You Could Have Stayed in Vrndavana

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Krsna Kirtana Songs est. 2001                                                                                                                                                 www.kksongs.org

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Song Name: You Could Have Stayed in Vrndavana

Official Name: A Poem For Srila Prabhupada

Author: Kalakantha Dasa

Book Name: Back To Godhead

Language: English

LYRICS:

(1)

You could have stayed in Vrndavana,

Where chanting is most sweet,

Or moved to holy Navadvipa,

In spiritual retreat.

(2)

Your Godbrothers had temples there

With room enough for you

To sit and preach each Gaura Purnima

To a visitor or two.

(3)

You could have said, “It’s Krsna’s will-

My visa was denied;

 I may have failed, but now I know,

At least, that I have tried.”

(4)

Your patron said you’d die abroad;

Your Godbrother just scoffed;

You could have said, “Who’ll meet the boat

And guide me safely off?”

(5)

You could have had one look at us

And said, “What have I done?”

And caught the next boat back to home,

Unblamed by anyone.

(6)

“The Westerners,” you could have said,

“Can go to hell and stay.”

Who would have disagreed with you?

We were well on our way.

(7)

Instead you laid your final years

Like flowers at Krsna’s feet,

Siddhanta’s smile your hidden guide,

Thakura’s vision in reach.

(8)

Producing eighty volumes

As you guided us along,

You showed us how to cook prasada

And preach Lord Krsna’s song.

(9)

And as we preach, the boys and girls

From every land on earth

Come forth to serve you, Prabhupada,

Renewed in second birth.

(10)

I could have been a doctor,

Had I but stayed in school;

Might have made a couple million,

Built a fancy house and pool.

(11)

I could have written novels,

Legislated laws and rules;

I could have been a music star;

I could have just been cool.

(12)

Instead I laid my youthful years

Like flowers at your feet;

Malpouras caused my interest,

Samosas my defeat.

(13)

My Dad said, “Son, you’re brainwashed!”

My friend said, “You’re a fool!”

My shortfalls as a Vaisnava

Numbered many, victories few.

(14)

Reflecting on my bygone youth,

(As at mid-life one is prone,)

I wouldn’t trade your glance for gold,

Your words for precious stones.

(15)

This morning on the japa trail,

The northern star shone down;

So fixed and true, it seemed like you,

With devas circling round.

(16)

But dawn concealed that heavenly stage

And lit a wintry scene,

Of all I am, and all you are,

And all that lies between.

REMARKS/EXTRA INFORMATION:

This was written for the fortieth anniversary of ISKCON. It is also featured in Back To Godhead.

UPDATED: October 27, 2015