तृणादपि सुनीचेन तरोरिव सहिष्णुना ।
अमानिना मानदेन कीर्त्तनीयः सदा हरिः ॥
tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā |
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ ||
(Padyāvalī: 32; cited in Bhakti Sandarbha: 269; Caitanya-caritāmṛta: 1.17.31, 3.6.239, 3.20.21)
“Hari is to be praised always
By one who is far lower than even grass,
Tolerant like a tree,
Undesirous of respect,
And respectful [to all as appropriate].”
Commentary
atra ca nāma-saṅkīrtane yathopadiṣṭaṁ kali-yuga-pāvanāvatāreṇa śrī-bhagavatā
(Bhakti Sandarbha: 269)
“As instructed by the avatāra who is the purifier of the Age of Kali, Śrī Bhagavān [i.e., Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu] in regard to nāma-saṅkīrtana … [i.e., kīrtana of Hari is to performed in the manner described in the verse tṛṇād api sunīcena …].”
tṛṇa haite nīca haiyā sadā labe nāma |
āpani nirabhimānī, anye dibe māna ||
taru-sama sahiṣṇutā vaiṣṇava karibe |
bhartsana-tāḍane kāre kichu nā balibe ||
kāṭileha taru yena kichu nā bolaya |
śukāiyā maile, tabu jala nā māgaya ||
ei-mata vaiṣṇava kāre kichu nā māgiba |
ayācita-vṛtti kimvā śāka-phala khāiba ||
sadā nāma la-iba, yathā lābhete santoṣa |
ei ta ācāra kare bhakti-dharma-poṣa ||
tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā |
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ ||
ūrdhva-bāhu kari kahi śuna sarva-loka |
nāma-sūtre gā̐thi para kaṇṭhe ei śloka ||
prabhura ājñāya kara ei śloka ācaraṇa |
avaśya pāibe tabe śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa ||
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta: 1.17.26–33)
“Remaining lower than grass, one should always take the name. One should personally be free from conceit and give honor to others. A Vaiṣṇava should practice tolerance like a tree and should not say anything to someone when chastised or beaten [by them]. A tree does not say anything when cut by someone and does not beg for water [even] when drying up and dying. In this way, a Vaiṣṇava should not beg for anything from anyone, and rather should subsist on that which is [received] unsolicited or eat greens and fruits. One should always take the name and foster satisfaction in accord with obtainment [i.e., one should always be satisfied with whatever one happens to obtain]. This practice nourishes the dharma of bhakti. ‘Hari is fit to be praised always by one who is far lower than even grass, tolerant like a tree, undesirous of respect, and respectful [to all].’ Raising my arms, I say, “Everyone, please listen! String this verse on the thread of the name and wear it around your neck. On Prabhu’s order, practice [the teachings given in] this verse. Then you will certainly attain Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s feet.”
ye-rūpe la-ile nāma prema upajaya |
tāhāra lakṣaṇa śuna svarūpa rāma-rāya ||
tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā |
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ ||
uttama hañā āpanāke māne tṛṇādhama |
dui-prakāre sahiṣṇutā kare vṛkṣa-sama ||
vṛkṣa yena kāṭileha kichu nā bolaya |
śukāiyā maile kāre pānī nā māgaya ||
yei ye māgaye, tāre deya āpana-dhana |
gharma-vṛṣṭi sahe, ānera karaye rakṣaṇa ||
uttama hañā vaiṣṇava habe nirabhimāna |
jīve sammāna dibe jāni kṛṣṇa-adhiṣṭhāna ||
ei-mata hañā yei kṛṣṇa-nāma laya |
kṛṣṇera caraṇe tāra prema upajaya ||
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta: 3.20.20–26)
“O Svarūpa and Rāma Rāya! Please listen to the characteristics of the manner of taking the name by which prema manifests. ‘Hari is to be praised always by one who is far lower than even grass, tolerant like a tree, undesirous of respect, and respectful [to all as appropriate].’ [Even] Being exalted, one [still] considers oneself lower than grass. One practices tolerance like a tree in two ways: (1) a tree does not say anything when cut by someone and does not beg for water [even] when drying up and dying, and (2) [a tree] gives to whomever asks whatever wealth of its own [they ask for], and protects others while tolerating the heat and rain. [Even] Being exalted, a Vaiṣṇava should be free from conceit and should give honor to the jīva [i.e., every living being], knowing them to be a dwelling place of Kṛṣṇa. Prema for the feet of Kṛṣṇa manifests for one who, acting like this, takes Kṛṣṇa’s name.”