Aisī Kṛpa Karo Śrī Rādhe

Aiyo Nandalāla, Aiyo Gopāla

Āj Biraja Meṅ
Aji Muralī Bāje Prema
Ālī! Mohe Lāge Vṛndāvana Nīko
Anūpama Mādhurī Joḍī
Baso Mere
Bhaja Govinda, Bhaja Govinda
Calo Mana Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
Choṭī Sī Kiśorī
Dūr Nagarī
Govardhana Mahārāja
Govinda Dāmodara Mādhaveti
Gurudeva, Kṛpa Karke
Hari Se Baṛā Hari Kā Nāma
Ho Gaye Bhava Se Pār
Jaya Jaya Rādhā-Ramaṇa Hari Bol
Jaya Rādhe Jaya Kṛṣṇa Jaya Vṛndāvana
Jaya Rādhe Jaya Rādhe Rādhe!
Jhūlā Jhūle Rādhā Dāmodara
Jiyo Śyāma Lālā
Kanhaiyā Phir Se Ā Jāo
Kanhaiyā Rādhikārāṇī
Mādhava Bhāmini
Mai To Raṭu Rādhā-Rādhā-Nāma
Maine Raṭanā Lagāi Re
Mākhana Kī Corī
Mere Nandajī Ko Lālā Alabelā
Mohana Pyāre Ho Kanhaiyā
Nadīyā Indu Karuṇā Sindhu
O Manaro Lāge Nā
Pār Karenge
Rādhā Nāma Parama Sukhadāī
Rādhe Bol, Rādhe Bol
Rādhe Jhūlana Padharo
Rādhe Tere Caraṇoṅ Kī
Sakhī Rī Mere Mana
Śrī Govardhana Mahārāja
Śrī Rādherāṇī de ḍāro na
Rādhe Tere Caraṇoṅ Kī
Sundara Lālā Śacīra-Dulālā
Śyāma Terī Baṁśī
Vraja-Jana Mana Sukhakārī
1
 Gurudeva, Kṛpā Karke
gurudeva, kṛpā karke mujhko apanā lenā
maiṅ śaraṇa paḍā terī, caraṇoṅ me jagaha denā
Gurudeva! Bestow your mercy upon me and accept me as your own. I have taken
shelter of you. Please give me a place at your lotus feet.

karuṇā-nidhi nāma terā, karuṇā barasāo tum

soye huye bhagya ko, he nātha jagāo tum
merī nāva bhaṅvara dole, use pāra lagā denā
Please shower your mercy on me because you are a storehouse of mercy. O
my lord, only then will my sleeping fortune awaken. My boat is caught in a
whirlpool. Please take me across this turbulent ocean.

tum sukha ke sāgara ho, bhakti ke sahāre ho

mere mana meṅ samāe ho, mujhe prāṇoṅ se pyāre ho
nitya mālā japuṅ terī, mere doṣa bhulā denā
You are the ocean of happiness and the shelter for bhakti. You are dearer to me
than my life and are always on my mind. I chant your name every day. Please
ignore my faults.

maiṅ santoṅ kā sevaka hūṅ, guru caraṇoṅ kā dāsa hūṅ

nahīṅ nātha bhulānā mujhe, is jaga meiṅ akelā hūṅ
tere dvāra kā bhikhārī hūṅ, nahīṅ dil se bhulā denā
I am a servant of the Vaiṣṇavas and of the lotus feet of my Guru. Please do not
forget me because I am all alone in this world. I am a beggar at your door. Please
do not ignore me.

2
 Govardhana Mahārāja
chaṭā terī tīna loka se, nyārī hai govardhana mahārāja

mānasi gaṅgā ko snāna, dharo phira cakaleśvara ko dhyāna,

dāna ghāṭī ko dadhi ko dāna, karo parikramā kī taiyārī hai,
govardhana mahārāja
Govardhana Mahārāja! Your image is more beautiful than anything within the
three worlds. Bathing in Mānasi Gaṅgā, meditating on Cakaleśvara, giving
yoghurt at Dāna-ghāṭī—we are always anxious to circumambulate you.

gāoṅ ānyora kuṇḍa govinda, pūcharī ko lauṭhā hai daṇḍa,

sarovara bharī rahe svacchanda, pāsa me jatīpurā sukhakārī hai,
govardhana mahārāja
Govardhana Mahārāja! Circumambulating you, we will visit Govinda-kuṇḍa in
the village of Anyora, then go to Pūcharī ko Lauṭa and offer praṇāma, and then
near Jatīpurā go to a beautiful pond of pure water which gives great happiness.

śikhara ke ūpara nāce mora, santajana paṛe rahe cahu ora,

devako dhyāna dhare nita bhora kare ye saba brajakī rakhavārī hai
govardhana mahārāja
Govardhana Mahārāja! The peacocks dance upon you, the saints who meditate
every morning reside all around you, and you are the protector of the entire
Vraja.

kṛṣṇa aur rādhā-kuṇḍa apāra, nitya hoye avicala yahā vihāra

kusuma kī nikaṭa khilī phulavārī hai, govardhana mahārāja
Govardhana Mahārāja! Strolling around you daily we see Rādhā-kuṇḍa and
Kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa and the many gardens of blossoming flowers.

dhanya jo bāsa kare girirāja, siddha hoye unke sabare kāja,

śrī rādhā-kṛṣṇa yugala joḍī pai, govardhana mahārāja
Govardhana Mahārāja! You increase Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s conjugal pleasure. Those
who reside near you are fortunate indeed and all their endeavours are successful.

3
 Śrī Govardhana Mahārāja
śrī govardhana mahārāja tere māthe mukuṭa virāja rahayo
Govardhana Mahārāja, you wear a crown on your head.

tere kānan kuṇḍala soha rahe

aur gala baijantī māla
Your ears are decorated with earrings and you wear a beautiful forest flower
garland.

tere mukha pai muralīyā soha rahī

ṭoṛī pai hīra lāla
You hold a flute to your lips and your chin is decorated with a diamond and a
ruby.

tere aṅga meṅ jāmā kesariyā

aur paṭakī lāla gulāla
You are wearing a saffron-colored shirt and your chadar is red.

topai pāna caḍhe aur phūla caḍhetopai diya jareṅ dina rāta
Tāmbūla and flowers are presented to you and ghee lamps are offered to you day
and night.

tere mānasī-gaṅgā nikaṭa vahe

tope caḍhe dudha kī dhāra
Mānasī Gaṅga flows next to you. Your abhiṣeka is performed with a shower of
milk.

terī sāt kosakī parakammā

aur cakaleśvara viśrāma
Devotees perform your 7 kosa parikramā and take rest at Cakaleśvara.

4
 Calo Mana Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
calo mana śrī vṛndāvana dhāma
O mind, immediately race to Vṛndāvana . . .

jahā viharata nāgarī arū nāgara, kuñjana āṭho jāma

Where the hero and heroines perpetually enjoy in the kuñjas.

bhūkha lage to rasikana jhūṭhana khāye lahiya viśrāma

When hungry I will take the remnants of rasika devotees and then take rest.

pyāsa lage to tarūṇī tanujā taṭa piyu salīla lalāma

When thirsty I will go to the banks of the Yamunā and drink her tasty water.

nīnda lage to jāya soi rahū, latana kuñja abhirāma

When fatigued I will rest in the dense kuñjas.

braja kī reṇu lakhi cinmaya, tanmaya rahū abhirāma

O mind, you will find eternal peace upon seeing the transcendental dust of Vraja.

pe kṛpālu mana jāti yaha bhūliye bhāva rahe niṣkāma

O mind, be merciful to me and renounce all other desires besides these.

Kanhaiyā Rādhikārāṇī
hamāre braja ke rakhavāle, kanhaiyā rādhikārāṇī
The protector of Vraja, our Kanhaiyā Rādhikārāṇī

kanhaiyā rādhikārāṇī, kanhaiyā rādhikārāṇī

hamāre nayano ke tāre, kanhaiyā rādhikārāṇī
The star of our eyes, Kanhaiyā Rādhikārāṇī

sahārā ve-sahāro ke, kanhaiyā rādhikārāṇī

The shelter for the shelterless, Kanhaiyā Rādhikārāṇī
5
 Ālī! Mohe Lāge Vṛndāvana Nīko
ālī! mohe lāge vṛndāvana nīko, nīko lāge hari ko
ghara ghara tulasī, ṭhākura pūjā, darśana govindajī ko
ālī! mohe lāge vṛndāvana nīko
O friend! I like Vṛndāvana so much, where in every home Tulasī and the Deity
are worshiped and Govindajī gives His darśana,

nirmala nīra bahata yamunā ko, bhojana dūdha dahī ko

ālī! mohe lāge vṛndāvana nīko
Where the pure waters of the Yamunā flow and where the foodstuffs are milk and
yoghurt. O friend! I like Vṛndāvana so much.

ratana siṁhāsana āpa virāje, mukuṭa dharyo tulasī ko

ālī! mohe lāge vṛndāvana nīko
Where the Deity sits on a jewelled throne, with Tulasī in His crown. O friend! I
like Vṛndāvana very much.

kuñjana kuñjana phirata rādhikā, śabda sunata muralī ko,

ālī! mohe lāge vṛndāvana nīko
Where Rādhikā roams from kuñja to kuñja, having heard the vibration of His
flute. O friend! I like Vṛndāvana so much.

mīrā ke prabhu giridhāra-nāgara, bhajana binā nara phīko

ālī! mohe lāge vṛndāvana nīko
The hero Giridhārī is the master of Mīrā, who says that without bhajana a person
is dull. O friend! I like Vṛndāvana so much.

6
 Bhaja Govinda, Bhaja Govinda
bhaja govinda, bhaja govinda, bhaja govinda kā nāma re
govinda ke nāma binā, tere koī na āve kāma re
Worship the name of Govinda. Nothing besides the name of Govinda can do
anything for you.

ye jīvana hai sukha duḥkha kā melā, duniyādāri svapna kā khelā

jānā tujha ko paḍegā akelā, bhaja le hari kā nāma re
This life is a festival of happiness and unhappiness—like a dream. In the end you
will be all alone, so worship the name of Hari.

govinda kī mahimā gāke, prema ke usa para phāga lagāke

jīvana apnā saphala banā le, cala īśvara ke dhāma re
Sing the glories of Govinda with great love. This will make your life successful
and transfer you to Īśvara’s dhāma.

Mādhava Bhāmini
mādhava bhāmini jaya jaya rādhe
jaya rasikana kī svāminī rādhe. . . . .

rūpa raṅgīlīi guṇa garvīlī

śyāma hathīlī chaila chabīlī
jaya alabelī mādhavī rādhe. . . . .

rāsa-vilāsinī kuñja-nivāsinī
prema prakāśinī madhura subhāṣinī
jaya pāvana rasa kāminī rādhe. . . . .
O beloved of Mādhava! All glories to You, Rādhe! O Patroness of all rasikas!
(All other lines in the song glorify Śrī Rādhā by Her various qualities.)

7
 Kṛṣṇa Kanhaiyā
pāra kareṅge naiyā re, bhaja kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā
kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā dāūjī ke bhaiyā
Worship Kanhaiyā,* the brother of Balarāma. Kanhaiyā’s lotus feet are the boat
to take us across the ocean of material life.

kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā baṁśī bajaiyā,

mākhana curaiyā re, bhaja kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā
Worship Kanhaiyā, that Kṛṣṇa who stays in Vraja, playing the flute and from
every gopī’s house stealing butter .

kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā girivara uṭhaiyā,

kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā rāsa racaiyā
Worship Kanhaiyā, that Kṛṣṇa who lifted Govardhana Hill and performed the
rāsa-līlā. His lotus feet are the boat to take us across the ocean of material life.

mitra sudāmā taṇḍula lāe,

gale lagā prabhu bhoga lagāye
kahā kahā kaha bhaiyā re, bhaja kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā
When His friend Sudāma brought Him some low-grade rice He accepted it,
embraced him and cried, “O My brother, you haven’t come for such a long time!
Where have you been? Did you forget Me?” Worship that Kṛṣṇa!

arjuna kā ratha raṇa me hākā,

śyāmaliyā giridhārī bākā
kālīnāga nathaiyā re, bhaja kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā
In the Mahābharata war, Śyāmaliyā (sweet, black, crooked Kṛṣṇa) became
Arjuna’s chariot driver, directing the horses on the battlefield. He lifted
Govardhana Hill at such a tender age and He subdued the serpent Kāliya by
putting a rope through his nose and dragging him out of the Yamunā. Worship
that Kṛṣṇa!

drupata-sutā jaba duṣṭana gherī,

rākhī lāja na kīnī derī
āge cīra baḍhaiyā re, bhaja kṛṣṇa kanhaiyā
Worship Kanhaiyā, who immediately came to protect Draupadī’s chastity. When
she was surrounded by so many wicked men, He increased her cloth unlimitedly.
8
 Vraja-Jana Mana Sukhakārī
Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Narāyāṇa Mahārāja

vraja-jana mana sukhakārī—rādhe-śyāma śyāmā śyāma

Kṛṣṇa gives bliss to the hearts of all the Vrajavāsīs. Rādhe! Śyāma! Śyāmā!
Śyāma!

mor mukuṭa makarākṛta kuṇḍala, gala vaijayantī māla,

caraṇan nūpura rasāla—rādhe-śyāma śyāmā śyāma
He has a peacock feather mukuṭa, swinging makara earrings and a vaijayantī
māla around His neck, and the sound of His anklebells is full of rasa! Rādhe!
Śyāma! Śyāmā! Śyāma!

sundara vadana kamala dal locana, bāṅkī cita-vana-hārī,

mohana-baṁśī-vihārī—rādhe-śyāma śyāmā śyāma
His lotus eyes and face are so beautiful. He steals people’s hearts with His
crooked stance and wandering here and there He charms everyone with His flute!
Rādhe! Śyāma! Śyāmā! Śyāma!

vrndāvanmeṅ dhenu carāve, gopī-jana manahārī

śrī govardhana dharī—rādhe-śyāma śyāmā śyāma
In Vṛndāvana He plays with cows in pastures, attracts the gopīs’ minds, and He
lifts Śrī Govardhana Hill! Rādhe! Śyāma! Śyāmā! Śyāma!

rādhā-kṛṣṇa mili ab dou, gaura rūpa avatārī

kīrtana dharma pracārī—rādhe-śyāma śyāmā śyāma
Now Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, though two, have become one, appearing as the beautiful golden avatāra who preaches
the dharma of chanting the holy names! Rādhe! Śyāma! Śyāmā! Śyāma!

tum vina mere aura na koi, nām rūpa avatārī

caraṇanameñ balihārī, nārāyaṇa balihārī
rādhe-śyāma śyāmā śyāma
Without You I have no one. You descend in the divine form of His name, and
Your lotus feet fill me with such wonder that this Nārāyaṇa is filled with delight!
Rādhe! Śyāma! Śyāmā! Śyāma!

9
 Mohana Pyāre Ho Kanhaiyā
mohana pyāre ho kanhaiyā, nāma anupama bhāve
nanda ke lāla, yaśodā dulāla saba koī jana gāve, kanhaiyā
My beloved Kanhaiyā is so enchanting, I like Your beautiful name so much. All
the village people sing of You, Kanhaiyā, the dear child of Nanda and Yaśodā.

rādhā-ramaṇa madana-mohana prabhu yamunā pulina bihāri

kṛṣṇa govinda, muralī manohara, govardhana giridhārī
You are the lover of Rādhā, You enchant even Cupid, You enjoy pastimes while
roaming around the Yamunā. Kṛṣṇa, Govinda! You play enchanting melodies on
the flute and You lifted Govardhana Hill.

agha, baka pūtanā kaṁsa ke nāśaka, rādhā-kuṇḍa taṭa vanavārī

braja-jana rañjana gopī pramodana, cañcala naṭana murārī
You destroyed Aghāsura, Bakāsura, Pūtanā and Kaṁsa, You wander on the banks
of Rādhā-kuṇḍa, You delight the residents of Vraja and especially the gopīs, and
hey Murārī! You are such a restless, playful dancer.

madhura nāma avatāra tumhāre, dīna janana ādhāra

nāma rūpa me bheda na koī, kīje kṛpa murāra
Your sweet name is Your incarnation and the shelter of the fallen. There is no
difference between Yourself and Your name. Please be merciful!

esā aura nahī pāpījana, jaisā maī hu nātha

nijajana śarana dehi karuṇamaya, kīje mohī sanātha
There is no other sinner like me. Hey Nātha! Please be merciful and give me
shelter.

10
 Aiyo Nandalāla, Aiyo Gopāla
āja mere aṅgana me aiyo nandalāla, aiyo gopāla,
darśana kī pyāsi gujariyā, o śyāma darśana kī pyāsi gujariyā
Please enter my courtyard today, Nandalāla. Please come, Gopāla. This cowherd
lady is thirsty for Your darśana. O Śyāma, this cowherd lady is thirsty for Your
darśana.

aṅgana me aiyo mero mākhana khaiyo,

mīṭhī-mīṭhī batiyā bataiyo nandalāla,
aiyo gopāla darśana kī pyāsi gujariyā
Please enter my courtyard and eat my butter. Please speak sweet utterances to me
Nandalāla. Please come, Gopāla. This cowherd lady is thirsty for Your darśana.

kori-kori matakina me, bholi bholi gaiyana ko,

tere liye dahi kara rakho nandalala,
aiyo gopāla darśana kī pyāsi gujariyā
In newly-made earthen pots we have kept yoghurt made from the milk of
innocent cows just for You, Nandalāla. Please come, Gopāla. This cowherd lady
is thirsty for Your darśana.

aṅgana me aiyo, neka baṁśī bajaiyo,

mīṭhī-mīṭhī batiyā bataiyo nandalāla,
aiyo gopāla darśana kī pyāsi gujariyā
Please enter my courtyard and play the flute. Please speak sweet utterances
to me, Nandalāla. Please come, Gopāla. This cowherd lady is thirsty for Your
darśana.

11
 Sakhī Rī Mere Mana
sakhī rī mere mana abhilāṣā hoya madana mohana ke guṇa gāū
O Sakhī, my heart’s desire is to sing the glories of Madana-mohana.

śīśa pe mora mukuṭa sohe, pagana paijaniyā mana mohe

kamara pītāmbara jhilamila hoya na mukha se varṇana kara pāū
The peacock feather in His crown is very beautiful. His jingling anklebells
enchant my mind. His waist is adorned with yellow cloth, the beauty of which I
simply cannot describe.

kānana me kuṇḍala hai ālā, gale me vaijayantī mālā

adhara muralī pyārī lāge moya, sunū to mana me sukha pāū
Hearing about the earrings in His ears, the vaijayantī-mālā around His neck and
the beloved flute at His lips, my heart will obtain great happiness.

ye laṭa mukha pe kālī-kālī cāla mohana kī matavālī

yahā jāye se darśana hoya batado gela kahā jāū
Locks of black hair dangle upon His face; as if intoxicated He moves in an
enchanting fashion. Tell me friend, where can I go to receive His darśana?

ye naṭavara rāsa-bihārī ke saṅga vṛṣabhānu dulārī ke

saphala jīvana mero kaise hoya yugala caraṇana me sira nāū
That best of dancers is in the company of the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu.
Bowing my head at the feet of the Divine Couple, my life will be completely
successful.

12
 Baso Mere
baso mere nayanana me nandalāla
May Nandalāla always be present before my eyes.

mohana mūrati, śyāmarī sūrati, nayanā bane viśāla

May the enchanting form and beautiful face of Śyāma always be present before my eyes.

adhara sudhārasa, muralī bājata, ura vaijayantī mālā

His lips exude pure nectar as He plays the flute and a vaijayantī-mālā adorns His chest.

kṣudra ghanṭika kaṭitaṭa śobhita, nūpura śabda rasāla

Tiny bells adorn His waist and the sound of His anklebells is very sweet.

mīrā prabhu santana sukhadāyī, bhakata-vatsala gopāla

The master of Mīrā is Gopāla, who is especially affectionate to His devotees and
gives immense pleasure to the saints.

Jaya Jaya Rādhā-Ramaṇa Hari Bol

jaya jaya rādhā-ramaṇa hari bol, naṭa nāgara navala chaila rasiyā
pyāro kānhā hai mero mana basiyā, kare kālindī kula kilola
All glories to Rādhā Ramaṇa! Hari bol! He is an expert dancer, a clever hero,
ever-fresh, handsome and full of rasa. My beloved Kānhā, who dwells in my
mind, is playing and joking on the banks of Kālindī.

akhiyāṅ kārī mṛga chaunā sī, mṛdu muskāna jādū ṭonā sī

tere rasake bhare haiṅ kapola
You have black eyes like a baby deer, and Your gentle smile casts a magic spell.
Your cheeks are full of rasa.

braja nāce usakī kilakana pe, kajarīlī tirachī citavana pe

sukhadāsa bike haiṅ bina mola, ye dāsī bikī hai bina mola
His calling out in delight causes the whole of Braja to dance. With His dark eyes
He shoots an arrow into my heart. Sukhadāsa has been sold out for no price. This
dāsī has freely given herself without any payment.
13
 Mai To Raṭū Rādhā-Rādhā-Nāma
mai to raṭū rādhā-rādhā nāma, braja kī galiyana me
mai to āyo vṛndāvana-dhāma kiśorī tere caraṇana me
I will repeat the name of Rādhā through the lanes of Vraja. I will go to
Vṛndāvana-dhāma and take shelter at Your feet, Kiśorī.

ita uta dolū kaha-kaha rādhā, miṭa jāye jīvana kī vyādhā

aur mila jāye ghanaśyāma, braja ki galiyana me
I will be lost the entire day in the alleyways of Vraja. Wandering here and there
singing Your name will eradicate all of life’s misery. And I will meet Śrī Kṛṣṇa,
whose complexion is like that of a dark raincloud.

ulajha-ulajha ina braja karīlana me,

sevā-kuñja yā nidhuvana me
kiśorī tere caraṇana me, braja ki galiyana me
In madness I will roam in Sevā-kuñja or Nidhuvana. I will take shelter at Your
feet, Kiśorī, and roam through the lanes of Vraja. . . .

kabhī dāna gali, kabhī māna gali

kabhī sevā-kuñja, kabhī nidhuvana
kabhī rādhā kuṇḍa, kabhī śyāma kuṇḍa
kabhī yamunā ke taṭa, kabhī baṁśī ke vaṭa
Sometimes in Dana-gali, sometimes in Māna-gali, sometimes in Sevā Kuñja,
sometimes in Nidhuvan, sometimes at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, sometimes at Śyāma-kuṇḍa,
sometimes on the banks of the Yamunā, sometimes at Vaṁśī-vaṭa.

mere mana me bhī rādhā, mere tana me bhī rādhā

jita dekhu tita rādhā-rādhā
aiso mile varadāna, kiśorī tere caraṇana me
Rādhā is within my mind and also within my body. Everywhere I will see only
Rādhā, Rādhā! Grant me such a benediction at Your feet, Kiśorī.

aba to cāha yahī sakhi mana kī,

dhūla mile mohe gopī-caraṇana kī
aur nikale tana so prāṇa, braja kī galiyana me
kahī mila jāye ghanaśyāma, kiśorī tere caraṇana me
14
 My sole desire is to obtain the dust of that gopī’s feet and then give up my life in
the dust of Vraja. I will meet Ghanaśyāma at Your feet, Kiśorī.

Jaya Rādhe Jaya Kṛṣṇa Jaya Vṛndāvana

jaya rādhe jaya kṛṣṇa jaya vṛndāvana
rasika mukuṭa-maṇi jaya gopī gaṇa
All glories to Rādhā, all glories to Kṛṣṇa, all glories to Vṛndāvana. All glories to
all the gopīs, who are the crown-jewels of all rasikas.

rādhe rādhe raṭe śyāma, rādhe raṭe śyāma śyāma

rādhe-śyāma yugala-nāma mero hai jīvana. . . .
Śyāma chants, “Rādhe Rādhe” and Rādhā chants, “Śyāma Śyama.” The name of
the Divine Couple “Rādhe-Śyāma” is my life and soul.

hūñ vahi sahacarī rādhe rāṇī kī

nitya dhāma vṛndāvana mahārāṇī kī. . . .
I am the maidservant of Rādhārāṇī, who is the queen of the eternal Vṛndāvana
Dhāma.

nitya dhāma nitya sevā nitya pauna tho yāma

rakho ruci soi joi ṭhākurāṇī ki. . . .
I want to achieve eternal service to Her in Her eternal abode throughout the day
and night. I shall lead my life the way my mistress wants me to live.

mero eka prāṇa dhana eka hī hai jīvana

nanda-nandana madana-mohana rādhikā-ramaṇa. . . .
The sole treasure of my life is Nanda-nandana, Madana-mohana, Rādhikā-
ramaṇa.

śyāma hī so mero pyāra śyāma hī mero bhartār

śyāma hī samāyo āṭho yāma tana kī. . . .
I love Śyāma only and He is my master. I am offering my body and mind to
Śyāma throughout the day and night.

15
 Aisī Kṛpa Karo Śrī Rādhe
aisī krpa karo śrī rādhe dīyo vṛndāvana ko vāsa
vṛndāvana ko vāsa, dīyo hari bhaktana ko sātha
Please be merciful, Śrī Rādhe. Grant me residence in Vṛndāvana and the
association of Śrī Hari’s devotees.

bhūka lage bhikṣā kara lāū, vraja-vāsīna ke tukara pāū

pyāsa lage yamunā-jala pīke, nidhuvana karū nivāsa
If hungry, I will beg morsels of food from the Vrajavāsīs. If thirsty, I will drink
the water of the Yamunā, and I will reside at Nidhuvana.

govardhana parikramā lagāū, mānasā gaṅgā prema se nahāū

rādhā-kuṇḍa aura kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa me nitya karū snāna
I will do parikramā of Govardhana, bathe in Mānasā-gaṅgā with great love, and
forever bathe in both Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa.

nanda-gāva barasāne jāū, rādhejī ke darśana pāū

gahavara vana parikramā lagāū,
dānakuṭī aura mānakuṭī pe dekhū rāsa vilāsa
By going to Nandagrāma and Varsānā I will get Rādhājī’s darśana, I will do
parikramā of the Gahavara forest, and at Dāna-kuṭī and Māna-kuṭī I will witness
the rāsa-līlā.

nanda bābā ke dvāre jāū, dāū bhaiyā ke darśana pāū

pāvana sarovara prema se nahāū, bāṅke-bihārī ke darśana pāya ke
hai jāya pūraṇa āsa
By going to Nanda Bābā’s palace I will get darśana of Baladeva, I will bathe in
Pāvana-sarovara with great love, and by getting darśana of Bāṅke-bihārī all my
aspirations will be fulfilled.

16
 Mere Nandajī Ko Lālā Alabelā
mere nandajī ko lālā alabelā, meri maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
My playful son of Nanda throws stones, which break the clay pots I carry on my head.

kabhī gaūo ke saṅga, kabhī bacharana ke saṅga

kabhī sakhāo ke saṅga me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
Sometimes in the company of the cows, sometimes in the company of the calves,
sometimes alone with all the cowherd boys...

kabhī śrīdamā ke saṅga, kabhī subala ke saṅga

kabhī madhumaṅgala saṅga me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
Sometimes in the company of Śrīdāma, sometimes in the company of Subala,
sometimes alone with Madhumaṅgala...

kabhī lalitā ke saṅga kabhī viśakhā ke saṅga

kabhī rādhā ke saṅga me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
Sometimes in the company of Lalitā, sometimes in the company of Viśakhā,
sometimes alone with Rādhā...

kabhī yamunā ke taṭa, kabhī gaṅgā ke taṭa

kabhī baṁśī ke vaṭa me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
Sometimes on the bank of the Yamunā, sometimes on the banks of Mānasā-
gaṅgā, sometimes alone at Vaṁśī-vaṭa...

kabhī nanda gāva, kabhī barasāne gāva

kabhī saṅketa vana me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
Sometimes at Nandagrama, sometimes at Varsānā, sometimes alone at Saṅketa forest...

kabhi rādhā-kuṇḍa kabhī śyāma-kuṇḍa

kabhī kusuma sarovara me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā
Sometimes at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, sometimes at Śyāma-kuṇḍa, sometimes alone at
Kusuma-sarovara...

kabhī gokula vana, kabhī mahāvana

kabhī govardhana me akelā, merī maṭakī me māra gayo ḍhelā

17
Sometimes at Gokula forest, sometimes at Mahāvana, and sometimes alone at
Govardhana—He breaks my earthen pots.

Mākhana Kī Corī
mākhana kī corī cora kāmare mai samajhā rahī toye
mai samajhā rahī toye laile, mai samajhā rahī toye
Mother Yaśodā says to her son, “I am trying to make You understand, my child,
that it is naughty to steal butter.”

nau lākha gaiyā nanda bābā ko, nita naya mākhana hoye
tāu ke tu corī kare, lāja na āve toye
“Nanda Bābā has nine-hundred thousand cows who give fresh butter daily. Yet
You steal butter from Your uncle’s house, without feeling ashamed.”

hāta bāta gaja becana hāri, gaiyā ulahano hoya

bare nāma hai nanda bābā ko, hasī hamāri hoya
“All the village people are speaking about Your mischievous activities. Nanda
Bābā has such a good reputation, but now everyone is laughing at us.”

barasāna pe bhai sadā lalā, nita naya carcā hoya

bare bāpa ki rādhā beṭī, naya bhare gī toye
”When the residents of Varsānā meet together in the evening, there is always
some fresh gossip. And now the name of Rādhā, the daughter of a reputable
father, is connected with You.”

mākhana corī chuṭe na maiyā, hona hāra to toya

sūrya dāsa yaśodā ke āge, sadaka-sadaka gaye toye
Sūrya dāsa looks on as Kṛṣṇa stands weeping before Yaśodā while saying, “I
cannot stop stealing butter, Maiyā—what will be, will be.”

18
 Choṭī Sī Kiśorī
choṭī sī kiśorī mere aṅgana me ḍole re
pāva me pāyaliyā bāke jham-jhamā-jham bole re
A young girl is wandering in my courtyard and Her anklebells are jingling.

maine bāse pūchī lālī kahā tero nāma re

hasa-hasa ke batāve boto rādhā mero nāma re
When I asked Her, “Lālī, what is Your name?” laughing, She told me, “My name
is Rādhā.”

maine bāse pūchī lālī kahā tero gāva re

mīṭhī-mīṭhī bole mose barasāno mero gāva re
When I asked Her, “Lālī, where is Your village?” She sweetly replied, “My
village is Varsānā.”

maine bāse pūchī lālī, kauna tero sasurāla re

śaramāke yo bole mose jāvaṭa grāma sasurāla re
When I asked Her, “Lālī, who are Your in-laws?” coyly She replied, “My in-laws
reside in the village of Yāvaṭa.”

maine bāse pūchī lālī, kauna tero bharatāra re

muskarāke bolī mose śyāma mero bharatāra re
When I asked Her, “Lālī, who is Your beloved?” smiling She replied, “My
beloved is Śyāma.”

maine bāse pūchī lālī, khāogī kā mākhana

āhā, āhā bole, mere āge pīche ḍole re
When I asked Her, “Lālī, will You eat some butter?” She replied, “Yes, yes,” and
began prancing around me.

candrasakhī bhaja bāla kṛṣṇa chavi

sapane me āke mose mīṭhī-mīṭhī bole re
pāva me pāyaliyā bāke jham-jhamā-jham bole re
Candra Sakhī worships the beautiful boy Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Rādhikā appeared in a dream—
She spoke so sweetly and the jingling of Her anklebells was so charming.

19
 Govinda Dāmodara Mādhaveti
he kṛṣṇa he yādava he sakheti, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
ḍāri mathānī dadhi me kisīne, tabe dhyāna āyo dadhi cora kā hī
gada-gada kaṇṭha pukāratī hai, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
When going to churn milk for making butter, one mother in Vraja remembers
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the butter-thief, and in a choked voice cries out, “Hey Kṛṣṇa! Hey
Yādava! Hey my friend! Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!”

he līpatī aṅgana nāri koī, govinda āve mam gṛha khele

dhyānastha me yahī pada gā rahī hai, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Another cowherd lady, while cleaning her courtyard with cow-dung and water,
calls out, “Hey Govinda! Come and play in my courtyard.” In deep meditation
she sings, “Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!”

mātā yaśodā hari ko jagāve, jāgo uṭho mohana naina kholo
dvāre khaṛe gvāla bulā rahe hai, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
While waking Śrī Hari, Yaśodā-maiyā says, “Awaken! Get up, Mohana! Open
Your eyes! Your friends are waiting for You at the door! Govinda Dāmodara
Mādhava!”

vidhyānurāgī nija pustakoṅmeṅ, arthānurāgī dhana saṅcayoṅmeṅ

ye hī nirālī dhvanī gā rahī hai, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Scholars absorbed in their studies and merchants immersed in making money are
also singing this unprecedented song—”Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!”

le ke karoṅmeṅ dohani anokhī, gau dugdha kāṛe avalā navelī

gau dugdha dhārā saṅga gā rahī hai, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
With milk pails in their hands, the young girls are milking the cows, and with the
flow of the milk they are singing, “Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!”

jāge pujārī hari mandiroṅ meṅ, jāke jagāveṅ hariko sabere

he kṣīrasindhu ab netra kholo, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
When the pujārī gets up in the morning, he goes to the temple and wakes up
Śrī Hari, saying, “Hey Ocean of condensed milk, now open Your eyes, Govinda
Dāmodara Mādhava!”
20
 soyā kisīkā suta pālane meṅ, ḍorī karoṅ se jab kheṅcatī hai
ho prema magnā usane pukārā, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
One gopī’s child is sleeping in the cradle, and with her hands she is pulling the
rope. Completely absorbed in prema, she sings, “Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!”

royā kisīkā suta pālane meṅ, ho prema magnā usne pukārā

rovo na gāvo prabhu saṅga mere, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
The baby in the cradle is crying. That gopī, absorbed in prema, says, “Don’t cry.
Sing along with me, ‘Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!’ “

koi navelī patiko jagāve, prāṇeśa jāgo ab nīṅda tyāgo

belā yahī hai hari gīta gāvo, govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
The young bride is waking her husband, “O my dear, give up your sleep and
wake up. Now is the time to glorify Hari, ‘Govinda Dāmodara Mādhava!’ “

Rādhā-Nāma Parama Sukhadāī

rādhā-nāma parama sukhadāī
Rādhā-nāma is the bestower of the supreme happiness.

lahara-lahara śrī śyāmā ju kī mana me mere samāī

May the numerous waves of Śrī Śyāmā’s love always reside in my heart.

rata-rata rādhā janāma bitāū, bṛja gopīna kū śīśa navāū

In all my future births may I always bow my head to Rādhā and the vraja-gopīs.

mahimā kahi nahi jāī rādhā nāma parama sukhadāī

Rādhā’s glories are indescribable and Her name bestows the supreme happiness.

braja tyaja ke mai kahi nahi jāū rasika santana ke darśana pāū
I will never leave Vraja to go elsewhere and I will always take darśana of rasika
saints.

jaga se prīti hatai rādhā nāma parama sukhadāī

21
 Rādhā-nāma removes attachment to material life and bestows the supreme
happiness.

Jhūlā Jhūle Rādhā Dāmodara

jhūlā jhūle rādhā dāmodara vṛndāvana meṅ
kaisī cchāyī hariyālī ālī kuñjan meṅ
Rādhā Dāmodara are swinging on the swing in Vṛndāvana. O friend (ālī), how
very green the kuñja is!

ita nandan koṅ dulāroṅ, uta bhānu kī dulārī

joḍī lāge ati pyārī, basī nainan meṅ
On this side is the dear son of Nanda, on that side is the very dear daughter of
Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja. Both look very beautiful; I keep Them within my vision.

yamunā ke kūla pahari suranga dulula

kaise khila rahe phūla, alī kadaman meṅ
On the bank of the Yamunā They are wearing very beautiful and colorful clothes.
O friend, how the flowers are blossoming on the kadamba tree!

gaura śyāma ranga, ghana dāminī ke saṅga

bhayī ankhiyāṅ apaṅga, cchabi bharī man meṅ
Their golden and dark colors are like lightning on a dark cloud. My eyes do not
close; that picture fills my mind.

rādhe mukha aur, naina śyāma ke cakora

braja gopīn prema dora, lāgī caraṇana meṅ
Rādhā’s face is like the moon; Kṛṣṇa’s eyes are like the cakora bird [attracted to
the moon], looking towards Her. The Vraja gopīs’ prema is a rope binding Rādhā
and Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

22
 Rādhe Jhulana Padharo
[Introduction: all the sakhīs are with Rādhā. She’s a little sulky before going
to the swings that are hanging from any kadamba tree in Braja Maṇḍala—
Vṛndāvana, Rādhā Kuṇḍa, Barsānā, and many other places. Kṛṣṇa has arrived at
the swing and is waiting for Rādhā, but She says She won’t go.]

rādhe jhulana padharo jhukī āye badarā

jhukī āye badarā, ghira āye badarā
The sakhīs say to Rādhā, “Please come and swing. Some very beautiful rain-
clouds have come. Soon it will rain, and if You don’t come now, You will miss it
and be sorry. So many clouds have come!”

ese mān nāhi kije haṭha tajiye [cchāḍiye] ālī

tum to parama syāni vṛṣabhaṅkī lalī
Give up Your māna, O Sakhī. Don’t be stubborn. You are the daughter of
Vṛṣabhanu Mahārāja and are so clever, so don’t be stubborn. [Why do You persist
with this sulky mood?]

sajo solaḥ singar dāro nayanan kajarā

pahiro pañcharang sārī oḍho syām chadarā
Now You should decorate Yourself with sixteen kinds of ornaments and put kajjal
on Your eyes. Wear a five-colored sārī and a dark, very thin shawl.

tero rasika priyatam maga jovat khaḍo

śyāma do kara jora tero caraṇana paro
[rādhe jahān paga dharo śyāma nayanā dharo]
Your rasika beloved is waiting for You on the path. Standing with folded hands,
Śyāma is ready to fall at Your feet. [Wherever Rādhā places Her feet, Śyāma’s
eyes follow.]

dāro reśama dorī jate jhule rādhā gorī

jākī bahiyāṅ gorī gorī pahire harī chuḍiyāñ
Hang the silken ropes where golden Rādhā will swing. Her arms are very golden
and She’s wearing green bracelets.

23
 Aji Muralī Bāje Prema
aji muralī bāje prema vṛndāvane
Today the flute is playing in prema-filled Vṛndāvana.

nava anurāginī śyāma sohāginī

The very fortunate Rādhārāṇī always has intense, new feelings for Śyāma.

abhisāra cale rādhā kuñjavane

Rādhā is going to the forest kuñja to meet with Kṛṣṇa.

kokhila kuhu kuhu gahe toru sakhe

Cuckoos on the branches of the trees are singing, “Kuhu kuhu.”

milane cale rādhā mukha so sidhake

When Rādhā goes to meet Kṛṣṇa, She covers Her moon-like face with a veil.

surabhita vanatala phulla kusuma dal

The branches of the trees in the forest are full with all kinds of flowers.

mohita alisama kuñjavane

The swarms of bees in the forest are enchanted.

madhurita vasanti gahe vrajanari

he śyāmasundara he giridhārī
The vraja-gopīs are singing a sweet Vasanti rāga, “Hey Śyāmasundara! Hey
Giridhārī.”

dau prabhu daraśana antara anukṣana

Hey Prabhu, give us Your darśana in our hearts at every minute.

rādhāra jīvana rakho madhu milane

Keep Rādhā alive with Your sweet meetings.

24
 Jaya Rādhe Jaya Rādhe Rādhe!
Śrī Hari Priyā dāsa

jaya rādhe jaya rādhe rādhe jaya rādhe jaya śrī-rādhe

jaya kṛṣṇa jaya kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa jaya kṛṣṇa jaya śrī-kṛṣṇa (refrain)

śyāmā gaurī nitya-kiśorī prītama-jorī śrī-rādhe

rasika rasīlo chaila-chabīlo guṇa-garavīlo śrī-kṛṣṇa (1)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are a slender-waisted, fresh, young maiden, golden
complexioned, eternally teeny-aged, and the perfect counterpart for Your
beloved. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You relish all transcendental flavors, You are sweet and
relishable in every respect. You are so effulgent that You enchant all, and proud
of Your own excellent qualities.

rāsa-vihārini rasa-visatārini piya-ura-dhārini śrī-rādhe

nava-nava-raṅgī navala-tribhaṅgī śyāma-su-aṅgī śrī-kṛṣṇa (2)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are the mainstay of the rāsa-līla, the distributor of pure rasa
to all living beings, and You always keep Your beloved in Your heart. O Śrī
Kṛṣṇa, You delight in performing newer and newer ways of enjoying, You appear
ever-fresh standing in Your three-fold bending posture, and Your perfectly
proportioned, dark-complected body is most exquisite.

prāṇa-piyārī rūpa-ujyārī ati-sukumārī śrī-rādhe

naina-manohara mahā-moda-kara sundara-vara-tara śrī-kṛṣṇa (3)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are Kṛṣṇa’s life, Your form shines brilliantly, You are an
extremely tender and delicate flowerlike maiden. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Your eyes are
enchanting, You bestow great bliss to all, Your beauty far surpasses all others.

śobhā-śrenī mohā-mainī kolila-vainī śrī-rādhe

kīrati-vantā kāmini-kantā śrī-bhagavantā śrī-kṛṣṇa (4)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are by far the most beautiful of all damsels, You radiate the
luster of transcendental Cupid, and Your speech sounds sweet like the cuckoo’s
soft cooing. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You are famous throughout the universes, the lover of
the impassioned gopīs, and You control all incarnations.

candā-vadanī kuṇḍā-radanī śobhā-sadanī śrī-rādhe

parama-udārā prabhā-apārā ati-sukumārā śrī-kṛṣṇa (5)
O Śrī Rādhe, Your face is more lustrous than millions of moons, Your fair
25
complexion defeats the loveliness of white kuṇḍā flowers, You are the root of all
beauty. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You are supremely magnanimous, Your effulgence radiates
unlimitedly, You are an extremely tender and delicate youth.

haṁsā-gamanī rājata-ramanī krīḍā-kamanī śrī-rādhe

rūpa-rasālā nayana-viśālā parama-kṛpālā śrī-kṛṣṇa (6)
O Śrī Rādhe, Your gait is like a majestic swan, You are the most radiant lover,
and You perform many playful pastimes. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Your beautiful form is
full of nectar which everyone tastes, Your eyes are large and wide, and You are
supremely merciful.

kaṅcana-velī rati-rasa-relī ati-alabelī śrī-rādhe

saba-sukha-sāgara saba-guṇa-āgara rūpa-ujāgara śrī-kṛṣṇa (7)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are a golden creeper winding around the dark tamāla tree, You
supply pure ambrosia to anyone who takes Your name, and You are irresistably
fascinating. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You are the ocean of all types of happiness, You are the
mine of all good qualities, and You radiate an aura of exquisite beauty.

ramaṇī-ramyā taru-tara-tamyā guṇa-agamyā śrī-rādhe

dhāma-nivāsī prabhā-prakāśī sahaja-suhāsī śrī-kṛṣṇa (8)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are the most delightful of all beautiful maidens, You are the
topmost of teeny-aged girls, and Your qualities are unlimited. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You
dwell in the sacred abode of love, You radiate a powerful effulgence, and Your
natural smile is very sweet.

śaktyāhlādinī ati-priya-vādini ura-unmādini śrī-rādhe

aṅga-aṅga-ṭonā sarasa-salonā subhaga-suṭhonā śrī-kṛṣṇa (9)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure potency, Your speech is most pleasing,
Your heart becomes maddened with prema for Śrī Kṛṣṇa. O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Your every
limb is bewitchingly beautiful, Your darkish complexion is most charming, You
are the most fascinating of youths.

rādhā-nāmini guṇa-abhirāmini śrī-haripriyā-svāminī śrī-rādhe

hare-hare-hari hare-hare-hari hare-hare-hari śrī-kṛṣṇa (10)
O Śrī Rādhe, You are called Rādhā, Your qualities are very pleasing, You are
the mistress of Hari-priyā dāsa and very dear to Śrī Hari. You steal the heart and
mind of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, of Hari-priyā dāsa and, indeed, of all living beings.

26
 Rādhe Bol Rādhe Bol
rādhe bol rādhe bol
vṛndāvana kī galiyana dol
Chant Rādhe! Chant Rādhe! And roam in the lanes of Vṛndāvana.

śyāma ke aṅga pītāmbara sohe

rādhā ke śīṣa cunarī anamola . . . . . . .
Śyāma is wearing yellow cloth, and Rādhā’s head is covered with a priceless veil.

śyāma ke śīṣa pe mukuṭa virāje

rādhā ke śīṣa bhrūkuṭi anamola . . . . . .
There is a crown on Śyāma’s head and Rādhā’s precious eyebrows are curved
like bows.

śyāma ke aṅga me sakha suśobhita

rādhe ke saṅga sakhī karata kilola. . . . .
Śyāma is most beautiful surrounded by His friends, and Rādhā plays happily with
Her friends.

vṛndāvana kī kuñja galiyana me

hari bol hari bol hari hari bol
Roam throughout the lanes of Vṛndāvana and chant “Hari bol!”

27
 Śyāma Terī Baṁśī
śyāma terī baṁśī baje dhīre dhīre
Hey Śyāmasundara, You play Your flute very slowly and very sweetly.

it meṅ mathurā, ut gokula

bīch meṅ jamunā bahe dhīre dhīre
On this side is Mathurā, on that side is Gokula, and Yamunā flows between them
very slowly.

it madhumaṅgala, ut śrīdāmā
bich meṅ kānhā cale dhīre dhīre
On this side is Madhumaṅgala, on that side is Śrīdāma, and in between Kṛṣṇa
walks very slowly.

it meṅ lalitā, ut meṅ viśākhā

bich meṅ rādhā cale dhīre dhīre
On this side is Lalitā, on that side is Viśākhā, and in the middle Rādhā walks very
slowly.

jhūlā dāro kadamba kī dāri

rādhā aur mohana jhūle dhīre dhīre
The swing is hanging from a kadamba tree. Rādhā and Mohana swing very
slowly.

ham sab āye haiṅ śaraṇa tumhārī

hamko bhī daraśana mile dhīre dhīre
All of us are surrendering at Their lotus feet. And gradually we will get Their
darśana.

28
 Jiyo Śyāma Lālā
jiyo śyāma lālā, jio śyāma lālā
pili terī pagaṛī raṅgakālā (Refrain)
Live long, Śyāma lālā (darling boy). Your turban is yellow and You are dark
colored.

gokula meñ aiyo nandalālā

gopīyoñ se par gayā ab pālā
The son of Nanda came to Gokula, and He was surrounded by the gopīs.

mataro kānhā uāṅ uāṅ

samjabe sunanda buā
“Kānhā, don’t cry uāṅ-uāṅ,” Aunt Sunanda is advising You. “Don’t lose Your
energy.”

khira jalebī pūrī laddū puā

yaśomatī ghara ānanda huā
Yaśomatī’s house was filled with bliss because she had condensed milk, jalebīs,
pūrīs, laddūs and malpuās.

caramara caramara kare palanā

brajabāsī gāye jiyo lalanā
The cradle made a creaking sound as the Vrajavāsīs were rocking it and singing,
“Long life to our darling boy.”

29
 Kanhaiyā Phir Se Ā Jāo
kanhaiyā phir se ā jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Kanhaiyā, come again to our circle of boys.

suna he me ne ye mohana ki tum baṁśī bajate ho

ki tum baṁśī bajā jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Mohana, we heard You play the flute. Join our gang and play the flute.

suna he me ne ye mohana ki tum makkhon curāte ho

ki tum makkhon curā jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Mohana, we have heard that You steal butter. Join our gang and steal (our hearts)
butter.

suna he me ne ye mohana ki tum gowe carate ho

ki tum gowe cara jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Mohana, we have heard that You go for cow-grazing. Show us how You graze the
cows.

suna he me ne ye mohana ki tum girivara utate ho

ki tum girivara uta jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Mohana, we have heard that You lift the king of mountains. Come to our group
and show us how You lift the mountain.

suna he me ne ye mohana ki tum rāsa racāte ho

ki tum rāsa racā jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Mohana, we have heard that You arrange the rāsa-līlā. Come and show us rāsa-
līlā.

suna he me ne ye mohana ki tum cir curāte ho

ki tum cir curā jāo hamāri bāla to li me
Mohana, we have heard that You steal ladies’ clothes. Come and show us how
You steal clothes.

30
 Rādhe Tere Caraṇoṅ Kī
rādhe tere caraṇoṅ kī gara dhūla jo mila jāe
sac kahatā hūṅ vasa merī, kismata hī badala jāe
Rādhe, if I get the dust from Your lotus feet, truly my luck will be completely
changed.

sunate haiṅ terī mahimā din-rāt barasti hai

eka būṅd jo mila hāe mana kī kalī khil jāe
We hear Your glories pouring down day and night. If I get only one drop, the bud
of my mind will blossom.

ue mana baḍā caṅcala hai, kaise terā bhajana karu

jitanā ise samjhāoṅ, utṇā hī macal jāe
My mind is very restless. How will I do Your bhajana? The more I try to make it
understand this, the more unsettled it becomes.

nazaroṅ se girānā nā, cāhe jitanā sajā denā

nazaroṅ se jo girajāe, muskila hī saṁbhala pāe
You can punish me as much as You want, but don’t let me out of Your sight. If I
am out of Your sight, then it is difficult to keep myself together.

rādhe isa jīvana meṅ basa eka tamannā hai

tū sāmne ho mere, merā dama hī nikala jāe
Rādhe, in this life I have only one desire. When I take my last breath, I would
like You to be in front of me.

31
 Maine Raṭanā Lagāi Re
maine raṭanā lagāi re rādhā nāma kī
Oh, I keep chanting Rādhā’s name.

merī palakoṅ meñ rādhā, merī alakoñ meñ rādhā

maine māṅga bharāi re rādhā nāma kī
I keep Rādhā in My eyelids, and She is in my hair. Oh, I fill the part in my hair
with Rādhā’s name.

mere nainoṅ meñ rādhā, mere bainoñ meñ rādhā

maine bainī guthāi re, rādhā nāma kī
Rādhā dwells in my eyes, I only talk about Her. Oh, I have braided Rādhā’s name
into my hair.

merī dularī meñ rādhā, merī cunarī meñ rādhā

maine nathanī sajāi re, rādhā nāma kī
Rādhā is the necklace around my neck and She is in my veil. Oh, Her name is the
ring in my nose.

mere calane meñ rādhā, mere halane meñ rādhā

kaṭi kiṇkaṇī bajāi re, rādhā nāma kī
When I walk I remember Rādhā, when I move I remember Rādhā. Oh, my
waistbells are ringing Rādhā’s name.

mere dāṅye bāṅye rādhā, mere āge pīche rādhā

rom-rom rasa chāi re, rādhā nāma kī
Rādhā is on my right and on my left, She is in front of me and behind me. Oh, the
rasa of Rādhā’s name is in every pore of my body.

mere aṅga-aṅga rādhā, mere saṅga-saṅga rādhā

gopāla bāṁśī bajāi re, rādhā nāma kī
Rādhā is my every limb. She is always with me. Oh, Gopāla played the flute and
called Rādhā’s name.

32
 Śrī Rādherāṇī
śrī rādherāṇī de ḍāro na bāṁsurī merī
yā baṁśī meṅ prāṇa basata haiṅ, so baṁśī gaī corī
He Rādherāṇī, please give back My flute. My soul is living in that vaṁśī. That
vaṁśī has been stolen.

kāhe se gāūṅ, rādhe, kāhe se bajāūṅ

kāhe se lāūṅ gīyā gherī
Now how will I play music, with what will I sing, with what can I gather My
cows?

mukha se gāo kāṅhā hātha se bajāo

lakuṭī se lāo gīyā gherī
[Rādhā says] Sing with Your mouth, clap Your hands, and with Your stick bring
the cows back.

hā hā kahat tere paiyāṅ paṛata hūṅ

taras khāyo pyārī merī
[Kṛṣṇa answers] O My beloved, alas! Alas! I’m falling at Your feet. Please be
merciful to Me.

mīrā ke prabhu giridhara nāgara

baṁśī lekara choṛī
Mīrā’s master is Giridhara Nāgara. He pursued Rādhārāṇī until He got His flute
back and then He took off.

33
 Anūpama Mādhurī Joḍī
anūpama mādhurī joḍī hamāre śyāma-śyāmā kī
rasīlī rasabharī aṅkhiyāṅ hamāre śyāma-śyāmā kī
The sweetness of our Divine Couple Śyāma-Śyāmā is unparalleled. Their
charming eyes are full of rasa—our Śyāma and Śyāmā.

chavīlī hai adā bāṅkī sughara sūrata madhura batiyāṅ

laṭaka gardana kī mana basiyā hamāre śyāma-śyāmā kī
Their bodily expressions, Their gestures, Their distintive features and Their
sweet love chatter are all astonishingly exquisite. The splendor of our Śyāma and
Śyāmā tilting Their heads to have a full view of each other’s face enters my heart
and dwells there.

mukuṭa aur candrikā māthe adhara par pān kī lālī

aho kaisī bhalī chavi hai hamāre śyāma-śyāmā kī
They wear a mukuṭa and a candrikā on Their heads and Their lips are red with
tāmbūla. Aho, what a beautiful effulgence is coming from our Śyāma and Śyāmā.

paraspara milke jab bihareṅ śrī vṛndāvana kī kuñjan meṅ

nahīṅ baranata bane śobhā hamāre śyāma-śyāmā kī
When They meet together and enjoy Their pastimes in the kuñjas of Vṛndāvana, I
don’t have words to describe Their grandeur.

nahīṅ kuch lālasā dhana kī nahīṅ nirvāṇa kī icchā

sakhī śyāmā ko do darśana dayā ho śyāma-śyāmā kī
I have no desire for wealth, nor do I want liberation. Be merciful to me, my
Śyāma and Śyāmā. Śyāmā Sakhī’s only desire is to have Your darśana.

34
 Āj Biraja Meṅ
āj biraja meṅ horī re rasiyā
horī re rasiyā bar jorī re rasiyā
O rasika Kṛṣṇa, today in Vraja Holi is going on. Kṛṣṇa is attacking and forcibly
covering everyone with colored powders.

kaun ke hāth kanak picakārī

kaun ke hāth kamorī re rasiyā
Whose hand is holding the golden syringe? Whose hand is holding the pots of colors?

kṛṣṇa ke hāth kanak picakaṛī

rādhā ke hāth kamorī re rasiyā
Kṛṣṇa is holding the golden syringe. Rādhā is holding the pots of colors.

apne-apne ghar so nikasī

koi śyāmala koi gorī re rasiyā
All the gopīs came out from their houses—some are dark and some are golden
complexioned, O enjoyers of rasa.

uḍat gulā lāl bhaye bādara

kesar raṅga ko chorī re rasiyā
Red powder blowing in the wind colored all the clouds pink. The gopīs have been
smeared with saffron dye.

bājata tāl mṛdaṅga jhāṅjha dap

aur nagāḍe kī jorī re rasiyā
All the sounds of Holi are coming—the gopīs are playing mṛdaṅga, bells, gong
and kettledrum.

kaiman lāl gulāla maṅgāi

kaiman kesar gherī re rasiyā
How many kilos of red powder were brought? How many kilos of red dye were mixed?

sauman lāl gulāla maṅgāi

das man kesar gherī re rasiyā

35
Four thousand kilos of red powder were brought, and 400 kilos of red dye were mixed.

candra sakhī bhaja bāl kṛṣṇa chavi

jug-jug jīvau yah jorī re rasiyā
Candra Sakhī worships the picture of bāla Kṛṣṇa. The Divine Couple lives on for
many, many yugas.

Dūr Nagarī
dūr nagarī baṛī dūr nagarī
kaise āuṅre kanhāi terī gokula nagarī
The town is far away, the town is very far away. How will I come to Your town
of Gokula, Kanhāi?

it mathurā ut gokula nagarī

bīc me bahe jamunā gaharī, baṛī dūr nagarī
On one side is Mathurā, on the other side is Gokula and Yamunā flows in the
middle. The town is so far.

rātme āuṅ to kānhā, ḍar mohe lāge

dinme āuṅ dekhe sārī nagarī, baṛī dūr nagarī
I am afraid to come at night, Kānhā, and in the daytime everyone will see Me.
The town is so far.

sakhī saṅga āuṅ to śaram mohe lāge

akelī āuñ to bhūla jāuñ dagarī, baṛī dūr nagarī
If I come with My sakhīs I will feel shy (because I want to meet You alone), and
if I come alone I may forget the way.

dhīre calūṅ to der bahut lāge

jaldī calūṅ to chalak jāue gagarī, baṛī dūr nagarī
If I walk slowly it will take so long. If I go quickly, the water in my pots will spill out.

jānat ho tum sabke man kī

śyāma tumhīṅ cale āo merī nagarī, baṛī dūr nagarī
Śyāma, You know everyone’s minds, so You can come to My town, Vṛndāvana.
The town is so far
36
 O Manaro Lāge Nā
o manaro lāge nā sakhīrī mero śyāma binā manaro lāge nā
(Refrain)
Rādhā is telling Her sakhīs: My mind is unhappy because Śyāma is not here.

sunī-sunī lāge sārī braja kī nagarī

kuñja galī sunī śyāma binā mana re lāge nā
The whole village of Vraja is empty. Without Śyāma the kuñjas and lanes are
empty.

kaun sunāve mohe mītī-mītī bansurī

kaun nacāve mohe śyāma binā mana re lāge nā
Who will play the flute so sweetly? Without Śyāma here who will inspire us to
dance?

gvāla-bāla sab taṛafa rahe hai

tṛna nahī toḍe gave śyāma binā mana re lāge nā
Without Śyāma all the cowherd boys are restless, and the cows are not eating
grass.

paniyā bharana jab jāo yamunā pe

pan-ghāṭa suno lāge śyāma binā mana re lāge nā
I go to Yamunā to take water, but without Śyāma the pan-ghāṭa (where the
villagers draw their water) is empty.

giridhārī mose rutho re savariyā

chena nā abe tere darasa śyāma binā mana re lāge nā
Perhaps Giridhārī Kṛṣṇa is in a sulky mood. If I don’t see You for one second, I
go mad. Without Śyāma My mind is not interested in anything.

37
 Sundara Lālā Śacīra-Dulālā
sundara lālā śacīra-dulālā, nācat śrī hari-kīrtana meṅ
bhāle candana tilaka manohar, alakā śobhe kapolana meṅ
The beautiful boy, the darling son of Śacī, is dancing in śrī hari-kīrtana. On His
forehead is a charming candana tilaka. The curls on His cheeks are very attractive.

śire cūḍā daraśa nirāle, ban fulamālā hiyā par ḍole

pahiran pīta-paṭāmbar śobhe, nūpura rūṇujhunu caraṇan meṅ
His hair tied in a top-knot and nicely decorated is wonderfully beautiful, and a
forest flower garland is dancing on His chest. He’s wearing yellow cloth and the
anklebells at His feet are jingling.

koi gāvat rādhā-kṛṣṇa-nāma, koi gāvat hai hariguṇa gāna

mṛdaṅga tāl-madhura rasāla, koi gāvat hai raṅga meṅ
Some are singing Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s name and some are singing of Hari’s qualities.
The beat of the mṛdaṅgas and karatālas combine to make a sweet sound. Some
are singing absorbed in Hari.

Nadīyā Indu Karuṇā Sindhu

nadīyā indu karuṇā sindhu
bhakata-jana ke prāṇa bandhu, kīrtana tana dhārī
He is the moon of Nadia and the ocean of mercy. He is the friend in the hearts of
the devotees who sing His glories.

nāma lete kaṭata pāpa, chūṭata tana trividha tāpa

mahāmādhurī rūpa sāra, kavijana mana hārī
Anyone who chants Mahāprabhu’s name is automatically freed from all his sins
and finds relief from the three types of miseries. His form, the essence of the
greatest sweetness, steals the minds of the sages.

candana caccita aṅga, lājata koṭi anaṅga

upajata chavi taraṅga, āṅkhiya rake hārī
His limbs are smeared with candana. He is more lovely than millions of Cupids,
with His beauty rising up in waves. No one can ever turn their eyes away from Him.

38
 rasika mukuṭa maṇi pradhāna, bana bihārīṇī dāsī jāna
gaura-nitāi guṇan khāna, nirakhata prāṇavārī
He is the crown jewel of all rasikas. I am the servant of She who wanders in the
forest. I sing the glories of Gaura-Nitāi, with my heart completely transfixed.

Ho Gaye Bhava Se Pār

ho gaye bhava se pār, lekar nāma terā
I have crossed the material ocean by chanting Your name.

vālmikī ati dīn hīn thā, bure karma meṅ sadā līna thā
rāmāyaṇa taiyār, lekar nāma terā
Valmikī was very humble. He was engrossed in sinful activity but he composed
Rāmāyaṇa by chanting Your name.

nala aur nīla jātike bāṅdar, rāma-nāma likhadiyā śilā par

ho gai senā pār, lekar nāma terā
There were two monkeys, Nala and Nīla. They wrote Rāma-nāma on stones and
the whole army crossed the sea by chanting Your name.

bharī sabhā meṅ drupad dulārī, kṛṣṇa dvārakā-nātha pukārī

baḍa gayā cīra apāra, lekar nāma terā
In the midst of the whole assembly the daughter of Drupad called for Kṛṣṇa
Dvārakā-nātha and her sārī was unlimitedly increased by chanting Your name.

mīrā giridhāra nāma pukārī, viṣa amṛta kara diyā murārī

nāca nāca kar tumheṅ rijhāi, loka lāja ko taja kar āi
khula gaye prema ke dvāra, lekar nāma terā
Mīrā called for Giridhārī, and Murārī turned the poison into nectar. She appeased
You by dancing without concern for public opinion. The doors of love opened up
by chanting Your name.

gaja ne ādhā nāma pukārā, gaja ne govinda nāma pukārā

garuḍa choḍakar use ubārā, kiyā grāha saṁhāra, lekar nāma terā
The elephant Gajendra uttered half-name. He called out “Govinda.” Kṛṣṇa came
on Garuḍa and killed the alligator.

39
 Hari Se Baṛā Hari Kā Nāma
hari se baṛā hari kā nāma, prabhu se baṛā prabhu kā nāma
anta meṅ nikalā ye pariṇāma
Hari’s name is greater than Hari Himself, and the Lord’s name is greater than the
Lord Himself (because the name can go everywhere). This is the conclusion of
all the śāstras.

sumiro nāma rūpa bina dekhe, kauḍī lage na dāma

nāmake bāṅdhe khiṅc āyeṅge, ākhira ek din śyāma
Just chant the name even without seeing His form—it doesn’t cost anything.
Being tied by His name eventually Śyāma must come to you one day.

draupadīne jab nāma puṅkārā, jhaṭa ā gae ghanaśyāma

sāṛī khaiṅcata hārā duhśāsana, sāṛī baḍāi śyāma
When Draupadī called out this name, Ghanaśyāma immediately came. When
Duhśāsana was pulling off her cloth, Śyāma increased the length of her sārī.

jal ḍūbat gajarāj pukāro, āye ādhe naṁa

nāmīko cintā rahatī hai, nāma na ho badanāma
When Gajendra was drowning, he could only utter half of the name. Nāmī
(Kṛṣṇa) is always worrying that His name cannot be ill-reputed; thus He came.

jis sāgarako lāṅdha sake nā, binā pulake rāma

kuda gae hanumān usīko, leke hari kā nāma
Without the bridge Rāma could not cross over the ocean, but Hanumān, chanting
Rāma’s name, jumped over the sea.

vo dil vāle dub jāyeṅge, jinmeṅ nakīṅ hai nāma

vo patthara bhī tereṅge jin par, likhā rāmakā nāma
That person, in whose heart the name does not dwell, will sink. And that stone
upon which Rāma’s name is written will float.

40