The poem, “Prayer to the Lotus feet of Krsna”, was written on September 13th 1965, in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Three days earlier Srila Prabhupada writes in his ship diary,” Today the ship is plying very smoothly. I feel today better. But I am feeling separation of Sri Vrndavana and my Lords Sri Govinda, Gopinath, Radha-Damodara. My only solace is Sri Caitanya-caritamrta in which I am tasting the nectar of Lord Caitanya’s lila. I have left Bharat-bhumi just to execute the order of Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in pursuance of Lord Caitanya’s order. I have no qualification but I have taken up the risk just to carry out the order of His Divine Grace. I depend fully on Their mercy so far away from Vrndavan”. Three days later, in this mood of pure devotion, His Divine Grace composed the following prayer.
(refrain)
Kŗşņa taba puŋya habe bhāi
e-puŋya koribe jabe rādhārāŋī kushī habe
dhruva ati boli tomā tāi
I emphatically say to you, O brother, you will obtain your good fortune from the Supreme Lord Krsna only when
Srimati Radhrani becomes pleased with you
(1)
śrī-siddhānta saraswatī śacī-śuta priya ati
Kŗşņa-sebāya jăra tula nāi
sei se mohānta-guru jagater madhe uru
kŗşņa-bhakti dey ţhăi ţhăi
Sri Srimad Bhakti siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who is very Dear to Lord Gauranga, the son of mother Saci, is unparalleled in his service to the supreme Lord Sri Krsna. He is that great saintly spiritual master who bestows intense devotion to Krsna at different places throughout the world.
(2)
tāra icchā balavān pāscātyete thān thān
hoy jāte gaurānger nām
prthivite nagarādi āsamudra nada nadi
sakalei loy kŗşŋa nām
By his strong desire, the holy name of Lord Gauranga will spread throughout all the countries of the western world. In all the cities, towns and villages on the earth, from all the oceans, seas rivers and streams, everyone will chant the holy name of Krsna.
(3)
tāhale ānanda hoy tabe hoy digvijay
caitanyer krpā atisay
māyā dustajata duhkhi jagate sabai sukhi
vaişŋaver icchā pūrna hoy
As the vast mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu conquers all directions a flood of transcendental ecstasy will certainly cover the land. When all the sinful, miserable living entities become happy, the Vaisnavas’ desire is then fulfilled.
(4)
se kārjaje koribare ājnā jadi dilo more
jogya nahi ati dina hina
tai se tomāra krpā māgitechi anurūpā
āji tumi sabār pravina
Although my Guru Maharaja ordered me to accomplish this mission, I am not worthy or fit to do it. I am very fallen and insignificant. Therefore, O Lord, now I begging for Your mercy so that I may become worthy, for You are the wisest and most experienced of all.
(5)
tomāra se śaktipele guru-sebayā bastu mile
jivana sārhtak jadi hoy
sei se sebā pāile tāhale sukhi hale
taba sańga bhāgyate miloy
If You bestow Your power , by serving the spiritual master one attains the Absolute Truth – one’s life becomes sucessful. If that service is obtained, then one becomes happy and gets Your association due to good fortune.