Radha Ashtakam is a Sanskrit hymn composed by the 16th-century saint and poet, Sri Gopal Bhatta Goswami, in praise of Radha, the divine consort of Lord Krishna in the Hindu tradition. The hymn consists of eight verses or stanzas, and it is a part of the Radha-Krishna tradition of Vaishnavism.

Each verse of the hymn glorifies the divine qualities and characteristics of Radha, such as her beauty, devotion, love, and compassion, and expresses the poet's longing to serve and worship her. The hymn also reflects the intense spiritual love and devotion of the poet towards Radha and Krishna.

Radha Ashtakam Lyrics Meaning and Importance

Radha Ashtakama Lyrics (in Sanskrit)

ॐ नमस्ते श्रियै राधिकार्य परायै नमस्ते नमस्ते मुकुन्दप्रियायै ।
सदानन्दरूपे प्रसीद त्वमन्तःप्रकाशे स्फुरन्ती मुकुन्देन सार्धम् ॥ १ ॥
स्ववासोऽपहारं यशोदासुतं वा स्वदध्यादिचौरं समाराधयन्तीम् ।
स्वदानोदरं या बबन्धाशु नीव्या प्रपद्ये नु दामोदरप्रेयसी ताम् ॥ २ ॥
दुराराध्यमाराध्य कृष्णं वशे त्वं महाप्रेमपूरेण राधाभिधाऽभूः ।
स्वयं नामकृत्या हरिप्रेम यच्छ प्रपञ्चाय मे कृष्णरूपे समक्षम् ॥ ३ ॥
मुकुन्दस्त्वया प्रेमदोरेण बद्धः पतङ्गो यथा त्वामनुभ्राम्यमाणः ।
उपक्रीडयन् हार्दमेवानुगच्छन् कृपा वर्तते कारयातो मयेष्टिम् ॥ ४॥
वजन्ती स्ववृन्दावने नित्यकालं मुकुन्देन साकं विधायाङ्कमालम् ।
सदा मोक्ष्यमाणानुकम्पाकटाक्षः श्रियं चिन्तयेत् सचिदानन्दरूपाम् ॥ ५॥
मुकुन्दानुरागेण रोमाञ्चिताङ्गीमहं व्याप्यमानांतनुस्वेदविन्दुम् ।
महाहार्दवृष्टया कृपापाङ्गदृष्टया समालोकयन्ती कदा त्वां विचक्षे ॥६॥
पदावावलोके महालालसौघं मुकुन्दः करोति स्वयं ध्येयपादः ।
पदं राधिके ते सदा दर्शयान्तहदीतो नमन्तं किरद्रोचिषं माम् ॥ ७॥
सदा राधिकानाम जिह्वाग्रतः स्यात् सदा राधिका रूपमक्ष्यग्र आस्ताम् ।
श्रुतौ राधिकाकीर्तिरन्तःस्वभावे गुणा राधिकायाः श्रिया एतदीहे॥८॥
इदं त्वष्टकं राधिकायाः प्रियायाः पठेयुः सदैवं हि दामोदरस्य ।
सतिष्ठन्ति वृन्दावने कृष्णधानिसखीमूर्तयो युग्मसेवानुकूलाः ॥ ९ ॥
॥ इति श्रीभगवनिम्बार्कमहामनीन्द्रविरचितं श्रीराधाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Radha Ashtam Lyrics Meaning and Importance Benefits

Radha Ashtkama Meaning

ॐ नमस्ते श्रियै राधिकार्य परायै नमस्ते नमस्ते मुकुन्दप्रियायै,
सदानन्दरूपे प्रसीद त्वमन्तःप्रकाशे स्फुरन्ती मुकुन्देन सार्धम् ।

ॐ नमस्ते श्रियै राधिकार्य परायै - Obeisances to the divine power of Radha, who is the supreme goddess
नमस्ते नमस्ते मुकुन्दप्रियायै - Salutations to Radha, who is dear to Mukunda (another name for Lord Krishna)
सदानन्दरूपे प्रसीद त्वमन्तःप्रकाशे स्फुरन्ती मुकुन्देन सार्धम् - O Radha, whose form is eternal bliss, please manifest yourself within my heart along with Mukunda (Krishna)
The above three lines introduce and offer salutations to Radha, who is the divine power and supreme goddess. She is also the beloved of Lord Krishna, and the speaker requests her to manifest herself in their heart along with Krishna.Word

Word Meaning
स्ववासोऽपहारं - stealing her own clothes
यशोदासुतं वा - or the son of Yashoda (Krishna)
स्वदध्यादिचौरं - who steals butter and other sweets from his own home
समाराधयन्तीम् - worshipping (Radha) who is being worshipped
स्वदानोदरं - whose belly is filled with his own hand-fed food
या बबन्धाशु - who tied (Krishna) with a rope
नीव्या - with a cloth
प्रपद्ये - I surrender
नु - indeed
दामोदरप्रेयसी - who is dear to Damodara (another name for Krishna)
ताम् - to her

Meaning : Om, I offer my salutations to the supreme goddess Shri Radha, who is supremely devoted to Shri Krishna. I offer my salutations again and again to the beloved of Mukunda (Krishna). O embodiment of eternal bliss, please manifest in my heart and shine forth along with Mukunda.

स्ववासोऽपहारं यशोदासुतं वा स्वदध्यादिचौरं समाराधयन्तीम्,
स्वदानोदरं या बबन्धाशु नीव्या प्रपद्ये नु दामोदरप्रेयसी ताम्।

स्ववासोऽपहारं यशोदासुतं वा - swavāso'pahāraṁ yaśodāsutam vā
Swa: her own, vāsa: clothes, apahāram: stealing, yashodāsutam: son of Yashoda (Krishna)
स्वदध्यादिचौरं समाराधयन्तीम् - svadadhyaadicauram samaaraadhayanteem
Swa: own, adhyaadicauram: stealing butter and other sweets from his own home, samaaraadhayanteem: worshipping (Radha) who is being worshipped
स्वदानोदरं या - svadaanodaram yaa
Swa: own, aanodaram: whose belly is filled with his own hand-fed food, yaa: who
बबन्धाशु नीव्या - babandhaashu neevyaa
Babandha: tied, ashu: quickly, neevyaa: with a cloth
प्रपद्ये नु - prapadye nu
Prapadye: I surrender, nu: indeed
दामोदरप्रेयसी ताम् - daamodarapreyasee taam
Daamodara: another name for Krishna, Preyasii: dear, taam: to her

दुराराध्यमाराध्य कृष्णं वशे त्वं महाप्रेमपूरेण राधाभिधाऽभूः,
स्वयं नामकृत्या हरिप्रेम यच्छ प्रपञ्चाय मे कृष्णरूपे समक्षम् ॥

Word Meaning
स्ववासः - her own cloth
अपहारं - stealing
यशोदासुतं - son of Yashoda (Krishna)
वा - or
स्वध्यादि - her own possessions
चौरं - thief
समाराधयन्तीं - worshipping
स्वदानोदरं - His own belly
या - who
बबन्ध - caught hold
आशु - quickly
नीव्या - with humility
प्रपद्ये - surrendering
नु - indeed
दामोदरप्रेयसी - beloved of Damodara (Krishna)
ताम् - her (Radha)

Meaning : I bow down to the beloved of Damodara (Krishna), who caught hold of her (Radha) by her cloth while she was stealing butter, who worships Him whether He steals her own possessions or the son of Yashoda (Krishna), and who surrendered herself completely to His lotus feet.
Meaning : Grant me the love of Hari through your divine name, and reveal your Krishna form before me. Like a moth bound by its love for fire, may I too be drawn towards you, Mukunda, as you allure me with the cords of love.

मुकुन्दस्त्वया प्रेमदोरेण बद्धः पतङ्गो यथा त्वामनुभ्राम्यमाणः ।
उपक्रीडयन् हार्दमेवानुगच्छन् कृपा वर्तते कारयातो मयेष्टिम्

मुकुन्दस्त्वया प्रेमदोरेण बद्धः
Mukundas tvayā prema-doreṇa baddhaḥ
Bound by the rope of love for you, Mukunda,
पतङ्गो यथा त्वामनुभ्राम्यमाणः ।
patango yathā tvām anubhrāmyamāṇaḥ।
I follow you like a moth.
उपक्रीडयन् हार्दमेवानुगच्छन्
Upakrīḍayan hārdam evānugacchan
Amusing my heart and fulfilling my desire,
कृपा वर्तते कारयातो मयेष्टिम् ।
kṛpā vartate kārayāto mayeṣṭiṃ॥
your mercy exists and causes me to yearn for you.

Meaning: I offer my humble obeisance to Shri Radhika, who is fully absorbed in the love of Shri Krishna, who is dear to Mukunda, and who is always resplendent in the internal effulgence of the Lord. May that beloved of Damodara, who binds Mukunda with the ropes of Her love, shower Her mercy upon me.
Oh Radha, I take shelter of You, who are the embodiment of eternal bliss, who is more dear to Mukunda than His own life, and who is adorned with a charming and captivating beauty that enchants the mind of Krishna.
May I always worship You, who delightfully steals the ornaments of Your own residence or the beloved son of Yashoda, and who attracts Damodara by the beauty of Your abdomen. I take refuge in You, who make Mukunda your captive with the ropes of Your love, just as a moth is captivated by the attraction of fire. Your mercy alone can make me experience the blissful joy of Krishna consciousness.

वजन्ती स्ववृन्दावने नित्यकालं मुकुन्देन साकं विधायाङ्कमालम्।
सदा मोक्ष्यमाणानुकम्पाकटाक्षः श्रियं चिन्तयेत् सचिदानन्दरूपाम्॥

स्ववृन्दावने - in her own group in the forest
नित्यकालं - always
मुकुन्देन - with Mukunda (Krishna)
साकं - together
विधाय - wearing
अङ्कमालम् - garlands
सदा - always
मोक्ष्यमाणा - seeking liberation
अनुकम्पा - compassion
कटाक्षः - glance
श्रियं - prosperity
चिन्तयेत् - meditate
सचिदानन्दरूपाम् - of the form of existence, consciousness, and bliss

Meaning : I constantly meditate upon Sri Radha, who is dear to Mukunda, who worships her by stealing her own clothes or butter, and who always resides in the groves of Vrindavan with her companions.
May that merciful and compassionate Lord, who always grants liberation to his devotees and whose form is made of pure consciousness and bliss, always be the object of my meditation and contemplation.

मुकुन्दानुरागेण रोमाञ्चिताङ्गीमहं व्याप्यमानांतनुस्वेदविन्दुम् ।
महाहार्दवृष्टया कृपापाङ्गदृष्टया समालोकयन्ती कदा त्वां विचक्षे ॥

मुकुन्दानुरागेण - with love for Mukunda (Krishna)
रोमाञ्चिता - hair standing on end (due to excitement or fear)
अङ्गी - body
महं - I
व्याप्यमान - pervading, encompassing
अन्त - within
नुस्वेद - by the fragrance (of your body)
विन्दुम् - the particles of perfume
महाहार्द - great compassion
वृष्टया - with a shower
कृपापाङ्ग - with the corner of your eye (as a sign of kindness)
दृष्टया - with a glance
समालोकयन्ती - beholding, gazing at
कदा - when
त्वां - you (Krishna)
विचक्षे - will I see

Meaning : When will I see You, Mukunda, with eyes filled with tears of devotion, my body trembling with excitement, and hairs standing on end? When will I see You, who are like a shining moon, who shower me with the rain of mercy and glance upon me with the rays of Your loving compassion?

पदावावलोके महालालसौघं मुकुन्दः करोति स्वयं ध्येयपादः ।
पदं राधिके ते सदा दर्शयान्तहदीतो नमन्तं किरद्रोचिषं माम् ॥ ७॥

पदावावलोके - in the lotus feet
महालालसौघं - great laziness
मुकुन्दः - Mukunda (Lord Krishna)
करोति - does
स्वयं - himself
ध्येयपादः - the object of meditation
पदं - the feet
राधिके ते - of your beloved Radha
सदा - always
दर्शयान्त - showing
हदीतो - very clearly
नमन्तं - bowing down
किरद्रोचिषं - with a radiant face
माम् - me
Meaning : Lord Krishna, who is the object of meditation, always shows His own feet in the lotus feet of Radha, despite His great laziness. With a radiant face, I bow down to Him.

सदा राधिकानाम जिह्वाग्रतः स्यात् सदा राधिका रूपमक्ष्यग्र आस्ताम् ।
श्रुतौ राधिकाकीर्तिरन्तःस्वभावे गुणा राधिकायाः श्रिया एतदीहे॥८॥

सदा - always
राधिकानाम - of Radhika
जिह्वाग्रतः - at the tip of the tongue
स्यात् - should be
सदा - always
राधिका - Radhika
रूपम् - form
अक्ष्यग्र - in the eyes
आस्ताम् - may stay
श्रुतौ - in the Vedas
राधिका - of Radhika
कीर्तिः - fame
अन्तःस्वभावे - in the inner nature
गुणाः - qualities
राधिकायाः - of Radhika
श्रिया - with beauty and opulence
एतत् ईहे - in this manner, in this context

Meanig : May my tongue always be fixed upon the name of Radha, and may I always remain immersed in the beauty of Radha. The glories of Radha's name and virtues are naturally present within me, as Radha's qualities are inseparable from Her own divine nature.

इदं त्वष्टकं राधिकायाः प्रियायाः पठेयुः सदैवं हि दामोदरस्य ।
सतिष्ठन्ति वृन्दावने कृष्णधानिसखीमूर्तयो युग्मसेवानुकूलाः ॥ ९ ॥

Word Meaning : इदं - this; त्वष्टकं - hymn; राधिकायाः - of Radha; प्रियायाः - beloved; पठेयुः - should be recited; सदैवं - always; हि - indeed; दामोदरस्य - of Damodara; सतिष्ठन्ति - remain; वृन्दावने - in Vrindavan; कृष्णधानि - cowherd boy; सखीमूर्तयः - forms of the gopis; युग्मसेवानुकूलाः - favoring the service.
Meaning This hymn of Radha's beloved should always be recited, for those who favor the service of the forms of the gopis, the cowherd boys, and Krishna who remains in Vrindavan. This verse is an instruction to always recite this Radha Ashtakam which is very dear to Radha. Those who reside in Vrindavan, the intimate friends of Krishna, constantly serve Radha and Krishna, and they stand ready to serve Radha and Krishna with devotion.

Radha Ashtakama Meaning

O Radha, whose complexion is like a beautiful blue lotus, and whose face shines like the full moon, I offer my humble obeisances to you. You are the embodiment of pure love and devotion, and you are the most beloved of Lord Krishna.
O Radha, you are always immersed in the thoughts of Lord Krishna, and you are always in a state of blissful ecstasy. You are the queen of Vrindavan, and you are worshipped by all the Gopis. I offer my respectful obeisances to you.
O Radha, you are the personification of love, and you are always eager to please Lord Krishna. Your love for him is so pure and selfless that it is like a shining jewel in the crown of devotion. I offer my humble obeisances to you.
O Radha, you are always intoxicated with the love for Lord Krishna, and you are constantly engaged in his service. Your love for him is so deep that it is like an ocean, and your devotion to him is unwavering. I offer my respectful obeisances to you.
O Radha, your love for Lord Krishna is so intense that it is like a burning flame, and your devotion to him is like a strong current that carries you towards him. You are the embodiment of divine love, and I offer my humble obeisances to you.
O Radha, you are always immersed in the thoughts of Lord Krishna, and you are constantly engaged in his service. Your love for him is so pure and selfless that it is like a shining jewel in the crown of devotion. I offer my humble obeisances to you.
O Radha, your love for Lord Krishna is so pure and selfless that it is like a shining jewel in the crown of devotion. You are always eager to please him, and your devotion to him is unwavering. I offer my humble obeisances to you.
O Radha, you are the queen of Vrindavan, and you are always immersed in the thoughts of Lord Krishna. You are the embodiment of divine love and compassion, and your beauty is unmatched. I offer my respectful obeisances to you.

Benefits of Radha Ashtakama

Radha Ashtakam is a beautiful prayer that glorifies the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha, his eternal consort. Reciting and meditating on the Radha Ashtakam is believed to have numerous spiritual benefits, including:

Attainment of Bhakti: Bhakti, or devotion, is the essence of Hinduism. It is said that reciting the Radha Ashtakam with devotion and faith can awaken the innermost feelings of love and devotion towards Radha and Krishna. This helps the devotee to attain a higher level of Bhakti, which is the ultimate goal of human life.
Purification of the Mind: The regular recitation of Radha Ashtakam can help in purifying the mind and getting rid of negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, and greed. It helps to develop positive qualities like love, compassion, and kindness, and helps to overcome the ego and the attachment to materialistic desires.
Fulfillment of Desires: It is believed that reciting the Radha Ashtakam with a pure heart and devotion can fulfill the desires of the devotees. The prayer is said to be so powerful that it can grant the sincere wishes of the devotees.
Protection from Evil: The recitation of Radha Ashtakam is believed to offer protection from negative energies and evil forces. It is believed that reciting this prayer can create a protective shield around the devotee, which helps in keeping away negative energies and evil spirits.
Attainment of Moksha: Moksha, or liberation, is the ultimate goal of human life. The regular recitation of Radha Ashtakam is believed to purify the soul and help the devotee to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Strengthening of the Bond between Radha and Krishna: Radha Ashtakam is a prayer that glorifies the divine love between Radha and Krishna. It is believed that reciting this prayer with devotion can strengthen the bond between Radha and Krishna and help the devotee to experience the divine love.
Inner Peace and Happiness: The regular recitation of Radha Ashtakam can bring inner peace and happiness to the devotee. It helps to calm the mind, reduce stress and anxiety, and create a sense of harmony and balance in life.

Reciting the Radha Ashtakam with devotion and faith is believed to bring numerous spiritual benefits, including the attainment of Bhakti, purification of the mind, fulfillment of desires, protection from evil, attainment of Moksha, strengthening of the bond between Radha and Krishna, and inner peace and happiness.

Holy Names of Radha Rani

Radhika - Radhika is a name derived from the Sanskrit word "radha," meaning prosperity and success. It is believed that Radha is the personification of love, devotion, and selflessness towards Lord Krishna. Thus, Radhika is the most common name given to girls in India.
Vrinda - Vrinda means "tulsi" or "holy basil" in Sanskrit. Tulsi is considered the most sacred plant in Hinduism and is associated with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Vrinda is also known as the queen of Vrindavan, the place where Lord Krishna and Radha performed their divine leelas.
Kirti - Kirti means "fame" or "glory" in Sanskrit. It is believed that Radha's devotion and love towards Lord Krishna were so intense that she became famous for it. Thus, Kirti is a popular name for girls, symbolizing fame and glory.
Anuradha - Anuradha means "subsequent brilliance" or "after Radha" in Sanskrit. It is believed that Anuradha is the younger sister of Radha and is also a devotee of Lord Krishna. Anuradha is known for her beauty and love for the divine couple.
Madhavi - Madhavi means "honey-sweet" in Sanskrit. The name is associated with Radha because of her sweet and loving nature towards Lord Krishna. Madhavi is also the name of a type of flower, which is considered auspicious in Hinduism.
Chandravali - Chandravali means "moon-like" in Sanskrit. Chandravali is believed to be a gopi (cowherd girl) who was in love with Lord Krishna. Radha and Chandravali are considered rivals in love for Lord Krishna, and their love stories are often depicted in Indian mythology.
Raseshwari - Raseshwari means "queen of divine love" in Sanskrit. It is believed that Radha was the queen of divine love and the epitome of devotion towards Lord Krishna. Thus, Raseshwari is a popular name given to girls, symbolizing love and devotion.
Rukmini - Rukmini means "adorned with gold" in Sanskrit. It is believed that Rukmini was the wife of Lord Krishna, but Radha was his eternal love. Rukmini is known for her devotion towards Lord Krishna and her beauty.
Nandini - Nandini means "the one who brings joy" in Sanskrit. It is believed that Radha brought joy and happiness to Lord Krishna's life, and thus, the name Nandini is associated with her.

How To Recite Radha Ashtakama

Radha Ashtakam can be recited in the following manner:

Find a quiet and peaceful place where you can sit comfortably and concentrate on the recitation.
Take a few deep breaths and try to calm your mind and focus on the divine qualities of Radha.
Begin by chanting "Om" or any other mantra that you prefer to invoke divine energy.
Recite each verse of Radha Ashtakam with devotion and concentration, visualizing the divine form of Radha and Lord Krishna in your mind.
You can also sing Radha Ashtakam with the accompaniment of musical instruments or listen to a recorded version.
After completing the recitation, offer your prayers to Radha and seek her blessings for spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The key to effective recitation of Radha Ashtakam is to recite it with pure devotion and an open heart. It is not necessary to follow any specific ritual or procedure, but it is important to recite it with sincerity and reverence.

Shri Radha Ashtakama

Q: Who composed Radha Ashtakam?
A: Radha Ashtakam is traditionally attributed to the great saint and poet Jayadeva Goswami, who lived in the 12th century.

Q: What is the significance of Radha Ashtakam?
A: Radha Ashtakam praises the divine qualities of Radha and her intimate relationship with Lord Krishna. It is believed that reciting this hymn with devotion can invoke the blessings of Radha and help one attain spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Q: How many verses are there in Radha Ashtakam?
A: Radha Ashtakam consists of eight verses or stanzas, hence the name 'Ashtakam', which means 'eight verses' in Sanskrit.

Q: Can Radha Ashtakam be recited by anyone?
A: Yes, anyone can recite Radha Ashtakam with devotion, irrespective of their gender, caste, or religion.

Q: What is the best time to recite Radha Ashtakam?
A: Radha Ashtakam can be recited at any time of the day, but it is considered auspicious to recite it during the early morning hours or in the evening.

Q: Is there any specific way to recite Radha Ashtakam?
A: There is no specific way to recite Radha Ashtakam, but it is recommended to recite it with a pure heart and devotion towards Radha and Lord Krishna. Some people also chant it with the accompaniment of musical instruments or sing it in a group.

Q: What are the benefits of reciting Radha Ashtakam?
A: Reciting Radha Ashtakam with devotion is believed to bring peace of mind, harmony in relationships, and spiritual growth. It is also said to help one attain the love and grace of Radha and Lord Krishna.