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para janame hobe radha

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Jagat

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When I was a babaji in India, one of my most memorable experiences came when travelling on one of those long distant locals north of Katwa. I was headed to Rampur Hat, which is the nearest train station to Ekchakra, the birthplace of Lord Nityananda.

 

North of Katwa, things really change. You lose practically all vestiges of modern India; no more Calcutta babus commuting. Nor is it anything like those long-distant trains between Calcutta and Delhi, or an air-conditioned super express train from Howrah to Madras. This is a local slow train, winding through the backside of Bengal into the Santal Paraganas of Bihar.

 

None of those commuter cars of hawkers with their milk and begun baskets, the floor ankle deep in rotting banana leaves and tossed out guavas. This is all small-market stuff. A party of Santals going to a marriage in a distant village. But it’s also Baul country and it was a Baul musician who very strongly affected me with the following song.

 

He was dressed in white and playing the ektara one-stringed gourd instrument, jingling his ankle bells to give the rhythm. He sang with so much feeling, and the minute he uttered Radha’s name, I was totally absorbed in his song. Though other people were there in the train, which was only moderately crowded, I felt that he was singing just for me. Before it was over, tears were pouring from my eyes. I literally emptied my pockets for that Baul busker, and I would do it again. I felt that I could even become a Baul just for this song.

 

Recently, I found the same song on a CD “Musique du monde” called “Inde: Chants d’initiation des Bauls de Bengale.” When I saw the title, I immediately bought the record. Though on the whole, there is some pretty bad singing on this album, luckily the 8’45” version by Paban Das Baul of “Be born as Radha in your next life” (as the title is given there), with dotara and kartal accompaniment, is every bit as good as I remember it from that day. I transcribed it as best as I could, with all the repetitions and everything, and provide a translation. This is Radha, cursing Krishna to become Gauranga.

 

<h1><center>Be born as Radha in your next life.</h1></center>

 

Refrain:

 

<center>para janame amari moton

radha hoio tumi priya

para janame amari moton

radha hoio tumi priya

 

In your next life, O dear one,

become like me, Radha.

 

(1)

 

sundara viraha -- mone hobe jena

sundara viraha -- mone hobe jena

keno kande braja-bala

para-janame hobe radha

 

para janame amari moton

radha hoio tumi priya

 

You will the separation from your handsome lover,

then you will know why the girls of Braja cried.

You will be Radha in your next life.

In your next life, O dear one,

become Radha like me.

 

(2)

shyama raya

kandiya kandiya amari moton tumi

kandiya krishna krishna nama vadane bolibe

kandiya kandiya amari moton tumi

kandiya krishna krishna nama vadane bolibe

na maniya monodi badha

 

para janame hobe radha

para janame amari moton

radha hoia tumi priya

 

Like me, you will cry and cry,

And crying, call out Krishna’s name.

Like me, you will cry and cry,

And crying, call out Krishna’s name,

without any regard for the world outside.

 

You will be Radha in your next life.

In your next life, O dear one,

become Radha like me.

 

(3)

bujhibe jokhon narira bedon

shyama raya shyama raya

bujhibe jokhon narira bedon

radhar porane koto byetha

para janame hobe radha

 

para janame amari moton

radha hoia tumi priya

 

Then you will understand how much women suffer,

Just how Radha’s life is full of pain.,

Shyama, O Shyama!

Then you will understand how much women suffer,

Just how Radha’s life is full of pain.,

 

You will be Radha in your next life.

In your next life, O dear one,

become Radha like me.

 

(4)

kandayacho shyama tumi kandibe temoni

shyama raya shyama raya

kandayacho shyama tumi kandibe temoni

kandibo na ami kothin pashaniya

 

para janame hoio radha

para janame amari moton

radha hoio tumi priya

 

O Shyama, then you will cry,

just as you made me cry.

Shyama O Shyama.

O Shyama, then you will cry,

just as you made me cry.

But I won’t cry, I’ll be as hard as stone.

 

You will be Radha in your next life.

In your next life, O dear one,

become Radha like me.

 

(5) [Repeats first verse.]

 

sundara viraha mone hobe jeno

keno kande braja-bala

keno kande braja-bala

sundara viraha mone hobe jeno

keno kande braja bala

keno kande braja bala

 

As you experience separation from your beautiful lover,

you will know why the girls of Braja cried.

As you experience separation from your beautiful lover,

you will know why the girls of Braja cried.

 

You will be Radha in your next life.

In your next life, O dear one,

become Radha like me.

 

(6)

 

tomara banshi-ti amara vinati

tomara banshi-ti amara vinati

eki sudhechilo sadha

para janame hoio radha

poro jonome amari moton

 

radha hoio tumi priya.. priya

radha hoio tumi priya.. priya

poro jonome amari moton

radha hoio tumi priya.. priya

 

I humbly pray to your flute,

I humbly pray to your flute,

I have revealed to you this, my desire.

 

You will be Radha in your next life.

In your next life, O dear one,

become Radha like me.

 

 

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