Today we have a transcendental treat for our readers — Gopinatha! — one of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s most beloved Vaisnava songs.The accompanying photo is of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha in Toronto during the 1970s. The translation is from the original Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas prayer book by Acyutananda dasa, 1972 edition. And the mp3 sound files — both singing and translation — are of Vishnujana Swami recorded in the 1970s. So it’s a trip down memory lane for the older devotees and a sweet introduction to the blissful mood of the Krishna Consciousness movement during the early days for our younger readers.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a great Vaisnava acarya and pure devotee of Krishna, is assuming the role of a conditioned soul to teach us how to advance in Krishna Consciousness. His devotional sentiments are the perfection of the soul’s yearning to be reunited with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Gopinatha, the Lord of the gopis.
On a personal note, this song is a favorite. When Vishnujana Swami visited Vancouver in 1974, he asked me to play karatals on some of the bhajans which he recorded in the temple, of which Gopinatha! was one of them. When Vishnujana chanted the songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Narottama das Thakura, we were instantly transported to the spiritual realm. Here’s a taste of the nectar. Please enjoy!
Note: Daily offerings are posted on our “What’s New” page for your convenience in case you don’t have time to read them immediately:
Hari Hari bol!
Credit to Padmapani dasa. The Prabhupada Connection