Vaishnava Samhita. Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 15 - 20

Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 15 - 20

नवदुर्गे महाकाली माहेक्ष्वरि नमोस्तु ते |

चामुण्डायै चण्डिकायै भवान्यै ते नमो नमः ||

प्रकृतिं विकृतिं मायां व्यक्ताव्यक्तस्वरूपिणीम् |

नमामि शक्तिं परमां बन्धमोक्षविधायिनीम् ||

ज्ञानशक्तिं कृयाशक्तिमिच्छाशक्तिं नमाम्यहम् |

नमामि च महाशक्तिं परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणीम् ||

तमेव परमात्मानं पापनाशाय धीमहि |

योsन्तर्हदयमाविश्य ज्ञानशक्तिं प्रचोदयेत् ||

ह्लादिनीं प्रणमामि त्वां परमानन्दरूपिणीम् |

बब्रह्मानुभूतिं दत्वा मे मदज्ञानं विनाशाय ||

संध्यादेवि नमस्तुभ्यं सावित्र्यै ते नमो नमः |

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं गायत्र्यै ते नमो नमः ||

Navadurga! Mahakali! Maheshwari! Chamundi! Chandika! Bhavani! My obeisances to You. My prayers to You, Oh, Vishnumaya, the creative force of Lord Vishnu! You are the greatest of all shakes responsible both for bondage and freedom from bonds. You are the formless creation and nature. You are the source of all creation, and You are the visible manifestations. I bow to You, who are the Gnanashakti, the Kriyashakti and the Ichcha Shakti (the forces of wisdom, action and divine will). You are the Supreme Being dwelling in the human heart and inducing divine wisdom. I ponder upon You to attain sanctity and purity of heart. I pray to You, who are the fountainhead of action and the very personification of supreme bliss. Please bless me with the realization of the Brahman and remove my nescience. I bow to You, Oh, Sandhya Devi! Oh, Savitri! Gayatri, Oh, Saraswati!

Vaishnava Samhita. Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 11 - 14

Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 11 - 14

रामकृष्ण उवाच

नमस्तेसु जगन्मातर्नमस्ते परमेक्ष्वरि |

सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिण्यै सर्वज्ञायै नमोस्तु ते ||

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवार्धाङ्गवासिन्यै ते नमो नमः |

सृष्टिस्थितिलयादीनां हेतवे ते नमो नमः ||

वीणापुस्तकधारिण्यै सरस्वत्यै नमोस्तु ते |

ब्रह्मविद्ये महाविद्ये सर्वविद्ये नमोस्तु ते ||

शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मधारिण्यै ते नमो नमः |

सर्वमङ्गलदायिन्यै महालक्ष्म्यै नमो नमः ||

Shri Ramakrishna said

Oh! Mother! Oh! Goddess! You are the embodiment of all Shakti. You are omniscient. My obeisances to You. You dwell in the person of the Hindu Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and are part of them. You are the motivating force behind the three great deeds of creation, maintenance and absorption. My obeisances to You. I pray to You, who appear as Devi Saraswati adorned with a Veena and a book, depicting the secret doctrine of divine knowledge. I pray to You, who appear, holding the conch, the disc, the mace and the lotus flower in Your four hands, in the form of Devi Lakshmi, who bestows all good.

Vaishnava Samhita. Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 8-10

Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 8-10

आविरासीद्ब्रह्मविद्या गायत्री परमेक्ष्वरी |

शुद्धस्फटिकसङ्काशा शुभ्रज्योतिःस्वरूपिणी ||

चिन्मुद्राङ्कितहस्तजा च ज्ञानवैराग्यदायिनी |

पाण्डुरक्षौमवसना नासाग्रन्यस्तवीक्षणा ||

तां निरीक्ष्य महायोगी बद्धाञ्जलिपुटस्तदा |

तुष्टाव प्रणतक्ष्चासौ जगतां मातरं द्विजः ||

Devi Gayatri, very personification of Brahma-Vidhya was pleased with him. Hence the Devi shining like spotless white marble, gave him darshan in the form of dazzling light. Devi Parmeshwari appeared with the chinmudra (Audra of supreme wisdom) bestowing wisdom and detachment. She was clad in shimmering white and Her eyes slightly cast downwards. Looking at Devi Gayatri, the mother of the entire universe, the yogi experienced bliss. He prayed to Her with folder palms.

Vaishnava Samhita. Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 5 - 7

Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 5 - 7

आसीज्जयपुरे कक्ष्चिद्विप्र षोडशवार्षिकः |

उपनीतः कुलीनक्ष्च गायत्रीजपतत्परः ||

पितृभक्तो विनीतक्ष्च रामकृष्ण इति श्रुतः |

विवेकी च विरक्तक्ष्च विष्णुभक्तिपरायणः ||

संभूता ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा तस्य पुण्यात्मनः स्वयम् |

ततो जजाप गायत्रीं योगासनसमास्थितः ||

In Jaipur, there was a sixteen yer old brahmana named Shri Ramakrishna. He had great devotion for Shri Vishnu. He was a very wise man of renunciation born in a noble family. He had a lot of reverence born in a noble family. He had a lot of reverence for his parents. He was very humble and was adorned with the sacred thread. With great involvement, he used to chant the Gayatri Mantra regularly and systematically. That exalted personality devoted a pious desire of realizing the ‘brahman’. Hence he used to chat the Gayatri Mantra sitting in a yogic posture.

Vaishnava Samhita. Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 1 - 4

Ramakrishna Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 18 Shlokas 1 - 4

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

सर्वशात्रमयी गीता सर्ववेदमयो द्विजः |

सर्वतीर्थमयी गङ्गा सर्वदेवमयो हरिः ||

आकाशात्पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम् |

सर्वदेवनमस्कारः केशवं प्रति गच्छति ||

केशवान्न परम् तत्वं केशवान्न परा गतिः |

सर्वे देवाः प्राप्नुवन्ति सुखमाश्रित्य केशवम् ||

सर्वमन्त्रमयी देवी गायत्री मुनिभिः स्मृता |

सर्वदेवात्मको विष्णुर्देवदेवो जनार्दनः ||

Shri Sadguru said

All the Shastras are embedded in the Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta. All the Vedas are embodied in the Brahmanas. All sacred teerthas are present in the Ganga. All the gods are but the different manifestations of Lord Vishnu. All the drops of water that pour down from the sky mingle with the ocean. In the same way, all prayers praising different gods reach Shri Keshava, their ultimate destination. There is no Supreme Being other than Shri Keshava. There is no ultimate refugee other than Shri Keshava. All the devas experience happiness only patronized by Shri Keshava.

Vaishnava Samhita. Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 18 - 25

Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 18 - 25

तद्भक्तिवशमापन्नो व्रजराजशिखामणिः |

राधासमेतः श्रीकृष्णः कृपया दर्शनं ददौ ||

नवनीरदसङ्काशो नटवेषधरो हरिः |

पीतकौशेयवसनो वनमालाविभूषितः ||

शिञ्चानमणिमञ्जीरः पङ्कजायतलोचनः |

रमणीयमुखाम्भोजो राधिकावल्लभः प्रभुः ||

क्रीडन् राधिकया सार्धं वादयन् मुरलीं मधु |

रम्ये कलिन्दजातीरे वसन्तसमयोज्ज्वले ||

संसिक्तदिव्यवसनो मुग्धो रेचकलीलया |

साक्षादुपस्थितो देवो भक्तस्य पृथिवीपतेः ||

एवं श्रीनाथदेवस्य वसन्तोत्सवकेलिकाम् |

विलोक्य भूपतिः सोपि बभूव प्रेममूर्च्छितः ||

दरिद्रो वा नरेन्द्रो वा चण्डालो ब्राह्मणोपि वा |

नास्ति भेदो भगवतो भक्त्या तुष्यति केवलम् ||

सुप्रसन्नः सदा देवो भक्तानुग्रहकातरः |

कटिन्यस्तकरो भूत्वा तिष्ठति श्यामसुन्दरः ||

Attracted by his devotion, Shri Krishna, the leader of the Gokulam, appeared before him accompanied by Devi Radha. Shri Radhakrishna appeared before the king thus: He was having the complexion of the rain-bearing cloud; He was dressed fully like an actor. He was wearing tinkling anklets; His countenance was exquisite with long, lotus-eyes. He was playing melodiously on the flute; His dress was wet due to the water sports he engaged in with Devi Radha as it was usual on the banks of the Yamuna during the spring season. He appeared as a rasika of such sports. Enjoying the beauty and such sports of Shrinatha, the king fainted due to loving devotion. Shri Bhagavan does not discriminate between the poor and the wealthy king of the low-born and the brahmana. He is pleased only with Bhakti. Shyamasundara, who is always ready to bless the bhaktas, stands with His hands on His hips in joyful alertness.

Thus ends Chapter Seventeen entitled ‘Aaskara Charitam’ of Book VII of Shri Vaishnava Samhita composed by Shri Shri Krishna Premi Swamigal.

Vaishnava Samhita. Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 16 - 17

Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 16 - 17

यः पूर्वं राजराजेन्द्रसेवितः पृथीवीपतिः |

स एव यमुनातीरे प्रेमोन्मत्तक्ष्चरत्यहो ||

धन्यं तस्यैव चारित्रं धन्यं तस्यैव जीवितम् |

धन्यं राजकुलं तस्य यो राजा वैष्णवोत्तमः ||

The king Aaskara, who was an emperor once, now roamed about the banks of the Yamuna as a lunatic. His story is glorious. His life is glorious. For, he had become a distinguished vaishnava

Vaishnava Samhita. Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 11 - 15

Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 11 - 15

क्वचिद्रोदिति गोविन्दं विचिन्वन् काननान्तरे |

कवचिद्धसति गोविन्ददर्शनानन्दमोहितः ||

क्वचिन्नृत्यति भूपालो माधवध्यानमोहितः |

क्वचिद्ध्यायति शैलेन्द्रे गोवर्धनधरं प्रभुम् ||

क्वचिद्गायति गोविन्दं सञ्चरन् यमुनावने |

क्वचित्प्रलपति प्रेम्णा संस्मरन् कृष्णकेलिकाः ||

क्वचिद्विलुठति प्रेममूर्च्छितो व्रजभूमिषु |

उच्चैः क्रन्दति राजेन्द्रः क्वचित्प्रणयविह्वलः ||

एवं प्रेमरसाक्रान्तो नरेन्द्रो यमुनावने |

कीर्तयन् कृष्ण कृष्णेति चचारोन्मत्तवत्सदा ||

Sometimes, he would wander in the forest weeping in search of Shri Krishna. At times, the king would dance intoxicated with the joy of Krishna dhyana. At other times, he would sit in Krishna dhyana atop Govardhana Hill. At times, he would roam about Shri Brindavan, singing in praise of Shri Krishna. At other times, he would lament contemplating on the divine pastimes of Shri Krishna. At time he would roll on the earth in great inward joy. At other times he would shout madly stirred by devotion. Thus he was captivated by the sweet nectar of perm Bhakti. He roamed about Shri Brindavan, singing the Divine Name of Shri Krishna, repeatedly.

Vaishnava Samhita. Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 8 - 10

Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 8 - 10

कृष्णप्रेमरसोन्मत्तः पृथिवीपतिरास्करः |

श्रुत्वा श्रीकृष्णमाहात्म्यं प्रपेदे यमुनावनम् ||

विट्ठलेशस्य कृपया ब्रह्मसम्बन्धमाप सः |

नवनीतप्रियं दृष्ट्वा बभूव प्रेमविह्वलः ||

स्वच्छन्दं यमुनातीरे गोकुले हरिपर्वते |

सञ्चरन् कीर्तयन् कृष्णं प्रेमोन्मत्तो बभूव सः ||

King Aaskara was captivated by the sweetness of the nectar of Krishna prom. Hearing the glory of Shri Krishna, he reached Shri Brindavan. With the blessings of Vitthalanatha, he could establish relationship with the Supreme Being, and could go closer to Him. He had the darshan of Lord Shri Krishna, and became intoxicated with love for Him, Going mad with perm Bhakti, he wandered all over the banks of the Yamuna, the vicinities of Govardhana Hill and Gokulam. He roamed about freely singing the praises of Shri Krishna.

Vaishnava Samhita. Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 3 - 7

Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 3 - 7

एकदा तानसेनेन गायकानां वरेण सः |

गीतं गोविन्दमाहात्म्यं श्रुत्वाsभूत्प्रेममोहितः ||

अचिरेणैव कालेन बृन्दावनमगान्नृपः |

सन्त्यज्य सर्वं राज्यञ्च विरक्तो वैष्णवोत्तमः ||

किमत्र चित्रं भक्तानां विरक्तानां तु वैभवे |

साम्राज्य पारमेष्ठय्ञ्च यैरेवं लोष्टवत्स्मृतम् ||

निरन्तरं विहरतां कृष्णभक्तिरसाम्बुधौ |

किं क्षुद्रैः कूपसलिलैर्महादुर्गन्धदुःसहैः ||

कुर्वन्तीमञ्जलिज्चाग्रे साक्षान्मुक्तिमुपस्थिताम् |

उपेक्षन्ते कृष्णभक्ताः किं पुनर्लोकसंपदम् ||

Once he happened to listen to the music of Tansen., the renowned musician. Listening to the songs in praise of Shri Krishna, he got bewitched. After a short period, that distinguished vaishnava developed total detachment from the world, gave up the kingdom, and reached Shri Brindavan. There is nothing surprising in such acts of the dispassionate bhaktas. To them even the high post of Brahma, the creator, and a big empire are equal to dust particles only. They are always reveling in the great ocean filled with the nectar of Krishna Bhakti. What use does the stinking water of the well of worldliness have for them? The true devotees of Shri Krishna dislike even eternal liberation that stands before them, in great respect with folded hands. Then why to talk of this material world ?

Vaishnava Samhita. Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 1 - 2

Aaskara Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 17 Shlokas 1 - 2

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

राजाssसीदास्करो नाम रसतत्वविदां वरः |

शिष्यो विट्ठलनाथस्य श्रीनाथप्रेमतत्परः ||

नीतिमान् बुद्धिमान् वाग्मी धर्मरक्षणतत्परः |

सर्वसद्गुणसंपन्नः शौर्यवीर्यगुणान्वितः ||

There was a king named Aaskara. He was adorned with all noble qualities, great valor and high eloquence. He was just, intelligent, and keen in safeguarding dharma. He was a disciple of Shri Vitthalanatha. He had deep devotion for Lord Shrinatha, Shri Bhagavan.

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 28 - 31

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 28 - 31

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

एवं हि तर्जितो राज्ञा दृढविक्ष्वाससंयुतः ||

लतीपः प्रार्थयामास राधिकां करुणामयीम् ||

भक्तस्य रक्षणायैव राधिका प्रेमरूपिणी |

वीटिकां प्रददौ प्रेम्णा कृष्णवक्त्रे स्वयं मुदा ||

तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाक्ष्चर्यं भीतूsभूद्यवनाधिपः |

प्रणम्यैव लतीपं तं प्रययौ भवनं स्वकम् ||

एवं हि दृढविक्ष्वासाद्भक्ता वैष्णवसत्तमाः |

वशीकुर्वन्ति गोविन्दं भक्तरक्षणतत्परम् ||

Shri Sadguru continued

When he was threatened by the chief like that, latiff prayed to the merciful Devi Radha with firm belief. In order to protect the bhakta, Devi Radha, the very embodiment of poem, put the metal and nut readily into the mouth of Shri Krishna. The muslim chief was frightened to see this. He bowed to Latiff and returned to his place. Shri Govinda is ever prepared to save the bhaktas. The great vaishnava bhaktas bring Him under their control with the help of firm belief.

Thus ends Chapter Sixteen entitled ‘Latiff Charitam’ of Book VII of Shri Vaishnava Samhita composed by Shri Shri Krishna Premi Swamigal

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 24 - 27

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 24 - 27

म्लेच्छराज उवाच

अस्मिंक्ष्चित्रपटे मन्द नारी काचन सुन्दरी |

अग्रे तिष्ठति नाथस्य करेणादाय वीटिकाम् |

पुमानयञ्च हस्तेन तामाक्ष्लिष्यैव तिष्ठति |

वंशनालमुपादाय नानाभूषणभूषितः ||

इयं चित्रमयी नारी ददात्वस्मै स्ववीटिकाम् |

अयं गृहणातु वक्त्रेण वीटिकां स्वयमेव हि ||

एवञ्चेत्तव वाक्येपि विक्ष्वासं सु दृढम् सदा |

कुर्यामहं मन्दबुद्धे त्वां हन्यामन्यथा यदि ||

The muslim chief said

Oh, fool! In this picture, there is a beautiful girl standing in front of her husband with metal and nut in her hand. This young man also stands hugging her. He has also beautified himself and holds a flute in his hand. Let this girl put the metal and nut in his mouth. Let him also open his mouth and accept that now. If that happens now, I shall believe in what you say. Otherwise, I shall kill you

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 21 - 23

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 21 - 23

लतीप उवाच

स्वच्छन्दं प्रेमभावेन भजामि श्यामसुन्दरम् |

हृदये जायते भावो भावो विक्ष्वासकारणम् ||

निराकारे दैवते तु रमते न हि मे मनः |

अस्मिन् गोपालरूपे तु स्चाच्छन्दं लीयतेपि तत् ||

नैतच्चित्रं महाराज श्रीराधारमणो ह्ययम् |

अविक्ष्वासात्तवैवायं चित्ररूपेण दृश्यते ||

Latiff replied

Love born in the heart of a person becomes the base of belief and faith. With such strong perm, I worship Shri Krishna without any restrictions. My mind is not inclined towards formless Allah. It gets absorbed automatically in the beauty of Shri Krishna’s exquisite form. Oh, King! It is not a mere picture. The picture is that of Shri Radhakrishna. As you lack faith, it appears to be a mere picture in your eyes.

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 18 - 21

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 18 - 21

म्लेच्छराज उवाच

जातोसि म्लेच्छवंशे त्वं नभिनायकनिर्मिते |

अल्लाहुभजनं त्यक्त्वा करोषि हरिचिन्तनम् ||

तस्मादद्यैव दण्ड्योसि स्वधर्माणामतिक्रमात् |

तथापि त्वयि दुर्बुद्धे क्षमामेव करोम्यहम् ||

किमनेनापि चित्रेण विक्ष्वासेन वृथा तव |

निर्गुणं निर्विकारञ्च निराकारं हि दैवतम् ||

The muslim chief said

You are born as a muslim and hence belong to the religion enunciated by Mohammed Nabi. Why do you worship Shri Krishna instead of Allah? Why do you nurture devotion to Shri Hari? As you have trespassed the rules of our religion, you deserve punishment. Yet I forgive you. God is attribute less, formless and changeless in reality. Yet you have false beliefs and hence keep this picture for worshipping Him

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 16 - 17

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 16 - 17

सर्वेपि यवना गत्वा म्लेच्छराजं न्यवेदयन् |

लतीपस्याश्रमं प्राप कुपितो यवनाधिपः ||

तं दृष्ट्वा यवनो भक्तं कृष्णसेवापरायणम् |

प्रच्छन्नकोपः प्रेम्णैव पप्रच्छ परिसान्त्वयन् ||

They reported the matter to their religious chief,. That muslim chief reached the hermitage of Latiff. He became very angry to see Latiff, the bhakta, worshipping Shri Krishna there. Concealing his anger and pretending to be very kind, he asked Latiff the following question.

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 13 - 15

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 13 - 15

नित्यं चन्दनताम्बूलपुष्पक्षीरफलादिभिः |

चकार मधुरां सेवां राधिकागिरिधारिणोः ||

तं दृष्ट्वा कृष्णरसिकं बृन्दावनमुपागतम् |

यवना बान्धवाः सर्वेप्यभवन् कुपिता भृशम् ||

बहुधा बोधयामासुर्म्लेच्छधर्मं पुनः पुनः |

किन्तु कृष्णरतिं भक्तो न तत्याज दृढव्रतः ||

Daily he used to make offerings of sandy-paste, beetle and nut, flowers, milk and fruit to Shri Radha and Shri Krishna. All his muslim relatives were very angry with him. They could not tolerate his Krishna Bhakti and his act of leaving for Shri Brindavan once for all. In many ways, they tried to make him understand the magnificence of Islam. But the steady-minded Latiff did not give up Krishna Bhakti.

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 9 - 12

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 9 - 12

आसीद्यवनवंशे तु लतीपो नाम वैष्णवः |

राधाकृष्णपदाम्भोजयुगलध्यानतत्परः ||

यदृच्छया चित्रपटे राधाकृष्णौ ददर्श सः |

पदाप्रभृति भक्तोsभूत्तसौन्दर्यवशीकृतः ||

दृढविक्ष्वाससम्युक्तः कृष्णसेवापरायणः |

सर्वसङ्गं परित्यज्य बृन्दावनमुपाययौ ||

क्रिश्नमाराधयन्नित्यं चित्ररूपेण संस्थितम् |

सन्ततं प्रेमभावेन चकार सुखजीवनम् ||

There was a great vaishnava named Latin, born in a muslim family. Contemplating on the holy lotus feet of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna, was the only abiding passion of his life. He happened to see a picture of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna. Allured by their charm, he became a devotee of Shri Radhakrishna. Being a man of firm belief, he had the service of Shri Krishna as the only object of his life. Hence he cut off all his ties, and reached Shri Brindavan. Worshipping Shri Krishna in that picture, he led a peaceful life immersed in premature Bhakti always.

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 5 - 8

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 5 - 8

दृढविक्ष्वाससम्युक्ता लोकेस्मिन् लक्ष्यगामिनः |

विक्ष्वासरहिता मर्त्या लभन्ते दुःखमेव हि ||

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिः सर्वथा फलदायिनी |

त्यक्त्वा चञ्चलबुद्धिं भजेत्सर्वात्मना हरिम् ||

उत्थाय मोहनिद्रया जागरूको भवेत्सदा |

विक्ष्वासेन वरान् प्राप्य जानीयात्सत्यमेव तत् ||

सर्वशक्तो भवेन्नूनमात्माविक्ष्वाससंयुतः |

अलसो नास्तिको लोके संशयेन विनश्यति ||

On this earth, only those who have firm belief march on towards their goal. Those who do not have faith end up in sorrow. A steady mind gets rewarded everywhere. Hence with an unwavering mind and determination, one should nurture Bhakti for Shri Hari. One should wake up from the slumber of ignorance, and should always be alert and vigilant; should get rewarded properly through firm belief and realism the truth in its real nurture. One who has self-confidence is certainly all powerful. On this earth, the lethargic atheist is spoiled by his own disbelief.

Vaishnava Samhita. Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 3 - 4

Latiff Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 16 Shlokas 3 - 4

विक्ष्वासरहितं प्रेम निर्मलं न हि दृश्यते |

कैतवेन कृतं प्रेम न विक्ष्वसिति ककक्ष्चन ||

शास्त्रेषु दृढविक्ष्वासः श्रद्धेति परिकीर्त्यते |

श्रद्धया विन्दते भक्तिं सुदृढां प्रेमरूपिणीम् ||

Prem devoid of faith and belief is not blemishes. Nobody believes in deceitful love and affection. Firm belief in the Shastras is called ‘sraddha’ or dedication. It is possible to develop Bhakti which is the culmination of ‘prem’, only with the help of ‘sraddha’.