Radha Chalisa
श्री राधा चालीसा
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional chalisa · Traditional · Devotional era
Radha, daughter of King Vrishabhanu of Barsana, is the beloved of Krishna and the heart of his pastimes (leela) in Vrindavan. Worshipped as the embodiment of pure love and as Krishna's own bliss-power, she is adored together with him as Radha-Krishna. This Chalisa sings her beauty, her place in the rasa-dance, and the truth that Krishna himself is won not by penance but by the loving remembrance of Radha's name.
✦ As told in scripture
The Chalisa declares that though one perform a million sacrifices and penances, Krishna does not accept the devotee as his own until they sing the name of Radha; and that the son of Yashoda himself follows behind whoever remembers her name, so devotees of Braj greet each other only with 'Radhe Radhe.'
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Complete Text with Meaning
श्री राधे वृषभानुजा, भक्तनि प्राणाधार। वृन्दाविपिन विहारिणि, प्रणवौं बारंबार॥
Shri radhe vrishabhanuja, bhaktani pranadhara Vrindavipina viharini, pranavaum barambara
Meaning:Shri Radha, daughter of Vrishabhanu, the very life-breath of the devotees; O wanderer in the groves of Vrindavan, I bow to you again and again.
जैसौ तैसौ रावरौ, कृष्ण प्रिया सुखधाम। चरण शरण निज दीजिये, सुन्दर सुखद ललाम॥
Jaisau taisau ravarau, krishna priya sukhadhama Charana sharana nija dijiye, sundara sukhada lalama
Meaning:Such as I am, I am wholly yours, O beloved of Krishna, abode of bliss; grant me the refuge of your feet, O beautiful, joy-giving, lovely one.
जय वृषभानु कुंवरि श्री श्यामा। कीरति नंदिनी शोभा धामा॥
Jaya vrishabhanu kumvari shri shyama Kirati namdini shobha dhama
Meaning:Victory to you, daughter of Vrishabhanu, Shri Shyama; daughter of Kirti, abode of all beauty.
नित्य विहारिनि श्याम अधारा। अमित मोद मंगल दातारा॥
Nitya viharini shyama adhara Amita moda mamgala datara
Meaning:Eternal sporting one, the support of Shyam (Krishna); giver of boundless joy and auspiciousness.
रास विलासिनि रस विस्तारिनि। सहचरि सुभग यूथ मन भावनि॥
Rasa vilasini rasa vistarini Sahachari subhaga yutha mana bhavani
Meaning:Delighting in the rasa-dance, spreader of its nectar (rasa); beloved of the fair company of your sakhis.
नित्य किशोरी राधा गोरी। श्याम प्राणधन अति जिय भोरी॥
Nitya kishori radha gori Shyama pranadhana ati jiya bhori
Meaning:Ever-youthful, fair Radha; the very treasure of Shyam's life, utterly innocent of heart.
करुणा सागर हिय उमंगिनी। ललितादिक सखियन की संगिनी॥
Karuna sagara hiya umamgini Lalitadika sakhiyana ki samgini
Meaning:Ocean of compassion, your heart brimming with joy; companion of Lalita and the other sakhis.
दिन कर कन्या कूल विहारिनि। कृष्ण प्राण प्रिय हिय हुलसावनि॥
Dina kara kanya kula viharini Krishna prana priya hiya hulasavani
Meaning:You who sport on the banks of the Yamuna, the Sun's daughter; dear as life to Krishna, you gladden his heart.
नित्य श्याम तुमरौ गुण गावैं। राधा राधा कहि हरषावैं॥
Nitya shyama tumarau guna gavaim Radha radha kahi harashavaim
Meaning:Ever does Shyam sing your praises; saying 'Radha, Radha,' he rejoices.
मुरली में नित नाम उचारें। तुव कारण लीला वपु धारें॥
Murali mem nita nama ucharem Tuva karana lila vapu dharem
Meaning:On his flute he ever sounds your name; for your sake he takes on his playful (leela) form.
प्रेम स्वरूपिणि अति सुकुमारी। श्याम प्रिया वृषभानु दुलारी॥
Prema svarupini ati sukumari Shyama priya vrishabhanu dulari
Meaning:Embodiment of love, most delicate and tender; beloved of Shyam, darling daughter of Vrishabhanu.
नवल किशोरी अति छवि धामा। द्युति लघु लगै कोटि रति कामा॥
Navala kishori ati chhavi dhama Dyuti laghu lagai koti rati kama
Meaning:Ever-fresh young maiden, abode of supreme beauty; before your radiance the splendour of a million Ratis and Kamadevas seems small.
गौरांगी शशि निंदक बदना। सुभग चपल अनियारे नयना॥
Gauramgi shashi nimdaka badana Subhaga chapala aniyare nayana
Meaning:Fair of limb, your face putting the moon to shame; with lovely, restless, sharp-cornered eyes.
जावक युत युग पंकज चरना। नूपुर धुनि प्रीतम मन हरना॥
Javaka yuta yuga pamkaja charana Nupura dhuni pritama mana harana
Meaning:Your two lotus-feet reddened with lac; the sound of your anklets steals the heart of your beloved.
संतत सहचरि सेवा करहीं। महा मोद मंगल मन भरहीं॥
Samtata sahachari seva karahim Maha moda mamgala mana bharahim
Meaning:Your companions serve you constantly, their hearts filled with great joy and auspiciousness.
रसिकन जीवन प्राण अधारा। राधा नाम सकल सुख सारा॥
Rasikana jivana prana adhara Radha nama sakala sukha sara
Meaning:Life and breath-support of the rasikas (the lovers of devotion); the name of Radha is the essence of all happiness.
अगम अगोचर नित्य स्वरूपा। ध्यान धरत निशिदिन ब्रज भूपा॥
Agama agochara nitya svarupa Dhyana dharata nishidina braja bhupa
Meaning:Of eternal form, unreachable and beyond the senses; upon whom the king of Braj (Krishna) meditates day and night.
उपजेउ जासु अंश गुण खानी। कोटिन उमा रमा ब्रह्मानी॥
Upajeu jasu amsha guna khani Kotina uma rama brahmani
Meaning:From a mere fraction of whom, that mine of virtues, arise millions of Umas, Ramas (Lakshmis) and Brahmanis.
नित्य धाम गोलोक विहारिनि। जन रक्षक दुख दोष नसावनि॥
Nitya dhama goloka viharini Jana rakshaka dukha dosha nasavani
Meaning:Dweller in the eternal abode of Goloka; protector of your people, destroyer of sorrow and fault.
शिव अज मुनि सनकादिक नारद। पार न पांइ शेष अरु शारद॥
Shiva aja muni sanakadika narada Para na pami shesha aru sharada
Meaning:Shiva, the unborn Brahma, the sages, Sanaka and his brothers, and Narada, neither Shesha nor Sharada can find your limit.
राधा शुभ गुण रूप उजारी। निरखि प्रसन्न होत बनबारी॥
Radha shubha guna rupa ujari Nirakhi prasanna hota banabari
Meaning:Radha, radiant with auspicious virtue and beauty; beholding you, Banwari (Krishna) is filled with delight.
ब्रज जीवन धन राधा रानी। महिमा अमित न जाय बखानी॥
Braja jivana dhana radha rani Mahima amita na jaya bakhani
Meaning:Radha Rani, the life and treasure of Braj; your boundless glory cannot be told in full.
प्रीतम संग देइ गलबांही। बिहरत नित वृन्दावन मांही॥
Pritama samga dei galabamhi Biharata nita vrindavana mamhi
Meaning:Arm in arm with your beloved, you sport forever within Vrindavan.
राधा कृष्ण कृष्ण कहैं राधा। एक रूप दोउ प्रीति अगाधा॥
Radha krishna krishna kahaim radha Eka rupa dou priti agadha
Meaning:Radha says 'Krishna' and Krishna says 'Radha'; the two are one single form, their love unfathomable.
श्री राधा मोहन मन हरनी। जन सुख दायक प्रफुलित बदनी॥
Shri radha mohana mana harani Jana sukha dayaka praphulita badani
Meaning:Shri Radha, stealer of Mohan's (Krishna's) heart; giver of joy to your devotees, your face ever in bloom.
कोटिक रूप धरें नंद नंदा। दर्श करन हित गोकुल चन्दा॥
Kotika rupa dharem namda namda Darsha karana hita gokula chanda
Meaning:The son of Nanda, the moon of Gokul, takes on a million forms just to gain the sight of you.
रास केलि करि तुम्हें रिझावें। मान करौ जब अति दुःख पावें॥
Rasa keli kari tumhem rijhavem Mana karau jaba ati duhkha pavem
Meaning:He delights you with the play of the rasa-dance; and when you feign loving anger (maan), he is sorely grieved.
प्रफुलित होत दर्श जब पावें। विविध भांति नित विनय सुनावें॥
Praphulita hota darsha jaba pavem Vividha bhamti nita vinaya sunavem
Meaning:He blossoms with joy when he gains your sight, and ever offers his pleas to you in many ways.
वृन्दारण्य विहारिनि श्यामा। नाम लेत पूरण सब कामा॥
Vrindaranya viharini shyama Nama leta purana saba kama
Meaning:O Shyama who sports in the forest of Vrinda; at the mere taking of your name, all desires are fulfilled.
कोटिन यज्ञ तपस्या करहू। विविध नेम व्रत हिय में धरहू॥
Kotina yajna tapasya karahu Vividha nema vrata hiya mem dharahu
Meaning:Though one perform a million sacrifices and penances, and hold in the heart all manner of vows and observances,
तऊ न श्याम भक्तहिं अपनावें। जब लगि राधा नाम न गावें॥
Tau na shyama bhaktahim apanavem Jaba lagi radha nama na gavem
Meaning:even so, Shyam does not take the devotee as his own, so long as that devotee does not sing the name of Radha.
वृन्दाविपिन स्वामिनी राधा। लीला वपु तब अमित अगाधा॥
Vrindavipina svamini radha Lila vapu taba amita agadha
Meaning:Radha, mistress of the groves of Vrindavan; your playful form is boundless and unfathomable.
स्वयं कृष्ण पावैं नहिं पारा। और तुम्हें को जानन हारा॥
Svayam krishna pavaim nahim para Aura tumhem ko janana hara
Meaning:Krishna himself cannot reach your far shore; who else, then, is able to know you?
श्री राधा रस प्रीति अभेदा। सादर गान करत नित वेदा॥
Shri radha rasa priti abheda Sadara gana karata nita veda
Meaning:The love-rasa of Shri Radha and Krishna is one and indivisible; the Vedas ever sing of it with reverence.
राधा त्यागि कृष्ण को भजिहैं। ते सपनेहु जग जलधि न तरि हैं॥
Radha tyagi krishna ko bhajihaim Te sapanehu jaga jaladhi na tari haim
Meaning:Those who forsake Radha and worship Krishna alone do not, even in a dream, cross the ocean of worldly existence.
कीरति कुंवरि लाड़िली राधा। सुमिरत सकल मिटहिं भवबाधा॥
Kirati kumvari lada़ili radha Sumirata sakala mitahim bhavabadha
Meaning:Radha, the cherished daughter of Kirti; remembering her, all the obstacles of worldly life are erased.
नाम अमंगल मूल नसावन। त्रिविध ताप हर हरि मनभावन॥
Nama amamgala mula nasavana Trividha tapa hara hari manabhavana
Meaning:Your name destroys the very root of all misfortune; remover of the three torments, beloved of Hari.
राधा नाम लेइ जो कोई। सहजहि दामोदर बस होई॥
Radha nama lei jo koi Sahajahi damodara basa hoi
Meaning:Whoever takes the name of Radha, by that alone does Damodara (Krishna) come under their sway.
राधा नाम परम सुखदाई। भजतहिं कृपा करहिं यदुराई॥
Radha nama parama sukhadai Bhajatahim kripa karahim yadurai
Meaning:The name of Radha is the giver of supreme joy; on those who chant it, the lord of the Yadus bestows his grace.
यशुमति नन्दन पीछे फिरिहैं। जो कोऊ राधा नाम सुमिरिहैं॥
Yashumati nandana pichhe phirihaim Jo kou radha nama sumirihaim
Meaning:The son of Yashoda (Krishna) follows behind whoever remembers the name of Radha.
रास विहारिनि श्यामा प्यारी। करहु कृपा बरसाने वारी॥
Rasa viharini shyama pyari Karahu kripa barasane vari
Meaning:O Shyama, beloved one who sports in the rasa-dance; show your grace, O lady of Barsana.
वृन्दावन है शरण तिहारी। जय जय जय वृषभानु दुलारी॥
Vrindavana hai sharana tihari Jaya jaya jaya vrishabhanu dulari
Meaning:Vrindavan is your shelter, and in you I take shelter; victory, victory, victory, O darling daughter of Vrishabhanu!
श्रीराधा सर्वेश्वरी, रसिकेश्वर घनश्याम। करहुँ निरंतर बास मैं, श्रीवृन्दावन धाम॥
Shriradha sarveshvari, rasikeshvara ghanashyama Karahun niramtara basa maim, shrivrindavana dhama
Meaning:Shri Radha is the supreme goddess of all, and the cloud-dark Krishna the lord of the rasikas; may I dwell forever in the holy abode of Shri Vrindavan.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Radha Chalisa
Recited to invoke Shri Radha Rani, the beloved of Krishna and queen of Braj, for love, devotion (bhakti), and harmony in relationships and married life.
Praises Radha as the embodiment of pure love and the source of Krishna's grace, deepening prema-bhakti and surrender.
Believed to remove the root of misfortune and the three torments, for, as the Chalisa says, Krishna himself is won by those who sing the name of Radha.
Especially recited on Radha Ashtami (Radha's appearance day), during the months of Kartik and the Braj pilgrimage to Barsana and Vrindavan, and on Janmashtami.
Chanted with the Krishna Chalisa, Krishna Aarti and Madhurashtakam to complete the worship of Radha-Krishna.
How to Chant Radha Chalisa
After bathing, sit before an image of Radha-Krishna, light a lamp and offer flowers (especially tulsi) and bhog. Recite the Chalisa with love, dwelling on the divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, and chant 'Radhe Radhe' or 'Jai Shri Radhe'. It is recited with special devotion on Radha Ashtami.
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