ASHTADAS PRINCIPLES OF SWAMI SRI HARIDASJI

1. jioun hi jioun tum raakhat ho - Our life is in the hands of Hari who has full control over us. We are like a caged bird in this body and we wish to come out of it but are unable to do so because we have to live according to the wishes of Bihariji who is our well wisher.

2. kaaho ko bus naahin tumaari kripa te hoi Bihari biharini - What ever good things we are enjoying are gifts to us by Kunj Bihariji. Maya cannot give us any happiness. In fact the so called happiness given to us by maya is very harmful to us because it keeps us away from our beloved Bihariji. Hence we should always pray and request Bihariji to bless us so that we never forget him an always remember him only because only he is our
savoir.

3. kabhoo kabhoo mun it ut jaath - The jeeva or living beings are finding happiness from all sources which are deceiving us. Oh my dear munn (mind) have darshan of KunjBihari in order to get joy and peace. Nothing else can give you so much joy as his utmost beautiful form. Swami shri Haridas ji say OH mind go on looking at the beautiful face of beloved Bihariji.

4.Hari bhaj re hari bhaj - Swamiji says Oh maan Hari has given you this human form after crossing 84 lakh species. Why are you treating it like a broken glass running after meager happiness such as money, women, and luxuries which are short lived. Don’t waste your precious time instead why don’t you remember Bihariji and do his japa constantly. Whatever is in your fate you will get it without striving hard for it, just as death comes within a blink of the eye you will get whatever is in your destiny.

5. he Hari moso naa bigaarin ko toso naa swaarin ko - Oh Bihariji you are so compassionate but I am such a conditioned person that I am always indulging in bad deeds but it is your nature to always save me and help me when ever I am in any trouble We both are experts in our deeds, I in spoiling things, and you in improving them. There is a strong competition between us and I am sure both of us will remain equal and win each other.

6. Bande akhtiar bhala chit na doola - Swami ji advices us to make use of the human body which has been given to us so that we can get out of the cycle of birth and death. Even adishankracharya in his work Bhaj Govindam has advised man to come out of punurapi janamam punurapi maranam so that he is free from the world which is full of miseries, sorrow, pain, old age sickness etc. Swamiji says why don’t you contemplate. And meditate on the ever smiling face of Bihariji.

7. Hith to ki je kamalnain so jaa hith kea age sab hith fike - Swamiji says Oh maan If you want to LOVE , then love only Bihariji or love those people who are deeply engrossed in Bihariji so that all your sins are washed away. The color of materialistic love is temporary which is short lived but the love which is made out of the scent of flowers is permanent. Hence love only Bihariji whose eyes are like a lotus flower and nobody else because all other relations are tasteless.

8. Tinka jion biaar ke bus - Swamiji in this couplet gives the example of a straw which is dependant on the wind which can take it to any place it likes. In the same way jeeva is also dependant on maya which takes man to all places where he should not go. However if one remembers Bihariji he will not be misled. He will not have to suffer because he will get peace and happiness only at the lotus feet of Bihariji.

9. Sansaar samudra mnushaya meen nakar - Swamiji says that this world is like an ocean and we are the fish living in this ocean. We are attached to the crocodiles found in this ocean which are in the form of artha , dharm, kama and moksha . For that we have to keep on coming back in the form of a living being and bear the pangs of maya which makes sure that we lead a miserable life full of problems. In case any body takes shelter in the lotus feet of Bihariji he can be free from this bondage and will not have to come back again and again to bear the worldly miseries.

10. Hari ke naam ko aalas kat karat he re - Swamiji points out to the materialistic people look at their attachments towards the world. These people do not realize that one day death will take you away by its icy hands and you will not be able to do anything to save your self. The treasure which you collected by all means, fair and unfair, will not go with you. So wake up and shed away your laziness and meditate on the lovely face and name of Bihariji who has opened his arms to take you to his abode which is you real home.

11. Dekho inn logo ki laavavni - Swaminji here refers to those people who are attached to the luxuries and are engrossed in mine and thine. To such people swamiji warns them why they are wasting their human birth which is very difficult to get after going through so many species of cockroach, rats, worms etc. This is a good opportunity for a person to free himself from life and death cycle .At the time of death the doots of yamraj will not spare you and will take you away mercilessly. Your life will be worthwhile only if you remember Bihariji who will hold your hand lovingly and take you away without any pain because every one who is born has to die one day.

12. mann lagai preeti keeje - Swamiji advices his devotees to love the guru mantra given in his guru shishya parampara. If possible live in Vrindavan and sweep the streets there. Make the garlands of flowers for Bihariji and offer it to him. Swamji says just as a cow’s attention is always towards her baby calf and a deer’s attention is towards her kid although she is roaming here and there we should always focus our attention on Bihariji like a milk maid focuses all her attention on the milk pot on her head although she may talk with every person she meets.

13. Hari ko aise he sab khel - Swamiji say the the way of Hari are very unique. Everything in this world is short lived. Man’s life is around 100 years but this time passes so quickly that he hardly realizes its time for him to go back from this world although he does not wish to leave inspite of undergoing so many miseries. Swamiji has compared our life to those people who go on a pilgrimage for a few days and then part never to meet again. Same way our relatives are like those pilgrims who never meet again after etc.

14. jhooti baat sanchi kari deekhawat ho hari naagr - Swamiji says this world is all false Everything is like dream .Bihariji is going on knitting one day and undoing it the next day. It is advisable that we don’t get too attached because then it will be difficult to leave this world. Hence we should only be attached to Bihariji who is the only truth.

15. Jagat preet kar dekhi - Swamiji says I have observed every one whom I loved but come to a conclusion that I can not be permantly be tied to any one. He says why are you wasting your time being attached with someone who is only temporary. Your true friend is Bihariji alone and no one else. May every one become His friend only.

16. Log to bhulen bhale bhulen - In this stanza swaminji is addressing the devotees who have taken guru mantra that if other people have forgotton Bihariji, they have an excuse of being ignorant but why are the maladhari people that is those who are wearing a kanti malla forgetting Bihariji. He gives the example of a prostitute who leaves her huband and joins other men’s company. Swami ji says have faith in Bihariji alone and don’t play a double game by going to other demigods for your protection If you have held Bihariji’s hand then do not let it go hold on to it tightly and don’t behave like a prositute and seek other gods.

17. jolojeeve tolo hari bhajre mun - Swamii says oh jeev you are so engrossed in maya that you think no end of your self You are so proud and haughty about your possessions that you are not even aware that soon you will leave every thing as it is. At the time of your death none of your possessions will help you . You will seek help from everyone but they all will look at you helplessly so seek only Bihariji who alone will be by your side in time of need.

18. Prem samudra roop ras gahre kese laage ghaat - In the last stanza of swamiji’s 18 principles he has tried to explain that we must go deeper and deeper in our self and realize the supreme truth only then we can enjoy the ecstasy of our inner self which is the true image of Bihariji and Bihariji alone.