Original text
॥ दोहा ॥ श्री राधे वुषभानुजा, भक्तनि प्राणाधार । वृन्दाविपिन विहारिणी, प्रानावौ बारम्बार ॥ जैसो तैसो रावरौ, कृष्ण प्रिया सुखधाम । चरण शरण निज दीजिये, सुन्दर सुखद ललाम ॥ ॥ चौपाई ॥ जय वृषभान कुँवरी श्री श्यामा । कीरति नंदिनी शोभा धामा ॥1॥ नित्य विहारिनि श्याम अधारा । अमित मोद मंगल दातारा ॥2॥ रास विलासिनि रस विस्तारिनि । सहचरि सुभग यूथ मन भावनि ॥3॥ नित्य किशोरी राधा गोरी । श्याम प्राणधन अति जिय भोरी ॥4॥ करुणा सागर हिय उमंगिनी । ललितादिक सखियन की संगिनी ॥5॥ दिनकर कन्या कूल विहारिनि । कृष्ण प्राण प्रिय हिय हुलसावनि ॥6॥ नित्य श्याम तुमरौ गुण गावैं । राधा राधा कहि हरषावैं ॥7॥ मुरली में नित नाम उचारें । तुव कारण लीला वपु धारें ॥8॥ प्रेम स्वरूपिणि अति सुकुमारी । श्याम प्रिया वृषभानु दुलारी ॥9॥ नवल किशोरी अति छवि धामा । द्युति लघु लगै कोटि रति कामा ॥10॥ गौरांगी शशि निंदक बदना । सुभग चपल अनियारे नयना ॥11॥ जावक युत युग पंकज चरना । नूपुर धुनि प्रीतम मन हरना ॥12॥ संतत सहचरि सेवा करहीं । महा मोद मंगल मन भरहीं ॥13॥ रसिकन जीवन प्राण अधारा । राधा नाम सकल सुख सारा ॥14॥ अगम अगोचर नित्य स्वरूपा । ध्यान धरत निशिदिन ब्रज भूपा ॥15॥ उपजेउ जासु अंश गुण खानी । कोटिन उमा रमा ब्रह्मानी ॥16॥ नित्य धाम गोलोक विहारिणि । जन रक्षक दुख दोष नसावनि ॥17॥ शिव अज मुनि सनकादिक नारद । पार न पाँइ शेष अरु शारद ॥18॥ राधा शुभ गुण रूप उजारी । निरखि प्रसन्न होत बनवारी ॥19॥ ब्रज जीवन धन राधा रानी । महिमा अमित न जाय बखानी ॥20॥ प्रीतम संग देइ गलबाँही । बिहरत नित वृन्दावन माँही ॥21॥ राधा कृष्ण कृष्ण कहैं राधा । एक रूप दोउ प्रीति अगाधा ॥22॥ श्री राधा मोहन मन हरनी । जन सुख दायक प्रफुलित बदनी ॥23॥ कोटिक रूप धरें नंद नंदा । दर्शन करन हित गोकुल चंदा ॥24॥ रास केलि करि तुम्हें रिझावें । मान करौ जब अति दुःख पावें ॥25॥ प्रफुलित होत दर्श जब पावें । विविध भांति नित विनय सुनावें ॥26॥ वृन्दारण्य विहारिणि श्यामा । नाम लेत पूरण सब कामा ॥27॥ कोटिन यज्ञ तपस्या करहु । विविध नेम व्रत हिय में धरहु ॥28॥ तऊ न श्याम भक्तहिं अपनावें । जब लगि राधा नाम न गावें ॥29॥ वृन्दाविपिन स्वामिनी राधा । लीला वपु तब अमित अगाधा ॥30॥ स्वयं कृष्ण पावैं नहिं पारा । और तुम्हें को जानन हारा ॥31॥ श्री राधा रस प्रीति अभेदा । सादर गान करत नित वेदा ॥32॥ राधा त्यागि कृष्ण को भजिहैं । ते सपनेहुँ जग जलधि न तरि हैं ॥33॥ कीरति कुँवरि लाड़िली राधा । सुमिरत सकल मिटहिं भव बाधा ॥34॥ नाम अमंगल मूल नसावन । त्रिविध ताप हर हरि मनभावन ॥35॥ राधा नाम लेइ जो कोई । सहजहि दामोदर बस होई ॥36॥ राधा नाम परम सुखदाई । भजतहिं कृपा करहिं यदुराई ॥37॥ यशुमति नन्दन पीछे फिरिहैं । जो कोऊ राधा नाम सुमिरिहैं ॥38॥ रास विहारिणि श्यामा प्यारी । करहु कृपा बरसाने वारी ॥39॥ वृन्दावन है शरण तिहारी । जय जय जय वृषभानु दुलारी ॥40॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ श्री राधा सर्वेश्वरी, रसिकेश्वर धनश्याम । करहुँ निरंतर बास मैं, श्री वृन्दावन धाम ॥ ॥ इति श्री राधा चालीसा ॥
Transliteration
Doha: Shri Radhe Vrishabhanuja, Bhaktani Pranadhar. Vrindavipin Viharini, Pranavau Barambar. Jaiso Taiso Ravarau, Krishna Priya Sukhdham. Charan Sharan Nij Dijiye, Sundar Sukhad Lalam. Chaupai: 1. Jai Vrishbhan Kunwari Shri Shyama, Kirti Nandini Shobha Dhama. 2. Nitya Viharini Shyam Adhara, Amit Mod Mangal Datara. 3. Raas Vilasini Ras Vistarini, Sahchari Subhag Yuth Man Bhavani. 4. Nitya Kishori Radha Gori, Shyam Pranadhan Ati Jiy Bhori. 5. Karuna Sagar Hiy Umangini, Lalitadik Sakhiyan Ki Sangini. 6. Dinkar Kanya Kool Viharini, Krishna Pran Priya Hiy Hulsavani. 7. Nitya Shyam Tumrau Gun Gavain, Radha Radha Kahi Harshavain. 8. Murli Mein Nit Naam Ucharen, Tuv Karan Leela Vapu Dharen. 9. Prem Swaroopini Ati Sukumari, Shyam Priya Vrishbhanu Dulari. 10. Naval Kishori Ati Chhavi Dhama, Dyuti Laghu Lagai Koti Rati Kama. 11. Gaurangi Shashi Nindak Badna, Subhag Chapal Aniyare Nayana. 12. Javak Yut Yug Pankaj Charna, Noopur Dhuni Preetam Man Harna. 13. Santat Sahchari Seva Karahin, Maha Mod Mangal Man Bharahin. 14. Rasikan Jeevan Pran Adhara, Radha Naam Sakal Sukh Sara. 15. Agam Agochar Nitya Swaroopa, Dhyan Dharat Nishidin Braj Bhupa. 16. Upajeu Jasu Ansh Gun Khani, Kotin Uma Rama Brahmani. 17. Nitya Dhaam Golok Viharini, Jan Rakshak Dukh Dosh Nasavani. 18. Shiv Aj Muni Sanakadik Narad, Paar Na Pain Shesh Aru Sharad. 19. Radha Shubh Gun Roop Ujari, Nirakhi Prasann Hot Banvari. 20. Braj Jeevan Dhan Radha Rani, Mahima Amit Na Jaay Bakhani. 21. Preetam Sang Dei Galbanhi, Biharat Nit Vrindavan Manhi. 22. Radha Krishna Krishna Kahain Radha, Ek Roop Dou Preeti Agadha. 23. Shri Radha Mohan Man Harni, Jan Sukh Dayak Praphulit Badni. 24. Kotik Roop Dharen Nand Nanda, Darshan Karan Hit Gokul Chanda. 25. Raas Keli Kari Tumhen Rijhaven, Maan Karau Jab Ati Dukh Paven. 26. Praphulit Hot Darsh Jab Paven, Vividh Bhanti Nit Vinay Sunaven. 27. Vrindaranya Viharini Shyama, Naam Let Puran Sab Kama. 28. Kotin Yagya Tapasya Karahu, Vividh Nem Vrat Hiy Mein Dharahu. 29. Tau Na Shyam Bhaktahin Apnaven, Jab Lagi Radha Naam Na Gaven. 30. Vrindavipin Swamini Radha, Leela Vapu Tab Amit Agadha. 31. Swayam Krishna Pavain Nahin Para, Aur Tumhen Ko Janan Hara. 32. Shri Radha Ras Preeti Abheda, Sadar Gaan Karat Nit Veda. 33. Radha Tyagi Krishna Ko Bhajihain, Te Sapnehun Jag Jaladhi Na Tari Hain. 34. Kirti Kunwari Ladili Radha, Sumirat Sakal Mitahin Bhav Badha. 35. Naam Amangal Mool Nasavan, Trividh Taap Har Hari Manbhavan. 36. Radha Naam Lei Jo Koi, Sahajahi Damodar Bas Hoi. 37. Radha Naam Param Sukhdai, Bhajatahin Kripa Karahin Yadurai. 38. Yashumati Nandan Peechhe Phirihain, Jo Kou Radha Naam Sumirihain. 39. Raas Viharini Shyama Pyari, Karahu Kripa Barsane Vari. 40. Vrindavan Hai Sharan Tihari, Jai Jai Jai Vrishbhanu Dulari. Doha: Shri Radha Sarveshwari, Rasikeshwar Ghanshyam. Karahun Nirantar Baas Main, Shri Vrindavan Dhaam.
A hymn from Braj
The Radha Chalisa speaks in the voice of Braj, the country around Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana, where Radha comes first. Its opening doha calls her Vrishabhanuja, daughter of King Vrishabhanu, "the life-support of devotees", the one who roams the Vrindavan forest. Then it makes a very Braj-style plea: jaiso taiso ravarau, "whatever I am, I am yours", so give me refuge at your feet. The first chaupai adds her mother: Radha is Kirti nandini, Kirti's daughter. The last ones place her at Barsana, her father's village (39), and end in Vrindavan (40).
Her beauty and her companions
Chaupais 4 to 13 build a portrait. She is the ever-young, fair Radha (nitya kishori Radha gori), the treasure of Shyam's life. She is the companion of Lalita and the other sakhis, and she roams the banks of the "Sun's daughter", the Yamuna. Her radiance makes crores of Ratis and Kamadevas look dim. Her face puts the moon to shame, her eyes are restless and sharp, her lotus feet are painted with red javak, and the sound of her anklets steals her beloved's heart. Her sakhis serve her constantly, full of joy. This is the Radha of Braj painting and poetry, seen through her own companions' eyes.
Krishna as her devotee
What makes this chalisa distinctive is how it reverses the usual order. Here Krishna worships Radha:
- Shyam sings her virtues every day and rejoices saying "Radha, Radha" (7).
- His flute always utters her name, and he takes on his playful bodily form for her sake (8).
- The lord of Braj meditates on her day and night (15), and he is delighted just to look at her (19).
- Nanda's son takes crores of forms just to have her darshan (24). When she sulks in loving pride (maan) he is deeply hurt and pleads with her in many ways (25–26).
- Krishna himself cannot find the end of her (31).
Chaupai 16 makes the strongest theological claim: from a portion of her arise crores of Umas, Ramas (Lakshmis) and Brahmanis (Saraswatis). Chaupai 17 places her in eternal Goloka. These are the views of the Brahmavaivarta Purana and of the Radha-centred traditions of Vrindavan, in which Radha is Krishna's own pleasure-power and the source of all goddesses. Chaupai 22 puts it simply: "Radha says Krishna, Krishna says Radha; one form, two bodies, with fathomless love."
Why the name comes first
The chalisa's most quoted verses are about the name. Perform crores of sacrifices and austerities and keep every vow, and still Shyam will not accept the devotee until they sing Radha's name (28–29). Whoever worships Krishna while leaving out Radha will not cross the ocean of the world even in a dream (33). But say "Radha", and Damodar is won over easily (36), and Yashoda's son follows you around (38). That is the reason behind the greeting heard everywhere in Braj, "Radhe Radhe". Pilgrims say her name in order to reach him.
When it is read
The great day is Radhashtami, Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami, fifteen days after Janmashtami, celebrated above all at the Shriji temple in Barsana. The chalisa is also read on Ashtami each month, through Kartik, and by anyone devoted to Krishna who wants to approach him the Braj way: through her. The closing doha calls her Sarveshwari, queen of all, beside Ghanshyam, the lord of rasikas, and asks for just one thing: to live forever in Shri Vrindavan Dham.
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