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The Ultimate Instructions

Guru Vandana Holy Name Radha Songs Krishna Songs Gauranga Songs Vrindavana & Braja
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Text
1
āna kathā nā baliba āna kathā nā śuniba sakali kahiba paramārtha prārthanā kariba sadā lālasā abhīṣṭa-kathā ihā binā sakali anartha
Word for word
āna kathā—worldly talks; nā baliba—will not speak; āna kathā—mundane topics; nā śuniba—will not hear; sakali—all; kahiba—will say; paramārtha—absolute truth; prārthanā—pray; kariba—will do; sada—always; lālasā—eagerness; abhīṣṭa kathā—topics regarding goal of life; ihā binā—without this; sakali—everything; anartha—unwanted
Translation

I will neither indulge in useless mundane topics nor hear them. I will only engage in spiritual cultivation. I will always pray to eagerly discuss the topics of my worshipable Lord, because everything else is simply unwanted.

2
īśwarera tattwa jata tāhā bā kahiba kata ananta apāra kebā jāne braja-pūra-prema nitya ei se parama satya bhaja bhaja anūrāga-mane
Word for word
īśwarera—of the Supreme Lord; tattwa—science; jata—everything; tāhā—that; bā—or; kahiba—will explain; kata—how much; ananta—unlimited; apāra—insurmountable; kebā—who; jāne—knows; braja-pūra—in Braja; prema—loving dealings; nitya—eternal; ei—this; se—that; parama satya—supreme truth; bhaja bhaja—worship; anurāga—with attachment; mane—the mind
Translation

How much can I explain the science of the Supreme Lord, for it is unlimited and unfathomable? However, the loving dealings of Braja are eternal and nectarean. O my mind, please worship this Supreme Truth with deep attachment.

3
gobinda gokūlacandra parama ānanda-kanda paribāra-gopa-gopī saṅge nandīśwara jāra dhāma giridhārī jāṅra nāma sakhī-saṅge tāre bhaja raṅge
Word for word
gobinda—Lord Govinda; gokūlacandra—the moonlike personality of Gokula; parama—great; ānanda—happiness; kanda—source; paribāra—entourage; gopa-gopī—the cowherd boys and girls; saṅge—in the association; nandīśwara—Nandagram; jāṅra—whose; dhāma—residence; giridhārī—the lifter of Govardhana Hill; jāra—whose; nāma—name; sakhī-saṅge—in the association of the sakhīs; tāre—Him; bhaja—worship; raṅge—happily
Translation

Śrī Govinda, the moonlike personality of Gokūla, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, the reservoir of all transcendental happiness, is accompanied by the gopālas and the gopīs and is living in Nandagram. Serve Him happily in association with the sakhīs.

4
prema-bhakti-tattwa ei tomāre kahinū bhāi āra dūrbasanā parihari śrī-guru-prasāde bhāi e saba bhajana pāi prema-bhakti sakhī anūcarī
Word for word
prema-bhakti—loving devotional service; tattwa—science; ei—this; tomāre—to you; kahinū—I have thus explained; bhāi—O brothers; āra—all others; dūrbasanā—material desires; parihari—by giving up; śrī-guru-prasāde—by the mercy of the spiritual master; bhāi—O brother; e saba—all these; bhajana—process of worship; pāi—receive; prema-bhakti—loving devotional service; sakhī anūcari—the companion of the sakhīs
Translation

O brother, I have thus described the science of devotional service to you. Please, give up all material desires. You can perform loving devotional service by the mercy of the spiritual master and in the perfected stage, you will be counted as a maidservant of the sakhīs.

5
sārthaka bhajana-patha sādhu-saṅge abirata smaraṇa bhajana kṛṣṇa-kathā prema-bhakti haya jadi tabe haya manaḥ śuddhi tabe jāya hṛdayera byathā
Word for word
sārthaka—perfection; bhajana-patha—the path of worship; sādhu-saṅge—in the association of the devotees; abirata—always; smaraṇa—remembrance; bhajana—worship; kṛṣṇa-kathā—discussing the topics of Kṛṣṇa; prema-bhakti—loving devotional service; haya—is; jadi—if; tabe—than; haya—is; manaḥ śuddhi—purification of the mind; tabe—than; jāya—go away; hṛdayera—of the heart; byathā—pain
Translation

The most successful method of devotional service is to constantly remember the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa in the association of devotees. When one attains loving devotional service, then his mind will be fully purified and the distress of his heart will be vanquished.

6
biṣaya bipatti jāna saṁsāra swapana māna nara-tanū bhajanera mūla anūrāge bhaja sadā prema-bhābe līlā-kathā āra jata hṛdayera śūla
Word for word
biṣaya—material sense objects; bipatti—danger; jāna—please know; saṁsāra—material existence; swapana—dream; māna—accept; nara-tanū—human form of life; bhajanera mūla—the root of worshiping the Lord; anūrāge—with attachment; bhaja—worship; sadā—always; prema-bhābe—with love; līlā-kathā—the topics of various pastimes; āra jata—everything else; hṛdayera—of the heart; śūla—pain
Translation

Consider material sense objects as dangerous, and material life as a dream. The human form of life is most suitable for worshiping Kṛṣṇa. Always sing about the loving pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. All other topics causes distress to the heart.

7
Śrī Rādhikāśraya The Shelter of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī rādhikā-caraṇa-renū bhūṣana kariyā tanū anāyāse pābe giridhārī rādhikā-caraṇāśraya ye kare se mahāśaya tāṅre mūñi jāi balihāri
Word for word
rādhikā-caraṇa-renū—the dust of the lotus feet of Śrī Rādhikā; bhūṣana kariyā—decorate; tanū—body; anāyāse—easily; pābe—will receive; giridhārī—the lifter of Govardhana Hill; rādhikā-caraṇāśraya—taking shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Rādhikā; ye kare—one who does so; se mahāśaya—is a great person; tāre—to him; mūñi—I; jāi balihāri—glorify
Translation

Decorate your body with the dust from the lotus feet of Śrī Rādhikā. Then, you will achieve the full grace of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the lifter of Govardhana Hill. One who takes shelter of the lotus feet of Rādhikā, I glorify him as a great person.

8
jaya jaya rādhā-nāma bṛndābana yāṅra dhāma kṛṣṇa-sūkha-bilāsera nidhi hena rādhā-guṇa-gāna nā śunila mora kāna baṅcita karila more bidhi
Word for word
jaya jaya—all glories; rādhā-nāma—the holy names of Rādhā; bṛndābana—Vṛndāvana; yāra—whose; dhāma—abode; kṛṣṇa-sūkha—pleasing Kṛṣṇa; bilāsera nidhi—the ocean of enjoyment; hena rādhā—such Rādhā; guṇa-gāna—glorifying Her qualities; nā śunila—did not hear; mora kāna—my ears; baṅcita—deceived; karila—did; more—to me; bidhi—the creator
Translation

All glories to the holy names of Śrī Rādhā, who eternally resides in Vṛndāvana. She is the ocean of Kṛṣṇa’s happiness. I have been cheated by Providence because I have not heard about the glorification of Rādhā.

9
tāṅra bhakta-saṅga sadā rasa-līlā-prema-kathā je kahe se pāya ghanaśyāma īhāte bimūkha jei tāra kabhū siddhi nāi nāhi jena śuni tāra nāma
Word for word
tāṅra—Her; bhakta-sanga—associates with the devotees; sadā—always; rasa-līlā—nectarean pastimes; prema-kathā—the topics of love; je kahe—one who chants; se pāya—he receives; ghanaśyāma—the dark-colored Śyāmasundara; īhāte—in this; bimūkha—against; jei—whoever; tāra—his; kabhū—never; siddhi—perfection; nāi—not; nāhi—not; jena śuni—may hear; tāra nāma—his name
Translation

One who associates with the devotees of Śrī Rādhā and discusses the loving pastimes of Rādhā certainly meets Śyāmasundara. Anyone averse to this never attains perfection and I do not wish to even hear the name of such a person.

10
kṛṣṇa-nāma-gāne bhāi rādhikā-caraṇa pāi rādhā-nāma-gāne kṛṣṇacandra saṅkṣepe kahila kathā ghūcāo manera byathā dūḥkha-maya anya kathā-dwandwa
Word for word
kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy names of Kṛṣṇa; gāne—by chanting; bhāi—O dear brothers; rādhikā-caraṇa—the lotus feet of Śrī Radhikā; pāi—attain; rādhā-nāma—the holy name of Rādhā; gāne—by chanting; kṛṣṇacandra—the moonlike Kṛṣṇa; saṅkṣepe—in brief; kahila kathā—I have thus explained; ghūcāo—destroy; manera byathā—pains of the mind; dūḥkha-maya—full of miseries; anya kathā—mundane topics; dwandwa—duality
Translation

O brother, simply by chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa, one can receive the lotus feet of Rādhikā, and by chanting the names of Rādhikā, one can receive the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. Thus, I have briefly explained everything by which you will be relieved from the pains of your heart. All other topics are full of miseries and dualities.

11
ahaṅkāra abhimāna asat-saṅga asaj-jñāna chāḍi bhaja guru-pāda-padma kara ātma-nibedana deha-geha-parijana guru-bākya parama mahattwa
Word for word
ahaṅkāra—false ego; abhimāna—pride; asat-saṅga—association with non-devotees; asaj-jñāna—useless knowledge; chāḍi—by giving up; bhaja—worship; guru-pāda-padma—the lotus feet of the spiritual master; kara ātma-nibedana—surrender fully; deha—the body; geha—the house; parijana—the family members; guru-bākya—the words of the spiritual master; parama—supremely; mahattwa—important
Translation

Give up false ego and pride. Giving up bad association and endeavoring for useless material knowledge, worship the lotus feet of the spiritual master. Surrender your body, home and family members unto him. The words from the lotus mouth of the spiritual master are supremely important.

12
Śrī Gaura Upasana Kathāvyatha The Neccesity of Worshiping Śrī Gaurāṅga śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanyadeba rati-mati bhabe seba prema-kalpa-taru-dātā braja-rāja-nandana rādhikā-jībana-dhana aparūpa ei saba kathā
Word for word
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanyadeba—Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya; rati-mati bhabe—with attachment and attention; seba—serve; prema-kalpa-taru—the desire tree of love of God; dātā—the giver; braja-rāja-nandana—the son of King of Braja; rādhikā-jībana-dhana—the life and treasure of Śrī Rādhikā; aparūpa—wonderful; ei—this; saba—all; kathā—topics
Translation

Please serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanyadeva with attachment and determination, because He is the desire-tree for bestowing love of God. He is non-different from the son of the King of Braja and the life and soul of Śrī Rādhīka. This is simply wonderful.

13
nabadwīpe abatari rādhā-bhava angī kari tāṅra kānti aṅgera bhūṣana tina bānchā abhilāsī śacī-garbhe parakāśi sange lañā pariṣada-gaṇa
Word for word
nabadwīpe—in Navadvīpa; abatari—by incarnating; rādhā-bhava—the mood of Rādhā; angī kari—by accepting; tāra kānti—Her complexion; angera—of the limbs; bhūṣana—decoration; tina bānchā—three desires; abhilāsī—to fulfill; śacī-garbhe—in the womb of Śacī; parakāśi—appeared; saṅge—with Him; lañā—taking; pariṣada-gaṇa—associates
Translation

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanyadeva has appeared in Navadvīpa in the mood of Śrī Rādhā and has decorated Himself with the complexion of Rādhā. In order to fulfill three wishes, He has appeared in the womb of Mother Śacī along with His associates.

14
gaura-hari-abatari premera bādara kari sādhilā manera nija kāja rādhikāra prāṇa-pati kiba bhabe kānde niti ihā būjhe bhakata-samāja
Word for word
gaura-hari—Lord Gaurāṅga; abatari—after descending; premera—of love of God; bādara kari—showering like rain; sādhilā—fulfilled; manera—of His mind; nija—own; kāja—work; rādhikāra—of Śrī Rādhikā; prāṇa-pati—life and soul; kiba bhabe—how; kānde—cries; niti—always; ihā—this; būjhe—understand; bhakata-samāja—the society of devotees
Translation

Śrī Gaurahari has appeared and showered love of God. In this way, He has fulfilled His inner desires. He is the life and soul of Śrī Rādhikā. Only the devotees understand the Lord’s cries and lamentation.

15
Rāgānugyo Sādhana The Process of Loving Attachment gopate sādhile siddhi sādhana nabadhā bhakti prārthanā kariba dainye sadā kari hari-saṅkīrtana sadāi bibhola mana iṣṭa-lābha binū saba bādhā
Word for word
gopate—secretly; sādhile—will practise; siddhi—the goal of life; sādhana—the process; nabadhā bhakti—the nine types of bhakti; prārthanā kariba—will pray; dainye—with humility; sadā—always; kari—performing; hari-saṅkīrtana—congregational chanting of the holy names of Hari; sadāi—always; bibhola—absorbed; mana—the mind; iṣṭa-lābha—attaining the goal of life; binū—without; saba—everything; bādhā—impediments
Translation

One should be absorbed internally in the thought of Śrī Kṛṣṇa while externally practicing the nine processes of devotional service, always praying with humility. One should chant the names of Hari without deviation. Without the achievement of this goal of life, everything is wasted.

16
Manaḥ Śikṣā Instructions To the Mind saṁsāra bātojāre kāma-phāṅse bāndhi māre phūkāra karaha haridāsa karaha bhakata-saṅga prema-kathā-rasa-raṅga tabe haya bipada bināśa
Word for word
saṁsāra—the material world; bātojāre—plundering; kāma—lusty desires; phāṅse—with the hopes; bāndhi—binding; māre—killing; phūkāra karaha—lament; haridāsa—O servant of Śrī Hari; karaha bhakata-saṅga—associate with devotees; prema-kathā—topics of loving dealings; rasa-raṅga—nectarean pastimes; tabe—than; haya—is; bipada—danger; bināśa—vanquishes
Translation

The material world is cheating you. Lusty desires are killing you by hanging you with ropes. Lament, O servant of Hari. Associate with devotees and engage in discussing the topics of love of God. Then, all your dangers will be vanquished.

17
strī-pūtra bālaka kata mari jāra śata śata āpanāke hao sābadhāna mūñi se biṣaye hata nā bhajinū hari-pada mora āra nāhi paritrāṇa
Word for word
strī—wife; pūtra—son; bālaka—children; kata—so many; mari jāra—die; śata śata—hundreds; āpanāke—yourself; hao—become; sābadhāna—careful; mūñi—I am; se—that; biṣaye hata—killed by material desires; nā—not; bhajinū—worshiped; hari-pada—the lotus feet of Hari; mora—mind; āra nāhi—no other; paritrāṇa—deliverance
Translation

Hundreds of wives and children have been born and died, yet still I am not careful. I am frustrated with material sense objects and have not worshipped the lotus feet of Hari. Therefore, I have no protection and deliverance.

18
Rasika Bhakta Saṅga Niṣṭha The Eagerness For Associating With Rasika Devotees rāmacandra kabirāja sei saṅge mora kāja tāṅra sanga binū saba śunya haya janma jadi punaḥ tāṅra saṅga haya jena tabe haya narottama dhanya
Word for word
rāmacandra kabirāja—Śrī Rāmacandra Kavirāja; sei saṅge—with his association; mora—mine; kāja—concern; tāṅra saṅga—his association; binū—without; saba—everything; śunya—empty; haya janma—rebirth; jadi—if; puna—again; tāṅra saṅga—his association; haya jena—may I receive; tabe—than; haya—is; narottama—Narottama dāsa; dhanya—glories
Translation

My only wish is to have the association of Rāmachandra Kavirāja. Without him, everything looks empty. If I am to be born again, may I get his association. Then the life of Narottama dāsa will be successful.

19
āpana bhajana-kathā nā kahiba jathā tathā ihāte haiba sābadhāna nā kariha keha roṣa nā laiha mora doṣa praṇāmaha bhaktera caraṇe
Word for word
āpana—own; bhajana-kathā—method of worship; nā kahiba—will not disclose; jathā tathā—here and there; ihāte—in this matter; haiba—I will be; sābadhāna—careful; nā kariha—do not; keha—anyone; roṣa—angry; nā laiha—do not take; mora doṣa—my offense; praṇāmaha—I offer my respectful obeisances; bhaktera caraṇe—unto the lotus feet of the devotees
Translation

I will not disclose my path of worshiping the Lord to anyone and everyone. I will be extremely careful about it. Please do not get angry with me or take offense. I offer my respectful humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of the devotees.

20
śrī-gaurāṅga prabhū more je bolāna bānī tāhā kahi bhāla manda kichūi nā jāni
Word for word
śrī-gaurānga prabhu—Lord Gaurāṅga; more—to me; je—that which; bolāna—make me speak; bānī—statement; tāhā kahi—I am speaking only that; bhāla manda—good and bad; kichūi nā—nothing; jāni—know
Translation

Whatever message Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu has spoken to me, that I have related here. Actually I do not know what is right or wrong.

21
lokanātha prabhupāda hṛdeye bilāsa prema-bhakti-candrikā kahe narottama dāsa
Word for word
lokanātha prabhūpada—the lotus feet of Śrīla Lokanātha Gosvāmī; hṛdeye bilāsa—place in my heart; prema bhakti-candrikā—the rays of the moonlight of loving devotion; kahe—says; narottama dāsa—Narottama dāsa
Translation

Placing the lotus feet of Śrīla Lokanātha Prabhu in my heart, I, Narottama dāsa described “Śrī Prema Bhakti-chandrikā.”

Frequently asked

Who wrote The Ultimate Instructions?

The Ultimate Instructions was composed by Narottama Dasa Thakura. It appears in Prema Bhakti Chandrika.

What is the meaning of The Ultimate Instructions?

I will neither indulge in useless mundane topics nor hear them. I will only engage in spiritual cultivation. I will always pray to eagerly discuss the topics of my worshipable Lord, because everything else is simply unwanted.

How many verses does The Ultimate Instructions have?

The Ultimate Instructions has 21 verses.

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