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Sri Radhika Stava Meaning — Line by Line

श्री राधिका स्तव

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Sri Radhika Stava with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

rādhe jaya jaya mādhava-dayite

राधे जय जय माधवदयिते गोकुलतरुणीमण्डलमहिते ॥

rādhe jaya jaya mādhava-dayite gokula-taruṇī-maṇḍala-mahite ||

MeaningO Radha! All glories, all glories to You, the most beloved of Madhava, honoured by the whole circle of young gopis of Gokula!

Verse 2#

dāmodara-rati-vardhana-veśe

दामोदररतिवर्धनवेशे हरिनिष्कुटवृन्दाविपिनेशे ॥ १॥

dāmodara-rati-vardhana-veśe hari-niṣkuṭa-vṛndā-vipineśe || 1||

MeaningO You whose very dress increases Krishna's loving attraction, O Queen of the Vrinda forest, the pleasure-garden of Hari!

Verse 3#

vṛṣabhānu-dadhi-nava-śaśi-lekhe

वृषभानुदधिनवशशिलेखे ललितासखि गुणरमितविशाखे ॥ २॥

vṛṣabhānu-dadhi-nava-śaśi-lekhe lalitā-sakhi guṇa-ramita-viśākhe || 2||

MeaningO new crescent moon risen from the ocean of King Vrishabhanu, O dear friend of Lalita, who delights Vishakha with Your wonderful qualities!

Verse 4#

karuṇāṁ kuru mayi karuṇā-bharite

करुणां कुरु मयि करुणाभरिते सनकसनातनवर्णितचरिते ॥ ३॥

karuṇāṁ kuru mayi karuṇā-bharite sanaka-sanātana-varṇita-carite || 3||

MeaningO supremely compassionate one, whose glories are sung even by the great sages Sanaka and Sanatana — please, please bestow Your mercy upon me!

Word-by-Word Breakdown

राधे
rādhe
O Radha! (vocative — beloved of Krishna)
जय जय
jaya jaya
all glories, all glories (to You)
माधवदयिते
mādhava-dayite
O most beloved of Madhava (Krishna)
गोकुलतरुणीमण्डलमहिते
gokula-taruṇī-maṇḍala-mahite
O You who are worshipped/honoured by the circle of young women of Gokula (the gopis)
दामोदर
dāmodara
Damodara (Krishna, bound at the waist with a rope)
रतिवर्धनवेशे
rati-vardhana-veśe
O You whose dress/attire increases Krishna's loving attraction (rati)
हरिनिष्कुट
hari-niṣkuṭa
the pleasure-garden of Hari
वृन्दाविपिनेशे
vṛndā-vipineśe
O Queen of the Vrinda forest (Vrindavan)
वृषभानुदधि
vṛṣabhānu-dadhi
the ocean of (King) Vrishabhanu (Radha's father)
नवशशिलेखे
nava-śaśi-lekhe
O You who are the streak of the new (crescent) moon (risen from that ocean)
ललितासखि
lalitā-sakhi
O friend of Lalita (Radha's chief sakhi)
गुणरमितविशाखे
guṇa-ramita-viśākhe
O You who delight Vishakha (sakhi) with Your qualities
करुणां कुरु मयि
karuṇāṁ kuru mayi
please bestow Your compassion upon me
करुणाभरिते
karuṇā-bharite
O You who are full of (overflowing with) compassion
सनकसनातन
sanaka-sanātana
the great sages Sanaka and Sanatana
वर्णितचरिते
varṇita-carite
O You whose character/pastimes are described (and glorified by them)

Origin & History

Source: Stavamala of Srila Rupa Goswami

Author: Srila Rupa Goswami

Period: 16th century CE

Srila Rupa Goswami, the chief of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan whom Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally empowered to reveal the science of devotion, composed numerous prayers gathered in his Stavamala. Among the most beloved is this Sri Radhika Stava, 'Radhe jaya jaya Madhava-dayite'. In a tender refrain and three verses he hails Radharani as the darling of Krishna, the worshipful queen of the gopis and of the forest of Vrindavan, the crescent moon of King Vrishabhanu's house, and the dear companion of Lalita and Vishakha — and then, humbly, simply begs: 'O most compassionate one, be merciful to me.' It has remained a cherished daily prayer for Radha's grace throughout Braj.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sri Radhika Stava?▼
The Sri Radhika Stava, beginning 'Radhe jaya jaya Madhava-dayite', is a short Sanskrit prayer glorifying Srimati Radharani and begging for Her mercy. It consists of a refrain and three couplets praising Radha as Krishna's most beloved, the queen of Vrindavan and the friend of the sakhis Lalita and Vishakha.
Who composed it?▼
It was composed by Srila Rupa Goswami, the foremost of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan and a principal follower of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is found in his collection of prayers, the Stavamala.
What does 'karunam kuru mayi' mean?▼
It means 'please bestow Your mercy upon me.' This is the heartfelt climax of the prayer, in which the devotee appeals directly to the compassionate Radharani (karuna-bharite, 'O You who are full of compassion') for Her grace.
When is it sung?▼
It is sung daily by devotees of Radha-Krishna, often as a melodious kirtan, and with special devotion on Radhashtami, Ekadashi and throughout the month of Kartik in the temples of Braj.

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