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Mantra · Shiva's plea to Radha for one merciful glance, from the Urdhvamnaya

Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra

मुनीन्द्रवृन्दवन्दिते त्रिलोकशोकहारिणि प्रसन्नवक्त्रपङ्कजे निकुञ्जभूविलासिनि । व्रजेन्द्रभानुनन्दिनि व्रजेन्द्रसूनुसङ्गते कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

Also known as Radha Kripa Kataksha Stotram

In Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English — with the meaning of every word, and the one syllable most people pronounce wrongly.

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What the Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra is

The Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra, known in full as the Sri Radha Kripa Kataksha Stava Raja, the 'king of hymns for the merciful sidelong glance', is a Sanskrit prayer to Radha that tradition places in the Urdhvamnaya Tantra, spoken by Shiva to Parvati. Kataksha is a look from the corner of the eye, and the whole hymn asks to receive one. The first eleven verses, in the brisk panchachamara metre, each pile up titles for Radha and end on the same question: kada karishyasiha mam kripa-kataksha-bhajanam, when will you make me, here, the receiver of your merciful glance. They begin with her bower among ashoka trees and her feet the colour of coral, turn to the glances that keep Krishna captive, and then travel down her ornaments from necklace to anklets. Verse twelve drops the question for a run of titles ending in -ishvari, queen, and a plain salutation. Verse thirteen blesses whoever hears the hymn, and six shorter verses of phala shruti close it.

Shiva asks for Radha's glance

According to the tradition that keeps it, the hymn comes from the Urdhvamnaya Tantra, in a passage where Shiva teaches Parvati the mantras and worship of Radha. That setting gives the text its unusual voice: the lord of Kailasa speaks as a seeker standing outside the groves of Vraja, asking for a single look. Verse eleven even names Parvati, with Shachi and Saraswati, among the goddesses to whom Radha grants boons, so Shiva is describing to his consort a grace she herself receives. The hymn is known mainly through quotation. The Sadhana Dipika, a Gaudiya manual of Radha-Krishna worship, copies it in full in its sixth chapter under the heading 'atha stavah', 'now the hymn', after a series of Radha mantras introduced with the words 'Ishvara uvacha', the Lord said, and a rite of offering lamps. The phala shruti ties the text to one place, Radha Kunda, the sacred pond near Govardhana: it pictures a seeker standing in its water to the thigh, the navel, the chest or the neck while reciting, and says that Radha, pleased, grants the sight of Shyamasundara. In Vraja the hymn is said to be recited daily in many temples and villages, often to a fixed tune, and some residents call it the anthem of Vrindavan.

The mantra, in six scripts

DevanagariSanskrit & Hindiमुनीन्द्रवृन्दवन्दिते त्रिलोकशोकहारिणि प्रसन्नवक्त्रपङ्कजे निकुञ्जभूविलासिनि । व्रजेन्द्रभानुनन्दिनि व्रजेन्द्रसूनुसङ्गते कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

Tamilமுநீந்த்ரவ்ருந்தவந்திதே த்ரிலோகஶோகஹாரிணி ப்ரஸந்நவக்த்ரபங்கஜே நிகுஞ்ஜபூவிலாஸிநி । வ்ரஜேந்த்ரபாநுநந்திநி வ்ரஜேந்த்ரஸூநுஸங்கதே கதா கரிஷ்யஸீஹ மாம் க்ருபாகடாக்ஷபாஜநம் ॥

Teluguమునీన్ద్రవృన్దవన్దితే త్రిలోకశోకహారిణి ప్రసన్నవక్త్రపఙ్కజే నికుఞ్జభూవిలాసిని । వ్రజేన్ద్రభానునన్దిని వ్రజేన్ద్రసూనుసఙ్గతే కదా కరిష్యసీహ మాం కృపాకటాక్షభాజనమ్ ॥

Kannadaಮುನೀನ್ದ್ರವೃನ್ದವನ್ದಿತೇ ತ್ರಿಲೋಕಶೋಕಹಾರಿಣಿ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನವಕ್ತ್ರಪಙ್ಕಜೇ ನಿಕುಞ್ಜಭೂವಿಲಾಸಿನಿ । ವ್ರಜೇನ್ದ್ರಭಾನುನನ್ದಿನಿ ವ್ರಜೇನ್ದ್ರಸೂನುಸಙ್ಗತೇ ಕದಾ ಕರಿಷ್ಯಸೀಹ ಮಾಂ ಕೃಪಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಭಾಜನಮ್ ॥

Malayalamമുനീന്ദ്രവൃന്ദവന്ദിതേ ത്രിലോകശോകഹാരിണി പ്രസന്നവക്ത്രപങ്കജേ നികുഞ്ജഭൂവിലാസിനി । വ്രജേന്ദ്രഭാനുനന്ദിനി വ്രജേന്ദ്രസൂനുസങ്ഗതേ കദാ കരിഷ്യസീഹ മാം കൃപാകടാക്ഷഭാജനമ് ॥

EnglishRoman transliterationmunīndravṛndavandite trilokaśokahāriṇi prasannavaktrapaṅkaje nikuñjabhūvilāsini | vrajendrabhānunandini vrajendrasūnusaṅgate kadā kariṣyasīha māṃ kṛpākaṭākṣabhājanam ||

“O you who are worshipped by hosts of the greatest sages, who take away the sorrow of the three worlds, whose lotus face is always cheerful and who delight in the groves of Vraja; O daughter of King Vrishabhanu, companion of the son of the lord of Vraja: when will you make me, here and now, a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?”

मुनीन्द्रवृन्दवन्दिते: munīndravṛndavandite — worshipped by hosts of great sages
त्रिलोकशोकहारिणि: trilokaśokahāriṇi — remover of the three worlds' sorrow
प्रसन्नवक्त्रपङ्कजे: prasannavaktrapaṅkaje — whose lotus face is cheerful
निकुञ्जभूविलासिनि: nikuñjabhūvilāsini — who delights in the groves
व्रजेन्द्रभानुनन्दिनि: vrajendrabhānunandini — daughter of Bhanu, chief of Vraja
व्रजेन्द्रसूनुसङ्गते: vrajendrasūnusaṅgate — companion of the Vraja chief's son
कदा: kadā — when
करिष्यसीह: kariṣyasīha — will you make, here
मां: māṃ — me
कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम्: kṛpākaṭākṣabhājanam — receiver of your merciful glance

Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra lyrics in full

Thirteen verses of praise and six verses of phala shruti, in the form sung in Vraja. The printed closing line is given at the end.

All 20 verses, in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English, each with its meaning. Choose a script:

Download the Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra PDFAll 20 verses with their meanings, in Sanskrit. Free to print and keep.

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Verse 1

मुनीन्द्रवृन्दवन्दिते त्रिलोकशोकहारिणि प्रसन्नवक्त्रपङ्कजे निकुञ्जभूविलासिनि ।
व्रजेन्द्रभानुनन्दिनि व्रजेन्द्रसूनुसङ्गते कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you who are worshipped by hosts of the greatest sages, who take away the sorrow of the three worlds, whose lotus face is always cheerful and who delight in the groves of Vraja; O daughter of King Vrishabhanu, companion of the son of the lord of Vraja: when will you make me, here and now, a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 2

अशोकवृक्षवल्लरीवितानमण्डपस्थिते प्रवालबालपल्लवप्रभारुणाङ्घ्रिकोमले ।
वराभयस्फुरत्करे प्रभूतसम्पदालये कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you who sit in a bower roofed by creepers spread over the ashoka trees, whose soft feet are rosy like coral and fresh young shoots; O you whose hand shines with the gestures of boon and fearlessness, home of abundant riches: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 3

अनङ्गरङ्गमङ्गलप्रसङ्गभङ्गुरभ्रुवां सविभ्रमं ससम्भ्रमं दृगन्तबाणपातनैः ।
निरन्तरं वशीकृतप्रतीतिनन्दनन्दने कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

With the arrows of glances shot from the corners of your eyes, playful and eager, under brows that arch in the auspicious sport of love, you hold the son of Nanda for ever under your spell. When will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 4

तडित्सुवर्णचम्पकप्रदीप्तगौरविग्रहे मुखप्रभापरास्तकोटिशारदेन्दुमण्डले ।
विचित्रचित्रसञ्चरच्चकोरशावलोचने कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you whose fair form glows like lightning, gold and the champaka flower, whose radiant face outshines millions of autumn full moons, whose wondrous eyes dart about like young chakora birds: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 5

मदोन्मदातियौवने प्रमोदमानमण्डिते प्रियानुरागरञ्जिते कलाविलासपण्डिते ।
अनन्यधन्यकुञ्जराज्यकामकेलिकोविदे कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you who are in the full bloom of youth and rapture, adorned with joy and loving pride, coloured by love for your beloved and learned in the graceful arts; O you who know every play of love in the matchless, blessed kingdom of the groves: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 6

अशेषहावभावधीरहीरहारभूषिते प्रभूतशातकुम्भकुम्भकुम्भिकुम्भसुस्तनि ।
प्रशस्तमन्दहास्यचूर्णपूर्णसौख्यसागरे कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you who are adorned with every graceful gesture and feeling as with a necklace of fine diamonds, whose full bosom is likened to pots of pure gold and to the temples of an elephant; O ocean of happiness filled with the fragrant powder of your gentle smile: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 7

मृणालवालवल्लरी तरङ्गरङ्गदोर्लते लताग्रलास्यलोलनीललोचनावलोकने ।
ललल्लुलन्मिलन्मनोज्ञमुग्धमोहनाश्रिते कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you whose creeper-like arms sway like young lotus stalks on the waves, whose dark restless eyes dance like the tips of vines; O charming one, sought as refuge by the enchanted Mohana (Krishna), who is drawn to your playful, lovely ways: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 8

सुवर्णमालिकाञ्चितत्रिरेखकम्बुकण्ठगे त्रिसूत्रमङ्गलीगुणत्रिरत्नदीप्तिदीधिते ।
सलोलनीलकुन्तलप्रसूनगुच्छगुम्फिते कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you whose conch-like neck with its three lines is graced by a golden necklace, who shine with the light of an auspicious three-stranded cord set with three gems; O you whose dark, flowing locks are braided with clusters of flowers: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 9

नितम्बबिम्बलम्बमानपुष्पमेखलागुणे प्रशस्तरत्नकिङ्किणीकलापमध्यमञ्जुले ।
करीन्द्रशुण्डदण्डिकावरोहसौभगोरुके कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you whose rounded hips carry a hanging girdle of flowers, whose waist is lovely with a string of fine jewelled bells, whose graceful thighs taper like the trunk of a lordly elephant: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 10

अनेकमन्त्रनादमञ्जुनूपुरारवस्खलत् समाजराजहंसवंशनिक्वणातिगौरवे ।
विलोलहेमवल्लरीविडम्बिचारुचङ्क्रमे कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you whose sweet anklets chime like the sound of many mantras, surpassing in grace the calls of a flock of royal swans; O you whose lovely gait mocks a swaying golden creeper: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 11

अनन्तकोटिविष्णुलोकनम्रपद्मजार्चिते हिमाद्रिजापुलोमजाविरिञ्चजावरप्रदे ।
अपारसिद्धिऋद्धिदिग्धसत्पदाङ्गुलीनखे कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ॥

O you who are worshipped by Brahma and bowed to in countless millions of worlds of Vishnu, who grant boons to Parvati, to Shachi the daughter of Puloma and to Saraswati; O you whose holy toenails are anointed with boundless powers and prosperity: when will you make me a receiver of your merciful sidelong glance?

Verse 12

मखेश्वरि क्रियेश्वरि स्वधेश्वरि सुरेश्वरि त्रिवेदभारतीश्वरि प्रमाणशासनेश्वरि ।
रमेश्वरि क्षमेश्वरि प्रमोदकाननेश्वरि व्रजेश्वरि व्रजाधिपे श्रीराधिके नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

O queen of sacrifice, queen of sacred rites, queen of offerings to the ancestors, queen of the gods, queen of the speech of the three Vedas, queen of right knowledge and its rule; O queen of Lakshmi, queen of patience, queen of the forest of delight, queen and ruler of Vraja, O Sri Radhika: salutations to you.

Verse 13

इतीममद्भुतं स्तवं निशम्य भानुनन्दिनी करोतु सन्ततं जनं कृपाकटाक्षभाजनम् ।
भवेत्तदैव सञ्चितत्रिरूपकर्मनाशनं भवेत्तदा व्रजेन्द्रसूनुमण्डलप्रवेशनम् ॥

On hearing this wondrous hymn, may the daughter of Vrishabhanu make that person for ever a receiver of her merciful sidelong glance. The verse says that at once his stored karma of all three kinds is destroyed, and he enters the circle of the son of the lord of Vraja.

Phala Shruti 1

राकायां च सिताष्टम्यां दशम्यां च विशुद्धधीः ।
एकादश्यां त्रयोदश्यां यः पठेत्साधकः सुधीः ॥

The wise seeker of pure mind who recites this on the full moon day, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight, and on the tenth, eleventh and thirteenth lunar days -

Phala Shruti 2

यं यं कामयते कामं तं तमाप्नोति साधकः ।
राधाकृपाकटाक्षेण भक्तिः स्यात् प्रेमलक्षणा ॥

- that seeker, the verse says, obtains whatever he wishes for, and by the merciful glance of Radha gains devotion whose mark is pure love.

Phala Shruti 3

ऊरुदघ्ने नाभिदघ्ने हृद्दघ्ने कण्ठदघ्नके ।
राधाकुण्डजले स्थिता यः पठेत् साधकः शतम् ॥

The seeker who stands in the water of Radha Kunda up to the thighs, the navel, the chest or the neck and recites this a hundred times -

Phala Shruti 4

तस्य सर्वार्थसिद्धिः स्याद् वाक्सामर्थ्यं तथा लभेत् ।
ऐश्वर्यं च लभेत् साक्षाद्दृशा पश्यति राधिकाम् ॥

- for him, the verse says, every aim is fulfilled; he gains power of speech and also lordly splendour, and sees Radhika directly with his own eyes.

Phala Shruti 5

तेन स तत्क्षणादेव तुष्टा दत्ते महावरम् ।
येन पश्यति नेत्राभ्यां तत्प्रियं श्यामसुन्दरम् ॥

Pleased by this, she grants him at that very moment a great boon, by which he sees her beloved Shyamasundara (Krishna) with his own eyes.

Phala Shruti 6

नित्यलीलाप्रवेशं च ददाति श्रीव्रजाधिपः ।
अतः परतरं प्रार्थ्यं वैष्णवस्य न विद्यते ॥

And the lord of Vraja grants him entry into the eternal divine play. For a Vaishnava there is nothing higher than this to pray for.

Closing

इति श्रीमदूर्ध्वाम्नाये श्रीराधिकायाः कृपाकटाक्षस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Thus ends the hymn of the merciful glance of Sri Radhika, from the Urdhvamnaya.

The syllable people get wrong

In the refrain, kariṣyasīha is two words fused, kariṣyasi (you will make) and iha (here); the two short i sounds merge into one long ī, so say ka-rish-ya-SEE-ha, never 'karishyasi ha'.

When the Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra is chanted

Weekday. Thursday

Questions

No poet is named. Every printing attributes the hymn to the Urdhvamnaya Tantra, where it is spoken by Shiva to Parvati, and the closing line names that source. The text is anonymous and cannot be dated, though it is old enough to be quoted in full in the Sadhana Dipika, a Gaudiya manual of worship. Popular sung recordings are modern settings of this traditional text, not new compositions.

Word by word: kada, when; karishyasi, will you make; iha, here, in this very life; mam, me; kripa-kataksha-bhajanam, a vessel or receiver of your merciful sidelong glance. The line closes verses one to eleven. It is a question, not a demand: the singer, after describing Radha from her face to her anklets, asks when one look from the corner of her eye will fall on them.

Verse thirteen is the hymn's own blessing on whoever hears it, and the six short verses after it are the phala shruti proper. The verse says that a seeker of pure mind who recites it on certain lunar days gains devotion marked by prema, pure love. It then describes recitation while standing in the water of Radha Kunda, and says Radha grants the sight of her beloved Shyamasundara, and that for a Vaishnava nothing higher remains to pray for.

Verses one to thirteen are the same everywhere, but the phala shruti survives in two families. This page follows the form sung in Vraja and the Gaudiya tradition, where the verse says the reciter gains 'bhaktih premalakshana', devotion whose mark is love. The other family, the form quoted in the Sadhana Dipika, says instead that the reciter becomes Shiva himself and, after enjoying the world, attains liberation at the end. Its closing line also calls the hymn a stava raja of the Urdhvamnaya Tantra.

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