Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Sacisutastakam

Toronto, Ontario

On this most auspicious day, Gaura Purnima, the moon of the golden One, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Sri Chaitanya, sometimes referred to as the avatar of the age. I was asked to speak on the translation of the song written by Sarvahauma Bhattachary. It is entitled 'Sachisutastakam', and the song was led by one of the temple administrators, Radha Mohan. Here is the translation to Sachisutastakam which describes the qualities of Sri Chaitanya.

1) His complexion is the hue of fresh cream tinged with kunkun. He is the ever fresh Cupid who shoots arrows of newly blossoming flowers. He bears newer and newer moods of emotional ecstasies. He is fond of performing novel dances. He makes ever new jokes that cause much laughter. His brilliant luster is like freshly cast gold. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

2) He is endowed with ever-fresh love of Godhead. His radiant luster is like the colour of fresh butter. His fresh attire is arranged in ever new fashions. He relishes ever new mellows of love for Krishna. He shines in nine fold new ways while executing the nine fold processes of devotion. He is permeated with a most auspicious loving nature. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

3) He is absorbed in devotion to Sri Hari. He maintains the chanting of the names of Hari. While chanting He counts the holy names on the fingers of His hands. He is addicted to the name of Hari. He always has tears of love welling in His eyes. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

4) He is always removing the suffering of material existence for mankind. He is the goal for persons who are dedicated to their supreme interest. He inspires men to become like honeybees (eager for the honey of Krishna prema). He removes the burning fever of the material world. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

5) He motivates pure devotion unto Himself. He is most attractive to His beloved servitors. By His dramatic dancing He exhibits the characteristics of the King of paramours. He causes the minds of beautiful young village women to dance. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

6) He plays karatals as His throat emits sweet melodious sounds and the vibrant notes of the vina are softly played. He thus inspires the devotees to perform dramatic dancing that is infused with aspects of His own devotional service. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

7) He is accompanied by the Sankirtan movement, which is the religious practice for the age of Kali. He is the son of Nanda Maharaja come again. He is the extraordinarily brilliant ornament of the earth. His preaching mood is suitably adapted to the cycle of birth and death. His consciousness is fixed in meditation on His own form of Krishna. He is always accompanied by His transcendental abode. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.

8) His eyes, the soles of His feet and His clothing are reddish like the colour that heralds the rising sun. As He utters His own names, His voice falters. He awakens a sweet flavour to life throughout the universe. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi.