SRI GAUDIYA GITANJALI : SPECIAL POETRY

Sri Sri Lalita Astakam

By Srimad Rupa Goswami Prabhu

sri-sri-lalitayai namah
Obeisances to Sri Lalita Devi.

radha-mukunda-pada-sambhava-gharma-bindu-
nirmanchhanopakarani-krta-deha-laksam
uttunga-sauhrda-visesa-vasat pragalbham
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [1]

To remove even a drop of sweat that may appear on the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Mukunda, she wants to take on thousands of bodies. She loses herself in the ecstasy of a very lofty, loving nature and can sometimes behave haughty. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

raka-sudha-kirana-mandala-kanti-dandi-
vaktra-sriyam chakita-charu-chamuru-netram
radha-prasadhana-vidhana-kala-prasiddham
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [2]

Her effulgence is like rays of nectar radiating from the halo of a full moon. She is beautifully outspoken, and she has charming, agile doe-like eyes. She is famous for dressing Sri Radha in a very artful way. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

lasyollasad-bhujaga-satru-patatra-chitra-
pattamsukabharana-kanchulikanchitangim
gorochana-ruchi-vigarhana-gaurimanam
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [3]

She wears beautiful clothes and ornaments of bright colours resembling jubilantly dancing peacock feathers; and Her golden complexion reproaches the bright yellow lustre of gorochana. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

dhurte vrajendra-tanaye tanu susthu vamyam
ma daksina bhava kalankini! laghavaya
radhe! giram srnu hitam iti siksayantim
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [4]

‘Show this cunning Prince of Vraja how stubborn You can be! No more submission to Him! People say that You have disgraced Yourself, that You are loose, Radha!’ – she teaches Her thus how best to behave. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

radham abhi vraja-pateh krtam atmajena
kutam manag api vilokya vilohitaksim
vag-bhangibhis tam achirena vilajjayantim
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [5]

Whenever she notices even a slightest hint that the Master of Vraja is trying to trick Radha, her eyes become red and she quickly intercedes and begins to scold Krishna. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

vatsalya-vrnda-vasatim pasupala-rajnyah
sakhyanusiksana-kalasu gurum sakhinam
radha-balavaraja-jivita-nirvisesam
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [6]

She belongs to the group of devotees with parental love, so she teaches other girlfriends of the Cowherd’s Queen how to better render friendly service to Her. Radha and Balaram’s younger brother (Krishna) are non-different from her very life. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

yam kam api vraja-kule vrsabhanujayah
preksya sva-paksa-padavim anuruddhyamanam
sadyas tad-ista-ghatanena krtarthayantim
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [7]

If she sees that somebody in Vrindavan has the same attitude to King Vrisabhanu’s Daughter as she does, it stuns her and she at once fulfils all their cherished desires. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

radha-vrajendra-suta-sangama-rangacharyam
varyam vinischitavatim akhilotsavebhyah
tam gokula-priya-sakhi-nikuramba-mukhyam
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami [8]

She orchestrates Radha’s union with the Son of the King of Vraja. She is the best, the most determined and jovial. Among Radha’s many beloved girlfriends in Gokula, she is the main one. I am offering my obeisance to this Lalita Devi, who is replete with beautiful qualities.

nandann amuni lalita-guna-lalitani
padyani yah pathati nirmala-drstir astau
pritya vikarsati janam nija-vrnda-madhye
tam kirtida-pati-kulojjvala-kalpa-valli [9]

If anybody studies and reads with pure vision these eight verses about the delightful beautiful qualities of Lalita Devi, Sri Radha – the effulgent wish-fulfilling creeper sprung in the family of Kirtida Mayi and King Vrisabhanu – will very happily take them into Her circle.

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Sri Gaudiya Gitanjali (English)
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