Again, a very beautiful bhajan by Pt. Jasraj. The verse was written by Shrila Vishvanath Chakravarti Takhur who combined all the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in this beautiful verse.
Verse in English:
aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena va kalpita
srimad bhagavatam pramanam amalam prema pum-artho mahan
sri-caitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah na parah
Translation in English:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is worshipped along with His transcendental abode Vrndavana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the gopis of Vrndavana. Srimad Bhagavatam is the spotless authority on everything and pure love of Godhead is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
(Caitanya-matta-manjusa by Srila Viswanatha Cakravarti Thakura).
I am in loooooove with this Bhajan. This is truly devine. Pt.Jasraj has the most beautiful songs. This video is taken from the the youtube account “dharmaraksha”.
This bhajan praises Krishna for his divine pastimes. Krishna is the lord of Radharani. Radharani is also called Madan-Mohan-Mohini. She enchants the enchanter (Mohan) of Cupid (Madan). She and Krishna are one just like Shiva and Parvati. It is said that upon chanting Radhe Radhe, Krishna will definitely come. This is because Krishna is where Radha is. However, Radhika’s name is extremely sacred. Therefore, it should be chanted with deep love and respect.
Lyrics & Translation:
Chathur mukhadhi samsthutham, samastha sthvathonutham,
Halaudhadhi sayutham, namami radhikadhipam. 1
I salute the Lord of Radha,
Who is worshipped by Brahma and other devas,
Who is always worshipped by good people,
And who is accompanied by Bala Rama and others.
Bhakadhi daithya kalakam, sagopagopipalakam,
Manoharasi thalakam, namami Radhikadhipam. 2
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who killed asuras like Baka,
Who looked after gopas and gopis,
And who had pretty black lock of hair.
Surendra garva banjanam, virinchi moha banjanam,
Vrujanga nanu ranjanam, namami Radhikadhipam. 3
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who broke the pride of Devendra,
Who cured the illusion of Lord Brahma,
And who pacified the gopis.
Mayura pincha mandanam, gajendra danda gandanam,
Nrusamsa kamsa dandanam, namami Radhikadhipam. 4
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who decorates himself with feather of peacock,
Who broke the tusks of the elephant,
And who punished Kamsa.
Pradatha vipradarakam, sudhamadhama karakam,
Suradrumapaharakam, namami Radhikadhipam. 5
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who gave back the children of the Brahmin,
Who removed poverty of Sudhama,
And who stole the tree from heaven.
Dananjaya jayapaham, maha chamookshayavaham,
Pithamahavyadhapaham, namami Radhikadhipam. 6
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who removed the defeats of Arjuna,
Who destroyed huge army of enemies,
And who removed the sorrow to grand father Bheeshma.
Muneendra sapa karanam, yaduprajapa harinam,
Dharabharavatharanam, namami Radhikadhipam. 7
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who was the cause of the curse of sages,
Which destroyed the people of Yadu clan,
And who lightened the load on the earth.
Suvruksha moola sayinam, mrugari mokshadhayinam,
Swakeeyadhamayayinam, namami Radhikadhipam. 8
I salute the lord of Radha,
Who slept below a banyan tree,
Who gave salvation to hunters,
And who attained his place in heaven.
Here Lord Vishu/Lord Krishna is being praised by different names:
Achyutam : Infallible one
Keshavam: There are 2 main reason why Krishna is called Keshav
1) He has beautiful hair
2) He killed the demon Kesi sent by his evil uncle Kansa
Damodaram: This name was derived from one his divine pastimes. His mother Yashoda had tied him with a cord (daama) around his waist because of his naughtiness.
Janaki Vallabham: Sita(Janaki) is his Consort/ Sita is his loved one. Sita was Janak’s daughter and hence was called Janaki.
I have found an extremely beautiful bhajan on Krishna by Pandit Jasraj. It was posted on Youtube by Dharmaraksha. This bhajan is my current favorite. I found it while trying to search for the meaning of Balam Mukdam in my previous post, Krishna Stuti. This bhajan starts with the Shloka but is followed by utterly wonderful lyrics. Below is the translation taken from the youtube video itself:
Translation: The one who keeps his lotus like feet on his lotus like mouth with his lotus like hand, I think of Balamukundan who sleeps on the vata pathra leaf.
Mangalacharan
vikretukama kila gopa-kanya
murari-padarpita-citta-vrttih
dadhyadikam mohavasad avocad
govinda damodara madhaveti
Translation: Though desiring to sell milk, dahi, butter, etc., the mind of a young gopi was so absorbed in the lotus feet of Krsna that instead of calling out Milk for sale, she bewilderedly said, Govinda!, Damodara!, and Madhava!
Translation: In house after house, groups of gopis gather on various occasions, and together they always chant the transcendental names of Krishna: Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava.
Translation: Devarsi Narada and other munis are always surrendered to Lord Visnu, who happily rests upon His couch. They always chant the names of Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava, and thus they attain spiritual forms similar to His.
Translation: O my tongue, always worship these beautiful, enchanting names of Krsna, Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava, which destroy all the obstacles of the devotees.
sukhavasane tv idam eva saram
duhkhavasane tv idam eva geyam
dehavasane tv idam eva japyam
govinda damodara madhaveti
Translation: Indeed, this is the essence found upon ceasing the affairs of mundane happiness. And this too is to be sung after the cessation of all sufferings. This alone is to be chanted at the time of death of ones material bodyGovinda, Damodara, Madhava!
sri krsna radhavara gokulesa
gopala govardhana-natha visno
jihve pibasvamrtam etad eva
govinda damodara madhaveti
Translation: O tongue, utter only these nectarean names, Çri Krsna, dearmost of Çri Radha, Lord of Gokula, Gopala, Lord of Govardhana, Visnu, Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava.
tvam eva yace mama dehi jihve
samagate dandadhare krtante
vaktavyam evam madhuram su-bhaktya
govinda damodara madhaveti
Translation: O my tongue, I ask only this, that upon my meeting the bearer of the scepter of chastisement (Yamaraja), you will utter this sweet phrase with great devotion: Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!
Translation: O my tongue, you are fond of sweet things and are of discriminating taste; I tell you the highest truth, which is also the most beneficial. Please just recite these sweet syllables: Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava.
This beautiful picture is trying to depict the state of Radha Rani and Gopis in the absence of Krishna. All of them think of only Krishna & sing ‘Govind, Damodara, Madhaveti’ !
Translation: You make those who have lost speech, eloquent speakers, Make the weak/handicapped cross mountains. Bless me with your Mercy, Krishna. You are the supreme abode of happiness
Translation: The one who keeps his lotus like feet on his lotus like mouth with his lotus like hand, I think of Balamukundan who thinks of recreating the world while lying on the Banyan tree leaf
Bhakti Route 