The lyrics to ‘Uselessly’ are an English language rendition based on a translation by my spiritual master, His Divine A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, of a beautiful Bengali language song written in India in the 16th century by the renowned saint Narottam Das Thakur. His deeply devotional song reminds us that we can tune into vibrations coming from the spiritual world to attain the perfectional stage of pure love of God which bestows upon us unlimited peace and happiness.
LYRICS
Although I’ve come to this human form
My Lord I’ve spent my life uselessly.
I did not care to serve Radha and Krishna
So I swallow poison knowingly, knowingly.
Hare Krishna mantra comes straight from Krishna Loka,
But with chanting I have no connection.
Day and night I’m burning in this dark world
Without working to make the correction, no correction.
Lord Krishna comes as Saci’s Son,
Balarama descends as Nitai.
By chanting, the wretched have all been saved,
Including Jagai and Madhai.
Oh my dear Lord, O Son of King Nanda,
Together with Vrishabhanu’s daughter—
“I’ve got no shelter but Radha and Krishna,”
Humbly prays Narottama Das Thakur. Um huh huh.
Although I’ve come to this human form
My Lord I’ve spent my life uselessly.
I did not care to serve Radha and Krishna
So I swallow poison knowingly.
I did not care to serve Radha and Krishna
So I swallow poison knowingly.