radhakrishnavrindavanrupa-goswami

Sri Radhika Stava

श्री राधिका स्तव in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 Early morning and evening; especially on Radhashtami, Ekadashi and during the month of Kartik·📜 Stavamala of Srila Rupa Goswami

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Sri Radhika Stava — beginning 'Radhe jaya jaya Madhava-dayite' — is a short, intensely sweet prayer to Srimati Radharani composed by Srila Rupa Goswami and found in his Stavamala. In a refrain and three couplets it glorifies Radha as the most beloved of Krishna, the worshipful queen of the gopis and of Vrindavan, the crescent moon of King Vrishabhanu's family, and the dear friend of Lalita and Vishakha, ending with the heartfelt plea: 'O most compassionate one, bestow Your mercy on me.' It is a favourite daily prayer for Radha's grace throughout the land of Braj.

Origin & Story

Stavamala of Srila Rupa Goswami · Srila Rupa Goswami · 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.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees of Braj hold that this short prayer of Rupa Goswami carries his own pure longing, and that those who sing 'karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite' with a sincere heart draw the compassionate glance of Srimati Radharani, by whose mercy alone the door to Krishna's loving service is opened.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

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

Meaning:O 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 hari-niṣkuṭa-vṛndā-vipineśe || 1||

Meaning:O 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 lalitā-sakhi guṇa-ramita-viśākhe || 2||

Meaning:O 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 sanaka-sanātana-varṇita-carite || 3||

Meaning:O 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 Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

rādhe🔊O Radha! (vocative — beloved of Krishna)

jaya jaya🔊all glories, all glories (to You)

mādhava-dayite🔊O most beloved of Madhava (Krishna)

gokula-taruṇī-maṇḍala-mahite🔊O You who are worshipped/honoured by the circle of young women of Gokula (the gopis)

dāmodara🔊Damodara (Krishna, bound at the waist with a rope)

rati-vardhana-veśe🔊O You whose dress/attire increases Krishna's loving attraction (rati)

hari-niṣkuṭa🔊the pleasure-garden of Hari

vṛndā-vipineśe🔊O Queen of the Vrinda forest (Vrindavan)

vṛṣabhānu-dadhi🔊the ocean of (King) Vrishabhanu (Radha's father)

nava-śaśi-lekhe🔊O You who are the streak of the new (crescent) moon (risen from that ocean)

lalitā-sakhi🔊O friend of Lalita (Radha's chief sakhi)

guṇa-ramita-viśākhe🔊O You who delight Vishakha (sakhi) with Your qualities

karuṇāṁ kuru mayi🔊please bestow Your compassion upon me

karuṇā-bharite🔊O You who are full of (overflowing with) compassion

sanaka-sanātana🔊the great sages Sanaka and Sanatana

varṇita-carite🔊O You whose character/pastimes are described (and glorified by them)

Benefits of Chanting श्री राधिका स्तव

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A direct, heartfelt appeal for the mercy (karuna) of Srimati Radharani, the queen of Vrindavan

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Glorifies Radha as the most beloved of Krishna and the worshipful centre of the gopis

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Short and exquisitely sweet, making it ideal for daily prayer and easy memorisation

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Cultivates Radha-bhakti and the loving mood (bhava) of the Vraja gopis

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Composed by Srila Rupa Goswami, the foremost of the Six Goswamis, lending it deep spiritual authority

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Sung daily in the temples of Braj (Vrindavan, Barsana) and cherished by Gaudiya Vaishnavas

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Its closing plea 'karunam kuru mayi' trains the heart in humble dependence on Radha's grace

How to Chant श्री राधिका स्तव

Repetitions1times

Best TimeEarly morning and evening; especially on Radhashtami, Ekadashi and during the month of Kartik

Sit before an image of Sri Radha or Radha-Krishna and sing the refrain 'radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite' followed by the three verses, dwelling on each description of Radha. It is traditionally sung in a sweet melody, the refrain repeated after each verse. Conclude by praying humbly with the words 'karunam kuru mayi' for Radha's compassion. May be recited once or sung repeatedly in kirtan.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete श्री राधिका स्तव 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.