When Oh When Will that Day Be Mine?

Kabe Ha’be Bolo Se-Dina āmār

By Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura

Text One
kabe ha’be bolo se-dina āmār
(āmār) aparādha ghuci’, śuddha nāme ruci,
kṛpā-bale ha’be hṛdoye sañcār
TRANSLATION
When, oh when will that day be mine? When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will your mercy shine, when, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Two
tṛṇādhika hīna, kabe nije māni’,
sahiṣṇutā-guṇa hṛdoyete āni’
sakale mānada, āpani amānī,
ho’ye āswādibo nāma-rasa-sār
TRANSLATION
Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree. When will my mind attain this quality? Respectful to all, not expecting their honour, then shall I taste the name’s nectar sublime. When, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Three
dhana jana āra, kobitā-sundarī,
bolibo nā cāhi deho-sukha-karī
janme-janme dāo, ohe gaurahari!
ahaitukī bhakti caraṇe tomār
TRANSLATION
Great wealth or followers, feminine beauty, I won’t care for them or the comforts of my body. Birth after birth give me, Oh Lord Caitanya, causeless devotion to Your feet divine, when, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Four
(kabe) korite śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāma uccāraṇa,
pulakita deho gadgada bacana
baibarṇya-bepathu ha’be saṅghaṭana,
nirantara netre ba’be aśru-dhār
TRANSLATION
When will I utter Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, with words choked up and shivering body? When will I be trembling all over, lose bodily color, tears pouring from my eyes, when, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Five
kabe navadwīpe, suradhunī-taṭe,
gaura-nityānanda boli’ niṣkapaṭe
nāciyā gāiyā, berāibo chuṭe,
bātulera prāya chāriyā bicār.
TRANSLATION
When in Navadvipa along the Ganges bank, shouting ‘Gaura-Nityānanda’ as a surrendered soul, dancing, chanting, running everywhere, when will I become half mad of mind? When, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Six
kabe nityānanda, more kori ‘doyā,
chārāibe mora viṣayera māyā
diyā more nija-caraṇera chāyā,
nāmera hāṭete dibe adhikār
TRANSLATION
When will Lord Nityānanda show mercy upon me, when will I reject the world of māyā? Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet, let the right to preach the name be mine. When, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Seven
kinibo, luṭibo, hari-nāma-rasa,
nāma-rase māti’ hoibo bibaśa
rasera rasika-caraṇa paraśa,
koriyā mojibo rase anibār
TRANSLATION
I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name. By the name’s effect I will feel paralyzed. Oh! Enjoyer of the nectar of the name, When will I touch your lotus feet till the end of time? When, oh when will that day be mine?

Text Eight
kabe jībe doyā, hoibe udoya,
nija-sukha bhuli’ sudīna-hṛdoya
bhakativinoda, koriyā binoya,
śrī-ājñā-ṭahala koribe pracār
TRANSLATION
When kindness to all beings will be appearing, with free heart forget myself comforting, Bhaktivinoda in all humility prays, “Now I will set out to preach Your order sublime.” When, oh when will that day be mine?