कस्तूरीतिलकम् (गोपाल ध्यान श्लोक) — 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
जिनके ललाट पर कस्तूरी का तिलक है, वक्षःस्थल पर कौस्तुभ मणि, नासिका के अग्रभाग पर नवीन मोती, करतल में वेणु और हाथ में कंगन है; जिनके समस्त अंग हरिचन्दन से सुललित रूप से लेपित हैं और कण्ठ में मुक्ताओं की माला है — गोपियों से घिरे हुए, समस्त गोपों के चूड़ामणि श्रीगोपाल की विजय (परम शोभा) हो रही है।
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.
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