Kārtika Stotras 2024
The translations below are a work in progress and are regularly updated, so be sure to keep checking back for the latest version. To receive notifications when we start the Zoom sessions to sing these, you can join our Bhaktivinoda-gīti-dhārā WhatsApp group. You can also catch the replays later on my YouTube channel.
The stotras we're singing every day:
Śrī Sva-niyama Dvādaśakam
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
1. Rati
gurau śrī-gaurāṅge tad-udita-subhakti-prakaraṇe
śacī-sūnor līlā-vikasita-sutīrthe nijamanau
harer nāmni preṣṭhe hari-tithiṣu rūpānuga-jane
śuka-prokte śāstre prati-jani mamāstāṁ khalu ratiḥ (1)
Birth after birth, may I have deep attachment (rati), to śrī gurudeva, to Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu, to the delineations of pure bhakti as taught by Him, to the holy places where the pastimes of Śrī Śacīnandana unfold (such as Śrī Navadvīpa), to my dīkṣā-mantras, to the dear names of Hari, to the sacred days of Hari (such as Ekādaśī), to the saintly followers of Śrī Rūpa (rūpānugas), and to the scripture (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam) spoken by Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
2. My Lord
sadā vṛndāraṇye madhura-rasa-dhanye rasa-mayaḥ
parāṁ śaktiṁ rādhāṁ parama-rasa-mūrtiṁ ramayati
sa caivāyaṁ kṛṣṇo nija-bhajana-mudrām upadiśan
śacī-sūnur gauḍe prati-jani mamāstāṁ prabhu-varaḥ (2)
In the forest of Vṛndāvana, which is richly endowed with madhura-rasa, the personification of all rasa (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) perpetually gives pleasure (the bliss of service) to His supreme śakti, Śrī Rādhā, the personification of the topmost rasa (vipralambha-rasa). That very same Kṛṣṇa, appearing as Śacīnandana in Gauḍa, teaches the method of His own worship. May He always remain my Lord, birth after birth.
3. I don’t accept
na vairāgyaṁ grāhyaṁ bhavati na hi yad bhakti-janitaṁ
tathā jñānaṁ bhānaṁ citi yadi viśeṣaṁ na manute
spṛhā me nāṣṭāṅge hari-bhajana-saukhyaṁ na hi yatas
tato rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pracura-paricaryā bhavatu me (3)
Renunciation (vairāgya) that does not arise from bhakti is not acceptable to me, nor is knowledge (jñāna) that does not recognize distinctive traits of consciousness (such as personhood, pastimes, etc.), for such knowledge is mere deception. I have no desire to perform aṣṭāṅga-yoga, in which there is no bliss arising from rendering service to Śrī Hari. May I thus attain profuse service to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa (as both my means and goal).
4. My residence
kuṭīre ’pi kṣudre vraja-bhajana-yogye taru-tale
śacī-sūnos tīrthe bhavatu nitarāṁ me nivasatiḥ
na cānyatra kṣetre vibudha-gaṇa-sevye pulakito
vasāmi prāsāde vipula-dhana-rājyānvita iha (4)
May I always reside in Śacīnandana’s sacred land (Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma), in a humble cottage beneath a tree, suitable for vraja-bhajana. I would never live in any other place in this world, not even in a grand palace or temple fit for sages and demigods, no matter how thrilling or overflowing with wealth and opulence it may be.
5. No Dharma no adharma
na varṇe saktir me na khalu mamatā hy āśrama-vidhau
na dharme nādharme mama ratir ihāste kvacid api
paraṁ tat-tad-dharme mama jaḍa-śarīre dhṛtam idam
ato dharmān sarvān subhajana-sahāyān abhilaṣe (5)
I have no attachment to the varṇas (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc.), nor do I have any affinity whatsoever for the regulations of the āśramas (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, etc.). I have absolutely no interest in either pious duties (dharma) in this world or impious acts (adharma). Yet, until now, this material body has been sustained by the duties (dharmas) associated with varṇa and āśrama. For this reason, I now desire only those dharmas that support pure bhajana.
6. 5 qualities. Sadacara
sudainyam sāralyam sakala-sahanaṁ mānada-danam
dayāṁ svīkṛtya śrī-hari-caraṇa-sevā mama tapaḥ
sadācāro ’sau me prabhu-pada-parair yaḥ samuditaḥ
prabhoś caitanyasyākṣaya-carita-pīyūṣa-kṛtiṣu (6)
Embracing [the qualities of] deep humility, simplicity, tolerance in all circumstances, respect for others, and compassion, my practice of austerity is only in relation to service to Śrī Hari’s lotus feet. The conduct taught by devotees fully dedicated to the feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as revealed in the ambrosial scriptures describing His infallible pastimes, is my code of conduct (sadācāra).
7. Hari’s other pastimes
na vaikuṇṭhe rājye na ca viṣaya-kārye mama ratir
na nirvāṇe mokṣe mama matir ihāste kṣaṇam api
vrajānandād anyad dhari-vilasitaṁ pāvanam api
kathañcin mām rādhānvaya-virahitaṁ no sukhayati (7)
I have no attraction for the realm of Vaikuṇṭha nor for material activities. I never desire, not even for a moment, to attain impersonal liberation. Although Śrī Hari’s other pastimes are purifying, those pastimes that are bereft of the bliss of Vraja and that have no connection to Śrī Rādhā bring me no happiness whatsoever.
8. Not mine
na me patnī-kanyā-tanaya-jananī-bandhu-nicayā
harau bhakte bhaktau na khalu yadi teṣāṁ sumamatā
abhaktānām anna-grahaṇam api doṣo viṣayiṇāṁ
kathaṁ teṣāṁ saṅgād dhari-bhajana-siddhir bhavati me (8)
My wife, daughters, sons, mother, and friends are not at all related to me if they have no deep affection for Śrī Hari, His devotees, and bhakti. Accepting food from non-devotees or materialistic people is a fault (which leads to downfall). If I associate with such people, how will I gain success in hari-bhajana.
9. Distance
asat-tarkair andhān jaḍa-sukha-parān kṛṣṇa-vimukhān
ku-nirvāṇāsaktān satatam ati-dūre pariharan
arādham govindaṁ bhajati nitarām dambhikatayā
tad-abhyāse kintu kṣaṇam api na yāmi vratam idam (9)
A person may keep a great distance from those blinded by mundane logic, engrossed in material pleasures, averse to Kṛṣṇa, and attached to impersonal liberation, but if that person arrogantly worships Govinda without Rādhā, I will not go near him, not even for a moment. This is my firm vow.
10. Sustanence and shelter
prasādānna-kṣīrāśana-vasana-pātrādibhir ahaṁ
padārthair nirvāhya vyavahṛtim asaṅgaḥ ku-viṣaye
vasann īśā-kṣetre yugala-bhajanānandita-manās
tanuṁ mokṣye kāle yuga-pada-parāṇāṁ pada-tale (10)
Sustaining this material life with the Lord’s remnant (prasādī) items such as grains, milk, and other foodstuffs, clothing, and utensils, having no attachment to worldly things and matters, I will reside in the land of my mistress (Navadvīpa or Rādhā-kuṇḍa), my heart joyful in the service (bhajana) of the Divine Couple. At the time of my demise, I shall relinquish this body at the feet of devotees who are fully immersed in serving the lotus feet of the Divine Couple.
11. Caraṇāmṛta
śacī-sūnor ājñā-grahaṇa-caturo yo vraja-vane
parārādhyaṁ rādhām bhajati nitarāṁ kṛṣṇa-rasikām
ahaṁ tv etat-padāmṛtam anudinaṁ naiṣṭhika-manā
vaheyaṁ vai pītvā śirasi ca mudā sannati-yutaḥ (11)
He who expertly follows the instructions of Śrī Śacīnandana and, in the forests of Vraja, wholeheartedly and constantly performs bhajana of Śrīmatī Rādhikā, who is the supreme object of worship and immersed in kṛṣṇa-rasa—I shall, with a steadfast heart, joyfully drink and carry upon my head the nectar of his feet, offering him my heartfelt obeisances every day.
12. Adherence. Vaiṣṇava-kṛpā
harer dāsyaṁ dharmo mama tu cira-kālam prakṛtito
mahā-māyā-yogād abhinipatitaḥ duḥkha-jaladhau
ito yāsyāmy ūrddhvaṁ sva-niyama-suratyā prati-dinaṁ
sahāyo me mātram vitatha-dalanī vaiṣṇava-kṛpā (12)
Service to Śrī Hari is my eternal, inherent dharma, but due to a close connection with Mahā-māyā, I have fallen into the ocean of suffering. By daily adhering to my vows with firm devotion, I shall rise above this ocean. My only support in this is the mercy of the Vaiṣṇavas, who can destroy all illusion.
13. Benediction
kṛtaṁ kenāpy etat sva-bhajana-vidhau svaṁ niyamakaṁ
paṭhed yo viśraddhaḥ priya-yugala-rūpe ’rpita-manāḥ
vraje rādhā-kṛṣṇau bhajati kila samprāpya nilayaṁ
sva-mañjaryāḥ paścād vividha-varivasyāṁ sa kurute (13)
Anyone who, with strong faith, recites these self-imposed rules composed by a worthless soul and offers their heart to yugala-rūpa—Śrī Gaurasundara, who is the combined form of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, or to Their Śrī Rūpa—will surely attain a place in Vraja-dhāma, perform bhajana of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, and, following their mañjarī, engage in various services.
Śrī Sva-niyama Daśakam
by Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī
(Translation by Śrīpāda Bhaktivedānta Vana Mahārāja. I will replace these translations with my own once I finish them.)
1. I shall have deep rati for guru, mantras, etc.
gurau mantre nāmni prabhu-vara-śacī-garbhaja-pade
svarūpe śrī-rūpe gaṇa-yuji tadīya-prathamaje
girīndre gāndharvā-sarasi madhupuryāṁ vraja-vane
vraje bhakte goṣṭhālayiṣu param āstāṁ mama ratiḥ (1)
I shall have deep affection for my spiritual master, my worshipable Deity (iṣṭa-deva), my mantras, the holy name, the lotus feet of the son of Sacīdevī (Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu), Śrīla Svarūpa Damodara Goswāmī, Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī and his associates, his elder brother Śrīla Sanātana Goswāmī, Girirājagovardhana, Śrī Rādhā-kunda, Śrī Mathurā city, Vrndavana, the land of Vraja, the devotees of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the residents of Vraja.
Unwavering Resolve to Stay in Vraja
sadā rādhā-kṛṣṇocchalad-atula-khelā-sthala-yugaṁ
vrajaṁ santyajyaitad yuga-virahito’pi truṭim api
punar dvārāvatyāṁ yadu-patim api prauḍha-vibhavaiḥ
sphurantaṁ tad-vācāpi ca na hi calāmīkṣitum api (3)
Even though I suffer in long separation from the Divine Couple, I shall not leave the land of Vraja which is the incredible, splendid, and blissful transcendental pastime place of Śrī Śrī Rādhā Kṛṣṇa. I shall not leave for even a moment, even if Śrī Yadupatī Himself, full of all opulences, invites me to meet Him in Dvārakā!
Flying to Dvārakā Upon Hearing News of Rādhā
gatonmādai rādhā sphurati hariṇā śliṣṭa-hṛdayā
sphuṭaṁ dvārāvatyām iti yadi śṛṇomi śruti-taṭe
tadāhaṁ tatraivoddhata-mati patāmi vraja-purāt
samuḍḍīya svāntādhika-gati-khagendrād api javāt (4)
If I heard with my own ears that Śrīmatī Rādhā in her unmāda (transcendental madness) has gone to Dvārakā and was there being passionately embraced by Lord Hari to His chest, then with great excitement I would leave Vṛndāvana and fly to Dvārakā faster than the speed of the mind, faster even than Garuda, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu.
Vows of Eternal Service to Vraja’s Lord
anādiḥ sādir vā paṭur atimṛdur vā pratipada-
pramīlat-kāruṇyaḥ praguṇa-karuṇā-hīna iti vā
mahā-vaikuṇṭheśādhika iha naro vā vraja-pater
ayaṁ sūnur goṣṭhe pratijani mamāstāṁ prabhu-varaḥ (5)
Whether He is beginningless or with a beginning, cruel or very gentle, merciful at every moment or merciless, greater than the king of Mahā-Vaikuṇṭha or an ordinary human being, the son of Vraja’s king is my Lord birth after birth.
A Vow to Never Abandon Śrī Rādhā’s Worship
ajāṇḍe rādheti-sphurad-abhidhayā sikta-jananyā-
nayā sākaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ bhajati ya iha prema-namitaḥ
paraṁ prakṣālyatac-caraṇa-kamale taj-jalam aho
mudā pītvā śaśvac chirasi ca vahāmi pratidinam (7)
I shall wash the lotus feet of anyone in this world who bears the name ‘Śrī Rādhā’ and performs bhajana of Śrī Kṛṣṇa while bowing down with love to everyone. With unlimited bliss, I will drink that water every day and carry it on my head.
Crying for Compassion at Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s Lotus Feet
parityaktaḥ preyo-jana-samudayair bāḍham asudhīr
durandho nīrandhraṁ kadana-bharavārbdhau nipatitaḥ
tṛṇaṁ dantair dṛṣṭvā caṭubhir abhiyāce’dya kṛpayā
svayaṁ śrī-gāndharvā sva-pada-nalināntaṁ nayatu mām (8)
Abandoned by my dear ones such as Śrī Rūpa-Sanātana, being unintelligent and extremely blind, and drowning hopelessly in an ocean of pain, I hold a piece of straw in my teeth and beg, ‘O Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, please be compassionate and lead me to Your lotus feet!’
Simple Living in Vraja, Dying at Rādhā-Kunda
vrajotpanna-kṣīrāśana-vasana-pātrādibhir ahaṁ
padārthair nirvāhya vyavahṛtimadambhaṁ saniyamaḥ
vasāmīśā-kuṇḍe giri-kula-vare caiva samaye
mariṣye tu preṣṭhe sarasi khalu jīvādi-purataḥ (9)
I shall survive on milk products, foodstuffs, clothes, and leaves obtained in Vrajadhāma. Without duplicity and with steady perseverance, I shall live at Rādhā-kunda and Girirājagovardhana, and I shall leave my body at that dear kunda in the presence of Śrīla Jīva Goswāmī and the other devotees.
Serving Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa with Great Enthusiasm
sphural-lakṣmī-vraja-vijayi-lakṣmī-bhara-lasad-
vapuḥ-śrī-gāndharvā-smara-nikara-dīvyad-giri-bhṛtoḥ
vidhāsye kuñjādau vividha-varivasyāḥ sarabhasaṁ
rahaḥ śrī-rūpākhya-priyatama-janasyaiva caramaḥ (10)
In a secluded place in Vṛndāvana forest, following my dear friend Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī, I shall earnestly worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is more splendid than millions of Cupids, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, whose glorious beauty defeats many goddesses of fortune.
The Fruit of Reciting These Vows
kṛtaṁ kenāpy etan nija-niyama-śaṁsi-stavam imaṁ
paṭhed yo viśraddhaḥ priya-yugala-rūpe’rpita-manāḥ
dṛḍhaṁ goṣṭhe hṛṣṭo vasati-vasatiṁ prāpya samaye
mudā rādhā-kṛṣṇau bhajati sa hi tenaiva sahitaḥ (11)
A faithful devotee who reads these ten vows by a certain author (Śrīla Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī), while fixing his mind on the transcendental forms of the dear most Divine Couple, at the proper time happily attains the realm of Vraja and directly worships Śrī Śrī Rādhā Kṛṣṇa with Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī and others.
Śrī Govardhana-vāsa-prārthanā-daśakam
by Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī
1. You Became An Umbrella and Crush Indra's Pride
nija-pati-bhuja-daṇḍa-cchatra-bhāvaṁ prapadya
pratihata-mada-dhṛṣṭoddaṇḍa-devendra-garva
atula-pṛthula-śaila-śreṇi-bhūpa! priyaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (1)
O Govardhana, becoming like an umbrella on the handle of your Lord’s arm, You obliterated the pride of the intoxicated, impudent, and unrestrained Devarāja Indra. O king of unrivaled, grand mountains, you are most dear to me. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
2. You Facilitate the Witnessing of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s Amorous Pastimes
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (2)
Within each and every one of your caves, the youthful Divine Couple perform abundant delightful pastimes of amorous love. Thus, since you certainly facilitate the witnessing of Their līlās, O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
3. Playground of Kṛṣṇa and His Friends
anupama-maṇi-vedī-ratna-siṁhāsanorvī-
ruha-jhara-dara-sānu-droṇi-saṅgheṣu raṅgaiḥ
saha bala-sakhibhiḥ saṅkhelayan sva-priyaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (3)
Upon your incomparable gem-studded platforms that act as jeweled thrones, under Your trees, by your waterfalls, in your caves, upon your ridges, and in your valleys, you arrange for the joyful play of your dear one (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), along with Balarāma and all the sakhās. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
4. The Platform for the Dāna-keli Pastime
rasa-nidhi-nava-yūnoḥ sākṣiṇīṁ dāna-keler
dyuti-parimala-viddhāṁ śyāma-vedīṁ prakāśya
rasika-vara-kulānāṁ modam āsphālayan me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (4)
Upon witnessing the dāna-keli-līlā (playful tax pastime) of the Youthful Couple, who are a treasure-house of rasa, you manifested a fragrant, lustrous, black raised platform [in order to facilitate that pastime]. Thus you increase the joy of exalted rasika devotees. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
5. Witness of the Secret Pastimes by Rādhā-kuṇḍa
hari-dayitam apūrvaṁ rādhikā-kuṇḍam ātma-
priya-sakham iha kaṇṭhe narmaṇāliṅgya guptaḥ
nava-yuva-yuga-khelās tatra paśyan raho me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (5)
Śrī Hari’s incomparable, beloved Rādhā-kuṇḍa is your dear friend. Playfully embracing Rādhā-kuṇḍa to your neck, you remain hidden there, witnessing the ever-youthful Divine Couple enjoy sportive pastimes in that secluded place. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
6. Govardhana’s Nourishment of the Cows
sthala-jala-tala-śaṣpair bhūruhac-chāyayā ca
prati-padam anukālaṁ hanta samvardhayan gāḥ
tri-jagati nija-gotraṁ sārthakaṁ khyāpayan me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (6)
Ah! With your fields, waters, surfaces, grass, and the shade of your trees, you nourish the cows at every moment and at every place. In this way, you make your name* successful and known throughout the three worlds. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
* Go means “cows” and vardhana means “to nourish.”
7. Becoming a New Home to Shelter the Vrajavāsīs
sura-pati-kṛta-dīrgha-drohato goṣṭha-rakṣāṁ
tava nava-gṛha-rūpasyāntare kurvataiva
agha-baka-ripuṇoccair dattamāna! drutaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (7)
The enemy of Aghāsura and Bakāsura (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) protected His cowherd community from the prolonged treachery of Indra by sheltering them within you [your caves and so forth], and you took the form of a new home. In doing so, He showed you the highest honor. Without delay, O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
8. "The Best of Hari’s Servants," says Śrī Rādhā
giri-nṛpa! haridāsa-śreṇī-varyeti nāmā-
mṛtam idam uditaṁ śrī-rādhikā-vaktra-candrāt
vraja-nava-tilakatve kḷpta vedaiḥ sphuṭaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (8)
O Girirāja! Your ambrosial name haridāsa-varya (best of the servants of Śrī Hari) issued from the moon-like face of Śrīmatī Rādhikā.[1] The Vedas have clearly determined you to be the fresh tilaka of Vraja. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
9. Govardhana’s Compassion for All
nija-jana-yuta-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-maitrī-rasākta
vraja-nara-paśu-pakṣi-vrāta-saukhyaika-dātaḥ
agaṇita-karuṇatvān mām urī-kṛtya tāntaṁ
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (9)
You are immersed in the rasa of friendship with Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa who are surrounded by Their intimate associates. It is you alone who bestow happiness upon the people, animals, and birds of Vraja. Out of your unbounded kindness, please accept me, who am full of distress. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
10. Śacīnandana Offered Me to You
nirupadhi-karuṇena śrī śacī-nandanena
tvayi kapaṭi-śaṭho ’pi tvat-priyeṇārpito ’smi
iti khalu mama yogyāyogyatāṁ tām agṛhṇan
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (10)
The causelessly merciful Śrī Śacīnandana, who is most dear to you, has offered me to you. Therefore, although I am deceitful and wicked, please do not consider my qualification or lack thereof. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
11. Benediction: The Jewel of Direct Service to Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa
rasada-daśakam asya śrīla-govardhanasya
kṣiti-dhara-kula-bhartur yaḥ prayatnād adhīte
sa sapadi sukhade ’smin vāsam āsādya sākṣāc-
chubhada-yugala-sevā-ratnam āpnoti tūrṇam (11)
One who with careful intent recites these ten verses about Govardhana, lord of the dynasty of mountains, which bestow rasa, will at once attain joyful residence by his side and quickly obtain the auspicious jewel of direct service to the Divine Couple.