Sri-Harivanshastakam

- by Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati

tvamasi hi harivansh shyāmchandrasya vanshaha |

param rasad nādermohitā shesh vishvaha | |
anupam gunn-ratner-nirmito siddhajendra |
mama hridi tav gāthāshchitra lekhe-valagnāh | | (1)

BHAVARTHA [Intended meaning]:

“O Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu! You are Shyamsundara's flute which has enchanted the entire
world with sounds that bestow the highest rasa. O Dvijendra! [the best of learned Brahmins] it is as
though you are made up of the most priceless gems. Your glories and pastimes have become painted
onto my heart.”

dvij kumud kadambe chandra vanmod-kastvam |

muhurati rasa lubdhālīndra vrinde pramatte | |
atulit rasa dhārā vrishti kartā sināde |
vilasatu mama bādhā murdhni vishnorivāstram | | (2)

TRANSLATION:

“You are a bliss-bestowing moon for the lotus-like Brahmin community [as you manifested yourself
within it]. You nourish the exceedingly rasa-thirsty bees [the foremost honeybee-like, one-pointed
rasika devotees]. With your sweet 'nāda/sounds' [melodies in the form of Shyam's flute and your
words in the form of the Rasikacharya] you cause a shower of incomparable rasa streams. Please
destroy the obstacles in my rasopasana [rasika mode of worship] with your words, just as Sri
Visnu's weapon [the unconquerable sudarshan disc 'chakra'] destroys all the demons.”

adhik rasa vatinām rādhikāyā sakhīnām |

charan kamal vīthī kānane rāj-hansaha | |
tadati lalit līlā gān vidvatprashansaha |
sa jayati harivanshodhvansh ko so kalīnām | | (3)

TRANSLATION:

“In the pathways where Sri Radha's lotus feet land, in such a Vrindavan, you are the [rajahansa]
most excellent sakhi amidst the other rasa-filled [one-pointed ananya rasika] sakhis. Due to your
very charming singing of the lilas [of Shyama-Shyam's nikunja-rasa], you are praised by the most
brilliant of learned persons. You destroy the dirt of Kali-yuga [this current dark age]. All glories to
you, Sri Harivansh!”

atulit gunn rāshi prem mādhurya bhāshi |

pranat kamal vanshollās dāyi suhansaha | |
akhil bhuvan-shuddhānand-sindhu prakāshaha | |
sa jayati harivanshaha krishna jivādhikānshah | | (4)

TRANSLATION:
“You are the like the joy-giving Sun for the lotus-like surrendered souls who are adorned with a
wealth of unparalleled qualities and the sweetness of prema. You are the illuminator of the pure
ocean of bliss for the entire world. To the one who always has more love for the life and soul of Sri
Krishna [i.e. who favours Sri Radha], all glories to such a Sri Harivansh!”

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gunagan gananair-yarvashyate vashya krishnas |

tarati kalyato yadvārtyā satkadambaha | |
niravadhi harivanshe taitra sāch prabhāti |
nahi nahi buddh tasmātkrishna rādhā-svabhaktihi | | (5)

TRANSLATION:

“Sri Krishna, the one who is always under Sri Radha's control, becomes controlled by your
wonderful qualities. O Sri Harivansh, you possess those qualities and speak those words which
cause the saints to swim across the material ocean of existence. O crown-jewel of rasikas! You are
the bestower of such naturally flowing bhakti towards Radha and Krishna which can not be
bestowed by anyone else.”
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hrdaya nabhasi shuddhe yasya krishnapriyāyā |

shacharana nakhar chandrābhātyalam chanchalāyāh | |
tadati kutuk kunje bhāv labdhālimurtihi |
sa jayati harivansho vyāsavansh pradīpaha | | (6)

BHAVARTHA:

“Within whose pure heart the restless beautiful feet and moon-like shining toenails of Krishna-priya
[Beloved of Krishna, i.e. Sri Radha] are perfectly manifested. Who through his bhava has a
wonderful form as a sakhi within the amazing kunja [pleasure groves of Shyama Shyam] and who is
the bright light of the family of Sri Vyasa-Misra [Sri Harivansh's father], all glories to such a Sri
Harivansh!”
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charan kamal renuryasya sansār setuhu |

paviriv-suvilāsi darp shailendra mauli | |
kalush nagar dāhī yasya sansarg leshaha |
sa jayati harivansho krishna-kāntāvatansaha | | (7)

BHAVARTHA:

The dust of whose lotus feet are like a boat that carries one across this vast ocean of material
misery. Whose footdust completely smashes the mountain-like pride of others like a lightning strike
would. Whose even slight association devastates the Kaliyuga [dark-age] corrupted world [within
the hearts of others]. Whose adornment/decoration is the beloved of Krishna [i.e. Sri Radha], all
glories to such a Sri Harivansh!”

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raman jayan nrityodbhrām kottāl purā |
tadati lalit kunjādājhyārādupatye | |
lalit bhajan dehe mānushe shveshvarau tau |
sa jayati harivansho labdhavān yahah samakshaha | | (8)

BHAVARTHA [Intended meaning]:

“The one who can control Sri Krishna and is resplendent with wonderful skills in dancing [such as
artistic spinning and clapping]. She has come from the very beautiful kunja on the order of Sri
Radha and has for the purpose of performing attractive bhajan [to show us the way], taken up the
form of a human and attained her two beloveds. All glories to such a Sri Harivansh!”