krishnagopalavishnudhyana-shloka

Kasturi Tilakam (Gopala Dhyana Shloka)

कस्तूरीतिलकम् (गोपाल ध्यान श्लोक) in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Early morning before worship; daily; especially on Janmashtami and Wednesdays·📜 Sri Krishna Karnamritam (verse)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Kasturi Tilakam is one of the most beloved dhyana (meditation) shlokas of Lord Krishna as Gopala, drawn from the Sri Krishna Karnamritam of the saint-poet Bilvamangala (Leela Shuka). In a single flowing verse it paints Krishna head to foot — the musk-tilaka, the Kaustubha gem, the pearl on his nose, the flute in his hand, sandal-anointed limbs and pearl necklace — standing radiant amid the gopis as 'Gopala, the crest-jewel of cowherds'. It is widely recited to visualise the Lord before worship.

Origin & Story

Sri Krishna Karnamritam (verse) · Bilvamangala (Leela Shuka) · 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.

✦ As told in scripture

Tradition tells that Bilvamangala, once lost in worldly attachment, was turned wholly to God and granted visions of the boy Krishna himself; the verses of his Krishna Karnamritam, including this one, are cherished as having flowed from that direct vision, so that to recite them is to behold the very form they describe.

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The Mantra

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Kasturi-tilakam lalata-patale vakshah-sthale kaustubham Nasagre nava-mauktikam karatale venum kare kankanam | Sarvange harichandanam sulalitam kanthe cha muktavalim Gopastri-pariveshtito vijayate gopala-chudamanih ||

Meaning: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.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Kasturi-tilakam🔊A tilaka (mark) of musk (kasturi)

Lalata-patale🔊Upon the surface of the forehead

Vakshah-sthale🔊On the chest / bosom

Kaustubham🔊The Kaustubha gem (the celebrated jewel of Vishnu)

Nasagre🔊On the tip of the nose

Nava-mauktikam🔊A fresh, lustrous pearl

Karatale venum🔊The flute (venu) in the palm of the hand

Kare kankanam🔊A bracelet (kankana) on the wrist/hand

Sarvange🔊Over all the limbs / the whole body

Harichandanam🔊Sandal-paste (of the harichandana / divine sandal)

Sulalitam🔊Gracefully, charmingly (applied)

Kanthe cha muktavalim🔊And on the neck a string (necklace) of pearls

Gopastri-pariveshtitah🔊Surrounded by the cowherd women (gopis)

Vijayate🔊Shines in triumph / is supremely glorious

Gopala-chudamanih🔊Gopala, the crest-jewel (chudamani) of all cowherds

Benefits of Chanting कस्तूरीतिलकम् (गोपाल ध्यान श्लोक)

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A complete dhyana shloka to visualise Lord Krishna (Gopala) before worship or japa

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Brings the beautiful form of Venugopala vividly to the mind, deepening devotion

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Recited daily and before Krishna puja, bhajan and the Bhagavata recitation

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Cultivates peace and sweetness (madhurya) as one dwells on the Lord's enchanting form

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Drawn from the Krishna Karnamritam, a revered nectar-stream of Krishna devotion

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Auspicious to chant on Janmashtami and during Krishna's worship in any form

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Suitable for children and beginners as an easy yet profound Krishna verse

How to Chant कस्तूरीतिलकम् (गोपाल ध्यान श्लोक)

Repetitions3times

Best TimeEarly morning before worship; daily; especially on Janmashtami and Wednesdays

Sit calmly before an image of Lord Krishna / Gopala, light a lamp, and recite the verse slowly while visualising each ornament in turn — the musk tilaka on the forehead, the Kaustubha gem, the pearl on the nose, the flute in the hand, the sandal-anointed body and the pearl necklace — picturing Krishna radiant amid the gopis. It is the traditional dhyana verse chanted to bring the Lord's form to mind before Krishna worship or bhajan.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete कस्तूरीतिलकम् (गोपाल ध्यान श्लोक) 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.

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.

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).

'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.

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.