Vande Guroh Shree

[Intro: Ancient male monastic voices, unaccompanied, deep solemn drone, vast stone monastery]

[Verse 1: Slow Gregorian plainchant, deep male unison]

The world is consumed by the forest fire,
Of birth and death, of suffering and pain.
The Guru, an ocean of all that is good,
Comes as a cloud of compassion and rain.

[Refrain: Deep monastic choir, sustained sacred chant]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Verse 2: Ancient unmetered chant, solemn male voices]

In Mahaprabhu’s chanting, in dancing and song,
In music, his heart is immersed in delight.
His body is trembling, his hairs stand on end,
And tears of devotion flow forth from his eyes.

[Refrain: Low male voices in unison]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Verse 3: Austere medieval chant, free rhythm]

Each day he is worshiping Radha and Krishna,
Adorning Their forms with garments so fine.
He cleanses Their temple and lovingly serves,
And guides the devotees in service divine.

[Refrain: Ancient monastic organum, open fifths]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Verse 4: Deep solemn male chant]

Four kinds of food offered unto the Lord,
The devotees honor with hearts satisfied.
And seeing the servants of Hari content,
The Guru himself is fulfilled and delighted.

[Refrain: Resonant male choir, slow and unaccompanied]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Interlude: Silence, lingering monastery reverberation]

[Verse 5: Mysterious modal plainchant]

The names and the forms of Sri Radha and Madhava,
Their qualities sweet and Their pastimes of love,
Their sweetness, unbounded, he longs to relish,
At every moment, again and again.

[Refrain: Deep male voices, prolonged final syllables]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Verse 6: Solemn, intimate monastic chant]

Within the green bowers of Vrindavana,
The gopis arrange for the lovers to meet.
So skilled in assisting their loving affairs,
The Guru is cherished and dearly beloved.

[Refrain: Ancient male choir in unison]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Verse 7: Grave, majestic male plainchant]

The scriptures declare him as worthy as Hari,
And saints of devotion regard him as such.
Yet he is the servant most dear to the Lord,
Beloved of Krishna, so close to His heart.

[Refrain: Full monastic choir, restrained power]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Verse 8: Solitary monk, quiet and reverent]

By grace of the Guru, the Lord’s grace is gained,
Without his compassion, no progress is made.
At morning, at noon, and at close of the day,
I praise him, remember, and bow at his feet.

[Final Refrain: Entire monastery chanting, ancient unison, long sustained notes]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam
Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam

[Outro: Solitary male voice, fading into silence]

Vande guroh shree charanaaravindam