Prākṛta-rasa Āraṇya Chedinī

Cutting the Jungle of Misconception

Dedication – to Śrī Vīra-Nṛsiṁha

e duṣṭa hṛdaye kāma ādi ripu chaya
kuṭīnāṭi pratiṣṭhāśā śāṭhya sadā raya
hṛdaya-śodhana āra kṛṣṇera vāsanā
nṛsiṁha-caraṇe mora ei to’ kāmanā

Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Nṛsiṁha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Kṛṣṇa.

kāṅdiyā nṛsiṁha-pade māgibo kakhana
nirāpade navadvīpe jugala-bhajana
bhaya bhaya pāya yāṅ’ra darśane se hari
prasanna hoibo kabe more dayā kari

Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Nṛsiṁha for the benediction of worshipping Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Navadvīpa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, Whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?

yadyapi bhīṣaṇa mūrti duṣṭa-jīva-prati
prahlādādi kṛṣṇa-bhakta-jane bhadra ati
kabe vā prasanna ho’ye sa kṛpa-vacane
nirbhaya karibe ei mūḍha akiñcane

Even though Lord Nṛsiṁha is terrifying towards the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa headed by Prahlāda Mahārāja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless?

svacchande baiso he vatsa śrī-gaurāṅga-dhāme
jugala-bhajana hau rati hau nāme
mama bhakta-kṛpā-bale vighna jābe dūra
śuddha cite bhajo rādhā-kṛṣṇa-rasa-pūra

He will say, “Dear child! Sit down freely and live happily here in Śrī Gaurāṅga-dhāma. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple, and may you develop loving attachment for Their Holy Names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar.”

ei boli’ kabe mora mastaka-upara
svīya śrī-caraṇa harṣe dharibe īśvara
amani jugala-preme sāttvika vikāre
dharāya luṭibo āmi śrī-nṛsiṁha-dvāre

Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus-feet upon my head? I will experience sublime love for the Divine Couple Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and undergo the ecstatic transformations called sāttvika. Falling on the ground, I will roll about at the door of Śrī Nṛsiṁha’s temple.

(Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, – Śrī Navadvīpa Bhāva Taraṅga, 36-40)