Lyrics
VERSE 1 I bow to the Lord, eternal, all-knowing, Whose form is eternal and infinite bliss. His earrings are swinging, He shines there in Gokula, He runs from His mother in fear of her stick. Yaśodā runs after Him, faster and faster, And catches the Lord whom no other can catch. REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 2 He cries and He rubs at His eyes with His hands, His frightened eyes restless, His breathing comes quick. Three lines mark His neck like the shell of a conch, The necklace of pearls on His breast gently trembles. The Lord who can never be bound by another Is bound by His mother’s devotion and love. REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 3 By wonderful pastimes like these, little Kṛṣṇa Immerses all Gokula deeply in bliss. He shows those absorbed in His power and greatness That only pure devotion can conquer the Lord. Again and again I bow down before Him, A hundred times over I offer my praise. REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 4 O Lord, I desire no liberation from You, Nor even the highest reward it may bring. I ask only this: may Your beautiful child-form Forever remain in the depths of my heart. This blessing alone is the blessing I long for— What use could I have for another? REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 5 Your beautiful face, framed by soft curling tresses, Is kissed again and again by Your mother. Your lips have the redness of ripened bimba fruit— May this lovely vision remain in my heart. Again may this vision remain in my heart— Thousands of other attainments mean nothing. REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 6 O Dāmodara! Ananta! Viṣṇu! O Master, be pleased and show mercy to me. I am drowning within an ocean of sorrow— Shower Your merciful glance upon me. Lift up this poor and ignorant soul, Lord; Please become visible here to my eyes. REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 7 The sons of Kuvera were bound by a curse, Yet You freed them and gave them devotion to You. As You gave them bhakti, O Lord Dāmodara, Please give that same loving devotion to me. This alone is the blessing I ask of You— For liberation I have no desire. REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. VERSE 8 I bow to the rope that encircles Your belly, I bow to Your belly, the dwelling of worlds. I bow to Your dearly beloved Śrī Rādhā, And bow unto You, Lord of limitless līlā. O Dāmodara, radiant Lord, I bow to You— Again and again I bow down before You. FINAL REFRAIN Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Stay here within my heart. Dāmodara, Dāmodara, Never let me forget You. Dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham, Bound by love, bound by love. Dāmodara… Dāmodara…