krishnaradhavrindavanbhajan

ଜୟ ରାଧା ମାଧବ

जय राधा माधव

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

Also known as: jaya radha madhava kunja bihari · jai radha madhav jai kunj bihari · jaya radha madhava lyrics · radha madhava kunja bihari

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 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

(जय) राधा-माधव (जय) कुञ्ज-बिहारी । (जय) गोपी-जन-वल्लभ (जय) गिरि-वर-धारी ॥

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

Meaning:ରାଧା-ମାଧବ (ରାଧାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରିୟତମ ଶ୍ରୀକୃଷ୍ଣ)ଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ! ବୃନ୍ଦାବନର କୁଞ୍ଜରେ ବିହାରକାରୀଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ! ଗୋପୀମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରିୟତମଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ! ଗୋବର୍ଦ୍ଧନ ଗିରି ଧାରଣକାରୀଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ!

Verse 2

(जय) यशोदा-नन्दन (जय) ब्रज-जन-रञ्जन । (जय) यमुना-तीर-वन-चारी ॥

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

Meaning:ଯଶୋଦାଙ୍କ ଆଦରର ନନ୍ଦନଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ! ବ୍ରଜବାସୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆନନ୍ଦଦାୟୀଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ! ଯମୁନା ତୀରର ବନରେ ବିଚରଣକାରୀଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ!

Word-by-Word Meaning

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जय🔊jayaAll glories! Victory!

राधा-माधव🔊rādhā-mādhavaMadhava (Krishna), the beloved (lover) of Radha

कुञ्ज-बिहारी🔊kuñja-bihārīHe who sports/wanders in the groves (kunjas) of Vrindavan

गोपी-जन-वल्लभ🔊gopī-jana-vallabhaThe beloved of the gopis (cowherd maidens of Vraja)

गिरि-वर-धारी🔊giri-vara-dhārīThe lifter of the great hill (Govardhana)

यशोदा-नन्दन🔊yaśodā-nandanaThe beloved son of mother Yashoda

ब्रज-जन-रञ्जन🔊braja-jana-rañjanaThe delighter of the people of Vraja (Braj)

यमुना-तीर-वन-चारी🔊yamunā-tīra-vana-cārīHe who wanders in the forests along the banks of the Yamuna

ब्रज🔊brajaVraja / Braj, the land of Krishna's childhood pastimes

वन🔊vanaForest, woodland

गिरि-वर🔊giri-varaThe best of hills (Govardhana)

तीर🔊tīraBank, shore (of the river)

Benefits of Chanting ଜୟ ରାଧା ମାଧବ

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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 ଜୟ ରାଧା ମାଧବ

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

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.