Damodar Prayers (An English Version)

Dearest Vaishnavas,

During Kartik I greatly relish singing daily this English song glorifying Lord Damodar, and this year I thought I might humbly share this poem with others who might not be familiar with this superb rhymed verse originally penned in 1990 by my godbrother True Peace, and sung at New Vrindaban during Kartik for several years. I think you will enjoy the sensitively chosen word painting and the poetic skills of the author, as the meter, feet and accents fit very nicely to the traditional Vaishnava tune which begins: ” namamisvaram sac-cid-ananda-rupam.”

Sincerely Your Servant,

Hrishikesh (Henry Doktorski)
Oakdale, Pennsylvania

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Damodar Prayers
English Verses by True Peace

(1) Omnipotent, eternal, omniscient in bliss,In Gokula manifest, with opulence kissed,Yashoda’s sweet butter thief, fearful to subdue—My Lord Supreme, Damodar, obeisance to You.

(2) Wide-eyed, You were terrified, tearful, breathing quick,With ropes bound by Yashoda, for her whipping stick—Bound by your devotee’s love, Your mercy is true,My Lord Supreme, Damodar, obeisance to You.

(3) Pastimes full of ecstasy with Krishna thus showLord Narayan’s devotees an intimate glow.What love in Your devotee, sweet Lord, you embue!My Lord Supreme, Damodar, obeisance to You.

(4) O Lord, my great champion, no gift is more fairThan Your childhood’s sweet pastimes remembered in prayer.Not even the Supersoul complete from the startIs sweeter than Your childhood replete in my heart.

(5) All mystical darkness in Your sweet lotus faceRose blushed by the kisses of Yashoda’s embrace—To hold You and love You, Lord, what treasure could find,Your mystical presence, now, always in my mind?

(6) Unlimited Shri Vishnu! O Master! O Lord!I’m drowning in sorrow here. Let me be restored.Show mercy upon me, Lord! Uplift and protectYour unworthy servitor with nectar’s confect.

(7) Bound to a great grinding stone caught between two treesThe little Lord Damodar crawling on His kneesFreed both of Kuvera’s sons to be devotees.O sweet little Damodar, please likewise bless me.

(8) O Lord, as the universe was made by Brahma,Sprung up from Your abdomen, bound by Yashoda,So let me obeisances to You my sweet LordBind me to Your services, forever adored.

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