Prayers to Srimati Radharani
Sri Prarthana-paddhati [Stavamala]
In his Sri Prarthana-paddhati [Stavamala], Srila Rupa goswami prays:
“O Queen of Vrndavana, O Radharani, Your complexion is like molten gold, Your doe-like eyes are captivatingly restless, a million full and brilliant moons wane before Your lustrous countenance, and a blue sari, having stolen the hue of a fresh rain-laden cloud, has enwrapped Your exquisite form. O Radha, You are the crest-jewel of all the dallying damsels of Vrndavana, fragrant and pristine like a budding jasmine flower. Your sublime form is adorned with priceless jewelry, and you are the best of all the charming and intelligent gopis. You are decorated with all wonderful excellences and surrounded by eight dedicated and beloved cowherd girls known as the asta-sakhis.
“The ambrosia of Your beautiful lips, red as the bimba fruit, is life-giving syrup to Krsna. O Radha, I am rolling on the banks of the Yamuna, my poor heart filled with anticipation, praying to You with all humility. I am guilty of being an offender, a rascal, a useless wretch–yet I beg You to kindly engage me in even the smallest service to Your lotus feet. O most merciful Lady, it will not become You to ignore this most distressed soul, for Your heart is always overflowing with compassion and love.”
Radha-Stuti
radha raseshvari ramya
rama cha paramatmanah
rasodbhava krishna-kanta
krishna-vaksha-sthala-sthita
“Beautiful Shrimate Radharani is the queen and the origin of the rasa dance. She is the giver of pleasure to Krishna, who is the Supersoul in the hearts of all. She is the lover of Krishna and is always situated upon the chest of the Lord.”
krishna-pranadhidevi cha
maha-vishnoh prasur api
sarvadya vishnu-maya cha
satya nitya sanatani
“She is the presiding Deity of Krishna’s very life, and She is the first of all persons, the energy of Lord Vishnu, the embodiment of truthfulness–eternal and ever-youthful.”
brahma-svarupa parama
nirlipta nirguna para
vrinda vrindavane tvam cha
viraja-tata-vasini
“Her form is spiritual, therefore She is transcendental and beyond mundane qualities. She is divine energy and is unattached. O Radha, in Vrindavana You are the leader of the gopis, and You reside on the banks of the Viraja River.”
goloka-vasini gopi
gopisha gopa-matrika
sananda paramananda
nanda-nandana-kamini
“She is a resident of Goloka Vrindavana and is a cowherd damsel. She is the queen of the gopis and the divine mother of the cowherd boys. She is joyful and always experiencing the highest bliss, and She incites lusty desires in the heart of the son of Nanda (Lord Krishna).”
vrishabhanu-suta shanta
kanta purnatama tatha
kamya kalavati-kanya
tirtha-putra sati shubha
“Radha is the daughter of Maharaja Vrishabhanu. She is very peaceful and lovely. She is completely contented and fulfilled, very pleasing and is the daughter of Kalavati. She is the purifier of the tirthas (holy places) and She is most auspicious and chaste to Lord Krishna.”
samsara-sagare ghore
bhitam mam sharanagatam
sarvebhyo ‘pi vinirmuktam
kuru radhe surshvari
“O Radha, I have fallen into the horrible ocean of birth and death and am frightened, but I am seeking Your shelter. O queen of the demigods, please free me from all fears.”
tvat-pada-padma-yugale
pada-padmalayarcite
dehi mahyam param bhaktim
krishnena parisevite
“O Radhika, please give me transcendental devotional service to Your lotus feet, which are worshiped by Lord Brahma and Lakshmi, and which are served even by Lord Krishna.”
tapta-kanchana-gaurangi
radhe vrindavaneshvari
vrishabhanu-sute devi
pranamami hari-priye
“O Shrimati Radharani, I offer my respects to You whose bodily complexion is like molten gold. O Goddess, You are the queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and are very dear to Lord Krishna.”
mahabhava-svarupa tvam
krishna-priya-variyasi
prema-bhakti-prade devi
radhike tvam namamy aham
“O Shrimate Radharani, You are the exalted form of mahabhava, therefore You are the most dear to Krishna. O Goddess, You alone are able to bestow pure love for the Supreme Lord; therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto You.”
Shri Radhikastakam
Eight Prayers Glorifying Sri Radhika
by Shrila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
Text 1
rasa-valita-mrgaksi-mauli-manikya-laksmih
pramudita-muravairi-prema-vapi-marali
vraja-vara-vrsabhanoh punya-girvana-valli
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who is a splendid ruby in the crown of all nectarean doe-eyed girls, a swan swimming in the lake of love for jubilant Lord Krsna, and a celestial vine sprouted from Vraja’s exalted King Vrsabhanu, bathe me in Her service?
Text 2
sphurad-aruna-dukula-dyotitodyan-nitamba-
sthalam abhi vara-kanci-lasyam ullasayanti kuca-kalasa-vilasa-sphita-mukta-sara-srih
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who makes the sash of bells dance on Her hips splendid with red silk, and whose necklace of large pearls plays on the waterpots of Her breasts, bathe me in Her service?
Text 3
sarasija-vara-garbhakharva-kantih samudyat-
tarunima-ghanasaraslista-kaishora-sidhuh
dara-vikasita-hasya-syandi-bimbadharagra
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who is as splendid as a great lotus whorl, who is new nectar mixed with the camphor of youth, and whose bimba fruit lips blossom with a gentle smile, bathe me in Her service?
Text 4
ati-catulataram tam kananantar milantam
vraja-nrpati-kumaram viksya sanka-kulaksi madhura-mridu-vacobhih samstuta netra-bhangya
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who, accidentally meeting restless Krsna in the outskirts of the forest, stared at Him with suspicious eyes as he cast amorous glances at Her and flattered Her with many sweet and gentle words, bathe me in Her service?
Text 5
vraja-kula-mahilanam prana-bhutakhilanam
pasupa-pati-grhinyah krsna-vat-prema-patram su-lalita-lalitantah-sneha-phullantaratma
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who the girls of Vraja love as much as their own lives, who the gopa queen Yasoda loves as much as Lord Krsna, and who makes the heart of charming lalita blossom with love, bathe me in Her service?
Text 6
niravadhi sa-visakha sakhi-yutha-prasunaih
srajam iha racayanti vaijayantim vanante agha-vijaya-varorah-preyasi sreyasi sa
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who in the company of Visakha at the forest’s edge strings a Vaijayanti garland from the flowers of many trees, and who is the beautiful beloved resting on Lord Krsna’s handsome chest, bathe me in Her service?
Text 7
prakatita-nija-vasam snigdha-venu-pranadair
druta-gati-harim arat prapya kunje smitaksi sravana-kuhara-kandum tanvati namra-vaktra
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who smelling the fragrance of Lord Krsna and hearing the sweet sounds of His flute, ran to Him in the forest grove and, scratching Her ears, approached Him with smiling eyes and lowered face, bathe me in Her service?
Text 8
amala-kamala-raji-sparsa-vata-prasite
nija-sarasi nidaghe sayam ullasiniyam parijana-gana-yukta kridayanti bakarim
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu
When will Sri Radhika, who on a summer evening happily plays with Lord Krsna by Her own lake cooled by breezes touching the many splendid lotuses, bathe me in Her service?
Text 9
pathati vimala-ceta mista-radhastakam yah
parihrita-nikhilasa-santatih katarah san pasupa-pati-kumarah kamam amoditas tam
nija-jana-gana-madhye radhikayas tanoti
Pleased with any person who, abandoning all hope of material happiness, and overwhelmed (with love), reads this sweet Sri Radhastaka with a pure heart, the prince of Vraja (Krsna) of His own accord places him among Sri Radha’s personal associates.
Sri Radhikastakam
by Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami
“May that Srimati Radhika–whose bodily complexion snatches away the pride of a golden lotus flower tinged with kunkuma, whose bodily fragrance reproaches the fame of a fragrant lotus sprinkled with saffron powder, and who fulfills all the desires of the prince of Vraja, Sri Krishna–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“May that Srimati Radhika–whose dazzling, colorful silk sari defeats the splendour of coral, who is a garden of all varieties of blooming flowers which attract the maddened bumblebee Sri Krishna who comes to play amongst Her flowers, and who worships the sun-god in order to meet with Krishna eternally–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“May that Srimati Radhika–whose softness defeats the fame of delicate budding flowers, whose body’s coolness is worshipable for the moon, sandalwood-paste, the lotus, and camphor, and whose touch dispels the heat of Gopijanavallabha, Sri Krishna’s amorous desires–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“Although Lakshmi-devi is honored by all the worshipable damsels of the universe, the opulence of her great beauty and ever-fresh youthfulness is overshadowed by that of Srimati Radhika. Nor can Lakshmi-devi surpass Her by her natural loving and playful disposition. May that Srimati Radhika always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“May that Srimati Radhika–who is expert in all the celestial arts of the rasa-lila, like dancing, singing and joking; who is adorned with supernatural prema, enchanting beauty, wonderful dresses and ornaments, and all divine virtues; and who is the topmost youthful maiden of Vraja–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“May that Srimati Radhika–who by Her ever-fresh beauty, ever-fresh playfulness, and ever-fresh wealth of affection causes all the young maidens of Vraja, who are abound in love to Sri Krishna, to tremble in anxiety; and who is immersed in samadhi (meditation) upon Sri Krishna’s beauty, attire, and playful pastimes–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“May that Srimati Radhika–who in divine ecstasy manifests perspiration, hairs standing on end, trembling tears, and a choked voice; who is adorned with indignation, joy, and contrariness; and who wears splendid jewel-studded ornaments which delight Sri Krishna’s eyes–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“May that Srimati Radhika–who upon being separated from Sri Krishna for even half a moment becomes distressed by the ever-arising feelings of Her own lowliness and great restlessness, and who upon meeting Krishna through the intense efforts of one of Their messengers is relieved of all Her mental anguish–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.
“Srimati Radhika, whose darshana (audience) is rarely attained even by Parvati-devi and other goddesses, who gives great pleasure to Her sakhis (confidential servants), who Herself becomes elated upon meeting with Sri Krishna, and who is Krishna’s dearest lover, very quickly makes that person who prays to Her singing this astaka a recipient for the nectar of Her service. This astaka is recited in the poetic meter known as ‘Tunaka’.”
Sri Radha-Kundastakam
[The Glories of Srimati Radhika's Kund, Pond]
by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
“After the killing of Aristasura, Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis exchanged many joking words with Sri Krishna concerning the necessary atonement for one who has committed the offence of killing a bull. As a result, the Queen of Vrindavana, Srimati Radhika, and Her sakhis joyfully excavated and filled Sri Radha-kunda with their own hands. May that immensely fragrant Radha-kunda be my shelter.
“In the land of the hearts of those who bathe in Radha-kunda, a desire tree of the superlative prema, which is not attainable even for Krishna’s principal queens in Dvaraka, will arise. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.
“For the pleasure of Srimati Radhika, even Sri Krishna Himself, yearning to attain Her merciful sidelong glance, regularly bathes in Radha-kunda, carefully observing all the appropriate rituals. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be my shelter.
“May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda, which the moon of Vraja, Sri Krishna, loves as much as He loves the crown-jewel amongst the sweet girls of Vraja, Srimati Radhika, and which He has made known by the name of Radhika Herself, be my shelter.
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