mama– my, mana– mind or heart, mandire– in the temple
Kedarnath Datta Bhaktivinode Thakura was a nineteenth century religious reformer in the Chaitanya or Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya. He was a prolific author, songwriter, poet and proponent of Krishna bhakti.
In this beautiful Bengali song, Bhaktivinode Thakur expresses his ardent desire for Lord Krishna to reside in his heart, where he can make his offerings of love. I find this song serves as a reminder and inspiration that behind all religious ritual lies the purpose of the transformation of the mind or heart, and that ultimately, the heart is both the place of genuine worship as well as the truest and most pleasing item to be offered in devotion.
The song is sung by the bhajana group Spiritual Skyliner, which was a traveling group of Vaishnava brahmacaris from Germany. The angelic lead singing is by Gadadhara Das. Musically this song is unique in that each verse is sung in a different melody. Mama Mana Mandire appeared on the cd Spiritual Skyliner: Sacred Mantras. More of their music can be found here and here.
Kaustubha das
Mam Mana Mandire
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[audio:https://bhakticollective.com/_multimedia/Mama mana mandire.mp3]
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Mama Mana Mandire
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
(1) mama mana mandire raha nisi-din
krsna murari sri krsna murari
Please abide in the temple of my heart
both day and night, O Krsna Murari, O Sri Krsna Murari!
(2) bhakti priti mala candan
tumi nio he nio krsna-nandan
Devotion, love, flower garlands, and sandalwood- please accept them,
Delighter of the Heart!
(3) jivana marana tava puja nivedan
sundara he mana-hari
In life or in death I worship You with these offerings,
Beautiful One, O Enchanter of the Heart!
(4) eso nanda-kumar ar nanda-kumar
habe prema-pradipe arati tomar
Come, son of Nanda, and then, O Son of Nanda
I will offer Your arati ceremony with the lamplight of my love.
(5) nayana jamuna jhare anibar
tomara virahe giridhari
The waters of the Yamuna river cascade incessantly from my eyes
in your separation, O Holder of Govordhana Hill!
(6) bandana gane tava bajuk jivana
krsna murari sri krsna murari
May I pass my life absorbed only in songs of Your praise, O Krsna Murari, Sri Krsna Murari!
Related Posts: Kirtan Podcast: As Kindred Spirits / Kirtan Podcast 2: Aindra Das
Comments
4 responses to “Kirtan Podcast 3: In the Temple of My Heart”
a very exhaulted song with melodeous tune…i admire the kirtans by spiritual skyliner
Thank you very much for this highly devotional and beautiful rendition of one of my favorite bhajans.
This is real “Chanting from the Heart”! Thank you!
beautiful.. the beginning reminded me of Gregorian chanting. Like to hear more from this group. Found the volume too low though. I’ll download it and see if it improves.