SRI LALITASTAKAM by Srila Rupa Goswami

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THE CLASSIC PRAYER TO LALITA-DEVI BY RAGHUNATHA DASA GOSWAMI

(in tune of the Sad-goswami-astaka)

 

sAndra-prema-rasaih plutA priyatayA prAgalbhyam AptA tayoh

prAna-prestha-vayasyayor anudinam lilAbhisAram kramaih

vaidagdhyena tathA sakhim prati sadA mAnasya shiksAm rasair

yeyam kArayatiha hanta lalitA grhnAtu sA mAm ganaih

 

Flooded with the nectar of intense love for her two friends (Sri Sri

Radha-Krsna), who are more dear to her than her own life, affectionately

arrogant in Their presence, and daily arranging for Their rendezvous,

Lalita-devi expertly teaches her friend Radha the art of jealous anger. I

pray Lalita-devi will one day accept me as one of her associates.

 

(translation by Kusakratha prabhu)

 

Let us all sing this today and pray for the mercy of Srimati Lalita-devi.

SRI LALITASTAKAM by Srila Rupa Goswami

 

1. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

She worships the perspiration of Sri Sri Radha-Mukunda's lotus feet and acts

boldly, out of intense feelings of friendship for Them.

 

2. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

Her face defeats the beauty of the ambrosial corona of the full moon, her

eyes are like those of an alarmed deer and she is expert in the art of

decorating Sri Radhika.

 

3. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

She wears a wonderful silk dress colored like a peacock with outstretched

feathers, as well as a nice blouse, and her complexion defeats the golden

splendour of gorocana.

 

4. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

She teaches Sri Radhika the art of a left-wing heroine saying: "Radhe!

Firmly reject this shrewd son of the king of Vraja, O immoral girl! Listen!

Don't be weak! I'm saying it for Your own good. Don't submit to Him!"

 

5. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

Her eyes become red with anger if she sees the son of the king of Vraja

cheating Sri Radhika even slightly, then she will promptly embarrass Him

with her clever words.

 

6. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

She is the abode of affection for the Queen of cowherders, Yasoda, she is

the teacher of the art of friendship for all the sakhis and her love for Sri

Radhika and Krsna is equal.

 

7. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

She requests every girl in Vraja to join the party of Vrsabhanu's daughter

and who fulfills all desires of that girl (or of Sri Radhika).

 

7a. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

All her desires were at once fulfilled when she saw the path of Sri Radha in

Vraja being blocked by a certain person.

 

8. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.

She always enjoys the festival of Radha and Vrajendrasuta's meeting and she

is the chief of all Radha's dear girlfriends in Gokula.

 

9. Anyone who recites these prayers praising Lalita's wonderful qualities

with a pure vision will be lovingly counted amongst her own (friends or

maidservants) by Sri Radhika, the brilliant desire vine of the family of the

Lord of Kirtida (King Vrsabhanu).

 

End of Lalitastakam.