Original text
॥ दोहा ॥ श्री राधापद कमल रज, सिर धरि यमुना कूल। वरणो चालीसा सरस, सकल सुमंगल मूल॥ ॥ चौपाई ॥ जय जय पूरण ब्रह्म बिहारी। दुष्ट दलन लीला अवतारी॥ जो कोई तुम्हरी लीला गावै। बिन श्रम सकल पदारथ पावै॥ श्री वसुदेव देवकी माता। प्रकट भये संग हलधर भ्राता॥ मथुरा सों प्रभु गोकुल आये। नन्द भवन में बजत बधाये॥ जो विष देन पूतना आई। सो मुक्ति दै धाम पठाई॥ तृणावर्त राक्षस संहार्यौ। पग बढ़ाय सकटासुर मार्यौ॥ खेल खेल में माटी खाई। मुख में सब जग दियो दिखाई॥ गोपिन घर घर माखन खायो। जसुमति बाल केलि सुख पायो॥ ऊखल सों निज अंग बँधाई। यमलार्जुन जड़ योनि छुड़ाई॥ बका असुर की चोंच विदारी। विकट अघासुर दियो सँहारी॥ ब्रह्मा बालक वत्स चुराये। मोहन को मोहन हित आये॥ बाल वत्स सब बने मुरारी। ब्रह्मा विनय करी तब भारी॥ काली नाग नाथि भगवाना। दावानल को कीन्हों पाना॥ सखन संग खेलत सुख पायो। श्रीदामा निज कन्ध चढ़ायो॥ चीर हरन करि सीख सिखाई। नख पर गिरवर लियो उठाई॥ दरश यज्ञ पत्निन को दीन्हों। राधा प्रेम सुधा सुख लीन्हों॥ नन्दहिं वरुण लोक सों लाये। ग्वालन को निज लोक दिखाये॥ शरद चन्द्र लखि वेणु बजाई। अति सुख दीन्हों रास रचाई॥ अजगर सों पितु चरण छुड़ायो। शंखचूड़ को मूड़ गिरायो॥ हने अरिष्टा सुर अरु केशी। व्योमासुर मार्यो छल वेषी॥ व्याकुल ब्रज तजि मथुरा आये। मारि कंस यदुवंश बसाये॥ मात पिता की बन्दि छुड़ाई। सान्दीपनि गृह विद्या पाई॥ पुनि पठयौ ब्रज ऊधौ ज्ञानी। प्रेम देखि सुधि सकल भुलानी॥ कीन्हीं कुबरी सुन्दर नारी। हरि लाये रुक्मिणि सुकुमारी॥ भौमासुर हनि भक्त छुड़ाये। सुरन जीति सुरतरु महि लाये॥ दन्तवक्र शिशुपाल संहारे। खग मृग नृग अरु बधिक उधारे॥ दीन सुदामा धनपति कीन्हों। पारथ रथ सारथि यश लीन्हों॥ गीता ज्ञान सिखावन हारे। अर्जुन मोह मिटावन हारे॥ केला भक्त बिदुर घर पायो। युद्ध महाभारत रचवायो॥ द्रुपद सुता को चीर बढ़ायो। गर्भ परीक्षित जरत बचायो॥ कच्छ मच्छ वाराह अहीशा। बावन कल्की बुद्धि मुनीशा॥ ह्वै नृसिंह प्रह्लाद उबार्यो। राम रुप धरि रावण मार्यो॥ जय मधु कैटभ दैत्य हनैया। अम्बरीय प्रिय चक्र धरैया॥ ब्याध अजामिल दीन्हें तारी। शबरी अरु गणिका सी नारी॥ गरुड़ासन गज फन्द निकन्दन। देहु दरश ध्रुव नयनानन्दन॥ देहु शुद्ध सन्तन कर सङ्गा। बाढ़ै प्रेम भक्ति रस रङ्गा॥ देहु दिव्य वृन्दावन बासा। छूटै मृग तृष्णा जग आशा॥ तुम्हरो ध्यान धरत शिव नारद। शुक सनकादिक ब्रह्म विशारद॥ जय जय राधारमण कृपाला। हरण सकल संकट भ्रम जाला॥ बिनसैं बिघन रोग दुःख भारी। जो सुमरैं जगपति गिरधारी॥ जो सत बार पढ़ै चालीसा। देहि सकल बाँछित फल शीशा॥ ॥ छन्द ॥ गोपाल चालीसा पढ़ै नित, नेम सों चित्त लावई। सो दिव्य तन धरि अन्त महँ, गोलोक धाम सिधावई॥ संसार सुख सम्पत्ति सकल, जो भक्तजन सन महँ चहैं। 'जयरामदेव' सदैव सो, गुरुदेव दाया सों लहैं॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ प्रणत पाल अशरण शरण, करुणा-सिन्धु ब्रजेश। चालीसा के संग मोहि, अपनावहु प्राणेश॥
Transliteration
Doha: Shri Radhapad Kamal Raj, Sir Dhari Yamuna Kul Varano Chalisa Saras, Sakal Sumangal Mul. Chaupai: Jai Jai Puran Brahma Bihari, Dushta Dalan Lila Avatari. Jo Koi Tumhari Lila Gavai, Bin Shram Sakal Padarath Pavai. Shri Vasudev Devaki Mata, Prakat Bhaye Sang Haladhar Bhrata. Mathura Son Prabhu Gokul Aye, Nanda Bhavan Mein Bajat Badhaye. Jo Vish Den Putana Ai, So Mukti Dai Dham Pathai. Trinavarta Rakshas Sanharyau, Pag Barhay Sakatasur Maryau. Khel Khel Mein Mati Khai, Mukh Mein Sab Jag Diyo Dikhai. Gopin Ghar Ghar Makhan Khayo, Jasumati Bal Keli Sukh Payo. Ukhal Son Nij Ang Bandhai, Yamalarjun Jar Yoni Chhurai. Baka Asur Ki Chonch Vidari, Vikat Aghasur Diyo Sanhari. Brahma Balak Vatsa Churaye, Mohan Ko Mohan Hit Aye. Bal Vatsa Sab Bane Murari, Brahma Vinay Kari Tab Bhari. Kali Nag Nathi Bhagavana, Davanal Ko Kinhon Pana. Sakhan Sang Khelat Sukh Payo, Shridama Nij Kandha Charhayo. Chir Haran Kari Sikh Sikhai, Nakh Par Giravar Liyo Uthai. Darash Yagy Patnin Ko Dinhon, Radha Prem Sudha Sukh Linhon. Nandahin Varun Lok Son Laye, Gvalan Ko Nij Lok Dikhaye. Sharad Chandra Lakhi Venu Bajai, Ati Sukh Dinhon Ras Rachai. Ajagar Son Pitu Charan Chhurayo, Shankhachur Ko Mur Girayo. Hane Arishta Sur Aru Keshi, Vyomasur Maryo Chhal Veshi. Vyakul Braj Taji Mathura Aye, Mari Kans Yaduvansh Basaye. Mat Pita Ki Bandi Chhurai, Sandipani Grih Vidya Pai. Puni Pathayau Braj Udhau Gyani, Prem Dekhi Sudhi Sakal Bhulani. Kinhin Kubari Sundar Nari, Hari Laye Rukmini Sukumari. Bhaumasur Hani Bhakta Chhuraye, Suran Jiti Surataru Mahi Laye. Dantavakra Shishupal Sanhare, Khag Mrig Nrig Aru Badhik Udhare. Din Sudama Dhanapati Kinhon, Parath Rath Sarathi Yash Linhon. Gita Gyan Sikhavan Hare, Arjun Moh Mitavan Hare. Kela Bhakta Bidur Ghar Payo, Yuddha Mahabharat Rachavayo. Drupad Suta Ko Chir Barhayo, Garbha Parikshit Jarat Bachayo. Kachchha Machchha Varah Ahisha, Bavan Kalki Buddhi Munisha. Hvai Nrisinh Prahlad Ubaryo, Ram Rup Dhari Ravan Maryo. Jai Madhu Kaitabh Daitya Hanaiya, Ambariy Priy Chakra Dharaiya. Byadh Ajamil Dinhen Tari, Shabari Aru Ganika Si Nari. Garurasan Gaj Phanda Nikandan, Dehu Darash Dhruv Nayananandan. Dehu Shuddha Santan Kar Sanga, Barhai Prem Bhakti Ras Ranga. Dehu Divya Vrindavan Basa, Chhutai Mrig Trishna Jag Asha. Tumharo Dhyan Dharat Shiv Narad, Shuk Sanakadik Brahma Visharad. Jai Jai Radharaman Kripala, Haran Sakal Sankat Bhram Jala. Binasain Bighan Rog Duhkh Bhari, Jo Sumarain Jagapati Giradhari. Jo Sat Bar Parhai Chalisa, Dehi Sakal Banchhit Phal Shisha. Chhand: Gopal Chalisa Parhai Nit, Nem Son Chitta Lavai So Divya Tan Dhari Anta Mahan, Golok Dham Sidhavai. Sansar Sukh Sampatti Sakal, Jo Bhaktajan San Mahan Chahain 'jayaramadev' Sadaiv So, Gurudev Daya Son Lahain. Doha: Pranat Pal Asharan Sharan, Karuna-sindhu Brajesh Chalisa Ke Sang Mohi, Apanavahu Pranesh.
A life of Krishna in forty lines
The Gopal Chalisa opens at the Yamuna's bank with the dust of Radha's lotus feet on the poet's head, and then moves through Krishna's lilas almost in the order of the Bhagavata Purana. Gopal means "protector of cows", the cowherd boy of Gokul and Vrindavan, and the first half stays there; the second half follows him to Mathura, Dwaraka and Kurukshetra.
The episodes, in order
- Birth and Gokul: born to Vasudeva and Devaki with Balarama, carried to Nanda's house amid celebration.
- The demons of childhood: Putana, who came to poison him and was given liberation instead; Trinavarta the whirlwind; Shakatasura, kicked away with a baby's foot.
- The child-god: eating earth and showing the whole universe in his mouth; stealing butter from the gopis' houses; tied to the mortar, freeing the two Yamalarjuna trees.
- Vrindavan: Bakasura's beak torn apart, Aghasura destroyed, Brahma stealing the calves and cowherd boys and Krishna becoming all of them, Kaliya subdued, the forest fire swallowed, Shridama carried on his shoulders.
- The great lilas: the gopis' garments, Govardhan lifted on a fingernail, darshan to the brahmins' wives at the yajna, Nanda rescued from Varuna's realm, the flute and the Raas on the autumn full-moon night.
- Last demons of Braj: Nanda freed from the python, Shankhachuda, Arishta, Keshi and Vyomasura.
- Mathura and beyond: Kamsa killed and his parents freed, schooling at Sandipani's ashram, Uddhava sent to Braj, Kubja made beautiful, Rukmini brought home, Bhaumasura (Narakasura) killed and the parijata tree brought to earth, Dantavakra and Shishupala slain.
- Friend and teacher: Sudama made rich, charioteer to Arjuna, the teacher of the Gita, the banana skins eaten at Vidura's house, Draupadi's endless sari, the unborn Parikshit saved.
Then the chalisa widens to Vishnu's avatars — Kurma, Matsya, Varaha, Vamana, Kalki, Buddha, Narasimha for Prahlada, Rama against Ravana — and the devotees he saved: Ajamila, Shabari, the elephant Gajendra and Dhruva. The final chaupais are a prayer: grant the company of pure saints, deepen my bhakti, and give me a home in Vrindavan.
The poet and the promise
The closing chhand names the poet as Jayramdev, who says he received this through his guru's grace. It promises that one who recites the chalisa daily goes at the end to Goloka, and the last chaupai says that reciting it a hundred times grants every wish. The final doha simply asks Braj's lord, "ocean of compassion", to accept the reader through this chalisa.
When to recite it
- Janmashtami and the days around it, especially at midnight on the birth night.
- Govardhan Puja and Kartik month, when Krishna's Braj lilas are remembered.
- Daily, before a Bal Gopal or Radha-Krishna image, after offering a little butter and mishri.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Gopal Chalisa?
The closing chhand names Jayramdev as its author. Nothing else about him is recorded in the text.
How is it different from the Krishna Chalisa?
Both praise Krishna, but the Gopal Chalisa is a running narrative of his life from birth to the Mahabharata, while the Krishna Chalisa ("Bansi shobhit kar madhur") is more a hymn of praise.
When should the Gopal Chalisa be recited?
Any day, but especially on Janmashtami, Ekadashi, during Kartik month and on Govardhan Puja.
What does the chalisa say about reciting it a hundred times?
Its last chaupai says whoever recites it a hundred times receives every wished-for fruit. People usually do this as a vow over several days.
Is Gopal a different god from Krishna?
No. Gopal, "protector of cows", is Krishna as the cowherd child of Gokul and Vrindavan, the form worshipped as Bal Gopal or Laddu Gopal in many homes.
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