Lalitastakam
BY: SUN STAFF
Radha Talking with Her Confidante, Lalita Sakhi
Rasikapriya, c. 1617, Mughal
Aug 29, CANADA (SUN) — Lalitastakam by Srila Rupa Goswami in honour of Lalita Sasti, the appearance day of Sri Lalita devi.
- 1 -
radha-mukunda pada-sambhava-gharma-bindu-
nirmajchanopakarani-krta deha-laksam
uttugga-sauhrda-vizesa-vazat pragalbham
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto the haughty Sri Lalita-devi who is charmingly endowed with many beautiful, sweet qualities (sulalita). She has natural expertise in all arts (lalita), thus her seva self-manifests. She wipes away the glittering drops of perspiration which appear upon the lotus feet of Sri Radha and Madhava when They meet; and she is perpetually immersed in the most elevated mellow of sauhrda-rasa, or undivided absorption in fulfilling the heart’s desire of her intimate friend Srimati Radhika.
- 2 -
raka-sudha-kirana-mandala-kanti-dandi-
vaktra-zriyam cakita-caru camuru-netram -
radha-prasadhana-vidhana-kala-prasiddham-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi whose beautiful face mocks the brilliance of the full moon, whose eyes are ever-restless like those of a startled doe, who is famous for her extraordinary expertise in the art of dressing Srimati Radhika, and who is the treasure-house of unlimited feminine qualities.
- 3 -
lasyollasad-bhujaga-zatru-patatra-citra-
pattamzukabharana-kajculikajcitaggim -
gorocana-ruci-vigarhana gaurimanam-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi whose body is adorned with a splendid sari as brilliant as the multi-coloured tail-feathers of an ecstatically dancing peacock, whose upper body is covered with an exceedingly attractive blouse (kanculi), whose hair part is decorated with shimmering red vermilion, and who wears various necklaces and other jeweled ornaments. Her golden complexion defeats that of even gorocana [bright golden pigment that comes when rain-water from svatinaksatra hits the hoof of a qualified cow] and she possesses innumerable good qualities.
- 4 -
dhurte vrajendra-tanaye tanu susthu-vamyam-
ma daksina bhava kalagkini laghavaya -
radhe giram zrnu hitam iti ziksayantim-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi, the charming treasure-house of all good qualities, who instructs Srimati Radhika in this way: “O Kalankini (unchaste one)! Radhe! Listen to my good instructions which are favorable for you! Vrajendra-nandana is very crafty (dhurta). Don’t display Your mood of gentle submission (daksina bhava) to Him; instead, in all circumstances be contrary.”
- 5 -
radham abhi-vraja-pateh krtam atmajena-
kutam manag api vilokya vilohitaksim -
vag-bhaggibhis tam acirena vilajjayantim-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto the abode of all good qualities, the supremely charming Sri Lalita-devi, who, upon hearing Sri Krishna speak even a few sly words to Srimati Radhika, immediately becomes furious and shames Krishna with her biting, sarcastic remarks, “You are so truthful and simple-hearted, and such a chaste lover!”
- 6 -
vatsalya-vrnda-vasatim pazupala-rajjyah-
sakhyanuziksana-kalasu gurum sakhinam -
radha-balavaraja jivita-nirvizesam-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto the supremely charming Sri Lalita-devi, who possesses all divine qualities; who is also the recipient of Yasoda-devi’s parental affection; the guru of all the sakhis, instructing them in friendship; and the very life of both Srimati Radhika and the younger brother of Baladeva.
- 7 -
yam kam api vraja-kule vrsabhanujayah-
preksya sva-paksa-padavim anuruddhyamanam -
sadyas tad ista-ghatanena krtarthayantim-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto the supremely charming Sri Lalita-devi, the treasure house of all good qualities. Upon seeing any young maiden anywhere in Vraja and discerning that she is inclined towards her priya-sakhi Srimati Radhika, Lalita immediately tells Radha that She must accept this person in Her own party (sva-paksa). Radha obeys Lalita, who thus fulfills that maiden’s desires.
- 8 -
radha-vrajendra-suta-saggama-ragga-caryam-
varyam vinizcitavatim akhilotsavebhyah -
tam gokula-priya-sakhi-nikuramba-mukhyam-
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi, the embodiment of all divine virtues and the foremost of all the favorite sakhis of Gokula. Her primary task is providing pleasure for Sri Radha-Govinda by arranging Their meetings - this delightful seva surpasses the enjoyment of all the best festivals combined together.
- 9 -
nandan amuni lalita-guna-lalitani-
padyani yah pathati nirmala-drstir astau -
pritya vikarsati janam nija-vrnda-madhye-
tam kirtida-pati-kulojjvala-kalpa-valli
If a person with a cheerful and pure heart recites this astaka in praise of Lalita-devi, he will be affectionately brought into Srimati Radhika’s own group of sakhis. Lalita-devi is superbly ornamented with beauty, grace and charm, and, along with Srimati Radhika, is the effulgent wish-fulfilling creeper (kalpa-valli) of Vrsbhanu Maharaja’s family that winds around the kalpa vrksa of Krishna.
