krishnaradhavrindavanbhajan

Jaya Radha Madhava

जय राधा माधव in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Early morning, before prayer or study; and during evening kirtan·📜 Gitavali by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Jaya Radha-Madhava is one of the most beloved Vaishnava bhajans, composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, that paints a complete picture of Vrindavan in just two verses. It glorifies Krishna as the lover of Radha, the playful charmer of the groves, the darling of the gopis, the lifter of Govardhana, the son of Yashoda, the joy of Vraja, and the wanderer along the Yamuna. Sung in countless temples and famously cherished by Srila Prabhupada, it draws the singer's heart straight into the sweet land of Braj.

Origin & Story

Gitavali by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura · Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura · Late 19th century CE

Jaya Radha-Madhava was composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the pioneering Gaudiya Vaishnava saint, and is part of his celebrated songbook Gitavali. Though only two short verses long, it captures the entire essence and landscape of Vrindavan: Krishna as the lover of Radha, the playful Lord of the groves, the darling of the gopis, the lifter of Govardhana, the son of Yashoda, the joy of all Vraja and the wanderer along the Yamuna. It became one of the most popular Vaishnava bhajans worldwide, especially after Srila Prabhupada made it a regular prelude to his discourses.

✦ As told in scripture

It is recounted that while singing Jaya Radha-Madhava in Allahabad and Gorakhpur, Srila Prabhupada became so absorbed in the vision of Vrindavan it evokes that he entered a devotional trance after the very first lines — a testament to the bhajan's power to transport the heart directly into the land of Braj.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

(jaya) rādhā-mādhava (jaya) kuñja-bihārī (jaya) gopī-jana-vallabha (jaya) giri-vara-dhārī

Meaning:All glories to Radha-Madhava (Krishna, the lover of Radha)! All glories to Him who sports in the groves of Vrindavan! All glories to the beloved of the gopis! All glories to the lifter of Govardhana Hill!

Verse 2

(jaya) yaśodā-nandana (jaya) braja-jana-rañjana (jaya) yamunā-tīra-vana-cārī

Meaning:All glories to the darling son of Yashoda! All glories to the delighter of the people of Vraja! All glories to Him who wanders in the forests along the banks of the river Yamuna!

Word-by-Word Meaning

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jaya🔊All glories! Victory!

rādhā-mādhava🔊Madhava (Krishna), the beloved (lover) of Radha

kuñja-bihārī🔊He who sports/wanders in the groves (kunjas) of Vrindavan

gopī-jana-vallabha🔊The beloved of the gopis (cowherd maidens of Vraja)

giri-vara-dhārī🔊The lifter of the great hill (Govardhana)

yaśodā-nandana🔊The beloved son of mother Yashoda

braja-jana-rañjana🔊The delighter of the people of Vraja (Braj)

yamunā-tīra-vana-cārī🔊He who wanders in the forests along the banks of the Yamuna

braja🔊Vraja / Braj, the land of Krishna's childhood pastimes

vana🔊Forest, woodland

giri-vara🔊The best of hills (Govardhana)

tīra🔊Bank, shore (of the river)

Benefits of Chanting जय राधा माधव

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In a few simple words it offers a complete darshan of Vrindavan — Radha, the gopis, Govardhana, Yashoda, Vraja and the Yamuna

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Awakens loving remembrance (smarana) of Krishna's sweet pastimes in Braj

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Its easy, melodious tune makes it perfect for group kirtan and for beginners and children

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Calms and gladdens the heart, filling the mind with the mood of Vrindavan

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Cherished across Gaudiya Vaishnava and ISKCON congregations as a favourite morning bhajan

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Singing 'jaya' (all glories) again and again cultivates a joyful, glorifying attitude of devotion

How to Chant जय राधा माधव

Repetitions3times

Best TimeEarly morning, before prayer or study; and during evening kirtan

Sing the two verses slowly and meltingly, in the traditional tune, picturing each pastime named — Radha-Madhava in the groves, the gopis, Govardhana, mother Yashoda, the people of Vraja, the Yamuna's forests. It is meant to be sung as kirtan, individually or in a group with mridanga and karatalas, letting the heart settle into the sweet land of Braj. Srila Prabhupada often sang it just before giving a lecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete जय राधा माधव written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Jaya Radha-Madhava is a short, deeply loved Vaishnava bhajan in praise of Sri Krishna as the lover of Radha and the charming Lord of Vrindavan. In just two verses it glorifies Him as Kunja-bihari, Gopi-jana-vallabha, Giri-vara-dhari, Yashoda-nandana, Braja-jana-ranjana and the wanderer of the Yamuna's banks.

It was composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (1838–1914), a great Gaudiya Vaishnava saint and reformer, and appears in his songbook Gitavali.

Srila Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, frequently sang Jaya Radha-Madhava before his lectures. He explained that it is 'a picture of Vrindavan' — everything is there: Radharani, the gopis, Govardhana, Yashoda and the cowherd boys — and he is said to have entered a devotional trance while singing it.

'Madhava' is a name of Krishna meaning 'the sweet Lord' or 'Lord of fortune', and 'Radha-Madhava' means Krishna as the beloved of Srimati Radharani — emphasising that Krishna is approached together with His eternal consort Radha.