Sometimes called the national anthem of Vrindavan, here is Sri Sri Radha-kripa-kataksha-stava-raja. It is considered the king of prayers which petitions the merciful sidelong glance of Srimati Radharani. It is from the Urdhvamnaya-tantra. Spoken by Lord Shiva and composed in a lovely meter, this exceptional prayer is sung daily in a charming melody by many Vrajavasis. In the final verse Lord Siva states, "Upon hearing this most astonishing prayer of mine being recited by a devotee, may Sri Vrishabhanu-nandini (Radharani ) constantly make him the object of Her most merciful sidelong glance. At that time all his karmic reactions - whether mature, fructifying, or lying in seed - will be completely destroyed  and he will gain entrance into the assembly of Nandanandana's (Krsna's) eternal loving associates." 

Sri Sri Radha-kripa-kataksha-stava-raja

Text 1

munindra-vrinda-vandite triloka-shoka-harini

prasanna-vaktra-pankaje nikunja-bhu-vilasini

vrajendra-bhanu-nandini vrajendra-sunu-sangate

O goddess worshiped by the kings of sages, O goddess who remove the sufferings of the three worlds, O goddess whose face is a blossoming lotus, O goddess who enjoy pastimes in the forest, O daughter of Vrishhabhanu, O companion of Vraja's prince, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 2

ashoka-vriksha-vallari-vitana-mandapa-sthite

pravala-vala-pallava-prabharunanghri-komale

O goddess staying in a vine-cottage by an ashoka tree, O goddess whose delicate feet are as splendid as red blossoms, O goddess whose hand grants fearlessness, O abode of transcendental opulence's, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 3

ananga-ranga-mangala-prasanga-bhangura-bhruvam

sa-vibhramam sa-sambhramam drig-anta-bana-patanaih

nirantaram vashi-krita-pratiti-nandanandane

O goddess who, playfully shooting the arrows of Your glances from the curved bows of Your auspicious, amorous eyebrows, have completely subdued Nanda's son [Krishna], when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 4

tadit-suvarna-campaka-pradipta-gaura-vigrahe

mukha-prabha-parasta-koti-sharadendu-mandale

vicitra-citra-sancarac-cakora-shava-locane

O goddess whose form is as splendid as champaka flowers, gold, and lightning, O goddess whose face eclipses millions of autumn moons, O goddess whose eyes are wonderful, restless young chakora birds, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 5

madonmadati-yauvane pramoda-mana-mandite

priyanuraga-ranjite kala-vilasa-pandite

ananya-dhanya-kunja-rajya-kama-keli-kovide

O young girl intoxicated with passion, O goddess decorated with cheerful jealous anger, O goddess who passionately love Your beloved Krishna, O goddess learned in playful arts, O goddess expert at enjoying amorous pastimes in the kingdom of the peerlessly opulent forest groves of Vrindavana, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 6

ashesha-hava-bhava-dhira-hira-hara-bhushite

prabhuta-shatakumbha-kumbha-kumbhi kumbha-sustani

prashasta-manda-hasya-curna-purna-saukya-sagare

O goddess decorated with a pearl necklace of bold amorous hints, O goddess as fair as gold, O goddess whose breasts are great golden waterpots, O ocean of happiness filled with the scented powders of gentle smiles, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 7

mrinala-vala-vallari-taranga-ranga-dor-late

latagra-lasya-lola-nila-locanavalokane

lalal-lulan-milan-manojna-mugdha-mohanashrite

O goddess whose arms are lotus stalks dancing on the waves, O goddess whose dark eyes are dancing vines, O playful, beautiful, charming goddess, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 8

suvarna-malikancita-trirekha-kambu-kanthage

tri-sutra-mangali-guna-tri-ratna-dipti-didhiti

salola-nila-kuntala-prasuna-guccha-gumphite

O goddess who wear a golden necklace on the three-lined conchshell of Your neck, O goddess splendid with three jasmine garlands and three jewelled necklaces, O goddess whose moving locks of dark hair are decorated with bunches of flowers, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 9

nitamba-bimba-lambamana-pushpa-mekhala-gune

prashasta-ratna-kinkini-kalapa-madhya-manjule

O goddess who wear a sash of flowers on Your curved hips, O goddess charming with a sash of tinkling jewelled bells, O goddess whose beautiful thighs punish the regal elephant's trunk, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 10

aneka-mantra-nada-manju-nupurarava-skhalatsamaja

raja-hamsa-vamsha-nikvanati-gaurave

vilola-hema-vallari-vidambi-caru-cankrame

O goddess whose anklets' tinkling is more beautiful than the sounds of many mantras and the cooing of many regal swans, O goddess whose graceful motions mock the moving golden vines, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 11

ananta-koti-vishnu-loka-namra-padmajarcite

himadrija-pulomaja-virincija-vara-prade

O goddess worshiped by Brahma, O goddess to whom countless millions of Vaishnavas bow down, O goddess who give blessings to Parvati, shaci, and Sarasvati, O goddess whose toenails are anointed with limitless opulence's and mystic perfections, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 12

makheshvari kriyeshvari svadheshvari sureshvari

triveda-bharatishvari pramana-shasaneshvari

O queen of Vedic sacrifices, O queen of pious activities, O queen of the material world, O queen of the demigods, O queen of Vedic scholarship, O queen of knowledge, O queen of the goddesses of fortune, O queen of patience, O queen of Vrindavana, the forest of happiness, O queen of Vraja, O empress of Vraja, O Sri Radhika, obeisance's to You!

Text 13

iti mamadbhutam stavam nishamya bhanu-nandini

karotu santatam janam kripa-kataksha-bhajanam

Upon hearing this most astonishing prayer of mine being recited by a devotee, may Sri Vrishabhanu-nandini constantly make him the object of Her most merciful sidelong glance. At that time all his karmic reactions - whether mature, fructifying, or lying in seed - will be completely destroyed, and then he will gain entrance into the assembly of Nandanandana's eternal loving associates.

King of Prayers