Narottama Siksa by Yadunandana Swami

Yadunandana Swami’s treatise ‘Narottama Sikṣa, Bathing in the Pristine Waters of Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura’s Teachings’ is a clear and profound exploration of all the themes in the poet’s two books Prārthanā and Prema Bhakti-candrikā. Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura’s songs are very influential in the disciplic succession from Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing some five hundred years ago in India. The author of the book has done a great service to devotees of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and to all sincere spiritual seekers by presenting Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura in accessible yet penetrating modern English. Narottama wrote in simple Bengali language; his teachings are considered, ‘as good as Vedic evidence’. In a similar way, by discussing and explaining Narottama in twenty-first century English, Yadunandana Swami gives us an open view into the heart of the esoteric poet-devotee.

The author systematically presents the favourite, predominant devices used by Narottama in his songs. Expressions of unworthiness, aspirations to serve Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, anticipation of reaching the ultimate goal, these and many other of Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura’s themes are elucidated beautifully in the book.