Sri Madana-Gopaladevashtaka
Eight Prayers Glorifying Sri Madana-Gopaladeva

by Sripad Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
and translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa

mrdu-talaranya-jita-rucira-darada-prabham
kulisa-kanjari-dara-kalasa-jhasa-cihnitam
hrdi mamadhaya nija-carana-sarasiruham
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

O Madana Gopala, please place Your lotus feet, which are marked with a thunderbolt, lotus, conchshell, waterpot, and fish, which eclipse all splendours, and which with soft soles have conquered Vrndavana forest, in my heart. Please protect me, for I am now Your home.

mukhara-manjira-nakha-sisira-kiranavali
vimala-malabir anupadam udita-kantibhih
sravana-netra-svasana-patha-sukhada natha he
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

With every step splendid garlands of the cooling moonlight of Your toenail-moons and the words of Your talkative anklets bring happiness to the path of my ears, eyes, and breath. O Madana Gopala, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

manimayosnisa-dara-kutilimani locanoc-
calana-caturya-cita-lavanimani gandayoh
kanaka-tatanka-ruci-madhurimani majjayan
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

O Madana Gopala, as You plunge me in the sweetness of the glittering golden earrings at Your cheeks, in the tilt of Your jewelled crown, and in the handsomeness of Your expertly moving restless eyes, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

adhara-sonimni dara-hasita-sitimarcite
vijita-manikya-rada-kirana-gana-mandite
nihita-vamsika jana-duravagama-lila he
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

You place a flute on the red of Your lips, which are worshipped by the splendour of Your smile and decorated with the effulgence of teeth that defeat the splendour of rubies. O Madana Gopala, whose pastimes cannot be understood by the people, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

padaka-harali-pada-kataka-nata-kinkini-
valaya tatanka-mukha-nikhila-mani-bhusanaih
kalita-navyabha nija-tanu-ruci-bhusitair
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

You are splendid with golden earrings, many necklaces and garlands, dancing anklets and bracelets, and many other jewel ornaments, which are themselves decorated by the splendour of Your form. O Madana Gopala, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

udupa-koti-kadana-vadana-ruci-pallavair
madana-koti-mathana-nakhara-kara-kandalaih
dyutaru-koti-sadana-sadaya-nayaneksanair
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

O Madana Gopala, with Your merciful glances, which are arbours of millions of celestial desire-trees, with the new blossoms of the splendour of Your face, which eclipses millions of moons, and with the kandala flowers of Your hands, which have nails to attack millions of Kamadevas, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

krta-narakara-bhava-mukha-vibudha-sevita
dyuti-sudha-sara puru-karuna kam api ksitau
prakatayan prema-bharam adhikrta-sanatanam
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

O Madana Gopala, who appeared in a humanlike form and was served by Siva and all the demigods, O merciful one, who showed the Earth eternal spiritual love, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

tarani ja-tira-bhuvi tarani-kara-varaka-
priyaka-sandastha-mani-sadana-mahita-sthite
lalitaya sardham anupada-ramita radhaya
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

On the Yamuna’s shore is a shady kadamba grove and a glorious jewel palace where You eternally play with Radha and Lalita. O Madana Gopala, please protect me, for I am now Your home.

madana-gopala tava sarasam idam astakam
pathati yah sayam ati-sarala-matir asu tam
sva-caranambhoja-rati-rasa-sarasi majjayan
madana-gopala nija-sadanam anuraksa mam

Into the nectar lake of love for Your lotus feet You quickly plunge a sincere devotee who reads these eight nectar verses glorifying You. O Madana Gopala, please protect me, for I am now Your home.