Sri Kunjaviharyastakam primus

Sri Rupa Gosvami's First Kunja Vihari Astakam

indranila-mani-manjula-varnah

phulla-nipa-kusumancita-karnah |

krsnalaabhir akrsorasi haari

sundaro jayati kunja-vihaari || 1 ||

Bright Kadamba blooms dangle from his ears,

Over his ample chest a necklace wears

Of shiny goonja beads of black and red;

Whose handsome limbs a sapphire lustre shed;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 1

raadhikaa-vadana-candra-cakorah

sarva-ballava-vadhu-dhrti-caurah |

carcari-caturatascita-caari

caaruto jayati kunja-vihaari || 2 ||

Like a moon-bird he feeds upon the grace

Of Radhika's beautiful bright moon-face;

He is the thief who with his beauty steals

The patience of the cowherd damosels;

With clapping hands and motions of his feet,

He dances skilfully to rhythmic beat;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 2

sarvatah prathita-kaulika-parva-

dhvamsanena hrta-vaasava-garvah |

gostha-raksana-krte giridhaari

lilayaa jayati kunja-vihaari || 3 ||

Who bade his relatives from rites refrain

Of sacrifice, renowned for pious gain;

Whereat the cowherds readily complied,

Depriving Vasava of his vain pride;

Whereon Krishna held up with his left arm

Mount Govardhan, to save his friends from harm;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 3

raaga-mandala-vibhusita-vamsi-

vibhramena madanotsava-samsi |

stuyamaana-caritah suka-saari-

srenibhir jayati kunja-vihaari || 4 ||

While on his ornamented flute he plays,

All diverse tones and melodies displays,

Which doth Cupid's festivity proclaim,

While male and female parrots sing his fame;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 4

saatakumbha-ruci-haari-dukulah

keki-candraka-viraajita-culah |

navya-yauvana-lasad-vraja-naari-

ranjano jayati kunja-vihaari || 5 ||

Whose yellow garment, draped in many a fold,

Diminishes the sheen of burnished gold;

Whose headdress, with a peacock feather dight,

Affords the youthful cowherd dames delight;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 5

sthaasaki-krta-sugandhi-patirah

svarna-kaanci-parisobhi-katirah |

raadhikonnata-payodhara-vaari-

kunjaro jayati kunja-vihaari || 6 ||

Who is adorned with scented sandal paste,

And wears a golden sash around his waist;

Who is a wild elephant unrestrained,

By Radhika's protruding breast constrained;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 6

gaura-dhaatu-tilakojjvala-bhaalah

keli-cancalita-campaka-maalah |

adri-kandara-grhesv abhisaari

subhruvam jayati kunja-vihaari || 7 ||

Who has a yellow sign upon his brow,

Whose Champak flower wreath swings to and fro;

Whose steps to mountain caves desire impels,

To meet the fair-browed cowherd damosels;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 7

vibhramoccala-drg-ancala-nrtya-

ksipta-gopa-lalanaakhila-krtyah |

prema-matta-vrsabhaanu-kumaari-

naagaro jayati kunja-vihaari || 8  ||

His amorous dancing side-glances make

The cowherd maids their household chores forsake;

Who is the hero loved to mad despair,

By Vrishabhanu raja's daughter fair;

All hail to him who sports within the bowers

Of Vrindavan, fragrant with blooming flowers. 8

astakam madhura-kunja-vihaari-

kridayaa pathati yah kila haari |

sa prayaati vilasat-para-bhaagam

tasya paada-kamalaarcana-raagam || 9 ||

Whoso these eight stanzas that tell the deeds

Of him who sports within the bower reads,

Great accomplishment in worship attains,

And love spontaneous for his feet gains. 9Kunjavihary-astakam

Whoso these eight stanzas that tell the deeds

Of him who sports within the bower reads,

Great accomplishment in worship attains,

And love spontaneous for his feet gains. 9