भज सर्वात्मना विप्र यदि मुक्तिमभीप्ससि
Worship with your whole being, O brahmin, if you desire liberation.
राक्षसाश्च न चेक्षन्ते नरं विष्णुपरायणम्
Even the rākṣasas do not look upon a man devoted to Viṣṇu.
श्रेयांसि तस्य सिध्यन्ति भक्तिमन्तो ऽधिकास्ततः
For him, the highest goods are accomplished; those devoted with bhakti are superior because of that.
तौ करौ लफलौ ज्ञेयौ विष्णुपूजापरौ तु यौ
Those two hands that are engaged in the worship of Viṣṇu should be understood as fruitful.
सा जिह्वा प्रोच्यते सद्भिर्हरिनामपरा तु या
That tongue which is devoted to the names of Hari is called noble by the virtuous.
तत्त्वं गुरुसमं नारित नत देवः केशवात्परः
There is no reality equal to the guru; there is no deity higher than Keśava.
असारे ऽस्मिंस्त संसारे सत्यं हरिसमर्चनम्
In this insubstantial world, truly, the worship of Hari is real.
हरिभक्तिकुटारेण च्छित्त्वात्यन्तसुखी भव
Cut through with the axe of devotion to Hari and become supremely happy.
ते श्रोत्रे तत्कथासारपूरिते लोकवन्दिते
Those ears filled with the essence of his stories are honored by the world.
आकाशमध्यगं देवं भज नारद संततम्
O Nārada, constantly worship the Lord who dwells in the midst of the sky.
निर्देष्टुं मुनिशार्दूल द्रष्टुं वाप्यकृतात्मभिः
O best of sages, he cannot be pointed out or seen by those whose minds are unpurified.
जाग्रदित्युच्यते सद्भिरन्तर्यामी सनातनः
The eternal indweller is called 'awake' by the wise.
स्वपन्निच्युच्यते ह्यात्मा यदा स्वापविवर्जितः
The self is said to be 'dreaming' when it is devoid of deep sleep.
अस्वरुपो यदात्मासौ पुण्यापुण्यविवर्जितः
When the self is without its own form, free from merit and demerit—
परब्रह्ममयो देवः सुषुत्प इति गीयते
Then the Lord, composed of the supreme Brahman, is called 'deep sleep.'
विद्युद्विलोलं विप्रेन्द्र भघज तस्माज्जनार्दनम्
O best of Brahmins, therefore worship Janārdana, who is like lightning, flickering.
वर्तते यस्य तस्यैव तुष्यते जगतां पतिः
The Lord of the worlds is pleased only with the one in whom he abides.
तस्य तुष्टो जगन्नाथो मधुकैटभमर्द्दनः
The Lord of the universe, the slayer of Madhu and Kaiṭabha, is pleased with him.
सत्सङ्गो निरहं कारस्तस्य प्रीतो रमापतिः
Through association with the good and absence of ego, the Lord of Lakṣmī is pleased with him.
करोति सततं यस्तु तस्य प्रीतो ह्यधोक्षजः
He who always acts thus is indeed pleasing to Adhokṣaja.
तस्यास्तुष्टो जगन्नाथो ददाति स्वपदं मुने
When the Lord of the universe is pleased with her, He grants her His own abode, O sage.
देवपूजापराश्चैव तेषां तुष्यति केशवः
Those who are devoted to worshipping the gods, Keśava is satisfied with them.
मा कुरुष्व ह्यहङ्कारं विद्युल्लोलश्रिया वृथा
Do not indulge in pride, for fleeting wealth is as unstable as lightning.
राजादिभिर्धनं बाध्यं सम्पदः क्षणभङ्गुराः
Wealth is troubled by kings and others; riches are destroyed in a moment.
हतं च भोजनाद्यैश्च कियदायुः समाहृतम्
How much life is gathered, which is lost through food and other enjoyments?
कियद्विषयभोगैश्च कदा धर्मान्करिष्यति
How much is spent in sensual pleasures, and when will one perform righteous deeds?
वयस्येव ततो धर्मान्कुरु त्वमनहङ्कृतः
Therefore, while you are young, perform righteous deeds without pride.
वरुर्विनाशनिलयमापदां परमं पदम्
The highest state is the refuge from calamities and destruction.
किमर्थं शाश्वतधिया कुर्यात्पापं नरो वृथा
Why should a man commit sin in vain, with the thought of permanence?
विश्वासो नात्र कर्त्तव्यो निश्चितं मृत्युसंकुले
One should not place trust here, certainly, in the midst of death's uncertainty.