Śrī Gopinātha vijñapti (A Fervent Petition to Śrī Gopīnātha)

A Devotee is Stable (Sajjana-sthira)

By Swami Bhaktivijñāna GiriPublished On: September 7, 2026Tags: Guru-tattva, Songs and Prayers19.4 min read

Overview

Today being the appearance day of Śrīla B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja, we present the third chapter of Śrī Bhakti Gaurava Vilāsa (The Pastimes of Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha) - a summary of the life of Narasiṅgha Mahārāja rendered in Sanskrit poetry along with Bengali verse translations. This third chapter discusses Mahārāja's preaching in Africa, the tribulations he went through to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and ends with his going to South Africa.

🔗 Read the definitive biography of Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja here.

श्रीश्रीगुरुगौराङ्गौ विजयतः

श्रीश्रीभक्तिगौरव विलासः
Śrī Śrī Bhakti Gaurava Vilāsa
(The Pastimes of Swami Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha)

Tritīya Vilāsaḥ
(Third Chapter)

TEXT 1
शास्त्रादिविद्यासु सदा मम हि भवति मतिः ।
अद्य तु मम नैव स्यात् किंचिदपि हि वै रसः ॥
अधुना तु गुरोः पादौ सेवितुं वाञ्छेऽहं सदा ।
विना ताभ्यां हि मे नान्या गतिर्भवेत् कदाचन ॥१॥

śāstrādi-vidyāsu sadā mama hi bhavati matiḥ
adya tu mama naiva syāt kiñcid api ca vai rasaḥ
adhunā tu guroḥ pādau sevituṁ vāñche’haṁ sadā
vinā tābhyāṁ hi me nānyā gatir bhavet kadācana

śāstra-ādi-vidyāsu – in śāstra and other forms of knowledge; sadā – always; mama – my; hi – indeed; bhavati – is; matiḥ – mind; adya – today; tu – but; mama – my; na eva – not at all; syāt – would be; kiñcid – even a little; api – even; ca – and; vai – truly; rasaḥ – taste; adhunā – now; tu – however; guroḥ – of the guru; pādau – the two feet; sevitum – to serve; vāñche-aham – I desire; sadā – always; vinā – without; tābhyām – those two (feet); hi – indeed; me – my; na anyā – no other; gatiḥ – refuge; bhavet – would be; kadācana – ever.

My mind is always absorbed in śāstra and other types of knowledge. But today, I do not have even a little taste for that pursuit. Now I only desire to serve the two feet of Śrī Guru – for without them, there is no other refuge for me.

Bengali Verse Translation
শাস্ত্রাধ্যয়নে সদা রত মন ।
আজ নাহি রুচি, নাহি আকর্ষণ ॥
গুরুদেব-পদাম্বুজ সেবার বাসনা ।
শ্রীগুরু বিনা মোর গতি নাই আর ॥

śāstrādhyayane sadā rata mana
āja nāhi ruci, nāhi ākarṣaṇa
gurudev-padāmbuja sevāra vāsanā
śrī-guru vinā mora gati nāi āra

TEXT 2
धिग् मे शास्त्रज्ञानगर्वं धिग् मे वैराग्यकपटम् ।
गुरुकृपाविहीनस्य सर्वंभस्मसमं मम ॥२॥

dhig me śāstra-jñāna-garvaṁ dhig me vairāgya-kapaṭam
guru-kṛpā-vihīnasya sarvaṁ bhasma-samaṁ mama

dhig – fie upon; me – my; śāstra-jñāna – scriptural knowledge; garvam – pride; dhig – fie upon; me – my; vairāgya – renunciation; kapaṭam – hypocrisy, deceit, false pretence; guru – of the guru; kṛpā – mercy; vihīnasya – of one who is bereft of, devoid of; sarvam – everything; bhasma – ashes; samam – equal to; mama – my.

Fie upon my pride in śāstrika knowledge! Fie upon my hypocritical renunciation. Bereft of the mercy of Śrī Guru, everything I possess is nothing but ashes.

Bengali Verse Translation
আমার এই শাস্ত্রজ্ঞানের গর্ব ধিক্ ধিক্ জানি ।
বৈরাগ্যেরও কপটতা আমি ধিক্ ধিক্ মানি ॥
শ্রীগুরুকৃপা বিনা যাহা আছে সব ধন ।
ভস্মসম মূল্যহীন ব্যর্থ আয়োজন ॥

āmāra ei śāstra-jñānera garva dhik dhik jāni
vairāgyera-o kapaṭatā āmi dhik dhik māni
śrī-guru-kṛpā vinā yāhā āche saba dhana
bhasma-sama mūlya-hīna vyartha āyojana

TEXT 3
गुरुलीलासुधासिन्धौ मज्जेयं केवलं सदा ।
दम्भाचारो मदीयोऽयं तेन नश्यतु सर्वथा ॥३॥

guru-līlā-sudhā-sindhau majjeyaṁ kevalaṁ sadā
dambhācāro madīyo’yaṁ tena naśyatu sarvathā

guru – of the guru; līlā – pastimes; sudhā – nectar; sindhau – in the ocean; majjeyam – may I plunge; kevalam – simply; sadā – always; dambha-ācāraḥ – pretentious behaviour; madīyaḥ – my; ayam – this; tena – by that; by means of that; naśyatu – may it perish; sarvathā – completely.

May I always simply immerse myself in the ocean of the nectar of my guru’s pastimes. By that, may this pretentious conduct of mine completely perish.

Bengali Verse Translation
গুরু-লীলা-সুধা-সিন্ধু, তাহে সদা ডুবি রব ।
এই দম্ভ-আচরণ তাহে নাশ হোক সব ॥

guru-līlā-sudhā-sindhu, tāhe sadā ḍubi raba
ei dambha-ācaraṇa tāhe nāśa hok saba

TEXT 4
नमो नमो गौरव-नरसिंह
नमो नमो गम्भीर-नरसिंह ॥
नमो नमो गौडीय-नरसिंह ।
नमो नमो हि गुरु-नरसिंह ॥ ४॥

namo namo gaurava-narasiṁha
namo namo gambhīra-narasiṁha
namo namo gauḍīya-narasiṁha
namo namo hi guru-narasiṁha

namo namo – I offer repeated obeisance; gaurava – dignified; narasiṁha – Narasiṅgha Mahārāja; namo namo – I offer repeated obeisance; gambhira – grave, deep; narasiṁha – Narasiṅgha Mahārāja; namo namo – I offer repeated obeisance; gauḍīya – the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava; narasiṁha – Narasiṅgha Mahārāja; namo namo – I offer repeated obeisance; hi – indeed; guru – to the guru; narasiṁha – Narasiṅgha Mahārāja.

Again, and again I bow to Swami Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha, full of dignity and authority. Again, and again I bow to Swami Narasiṅgha, deep and profound. Again, and again I bow to Swami Narasiṅgha of the Gauḍīya lineage. I offer my obeisance unto you, O Swami Narasiṅgha, who are my guru.

Bengali Verse Translation
বারংবার পরনাম গৌরব- নরসিংহ ।
বারংবার পরনাম গম্ভীর নরসিংহ ॥
বারংবার পরনাম গৌড়ীয় নরসিংহ ।
বারংবার তোমায় শ্রীগুরু নরসিংহ ॥

bārabāra paranām gaurava-narasiṅgha
bārabāra paranām gambhīra narasiṅgha
bārabāra paranām gauḍīya narasiṅgha
paranām tomāya śrī guru narasiṅgha

TEXT 5
आफ्रिकायां जगद्गुरुः ग्रामाद् ग्रामं समाययौ ।
शतशो ग्रामवासिनः श्रीहरिनाम गायेयुः ॥५॥

āphrikāyāṁ jagad-guruḥ grāmād grāmaṁ samāyayau
śataśo grāma-vāsinaḥ śrī-hari-nāma gāyeyuḥ

āphrikāyām – in Africa; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; grāmāt grāmam – from village to village; samāyayau – went/wandered; śataśaḥ – by the hundreds; grāma-vāsinaḥ – the village-dwellers; śrī-hari-nāma – the holy name of Śrī Hari; gāyeyuḥ – would sing.

While in Africa, Jagat Guru would wonder from village to village making hundreds of villagers sing śrī-hari-nama.

Bengali Verse Translation
আফ্রিকায় জগদ্গুরু ফিরেন গ্রামে গ্রামে ।
শত শত গ্রামবাসী মাতে হরিনামে ॥

āphrikāya jagad-guru phiren grāme grāme
śata śata grāma-vāsī māte hari-nāme

TEXT 6
किन्तु मन्दिरभक्तास्ते नोत्साहाः खलु सर्वथा ।
ब्रह्मानन्दस्तु तत्रैव मनश्च नैव दत्तवान् ॥६॥

kintu mandira-bhaktāste notsāhāḥ khalu sarvathā
brahmānandas tu tatraiva manaś ca naiva dattavān

kintu – however; mandira – temple; bhaktāḥ – devotees; te – those; na–utsāhāḥ – not enthusiastic; khalu – indeed; sarvathā – completely; brahmānandaḥ – Brahmānanda Swami; tu – but; tatra eva – right there; manaḥ – mind; ca – and; na eva – not at all; dattavān – gave.

However, the devotees in the temple were not at all enthusiastic, and Brahmānanda Swami was not paying attention.

Bengali Verse Translation
মন্দিরের ভক্তগণ রহে উৎসাহহীন ।
ব্রহ্মানন্দ স্বামীও মন দেন না কোনদিন ॥

mandirera bhakta-gaṇa rahe utsāha-hīna
brahmānanda-svāmī-o mana dena nā kona-dina

TEXT 7-8
इदं दृष्ट्वा जगद्गुरुः खिन्नश्चासीत् ततो भृशम् ।
मित्रेण कथितं श्रुत्वा खेदस्तस्यातिरेकवान् ॥७॥
ब्रह्मानन्दस्य वै मिथ्या वाक्यं तत्र प्रकाशितम् ।
आफ्रिकायां समानेतुं यत् कृतं छलम् एव तत् ॥८॥

idaṁ dṛṣṭvā jagad-guruḥ khinnaś cāsīt tato bhṛśam
mitreṇa kathitaṁ śrutvā khedas tasyātirekavān
brahmānandasya vai mithyā vākyaṁ tatra prakāśitam
āphrikāyāṁ samānetuṁ yat kṛtaṁ chalam eva tat

idam – this; dṛṣṭvā – having seen; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; khinnaḥ —sad; ca – and; āsīt – did; tataḥ – then; bhṛśam – greatly; mitreṇa – by a friend; kathitam – told; śrutvā – having heard; khedaḥ – grief; tasya – his; atirekavān – became excessive; brahmānandasya – of Brahmānanda Swami; vai – indeed; mithyā – false; vākyam – statement; tatra – there; prakāśitam – was revealed; āphrikāyām – to Africa; samānetum – in order to bring him; yat – which; kṛtam – was made; chalam – trick; eva – indeed; tat – that.

Seeing this, Jagat Guru became greatly saddened. His grief grew still more after hearing from a friend about Brahmānanda’s false statement. He revealed that a trick had been made in order to bring him to Africa.

Bengali Verse Translation
এই দেখি জগদ্গুরু হইলেন ব্যথিত মন ।
বন্ধুমুখে শুনি সব বাড়ে দুঃখ তখন ॥

ব্রহ্মানন্দের মিথ্যা কথা প্রকাশ হৈল তায় ।
আফ্রিকায় আনিবারে যে ছল কৈল হায় ॥

ei dekhi jagad-guru hailena vyathita mana
bandhu-mukhe śuni saba bāḍe duḥkha takhana
brahmānandera mithyā kathā prakāśa haila tāya
āphrikāya ānibāre ye chala kaila hāya

TEXT 9
इदं श्रुत्वा जगद्गुरुः प्रभवे पत्रम् अलिखत् ।
त्रिदण्ड्याश्रमम् आप्तुं च प्रार्थनाम् अकरोत् तदा ॥९॥

idaṁ śrutvā jagad-guruḥ prabhave patram alikhat
tridaṇḍy-āśramam āptuṁ ca prārthanām akarot tadā

idam – this; śrutvā – having heard; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; prabhave – to his master, Śrīla Prabhupāda; patram – a letter; alikhat – wrote; tridaṇḍy-āśramam – the tridaṇḍī-sannyāsa order; āptum – to obtain; ca – and; prārthanām – a request; akarot – he made; tadā – then.

Having heard this, Jagat Guru wrote a letter to his spiritual master, and made a request to accept the sannyāsa order.

Bengali Verse Translation
এই শুনি জগদ্গুরু প্রভুপাদে পত্র লিখে ।
যতি-আশ্রম হেতু প্রার্থনা জানালেন সুখে ॥

ei śuni jagad-guru prabhupāde patra likhe
yati-āśrama hetu prārthanā jānālena sukhe

TEXT 10
प्रभुपादस्य सचिवः ब्रह्मानन्दं व्यलेखयत् ।
त्वदनुशंसया विना किं ब्रह्मचारी याचते ॥

prabhupādasya sacivaḥ brahmānandaṁ vyalekhayat
tvad-anuśaṁsayā vinā kiṁ brahmacārī yācate

prabhupādasya – of Prabhupāda; sacivaḥ – the secretary; brahmāṇandaṁ – to Brahmānanda; vyalekhayat – wrote in reply; wrote to tvad-anuśaṁsayā – your recommendation; vinā – without; kim – why; brahmacārī – the brahmacārī; yācate – requests.

Then, Prabhupāda’s secretary wrote to Brahmānanda – “Why is this brahmacārī requesting it without your recommendation?”

Bengali Verse Translation
গুরুর সচিব লিখেন ব্রহ্মানন্দ-পাশে ।
তব অনুমতি বিনা এ যাচে কোন্ আশে? ॥

gurura saciva likhena brahmānanda-pāśe
“tava anumati vinā e yāce kona āśe?”

TEXT 11
ब्रह्मानन्दे प्रकुपिते तस्यातिक्रमकारणात् ।
जगद्गुरुरभूत् क्रुद्धः वह्निरिव दुरासदः ॥११॥

brahmānande prakupite tasyātikrama-kāraṇāt
jagad-gurur abhūt kruddhaḥ vahnir-iva durāsadaḥ

brahmānande – when Brahmānanda; prakupite – having become angry; tasya – with him ; atikrama-kāraṇāt – because of the transgression; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; abhūt – became; kruddhaḥ – angry; vahniḥ iva – like fire; durāsadaḥ – terrible to approach.

When Brahmānanda became angry with him because of that transgression, Jagat Guru became unapproachable like blazing fire.

Bengali Verse Translation
ব্রহ্মানন্দ ক্রুদ্ধ হন, তাঁর অপরাধ স্মরি ।
জগদ্গুরু জ্বলি’ উঠেন যেন অগ্নি ভয়ঙ্করী ॥

brahmānanda kruddha hana, tāṅra aparādha smari’
jagad-guru jvali’ uṭhena yena agni bhayaṅkarī

TEXT 12
तस्य कपटमाख्याय दुर्व्यवस्थां न्यवेदयत् ।
श्रुत्वैतच्च स्वामी तुष्णीं बभूव स निरुत्तरः ॥१२॥

tasya kapaṭamākhyāya durvya-vasthāṁ nyavedayat
śrutvaitac ca svāmī tuṣṇīṁ babhūva sa niruttaraḥ

tasya – his; kapaṭam – trickery; ākhyāya – related; durvyavasthām – mismanagement; nyavedayat – complained of; śrutva – having heard; etat – that; ca – and; svāmī – Brahmānanda Swami; tuṣṇīm – silent; babhūva – became; sa – he; nir-uttaraḥ – without a reply.

He told Brahmānanda of his trickery, and complained about his mismanagement. Hearing this, the swami became quiet and did not reply.

Bengali Verse Translation
তাঁর ছলনার কথা কহিলেন যত ।
শুনি স্বামী রহিলেন নীরব অবিরত ॥

tāṅra chalanāra kathā kahilena yata
śuni svāmī rahilena nīrava avirata

TEXT 13
ग्रामे कीर्तयतोर्नित्यं जगद्गुर्वोः सखस्य च ।
मत्तोऽफ्रिकजनो बाधां चक्रे ते त्वनाद्रियन्त ॥१३॥

grāme kīrtayator nityaṁ jagad-gurvoḥ sakhasya ca
matto’phrika-jano bādhāṁ cakre te tvanādriyanta

grāme – in a village; kīrtayatoḥ – while the two were performing kīrtana; nityam – constantly; jagad-gurvoḥ – of Jagat-guru; sakhasya – of his friend; ca – and; mattaḥ – drunken; āphrika-janaḥ – an African; bādhām – harassment; cakre – did; te – they; tu – however; anādriyanta – they disregarded.

While Jagat Guru and his companion were performing kīrtana in a village, a drunken African harassed them. However, they ignored him.

Bengali Verse Translation
গ্রামে জগদ্গুরু সখা-সহ কীর্তনরত ।
মত্ত আফ্রিকাবাসীর বাধা হেলা কৃত ॥

grāme jagad-guru sakhā-saha kīrtana-rata
matta āphrikā-vāsīra bādhā helā kṛta

TEXT 14
स तु रक्षकनायकः तावुभौ ग्राहयत्तदा ।
कारागारेऽथ निक्षिप्य बबन्ध नृपशासनात् ॥१४॥

sa tu rakṣaka-nāyakaḥ tāv ubhau grāhayat tadā
kārāgāre’tha nikṣipya babandha nṛpa-śāsanāt

saḥ – he; tu – however; rakṣaka-nāyakaḥ – police chief; tau – those two; ubhau – both; grāhayat – caused to be arrested; tadā – then; kārāgāre – in the jail; atha – then; nikṣipya – having thrown; babandha – imprisoned; nṛpa-śāsanāt – by the authority of the ruler.

However, that man was the police chief, and he had them both arrested; throwing them into jail, he had them bound by order of the ruling authorities.

Bengali Verse Translation
সে যে রক্ষক-নেতা তাহাদের ধরিলেন ।
কারাগারে রাষ্ট্র-আজ্ঞায় তাদের বাঁধিলেন ॥

se ye rakṣaka-netā tāhādera dharilena
kārāgāre rāṣṭra-ājñāya tādera bāndhilena

TEXT 15
कतिपयघटीभ्यश्च नीतौ तस्य सभां तदा ।
यमतुल्यरुषा तत्र तस्थौ सोऽधिपतिः स्वयम् ॥१५॥

katipaya-ghaṭībhyaś ca nītau tasya sabhāṁ tadā
yama-tulya-ruṣā tatra tasthau so’dhipatiḥ svayam

katipaya – a few; ghaṭībhyaḥ – after a few hours; ca – and; nītau – the two were led; tasya – to his; sabhām – hall; tadā – then; yama-tulya – equal to Yama; ruṣā – in wrath; tatra – there; tasthau – stood; saḥ – he; adhipatiḥ – the chief; svayam – himself.

After a few hours they were brought into his office. There the chief himself stood; his wrath equal to that of Yama.

Bengali Verse Translation
কিছু ঘণ্টা পরে সভায় আনীত হন তাঁরা ।
যমসম রোষে দাঁড়ান নেতা স্বয়ং সেথা ॥

kichu ghaṇṭā pare sabhāya ānīta hana tāṅrā
yama-sama roṣe dāṅḍān netā svayaṁ sethā

TEXT 16
क्रोधेन रक्तलोचनः हस्ते दीर्घं लौहपाशम् ।
अपराधिप्रहारेषु बभार स भयावहम् ॥१६॥

krodhena rakta-locanaḥ haste dīrghaṁ lauha-pāśam
aparādhi-prahāreṣu babhāra sa bhayāvaham

krodhena – with anger; rakta – red; locanaḥ – one whose eyes are; abhūt – was, became; haste – in his hand; dīrghaṁ – long; lauha – iron; pāśam – length of chain; aparādhi – of offenders; prahāreṣu – for beating; babhāra – he held; sa – he; bhayāvaham – terrifying.

His eyes were red with anger, and he bore in his hand a terrifying weapon – a long iron chain for beating offenders.

Bengali Verse Translation
ক্রোধে রক্ত চক্ষু তাঁর, হাতে লৌহ-শৃঙ্খল ।
অপরাধী প্রহারিতে ধরেন অস্ত্র প্রবল ॥

krodhe rakta cakṣu tāṅra, hāte lauha-śṛṅkhala
aparādhī prahārite dharena astra prabala

TEXT 17
रक्षकास्तौ समाक्षिप्य नायकस्याग्रतो न्यधुः ।
दीर्घं निःश्वस्य सः क्रुद्धःतं पाशं भ्रामयामास ॥१७॥

rakṣakās tau samākṣipya nāyakasyāgrato nyadhuḥ
dīrghaṁ niḥśvasya saḥ kruddhaḥ taṁ pāśam bhrāmayāmāsa

rakṣakāḥ – the policemen; tau – the two; samākṣipya – pushed forward; nāyakasya – before the chief; agrataḥ – in front of; nyadhuḥ – they placed; dīrgham – deeply; niḥśvasya – breathing out; saḥ – he; kruddhaḥ – enraged; taṁ – he; pāśam – the iron chain; bhrāmayāmāsa – began to whirl.

The police pushed the two devotees towards the chief, who breathed heavily as he began to swing the iron chain.

Bengali Verse Translation
রক্ষকেরা টেনে দোঁহে রাখেন নেতার সম্মুখে ।
নিঃশ্বাসে ক্রুদ্ধ শৃঙ্খল ঘোরান রোষমুখে ॥

rakṣakerā ṭene dohe rākhena netāra sammukhe
niḥśvāse kruddha śṛṅkhala ghorāna roṣa-mukhe

TEXT 18
तस्मिन्नेव क्षणे तत्र गुरोः पादाब्जमाश्रितः ।
जगद्गुरुः श्रीगोविन्दम् प्रार्थयामास भक्तितः ॥१८॥

tasminn eva kṣaṇe tatra guroḥ pādābjam āśritaḥ
jagad-guruḥ śrī-govindam prārthayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

tasmin – at that; eva – indeed; kṣaṇe – moment; tatra – there; guroḥ – of his guru; pādābjam – lotus feet; āśritaḥ – taking refuge in; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; śrī–govindam – Śrī Govinda; prārthayāmāsa – prayed to; bhaktitaḥ – with devotion.

At that very moment, taking shelter of his guru’s lotus feet, Jagat Guru prayed to Śrī Govinda with devotion.

Bengali Verse Translation
সেই ক্ষণে গুরু-চরণ আশ্রয় করি’ মনে ।
প্রার্থনা করেন তিনি কৃষ্ণেরে ভক্তিসনে ॥

sei kṣaṇe guru-caraṇa āśraya kari’ mane
prārthanā karena tini kṛṣṇere bhakti-sane

TEXT 19
अधिकृते समायाते पाशं त्यक्त्वा प्रणेम सः ।
आङ्ग्लभाषाविदं तं वै जगद्गुरुरभाषत ॥१९॥

adhikṛte samāyāte pāśaṁ tyaktvā praṇema saḥ
āṅgla-bhāṣā-vidaṁ taṁ vai jagad-gurur-abhāṣata

adhikṛte – an officer; samāyāte – arrived; pāśam – the chain; tyaktvā – having dropped; praṇema – saluted; saḥ – he (the chief); āṅgla-bhāṣā – English language; vidam – knew; tam – him; vai – indeed; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; abhāṣata – spoke to.

Suddenly, an officer walked in, and the chief dropped the chain and saluted. The officer knew English and Jagat Guru spoke to him.

Bengali Verse Translation
সহসা অধিকারীরে দেখি নত হন নেতা।
ইংরেজি-জ্ঞ তারে কহেন জগদগুরু তথা ॥

sahasā adhikārīre dekhi nata hana netā
iṅgreji-jña tāre kahena jagad-guru tathā

TEXT 20
जगद्गुरुर्न्यवेदयत् भ्रान्तेः सकलकारणम् ।
साधुभावंनिरीक्ष्यैनम् अधिकृतो विमोचयत्॥२०॥

jagad-gurur nyavedayat bhrānteḥ sakala-kāraṇam
sādhu-bhāvaṁ nirīkṣyainam adhikṛto vimocayat

jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; nyavedayat – explained, informed; bhrānteḥ – of the misunderstanding; sarvam – the whole; kāraṇam – cause, reason; sādhu-bhāvam —saintly nature; nirīkṣya – having seen; enam – him; adhikṛta – the officer; vimocayat – released, set free.

Jagat Guru explained the entire misunderstanding to him, and seeing his saintly demeanour, the officer released them.

Bengali Verse Translation
জগদ্গুরু তারে প্রকাশিল সকল ভ্রান্তির কারণ ।
সৌম্যভাব দেখি অধিকারী দেন মুক্ত-করণ ॥

jagad-guru tāre prakāśila sakala bhrāntira kāraṇa
saumya-bhāva dekhi’ adhikārī dena mukta-karaṇa

TEXT 21
आफ्रिकायां मुहुर्मुहुः प्राणापदं समापतत् ।
तथापि भक्तवत्सलः तं ररक्ष जनार्दनः ॥२१॥

āphrikāyāṁ muhur muhuḥ prāṇāpadam samāpatat
tathāpi bhakta-vatsalaḥ taṁ rarakṣa janārdanaḥ

āphrikāyām – in Africa; muhur muhuḥ – again and again; prāṇa-āpadam – danger to his life; samāpatat – befell; tathā api – nevertheless; bhakta-vatsalaḥ – the loving protector of His devotees; tam – him; rarakṣa – protected; janārdanaḥ – Janārdana.

Again, and again in Africa, mortal danger befell him. Nevertheless, Janārdana, ever affectionate to His devotees, protected him.

Bengali Verse Translation
আফ্রিকায় বারংবার প্রাণাপদ ঘটিত ।
তবু ভক্তবৎসল জনার্দন রক্ষা করিত ॥

āphrikāya bārabāra prāṇāpada ghaṭita
tabu bhakta-vatsala janārdana rakṣā karita

TEXT 22
ततः च्यवनेन सह आफ्रिकादेशानगच्छत् ।
भारतीयान् प्रबोध्यैव दानानि समुपाहरत् ॥२२॥

tataḥ cyavanena saha āphrikā-deśān agacchat
bhāratīyān prabodhyaiva dānāni samupāharat

tataḥ – then; cyavanena – with Cyavana Swami; saha – with; āphrikā-deśān – the countries of Africa; agacchat – he went; bhāratīyān – the Indians; prabodhya —preaching to; eva – indeed; dānāni – donations; samupāharat – collected.

He then travelled with Cyavana to various African countries where they would preach to the Indians and collect donations.

Bengali Verse Translation
তারপর চ্যবনের সাথে ফিরেন দেশে দেশে ।
ভারতীয়েরে প্রচারি দান লইলেন হেসে ॥

tārapara cyavanera sāthe phirena deśe deśe
bhāratīyere pracāri dāna lailena hese

TEXT 23
च्यवनो विस्मयं प्राप जगद्गुरुगुणेषुच ।
सर्वानाकर्षयामास हृष्टाः दानान्यदुः जनाः॥२३॥

cyavano vismayaṁ prāpa jagad-guru-guṇeṣu ca
sarvān ākarṣayāmāsa hṛṣṭāḥ dānāny aduḥ janāḥ

cyavanaḥ – Cyavana; vismayam – amazement; prāpa – attained, experienced; jagat–guru – Jagat Guru; guṇeṣu – the qualities of; ca – and; sarvān – everyone; ākarṣayāmāsa – attracted, charmed; hṛṣṭāḥ – delighted; dānāni – donations; aduḥ – gave; janāḥ – the people.

Cyavana became astonished at the qualities of Jagat Guru. He charmed everyone, and the people happily gave him donations.

Bengali Verse Translation
চ্যবন বিস্ময় পান জগদ্গুরুর গুণে ।
সবারে আকর্ষি’ লোকে দান করে হৃষ্ট মনে ॥

cyavana vismaya pāna jagad-gurura guṇe
sabāre ākarṣi’ loke dāna kare hṛṣṭa mane

TEXT 24
पश्चात् श्रीप्रभुपादस्तु आफ्रिकां समुपाययौ ।
प्रवेशं न ददुर्यस्मै विमानाड्डेऽवसत्ततः॥२४॥

paścāt śrī-prabhupādas tu āphrikāṁ samupāyayau
praveśaṁ na dadur yasmai vimānāḍḍe’vasat tataḥ

paścāt – later; śrī–prabhupādaḥ – Śrīla Prabhupāda; tu – however; āphrikām – to Africa; samupāyayau – arrived; praveśam – entry; na – not; daduḥ – they gave, granted; yasmai – to him; vimānaḍḍe – at the airport; avasat – remained; tataḥ – then.

Later, Śrīla Prabhupāda came to Africa, but the immigration officials would not allow him to enter, so he remained in the airport.

Bengali Verse Translation
পরে প্রভুপাদ এলেন আফ্রিকার দেশে ।
প্রবেশ না পেয়ে রহেন বিমানঘাটে শেষে ॥

pare prabhupāda elena āphrikāra deśe
praveśa nā peye rahe vimāna-ghāṭe śeṣe

TEXT 25
जगद्गुरुर्भक्तसङ्घैः प्रभुपादसमीपतः।
गुरोःकृष्णकथांश्रुत्वातत्रासीत्प्रमुदान्वितः॥२५॥

jagad-gurur bhakta-saṅghaiḥ prabhupāda-samīpataḥ
guroḥ kṛṣṇa-kathāṁ śrutvā tatrāsīt pramudānvitaḥ

jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; bhakta-saṅghaiḥ – with the devotees; prabhupāda – Śrīla Prabhupāda; samīpataḥ – near; guroḥ – from their guru; kṛṣṇa-kathām – narrations about Kṛṣṇa; śrutvā – hearing; tatra – there; āsīt – sat, remained; pramudānvitaḥ – filled with joy.

Jagat-guru and the devotees sat with Prabhupāda in the airport, hearing kṛṣṇa-kathā from their guru.

Bengali Verse Translation
জগদ্গুরু ভক্তগণ প্রভুপাদের কাছে ।
গুরুর কৃষ্ণকথা শুনি হৃষ্ট হয়ে আছে ॥

jagad-guru bhakta-gaṇa prabhupādera kāche
gurura kṛṣṇa-kathā śuni hṛṣṭa haye āche

TEXT 26
तत्र च्यवन आहैनं जगद्गुरुमथ स्तुवन् ।
स्फूर्तिमन्तमिमं प्राह प्रभुपादाय सादरम् ॥२६॥

tatra cyavana āhainaṁ jagad-gurum atha stuvan
sphūrtimantam imaṁ prāha prabhupādāya sādaram

tatra – there; cyavanaḥ – Cyavana; āha – said; enam – about him; jagad-gurum – Jagat Guru; atha – then; stuvan – praising; sphūrtimantam – energetic; imam – this one; prāha – said; prabhupādāya – to Prabhupāda; sādaram – respectfully.

There Cyavana, praising Jagat Guru, respectfully told Prabhupāda, “This man is energetic and dynamic.”

Bengali Verse Translation
চ্যবন সেথা জগদ্গুরুর স্তুতি করি কহেন ।
‘ইনি স্ফূর্তিমান’ সাদরে প্রভুপাদেরে বলেন ॥

cyavana sethā jagadgurura stuti kari’ kahena
“ini sphūrtimāna” sādare prabhupādere, balena

TEXT 27
पश्चाच्च्यवनेन सह जीपद्वयं तदाक्रीणात् ।
च्यवनो दुर्घटां प्राप प्रायः स्वप्राणानजाहत् ॥२७॥

paścāc cyavanena saha ‘jīpa’dvayam tadākrīṇāt
cyavano durghaṭāṁ prāpa prāyaḥ sva-prāṇān-ajāhat

paścāt – later; cyavanena – Cyavana Swami; saha – together with; jīpa-dvayam – two jeeps; tadā – then; akrīṇāt— he purchased; cyavanaḥ – Cyavana; durghaṭām – an accident; prāpa – experienced; prāyaḥ – almost; sva–prāṇān – his own life; ajāhat – lost.

Later, he and Cyavana purchased two new jeeps to travel and preach. However, Cyavana crashed and almost died.

Bengali Verse Translation
পরে চ্যবনের সাথে জিপ কিনিলেন দুই ।
প্রচারের কাজে যাহা লাগিল সবই ॥
একদা দুর্ঘটনায় চ্যবন পড়িলেন ।
প্রায় আপনার প্রাণ হারাইলেন ॥

pare cyavanera sāthe jipa kinilena dui
pracārera kāje yāhā lāgila sabai
ekadā durghaṭanāya cyavana paḍilena
prāya āpanāra prāṇa hārāilena

TEXT 28
महता यत्नयोगेन च्यवनं निष्कृष्य सः ।
वैद्यं प्रति रथेनाशु जगद्गुरुरनयत् तम् ॥२८॥

mahatā yatna-yogena cyavanaṁ niṣkṛṣya saḥ
vaidyaṁ prati rathenāśu jagad-gurur-anayat tam

mahatā – with great; yatna-yogena – effort; cyavanam – Cyavana; niṣkṛṣya – having pulled out; saḥ – he; vaidyam – to a doctor; prati – toward; rathena – by vehicle; āśu – quickly; jagad-gurur – Jagat Guru; anayat – led, brought; tam – him.

Having pulled Cyavana from the wreckage with great endeavour, Jagat Guru quickly took him to a doctor.

Bengali Verse Translation
মহাযত্নে চ্যবনেরে তুলি’ নিলেন টানি ।
দুর্ঘটনা হইতে তারে বাঁচাইলেন হইয়া উদ্যমী ॥
বৈদ্যের নিকট কাছে শীঘ্র রথে করি’ আরোহণ ।
জগদ্গুরু লয়ে গেলেন তাঁরে ততক্ষণ ॥

mahā-yatne cyavanere tuli’ nilena ṭāni
durghaṭanā hate tāṅre vāṅcāilena jñānī
vaidyera kāche śīghra rathe kari’ ārohaṇa
jagad-guru laye gelena tāṅre tatakṣaṇa

TEXT 29
किलिमञ्जरुसमीपे भारतीयः मदोद्धतः ।
चिकित्सित्वा तु वैद्यस्तं रुग्णालयं च अनयत् ॥२९॥

kilimañjaru-samīpe bhāratīyaṁ madoddhataḥ
cikitsitvā tu vaidyas taṁ rugṇālayaṁ ca anayat

kilimañjaru-samīpe – near Mount Kilimanjaro; bhāratīyam – an Indian; madoddhataḥ – intoxicated; cikitsitvā – having treated; tu – indeed; vaidyaḥ – the doctor; tam – him; rugṇālayam – to the hospital; ca – and; anayat – took.

Near to Mount Kilamanjaro, he found an Indian doctor who was drunk. He helped Cyavana and they took him to a hospital.

Bengali Verse Translation
কিলিমাঞ্জারু-সমীপে বৈদ্য এক ভারতীয় ।
ছিলেন তিনি মত্ত, তবু হলেন সহায় ॥
চ্যবনেরে চিকিৎসা করি’ যত্ন সহকারে ।
লয়ে গেলেন হাসপাতালে শীঘ্র তাঁহারে ॥

kilimāñjāru-samīpe vaidya eka bhāratīya
chilena tini matta, tabu halena sahāya
cyavanere cikitsā kari’ yatna sahakāre
laye gelena hāsapātāle śīghra tāṅhāre

TEXT 30
पश्चाज्जाम्बियादेशं तु जगद्गुरुरुपाययौ ।
अमेरिकागूढचारं मेनिरे तमारक्षकाः ॥३०॥

paścāj jāmbiyā-deśaṁ tu jagad-gurur-upāyayau
amerikā-gūḍha-cāraṁ menire tam ārakṣakāḥ

paścāt – later; jāmbiyā-deśam – to the country of Zambia; tu – then; jagad-guruḥ – Jagat Guru; upāyayau – went; amerikā – American; gūḍha-cāram – spy; menire – they thought; tam – him; ārakṣakāḥ – the police.

Later, Jagat Guru went to Zambia, where he was apprehended by the police who thought he was an American spy.

Bengali Verse Translation
পরে জাম্বিয়া দেশে যান জগদ্গুরু ধীরে ।
আমেরিকান গুপ্তচর ভাবিল রক্ষী তাঁহারে ॥

pare jāmbiyā deśe yāna jagad-guru dhīre
āmerikāna guptacara bhāvila rakṣī tāṅhāre

TEXT 31
अबुद्धय आरक्षकाः सिंहवद् व्यनदत् सः ।
उच्चैस्तानभ्यगर्जच्च सर्वे भीताः प्रपेदिरे ॥३१॥

abuddhaya ārakṣakāḥ siṁhavad vyanadat saḥ
uccais tān abhyagarjac ca sarve bhītāḥ prapedire

abuddhayaḥ – unintelligent; ārakṣakāḥ – the police; siṁha-vat – like a lion; vyanadat – roared; saḥ – he; uccaiḥ – loudly; tān – at them; abhyagarjat —bellowed at; ca – and; sarve – all; bhītāḥ – frightened; prapedire – became.

However, the police were not very intelligent. Like a lion, he shouted at them so loud that they all became afraid.

Bengali Verse Translation
সেই রক্ষীরা সব ছিল অল্পবুদ্ধি অতি ।
সিংহসম গর্জিলেন তিনি শীঘ্রগতি ॥
উচ্চনাদে ধমক দিলেন সবাকারে ।
ভয়ে সবে পলাইল দ্রুত ত্রাসভরে ॥

sei rakṣīrā saba chila alpa-buddhi ati
siṁha-sama garjilena tini śīghra-gati
ucca-nāde dhamaka dilena sabākāre
bhaye sabe palāila druta trāsa-bhare

TEXT 32
स्वसामग्रीमुपादाय आरक्षकान् विहाय सः ।
मूढास्ते न किमप्येव कर्तुं शक्ताः प्रजज्ञिरे ॥३२॥

sva-sāmagrīm upādāya arakṣakān vihāya saḥ
mūḍhāḥ te na kim apy eva kartuṁ śaktāḥ prajajñire

sva-sāmagrīm – his belongings; upādāya – having taken; ārakṣakān – the policemen; vihāya – leaving behind; saḥ – he; mūḍhaḥ – bewildered; te – they; kim api – anything at all; eva – indeed; kartum – to do; śaktāḥ – able; prajajñire – became.

Having gathered up his belongings, he left the policemen behind. They were so bewildered that they were unable to do anything at all.

Bengali Verse Translation
নিজ সামগ্রী লয়ে তিনি চলিলেন সেথা হতে ।
রক্ষীদের ছাড়ি’ গেলেন আপন ইচ্ছা মতে ॥
মূঢ় রক্ষীগণ রহে হতবুদ্ধি সবে ।
কিছু করিবারে শক্তি রহিল না তবে ॥

nija sāmagrī laye tini calilena sethā hate
rakṣīdera chāḍi’ gelena āpana icchā mate
mūḍha rakṣī-gaṇa rahe hata-buddhi sabe
kichu karibāre śakti rahila nā tabe

TEXT 33
ब्रह्मानन्दोऽमन्यतैनं केन्यामन्दिरभूषणम् ।
तथाप्याफ्रिककेन्द्राय प्रचार्येव ह्यावश्यकः ॥३३॥

brahmānando’manyatainaṁ kenyā-mandira-bhūṣaṇam
tathāpy āphrika-kendrāya pracāry eva hy āvaśyakaḥ

brahmānandaḥ – Brahmānanda; amanyata – considered; enam – him; kenyā-mandira – the Kenya temple; bhūṣaṇam – the ornament; tathāpi – nevertheless; āphrika-kendrāya – for the Africa centre; pracārī – a preacher; eva – indeed; hi – indeed; āvaśyakaḥ – was needed

Brahmānanda considered him to be a valuable asset to the temple in Kenya. However, he received news that the centre in South Africa needed a preacher.

Bengali Verse Translation
ব্রহ্মানন্দ মনে মনে ভাবিলেন তাঁরে ।
কেনিয়া-মন্দিরের ভূষণ যিনি ধরে ।
তবু দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা-কেন্দ্রে ছিল প্রয়োজন ।
একজন প্রচারকের, সেই ছিল কারণ ॥

brahmānanda mane mane bhāvilena tāṅre
keniyā-mandirera bhūṣaṇa yini dhare
tabu dākṣiṇa-āphrikā-kendre chila prayojana
eka-jana pracārakera, sei chila kāraṇa

TEXT 34
अनिच्छन्नपि सोऽथैनं दक्षिणाफ्रिकमादिशत् ।
कृष्णप्रचारकार्याय तत्र गन्तुं जगद्गुरुम् ॥३४॥

anicchann api so’thainaṁ dakṣiṇāphrikam ādiśat
kṛṣṇa-pracāra-kāryāya tatra gantuṁ jagad-gurum

anicchan – unwilling; api – although; saḥ – he (Brahmānanda); atha – then; enam – him; dakṣiṇāphrikam – to South Africa; ādiśat – sent, ordered, instructed; kṛṣṇa-pracāra – preaching about Kṛṣṇa; kāryāya – for the work; tatra – there; gantum – to go; jagad-gurum – Jagat-guru.

Thus, with reluctance, he then instructed Jagat-guru to go to South Africa for spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness there.

Bengali Verse Translation
অনিচ্ছা সত্ত্বেও ব্রহ্মানন্দ তবে ।
আদেশ দিলেন তাঁরে যাইতে সেই ভবে ॥
দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকায় কৃষ্ণ-প্রচারের তরে ।
শ্রীজগদ্গুরুরে পাঠাইলেন যতনভরে ॥

anicchā sattveo brahmānanda tabe
ādeśa dilena tāṅre yāite sei bhave
dakṣiṇa āphrikāya kṛṣṇa-pracārera tare
śrī-jagad-guru-re pāṭhāilena yatanabhare

TEXT 35
निर्भयं जगद्गुरुं तं कृष्णरक्षितमेव च ।
कोटिशः प्रणमाम्येनं भक्त्या नित्यमहं मुदा ॥३५॥

nirbhayaṁ jagad-guruṁ taṁ kṛṣṇa-rakṣitam eva ca
koṭiśaḥ praṇamāmy enaṁ bhaktyā nityam ahaṁ mudā

nirbhayam – fearless; jagad-gurum – Jagat-guru; tam – that; kṛṣṇa-rakṣitam – protected by Kṛṣṇa; eva – indeed; ca – and; koṭiśaḥ – millions of times; praṇamāmi – I offer obeisance; enam – unto him; bhaktyā – with devotion; nityam – always; aham – I; mudā – with joy.

With great joy, I offer millions of obeisances to that fearless Jagat-guru, who is always under the protection of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Bengali Verse Translation
নির্ভয় জগদ্গুরু সদা কৃষ্ণ-রক্ষিত যিনি ।
কোটি কোটি প্রণাম করি ভক্তিভরে আমি ॥

nirbhaya jagad-guru sadā kṛṣṇa-rakṣita yini
koṭi koṭi praṇāma kari bhakti-bhare āmi

TEXT 36
अभयो ब्रह्मचारी सः स्वानुगेभ्योऽभयं दद्यात् ।
कृपां कृत्वा सदा तेषां मङ्गलं च ददातु नः ॥३६॥

abhayo brahmacārī saḥ svānugebhyo’bhayaṁ dadyāt
kṛpāṁ kṛtvā sadā teṣāṁ maṅgalaṁ ca dadātu naḥ

abhayaḥ – fearless; brahmacārī – brahmacārī; saḥ – that, he; sva–anugebhyaḥ – to his followers; abhayam – fearlessness; dadyāt – may he give, may he grant; kṛpām – mercy, compassion; kṛtvā – doing; sadā – always; teṣām – upon them, to them; maṅgalam – auspiciousness; ca – and; dadātu – may he grant; naḥ – to us.

May that fearless brahmacārī grant fearlessness to his followers. Always bestowing his mercy upon them, may he also grant auspiciousness to us.

Bengali Verse Translation
স্বজনেরে দাও অভয়, হে নির্ভীক ব্রহ্মচারী ।
বরষাও মঙ্গল, প্রভু সদা কৃপা করি ॥

svajanere dāo abhaya, he nirbhīka brahmacārī,
varaṣāo maṅgala, prabhu sadā kṛpā kari,

इति श्रीश्रीभक्तिगौरवविलासस्य तृतीयोऽध्यायः समाप्तः
iti śrī-śrī-bhakti-gaurava-vilāsasya tṛtīyo’dhyāyaḥ samāptaḥ

Thus ends Chapter Three of Śrī Bhakti Gaurava Vilāsa

About the Author: Swami Bhaktivijñāna Giri

Swami B.V. Giri is a senior disciple of Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja. Receiving dīkṣā and sannyāsa initiation in the year 2000, he has been the main editor, translator and researcher for many books and articles written by Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha and many that he's authored himself. He is currently residing in Vṛṇdavana where he is engaged translating and publishing articles and books of our acāryās.