Translation Of Some Poems Of Vaishnava Poet Sri Kishore Rai Goswami

By the grace of Lord Sri Gauranga the book was published. It includes translation of some selected poems of a Vaishnava poet of modern age Srimat Kishore Rai Goswami. The purpose is to extend the scope of reading to a greater sphere of readers who do not know Bengalee. The poems have come out spontaneously from the devotional heart of the poet. So it is beyond all doubts that those are full of devotional fervour. The poet has written a large number of poems of different nature and tastes. The picture of his spiritual life has been reflected in the poems. So while reading the poems stress is to be given on the degree of intensity of devotional sentiment, though the poetic thrill of the poems would touch and shake the heart of the reader.

Now let us say a few words about the life of the poet. Srimat Kishore Rai Goswami was born in Kolkata on September 15 in 1946 in a glorious Vaishnava family of Sri Sadashiva Kaviraja, Sri Purushottam Das and Sri Kanu Thakur—three Lila-companions of Sri Chaitanyadeva. His father, Sri Ramanath Goswami was the youngest brother of the great Vaishnava saint and savant Srimat Kanupriya Goswami. His mother Sukriti Devi was a pious woman. In youth when he was a student of class X, he feels intense thirst for spiritual life and leaves home and goes to Nabadwip to his eldest uncle, Srimat Kanupriya Goswami who was living there in a Ashram named ‘Sri Gaur Kishore Santi Kunja’ and leading a spiritual life. Srimat Kishore Ro Goswami also began to reside in the Ashram. In Bengali 20th Shravana, 1971 (1964 AD) he gets Vaishnava initiation from Stimat Kanupriya Goswami and devoted himself fully to In &rh 1381, Srimat Kishore Rai Goswami all on a sudden feels a poetic inspiration in him. As a result of that a great number of poems come out from his pen. This is indeed a miracle. To speak the truth in respect of number and variety it a landmark in the history of Vaishnava poetry. The poems have been collected and published in different volumes. The names of the volumes are given below:

• Lalasa Mukul (1st Part)
• Lalasa Mukul (2nd Part)
• Lila – Madhuri
• Sri Sri Gaur-Gobindolila Smaran Mangal
• Premashrudhara
• Vakti Pushpanjali
• Vakti Kusumaparag
• Vakti Kabya Manjusha
• Vakti Kabya Chayanika
• Vakti Sudha Lahari

Srimat Kishore Rai Goswami now is the chief of the Ashram. His life is a living manifestation of simplicity, humility, love and compassion.

Though it is very difficult to translate such poems carrying intense spiritual sentiment, I have taken the risk. I am extremely unworthy for this work. So the reader must find different types of limitations in it. I beg pardon for all my drawbacks.

It is noteworthy that in translating such poems major difficulty arises in case of terminology. Proper philosophical and spiritual terms carrying equal sense of original Bengali are not available in English vocabulary. To avoid this difficulty I have followed the method of transliterating the original Bengali terms in many cases. Explanations where necessary are indicated in footnotes.

In fine, I cordially pray to all please read the poems and fill your heart with divine joy.