Kasturi Tilakam (Gopala Dhyana Shloka) — Word-by-Word Meaning
कस्तूरीतिलकम् (गोपाल ध्यान श्लोक)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
कस्तूरीतिलकम्
Kasturi-tilakam
A tilaka (mark) of musk (kasturi)
ललाटपटले
Lalata-patale
Upon the surface of the forehead
वक्षःस्थले
Vakshah-sthale
On the chest / bosom
कौस्तुभम्
Kaustubham
The Kaustubha gem (the celebrated jewel of Vishnu)
नासाग्रे
Nasagre
On the tip of the nose
नवमौक्तिकम्
Nava-mauktikam
A fresh, lustrous pearl
करतले वेणुम्
Karatale venum
The flute (venu) in the palm of the hand
करे कङ्कणम्
Kare kankanam
A bracelet (kankana) on the wrist/hand
सर्वाङ्गे
Sarvange
Over all the limbs / the whole body
हरिचन्दनम्
Harichandanam
Sandal-paste (of the harichandana / divine sandal)
सुललितम्
Sulalitam
Gracefully, charmingly (applied)
कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिम्
Kanthe cha muktavalim
And on the neck a string (necklace) of pearls
गोपस्त्रीपरिवेष्टितः
Gopastri-pariveshtitah
Surrounded by the cowherd women (gopis)
विजयते
Vijayate
Shines in triumph / is supremely glorious
गोपालचूडामणिः
Gopala-chudamanih
Gopala, the crest-jewel (chudamani) of all cowherds
Complete Translation
With a tilaka of musk upon his forehead, the Kaustubha gem upon his chest, a fresh pearl on the tip of his nose, the flute resting in his palm and a bracelet upon his wrist; his whole body gracefully anointed with divine sandal-paste, and a string of pearls about his neck — surrounded by the cowherd women, Gopala, the crest-jewel of all cowherds, shines forth in supreme glory and triumph.
Origin & History
Source: Sri Krishna Karnamritam (verse)
Author: Bilvamangala (Leela Shuka)
Period: c. 12th–13th century CE
The Sri Krishna Karnamritam ('Nectar for the ears, about Krishna') is an ecstatic Sanskrit poem of devotion to the boy Krishna, composed by the South Indian saint-poet Bilvamangala, also revered as Leela Shuka. From this stream of verses comes the beloved Kasturi Tilakam, a single dhyana shloka that lovingly describes Gopala's form in full — his ornaments, his flute and his sandal-anointed limbs — as he stands amid the gopis, the crest-jewel of all cowherds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kasturi Tilakam shloka?▼
It is a single, very famous dhyana (meditation) verse describing Lord Krishna as Gopala from head to foot — with a musk tilaka, the Kaustubha gem, a pearl on his nose, the flute in his hand and sandal-anointed limbs — standing amid the gopis. It is recited to visualise the Lord before worship.
Where does the Kasturi Tilakam verse come from?▼
It is from the Sri Krishna Karnamritam, a celebrated devotional poem in praise of Krishna composed by the saint-poet Bilvamangala, also known as Leela Shuka (around the 12th–13th century CE).
What does 'Gopala Chudamani' mean?▼
'Gopala-chudamani' means 'Gopala, the crest-jewel (chudamani) of all the cowherds' — Krishna shining as the most resplendent and beloved among the gopas and gopis of Vraja.
When is the Kasturi Tilakam recited?▼
It is recited daily, particularly as a dhyana verse before Krishna puja, bhajan or Bhagavata recitation, and especially on Janmashtami and Wednesdays which are associated with Lord Krishna.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →