Kobe ho’be bolo
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākur
kobe ho’be bolo se-dina āmār (āmār) aparādha ghuchi’, śuddha nāme ruchi, kṛpā-bole ho’be hṛdoye sañchār 1 Please tell me, when will that day be mine—when my offences will end and a taste for the pure Holy Name will be infused within my heart by the power of divine grace?
tṛṇādhika hīna, kobe nije māni, sahiṣṇutā-guṇa hṛdoyete āni’ sakale mānada, āpani amānī, hoye āsvādibo nāma-rasa-sār 2 Considering myself lower than a blade of grass, bringing the quality of forbearance into my heart, showing respect to all, myself being freed from all false pride— when will I taste the essence of the liquid nectar of the Holy Name?
dhona jon āra, kobitā-sundarī, bolibo nā chāhi deho-sukha-karī janme-janme dāo, ohe gaurahari! ahaitukī bhakti charaṇe tomār 3 Wealth, followers, beautiful women, as described in worldly poetry—I do not want any such bodily pleasures. O Lord Gaurahari, please give me unmotivated devotion to Your lotus feet, birth after birth.
(kobe) korite śrī-kṛṣṇa- nāma uchāraṇa, pulakita deho gadgada vachana baibarṇya-bepathu hobe saṅghaṭana, nirantara netre bo’be aśru-dhār