Radha Chalisa — Lyrics with Meaning

Doha

Shri Radhe Vrishbhanuja, bhaktani pranadhar | Vrindavipin viharini, pranavaun barambar ||

O Shri Radhe, daughter of Vrishbhanu, you are the life of your devotees. You who roam the groves of Vrindavan, I bow to you again and again.

Doha

Jaiso taiso ravarau, Krishna priya sukhdham | Charan sharan nij deejiye, sundar sukhad lalam ||

O beloved of Krishna, home of joy! Whatever I am, I am yours. Give me shelter at your lovely, joy-giving feet.

Chaupai 1

Jai Vrishbhanu kunvari Shri Shyama | Kirati nandini shobha dhama ||

Victory to Shri Shyama, princess of Vrishbhanu. You are Kirati's daughter and the home of beauty.

Chaupai 2

Nitya viharini Shyam adhara | Amit mod mangal datara ||

You are ever at play and the very support of Shyam. You give endless joy and blessing.

Chaupai 3

Raas vilasini ras vistarini | Sahchari subhag yooth man bhavani ||

You delight in the Raas dance and spread the nectar of love. The lovely band of your companions adores you.

Chaupai 4

Nitya kishori Radha gori | Shyam pranadhan ati jiya bhori ||

Fair Radha is forever young. She is the treasure of Shyam's life and very innocent at heart.

Chaupai 5

Karuna sagar hiya umangini | Lalitadik sakhiyan ki sangini ||

You are an ocean of compassion who fills hearts with joy. Lalita and the other sakhis are your companions.

Chaupai 6

Dinkar kanya kool viharini | Krishna pran priya hiya hulsavani ||

You stroll on the banks of the Yamuna, daughter of the Sun. Dearer to Krishna than life, you gladden his heart.

Chaupai 7

Nitya Shyam tumrau gun gavain | Radha Radha kahi harshavain ||

Shyam sings your virtues every day and rejoices saying "Radha, Radha".

Chaupai 8

Murli mein nit naam ucharen | Tuv karan leela vapu dharen ||

He calls your name on his flute every day. For your sake he takes on forms for his divine play.

Chaupai 9

Prem swaroopini ati sukumari | Shyam priya Vrishbhanu dulari ||

You are love itself and most tender. You are Shyam's beloved and Vrishbhanu's darling.

Chaupai 10

Naval kishori ati chhavi dhama | Dyuti laghu lagai koti Rati Kama ||

You are youthful and full of beauty. Before you, the glow of millions of Ratis and Kamadevs seems small.

Chaupai 11

Gaurangi shashi nindak badana | Subhag chapal aniyare nayana ||

Your complexion is fair and your face puts the moon to shame. Your eyes are lovely, lively and sharp.

Chaupai 12

Javak yut yug pankaj charna | Noopur dhuni preetam man harna ||

Your two lotus feet are painted with red lac. The sound of your anklets steals your beloved's heart.

Chaupai 13

Santat sahchari seva karaheen | Maha mod mangal man bharaheen ||

Your companions serve you always, their hearts filled with great joy and blessing.

Chaupai 14

Rasikan jeevan pran adhara | Radha naam sakal sukh sara ||

You are the life and breath of loving devotees. The name Radha is the essence of all joy.

Chaupai 15

Agam agochar nitya swaroopa | Dhyan dharat nishidin Braj bhoopa ||

Your form is unfathomable, beyond the senses and eternal. Krishna, king of Braj, meditates on you day and night.

Chaupai 16

Upjeu jasu ansh gun khani | Kotin Uma Rama Brahmani ||

From a portion of you arose millions of virtuous Umas, Lakshmis and Brahmanis.

Chaupai 17

Nitya dham Golok viharini | Jan rakshak dukh dosh nasavani ||

You dwell in Golok, the eternal abode. You protect devotees and remove sorrow and faults.

Chaupai 18

Shiv Aj muni Sanakadik Narad | Paar na paain Shesh aru Sharad ||

Shiv, Brahma, sages like Sanak, Narad, Shesh and Sharda cannot reach the end of your glory.

Chaupai 19

Radha shubh gun roop ujari | Nirakhi prasann hot Banwari ||

Seeing Radha's fine virtues and radiant form, Krishna of the forests is delighted.

Chaupai 20

Braj jeevan dhan Radha Rani | Mahima amit na jay bakhani ||

Radha Rani is the treasure of Braj's life. Her endless glory cannot be described.

Chaupai 21

Preetam sang dei galbanhi | Biharat nit Vrindavan manhi ||

Arm in arm with your beloved, you stroll through Vrindavan every day.

Chaupai 22

Radha Krishna Krishna kahain Radha | Ek roop dou preeti agadha ||

Radha says "Krishna" and Krishna says "Radha". The two are one form, and their love is boundless.

Chaupai 23

Shri Radha Mohan man harani | Jan sukh dayak praphulit badani ||

Shri Radha captivates Mohan's heart. With her joyful face she gives happiness to devotees.

Chaupai 24

Kotik roop dharen Nand nanda | Darsh karan hit Gokul chanda ||

Nand's son, the moon of Gokul, takes millions of forms just to see you.

Chaupai 25

Raas keli kari tumhen rijhavain | Maan karau jab ati dukh pavain ||

He pleases you with the Raas dance. When you are upset with him, he is deeply pained.

Chaupai 26

Praphulit hot darsh jab pavain | Vividh bhanti nit vinay sunavain ||

When he sees you, he blossoms with joy, and every day pleads with you in many ways.

Chaupai 27

Vrindaranya viharini Shyama | Naam let pooran sab kama ||

O Shyama who roams the forest of Vrinda, taking your name fulfils every wish.

Chaupai 28

Kotin yagya tapasya karahu | Vividh nem vrat hiya mein dharahu ||

You may perform millions of sacrifices and penances, and keep many rules and fasts...

Chaupai 29

Tau na Shyam bhaktahin apnavain | Jab lagi Radha naam na gavain ||

...yet Shyam does not accept a devotee until they sing the name of Radha.

Chaupai 30

Vrindavipin swamini Radha | Leela vapu tav amit agadha ||

Radha is the queen of Vrindavan. Your playful form is endless and unfathomable.

Chaupai 31

Swayam Krishna pavain nahin para | Aur tumhen ko janan hara ||

Even Krishna himself cannot reach your end — who else could truly know you?

Chaupai 32

Shri Radha ras preeti abheda | Sadar gaan karat nit Veda ||

Shri Radha's loving nectar is one with Krishna. Even the Vedas sing of it with reverence.

Chaupai 33

Radha tyagi Krishna ko bhajihain | Te sapnehun jag jaladhi na tarihain ||

The Chalisa says that those who worship Krishna while leaving out Radha cannot cross the ocean of the world even in dreams.

Chaupai 34

Kirati kunvari ladili Radha | Sumirat sakal mitahin bhav badha ||

Remembering Radha, Kirati's darling daughter, removes every obstacle of worldly life.

Chaupai 35

Naam amangal mool nasavan | Trividh taap har Hari manbhavan ||

Your name uproots misfortune, removes the three sufferings and is dear to Hari.

Chaupai 36

Radha naam lei jo koi | Sahjahi Damodar bas hoi ||

Whoever takes Radha's name easily wins the love of Damodar.

Chaupai 37

Radha naam param sukhdai | Bhajtahin kripa karahin Yadurai ||

The name Radha gives the highest joy. As soon as one chants it, Krishna, king of the Yadus, shows his grace.

Chaupai 38

Yashumati nandan peechhe phirihain | Jo kou Radha naam sumirihain ||

Yashoda's son follows behind anyone who remembers the name of Radha.

Chaupai 39

Raas viharini Shyama pyari | Karahu kripa Barsane vari ||

O dear Shyama of the Raas dance, lady of Barsana, be gracious to me.

Chaupai 40

Vrindavan hai sharan tihari | Jai jai jai Vrishbhanu dulari ||

In Vrindavan I take shelter in you. Victory to the darling of Vrishbhanu!

Doha

Shri Radha Sarveshwari, Rasikeshwar Ghanshyam | Karahun nirantar baas main, Shri Vrindavan dham ||

Shri Radha is queen of all, and Ghanshyam is lord of loving devotees. May I live forever in the holy land of Vrindavan.