Today is the auspicious appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, one of the great acharya’s in our line. The Thakura wrote many beautiful bhajans and as we are celebrating World Holy Name festival here is the transalation of a beatifiul and deeply moving bhajan: Keno Hare Krsna Nam – Oh, Why While Chanting Hare Krishna …
“Oh Why While Chanting Hare Krishna?”
Oh, why does my heart not weep from chanting the holy names Hare Krishna?
The bird of my heart does not know what past sinful activities it has committed to cause this inability to chant Hare Krishna properly.
O forest bird! I have kept something for you very carefully within the cottage of my heart—the holy name of Lord Hari, which is overflowing with pure sweet honey. O bird, you could learn the chanting of this name if you were taught.
A bird is easily able to speak all names; why then does this bird of my heart refuse to chant Hare Krishna? Oh, why does my heart not weep from chanting the holy names Hare Krishna?
O bird! Come, let us go to the spiritual world, the land of true and everlasting beauty. It is the place where the imaginary man of my mind will never again come and go on the revolving cycle of birth and death.
O bird! At the time of death, your body will simply be placed upon a funeral stretcher, lifted on the shoulders of four persons and carried to the cremation grounds.
Alas! The cremation fire will then enter your mouth and totally consume your tongue. There will be nothing you can do to save yourself, for at that time it is too late—you will be unable to speak any more.