Monday, April 27, 2009

Shri Radha Kripakataksha Stotra: Celebration


Raakaayaan cha sitaashtamyaan dashamyaan cha vishudhdhee.

Ekaadashyaan trayodshayaan yah pathet saadhak sudhee.


Yan yan kaamyate kaaman tan tan praapnoti saadhak.

Radhakripakatakshenh bhakti syaat premlakshanaa.


A dedicated virtuous devotee who recites the 'Shri Radha Kripakatasha Stotra', on the ashtami (eighth day of a lunar fortnight) of shukal paksha (the light half of the month, from new to full moon) of poornima (the day of full moon) plus on ekaadashi (eleventh day of a lunar fortnight) and trayodashi (the thirteenth day of a lunar fortnight), certainly attains whatever he eagerly longs for.


Chanting the verses no longer in search of self-gratification, his bhakti transforms into parabhakti or perfected devotion. Urged into complete absorption in the joy of Krishna that does not require the god's human presence, the bhakta realizes that Krishna exists intensely in our hearts when we sing his praise and dwells in our longing for him.


Urudaghne naabhidaghne hriddaghne kanthdaghnke.

Radhakundjale stithtvaa yah pathetsaadakah shatam.


Tasya sarvaarthsidhih syaadvaaksaamarthya tato labhet.

Aishvarya cha labhetsaakshaad drishaa pashyati Radhikaam.


Ten saa tatshanhaadev tushtaa date mahaavaram.

Yen pashyati netraabhyaan tatiprayan Shyamsundaram.


Nityaleelapraveshan cha dadaati hi Vrajaadhipah.

Atah parataran praapyan Vaishnavaanaan na vidhate.


Standing with the thighs, navel, chest and throat steeped in the waters of Shri Radha-Kund (Radha's pool, name of a sacred site and place of pilgrimage at Mathura) and chanting the Shri Radha Kripakatasha Stotra a hundred times over, one attains the heart's exquisite desires.


Shri Radha Rani manifests, giving her darshan and confers the boon of sighting the handsome god Krishna. Shyam Sunder lets us gain entry into his own leela or divine play. What more can the Vaishnavas aspire for?

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