Sri Guru Carana Padma 1976
In 1976, a cramped room in India became the unexpected stage for a moment of pure spiritual history. A small group of about 50 to 75 devotees had gathered around Srila Prabhupada for an evening darshan. Among them sat Uttamasloka Dasa, perched at the back of the room next to Viswakarma, who was preparing to update Prabhupada on temple renovations in Toronto. When Uttamasloka looked toward the front, his eyes widened. Sitting right beside Prabhupada, deeply engaged in a joyful conversation, was none other than the revered pure devotee, Sri Akincana Krsna Dasa Babaji Maharaja.
About Krsna Dasa Babaji
Mahanidhi Swami, writing in his book Gaudiya Vaisnava Biographies and Samadhis in Vrndavana, paints an intimate portrait of this exalted soul:
“Srila Prabhupada said that Krsna Dasa Babaji was akincana (free from all material attachments and possessions) and a paramahamsa (a swan like pure devotee). He was attached only to chanting the holy name of Krsna. Born in E. Bengal, he began Krsna consciousness in college, joined the Gaudiya Math, and took initiation from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.”
Krsna Dasa Babaji was legendary among his godbrothers for his singular, unwavering attachment to chanting the holy name. His sole engagement in the temple was chanting Hare Krsna day and night. His Godbrothers, however, complained to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He told them his chanting was fine and that they should encourage him. He further said that they should place one newspaper ad, inviting all sincere men who were willing to chant Krsna’s name all day and night to join the Gaudiya Math. A few men came, chanted, and left. But Krsna Dasa remained steady in his chanting. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati ordered his men to provide all facility to the babaji.
Continually chanting Hare Krsna, Krsna Dasa Babaji began wandering all over India, especially in Mayapura and Vrndavana. He was fond of repeating the last instruction of Srimad Bhagavatam, *‘Always chant Hare Krsna and offer obeisances to the Lord.’* Before singing, which he liked, he would always glorify the previous acaryas. He possessed a deep, prophetic reverence for Prabhupada. While he was performing kirtana at Srila Prabhupada’s sannyasa initiation in Mathura, Srila Prabhupada told him to chant more.
At that time, Krsna Dasa realized that Srila Prabhupada would lead a worldwide Hare Krsna movement.
When remembering Srila Prabhupada, Krsna Dasa would often tell the devotees:
‘Your spiritual master is the greatest spiritual master who has ever existed, more than any other spiritual master. More miracles, more work than anyone before. Why? Because no other spiritual master was such a great servant of the holy name. And because he took the holy name all over the world.’
The Recording
As that evening darshan in 1976 continued, Babaji Maharaja decided to leave early, slipping out of the room with an older companion, who Uttamasloka recalled might have been his godbrother Mohini Mohan Dasa. Sensing a rare opportunity, Uttamasloka quickly offered his obeisances and followed them out into the hallway. He eagerly caught up to the elderly sadhu, pleading with him to come back to his room to chant and record a session. Uttamasloka was desperate to learn the intricacies of Babaji Maharaja's masterful mridanga playing. Although the companion urged that they had no time to spare, Uttamasloka's persistent begging finally won them over, and Babaji Maharaja agreed.
They hurried down the humid corridor coined by devotees as mosquito alley, but panic struck when Uttamasloka discovered that someone had borrowed his tape recorder without asking. Frantic, he began scrambling from room to room, knocking on doors and asking anyone if they had a recorder he could use. Fortunately, he secured one just in time. Sitting down together, Babaji Maharaja began to sing, capturing the introductory mantras the devotees chanted daily, including the profound verses of Sri Guru Carana Padma and Nama-srestham manum.
At the time, Uttamasloka didn't know the proper terminology for mridanga beats, which are called *bols*; instead, he kept asking the master to play "mridanga mantras." Though Babaji Maharaja likely found the phrasing amusing, he graciously accommodated the request and recorded several beautiful melodies and offered exemplirary prayers.
Before they parted, Uttamasloka asked for one more recording session. Lacking a watch, Babaji Maharaja simply agreed to meet in two days at five or six o’clock by the gate. True to his word, the saintly chanter was waiting exactly on time when Uttamasloka arrived. They moved into the room where a tape recorder was already set up, surrounded by only a handful of devotees.
What followed became a legendary recording of the prayer Srita-kamala-kucha-mandala. That recording is here.
Mangalacarana
Sources and standard English translations for each section of the Maṅgalācaraṇa (Introductory Invocations) sung by Sri Akincana Krsna Dasa Babaji Maharaja.
Verse 1: Obeisances to the Six Gosvamis
namaḥ śrī-rūpa-sanātana-bhaṭṭa-raghunātha-śrī-jīva-gopāla-bhaṭṭa-dāsa-raghunātha-caraṇebhyo namaḥ
Source:
Traditional Gaudiya Vaisnava maṅgalācaraṇa prayer (originally adapted from Srinivasa Acarya’s Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭakam and popular liturgical phrasing).
Translation:
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavana—namely, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, and Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī.
Verse 2: The Glories of the Guru and the Holy Dhama
nama-śreṣṭhaṁ manum api śacī-putram atra svarūpaṁ
rūpaṁ tasyāgrajam uru-purīṁ māthurīṁ goṣṭha-vāṭīm
rādhā-kuṇḍaṁ girivaram aho rādhi-kā-mādhavāśāṁ
prāpto yasya prathita-kṛpayā śrī-guruṁ taṁ nato ’smi
Source:
Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s Stavāvalī, specifically the first verse of Śrī Mukta-caritra.
Translation:
I bow down to the lotus feet of my spiritual master, by whose legendary mercy I have obtained the highest holy name, the divine mantra, the company of the son of Śacīmātā (Lord Caitanya), and the shelter of Śrīla Svārūpa Dāmodara, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, and his elder brother Sanātana Gosvāmī. By his grace, I have attained the grand city of Mathurā, the pasture grounds of Vraja, the exquisite Rādhā-kuṇḍa, Govardhana Hill, and the ultimate hope of gaining the loving service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Mādhava.
Verses 3 & 4: Invocations to the Spiritual Master
he śrī-guro jñānada dīna-bandho
svānanda-dātaḥ karuṇaika-sindho
he śrī-guro jñānada dīna-bandho
svānanda-dātaḥ karuṇaika-sindho
vṛndāvanāsīna hitāvatāra
prasīda rādhā-praṇaya-pracāra
Source:
Standard Gaudiya Vaisnava prayer addressed to the spiritual master (traditionally sung before starting kirtana to invoke auspiciousness).
Translation:
O my spiritual master! O giver of transcendental knowledge, friend of the fallen, bestower of your own spiritual bliss, and ocean of exclusive mercy! O resident of Vrindavana, who are the incarnation of welfare for all souls, and who widely disseminate the pure love of Śrī Rādhā—please be merciful unto me.
Verses 5 & 6: Prayers for Forgiveness and Deep Devotion
he dīna-bandho karuṇaika-sindho
kuru prasīdaṁ mayi manda-mūre
lakṣāparādhe... kṛtayāparādhe...
he lakṣāparādhe bahu-pāpa-gāri
tvat-pada-padme 'stu matiś ca kṛṣṇe
Source:
Adapted from traditional prayers for forgiveness (Aparādha-śodhana-stotram) and standard bhajana invocations detailing humility.
Translation:
O friend of the poor! O solo ocean of mercy! Please bestow your kind favor upon me, who am a foolish, dull-witted soul. Although I have committed hundreds of thousands of offenses (lakṣā-aparādhe) and am bound heavily by countless sins—let my consciousness, mind, and execution of devotion stay forever anchored at Your lotus feet, O Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Sri Guru Carana Padma (Guru Vandana)
The historical prayer captured in this recording was composed by Narottama Dasa Thakura in his book *Prema Bhakti Candrika*. In the audio track, Krsna Dasa Babaji Maharaja sings the standard opening verses of this Bengali song, which serves as a deep meditation on the mercy of the spiritual master.
(1)
śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando muñi sāvadhāna mate
jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi,
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha'te
The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.
(2)
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koribo aikya,
ār nā koriho mane āśā
śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasāde pūre sarva āśā
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
(3)
cakṣu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jñān hṛde prokāśito
prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte,
vede gāy jāhāra carito
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
(4)
śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu,
lokanāth lokera jīvanahā
hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā,
ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana
Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O Lokanatha Goswami! O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.
Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda
Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda
Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura-Bhakta-Vrnda
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna raksa mam
Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna pahi mam
Rama Raghava Rama Raghava Rama Raghava raksa mam
Krsna Kesava Krsna Kesava Krsna Kesava pahi mam
Prayers
Verse 1: The Glories of the Holy Name
kalyāṇānāṁ nidhānaṁ kalimala-mathanaṁ pāvanaṁ pāvanānāṁ
pātheyaṁ yan mumukṣoḥ sapadi parapada-prāptaye procyamānam
viśrāma-sthanam ekaṁ kavivara-vacasāṁ jīvanaṁ saj-janānāṁ
bījaṁ dharma-drumasya prabhavatu bhavatāṁ bhūtaye kṛṣṇa-nāma
Source:
Padyāvalī (Verse 19), an anthology compiled by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. The verse is originally attributed to Śrī Lakṣmīdharācārya.
Translation:
May the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa bring you supreme prosperity. It is the reservoir of all auspiciousness, the destroyer of the sins of Kali-yuga, and the purifier of all purifiers. It is declared to be the provisions for the traveler who desires liberation, granting immediate access to the supreme abode. It is the singular resting place for the words of the greatest poets, the very life-force of the saintly devotees, and the primordial seed of the tree of religion.
Verse 2: The Potency of the Holy Name Over Obstacles
vepante duritāni moha-mahimā sammoham ālambate
sātaṅkaṁ nakhara-rañjanīṁ kalayati śrī-citraguptasya kṛtiḥ
sānandaṁ madhuparka-samprayata-vidhau vedhā karoti udyamam
vaktuṁ nāmani bhāveśvarābhilaṣite brūmaḥ kim anyat param
Source:
Padyāvalī (Verse 21), compiled by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. This verse is attributed to Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī.
Translation:
When the holy names of the Lord are chanted with deep spiritual emotion (bhāva), all past sins shake with fear; the great majesty of material illusion (moha) falls unconscious; the cosmic scribe Citragupta fears that his ledger of punishments is now completely useless; and Lord Brahmā joyfully prepares a celebratory offering of madhuparka to greet the chanter. What more can possibly be said in praise of this name?
Verse 3: The Primacy of Nama-Sankirtana
kṛṣṇasya nānā-vidha-kīrtaneṣu
tan-nāma-saṅkīrtanam eva mukhyam
tat-prema-sampat-janane...
Source:
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī's Bhakti-sandarbha (Anuccheda 273), quoting from standard Vaisnava scriptural descriptions of the nine-fold processes of devotional service.
Translation:
Among the many various ways of glorifying Lord Kṛṣṇa, the congregational chanting of His holy name (nāma-saṅkīrtana) is paramount. It is uniquely directly responsible for generating the vast wealth of divine love (prema-sampat)...
Verse 4: The Mahamantra
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
Source:
Kali-santaraṇa Upaniṣad.
Translation:
O Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your divine loving service.
Verse 5: The Nectar Overwhelming the Senses
ekasminn indriye prādurbhūtaṁ nāmāmṛtaṁ rasaiḥ
āplāvayati sarvāṇi indriyāṇi madhurair nijaiḥ
mukhyo vāg-indriye tasyodayaḥ svāpara-harṣadaḥ
tat-prabhor dhyānato 'pi nāma-saṅkīrtanaṁ varam
Source:
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī’s Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta (2.3.141).
Translation:
When the nectar of the holy name manifests on even a single sense organ, it floods all the other senses with its intrinsic, sweet spiritual mellows. Its appearance is primarily focused on the organ of speech, bringing boundless joy both to the chanter and to all who listen. Therefore, the vocal chanting of the holy name (nāma-saṅkīrtana) is vastly superior even to silent meditation (dhyāna) upon the Lord.
Verse 6: The Magnet of Devotional Wealth
nāma-saṅkīrtanaṁ proktaṁ kṛṣṇasya prema-sampadi
munīśaṁ sādara-sthaṁ paramākarṣa-mantra-vat
Source:
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī’s Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta (2.3.142).
Translation:
Loud congregational chanting of the holy name is declared by the great sages to be the ultimate, ultimate treasure-house for generating love of Kṛṣṇa. It stands beautifully like a supreme, all-powerful magnetic mantra that irresistibly draws the mercy of the Lord directly to the heart.
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Recording
Recorded during the 1976 Mayapur Festival by Uttamasloka Dasa (ACBSP)
Location Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir compound
Remastered 2026 Uttamasloka Dasa (ACBSP)
Prasad.Life presented by Gopati Dasa (ACBSP)