Radhika Astakam

 Sri Radhikastakam

Srila Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami

kumkumakta kancanabja garvahari gaurabhapitananci tavja gandha kirti nindi saurabhaballavesa sunu sarva banchitartha sadhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

kauravinda-kanti-nindi-citrapatta satikakrsna matta bhringa keli phulla-puspa batikakrsna nitya sangamartha padma bandhu radhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

saukumarya srista pallavali kirti nigrahacandra-candanotpalendu sevya sita vigrahasvabhimarsa vallabhisa kama-tapa badhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

visva-vandya yaubatabhi-vanditapi ya ramarupa-navya-yavnadi sampada na yaisamasilahardya lilaya ca sa yatosti nadhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

rasalasya gita narma satkalali-panditaprema-ramya rupavesa sadgunali manditavisva-navya-gopa-yosidalito’pi yadhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

nitya-navya rupa keli krsnabhava sampadakrsna-raga-bandha-gopa yaubatesu kampadakrsna-rupa vesa keli lagna sat-samadhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

sveda-kampa-kantakasru gadgadadi sancitamarsa harsa vamataki bhava bhusanancitakrsna-netra tosi-ratna mandanali dadhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

ya ksanardha krsna-viprayoga santotoditaneka-dainya capaladi bhavavrinda moditayatnalabdha krsna sanga nirgatakhiladhikamahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

astakena yastanena nanti krsna ballabhamdarsanepi sailajedi yosidali durlabhamkrsna sanga nanditatma dasya sidhu bhajanammahyamatma pada padma dasya-dastu radhika

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I pray that Srimati Radharani offers me the shelter of her lotus feet. Her complexion defeats the pride of the colour of molten gold with the tinge of kumkum. She fulfills all the desires of Krsna.

The colour of her silk sari makes the colour of coral feel ashamed and she is the flower garden where a wild bumblebee called Krsna plays. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

Her tenderness defeats the tenderness of newly developed leaves and she is the personification of coolness - a combination of sandalwood paste, camphor, lotus and the moon. By her touch she cools down the amorous desires of Krsna. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

Although Laxmi devi is worshiped by all young damsels throughout the world still she is nowhere near Srimati Radharani in beauty, youthfulness, nature and pastimes. Nowhere in the material or spiritual world is there anyone who is superior in quality to Srimati Radharani. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

She is very expert in dancing, singing and other such activities. She is decorated with exquisite beauty, dress and wonderful qualities. She is the best of all swans. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

With her every blossoming beauty, activites and feelings she creates joy in the hearts of the gopis who are on her side and she creates anguish and pain in those who are on the opposite side. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

She is decorated with eight kinds of ecstatic symptoms: sweating, trembling, tears, choking of her voice, etc. She is also decorated with anger, joy and negative feelings. She dresses herself with beautiful ornaments in order to give pleasure to Krsna. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

She cannot tolerate separation from Krsna, even for a fraction of a second. Her anguish is overcome by her friends who carry messages to unite her with Krsna. Thus her anguish turns into ecstasy. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.

Even persons like Parvati, the wife of Lord Siva, do not get to see Srimati Radharani. Srimati Radharani and her friends become quickly pleased by one who worships Srimati Radharani through these eight verses and very quickly she offers him devotional service to Krsna. I pray to Srimati Radharani that she offers me the shelter of her lotus feet.