Folio Archives
Selected Verses From Different Vaisnava Scriptures

translation by
His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness

compiled by
Haramjada dasa Adhikari

1. Verses from Sri Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka
by Sri Kavi-karnapura

cid-ananda-bhanoh sada nanda-sunoh
para-prema-patri drava-brahma-gatri
aghanam lavitri jagat-ksema-dhatri
pavitri-kriyan no vapur mitra-putri

"O River Yamuna, you are the blissful spiritual water that gives love to the son of Nanda Maharaja. You are the same as the water of the spiritual world, for you can vanquish all our offenses and the sinful reactions incurred in life. You are the creator of all auspicious things for the world. O daughter of the Sun-god, kindly purify us by your pious activities."

Note: this is a prescribed mantra for bathing in the Yamuna River.

                               Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (5.13),
                               [quoted CC 2.3.28]

vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yoga
siksartham ekah purusah puranah
sri-krsna-caitanya-sarira-dhari
krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye

"Let me take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, who has descended in the form of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach us real knowledge, His devotional service and detachment from  whatever does not foster Krsna consciousness. He has descended because He is  an ocean of transcendental mercy. Let me surrender unto His lotus feet.

                               Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (6.74),
                               [quoted CC 2.6.254]
                               (orig. spoken by Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya)

kalan nastam bhakti-yogam nijam yah
praduskartum krsna-caitanya-nam
avirbhutas tasya padaravinde
gadham gadham liyatam citta-bhrngah

"Let my consciousness, which is like a honeybee, take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has just now appeared as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach the ancient system of devotional service to Himself. This system has almost been lost due to the influence of time."

                              Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (6.75),
                              [quoted CC 2.6.255]
                              (orig.spoken by Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya)

heloddhunita-khedaya visadaya pronmilad-amodaya
samyac-chastra-vivadaya rasadaya cittarpitonmadaya
sasvad-bhakti-vinodaya sa-madaya madhurya-maryadaya
sri-caitanya daya-nidhe tava daya bhuyad amandodaya

"O ocean of mercy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Let there be an awakening of Your auspicious mercy, which easily drives away all kinds of material lamentation. By Your mercy, everything is made pure and blissful. It awakens transcendental bliss and covers all gross material pleasures. By Your auspicious mercy, quarrels and disagreements arising among different scriptures are vanquished. Your auspicious mercy causes the heart to jubilate by pouring forth transcendental mellows. Your mercy always stimulates devotional service, which is full of joy. You are always glorifying the conjugal love of God. May transcendental bliss be awakened within my heart by Your causeless mercy."

                              Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (8.10),
                              [quoted in CC 2.10.119]

niskincanasya bhagavad-bhajanonmukhasya
param param jugamisor bhava-sagarasya
sandarsanam visayinam atha yositam ca
ha hanta hanta visa-bhaksanato 'py asadhu

"Alas, for a person who is seriously desiring to cross over the material ocean and engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord without material motives, seeing a materialist engaged in sense gratification and seeing a woman who is similarly interested is more abominable than drinking poison willingly."

                              Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (8.23),
                              [quoted in CC 2.11.8]

akarad api bhetavyam
strinam visayinam api
yathaher manasah ksobhas
tatha tasyakrter api

"Just as one is immediately frightened upon seeing a live serpent or even the form of a serpent, one endeavoring for self-realization should similarly fear a materialistic person and a woman. Indeed, he should not even glance at their bodily features."

                              Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (8.24),
                              [quoted in CC 2.11.11]

adarsaniyan api nica-jatin
samviksate hanta tathapi no mam
mad-eka-varjam krpayisyatiti
nirniya kim so 'vatatara devah

"Alas, has Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu made His advent deciding that He will deliver all others with the exception of me? He bestows His merciful glance upon many lower-class men who are usually not even to be seen." 

                              Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (8.28),
                              [quoted in CC 2.11.47]

2. Verses From Stava-mala
by Srila Rupa Goswami

ratharudhasyarad adhipadavi nilacala-pater
adabhra-premormi sphurita-natanollasa-vilasah
saharsam gayadbhih parivrta-tanur vaisnava-janaih
sa caitanyah kim me punar api drsor yasyati padam

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu danced down themain road in great ecstasy before Lord Jagannatha, the master of Nilacala, who was sitting in His car. Overwhelmed by the transcendental bliss of dancing and surrounded by Vaisnavas who sang the holy names, He manifested waves of ecstatic love of Godhead. When will Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu again visible to my vision?"

                              1st Caitanyastaka prayers, 3
                              [quoted in CC 2.13.207]

payorases tire sphurad-upavanali-kalanaya
muhur vrndaranya-smarana-janita-prema-vivasah
kvacit krsnavrtti-pracala-rasano bhakti-rasikah
sa caitanyah kim me punar api drsor yasyati padam

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the topmost of all devotees. Sometimes, while walking on the beach, He would see a beautiful garden nearby and mistake it for the forest of Vrndavana. Thus He would be completely overwhelmed by ecstatic love of Krsna and begin to dance and chant the holy name. His tongue worked incessantly as He chanted: 'Krsna! Krsna!' Will He again become visible before the path of my eyes?"

                              1st Caitanyastaka prayers, 6
                              [quoted in CC 3.15.97]

upetya-pathi sundari-tatibhir abhir abhyarcitam
smitankura-karambitair natad apanga-bhangisataih
stana-stavaka-sancaran nayana-cancarikancalam
vraje vijayinam bhaje vipina-desatah kesavam

"I worship Lord Kesava. Coming back from the forest of Vraja, He is worshipped by the gopis, who mount the roofs of their palaces and meet Him on the path with a hundred manners of dancing glances and gentle smiles. The corners of His eyes wander, like large black bees, around the gopis' breasts."

                              Kesavastaka prayers, 8
                              [quoted in CC 1.4.196]

3. Verses from Sri Caitanya-candramrta
by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati

kaivalyam narakayate tridasa-pur akasa-puspayate
durdantendriya-kala-sarpa-patali protkhata-damstrayate
visvam purna-sukhayate vidhi-mahendradis ca kitayate
yat-karunya-kataksa-vaibhava-vatam tam gauram eva stamah

"The kaivalya, oneness in the effulgence of Brahman, appears hellish to the devotee. The heavenly planets, the abodes of the demigods, appear to a devotee like phantasmagoria. The yogis meditate for sense control, but for the devotee senses appear like serpents with broken teeth. The devotee doesn't have to control his senses, for his senses are already engaged in the Lord's service. Consequently, there is no possibility that the senses will act like serpents. In the material condition the senses are as strong as poisonous snakes. When the teeth are broken, the snake is no longer dangerous. The entire world is a replica of Vaikuntha for the devotee because he has no anxiety. He sees that everything belongs to Krsna, and he does not want to enjoy anything for himself. He does not even aspire for the position of Lord Brahma or Indra. He simply wants to engage everything in the service of the Lord; therefore he has no problem. He stands in his original constitutional position. All this is possible when one receives Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's merciful glance."

                                      Caitanya-candramrta (5)
                                      [quoted in CC 2.10.177p]

dhik-kurvati ca brahma-yoga-vidusas tam gauracandram numah
tavad brahma-katha vimukta-padavi tavan na tiktibhavet
tavac capi visrnkhalatvam ayate no loka-veda-sthitih
tavac chastra-vidam mithah kalakalo nana-bahir vartmasu
sri-caitanya-padambuja-priya-jano yavan na dig-gocarah
gauras caurah sakala-maharat ko 'pi me tivra-viryah

"A discussion of the impersonal Brahman is not very palatable to a devotee. A so-called regulation of the sastras also appear null and void to him. There are many people who argue over the sastras, but for a devotee such discussions are but tumultous roaring. By the influence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, all these problems disappear." 
                                      Caitanya-candramrta (?)
                                      [quoted in CC 2.10.177p]

4. Verses from Sri Krsna-karnamrta
by Srila Bilvamangala Thakura

cintamanir jayati somagirir gurur me
siksa-gurus ca bhagavan sikhi-pinca-maulih
yat-pada-kalpataru-pallava-sekharesu
lila-svayamvara-rasam labhate jayasrih

"All glories to Cintamani and my initiating spiritual master, Somagiri. All glories to my instructing spiritual master, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who wears peacock feathers in His crown. Under the shade of His lotus feet, which are like desire trees, Jayasri [Radharani] enjoys the transcendental mellow of an eternal consort."

                                    Sri Krsna-karnamrta (1),
                                    [quoted in CC 1.1.57]

he deva he dayita he bhuvanaika-bandho
he krsna he capala he karunaika-sindho
he natha he ramana he nayanabhirama
ha ha kada nu bhavitasi padam drsor me

"O My Lord! O dearest one! O only friend of the universe! O Krsna, o restless one, O ocean of mercy! O my Lord, O My enjoyer, O beloved to My eyes! Alas, when will You again be visible to Me?"

                                    Sri Krsna-karnamrta (40),
                                    [quoted CC 2.2.65]
                                    (spoken by Srimati Radharani)

amuny adhanyani dinantarani
hare tvad-alokanam antarena
anatha-bandho karunaika-sindho
ha hanta ha hanta katham nayami

"O My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, O friend of the helpless! You are the only ocean of mercy. Because I have not met You, My inauspicious days and nights have become unbearable. I do not know how shall I pass the time."

                                    Sri Krsna-karnamrta (41),
                                    [quoted CC 2.2.58]
                                    (spoken by Srimati Radharani)

5. Verses from Laghu-bhagavatamrta
by Srila Rupa Goswami

anekatra prakatata
rupasyaikasya yaikada
sarvatha tat-svarupaiva
sa prakasa itiryate

"If numerous forms, all equal in their futures, are displayed simultaneously, such forms are called prakasa-vigrahas of the Lord."

                                    Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.21)
                                    [quoted in CC 1.1.75]

aradhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmat parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam

"My dear Devi, although the Vedas recommend worship of demigods, the worship of Lord Visnu is topmost. However, above the worship of Lord Visnu is rendering service to Vaisnavas, who are related to Lord Visnu."

                                    Laghu-bhagavatamrta (2.4)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.11.31]
                                    (originally from Padma Purana)

ye me bhakta-janah partha
na me bhaktas ca te janah
mad-bhaktanam ca ye bhaktas
te me bhaktatama matah

"O son of Prtha, those who are My direct devotees are actually not My devotees, but those who are the devotees of My servant are factually My devotees."

                                    Laghu-bhagavatamrta (2.6)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.11.28]
                                    (originally from Adi Purana)

ataeva puranadau kecin nara-sakhatmatam
mahendranujatam kecit kecit ksirabdhi-sayitam
sahasra-sirsatam kecit kecid vaikuntha-nathatam
bruyuh krsnasya munayas tat-tad-vrtty-anugaminah

"According to the intimate realtionship between Sri Krsna, the primeval Lord, and His devotees, the Puranas describe Him by various names. Sometimes He is called Narayana; sometimes Upendra (Vamana), the younger brother of Indra, King of heaven; and sometimes Ksirodakasayi Visnu. Sometimes He is called the thousand-hooded Sesa Naga and sometimes the Lord of Vaikuntha."

                                    Laghu-bhagavatamrta (5.383)
                                    [quoted in CC 1.3.114p]

asamanordhva-madhurya-
tarangamrta-varidhih
jangama-sthavarollasi
rupo gopendra-nandanah

"The beauty of the son of Maharaja Nanda is incomparable. Nothing is higher than His beauty, and nothing can equal it. His beauty is like waves in an ocean of nectar. This beauty is attractive both for moving and for nonmoving objects."

                                    Laghu-bhagavatamrta (5.538)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.12.215p]

6. Verses from Padyavali
by Srila Rupa Goswami

akrstih krta-cetasam sumanasam uccatanam camhasam
acandalam amuka-loka-sulabho vasyas ca mukti-sriyah
no diksam na ca sat-kriyam na ca purascaryam manag iksate
mantro 'yam rasana-sprg eva phalati sri-krsna-namatmakah

"The holy name of Lord Krsna is an attractive feature for many saintly, libreal people. It is the annihilator of all sinful reactions ans is so powerful that save for the dumb who cannot chant it, it is readily available to everyone, including the lowest type of man, the candala. The holy name of Krsna is the controller of the opulence of liberation, and is identical with Krsna. Simply by touching the holy name with one's tongue, immediate effects are produced. Chanting the holy name does not depend on initiation, pious activities or the purascarya regulative principles generally observed before initiation. The holy name does not wait for all these activities. It is self-sufficient."

                                    Padyavali (29)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.15.110]

naham vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
naham varni na ca grha-patir no vanastho yatir va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bharthuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah

"I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not a vaisya or sudra. Nor I am a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha or a sannyasi. I identify Myself only as the eternal servant of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with brilliance."

                                    Padyavali (74)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.13.80]

yah kaumara-harah sa eva hi varas ta eva caitra-ksapas
te conmilita-malati-surabhayah praudhah kadambanilah
sa caivasmi tathapi tatra surata-vyapara-lila-vidhau
reva-rodhasi vetasi-taru-tale cetah samutkanthate

"That very personality who stole away my hearth during my youth is now again my master. These are the same moonlight nights of the month of Caitra. The same fragrance of malati flowers is there, and the same sweet breezes are blowing from the kadamba forests. In our intimate relationship, I am also the same lover, yet still my mind is not happy here. I am eager to go back to that place on the bank of the Reva under the Vetasi tree. That is my desire."

                                    Padyavali (382)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.13.121]

7. Verses from Ujjvala-nilamani
by Srila Rupa Goswami

gati-sthanasanadinam
muka-netradi-karmanam
tatkalikam tu vaisistyam
vilasah priya-sangajam

 "The various symptoms manifested in a woman's face, eyes, and the other parts of her body and the way she moves, stands or sits when she meets her beloved are called vilasa."

                       Ujjvala-nilamani (Anubhava-prakarana, 31)
                       [quoted in CC 2.14.187]

aher iva gatih premnah
svabhava-kutila bhavet
ato hetor ahetos ca
yunor mana udancati

"The progress of loving affairs between young couples is by nature crooked, like the movement of a snake. Because of this, two types of anger arise netween young couples - anger with a cause and anger without a cause."

                       Ujjvala-nilamani (Srngara-bheda-prakarana, 102)
                       [quoted in CC 2.14.163]

etasya mohanakhyasya
gatim kamapy upeyusah
bhramabha kapi vaicitri
divyonmada itiryate
udghurna-citra-jalpadyas
tad-bheda bahavo matah

"When the ecstatic emotion of enchantment gradually progresses, ir becomes similar to bewilderment. Then one reaches the stage of astonishment [vaicitri], which awakens transcendental madness. Udghurna and citra-jalpa are two among the many divisions of transcendental madness."

                       Ujjvala-nilamani (Sthayibhava-prakarana, 190)
                       [quoted in CC 3.14.16]

8. Verses from Vidagdha-madhava
by Srila Rupa Goswami

sudhanam candrinam api madhurimonmada-danmani
dadhana radhadi-pranaya-ghana-saraih surabhitam
samantat santapodgama-visama-samsara-sarani-
pranitam te trsnam haratu hari-lila-sikharini

"May the pastimes of Sri Krsna reduce the miseries existing in the material world and nullify all unwanted desires. The pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are like sikharini, a blend of yogurt and sugar candy. They overpower the pride of even the nectar produced by the moon, for they distribute the sweet fragrance of the cincentrated loving affairs of Srimati Radharani and the gopis."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (1.1)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.128]

anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirnah kalau
samarpayitum unatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitah
sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratau vah saci-nandana

"May that Lord, who is know as the son of Srimati Sacidevi, be transcendentally situated in the intermost chambers of your heart. Respledent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation even offered before: the most sublime and radiant spiritual knowledge of the mellow taste of His service."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (1.2)
                                    [quoted in CC 1.1.4]

nija-pranayitam suddham udayam apnuvan yah ksitau
kiraty alam urikrta-dvija-kuladhiraja-sthitih
sa luncita-tamas-tatir mama saci-sutakhyah sasi
vasikrta-jagan-manah kim api sarma vinyasyatu

"The moonlike Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as the son of mother Saci, has now appeared on earth to spread devotional love of Himself. He is emperor of the brahmana community. He can drive away all the darkness of ignorance and control the mind of everyone in the world. May that rising moon bestow upon us all good fortune." 
                                    Vidagdha-madhava (1.3)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.177]

abhivyakta mattah prakrti-laghu-rupad api budha
vidhatri siddharthan hari-guna-mayi vah krtir iyam
pulindenapy agnih kimu sanmidham-unmathya janito
hiranya-sreninam apaharati nantah-kalusatam

"O learned devotees, I am by nature ignorant and low, yet even though it is from me that Vidagdha-madhva has come, it is filled with descriptions of the transcendental attributes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, will not such literature bring about the attainment of the highest goal of life? Although its wood may be ignited by a low-class man, fire nevertheless can purify gold. Although I am very low by nature, this book may help cleanse the dirt from within the hearts of the golden devotees."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (1.6)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.139]

bhaktanam udagad anargala-dhiyam vargo nisargojjvalah
silaih pallavitah sa ballava-vadhu-bandho prabandho 'py asau
lebhe catvaratam ca tandava-vidher vrndatavi-garbha-bhur
manye mad-vidha-punya-mandala-paripako 'yam unmilati

"The devotees now present are constantly thinking of the Supreme Lord and are therefore highly advanced. This work named Vidagdha-madhava depicts the characteristics pastimes of Lord Krsna with decorations of poetic ornaments. And the inner grounds of the forest of Vrndavana provide a suitable platform for the dancing of Krsna with the gopis. Therefore I think that the pious activities of persons like us, who have tried to advance in devotional service, have now attained maturity." 

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (1.8)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.138]

so 'yam vasanta-samayah samiyaya yasmin
purnam tam isvaram upodha-navanuragam
gudha-graha ruciraya sara radhayasau
rangaya sangamayita nisi paurnamasi

"Springtime had arrived, and the full moon of that season inspired  the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is complete in everything, with new attraction to meet the beautiful Srimati Radharani at night to increase the beauty of Their pastimes."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (1.10)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.136]

iyam sakhi suduhsadhya
radha hrdaya-vedana
krta yatra cikitsapi
kutsayam paryavasyati

"My dear friend, these palpitations of Srimati Radharani's heart are extremely difficult to cure. Even if one applied some medical treatment, it would only end in defamation."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (2.8)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.143]
                                    (spoken by Radharani Herself)

ekasya srutam eva lumpati matim krsneti namaksaram
sandronmada-paramparam upanayaty anyasya vamsi-kalah
esa snigdha-ghana-dyutir manasi me lagnah pate viksanat
kastam dhik purusa-traye ratir abhun manye mrtih sreyasi

"Experiencing previous attachment to Krsna [purva-raga], Srimati Radharani thought: "Since I have heard the name of a person called Krsna, I have practically lost My good sense. Then, there is another person who plays His flute in such a way than after I hear the vibration, intense madness arises in My heart. And again, there is still another person to whom My mind becomes attached when I see His beautiful lighting effulgence in His picture. Therefore I think that I'm greately condemned, for I have become simultaneously attached to three persons. It would be better for Me to die because of this."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (2.9)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.142]

agre viksya sikhanda-khandam acirad ukampam alambate
gunjanam ca vilokanan muhur asau sasram parikrosati
no jane janayann apurva-natana-krda-camatkaritam
balayah kita citta-bhumim avisat ko 'yam navina-grahah

"Upon seeing peacock feathers in front of Her, this girl suddenly begins trembling. When She sometimes sees a necklace of gunja [small conchshells], She sheds tears and cries loudly. I do not know what kind of new ecstatic influence has enterd the heart of this poor girl. It has imbued Her with the dancing attitude of a player creating wonderful, unprecendented dances on a stage."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (2.15)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.145]
                                    (spoken by Mukhara to Paurnamasi)

pidabhir nava-kala-kuta-katuta-garvasya nirvasano
nisyandena mudam sudha-madhurimahankara-sankocanah
prema sundari nanda-nandana-paro jagarti yasyantare
jnayante sphutam asya vakra-madhuras tenaiva vikrantayah

"My dear beautiful friend, if one develops love of Godhead, love of Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, all the bitter and sweet influences of this love will manifest in one's heart. Such love of Godhead acts in two ways. The poisonous effects of love of Godhead defeat the severe and fresh poison of the serpent. Yet there is simultaneously the transcendental bliss, which pours down and defeats the poisonous effects of a snake, as well as the happiness derived from pouring nectar on one's head. It is perceived as doubly effective, simultaneously poisonous and nectarean."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (2.18)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.2.52]
                                    (spoken by Paurnamasi)

dhari-a padicchanda-gunam
sundara maha mandire tumam vasasi
taha taha rundhasi bali-am
jaha jaha ca-ida palaemhi

"O dearly beautiful, the artistic loveliness of Your picture is now impressed within my mind. Since You are now living within my mind, wherever I wich to run because I am agitated by impressions of You, I find that You, O my friend, are blocking my way."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (2.23)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.144]
                                    (written in Prakrta, spoken by
                                    Madhumangala to Krsna)

akarunyah krsno yadi mayi tavagah katham idam
mudha ma rodir me kuru param imam uttara-krtim
tamalasya skandhe vinihita-bhuja-vallarir iyam
yatha vrndaranye ciram avicala tisthati tanuh

"Srimati Radharani said to Her constant companion Visakha: 'My dear friend, if Krsna is unkind to Me, there will be no need for you to cry, for it will not be due to any fault of yours. I shall then have to die, but afterwards please do one thing for Me: to observe My funeral ceremony, place My body with its arms embracing a tamala tree creepers so that I may remain forever in Vrndavana undisturbed. That is My last request.'"

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (2.47)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.146]

stotram yata tata-sthatam prakatayac cittasya dhatte vyatham
nindapi pramadam prayacchati parihasa-sriyam bibhrati
dosena ksayitam gunena gurutam kenapy anatanvati
premnah svarasikasya kasyacid iyam vikridati prakriya

 "When one hears praise from his beloved, he outwardly remains neutral but feels pain within his heart. When he hears his beloved making accusations about him, he takes them to be jokes and enjoys pleasure. When he finds faults in his beloved, they do not diminish his love, nor do the beloved's good qualities increase his spontaneous affection. Thus spontaneous love continues under all circumstances. That is how spontaneous love of Godhead acts within the heart."

                                    Vidagdha-madhava (5.4)
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.150]
                                    (spoken by Paurnamasi)

9. Verses from Lalita-madhava
by Srila Rupa Goswami

gopinam pasupendra-nandana-juso bhavasya kas tam krti
vijnatum ksamate duruha-padavi sancarinah prakriyam
aviskurvati vaisnavim api tanum tasmin bhujair jisnubhir
yasam hanta caturbhir adbhuta-rucim ragodayah kuncati

"Once Lord Sri Krsna playfully manifested Himself as Narayana with four victorious hands and a very beautiful form. When the gopis saw this exalted form, however, their extatic feelings abated. A learned scholar, therefore, cannot understand the gopis' ecstatic feelings, which are firmly centered upon the original form of Lord Krsna as the son of Nanda Maharaja. The wonderful feelings of the gopis in ecstatic parama-rasa with Krsna constitute the greatest mistery of spiritual life."

                                      Lalita-madhava (6.14)
                                      [quoted CC 2.9.150]

aparikalita-purvah kas camatkara-kari
sphurati mama gariyan esa madhurya-purah
ayam aham api hanta preksya yam lubdha-cetah
sarabhasam upabhoktum kamaye radhikeva

"Who manifests an abundance of sweetness greater than Mine, which has never been experienced before and which causes wonder to all? Alas, I Myself, My mind bewildered upon seeing this beauty, impetously desire to enjoy it like Srimati Radharani."

                                      Lalita-madhava (8.34)
                                      [quoted in CC 1.4.146]
                                      (spoken by Lord Krsna when He
                                      saw His own reflection).

nirdhutamrta-madhuri-parimalah kalyani bimbadharo
vaktram pankaja-saurabham kuharita-slagha-bhidas te girah
angam candana-sitalam tanur iyam saundarya-sarvasva-bhak
tvam asadya mamedam indriya-kulam radhe muhur modate

"My dear auspicious Radharani, Your body is the source of all beauty. Your red lips are softer than the sense of immortal sweetness, Your face bears the aroma of a lotus flower, Your sweet words defeat the vibrations of a cuckoo, and Your limbs are cooler than the pulp of sandalwood. All My transcendental senses are overwhelmed in ecstatic pleasure by tasting You, who are completely decorated by beautiful qualities."

                                      Lalita-madhava (9.9)
                                      [quoted in CC 1.4.259]
                                      (spoken by Krsna to Radharani)

ya te lila-rasa-parimalodgari-vanyaparita
dhanya ksauni vilasati vrta mathuri madhuribhih
tatrasmabhis catula-pasupi-bhava-mugdhantarabhih
samvitas tvam kalaya vadanollasi-venur viharam

"The gopis continued: 'Dear Krsna, the fragrance of the mellows of Your pastimes is spread throughout the forest of the glorious land of Vrndavana, which is surrounded by the sweetness of the district of Mathura. In the congenial atmosphere of that wonderful land, You may enjoy Your pastimes, with Your flute dancing on Your lips, and surrounded by us, the gopis, whose hearts are always enchanted by unpredictable ecstatic emotions.'"

                                      Lalita-madhava (10.38)
                                      [quoted in CC 2.1.84]

10. Verses from Dana-keli-kaumudi
by Srila Rupa Goswami

vibhur api kalayan sadabhivrddhim
gurur api gaurava-caryaya vihinah
muhur upacita-vakrimapi suddho
jayati mura-dvisi radhikanuragah

"All glories to Radha's love for Krsna, the enemy of the demon Mura. Although it is all-pervading,  it tends to increase ar every moment. Although it is important, it is devoid of pride. And although it is pure, it is always beset with duplicity."

                                            Dana-keli-kaumudi (2)
                                            [quoted in CC 1.4.131]

11. Verses from Stotra-ratna
by Yamunacarya

tvam sila-rupa-caritaih parama-prakrstaih
sattvena sattvikataya prabalais ca sastraih
prakhyata-daiva-paramartha-vidam matais ca
naivasura-prakrtayah prabhavanti boddhum

"O my Lord, those influenced by demoniac principles cannot realize You, although You are clearly the Supreme by dint of Your exalted activities, forms, character and uncommon power, which are confirmed by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness and the celebrated transcendentalists in the divine nature."

                                              Stotra-ratna (12)
                                              [quoted CC 1.3.87]

ullanghita-trividha-sima-samatisayi-
sambhavanam tava parivradhima-svabhavam
maya-balena bhavatapi niguhyamanam
pasyanti kecid anisam tvad-ananya-bhavah

"O my Lord, everything within material nature is limited by time, space and thought. Your characteristics, however, being unequaled and unsurpassed, are always transcendental to such limitations. You sometimes cover such characteristics by Your own energy, but nevertheless Your unalloyed devotees are always able to see You under all circumstances."

                                              Stotra-ratna (13)
                                              [quoted CC 1.3.89]

12. Verses from Mukunda-mala-stotra
by King Kulasekhara

jayati jayati devo devaki-nandanau 'sau
jayati jayati krsno vrsni-vamsa-pradipah
jayati jayati megha-syamalah komalango
jayati jayati prthivi-bhara-naso mukundah

"All glories unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead who is known as the son of Devaki. All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead who is known as the light of the dinasty of Vrsni. All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead whose bodily luster is like that of a new cloud and whose body is as soft as a lotus flower. All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead who appeared on this planet to deliver the world from the burden of demons and who can offer liberation to everyone."

                                     Mukunda-mala (3)
                                     [quoted in CC 2.13.78]

13. Verses from Gita-govinda
by Srila Jayadeva Goswami

visvesam anuranjanena janayann anandam indivara-
sreni-syamala-komalair upanayann angair anangotsavam
svacchandam vraja-sundaribhir abhitah pratyangam alingitah
srngara sakhi murtiman iva madhau mugdho harih kridati

"My dear friends, just see how Sri Krsna is enjoying the season of spring! With the gopis embracing each of His limbs, He is like amorous love personified. With His transcendental pastimes, he enlivens all the gopis, and the entire creation. With His soft bluish-black arms and legs, which resemble blue lotus flowers, He has created a festival for Cupid."

                                              Gita-govinda (1.11)
                                              [quoted in CC 1.4.224]

kamsarir api samsara-
vasana-baddha-srnkhalam
radham abhaya hrdaye
tatyaja vraja-sundarih

"Lord Krsna, the enemy of Kamsa, left aside the other gopis during the rasa dance and took Srimati Radharani to His heart, for She is the helper of the Lord in realizing the essence of His desires."

                                              Gita-govinda (3.1)
                                              [quoted in CC 1.4.219]

14. Verses from Govinda-lilamrta
by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami

kasmad vrnde priya-sakhi hareh pada-mulat kuto 'sau
kundaranye kim iha kurute nrtya-siksam guruh kah
tam tvan-murtih prati-taru-latam dig-viviksu sphuranti
sailusiva bhramati parito nartayanti sva-pascat

"O my beloved friend Vrnda, where are you coming from?"
"I am coming from the feet of Sri Hari."
"Where is He?"
"In the forest on the bank of Radhakunda."
"What is He doing there?"
"He is learning dancing."
"Who is His master?"
"Your image, Radha, revealing itself in every tree and creeper in every direction, is roaming like a skillful dancer, making Him dance behind."

                                            Govinda-lilamrta (8.77)
                                            [quoted in CC 1.4.125]

purah krsnalokat sthagita-kutilasya gatir abhut
tirascinam krsnambara-dara-vrtam sri-mukham api
calat-taram spharam nayana-yugam abhugam iti sa
vilasakhya-svalankarana-valitasit priya-mude

"When Srimati Radharani saw Lord Krsna just before Her, Her progress stopped, and She assumed an attitude of apposition. Although Her face was slightly covered by a blue garment, Her to starry eyes were agitated, being wide and curved. Thus She was decorated with the ornaments of vilasa, and Her beauty increased to give pleasure to Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

                                            Govinda-lilamrta (9.11)
                                            [quoted in CC 2.14.189]

hriya tiryag-griva-carana-kati-bhangi-sumadhura
calac-cilli-valli-dalita-ratinathorjita-dhanuh
priya-premollasollasita-lalitalalita-tanuh
priya-prityai sasid udita-lalitankrti-yuta

"When Srimati Radharani was decorated with the ornament of lalita-alankara, just to increase Sri Krsna's love, an attractive curve was manifest by Her neck, knees and waist. This was brought about by Her timidity and apparent desire to avoid Krsna. The flickering movements of Her eyebrows could conquer the powerful bow of Cupid. To increase the joy of Her beloved's love, Her body was decorated with the ornaments of lalita-alankara."

                                            Govinda-lilamrta (9.14)
                                            [quoted in CC 2.14.194]

baspa-vyakulitarunancala-calan-netram rasollasitam
helollasa-caladharam kutilita-bhru-yugmam udyat-smitam
radhayah kila-kincitancitam asau viksyananam sangamad
anandam tam avapa koti-gunitam yo 'bhun na gir-gocarah

"Agitated by tears, Srimati Radharani's eyes were tinged with red, just like the eastern horizon at sunrise. Her lips began to move with jubilation and lusty desire. Her eyebroves curved, and Her lotuslike face smiled mildly. Seeing Radharani's face exhibit such emotion, Lord Sri Krsna felt a million times happier than when He embraced Her. Indeed, Lord Sri Krsna's happiness is not at all mundain."

                                            Govinda-lilamrta (9.18)
                                            [quoted in CC 2.14.181]

15. Verses from Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta
by Srila Sanatana Goswami

jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer
viramita-nija-dharma-dhana-pujadi-yatnam
kathamapi sakrd-attam mutidam praninam yat
paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me

"All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Lord Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somewhow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure."

                                         Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta (1.9)
                                         [quoted in CC 3.4.71p]

16. Verses from Sat-sandarbhas
by Srila Jiva Goswami

antah krsnam bahir gauram
darsitangadi-vaibhavam
kalau sankirtanadyaih sma
krsna-caitanyam asritah

"I take shelter of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is outwardly of a fair complexion but is inwardly Krsna Himself. In this age of Kali He displays His expansions [His angas and upangas] by performing congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord."

                                              Bhagavata-sandarbha (2)
                                              [quoted in CC 1.3.81]

divyam jnanam yato dadyat
kuryat papasya sanksayam
tasmat dikseti sa prokta
deksikais tattva-kovidaih

"Diksa is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all sinful activity. A person expert in the study of revealed scriptures knows this process as diksa."
 
                                              Bhakti-sandarbha (283)
                                              [quoted in CC 2.15.108]

yatha kancanatam yati
kamsyam rasa-vidhanatah
tatha diksa-vidhanena
dvijatvam jayate nrinam

"As bell metal is turned to gold when mixed with mercury in an alchemical process, so one who is properly trained and initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, becomes a brahmana immediately."

                                         Bhakti-sandarbha (298)
                                         (originally from a book
                                         named Tattva-sagara)
                                         [quoted in CC 3.4.29p]

17. Verses from Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu
by Srila Rupa Goswami

hrdi yasya preranaya
pravartito 'ham varaka-rupo 'pi
tasya hareh pada-kamalam
vande caitanya-devasya

"Although I am the lowest of men and have no knowledge, the Lord has mercifully bestowed upon me the inspiration to write transcendental literature about the devotional service. Therefore I offer my obeisances at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has given me the chance to write these books."

                                    Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.1.2),
                                    [quoted in CC 3.1.212]

iha yasya harer dasye
karmana manasa gira
nikhilasv apy avasthasu
jivan-muktah sa ucyate

"A person acting in the service of Krsna with His body, mind and words is a liberated person even in the material world, although he may be engaged in many so-called material activities."

                                    Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.187)
                                    [quoted in CC 2.19.135p]

yah arinam priyanam ca
prapyam ekam ivoditam
tad brahma-krsnayor aikyat
kiranarkopama-jusoh

"Where it has been stated that the Lord's enemies and devotees attain the same destination, this refers to the ultimate oneness of Brahman and Lord Krsna. This may be understood by the example of sun and the sunshine, in which Brahman is like the sunshine and Krsna Himself is like the sun."

                                    Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.278)
                                    [quoted in CC 1.5.36]

advaita-vidhi-pathikair upasyah
svananda-simhasana-labdha-diksah
sathena kenapi vayam hathena
dasi-krta gopa-vadhu-vitena

"Although I was worshipped by those on the path of monism and initiated into self-realization through the yoga system, I am nonetheless forcibly turned into a maidservant by some cunning boy who is always joking with the gopis."
                                    Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (3.1.44),
                                    [qouted in CC 2.10.178]
                                    (orig. composed by Bilvamangala Thakura)

18. Verses from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami

ayi dina-dayardha natha he
mathura-natha kadavalokyase
hrdayam tvad-aloka-kataram
dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham

"O My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathura! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?"

                                       Caitanya-caritamrta, 2.4.197
                                       (spoken by Srila Madhvavendra Puri)

19. Verses from Hari-bhakti-vilasa
by Srila Sanatana Goswami

adiksitasya vamoru
krtam sarvam nirathakam
pasu-yonim avapnoti
diksa-virahito janah

"Unless one is initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, all his devotional activities are useless. A person who is not properly initiated can descend again into the animal species."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (2.6)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]

ato gurum pranamyaivam
sarva-svam vinivedya ca
grhniyad vaisnavam mantram
diksa-purvam vidhanatah

"It is the duty of every human being to surrender to a bona fide spiritual master. Giving him everything - body, mind and intelligence - one must take a Vaisnava initiation from him."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (2.10)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]

vina yena na siddhah syan
mantro varsa-satair api
krtena yena labhate
sadhako vanchitam phalam

"Without performing the purascarya activities, one cannot become perfect even by chanting this mantra for hundreds of years."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (17.4)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]

purascarana-sampanno
mantro hi phala-dhayakah
atah puraskriyam kuryat
mantravit siddhi-kanksaya

"However, one who has undergone the purascarya-vidhi process can attain success very easily. If one wishes to perfect his initiation, he must first undergo the purascarya activities."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (17.5)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]

puraskriya hi mantranam
pradhanam viryam ucyate
virya-hino yatha dehi
sarva-karmasu na ksamah
purascarana-hino hi
tatha mantrah prakiritah

"The purascarya process is the life-force by which one is succesful in chanting the mantra. Without the life-force, one cannot do anything, similarly, without the life-force of purascarya-vidhi, no mantra can be perfected."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (17.7)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]

puja traikaliki nityam
japas tarpanam eva ca
homo brahmana-bhuktis ca
purascaranam ucyate

"In the morning, afternoon and evening one should worship the Diety, chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, offer oblations, perform a fire sacrifice, and feed the brahmanas. These five activities constitue purascarya."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (17.11)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]

guror labdhasya mantrasya
prasadena yatha-vidhi
pancangopasana-siddhyai
puras caitad vidhiyate

"To attain full success when taking initiation from the spiritual master, one should first perform these purascarya processess."

                                       Hari-bhakti-vilasa (17.12)
                                       [quoted in CC 2.15.108p]