छठी समै पितु तन हस्यो तब ते मगनीराम जन॥
कायथ कुल अनुराग सैदपुर ग्राम विशाला।
मण्डुआ तङ्गी तीनि सन्त सेवा अति पाला॥
जेवर अटक्यो वनिक छल तेहि श्याम छुड़ायो।
नृप दशरथ के लाल बाल को दरश दिखायो॥
ख्यात बात कछु काल गत भक्त सुखद तन धाम तन।
छठी समै पितु तन हस्यो तब ते मगनीराम जन॥१२१॥
At his sixth-day birth rite, the infant smiled toward his father's body; from then on he was known as Maganīrāma. Born into a loving Kāyastha family at the large village of Saidapura, he especially sustained service to saints through the three narrow measures of maṇḍuā grain. When jewellery was held back through a merchant's deceit, Śyāma released it and granted him the sight of the child of King Daśaratha. These celebrated events endured for a time; the devotee's joy-giving body then returned to the Abode.
जाल तज्यो जाग्यो धनी सो बैज लाला भलो॥
मोहनपुर महन्तो सुजान हरि कृष्ण उजागर।
अटूट भक्ति घर माहिं पुत्र पौता अति नागर॥
सन्त आनि बहु विनय पूजि भोजन विधि साजै।
सन्त चलत जब अश्रु नैन आँखि छवि छाजै॥
सेवी राख्यो श्याम जू राम भक्त रक्षक बलो।
जाल तज्यो जाग्यो धनी सो बैज लाला भलो॥१२२॥
Good Baijalālā abandoned the net of delusion and awakened as a spiritually wealthy man. A discerning mahant at Mohanapura, he made Hari and Kṛṣṇa's glory manifest. Unbroken devotion filled his household, and his sons and grandsons were highly cultivated. With great humility he invited saints, worshipped them, and arranged their meals. When they departed, tears veiled his eyes. Śyāma kept him in service, and he became a strong protector of Rāma's devotees.
परम तत्व श्रीराम के नाम रूप हरि जन भज्यो॥
सिरसियाधी राम कबीर के वंश प्रधानता।
राम उपासक सन्त छाप सेवा मन मानता॥
प्रति सम्वत श्रीराम जन्म दिन मिथिला जाही।
अनुरागी निर्भिराज मंत्र जपि जिया सिराही॥
जन्म भूमि मिथिला अवनि मोरमऊ इछुमति सज्यो।
परमतत्व श्रीराम के नाम रूप हरिजन भज्यो॥१२३॥
Harijanadāsa worshipped the Name and Form of Śrī Rāma, the supreme Reality. At Sirasiya he held a leading place in Rāmakabīra's lineage. Bearing the mark of a saintly worshipper of Rāma, he honoured service in his heart. Every year on Śrī Rāma's birthday he travelled to Mithilā. Lovingly repeating Nirbhīrāja's mantra, he made his life praiseworthy. His birthplace, Moramau in Mithilā's land, was adorned by the Icchumatī.
हरि व्यास वंश उज्ज्वल बनी राघव श्रीघनश्याम की॥
सेवा सन्त अमान मान श्रद पर उपकारी।
साधक-सिद्ध सुजान ध्यान मति शुद्ध विचारी॥
युगल प्रशंसित भक्त जगत आशा नहि राखी।
फतेहचन्द के प्रेम बंधे अतिमत अभिलाखी॥
मोद पूर्यो सुरतरु अधिक लही भक्ति सुख धाम की।
हरि व्यास वंश उज्ज्वल बनी राघव श्रीघनश्याम की॥१२४॥
Through Rāghava Śrī Ghanaśyāma, Harivyāsa's lineage became radiant. He served saints without pride, honoured others, possessed faith, and worked for their good. A discerning accomplished practitioner, his meditation and understanding were pure. Praised by the divine pair, he maintained no worldly expectation. Bound by love for Fatehacanda, he desired only the highest goal. His joy overflowed; beyond the wish-fulfilling tree, he received devotion to the Abode of bliss.
मूरख जेहि संसार कह सो महान मानस विमल॥
दास अनन्य उदार पार संसार उपारक।
बोथराम वर शिष्य भक्ति दशधा विस्तारक॥
कील स्वामि के वंश प्रगट उत्तम बड़भागी।
राम नाम धुनि मंत्र राम तारक अनुरागी॥
मिथिला भूमि अनादि थल सिद्धाई महिमा प्रबल।
मूरख जेहि संसार कह सो महान मानस विमल॥१२५॥
The one whom the world called "fool" was a great soul of stainless mind. Mūrakhadāsa was generous, single-hearted, and carried others across the worldly ocean. An eminent disciple of Botharāma, he spread tenfold devotion. Appearing in Kīla Svāmī's lineage, he was excellent and greatly blessed. He loved the melody of Rāma's Name and the liberating mantra of Rāma. In the beginningless land of Mithilā, his accomplished glory became powerful.
हंसा हंस विवेक लहि खुद बखरा निधि भक्ति लियो॥
चारि सम्प्रदा सन्त सकल सेवत सम जानी।
रसिक भक्त तिन माहिं बसे सिंह दरवाज ध्यानी॥
कलि पाखंडी वेष मात्र जो जाय दुवारे।
भली भाँति समुझाय देत सुख परम पियारे॥
कील वंश गुरु लहि सरस राम भक्ति पथ दृढ़ कियो।
हंसा हंस विवेक लहि खुद बखरा निधि भक्ति लियो॥१२६॥
Haṃsarāja gained the swan's discernment and at Khudabakharā received the treasure of devotion. Seeing the saints of all four traditions as equal, he served them all. Among them he lived as a rasika devotee, meditating at Siṃha Daravāja. If a hypocrite of Kali, wearing only the outer costume, came to his door, he explained matters thoroughly and gave that person the highest, beloved joy. Receiving a guru from Kīla's lineage, he made the delightful path of Rāma devotion firm.
जनगोविन्द वर सन्त पद ध्यान धरत जन विमल मति॥
जनगोविन्द वर धाम बस्यो वर भजन प्रतापी।
सीताराम पवित्र नाम धुनि मंत्र सुजापी॥
गंगा तट बट निकट समाधी निष्प्रप ध्यानी।
राम कहत बलबीर दरश यह अचरज कहानी॥
साखी निपुण विविध पद सदाव्रती सत सुखद गति।
जनगोविन्द वर सन्त पद ध्यान धरत जन विमल मति॥१२७॥
Pure-minded Janagovinda meditated upon the feet of eminent saints. He lived in the excellent Abode and possessed the spiritual power of noble bhajana. He repeated well the sacred Name of Sītā and Rāma in melody and mantra. Near a banyan on the Gaṅgā's bank, he entered samādhi and meditated beyond worldly display. Calling upon Rāma, Balabīra received a vision—this is the wondrous story. Janagovinda was skilled in sākhīs and many kinds of verse, a lifelong votary whose way gave true happiness.
जनगोविन्द गुरु कृपा ते पूरण पूर्णता लह्यो॥
आकाशी सुमट सुमेदक नाम अघारी।
सबे तजन विहाय गार्हि मंत्रों अधिकारी॥
सहज राम सेवक सुजान सेवा में नागर।
श्रीमोहन वर दास भक्त दशधा के आगर॥
सुन्दर परम विनय जन निष्कलंक सब जन कह्यो।
जनगोविन्द गुरु कृपा ते पूरण पूर्णता लह्यो॥१२८॥
Through Guru Janagovinda's grace, Pūraṇa attained completeness. Ākāśī, Sumata, and Sumedaka were noted by name. Abandoning everything and leaving the household, they became qualified in the mantras. Sahaja was a discerning servant of Rāma, cultivated in service. Eminent Śrī Mohanadāsa was a repository of tenfold devotion. Beautiful and supremely humble, he was called stainless by everyone.
वैराग्य लह्यो संसार तजि राम चरण प्रिय दास भयो॥
जानकि वल्लभ कुञ्ज महल रस रीति उपासी।
रसिक सन्त जन सकल प्रशंसत अति सुख रासी॥
भक्तमाल को कृपा सन्त जन मन आकर्षत।
नाभाजू की कृपा भाव की वर्षा वर्षत॥
अग्रआनन्द द्वारा प्रगटि अष्टयामि रस पथ लयो।
वैराग्य लह्यो संसार तजि रामचरण प्रिय दास भयो॥१२९॥
Attaining detachment and abandoning the world, Rāmacaraṇa became the Lord's beloved servant. He worshipped according to the discipline of rasa in Jānakīvallabha's grove-palace. All rasika saints praised this great treasury of happiness. By its grace, the Bhaktamāla attracted saintly hearts, and through Nābhājū's grace it showered a rain of sacred feeling. Manifest through Agrānanda's gateway, he entered the path of eightfold daily rasa-service.
रामदयाल भागवत मति विप्र भक्त जन मन सुखद॥
तेजबहादुर सुजान भक्ति विस्तार नेम कर।
राम उपासक छाप सरस गुण गान प्रेम भर॥
भक्तमाल अनुराग आपनी कथा निरंतर।
भक्त चरण अनुराग महाशय स्वच्छ स्वतंत्र॥
वेनीमाधव सुवन वर रामभक्त सज्जन विशद।
रामदयाल भागवत मति विप्र भक्त जनमन सुखद॥१३०॥
Rāmadayāla was a brāhmaṇa of Bhāgavata understanding who delighted devotees' hearts. Discerning Tejabahādura observed disciplines that spread devotion. Bearing the mark of a Rāma-worshipper, he lovingly sang refined divine virtues. Devoted to the Bhaktamāla, he continually related his own story. The noble soul was freely and purely attached to devotees' feet. Benīmādhava's eminent son was a lucid, good devotee of Rāma.
परम भक्त सेवक सुजन मगह धरा पावन करी॥
नरसो अभागी सन्त सुखद जिम्मिदार अनूठो।
सेवत प्रीति समेत शुभ गति पावत जूठो॥
निंदा गई तब सन्त विहुल आये दरवाजे।
भाजउड़ा तमई श्याम साजि दियो समाजे॥
परि उपास भैरिहूँ लह्यो जोरी भुज दावन घरी।
परम भक्त सेवक सुजन मगह धरा पावन करी॥१३१॥
This good servant and supreme devotee made the soil of Magadha holy. Although Narasau was called unfortunate, he was an extraordinary steward who brought happiness to saints. Serving with love, even sacred remnants led to a blessed destiny. When provisions were exhausted and a distressed saint came to the doorway, Bhājauḍā and Tamaī Śyāma arranged an offering for the assembly. Even while fasting he remained in worship; Jorī stood with arms joined at the appointed hour.
अति मधुर कथा वर मित्रता हरेराम हरिलाल की॥
एक लली मिथिलेश लली वृक्षमाल सुता की।
श्रीसरयू तट कुञ्ज एक समता तट एका॥
रसिक सजाती युगल ध्यान की टेक विवेका।
एक बसे हरिवंश पथ एक मलूक कृपाल की॥
अति मधुर कथा वर मित्रता हरेराम हरिलाल की॥१३२॥
Most sweet is the story of the noble friendship between Harerāma and Harilāla. One was a companion of Mithileśa's daughter, the other of Vṛṣabhānu's daughter. One belonged to a grove beside Śrī Sarayū, the other to a corresponding bank. Kindred rasikas, both rested discerningly upon meditation on the divine pair. One followed Harivaṃśa's path, the other the way of Malūka Kṛpāla.
हरेराम गुरु कृपा ते देवा गुणगण विमल मति॥
श्रीमिथिलेश कुमारि चरण पंकज धरधारी।
उत्तम पथ श्रुतसार भक्ति दशधा अधिकारी॥
पंचाध्याई राम रास पाठक नित नेमी।
अष्टयामि वासी रसाल चरनत वर प्रेमी॥
बाल अली निस्तर सरस ध्यान मंजरी कंठ गति।
हरेराम गुरु कृपा ते देवा गुणगण विमल मति॥१३३॥
Through Guru Harerāma's grace, Devā became pure-minded and rich in virtues. He held fast to the lotus feet of Mithileśa's daughter. Following the excellent path and the essence of revelation, he was qualified in tenfold devotion. Disciplined daily, he recited the five chapters of Rāma's rāsa. Dwelling in the eightfold daily service, he was an eminent lover who moved in its sweetness. Bāla Alī and Nistara carried the delectable meditation on the mañjarī in their voices.
गुरु सतगुरु को इष्ट दोउ एक समुझि दोनों तरयो॥
हरेराम जीवन सु छाप पद एक जु राखे।
हरि जीवन की छाप इष्ट हरिलाल जु भाखे॥
कबहुँ लखे समता सकल सरयू तट कुञ्जें।
बरसाने ललि कबहुँ सरस मिथिला छवि पुञ्जें॥
गुण अनन्य वर सन्त पद सेवत रस दोनों चरयो।
गुरु सतगुरु को इष्ट दोउ एक समुझि दोनों तरयो॥१३४॥
Each understood the chosen Lord of his guru and true guru to be one, and both crossed over. Harerāma maintained a single devotional stamp in Jīvana's lineage, while Harilāla proclaimed the chosen Lord through the stamp of Harijīvana. At times they perceived complete correspondence in the groves along Sarayū's bank: the maiden of Barasānā and the beautiful mass of Mithilā's splendour. Single-hearted in virtue and serving eminent saints' feet, both moved within rasa.
जीवनराम सु जानकी नाम श्रद्धाता जुरि भली॥
हरेराम हरिलाल इष्ट को ध्यान धरत हैं।
जीवन गुरु के चरण शरण बाणी उच्चरत हैं॥
सन्तन के वल्लभ ठाकुर मंदिर पधराये।
श्रीप्रमोद वृन्दावन दोउ मन अति भाये॥
युगल ध्यान सेवा युगल युगल सुरूप कवितावली।
जीवन रामप्रसाद को नाम श्रद्धाता जुरि भली॥१३५॥
Jīvanarāma and Jānakī were well joined in reverence for the Name. Harerāma and Harilāla meditated upon their chosen Lord and spoke words of refuge at Guru Jīvana's feet. They installed beloved Ṭhākura in the saints' temple. Śrī Pramodavana and Vṛndāvana were both exceedingly dear to their minds. Their poetry celebrated meditation and service to the pair and the lovely Forms of both divine pairs. Jīvana and Rāmaprasāda were well joined as faithful bearers of the Name.
ठाकुर गोपीनाथ के पूजा पर द्विज विमल जन॥
वल्लभजु के वंश उदित गुरु पाय उजागर।
रूपवंत गुण शील भक्तों सेवा विधि नागर॥
वसीकरण मनहरण भक्त गायक जन आवें।
तिनमें श्रीगोपालचन्द अद्भुत गुण गावें॥
कीर्तन यज्ञ अनुपम रहनि ठाकुर जन युगल मन।
ठाकुर गोपीनाथ के पूजा पर द्विज विमल जन॥१३६॥
A stainless brāhmaṇa served as priest of Ṭhākura Gopīnātha. Arising in Vallabhajū's lineage and finding his guru, he became renowned. Handsome, virtuous, and well conducted, he was cultivated in the method of serving devotees. Captivating singers and devotees came to him; among them Śrī Gopālacanda sang wondrous virtues. His way was an incomparable sacrifice of kīrtana, and his mind rested in the divine pair.
पुत्र सुपाटलि प्रगट थल शुचि महान रसिकन सुखद॥
नथूदास नंदन अमित गुण गान प्रवीना।
दशधा विमल विनोद रास रस ज्यों जल मीना॥
सीताराम निकुञ्ज केलि रसिकन की वानी।
विविध पदावलि करउ सावनी छवि सरसानी॥
ब्याह वितान लह्यो सरस सारी रामकृपा निषद।
पुत्र सुपाटलि प्रगट थल शुचि महान रसिकन सुखद॥१३७॥
This eminent son appeared at Supāṭali, a pure and great place that delighted rasikas. Nathūdāsa's son, he was skilled in singing countless virtues. In the stainless joy of tenfold devotion and the rasa of the rāsa, he moved like a fish in water. He gave voice to rasikas of Sītā and Rāma's grove-play, composing many sequences of verses that made Śrāvaṇa's beauty full of rasa. By Rāma's grace he received a delectable foundation in the wedding canopy and the Sārī tradition.
जगन्नाथ हरि भक्ति पथ बोधक सुजान विमल मति॥
सीताराम रहस्य कथा उर अंतर राखे।
श्रीभागवत प्रमाण भक्ति की परता भाखे॥
वक्ता प्रबल रसज्ञ भव्य भाविक वर पंडित।
आचार्य महंत प्रवर अनवद्य प्रतिष्ठित॥
निरगुण विविध हित मत पोषक-शोषक काल गति।
जगन्नाथ हरि भक्ति पथ बोधक सुजान विमल मति॥१३८॥
Jagannātha was a discerning and stainless-minded teacher of Hari's path of devotion. He kept the secret narratives of Sītā and Rāma within his heart and, on the authority of the Śrī Bhāgavata, proclaimed devotion's supremacy. A powerful speaker and knower of rasa, he was an eminent learned devotee, an irreproachably established ācārya and mahant. He nourished the many beneficial teachings of the attributeless Reality and consumed the course of time that consumes all things.
जानकीवल्लभ प्रेम पथ रसिक जानकीदास लह्यो॥
पुर पाटलि के सुवन मध्य वसि भक्ति दृढ़ायो।
रसिक गुरु निज पाय भाव सारी तन पायो॥
विरह अंग नैना कज्जल आँसू सज्ज आयो।
भाविक सकल प्रशंसि अवली चरणन सिर नायो॥
पुरुखतनी माण्डवीशजी उत्सव तन रसिकन कह्यो।
जानकीवल्लभ प्रेम पथ रसिक जानकीदास लह्यो॥१३९॥
Rasika Jānakīdāsa attained Jānakīvallabha's path of love. Living among the sons of Pāṭalipura, he made his devotion firm. Finding his own rasika guru, he received the Sārī disposition in his very body. In the limb of separation, tears came to adorn his eyes like collyrium. All devotional souls praised him, and he bowed his head to the lineage's feet. Rasikas recounted his person at Māṇḍavīśajī's festival.
पूर्वकाल परम भक्त ए अच्युत कुल पालक भये॥
केवतरामहि मस्तराम रोजा सुख रासी।
विष्णु स्वामी सम्प्रदा ईशुरा सन्त उपासी॥
लछमनदास महन्त सन्त कोंवर अति नीको।
तुलसी आरख कथा रसम अनुरागी जीको॥
जिनके सहज स्वभावही राम भक्ति ठाकुर लये।
पूर्व काल परम भक्त ए अच्युत कुल पालक भये॥१४०॥
In earlier times these supreme devotees became guardians of Acyuta's lineage: Kevatarāma, Mastarāma, and Rojā, a treasury of joy; Īśurā, a saintly worshipper in Viṣṇusvāmī's tradition; Mahant Lachimanadāsa and the excellent saint Koṃvara; and Tulasī Ārakha, whose heart loved the rasa of sacred narrative. By their very nature they took Rāma devotion as their Lord.