Hymn on Haridas Thakur by Bhaktivinod Thakur

Article, Sreela Bhaktivinoda Thakura

While staying alone in Puri, in 1871, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur composed a poem in contemplation of the samadhi of Srila Haridas Thakur, the great Professor of the Holy Name, the ninth verse of which is especially well-known and is oft quoted by Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

  • Oh born of Moslem parents Haridas!
    And trained in youth in Moslem creed
    Thy noble heart to Vaishnava truth did pass
    Thy holy acts thy candor plead!

    Is there a soul that cannot learn from thee
    That man must give up sect for God
    That thoughts of race and sect can ne'er agree
    With what they call Religion broad

    Thy love of God and brother soul alone
    Bereft thyself of early friends
    Thy softer feelings oft to kindness prone
    Led on thyself for higher ends!

    I weep to read that Kazis and their men
    Oft persecuted thee, alas!
    But thou didst nobly pray for th' wicked then!
    For thou wert Vaishnava Haridas!

    And God is boundless grace to thee, Oh man!
    United thee to one who came
    To save the fallen souls from Evil's plan
    Of taking human souls to shame

    And He it was who led you all that came
    For life eternal, holy, pure!
    And gave you rest in Heaven's endearing Name
    And sacred blessings ever sure!

    Thy body rests upon the sacred sands
    Of Svargardvar near the sea,
    Oh, hundreds come to thee from distant lands
    T' enjoy a holy, thrilling glee!

    The waters roar and storming winds assail
    Thy ears in vain, ah, Vaishnava soul!
    The charms of Vrindavan thy heart regale,
    Unknown the wheel of time doth roll!

    He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die
    When thou art living still in sound
    The Vaishnavas die to live and living try
    To spread the holy name around!

    Now let the candid man that seeks to live
    Follow thy way on shores of time,
    Then posterity sure to him will give
    Like one song in simple rhyme!

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