Bapuji’s Bhajans

Swami Sri Kripalvanandji (1913-1981), who was affectionately known as "Bapuji" (grandfather), spent many years in silence, communicating only by writing on a slate.  But he loved to chant and he composed many bhajans in his native Gujarati language.  These bhajans turn the hearts of devotees toward God and tell of Bapuji's spritual ascent to the highest state of consciousness, Nirvakalpa Samadhi.  An accomplished classical musician, Bapuji adapted for the melodies of his bhajans the great ragas of Indian musical tradition.  The following is a very brief sampling of Bapuji's compositions.  One HTML page cannot do justice to such a great soul.  Nonetheless, I offer this page to Dadaji, Bapuji, Yogi Amrit Desai, and all the devotees of the Kripalu lineage.  The English translations were published in the late 1970s by former residents of the Kripalu Center.
 

Prabhu Aganita Avaguna Mara

Refrain: (Repeat after each verse.)

Prabhu aganita avaguna mara
Paradhana punthe manadun bhatake
Parasini mane maya
Prabhu aganita avaguna mara

O God, I have countless misgivings.  My mind is set upon the wealth and women of others.

My heart is without devotion.  My eyes are full of lust, I cannot feel at home in peace and my eyes are red from anger.

The company of good people frightens me like a cobra.  I adore the company of bad people.  Every moment I tell lies and I can never speak the truth.

I consider self control to be an illusion, and uncontrolled behavior to be truth.  Oh Kripalu, all I want is your mercy to remove these evils from me.

Guru Mara Antarani

Refrain: (Repeat after each verse.)

Guru mara antarani ankha ughado re
Sharane avyo swami snehana sagara
Jivana antha ujalo re

Guru, grant me the inner heart's vision. Oh Lord, the ocean of love, I have come to your feet.  Illuminate the road of my life.

I am totally blind, despite having eyes. The road to the Divine is unknown to me. I am crying for help every moment.

I have travelled to every holy place of pilgrimage on the earth.  I have bathed in every holy stream.  I have kindled lamps in every temple, but have not found my destination.

I have always lived my life according to the truth of holy scriptures. I have practiced yoga.  I have lost my sanity in devotion, yet I am not relieved of my mind's distractions.

What can I ask for I am dumb.  What words can I find, for I am illiterate.  How can I ask for enlightenment, for I am sinful.  Oh Kripalu, treasure of mercy, I have the strength of Guru's grace.

Deva Dina Para Daya Drashti Rakhajo

Deva dina para daya drashti rakhajo
Chitta charanoman rahe sadaya bije na jaya
Daya drashti rakhajo

My Lord, let your grace shower upon us.  May we ever surrender at your feet and not be distracted.  Lord, let your grace shower upon us.

My Lord, let your grace shower upon us. I beg you on my knees to keep me inspired all the time so that I may never become weak.  Lord, let your grace shower upon us.

Lord, let your grace shower upon us. O Merciful One, do not forget me, even for a moment, so that this little child may not get lost, Lord, let your grace shower upon us.

My Lord, let your grace shower upon us. Help us, Lord, for the path through this world is very difficult and I often sleep. Lord, let your grace shower upon us.

Lord, let your grace shower upon us.  You are my whole life.  Please be my protection. Lord, let your grace shower upon us.

My Lord, let your grace shower upon us.  Always be seated in my eyes and heart. Guru Kripalu, there is no other way to reach you except through prayers.  Lord, let your grace shower upon us.

Jamuna Jalaman Kesara Gholi

Refrain: (Repeat after each verse.)

Jamuna jalaman kesara gholi snana karavun shamala
Halake hathe ango choli lada ladavun shamala

Oh, Dark One, I mix saffron in the water of the Jamuna River to give you a bath.  Oh, Dark One, with a delicate touch I massage your limbs to pamper you.

I dry you with a towel and give you a yellow, silken dhoti to wear. I groom your curly locks with scented oil.

I decorate your forehead with kum kum by making a tilak.  Oh, Beloved, I color your mischievously sparkling but beautiful eyes with black anjana.

I laugh as I talk with you and I dance in rhythm. I make dots on your cheeks, so that ill feelings may not harm you.

Oh, Beloved, as you walk the bells of Zanzara on your feet ring out, chum chum. There are bangles on your arms, a mala on your neck, and rings in your ears.  You are such a picture as you walk that it makes my heart and mind dance.

I put a peacock feathered crown upon your head and a flute in your hand.  Oh Krishna, as I watch your beauty all my worldly lust is burned away.

Sathe Mane Rakhajo Ne

Refrain (repeat after each verse):

Sathe mane rakhajo ne seva sada apajo
Purajo mari pritiman prana re!
Eja yachun, Guruji varadana re!
Eja yachun, Guruji varadana re!

Keep me with you and always allow me to serve you.  Put divine prana in my love for you.  Guruji, that is all I ask of you!

Rear me like your child. Elevate me to higher planes of consciousness.  Like your disciple, give me shelter at your lotus-feet. Guruji, that is all I ask of you!

I would like to become your feet when you walk.  I would like to become your eyes when you look.  I would like to become your tongue when you sit down to eat.  I would like to become your ears when you listen to words. Guruji, that is all I ask of you.

I would like to become your lotus-like hands when you desire to take or put something. Dear Guruji, I would like to become your lotus-like hands.  I would like to become your nose when you smell a fragrance. Guruji, that is all I ask of you!

I would like to become a sweet smelling scent and be spread on your limbs.  I would like to become a flower for your delicate touch, Dear Guruji!  I would like to become a thin stream of the nectar of immortality.  I would like to become a song in your throat.  Guruji, that is all I ask of you!

I would like to dance in various beautiful garbs all the time and make your eyes content.  Dear Guruji, I would like to make your eyes content.  Oh Merciful Guru, I wish I could become your body for you are my soul, spirit and consciousness. Guruji, that is all I ask of you!  Guruji, that is all I ask of you!

Tari Ichati Badhu Thay

Refrain: (Repeat after each verse.)

Tari ichati badhu thay Prabhu tari ichathi badhu thay
Tethi bhakto na dubhay Prabhu tari ichathi badhu thay

Oh God, all things happen by your wish. All things happen by your wish.  Oh God, devotees are not unhappy that all things happen by your wish.

The sun burns all things with its heat, and the cold moon soothes even the most contented ones.  Flowers bloom and fade, Oh God.  All things happen by your wish.

Friend helps friend, with love, and enemy kills enemy, with hatred.  The kind rush to help the weak, Oh God.  All things happen by your wish.

Good people are full of virtues, while bad people are full of vanity. Some are poor and some are rich, Oh God.  All things happen by your wish.

Tears come to the eyes of the compassionate, cheers come to those who are satisfied. Some sing the song of joy, Oh God.  All things happen by your wish.

Happiness and misery are gifts from you. Let my faith become strong and astute. Kripalu, I am not proud.  Oh God, all things happen by your wish.

Below is another translation of this bhajan, by Leela Bruner, a devotee in Iowa who is building the "Power of Love Temple"(Prem Shakti Mandir) to Bapuji in Council Bluffs, IA.

You are the Doer, Oh Lord, Not I

              All things happen in Your way,
              Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way!
                  All your devotees do not dismay,
      Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way

         Everything burns under the heat of the sun blazing.
         Even a contented one finds the cool moon soothing.
              Flowers grow and bloom and fade away:
      Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way

           With love one friend another friend is helping.
           With hatred enemies their enemies are slaying.
              The kind rush to help the weak and grey:
      Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way

         With all their virtues good people are still praying.
        With all their vanity bad people keep complaining.
               Some are rich, some are poor, everyday:
      Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way

            The unhappy people's eyes are always crying.
         The contented with cheers their gladness signifying.
               Some their simple songs of joy display:
      Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way

          From You both happiness and misery are flowing
      Stronger and discerning please help my faith keep growing.
                   "Kripalu" I am not proud as I say:
    Oh Lord, all things happen in Your way.
 

Refrain: (Repeat after each verse)

Mana mohyun mohana tara latakaman
Marun hridaya bicharun ribay
Ghavayun eka jhatakaman

My Dear Krishna!  My heart is captured by your endearing gestures!

The kumkum tilak looks so beautiful on your forehead. While you are laughing dimples appear on your cheeks.  My heart dances to the rhythm of your attractive walk.  Krishna, you have put a magic charm in the music of your bamboo flute.

The Vaijayanti garland on your neck, your curly hair, your sparkling earrings, and your chiming anklets are captivating.  Above all, the feather in your crown is so beautiful it appears to be smiling.

Observing your beauty, my heart claps in delight.  One deep look into your eyes, dark with ajan, stops every whim of my mind. Just one of your endearing gestures is enough to capture my heart.  Please do not do more.

I have determined in my mind to dedicate myself and my heart to your pure love.  I have only desire to obtain mercy, for my heaven is here with you, my Kripalu!

Vishvambharane Saravani Chinta

Vishvambharano saravani chinta, tu shidane chinta karo
 Khare baporo suryane java, gando gharama divo kare

The Lord of the Universe cares for everyone.  Why should you worry at all?  You crazy one! Why should you light a lamp to see the sun at noon?

The One who protects the child in the mother's womb, the same Almighty provides milk in the mother's
breasts.  The One who grows the food, He Himself nourishes the whole world.

Go on doing your actions skillfully and be content with what you receive because the One who distributes the fruits is meticulously judicious and always takes the side of Truth.

Cruelty begets cruelty and compassion begets compassion.  Brother, inflicting pain on others would not fulfill your desire for happiness.

So whatever is destined by the wish of the Almighty is favorable for everyone because the Lord is everyone's well-wisher and to give happiness is His primary aim.

Be carefree at this very moment by surrendering your life to the compassionate Lord because you will not find a more competent Protector.

Bhagawanaman Amaran

Refrain: (Repeat after each verse.)

Bhagawanaman amaran mana rakhajo Kripalu
Darashananan dan daine daya dakhajo, dayalu

O Merciful One, bless us so that our minds may always dwell on the Lord. O Kind One, by manifesting before us you give your grace to us.

Lest we become entangled in this worldly web, please leave the door of devotion open to us.

You are our shelter and inspiration.  You are all our strength.  Blazing with the fire of the world, we come to your feet for help.

The darkness of ignorance has prevailed for many births.  Oh Kind One, remove the darkness by kindling the flame of wisdom in us.

Let our aim be self-control and moral living.  Bless us so that we do not forget your guidance.

E-mail me: aum108@idirect.com  Bapuji never had any problems with spam.  But I sure do, so I have removed the <mail to > HTML tags.

© 2000, Mike Brooker (Keval)  Jai Bapuji!