Sva-niyama-dvadasakam

12 Verses of My Own
SELF-IMPOSED REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES

The 1st Verse.

( The objects of devotion birth after bir t h )

gurau sri gau-range tad udi-ta sub-hakti pra-karane

saci sun-or 2i2a -vik-asita suti-rthe nij a manau
harer namni presthe hari tith-isu rupanuga jane
suka pro-ktesastre prati jani -mamastam khalu ratih

No matter whenever and wherever I happen to take birth, let my loving affection
and attachment remain anshaken throughout each and every lifetime for the
following things:
• for my divine spiritual master,
• for Sri Gauranga,
• for the detailed topics of pure devotional service ( and the methods of its
execution) as personally instructed by Him,
• for the holy places of pilgrimage such as Sri Navadvipa, Sri Ksetra, Sri
Vrndavana, etc. , which are all blooming with divine sanctity due to His
performance of wonderful pastimes therein,
• for the diksa mantra bestowed upon me by the divine grace of my spiritual
master,
• for the holy name of Sri Hari,
• for the most beloved eternal associates of the Lord,
• for the sacred days of celebration throughout the year such as Sri Ekadasi,
Sri Janmastami, Sri Radhastami, and the appearance/disappearance days of
the great Vaisnava acaryas etc. ,

• for the Lord's dearmost devotees who strictly follow in the sacred footsteps
of Srila Rupa Gosvami,
• and for the holy scriptures narrated by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami such as the
Srimad Bhagavatam, etc.

The 2nd Verse

( THE INTERNAL IDENTITY OF LORD CAITAN YA, THE ETERNAL GU ID E )

sada vrndaranye madhura rasa dha-nye r-asa mayah-

param saktim radham parama rasa mur-tim r-amayati
sa caivayam krsno nij a bhaj ana m-udram u-padisan
 saci s-unur gaude prati j-ani mamastam prabhu varah

The Supreme Lord Sri Krsna is the personified abode of all divinely ecstatic
mellow-tastes. And Sri Radhika is the topmost abode of all His divinely potent
energies. Indeed, She is the personified form of the highest mellow of love in
separation. Within the forest of Vrnda, which is gloriously rich in the all-
pervading treasure of the sweetest madhura-rasa, this Lord Sri Krsna is
continuously enjoying as He makes Sri Radhika happy by His loving service
rendered to Her 2W hours a day. This very same Lord Krsna is exactly identical to
the Son of mother Saci Who eternally lives simultaneously yet separately in Gauda-
desa as the Instructor of the process for rendering His own service. May this Saci-
nanadana become my Supreme Master and Guide, and may He always appear to
me just to lead me on the proper devotional path birth after birth after birth.

The 3rd Verse

(REJECTION OF THINGS UN F A V O RABLE FOR SRI RADHA-KRSNA'S
ETERNAL SERVICE)

na vairagyam grayham bhavati na hi yad bhakti janit-am

tathajnanam bhanam citi yadi visesam na manute
sprha me nastange hari bhaja-na sauk-hyam na hi yatas
tato radha krsna
-pracu-ra paric-arya bhavatu me

Let no form of so-called renunciation or asceticism become fit for my acceptance if

it does not give rise to the continual expansion of my eternal serving mood of
loving devotion. And let no form of so-called knwoledge or intellectual cultivation
appeal to me at all if it does not admit the reality of eternal individuality shared by
the Lord and His devotees during their everlasting daily pastimes. I have no desire
at all for practicing any branch of the eight-fold yoga process, for none of them
contain any scope for enjoying the daily plasure of serving Lord Hari such as His
confidential worship does. Rather, may I render profuse, uninterrupted
confidential service 2W hours a day to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna for all of time to come
(such service being the means as well as the end) .

The 4th Verse

( WHERE TO LIVE, AND WHERE NO T TO LIVE)

kutire pi ksudre vraj a bhaj ana -yogye ta-ru tale -

saci sunos tir-the bhavatu nitaram me nivasatih

na canyatra ksetre vibudha gana sev-ye pu-lakito
vasami prasade vipula dhana ra-j yanvit-a iha

May I continuously reside in a small, lonely cottage at the base of a desire-tree in

the most holy abode of Sri Navadvipa-dhama, which is sanctified by the lotus feet
of Sri Saci-Nanadana. Such a bhajan-kutir is perfectly suitble for constant
remembrance of, and service to the divine daily sports that are always present in
Sri Vraja-dhama. Indeed, in contrast to this, I will never live in any other place,
even if it is bankered for with great enthusiasm by the most wise sages and
demigods of all sorts. As far as all other places in this world are concerned,
whether opulent palaces or temples, whether possessing vast riches of enormous
wealth or princely kingdoms and property — — — all such places cannot attract me as
much as my modest bhajan-kutir in Sri Navadvipa-dhama does

The 5th Verse

( THE REAL PRINCIPLE OF DHARMA W H IC H I S D E V OI D O F
DESIGNATIONS)

na varne saktir me na khalu mamata hyasrama vid-hau

na dharme nadharme mama ratir ihaste kvacid api
param tat tad -dha-rme mamaj ada sari-ram dhrtam idam
ato dharman sarvan subhajana saha-yann abhilase

I have no attachment at all to any of those caste divisions of society such as

brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra. And I certainly do not identify with any order
of life such as brahmacarya, grhasta, vanaprasta, or sannyasa. I have no fondness or
respect at all for the so-called piety of religiosity or even for the so-called impiety
of sinful life in this world — — -not even the slightest regard. Instead, I truly desire
whathever is practically required just to maintain this material body in order to
facilitate my performance of pure devotional service. This is the actual
righteousness that I will hope for as long as this material body continues to exist.

The 6th Verse

( FAVORABLE, AUTHORIZED PRACTICES AND DEV O T I O NA L Q U A L I T I E S)

sudainyam sara2yam saka2a sahana-m manada danam-

dayam svikrtya sri hari ca-rana -seva m-ama tapah
sadacaro sau me prabhu pada p-arair y-ah samuditah
prabhos caitanyasyaksaya carita p-iyusa -krtisu-

My austere vow is costant devotion to the lotus feet of Sri Hari. In order to execute
that vow, I have accepted the following qualities by my own endeavor:
• I practice great humility in my dealings with everyone;
• I try to keep simplicity and purity prominent in all of my practical
arrangements:
• I maintain extreme tolerance in all types of favoreble or unfavorable
circumstances:
• I offer all respect unto others, regardless of who they are:
• I feel genuine compassion for all living entities and act accordingly
There are many transcendental activities which are recommended by the great
devotees who are fixed-up in unalloyed devotional service to the lotus feet of
Sriman-Mahaprabhu, and these can be found described in the books that are full of
the imperishable character and pastimes of Mahaprabhu Sri Krsna Caitanya. Only
such transcendentally nectarean activities, being recommended by great devotees
and practiced by Lord Caitanya Himself, are indeed my own.

The 7th Verse

( REPULSION FROM THOSE THI NGS W H IC H ARE DI S C O N N E C TED FROM
SRI RADHIKA)

na vaikunthe rajye naca visaya ka-rye mam ratir

na nirvane mokse mama matir ihaste ksanam api
vraj anandad anyadd hari vila-sitam pavanam api
kathancin mam radhanvaya vira-hitam no sukhayati

I have no attraction for living in Vaikuntha, that part of the spiritual sky presided
over by Sri Sri Laksmi- Narayana; nor do I desire useless activities of gross sense
gratification in this material world. I will never cherish the desire for attaining the
divine bliss of impersonalistic liberation, even for a second. Furthermore, there are
many transcendental pastimes of Sri Hari that may be very purifying for all
conditioned souls — yet such pastimes will never ever give me any real happiness
at all. This is because such pastimes are quite different from blissful ecstasies of
Vraja-consciousness, being complitely devoid of any relationship with Sri-Radhika,
Who is the one and and only fountainhead of pure joy.

The 8th Verse

( RENUNCIATION OF ALL KI NDS OF BAD ASSOCIATION )

na me patni kanya -tanaya -janani bandh-u nicaya-

harau bhakte bhaktau na khalu yadi tesam sumamata
abhaktanam anna g-rahan-am api doso visayinam
katham tesam sangadd hari bhajan-a siddhir -bhavati me

I now disown my wife

my daughters,
my sons,
my mother,
and all my friends,
If they have no genuine attachment for Lord Hari,
for His devotees,
or for His devotional service.
I t is definitely a great sin even to accept foodgrains prepared by such non-
devotional, materialistic sense-gratifiers. If I were to remain in the company of
such persons, then how will the eternal perfection of my Hari-bajan ever come
about~
 The 9th Verse
( AVOIDANCE OF SO-CALLED 'DEVOEES' WHO PRO U D L Y N E G L E C T SR I
RADHIKA)

asat ta-rkair an-dhan j ada su-kha pa-ran krsna vi-mukhan

ku ni-rvanasaktam satatam ati du-re pariharan
aradham govindam bhajati nitaram dambhikataya
tad ab-hyase kintu ksanam api na yami vratam idam

There are certain persons who appear to very advanced in devotion. Indeed, to
increase their service to the Lord, they have long since rejected the evil company
of:
• those who are completely blinded by faulty arguments arising from so-
called intellectual logic,
• those who are madly addicted to the fleeting pleasures of the dull material
body,
• those who are averse to and envious of Lord Sri Krsna,
• and those who are very fond of the inferior, distasteful concept of liberation
as it is cherished by the impersonalistS.
They have thus favorably avoided all kinds of bad association; yet it is seen that
such persons worship Lord Govinda without Srimati Radarani being present. This
just shows that they are actually puffed-up with excessive pride and conceited
arrogance directed against Sri Radika, who is Herself the best worshipper of
Govinda. Therefore I will never ever go anywhere near such so-called devotees — —-
even for a second. This is my strict vow.

The 10th Verse

( HOW TO LIVE SIMPLY AND PERFOM VRAJA- BHAJANA UNTIL DEAT H )

prasadanna ksirasa-na vasana -patrad-ibhir aham

padarthair nirvahya vyavahrtim asangah ku visaye
vasam isa ksetre y-ugala bhaj an-anandita manas-
tanum moksye ka2e yuga pada pa-rana-m pada ta2e -

Passing my life in a simple, practical way —-

• eating only prasada foodgrains and milk products, the remnants of the
Supreme, Lord, His mercy,
• wearing only prasad cloth that was offered to the Deity,
• using only the pots and utensils sanctified by the Lord's exclusive service,
• I will thus remain completely aloof from material sense-gratification.
Living by the side of Sri Radha-kunda ( Her very own abode ), worshiping the
Divine Couple with a blissful mind, the time will come for my to die. At the soles
of the devotees's lotus feet, who are themselves serving the lotus feet of the Divine
Couple, I will thus give up my body.
 The 11th Verse
( HOW TO W O R S H IP THE LOTUS FEET OF SRI RADHIKA'S PURE DEVOTE E
)

saci su-nor -na

aj gr-ahana ca-turo yo vraja va-ne
pararadhyam radham bhajati nitaram krsna ra-sikam
aham tvetat pa-damrtam anudinam naisthika ma-na
vaheyam vai pitva sirasi ca muda sannati yu-tah

There is a class of pure devotee who is completely expert and experienced in

following all the instruction of Sri Saci-nandana. Such a devotee incessantly
worships Srimati Radharani exlusively, Who is indeed the most worshipable
Personality, and who is deeply absorbed every day in relishing the Divine mellows
of Sri Krsna s association. The pure devotee of this calibre definitely performs his
confidential worship whole-heartedly and with exclusive surrender unto Sri
Radhika. Thus he always lives in Sri Vraja-mandala. I shall take the nectarean
water that has washed the lotus feet of such a devotee and carry it on my head.
Drinking it with great joy, and with a devout heart, I will then happily offer my
full prostration upon the ground in the nicest, most perfect way that I possibly
can. This will indeed be my routine each and every day.

The 12th Verse

( FIRM DETERMIN A T ION TO TR A N S C E N D M A Y A BY DA ILY FOLLO W I N G
THIS STAVA)

harer dasyam dharmo mama tu cira kalam -prakrtito

maha maya -yogad -abhini-patitah duhkha jaladhu
ito yasyamy urddhvam sva niyam-a suraty-a prati dinam-
sahayo me matram vitatha dalani -vaisnava krpa -

As a spirit soul, my natural tendency is to be eternally situated in the loving

devotional service of Lord Hari; however, due to the strong power and influence of
the Lord's maha-maya, I have somehow plunged deeply into the fathomless ocean
of material sorrow and grief. I shall transcend this world of maya and go to the
spiritual world only by faithfully following these self imposed vows every day. And
the only way Iwill get the strength to follow these vows is by attaining the mercy
of all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. May their causeless mercy and softhearted
compassion, which wards off all illusion, become my exclusive friend and guide
for all of time everlasting.

The 13 Verse
( PHAL-SRUTI-THE BENEDICTION OF ETERNAL SERVICE GAINED BY
 READING THIS STAVA)

krtam kenapyetat sva b-haj ana v-idhau svam niyamakam

parthed yo visraddhah priya y-ugala r-upe 'rpita manah
vraj e radha k-rsnau bhaj ati ki2a samprapya ni2ayam
sva m-anj aryah pascad vividha v-arivasyam sa kurute

This stava named Sva ni-yam Dvadasakam was written by someone to adjust and
regulate his own personal mode of performing bhaj an If .any other devotee
happens to chant this stava with a very special quality of resolute faith, fully
offering his mind unto:
• the supreme beautiful forms of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda,
his most dear possession,
• or to the Divine beauty of Their Deity form,
• or to the beauty or Sri Gaura-Sundara, the combined form of Sri Sri Radha-
Govinda,
• or to Srila Rupa Gosvami, the dearmost beloved devotee of Sri Sri Radha-
Govinda and Sri Gaura-Sundara,
— — — then that fortunate reader definitely attains his own place of eternal residence
in Sri Vraja-dhama. Always following behind his own manjari-guru, in his own
spiritual body of a manjari, he finally renders all kinds of variegated eternal
services for the exclusive worship of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.

T hus ends " SVA-NIYAMA DVADASTAKAM "

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura,
his last writing.