Composed by Sri Sri Sankardev
O my mind, none but Rama is the Saviour from sin the nectar of Paramananda’s lotus feet drink in No penance, no pilgrimage, no sacrifice, no meditation No mantra, no ritual pieties can bring us salvation Mother father wife children and all kin will die O blind mind, leave these thoughts and at Hari’s feet lie Says Sankara, slave of Krishna, shed all worldly worries Take refuge at Rama’s feet, and sing Govinda’s glories
Click here to read the original Assamese poem.
Translated by Nirendra Nath Thakuria
Sri Sri Sankardev (1449-1568) was a 15-16th Century Indian Saint-Scholar, social and religious reformer, poet, playwright and musician of Assam. Borgeet or Songs Celestial is a tradition of raga and tala based Assamese song developed by Sri Sri Sankardev and Sri Sri Madhavdev, another Indian Saint-Scholar, poet of Assam.
Nirendra Nath Thakuria, retired Associate Professor of English, is a translator.