Vishnujan Swami Leads Udilo Aruna Bhajan Mayapur 1975
Mayapur Festival 1975. It was the second large ISKCON festival in Mayapur and one can hear the devotion and enthusiam as Visnujan Swami led bhajans. He sings Udilo Aruna by Bhaktivinode Thakur and seamlessly moves to Jiv Jago as the recording ends.
Event: Annual Mayapur Festival (1975)
Lead Vocals: Vishnujana Swami
Original 1975 Audio & Photography: Gopati das (ACBSP)
2024 Audio Remastering: Uttamasloka das (ACBSP)
Thanks to the original recording work of Gopati das and the careful 2024 remastering by Uttamasloka das, listeners today can experience this classic moment in crisp, restored quality. Accompanied by original photos from the 1975 Mayapur festival, this piece stands as a vibrant document of early ISKCON history and Vishnujana Swami’s enduring legacy.
Vishnujana Swami (1948–1976) was one of the early and most beloved disciples of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Renowned for his extraordinary musical talent, gentle demeanor, and deep spiritual absorption, he co-founded the famous Radha-Damodara traveling bus party across North America. His sweet, expressive voice and tireless dedication to kirtan (congregational chanting) left an indelible mark on the Hare Krishna movement, inspiring generations of devotional musicians.
Written by the 19th-century saint Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, Udilo Aruna ("The Red Sun Has Risen") describes the dawn breaking over the holy land of Nadia as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his companions wake up the sleeping souls to chant the holy names.
In this recording, Vishnujana Swami carries listeners through the classic Bengali verses with his signature warmth and vocal depth before flowing straight into Jiv Jago ("Awake, Soul, Awake!").
Arunodaya Kīrtana
Song 1 from the songbook Gītāvalī by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur
Bengali:
udilo aruṇa pūraba-bhāge, dwija-maṇi gorā amani jāge,
bhakata-samūha loiyā sāthe, gelā nagara-brāje
Translation:
When the red rising sun appeared in the eastern horizon, Lord Gaurasundara, the jewel among the twice-born brāhmaṇas, awakened. Taking His devotees with Him, He journeyed through the towns and villages of Nadiyā.
Bengali:
’tāthai tāthai’ bājalo khol, ghana ghana tāhe jhāṅjera rol,
preme ḍhala ḍhala sonāra aṅga, caraṇe nūpura bāje
Translation:
The mṛdaṅgas resounded “tāthai, tāthai” in rhythm while the large jhāṅjha cymbals chimed. Lord Gaurāṅga's golden form trembled in ecstatic love of Godhead, and His ankle bells jingled.
Bengali:
mukunda mādhava yādava hari, bolena bolo re vadana bhori’,
miche nida-baśe gelo re rāti, divasa śarīra-sāje
Translation:
Lord Chaitanya called out to the townsfolk: “Fill your mouths with the holy names ’Mukunda! Mādhava! Yādava! and Hari!’ You spend your nights uselessly sleeping, and your days decorating your physical bodies!
Bengali:
emana durlabha mānava-deho, pāiyā ki koro bhava nā keho,
ebe nā bhajile yaśodā-suta, carame poḍibe lāje
Translation:
“You have achieved this rare human body—don’t you care for such a priceless gift? If you do not worship the darling son of Mother Yaśodā now, great sorrow awaits you at the time of death.”
Bengali:
udita tapana hoile asta, dina gelo boli’ hoibe byasta,
tabe keno ebe alasa hoy, nā bhaja hṛdoya-rāje
Translation:
“With every rising and setting of the sun, another day passes and is lost forever. Why then do you remain idle and refrain from serving the Lord of the heart?”
Bengali:
jīvana anitya jānaha sār, tāhe nānā-vidha vipada-bhār,
nāmāśraya kori’ jatane tumi, thākaha āpana kāje
Translation:
“Understand this essential truth: life is temporary and burdened with all kinds of misery. Therefore, carefully take shelter of the holy name and let that be your real, eternal occupation.”
Bengali:
jīvera kalyāna-sādhana-kām, jagate āsi’ e madhura nām,
avidyā-timira-tapana-rūpe, hṛd-gagaṇe virāje
Translation:
Desiring to bestow the ultimate benediction upon all living beings, this sweet name of Kṛṣṇa has descended into the material world. It shines like the sun in the sky of the heart, destroying the dark night of ignorance.
Bengali:
kṛṣṇa-nāma-sudhā koriyā pān, juḍāo bhakativinoda-prāṇ,
nāma binā kichu nāhiko āra, caudda-bhuvana-mājhe
Translation:
Drink the pure nectar of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and satisfy the soul of Bhaktivinoda. Except for the holy name, there is no real substance to be found anywhere within all the fourteen worlds.