Mangala-arati

Like a cloud pouring rain upon a forest fire, the spiritual master extinguishes the blazing fire of material existence and delivers the suffering world. I bow to the lotus feet of such a master, an ocean of auspicious qualities. Chanting the holy names, dancing and playing instruments, he is always gladdened by Lord Caitanya's sankirtana. Relishing pure devotion, his hair stands on end, his body trembles and tears flow in waves. I bow to his lotus feet. He is always engaged in worshipping the Deities — dressing Them, decorating Them, cleaning Their temple — and he engages his disciples in the same service. I bow to his lotus feet. He offers Krishna four kinds of delicious food, and he is satisfied when he sees the devotees satisfied by bhagavat-prasadam. I bow to his lotus feet. He longs to relish at every moment the boundless sweet pastimes, qualities, forms and names of Sri Radhika and Madhava. I bow to his lotus feet. He is most dear to the Divine Couple, for he is expert in assisting the gopis in arranging Their meetings in the groves of Vrindavana. I humbly bow to his lotus feet. All the scriptures say the spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the Lord Himself, and saintly people do so, for he is the Lord's most confidential servant. I bow to his lotus feet. By his mercy one receives the mercy of the Lord; without it no progress is possible. Remembering and praising him three times a day, I bow to his lotus feet.

I bow to Lord Nrsimha, who gives joy to Prahlada. With His nails, like chisels on stone, He tore open the chest of Hiranyakasipu. Nrsimha is here, Nrsimha is there; wherever I go, there is Nrsimha. He is outside and He is within the heart. I take shelter of Nrsimha, the origin of all. O Kesava, who took the form of a man-lion! The nail on Your beautiful lotus hand is a wondrous horn with which You tore apart the body of Hiranyakasipu as though it were a bee. All glories to You, Lord of the universe, Hari!

I offer my repeated obeisances to Vrinda, Tulasi Devi, who is dear to Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotion to Krishna and embody the highest truth.

Again and again I bow to Tulasi, dear to Krishna. My only wish is to obtain the service of Radha and Krishna. For whoever takes shelter of you, you mercifully fulfil every desire and make them a resident of Vrindavana. This is my request: let me live in the groves of Their pastimes, so that my eyes may always behold the beauty of the Divine Couple. Accept this plea: make me a follower of the gopis, grant me the right to serve and accept me as your own maidservant. So says the fallen Krishna-dasa: may I always float in love for Sri Radha and Govinda.

Whatever sins there may be, even the gravest of them, are destroyed at every step of one who circumambulates Tulasi.