Chicago Bhajan Class: Gaurangera Duti Pada
Experience the heart-melting devotion of the Chicago Temple evening program! Join Uttamasloka as he leads a soul-stirring rendition of the classic bhajan, "Gaurangera Duti Pada," accompanied by the rhythmic expertise of Vishnu Datta on the mrdanga.
This beautiful song, authored by the great saint Narottama Dasa Thakura, glorifies the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga (Lord Chaitanya) and is a cornerstone of Gaudiya Vaishnava kirtan.
The Story: Chicago Bhajan Class 1976
Life at the Chicago temple from 1976 to 1977 was widely regarded by devotees as a unique pinnacle experience within ISKCON. Unlike the hierarchical mentality reported elsewhere, Chicago operated as a large, cohesive family where spiritual life thrived alongside high-quality care and management.
The Temple Program
The program was designed to keep devotees "surcharged":
Constant Kirtan: Kirtans occurred multiple times daily, from the "blast" of Mangal arati to the "kirtan sandwich" of Sundara-arati in the evening.
Focus on Quality: Management prioritized first-class deity worship and exceptional prasadam.
Higher Taste: While successful in book distribution, the austerity was balanced by the "higher taste" found in the temple's music and prasadam.
The Bhajan Classes
To enrich this culture, Uttamasloka held bhajan classes three nights a week—described as a "Bengali hootenanny". For the other evenings, Bhagavad Gita class and the Sunday Love Feast were held. Bhajan classes exemplified three principles:
Teaching Melodies: Devotees learned complex melodies and lyrics that were otherwise difficult to master.
Collaborative Spirit: Uttamasloka led the singing while Vishnudatta provided exceptional mridanga accompaniment.
Atmosphere of Ecstasy: Chicago became a center for a refined, musical, and inclusive style of kirtan. Srila Prabhupada once remarked of the Chicago group, "Just see, this is ecstasy. This is real ecstasy”.
Recording
Recorded in 1976 by Gopati Dasa (ACBSP)
Remastered 2024 by Uttamasloka Dasa (ACBSP)
Lyrics & Translation
Official Name: Sabarana Sri Gaura Mahima (Song 1)
Author: Narottama Dasa Thakura
Book: Prarthana
Verse 1
(kore) gaurāńgera dutī pada, jāra dhana-sampada, se jāne bhakati-rasa-sār
Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Caitanya as their only asset knows the true essence of devotional service.
Verse 2
gaurāńgera madhura-līlā, jāra karṇe praveśilā, hṛdaya nirmala bhela tār
Anyone who has let the melodious pastimes of Lord Caitanya enter their ears will find their heart becoming completely purified.
Verse 3
je gaurāńgera nāma loy, tāra hoy prema-moya, tāre mui jāi bolihāri
Anyone who chants the holy name of Gauranga becomes filled with ecstatic love. I offer my respectful obeisances unto such a person.
Verse 4
gaurāńga-guṇete jhure, nitya-līlā tāre sphure, se janā bhakati-adhikārī
Anyone who cries while chanting the glories of Lord Gauranga is qualified to realize the Lord’s eternal pastimes.
Verse 5
gaurāńgera sańgi-gaṇe, nitya-siddha kori māne, se jāy brajendra-suta-pāś
Anyone who considers the associates of Lord Gauranga as eternally liberated souls will surely attain the company of the son of Nanda Maharaja (Krishna).
Verse 6
śrī-gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi, jebā jāne cintāmaṇi, tāra hoy braja-bhūme bās
Anyone who understands that the land of Gauda-mandala (Navadvipa) is non-different from the spiritual touchstone (cintamani) will live eternally in the land of Vraja.
Verse 7
gaura-prema-rasārṇave, se tarańge jebā ḍube, se rādhā-mādhava-antarańga
Anyone who dives into the ocean of the mellows of Lord Gauranga's love becomes an internal, confidential associate of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.
Verse 8
gṛhe bā vanete thāke, 'hā gaurāńga' bole ḍāke, narottama māge tāra sańga
Whether one is a householder or lives in the forest, if they call out "Ha Gauranga!", Narottama Dasa begs for their association.
Purport by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
"This is a song by Narottama Dasa Thakura in praise of Lord Caitanya. He says that one who has accepted the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya as his only wealth, he is the only person who understands what is the essence of devotional service... If one understands that Navadvipa-dhama is non-different from Vrindavana, then he actually lives in Vrindavana. And if one is attracted by the movement of Lord Caitanya, then he is to be understood as one of the confidential associates of Radha and Krishna."