Bhaktivinode Thakura’s songs provide deep insight into one’s precarious condition in this world. Out of his utter humility, he portrays the soul’s plight, and as a compassionate acarya, he reveals the way to transcend this peril.

Mati becoming Durmati

In one of his beautiful songs, he mentions our “mati” (intelligence) as “durmati.” The fact that we are fallen in samsara is an indication of our polluted intelligence. Also, by our own intelligence, we can do only one thing—go further down into this samsara (material existence). That is what we have been doing since time immemorial. Our “mati” has only helped us take repeated births in this world. Yet, we are so proud of our “mati.” People boast of their intellectual skills and acquisitions of multifarious talents, only to realize later that these things could not help them at the end of their lives.

From Durmati to Sumati

Bhaktivinode Thakura remarks that samsara can end neither with the completion of our studies or job, nor with the end of this body. Rather, samsara ends when we meet a Vaishnava.
tava nija-jana, kono mahājane,
pāṭhāiyā dile tumi

What do devotees tell us? They give us instructions to remove the evils of our mind. They don’t wish to direct people toward themselves, nor do they seek accolades from this world. They are simply well-wishers of everyone. Devotees plead with us to turn to Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. Their grace has the potential to deliver even the most fallen.

nanda-suta jini, caitanya gosāi,
nija-nāma kori’ dān
tārilo jagat, tumi-o jāiyā,
loho nija-paritrāṇ
Sri Caitanya, who is Krishna Himself, the son of Nanda, has saved the world by freely distributing His own holy name. Go also and receive your deliverance.

From Sumati to Drdha Mati

Once our “mati” starts turning to the Supreme Lord by the grace of devotees, there may be chances for deviation. How can we keep our “mati” firm in following the instructions of the devotee?

Bhagavatam provides the answer. Service to devotees is the key to keeping our intelligence fixed on serving Krishna. Service to devotees naturally awards one the gift of Krishna prema and takes us back to Godhead.

sat-sevayā dīrghayāpi
jātā mayi dṛḍhā matiḥ
hitvāvadyam imaṁ lokaṁ
gantā maj-janatām asi
By service to the devotees, even for a few days, a devotee attains firm and fixed intelligence in Me. Consequently, he goes on to become My associate in the transcendental world after giving up the present deplorable material worlds. (SB 1.6.23)

Thus, meeting a devotee, hearing instructions from a devotee, applying them, and then serving the devotee is a foolproof method to end samsara and traverse the journey from being a “durmati” to becoming a “drdha-mati.”

For the entire Vaishnava song, please refer the link: https://kksongs.org/songs/e/emonadurmati.html