Shri Vallabhacharya composed the Navaratnam for his disciple Govinda Dube in order to remove the anxieties that were obstructing his Blessed Worship. His advice is clear: when you have dedicated yourself to Shri Krishna, there is simply nothing to worry about. Anxiety always obstructs the flow of devotion.


Worry (cintā api) should never be entertained (na kāryā) by those who have fully surrendered themselves (nivedita ātmabhiḥ kadā api iti). The Lord (bhagavān api), who resides in Grace (puṣṭi sthaḥ), will not lead them to a worldly path (na kariṣyati laukikīṁ ca gatim).

The offering (nivedanaṃ) should indeed be remembered (tu smartavyaṃ) in every way (sarvathā) by such individuals (tādṛśair janaiḥ). The Supreme Lord (sarveśvaraś), who is the soul of all (ca sarvātmā), will act according to His own will (nijecchātaḥ kariṣyati).

The connection to the Lord (sarveṣāṁ prabhu sambandho) applies universally (na pratyekam iti sthitiḥ) rather than individually. Therefore (ataḥ), even in engagements involving others (anya viniyoge api), why harbor anxiety (cintā kā) for oneself, when He too (saḥ api) belongs to it (cet)?

Whether through ignorance (ajñānād) or knowledge (athavā jñānāt), self-surrender (kṛtam ātmanivedanam) is accomplished. For those whose lives (yaiḥ prāṇais) have been sanctified by Krishna (kṛṣṇa sātkṛta), what reason (teṣāṁ kā) could there be for lamentation (paridevanā)?

Similarly (tathā), anxiety (cintā) should be abandoned (tyājyā) when making offerings (nivedane) to Śrī Puruṣottama. Even in engagements (viniyoge api), it too (sā) should be abandoned, as Lord Hari (hariḥ) is inherently capable (samartho hi) by His own will (svataḥ).

In the world (loke) and in the scriptures (tathā vede), Hari (hariḥ tu) does not act to bring complete peace (svāsthyaṁ), as He resides in the path of Grace (puṣṭimārga sthitaḥ yasmat). Therefore, all of you (sākṣiṇaḥ bhavata akhilāḥ) become witnesses to His divine play.

The form of service (sevākṛtiḥ) arises from the Guru's command (guror ājñā) or, at times, from obstacles created by Hari's will (bādhanaṁ vā harīcchayā). Therefore (ataḥ), focus the mind entirely on service (sevā paraṁ cittaṁ vidhāya) and remain happily situated (sthīyatāṁ sukham).

Even if mental agitation arises (citta udvegaṁ vidhāya api), whatever Lord Hari does (hariḥ yadyat karisyati) should be regarded as His divine play (tathaiva tasya līlā iti). With this understanding (matvā), anxiety should be swiftly abandoned (cintāṁ drutaṁ tyajet).

Therefore (tasmāt), with all my being (sarvātmanā), always (nityaṁ), Śrī Kṛṣṇa is my refuge (śrīkṛṣṇaḥ śaraṇaṁ mama). By constantly declaring this (vadadbhiḥ evaṁ satataṁ), one should abide in this state (stheyam iti). This is indeed my conviction (eva me matiḥ).


Thus ends the 'Navaratnam' composed by Shri Vallabhacharya.