a glass and several small bowls solely for offering your food to
Krsna. If they are made of stainless steel, this is very nice. These utensils should not be
used for any other purpose.
The food should be prepared in a clean kitchen and should contain no meat, fish, eggs,
onions, garlic, vinegar or mushrooms. (Hing may be used instead of onions and garlic,
lemon juice or tamarind instead of vinegar. Also Chikree and herbal tea may be substituted
for coffee and ordinary tea.) The food must not be tasted before offering as Krsna should
be the first to relish the offering. Also while cooking one should meditate on how one is
trying his best to please Krishna. When the preparations are ready, portions are placed on
the plate kept for Krsna and then placed before pictures of the spiritual master, Srila
Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya accompanied by His associates and Sri Sri Radha Krsna. You
can also light a stick of incense at this time.
Bow down on the left side of the altar with your left side to the pictures and proceed as
follows:
1. Chant the pranam mantra to your spiritual master, if you have accepted one, otherwise
proceed to the following prayers:
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya
kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-
svāmin iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet..
namas te sārasvate deve

gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-
pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvatī Gosvāmī.
You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western
countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
namo maha-vadanyaya
krishna-prema-pradaya te
krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-
namne gaura-tvishe namaha
2. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya, who is
more magnanimous than any other incarnation, even Krishna Himself, because He is
bestowing freely what no one else has ever given pure love of Kṛṣṇa.
namo-brahmanya-devaya
go brahmana hitaya cha
jagad-hitaya krishnaya
govindaya namo namaha
3. I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, who is the
well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the living entities in general. I offer
my repeated obeisances to Govinda [Krishna], who is the pleasure reservoir for all the
senses.
Allow time for the Lord to eat and remove the offering plate. The offering plate is now
prasadam. The portions on the offering plate may be either put on a separate plate and
distributed as maha-prasadam or returned to the original containers.
Prayers for honouring Prasadam
Prayers for honouring Prasadam

Prasāda-sevāya
From Gītāvalī
śarīra avidyā-jāl, joḍendriya tāhe kāl,

jīve phele viṣaya-sāgore
tā’ra madhye jihvā ati, lobhamoy sudurmati,
tā’ke jetā kaṭhina saṁsāre
kṛṣṇa baḍo doyāmay, karibāre jihvā jay,
sva-prasād-anna dila bhāi
sei annāmṛta pāo, rādhā-kṛṣṇa-guṇa gāo,
preme ḍāko caitanya-nitāi
O Lord, this material body is a place of ignorance, and the senses are a network of paths
leading to death. Somehow we have fallen into this ocean of material sense enjoyment, and
of all the senses the tongue is the most voracious and uncontrollable. It is very difficult to
conquer the tongue in this world. But You, dear Kṛṣṇa, are very kind to us and have given
us such nice prasādam just to control the tongue. Now we take this prasādam to our full
satisfaction and glorify You—Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa—and in love call for the help of
Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda.
mahā-prasāde govinde nāma-brahmaṇi vaiṣṇave

svalpa-puṇya-vatāṁ rājan viśvāso naiva jāyate
O king, for those with little pious credit, faith in mahā-prasāda, Śrī Govinda, the holy
name, and the Vaiṣṇavas never arises. [Mahābhārata]
Offering Arati
Offering Arati
The following is the recommended procedure by which our congregational members may
offer arati in their homes if they so desire:
To do arati you require the following items:
A small bell; acamana cup and spoon; a conch for blowing; incense holder with an odd
number of incense sticks; ghee lamp with 5 wicks; a small water conch with stand; a
handkerchief(cloth); fragrant fresh flowers on a small plate; camara fan; peacock fan.
1) Offer obeisances to the spiritual master.

2) Perform acamana as follows:
Holding the acamana spoon in the right hand, purify the left hand with three drops of water
from the acamana cup; then change the spoon to the left hand, and put three drops of water
in the right hand. After saying om kesavaya namah, sip the water from the base of the
palm. Repeat this process two more times using the mantras om narayanaya namah and om
madhavaya namah. Then put three more drops of water in the right hand and throw it to the
side.
3) Before offering each article, one should purify his right hand with three drops (not
spoonfuls) of water, then purify each article in the same way.
Offering procedure
Offering procedure
While standing on an asana and ringing a bell, present the incense first to your spiritual
master (or Srila Prabhupada) by waving it in three or seven graceful circles, and then
present it to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya in the same manner.
Arati paraphernalia should be offered gracefully, in a meditative mood. But do not be

either too slow or too fast, and do not perform it in a showy manner, but as a humble
servant of your spiritual master and the assembled Vaisnavas. Stand to the left of the altar
(as viewed from the temple room) - not hidden entirely from view but also not distracting
by your presence.
For devotees who are not direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada: along with the worship of
one's own spiritual master, devotees in ISKCON worship His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as both the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and the siksa-
guru for all devotees of ISKCON. In addition to the worship of Srila Prabhupada in his
guru-puja, one should also honor him when performing arati by presenting the arati items
to Srila Prabhupada after presenting them to one's own spiritual master.
Then, with the consciousness that you are offering it on behalf of your spiritual master and
with the blessings of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, offer it with the full number of
circles (listed below) to the main Deity.
After offering the incense to the main Deity, offer it as prasada to the Lord's associates in
descending order, and to the guru-parampara - senior to junior. This may be done with
seven or three circles for each personality, depending on time allowance. (Some manuals
say that when offering items as prasada in arati; one should not offer below the waist.)
Then offer it (with one or three circles) to the assembled Vaisnavas as the prasada of the
Lord and His associates.
When offering each item say to each personality, "Please accept this offering (of incense,
lamps, etc.)".
Offered items should not be mixed with unoffered items. You may place offered items
back on the plate that was used to bring in the paraphernalia, provided no unoffered
paraphernalia remains on it.
How to offer each item
How to offer each item
Offer all the items, except the camara and fan, by moving them in clockwise circles while
ringing a bell with your left hand (above waist level), fixing your attention on the Deities.
Incense: Offer seven circles around the whole body of the Lord.
Lamp (s): Offer four circles to the lotus feet, two circles to the navel, and three circles to
the Lord's face; then offer seven circles to the Lord's whole body.
Water in a conch: Offer three circles to the Lord's head and seven circles to the whole body
of the Lord. Then pour a small amount of the offered water into a small throw-out pot
before proceeding to offer water to the next personality.
Cloth: Offer seven times around the Lord's body.
Flowers: Offer seven times around the Lord's body.
Camara: Wave before the Lord a suitable number of times.
Fan: Wave before the Lord a suitable number of times.
You may give out the lamp to the assembled devotees immediately after offering them to
the Deities.
Completing the Arati
Completing the Arati
Full aratis, including the fanning and blowing of conch before and after the arati, may last
up to twenty-five minutes; the duration of short aratis (in which incense, flowers and
camara are offered) if from five to eight minutes.
After completing the arati, blow the conch three times outside the Deity room, as at the
beginning of the arati. Then distribute the water and flower prasada to the assembled
devotees.
Chant the prema-dhvani mantras if the kirtana leader or another devotee in the temple does
not chant them. Then with joined palms offer prayers softly to your spiritual master and
Their Lordships. Remove the used articles and wipe the altar.
N.B The altar and pictures should always be kept clean. Garlands may be made for the
pictures or flowers may be placed before them.
Ekadasi
Ekadasi
Ekadasi is a day of fasting observed by all devotees. Lord Krishna is very pleased with
devotees who observe Ekadasi. There are two Ekadasi in a month: on the eleventh day after
the new moon, and on the eleventh day after the full moon. Ekadasi literally means the
"eleventh day".
Srila Prabhupada usually observed Ekadasi fast in the simplest manner prescribed in
scripture: by refraining from eating grains, beans, peas and dahl. Some devotees eat only
fruit on ekadasi, some take only water and some fully fast. All devotees must avoid the
following foods on Ekadasi: all grains (wheat, rice, etc.), dahl, peas, bean type vegetables,
mustard seeds and their derivatives (wheat flour, mustard oil, soybean oil, etc.) and food
items containing these products.
Ekadasi fast is broken the next day (Dvadasi), by taking prasada prepared with grains. The
fast must be broken within a specific time. For the dates of Ekadasi and the times of
breaking the fast, consult the Vaisnava calendar (available from any ISKCON centre). The
specific calendar used by ISKCON should be used, as calculation of dates for Ekadasi and
other important festivals may vary according to the system of calculation used by panditas
in other sampradayas. The real purpose of Ekadasi observance is, however, not simply to
fast, but to increase our time for hearing and chanting about Govinda. Srila Prabhupada
recommended that devotees with sufficient time chant twenty-five or more rounds of japa
on Ekadasi ( unless one has other preaching activities ) .
Once a year, on the occasion of Pandava Nirjala (Bhima) Ekadasi, devotees who have
accidentally not observed Ekadasi properly during the year, keep a complete fast (no food,
no water) on that day. This is the recommended atonement for this offense. On this
occasion some ISKCON temples organize an all night program of devotional activities.
The fast is broken the next morning.
Applying Tilak
Applying Tilak
Tilaka is sometimes called the ornamentation of the spirit soul. The decoration, made by
applying wet clay mixture, marks the body as a temple of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord. The
Vaiṣṇava devotee marks his body in twelve places for sanctification and protection, and
one who is wearing tilaka can at once be identified as a devotee of the Lord. Just as one can
recognize that the strength of the government is behind a uniformed policeman, one can
understand that the strength of God is behind a devotee marked with tilaka.
One should pour a little water into the palm of his/her left hand and rub gopī-candana (mud
from Dvārakā) into it. When making tilaka the following mantra from the Uttara Khaṇḍa of
the Padma Purāṇa should be chanted:
In Accordance with the avove mentioned mantra one should now apply gopī-candana with
the ball of the finger tip of the right ring finger, to make the tilaka markings on the twelve
parts of the body. According to the brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa one should not use the fingernail to
make the space in the middle of the tilaka. One should place a damp cloth over the finger
and make the space with that.
lalāte Keśavaṁ dhyāyen nārāyaṇam athodare

vakṣaḥ-sthale mādhavaṁ tu govindaṁ kaṇṭha-kūpake
viṣṇuṁ ca dakṣiṇe kusau bāhau ca madhusūdanam
trivikramaṁ kandhare tu vāmanaṁ vāma-pārśvake
śrīdharaṁ vāma-bāhau tu hṛṣīkeśaṁ tu kandhare
pṛṣṭhe ca padmanābhaṁ ca kaṭyāṁ dāmodaraṁ nyaset
When one marks the forehead with tilaka, he must remember Keśava . When one marks the
lower abdomen, he must remember Nārāyaṇa. For the chest, one should remember
Mādhava, and when marking the hollow of the neck one should remember Govinda. Lord
Viṣṇu should be remembered while marking the right side of the belly, and Madhusūdana
should be remembered when marking the right arm. Trivikrama should remembered when
marking the right shoulder, and Vāmana should be remembered when marking the left side
of the belly. Śrīdhara should be remembered while marking the left arm, and Hṛṣīkeśa
should be remembered when marking the left shoulder. Padmanābha and Dāmodara should
be remembered when marking the back. [Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 20.202, purport]
The śikhā area is not marked with tilaka : rather, after washing the right hand, wipe the
remaining water on your śikhā while chanting om vāsudevāya namaḥ.
Tilaka Marking List
Tilaka Marking List
• Forehead : Śrī Keśavāya namaḥ

• Abdomen : Śrī Nārāyṇāya namaḥ
• Chest : Śrī Mādhavāyā namaḥ
• Throat : Śrī Govindāya namaḥ
• Right waist : Śrī Viṣṇave namaḥ
• Right forearm : Śrī Madhusūdanāya namaḥ
• Right shoulder : Śrī Trivikramāya namaḥ
• Left waist : Śrī Vāmanāya namaḥ
• Left forearm : Śrī Śrīdharāya namaḥ
• Left shoulder : Śrī Hṛṣkeśāya namaḥ
• Nape of neck : Śrī Padmanābhāya namaḥ
• Lower back : Śrī Dāmodarāya namaḥ
• Head : Śrī Vāsudevāya namaḥ
Temple Etiquette
Temple Etiquette
I. One should remove shoes before entering the temple room.
2. One should wear clean attire, clean socks and have clean feet. One must also shower
with soap after evacuating, before coming before the Deities. One should also rinse the
mouth, wash hands and if possible, feet, after eating.
3. One should offer obeisances with the left side to the deities as well as to the spiritual
master and never with one's feet towards the Deities or the spiritual master.
4. One should not be intoxicated while coming to the temple.
5. One should not cause a disturbance by arguing, raising one's voice, dancing crazily or
passing air in the temple. One should also avoid speaking unnecessarily about undevotional
topics before the Deities. ·
6. One should not step over, or touch one's feet to sacred paraphernalia such as prasadam,
flowers, scriptures, Hare Krsna shawls, or devotees offering obeisances.
7. One should not touch chanting beads, bead bag, or any other sacred paraphernalia to the
ground. These should also not be taken into the bathroom.
8. One should be very respectful to other devotees.
9. One should bring some gift for the Deities, such as fruit, flowers, contribution, etc.
10. Read the Nectar of Devotion, Ch.8, entitled "offenses to be Avoided" for futher
guidance, as well as Ch.6, "How to Discharge Devotional Service".
Drinking Caranamrta
Drinking Caranamrta
Caranamrta is obtained in the morning while the Lord is being bathed before dressing.
Scented with perfumes and flowers, the water comes gliding down through His lotus feet
and is collected and mixed with yoghurt. In this way this caranamrta not only becomes
very tastefully flavored, but also has tremendous spiritual value. As described in the Padma
Purana, even a person who has never been able to give in charity, who has never been able
to perform a great sacrifice, who has never been able to study the Vedas, who has never
been able to worship the Lord - or, in other words, even one who has never done any pious
activities - will become eligible to enter the kingdom of God if he simply drinks the
caranamrta which is kept in the temple. In the temple it is the custom that the caranamrta
be kept in a big pot. The devotees who come to visit and offer respects to the Deity take
three drops of caranamrta very submissively and feel themselves happy in transcendental
bliss.
Circumbulating the temple of Visnu
Circumbulating the temple of Visnu
It is said in the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya, "A person who is circumbulating the Deity of

Visnu can counteract the circumbulation of repeated birth and death in this material world."
The conditioned soul is circumbulating through repeated births and deaths on account of
his material existence, and this can be counteracted simply by circumbulating the Deity in
the temple at least three times.
Japa Meditation on the Maha-mantra
Japa
Meditation on the Maha-mantra
Srila Prabhupada has indicated that those desirous of taking initiation must follow the four
regulative principles and chant each day on beads a minimum of sixteen rounds.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the incarnation of Ksna who popularized the chanting of the
holy names five hundred years ago in West Bengal, India, introduced the system of
chanting a fixed number of rounds each day, known as Japa. Careful completion of sixteen
rounds daily will help the disciple to remember Krsna always.
That, in essence, is what Krsna consciousness in all about - remembering Krsna and never
forgetting Him. And chanting is the simplest way of maintaining this constant state of God
consciousness, for the mystical potency contained in the mantra's vibration will always
keep you in touch with God and your own original. spiritual nature. All of God's
innumerable spiritual potencies, including His transcendental pleasure principal, are
contained in His holy names. Therefore, the pleasure you will feel as you begin to chant
will be far greater than any material happiness you have ever experienced. And the more
you chant Hare Krsna, the happier you will feel.
Note: For more information about Japa Meditation, read "Chant and Be Happy."
Setting up a Temple at Home
Setting up a Temple at Home
It is essential for householder devotees (especially those who live away from a temple
community) to have a temple in their home. Having a temple at home and making it the
centre of family life transforms an ordinary house into a sacred place.
Those who have sufficient means and space sometimes construct a temple building
separate from their house. But most devotees set aside a room in their residence as the
temple room or puja room. Those with very limited space can simply set up an altar within
their residential quarters.
The temple room is where the family members assemble for kirtana, arati and readings
from scripture. This is where offerings of food are made to Krishna, and where the family
members can come individually to chant japa, study the scriptures and pray to Krishna.
A separate room is much better than the "cupboard-in-the corner" set-up, because in a
separate room, an atmosphere of sanctity may be preserved. In other rooms the children
can play and the adults can relax, socialize and perform their household chores; but the
temple room can be kept strictly for spiritual practices only. The temple room is divided
into the deity hall and the prayer hall. The Deity room is one section at the end of the
temple room. It is separated from the prayer hall by a curtain. Even where it is not possible
to have a separate temple room, the Deities should be screened by a curtain.
In the household temple, the Lord and His pure devotees may be worshipped in their
picture forms. Later, when the worshipping devotees become more advanced and
experienced, Deities may be installed. In fact, householder devotees who come up to the
level of accepting initiation are expected to conduct Deity worship at home. Advanced
Deity worship should be undertaken under the guidance of a Vaisnava guru.
Therefore such worship has not been described in detail in this book. If the worshipper
actually has a spirit of devotion, worship of the Lord in His picture form is not inferior, to
the Worship of the Lord in His Deity form, composed of wood, stone or metal. But because
such worship is detailed and complex, the facility for such worship is generally offered to
devotees who have proved their dedication over a period of time.
A standard home altar should have the following pictures (see diagram above- the numbers
correspond to the position of the pictures):
(I) The sampradaya acarya - (a) ISKCON Founder-Acarya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, (b) Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, (c) Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji, and (d)
Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Some devotees also keep a picture of jagannatha Dasa Babaji on
their altars.
(2) The six Goswamis of Vrndavana: Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami, Raghunatha
Bhatta Goswami, Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, Gopala bhatta Goswami and Jiva Goswami.
These prominent disciples of Lord Caitanya presented the teachings and practices of
Gaudiya Vaisnavism to the world.
(3) The Panca-tattva (Lord Caitanya and His four principle associates).
(4) Lord Nrsimhadeva. Devotees especially worship this form of the Lord because (a) He
protects them from demons and disturbances - both very prominent in this dark age of Kali,
and (b) He particularly helps the devotees to uproot the demoniac desires from within their
hearts.
(5) Radha-Krishna
(6) After taking initiation, or from the time one has formally accepted shelter of an
ISKCON guru, a picture of one's guru is placed on the altar. It is important to note that the
pictures of those who are superior in the spiritual hierarchy not to be placed below those
whom they are worshipped by. For example, the picture of the guru is never to be placed
above that of Krishna. The Panca-tattva worship Radha-Krishna and are worshipped by the
sampradaya acaryas.
In the pure Vaisnava sampradaya, Krishna, the original Personality of Godhead, is

worshipped along with his expansions, internal energies, and pure devotees acaryas. Lesser
forms of worship, such as that of demigods, is not encouraged. Therefore Vaisnavas are
selective about which pictures to place on their altar. Although such respectable
personalities as demigods and one's parents are certainly to be honored, they are not to be
worshipped in the same place as Krishna.
As for pseudo-incarnations and bogus sadhus, they have no place at all.
It is best to have an altar specially made from wood, or other materials big enough to place
all the pictures properly and nicely on it. A small table about three feet high. for placing the
arati plate on, is kept to the front and left of the altar (on the left side of someone facing the
altar). Another small table, about one foot high, is required for food offering, and a mat
(preferably of kusa or other grass or of cloth) is also required (for the devotee to sit on
while performing puja or offering food).
There are many rules and regulations to be observed in the temple room. These are listed in
The Nectar of Devotion. In family situations, it is usually not possible to enforce all the
regulations, but as high a standard as is practical should be aimed for. The temple room is
where we invite Krishna, the master of multi-universes, to personally come and preside
over our home; we have to maintain a reverential attitude in the temple room.
Tulasi Devi
Tulasi Devi
Worship of the Tulasi tree is very important in devotional service. Tulasi is Krishna's
favourite plant. Krishna is very fond of Tulasi leaves and buds. Every devotee keeps at
least one or two Tulasi plants at home, waters them daily, offers obeisances and looks after
them carefully. Wherever Tulasi flourishes is a sign of bhakti at that place.
Tulasi arati
Tulasi arati
Tulasi arati is performed in the temple room. The Deity curtain should be closed, while
offering arati to Tulasi. Tulasi's pot should be decorated with a nice cloth. Tulasi-devi, thus
decorated, is placed on a stand or table in the middle of the temple room. Then the Tulasi-
pranam mantra is recited three times. As the pujari offers the arati with incense, ghee lamp
and flowers the Tulasi-kirtan is sung. When the Tulasi-arati is completed, the devotees start
circumbulating Tulasi-devi while chanting the Tulasi circumbulating mantra. While doing
this each devotee offers a few drops of water from the acamana cup to Tulasi devi. After all
the devotees have watered Tulasi, at the end of the arati, the Tulasi pranam mantra is again
recited three times.
More about Tulasi
More about Tulasi
Tulasi leaves are essential for worshipping Krishna. The leaves should be collected in the
morning after sunrise. While approaching Tulasi devi to pluck her leaves, you should have
taken bath, put on tilak and have performed your morning sandhya. Chant the Sri Tulasi
Pranam mantra and with your right hand carefully pick the Tulasi leaves or soft Tulasi
buds along with their stems - one at a time - while repeatedly chanting the following
mantra:
Oṁ tulasy amrta janmasi sada tvam kesava priya

Kesavartham cinomi tvam vara-da bhava sobhane
"0 Tulasi, you are born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Kesava. I am
collecting your leaves and buds. Please bless me".
Do not use scissors or knife and be careful not to hurt Tulasi while plucking her leaves.
When finished recite the mantra for begging her pardon:
cayanod bhava-duhkam ca yad hrdi tava vartate

tad ksamasva jagan-matah vrnda-devi namo stu te "
"O Tulasi-devi, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Kindly forgive me if I have
caused you pain by picking your leaves and buds, O mother of the universe".
Do not pluck Tulasi leaves in the morning before daylight or in the evening after dark, not
at any time on Dvadasi-tithi, the day following Ekadasi. Even if the Tulasi leaves have
become dry because they were cut on the previous day they may still be used in Deity
worship.
Tulasi leaves are offered only at the lotus feet of Visnu-tattva Deities and pictures and to
no one else. This means that Tulasi is offered only to Lord Krishna, Nrsimhadeva, Lord
Caitanya, Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acarya, but not to Radharani, Gadadhara Pandita,
Srivasa Pandita or the sampradaya acaryas. Tulasi leaves are also necessary for offering
bhoga to the Lord.
Tulasi should be planted in such a way and in such a place that animals don't disturb her.
Dogs urinate on Tulasi and goats eat her. She should be placed in such a way that people
don't brush past her. Children (and adults, too) should be trained to treat her respectfully.
Devotees do not think of tulasi-devi as a medicine, even though she has reputed medicinal
qualities. She is a pure devotee and worshippable by us. For devotees, cultivation of Tulasi
is for cultivation of devotion and nothing else.
Concluding words
Concluding words
Devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the natural instinct of every living entity. When
we wish to develop our innate capacity for devotional service, there are certain procedures
which, by our accepting and executing them, will cause that dormant capacity to be
invoked.
"Always remember Krsna and never forget Him", this is the most basic of all regulative
principles. All other rules and regulations should be treated as assistants or servants to this
one basic principle. If somebody regularly executes devotional service to the Supreme
Lord, then gradually he rises to the platform of pure love of God.
If one cannot live as a full-time devotee in a Hare Krsna Ashram, still one can practice the
same principles of bhakti-yoga at home and thus turn one's home into a temple or ashram.
At the present moment the human society teaches one to love his country or family or his
personal self, but there is no information where to repose that loving propensity so that
everyone can become happy, if we learn how to love Krishna, then it is very easy to
immediately and simultaneously love every living being. When one is fully aware that he is
eternally related to Krishna, he realizes that his energy should be employed not in the
interests of so-called family, society or country, but in the interests of Krishna. This purity
of purpose on the platform of pure devotional service is Krishna consciousness.
The Nectar of Devotion

By His Divine Grace A. C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Temple Songs

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Temple Songs

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

This free for download ebook is a direct reproduction of the

original bona fide personally approved and blessed by Srila

This ebook was made by the official website for Srila

More free downloads at:

4:10 A.M. : Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi

4:30 A.M. : Temple Mangala-arati

5:00 A.M. : Tulasi-arati

Obeisances to the Vaisnavas

5:10 A.M. : Chanting Hare Krsna on japa mala

7:15 A.M. : Sringara-arati

7:20 A.M. : Guru Puja to Srila Prabhupada

8:00 A.M. : Srimad Bhagavatam Class

8:30 A.M. : Dhupa-arati

12:00 P.M. : Raj Bhoga-arati

4:00/4:30 P.M. : Dhupa-arati

6:30/7:00 P.M. : Sandhya-arati

8:00/8:30 P.M. : Sayana-arati

Śrī Guru praṇāma

Śrīla Prabhupāda praṇati

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe

Śrī Pañca-tattva praṇāma

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda

Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahā-mantra

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa,

harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam

Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka

• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda paramahaṁsa parivrājakācārya aṣṭottara-śata śrī śrīmad a.c.

• ISKCON-Founder-Ācārya Śrīla Prabhupāda—kī jaya.

• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda paramahaṁsa parivrājakācārya aṣṭottara-śata śrī śrīmad

• jaya om viṣṇu-pāda śrīla gaurakiśora dāsa bābājī mahārāja—kī jaya.

• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda śrīla saccidānanda bhaktivinoda ṭhākura—kī jaya.

• jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda vaiṣṇava-sārvabhauma śrīla jagannātha dāsa bābājī mahārāja

• nāmācārya śrīla haridāsa ṭhākura—kī jaya.

• prem-se kaho śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda śrī advaita, gadādhara,

• śrī śrī rādha-kṛṣṇa, gopa-gopīnatha, śyāma-kuṇḍa, rādhā-kuṇḍa giri-govardhana—

• śrī māyāpur dhāma—kī jaya.

• śrī vṛndāvana dhāma—kī jaya.

• ananta koṭi vaiṣṇava-vṛnda—kī jaya.

• śrī hari-nāma saṅkīrtana—kī jaya.

• grantha-rāja śrīmad-bhāgavatam —kī jaya.

• samāveta bhakta-vṛnda—kī jaya.

• All glories to the assembled devotees. [three times]

• All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Śrī Nṛsiṁha Praṇāma

namas te narasiṁhāya prahlādāhlāda-dāyine

ito nṛsiṁhaḥ parato nṛsiṁho

tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgaṁ

(oṁ) vṛndāyai tulasī-devyai priyāyai keśavasya ca

namo namaḥ tulasī kṛṣṇa-preyasi namo namaḥ

ye tomāra śaraṇa loy, tara vāñchā pūrṇa hoy

mora ei abhilāṣa, vilāsa kuñje dio vāsa

ei nivedana dhara, sakhīra anugata koro

dīna kṛṣṇa-dāse koy, ei yena mora hoy

Śrī Tulasī Pradakṣiṇa Mantra

yāni kāni ca pāpāni brahma-hatyādikāni ca

The Ten Offences to the

satāṁ nindā nāmnaḥ paramam

śivasya śrī-viṣṇor ya iha

3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.

5. It is offensive to consider the glories of the holy name to be imagination or

6. To give some mundane interpretation on the Holy Name of the Lord.

nāmno balād yasya hi pāpa-buddhir