SRI RADHA-KUNDASTKAM

[Guest guest]

Sri Radha-Kundastakam

 

by

 

Srimad Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

 

 

 

 

"After the killig of Aristasura, Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis exchanged

many joking words with Sri Krsna concerning the necessary atonement for one who

has committed the offence of killing a bull. As a result, the Queen of

Vrndavana, Srimati Radhika, and Her sakhis joyfully excavated and filled Sri

Radha-kunda with their own hands. May that immensely fragrant Radha-kunda be my

shelter.

 

*

 

"In the land of the hearts of those who bathe in Radha-kunda, a desire tree

of the superlative prema, which is not attainable even for Krsna's principal

queens in Dvaraka, will arise. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my

shelter.

 

*

 

"For the pleasure of Srimati Radhika, even Sri Krsna Himself, yearning to

attain Her merciful sidelong glance, regularly bathes in Radha-kunda, carefully

observing all the appropriate rituals. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda

be my shelter.

 

*

 

"May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda, which the moon of Vraja, Sri

Krsna, loves as much as He loves the crown-jewel amongst the sweet girls of

Vraja, Srimati Radhika, and which He has made known by the name of Radhika

Herself, be my shelter.

 

*

 

"The mercy obtained by serving Radha-kunda makes the desire-creeper of

prema for the prince of Vraja sprout and is celebrated for bearing the flower

of service to my svamini Srimati Radhika. May that supremely charming

Radha-kunda be my shelter.

 

*

 

"Gloriously manifest on the banks of Radha-kunda are eight kunjas named

after Radhika's principal sakhis. Acting as stimuli for the amorous pastimes of

the Divine Couple, these kunjas are filled with the sweet humming of bumblebees

and are desired by everyone. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be the

shelter of my life.

 

*

 

"Situated on an exquisite dais on the bank of Radha-kunda and accompanied

by Her beloved sakhis, our svamini Srimati Radhika charmingly engages in sweet,

joking words with Sri Krsna, the moon of Vraja. These playful verbal exchanges

are enhanced by the suggestion of so many innuendoes. May that Radha-kunda be

the shelter of my life.

 

*

 

"May that very charming and especially fragrant Radha-kunda, where

intoxicated with love the Divine Couple and the sakhis daily sport with great

joy in the water so fragrant with exquisite lotus flowers, be the sole shelter

of my life.

 

*

 

"To that devotee who, in a resolute mood of aspiring to serve Srimati

Radhika, reads this charming prayer describing Sri Radha-kunda, even in their

present body Sri Krsna will quickly grant them darsana of not only His beloved

Radhika, but also of Their many variegated amorous pastimes. Witnessing these

pastimes and envisioning himself serving Yugala-kisora in various ways, such a

devotee will feel immense jubilation. This astaka is recited in the poetic

meter known as 'Malini'."

 

 

*******************************************************************

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* *

*******************************************************************