Esho Ma. Yearning For The Divine Mother. These songs from the mystic poet-saints of Bengal are over 200 years old, composed by devotees of the Divine Mother. Most of the songs on this album were favorites of the great Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Bengali Translations and Transliterations by Lopamudra Bose
Produced by Kali Mandir and Sangita Yoga
Released November 13, 2012 by Sangita Yoga Music
1. Devi Stuti
From the Chandi, an ancient Sanskrit scripture in worship of Goddess
sarvamaṅgalamāṅgalye śive sarvārthasādhike | śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi
namo’stu te || sṛṣṭisthitivināśānāṁ śaktibhūte sanātani | guṇāśraye guṇamaye nārāyaṇi
namo’stu te || śaraṇāgatadīnārtaparitrāṇaparāyaṇe | sarvasyārtihare devi nārāyaṇi
namo’stu te || jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te | jaya nārāyaṇi
namo’stu te jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te ||
The sacred essence of all that is sacred, our eternal shelter, shining Goddess with three eyes;
O Narayani, victory and salutations to Thee!
Eternal Mother, the power of creation, preservation, and destruction, foundation and embodiment of all qualities;
O Narayani, victory and salutations to Thee!
Ever intent on liberating those who surrender to Thee, Devi, remover of all suffering;
O Narayani, victory and salutations to Thee!
2. Esho Ma (Come, O Ma)
By Pundarikaksha Mukhopadhaya—Based on Raga Purvi Kalyan
Esho Ma, esho Ma hridauyo rauma, paurano putoli go Ma
Maumo hridauyo ashon-e hau Ma ashino, nirokhi tomare go Ma
Achi jaunmabodhi taubo mukho che-e, dhori e jibauno je jatona sho-e
Tato tumi jano Ma, aubodho shauntanero dukho
Maumo hridauyo kaumolo bikasho koriye, prokasho tahate go Ma
Come, O Ma, come! Delight of my heart, life-essence of my being.
Be seated on the asan* deep within my heart; there I will behold You
All my life I have gazed upon Your face; this has enabled me to endure the pains of life.
You well know, Ma, the sorrows of this ignorant child.
Come, O Ma, come! Delight of my heart, life-essence of my being.
Make my heart’s lotus fully bloom, for You to manifest therein.
3. Mojlo Amar Mon Bhromora (Engrossed Is the Bee of My Mind)
By Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya—Based on Raga Bhimpalasri
Mojlo amar mon bhromora Kalipaudo nil kaumol-e
Kalipaudo nil kaumol-e,
Shyamapaudo nil kaumol-e
Jauto bishoy modhu tuccho holo kamadi kushum shaukol-e
Chauron kalo bhromor kalo, kalo-e kalo mishe gaelo
Pauncho tautto, prodhan mautto raungo dekhe bhaungo dile
Kaumolakanteri mone ashapurno aetodin-e
Shukh dukkho shoman holo, anando shagor uchhaul-e
Engrossed is the bee of my mind on the blue lotus feet of Ma Kali,
The blue lotus feet of Kali, the blue lotus feet of Shyama.
Tasteless, to the bee, is the honey of sense-pleasures from the blossoms of desire.
Ma’s feet are black, and black, too, is the bee; black is made one with Black.
The Five Principles become revealed; I behold them and go deep within.
Kamalakanta’s hopes are fulfilled; pleasure and pain are the same,
He overflows with the Sea of Bliss.
4. Shyama Ma Ki Amar Kalo (Is My Mother Dark?)
By Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya—Based on Raga Asavari
Shyama Ma ki amar kalo re
Loke baule Kali kalo; amar mon to baule na kalo re
Kalo rupe digombori, hrid pauddo kore alo re
Kaukhono sheto, kaukhono pito, kaukhono nil lohito re
Ami age nahi jani aemono jani, bhabie jaunomo gaelo re
Kaukhono Purusho, kaukhono Prokriti, kaukhono Shunnorupore
Maer e bhabo bhabie Kaumolakanto shohoje pagol holo re
Is my Mother dark? People say Kali is black, but I do not think She is so;
Her black form is sky-clad, illuminating my heart-lotus.
Sometimes pure white, sometimes of golden hue, sometimes a dark blue or red;
I have never known a Mother like this; my lifetime passes in contemplation.
Sometimes Purusha*, sometimes Prakriti*, sometimes Formless;
Pondering these bhavas** of Ma, Kamalakanta simply loses his mind
5. Amar Shadh Na Mitilo (All Is Ending)
By Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya—Based on Raga Bhimpalasri
Amar shadh na mitilo, asha na purilo shaukoli phura-e ja-e Ma
Jaunomer shodh daki go Ma tore, kole tule nite a-e Ma
Pritthibir keu bhalo to bashena, ei pritthibi bhalo bashite janena
Jetthai ache shuddhu bhalo basha bashi, shetthai jete pran chay Ma
Bauro daga pe-e, bashona tejechi, bauro jala shoe kamona bhulechi
Aunek kendechi, kandite parina, buk phete bheinge ja-e Ma
My desires are not quenched; my hopes are not fulfilled;
All is ending, O Ma.
From the very first day of my life, I have longed for You
To receive me on Your lap, O Ma.
In this world, Ma, nobody truly loves me
This world does not know how to love.
Where there is pure, loving love, there my soul yearns to be.
After great pain, I have given up desires
After great suffering, I have forgotten my whims
I have cried much; I can cry no more
O Ma, my heart is torn open…
6. Jaugoto Janoni (Mother of the Universe)
By Sri Ramprasad Sen—Based on Raga Bhairavi
Jaugoto Janoni go Ma Tara Jagotke taurale amake dubale, ami ki jaugoto chhara go Tara
Diba auboshan raujoni kale, diyechi shatar Sri Durga bole
Mono jirno tori mayate kandari, dubilo, dubilo, dubilo haura
Dino Ramproshad bhabi-e shara, Ma ho-e pathale mashir para
Kotha giyechile e dhaurmo shikhile, Ma ho-e shauntane chharo go Tara
Mother of the Universe, O Ma Tara
You keep the universe afloat, while You let me drown.
Am I not a part of this universe too?
The day has ended, night approaches
And so I begin to swim with the name of Ma Durga.
My weak mind is like a raft steered by maya
It sinks, sinks, and sinks.
Poor Ramprasad is overwhelmed with the thought
That his own Mother would send him away to his Aunt’s home.
Where, Ma, have You learned such dharma?
How could You be my Mother and yet abandon me?
7. Ore Mon Kali Baulo (O Mind, Sing Kali)
By Sri Ramprasad Sen—Musical composition by Naren K. Schreiner in Raga Yaman
Ore mon Kali baulo
Bipaudo nashini Kalir nam, jaupo nam
Ore mon, kaeno bholo Kali baulo
Kinchit korona bhau-e dekhe augadh sholilo
Auna-eshe bhaubo nodi Kali kulaiben kulo
Ja haubar ta holo bhalo kal gaelo mon Kali baulo
Kali nam auntore jaupo baela auboshan holo
Kalher chhokhe di-e dhulo, bhaubo parabare chaulo
Sri Ramproshad baule, “Kaeno mon ore bholo?
Kalir nam auntore jaupo, baela auboshan holo!”
Oh mind, sing Kali’s name!
Kali’s name protects you from danger, pray Kali’s name!
Oh mind, why do you forget to sing Kali’s name?
Do not have a hint of fear to see the deep dark waters;
One can easily swim across Kali’s river of Life
Only good can happen when the mind utters Kali
You will fool your karma and go safely across
Sri Ramprasad says, “Why, mind, do you forget Her?
Recite within Kali’s name until the end of life.”
8. Hrid Kaumolo Monche (On the Stage of My Heart’s Lotus)
By Sri Ramprasad Sen— Musical composition by Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty in Raga Bhairavi
Hrid kaumolo monche dole kauralo baudoni Shyama
Mon paubone dula-iche, dibausho raujoni O Ma
Ida pingaula nama, shushumna mono rauma
Tari moddhe gantha Shyama, Brohmo shaunatoni O Ma
Abiro rudhiro ta-e, ki shobha hoechhe ga-e
Kam adi moho ja-e, herile aumoni O Ma
Je dekheche Maer dol, she pe-eche Maer kol
Ram Proshader eyi bol, dhol mara bani O Ma
On the stage of my lotus-heart, the fierce-looking Shyama is gracefully swaying.
The breeze of Her mind is the ebb and flow of Day and Night.
Ida, Pingala, Shushumna,* all are delighted by Her presence,
Within them is embedded Shyama; She is All-encompassing Brahma.
Her beauty is enhanced by the red abir** on Her body.
All desires will flee by gazing at Ma.
He who sees Ma’s sway is received on Ma’s lap.
Ramprasad’s words are declared with the beat of a drum.
9. Jautone Hridoe Rekho (Cherish Ma in Your Heart)
By Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya—Musical composition by Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty
Jautone hridoe rekho, adorini Shyama make
Mon tui daekh ar ami dekhi, ar jaeno keu nahi daekhe
Kamadire di-e phaki, ei mon biraule dekhi
Raushonare shonge rakhi, shey jaeno Ma bole dake
Kuruchi kumontri jauto, nikaut hote dio nako
Gaen nauyone prohori rekho, shey jaeno shabdhane thake
Kaumolakanteri mono bhai amar ei nibedauno
Doridre paile dhaun, sheki aujautone rakhe
Cherish Shyama Ma tenderly in your heart.
O mind, you look and I am looking too; but no one else can see.
Deceive the lures of the world, and in seclusion the mind will see.
Keep control of the tip of the tongue, that the mind may call out to Ma.
Bad taste, bad company and the like—do not allow them near.
O eyes of wisdom, keep vigilant watch of the mind!
O dear mind of Kamalakanta, hear this humble plea:
When a poor man receives a treasure, does he not cherish it?
10. Kole Tule Ne Ma Kali (Receive Me On Thy Lap*)
Written and Composed in Bengali by Paramahansa Yogananda
Kole tule ne Ma Kali, kaler kole dishna phele
Receive me on Thy lap, Ma Kali, do not cast me onto the lap of death and delusion