Rama Kaho Ghanasyama Kaho
(refrain) (śrī)
rāma kaho ghanaśyāma kaho jaya
bolo sītā rāma re (terī)
bīt rahī hai umariyā jaya
bolo ghanaśyāma re
Refrain: Chant the name of Rama! Chant the name of Ghanasyama! Oh chant "all glories to Sita Rama!" Alas, Your life is passing by you, so chant the name of Ghanasyama!
madhura
madhura jaga ke sapanoṅ meṅ tune
janama gaṅwāyā kabhī
na mana mandira meṅ pyāre tune
hari ko dhyāyā dāṅva
lage nā pūrī lage nā
lāge cintām re
You have wasted your birth dreaming of very sweet dreams of the world. Oh my dear one, you haven't installed a temple in your heart and you haven't worshipped Lord Hari! You take a constant gamble with your life, yet you have no worries about it!
kadam
kadam par pāp anekoṅ tune
nita hī kamāyā kabhī
nā sata-saṅgata meṅ jāke tune
hari guṇa gāyā jhūṭhī
kāyā jhūṭhī māyā kyūṅ
tu bane g̣ulām re
At every step of yours, you have regularly accumulated many sins. You have not associated with devotees and sung the glories of Lord Hari! With a false body and false illusion surrounding you, why have you become a slave to this?
hāṅḍa
māṁsa kā tana yeh terā āj
hai, kal nā rahe hāthī
ghoḍā mahala khazānā koī
saṅga nā jāye yeh
tadaka bhanaka yeh camaka damaka nā
devegī kuch kāma re
The bones and flesh of your body is here today, but won't exist tomorrow. Your elephants, horses, palace, and wealth will not accompany you after death. This momentary hint of shine and glamour will not serve any purpose to you.
ceta
are māṭī ke putale hai
naśvar terī kāyā cār
dinoṅ kī zindagānī meṅ tu
kāhe bharamāyā ab
dhyāna karo gunagāna karo lo
rādhe śyāma ke nāma re
O soul! Your body that is made of doll made of the elements of this earth is mortal. In this very short lifespan, why are you bewildering? At least now, mediate, chant the glories and the qualities, and take the name of Radhe Syama!
Translation
Refrain: Chant the name of Rama! Chant the name of Ghanasyama! Oh chant "all glories to Sita Rama!" Alas, Your life is passing by you, so chant the name of Ghanasyama!
You have wasted your birth dreaming of very sweet dreams of the world. Oh my dear one, you haven't installed a temple in your heart and you haven't worshipped Lord Hari! You take a constant gamble with your life, yet you have no worries about it!
At every step of yours, you have regularly accumulated many sins. You have not associated with devotees and sung the glories of Lord Hari! With a false body and false illusion surrounding you, why have you become a slave to this?
The bones and flesh of your body is here today, but won't exist tomorrow. Your elephants, horses, palace, and wealth will not accompany you after death. This momentary hint of shine and glamour will not serve any purpose to you.
O soul! Your body that is made of doll made of the elements of this earth is mortal. In this very short lifespan, why are you bewildering? At least now, mediate, chant the glories and the qualities, and take the name of Radhe Syama!
Notes
This song was sung by late Kaviraja prabhu during a recording at ISKCON Mumbai in 1981 released through Krishna Culture. It was rendered in Raga Kafi in Kaherva Tala.