Shri Radha Chalisa
Radha Ashtami, Vrishabhanu Kunwari Radha Rani of Barsana, Radha naam mahima, Radha-Krishna prem, Vrindavan and Braj bhakti
Shri Radhe Vrishabhanuja,
Bhaktani Praanadhaar.
Vrinda Vipin Viharini,
Pranavau Baarambaar.
Jaiso Taiso Ravarau,
Krishna Priya Sukhdhaam.
Charan Sharan Nij Dijiye,
Sundar Sukhad Lalaam.
рее Chaupai рее
Jai Vrishabhanu Kunvari Shri Shyama,
Kirti Nandini Shobha Dhaama.
Nitya Viharini Shyam Adhaara,
Amit Mod Mangal Daataara.
Raas Vilaasini Ras Vistaarini,
Sahachari Subhag Yooth Man Bhaavani.
Nitya Kishori Radha Gori,
Shyam Praandhan Ati Jiy Bhori.
Karuna Sagar Hiy Umangini,
Lalitaadik Sakhiyan Ki Sangini.
Dinakar Kanya Kool Viharini,
Krishna Praan Priya Hiy Hulasavani.
Nitya Shyam Tumrau Gun Gaavein,
Radha Radha Kahi Harshaavein.
Murli Mein Nit Naam Uchaaren,
Tuv Kaaran Leela Vapu Dhaaren.
Prem Swaroopini Ati Sukumaari,
Shyam Priya Vrishabhanu Dulaari.
Naval Kishori Ati Chhavi Dhaama,
Dyuti Laghu Lagai Koti Rati Kaama.
Gaurangi Shashi Nindak Badhna,
Subhag Chapal Aniyaare Naina.
Jaavak Yug Yug Pankaj Charna,
Noopur Dhuni Pritam Man Harna.
Santat Sahachari Seva Karahin,
Maha Mod Mangal Man Bharahin.
Rasikan Jeevan Praan Adhaara,
Radha Naam Sakal Sukh Saara.
Agam Agochar Nitya Swaroopa,
Dhyaan Dharat Nishidin Braj Bhoopa.
Upajeu Jaasu Ansh Gun Khaani,
Kotin Uma Rama Brahmaani.
Nitya Dhaam Golok Viharini,
Jan Rakshak Dukh Dosh Nasaavani.
Shiv Aj Muni Sanakaadik Naarad,
Paar Na Paayen Shesh Aru Shaarad.
Radha Shubh Gun Roop Ujaari,
Nirakhi Prasann Hot Banwari.
Braj Jeevan Dhan Radha Raani,
Mahima Amit Na Jaay Bakhaani.
Pritam Sang Dei Galbaanhi,
Biharat Nit Vrindavan Maanhi.
Radha Krishna Krishna Kahain Radha,
Ek Roop Dou Preeti Agaadha.
Shri Radha Mohan Man Harni,
Jan Sukh Daayak Prafulit Badni.
Kotik Roop Dharen Nand Nanda,
Darshan Karan Hit Gokul Chanda.
Raas Keli Kari Tumhein Rijhaaven,
Maan Karau Jab Ati Dukh Paaven.
Prafulit Hot Darsh Jab Paaven,
Vividh Bhaanti Nit Vinay Sunaaven.
Vrindaranya Viharini Shyama,
Naam Let Puran Sab Kaama.
Kotin Yagya Tapasya Karahu,
Vividh Nem Vrat Hiy Mein Dharahu.
Tau Na Shyam Bhaktahin Apnaaven,
Jab Lagi Radha Naam Na Gaaven.
Vrindavipin Swamini Radha,
Leela Vapu Tab Amit Agaadha.
Swayam Krishna Paaven Nahin Paara,
Aur Tumhein Ko Jaanan Haara.
Shri Radha Ras Preeti Abheda,
Saadar Gaan Karat Nit Veda.
Radha Tyaagi Krishna Ko Bhajihain,
Te Sapnehun Jag Jaladhi Na Tarhain.
Kirti Kunwari Ladili Radha,
Sumirat Sakal Mitahin Bhav Baadha.
Naam Amangal Mool Nasaavan,
Trividh Taap Har Hari Man Bhaavan.
Radha Naam Lei Jo Koi,
Sahajahi Damodar Bas Hoi.
Radha Naam Param Sukhdai,
Bhajatahi Kripa Karahin Yadurai.
Yashumati Nandan Peechhe Phirihain,
Jo Kou Radha Naam Sumirihain.
Raas Viharin Shyama Pyari,
Karahu Kripa Barsane Vari.
Vrindavan Hai Sharan Tihari,
Jai Jai Jai Vrishabhanu Dulaari.
рее Doha рее
Shri Radha Sarveshwari,
Rasikeshwar Ghanshyam.
Karahun Nirantar Baas Main,
Shri Vrindavan Dhaam.
About Shri Radha Chalisa
The opening dohas call Shri Radhe the daughter of Vrishabhanu, the support of devotees'' lives and the one who roams the forest of Vrindavan, and ask her to take the devotee into the shelter of her feet. The first verses address her as Vrishabhanu Kunwari, Shri Shyama and Kirti Nandini, a home of beauty and a giver of endless joy, the support of Shyam, the leader of the sakhis, ever-youthful (nitya kishori) and fair, a sea of mercy who walks with Lalita and the other sakhis, and a dweller on the bank of the Sun''s daughter (see the Yamuna Chalisa).
The hymn then turns to Krishna''s love for her. It says Shyam sings her virtues, says "Radha, Radha" with joy, calls her name on his flute and takes his leela forms for her sake (see the Krishna Chalisa). It paints her: a body fair as gold, beauty that puts a crore Rati and Kamadev in shade, a face that shames the moon, restless eyes, and lotus feet with red lac whose anklets steal the Beloved''s heart. She is unreachable and beyond the senses, and the Lord of Braj meditates on her day and night. From a part of her are born crores of Uma, Rama and Brahmani, and she dwells in Golok, protecting devotees from sorrow and fault (see the Gopal Chalisa).
The central teaching is in the lines on her name. The Chalisa says that Shiva, Brahma, Sanak and Narada, Shesha and Sharada cannot reach the end of her glory, and that Krishna himself does not reach the limit of her leela. It says that Radha and Krishna are one form with deep love, that crores of yagyas and vows do not win Shyam unless the devotee sings her name, and that those who give up Radha and worship only Krishna do not cross worldly life. It adds that her name destroys inauspiciousness and three kinds of suffering, that one who takes it easily wins Damodar, and that Yashoda''s son follows the one who remembers Radha''s name. This is the core of Radha-centred devotion. Other traditions worship Krishna directly, so this text is best read in its devotional context.
It closes with a prayer to the daughter of Barsana to be merciful, with Vrindavan as the shelter, and a doha that asks to live always in Vrindavan Dham. Devotees recite it on Radha Ashtami and in the joint worship of Radha and Krishna for devotion, mental peace and relief from worry (see the Giriraj Chalisa for another Braj hymn). These are matters of faith, to be taken as love and calm and not as a promise of outcomes.
тЭУ Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Who is Radha, and how does the Chalisa address her?
Answer: The Chalisa calls her Vrishabhanu Kunwari, daughter of Vrishabhanu and Kirti, and Shri Shyama, the support of devotees'' lives and the one who roams the forest of Vrindavan. She is the ever-youthful (nitya kishori) fair beloved of Krishna, the leader of the sakhis and the mistress of Vrindavan (see the Krishna Chalisa).
Question: What does the Chalisa say about Radha''s name and Krishna?
Answer: It says Krishna plays her name on his flute, takes his leela forms for her sake, and is pleased to see her. A famous line says that one who takes Radha''s name easily wins over Damodar (Krishna), and that Yashoda''s son follows the one who remembers Radha''s name. This is the central belief of Radha-centred devotion.
Question: Why does the Chalisa say Krishna is not reached without Radha''s name?
Answer: The verses say that even after crores of yagyas, austerities and vows, Shyam does not accept the devotee until he sings Radha''s name, and that those who abandon Radha and worship only Krishna do not cross the ocean of worldly life. This is a strong statement from the Radha-bhakti tradition. Other traditions worship Krishna directly, and the text should be read in its devotional context.
Question: How does the Chalisa describe Radha''s form and her companions?
Answer: It describes a fair-bodied, ever-young princess whose beauty puts a crore Rati and Kamadev in shade, with moon-shaming face, restless eyes and lotus feet reddened with lac whose anklets steal the Beloved''s heart. It names Lalita and the other sakhis as her companions, and mentions the daughter of the Sun (Yamuna) and its banks (see the Yamuna Chalisa).
Question: What is the relationship of Radha and Krishna in the Chalisa?
Answer: It says "Radha says Krishna and Krishna says Radha," that they are one form with boundless love, and that the Vedas sing the love of Radha and Krishna with respect. It also says that millions of Uma, Rama and Brahmani are born from a part of her, and that she lives in Golok (see the Gopal Chalisa and Giriraj Chalisa).
Question: When should the Radha Chalisa be recited?
Answer: Radha Ashtami (Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami, about 15 days after Janmashtami) is the main day, and the Ashtami tithi of each fortnight, morning and dusk are also kept. Many devotees read it together in the worship of Radha and Krishna, and Barsana, Vrindavan and Braj are the centres of her devotion.
