By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Click here to listen to Vishnujana Swami sing Kabe Ha'be Bolo
(1)
kabe ha'be bolo se-dina āmār
(āmār) aparādha ghuci', śuddha nāme ruci,
kṛpā-bale ha'be hṛdoye sañcār
When, oh when will that day be mine? When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will your mercy shine? When, oh when will that day be mine?
(2)
tṛṇādhika hīna, kabe nije māni',
sahiṣṇutā-guṇa hṛdoyete āni'
sakale mānada, āpani amānī,
ho'ye āswādibo nāma-rasa-sār
Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree. When will my mind attain this quality? Respectful to all, not expecting their honor, then shall I taste the name's nectar sublime. When, oh when will that day be mine?
(3)
dhana jana āra, kobitā-sundarī,
bolibo nā cāhi deho-sukha-karī
janme-janme dāo, ohe gaurahari!
ahaitukī bhakti caraṇe tomār
Great wealth or followers, feminine beauty, I won't care for them or the comforts of my body. Birth after birth give me, Oh Lord Caitanya, causeless devotion to Your feet divine. When, oh when will that day be mine?
(4)
(kabe) korite śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāma uccāraṇa,
pulakita deho gadgada bacana
baibarṇya-bepathu ha'be sańghaṭana,
nirantara netre ba'be aśru-dhār
When will I utter Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, with words choked up and shivering body? When will I be trembling all over, lose bodily color, tears pouring from my eyes. When, oh when will that day be mine?
(5)
kabe navadwīpe, suradhunī-taṭe,
gaura-nityānanda boli' niṣkapaṭe
nāciyā gāiyā, berāibo chuṭe,
bātulera prāya chāriyā bicār
When in Navadvīpa along the Ganges bank, shouting "Gaura-Nityānanda" as a surrendered soul, dancing, chanting, running everywhere, when will I become half mad of mind? When, oh when will that day be mine?
(6)
kabe nityānanda, more kori 'doyā,
chārāibe mora viṣayera māyā
diyā more nija-caraṇera chāyā,
nāmera hāṭete dibe adhikār
When will Lord Nityānanda show mercy upon me, when will I reject the world of māyā? Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet, let the right to preach the name be mine. When, oh when will that day be mine?
(7)
kinibo, luṭibo, hari-nāma-rasa,
nāma-rase māti' hoibo bibaśa
rasera rasika-caraṇa paraśa,
koriyā mojibo rase anibār
I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name. By the name's effect I will feel paralyzed. Oh! Enjoyer of the nectar of the name, when will I touch your lotus feet till the end of time? When, oh when will that day be mine?
(8)
kabe jībe doyā, hoibe udoya,
nija-sukha bhuli' sudīna-hṛdoya
bhakativinoda, koriyā binoya,
śrī-ājñā-ṭahala koribe pracār
When will I feel compassion for all living beings (jīvas)? When will I forget my own pleasure in genuine humility? And when will I, Bhaktivinoda, meekly go from door to door, preaching your message of love?
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