Home
Bhajans

Keno Bheker Prayas?

Bhajan | Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Verses

Verse 1

keno bheker prayās?

hoy akāla-bheke sarva-nāś

ho'le citta-śuddhi, tattva-buddhi,

bheka āpani ese' hoy prakāś

Verse 2

bheka dhori' ceṣṭā kore, bheker jvālāya śeṣe mare,

neḍāneḍī chaḍāchaḍi, ākhaḍā beṅdhe' vās

akāla-kuṣmāṇḍa, jata bhaṇḍa, korche jīver sarva-nāś

Verse 3

śuka, nārada, catuḥsana, bheker adhikārī ha'na,

tāṅ'der samān pārle ho'te bheke korbe āś

bolo temana buddhi, citta-śuddhi

ka'jana dharāya korche vās?

Verse 4

ātmānātma-suviveke, prema-latāya citta-bheke,

bhajana-sādhana-vāriseke koroha ullās

cāṅda-bāul bole, emana ho'le, ho'te pārbe kṛṣṇa-dās

Translation

Verse 1

Why do you have so much desire for changing clothes? By prematurely changing clothes from those of a householder to those of a renunciant, all is destroyed.xv Only when one's consciousness is first purified, then the intelligence perceives transcendental truth, and finally the change of clothes will automatically come and be manifest in its time.

Verse 2

But when one makes an artificial endeavor to put on the clothes of an ascetic, then ultimately one perishes in the fever of that improper dress. Thus one becomes known as a member of the sect called Neda-Nedi, going about the town begging alms, and living at the meeting place called akhara. Such a worthless person, just like a pumpkin grown uselessly at an unsuitable time of year, finally destroys everything that would be good for their own soul.

Verse 3

The great sages Śukadeva Goswāmī, Nārada Muni, and the four Kumāras are truly qualified to wear the dress of renunciants. One may desire to wear a dress similar to theirs as soon as one becomes as renounced as they are. Tell me-who can develop the intelligence and purified heart of these great sages merely by wearing a particular garment?

Verse 4

In full knowledge of what is the soul and what is not of the soul, wearing the dress of a renunciant within your heart, just make your creeper of prema bloom by sprinkling it with the rainfall of bhajan-sādhana. Chāṅd Bāul says, when this occurs, then you will actually become Lord Kṛṣṇa's servant.

TraditionBhajan
ComposerBhaktivinoda Thakura
SourceBaula Sangita
LanguagesEnglish, Hindi
Verses4 verses

STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe to get updates on new songs, mantras, and devotional Content.

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Explore More Categories

Find more bhajans grouped by devotional theme.

EXTEND YOUR SUPPORT

Be a Part of Building Gupt Vrindavan Dham

Your support helps strengthen temple construction, Gau Seva, Annadaan Seva, cultural education, and devotional programs. Participate in Square Feet Seva, Mandir Nirman Seva, Annadaan, Gau Seva, and other sacred initiatives.

Donate Now