Location: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's Samadhi, Sri Chaitanya Math, Mayapur

Date of Recording: Gaura Purnima Night,  March 5, 1977

Recorded by: Gopati das (ACBSP) 

This rare audio captures the Divine Kirtan of Akincana Krsna Das Babaji Maharaj, an intimate friend of Srila Prabhupada, leading a spontaneous and deeply soulful kirtan on Gaura Purnima 1977 in front of his Guru Maharaja Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's samadhi. 

The Story Behind the Recording

Two nights before Gaura Purnima, Krsna Das Babaji was sitting next to Srila Prabhupada watch a play at Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir.  Uttamsloka das (ACBSP) approached Babaji Maharaj and requested to have kirtan together as they had done the previous year.  Babaji Maharaj said yes, but wait a couple of days until his voice was better.  

As recounted in discussion between Uttamasloka das and Gopati das, it took some time and effort to locate Babaji Maharaj on Gaura Purnima , but the efforts finally came to fruition.

The night was defined by a moment of profound spiritual instruction. When Uttamasloka expressed he was thirsty, Babaji Maharaj tapped his bead bag and told him: "Drink the Holy Name."

"It was just pure Vaisnavism with Godbrothers of Prabhupada, and we got to share that essence without any kind of unwanted taint... the only thing was to chant Hare Krishna." — Gopati das

Babaji Maharaj is joined by Mohini Mohan Das (the personal pujari of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur). Babaji Maharaja began by chanting Sri Siksastakam Prayers (not on recording) 

After a some minutes, a mridanga was handed to Babaji Maharaj by a passing party after they performed aatri for Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari Deities. The Mohini Mohan sang two bhajans by Bhaktivinode Thakur.

For the full story and transcript of the discussion between Uttamasloka das and Gopati das and links to remasted bhajans of Nacre Amar Mon and Ohe Vaishnava Thakur go to the Prasad.Life blog: https://www.prasad.life/historic-videos/akincana-krsna-dasa-babaji-1977

Doyāl Nitāi Caitanya

Author: Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Source: Gitavali (Sri Nama-kirtana, Song 2)

Bengali Lyrics

(1)

`doyāl nitāi caitanya’ bole’ nāc re āmār man

nāc re āmār man, nāc re āmāra man

Translation: Chanting the holy names “Doyal Nitai Caitanya!”—Oh my mind dances! Oh my mind dances! Oh my mind dances!

(2)

(emon doyāl to nāi he, mār kheye prema dey)

(ore) aparādha dūre jābe, pābe prema-dhan

(o nāme aparādha-vicāra to nāi he)

(takhon) kṛṣṇa-nāme ruci ha’be, ghucibe bandhan

Translation: Oh! Such a merciful personality as Nityananda Prabhu is not to be found anywhere! He suffers a beating [from Jagai and Madhai] and still gives them love of God! Oh! When your offenses are vanquished, you will obtain the treasure of love of God! But in these names of Caitanya and Nitai, there is no consideration of offenses! Once you have a taste for the holy name of Krishna, bondage to this world will come to an end.

(3)

(kṛṣṇa-nāme anurāga to ha’be he)

(takhon) anāyāse saphal ha’be jīvera jīvan

(kṛṣṇa-rati vinā jīvan to miche he)

(ese) bṛndābane rādhā-śyāmer pā’be daraśan

(gaura-kṛpā ha’le he)

Translation: Oh! When there is attachment to the holy name of Krishna, then very easily the life of a living being becomes successful! Oh! Without affection for Krishna, life is simply useless! At the end of life, you will obtain the beautiful vision of Radha and Syama in Vrindavana—if the mercy of Lord Gaura is received!

Ohe Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura

Author: Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Language: Bengali

Verse 1

ohe vaiṣṇava ṭhākura, doyāra sāgara,

e dāse koruṇā kori’

diya pada-chāyā, śodho he āmāya,

tomāra caraṇa dhori

Translation:

O venerable Vaishnava, O ocean of mercy, please be compassionate toward this servant. Purify me by giving me the shade of your lotus feet; I am world-weary and take hold of your feet.

Verse 2

chaya bega dami’, chaya doṣa śodhi’,

chaya guṇa deho’ dāse

chaya sat-saṅga, deho’ he āmāre,

boshechi saṅgera āśe

Translation:

Please help me subdue the six urges, purify my six faults, and grant this servant the six divine qualities. Please give me the six kinds of holy association; I have sat down here in hopes of gaining your company.

Verse 3

ekākī āmāra, nāhi pāre bola,

hari-nāma-saṅkīrtane

tumi kṛpā kori’, śraddhā-bindu diyā,

deho’ kṛṣṇa-nāma-dhane

Translation:

Alone, I have no strength to perform the congregational chanting of the Holy Name of Hari. Please be merciful and, by giving me a drop of faith, grant me the great treasure of the Holy Name of Krishna.

Verse 4

kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāro,

tomāra śakati āche

āmi to’ kāṅgāla, ‘kṛṣṇa’ ‘kṛṣṇa’ boli’,

dhāi tava pāche pāche

Translation:

Krishna is yours; you are able to give Krishna to others. You have that power. I am but a beggar, crying "Krishna! Krishna!" as I run behind you.