Madhava Kanta das: Sri Lalita-astakam:
Composed by Srila Rupa Gosvami
verse 1
radha-mukunda-pada-sambhava-gharma-bindu
nirmanchanopakarani-krta-deha-laksam
uttunga-sauhrda-visesa-vasat pragalbham
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
1. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She worships the perspiration of Sri Sri Radha-Mukunda’s lotus feet and acts
boldly, out of intense feelings of friendship for Them.
verse 2
raka-sudha-kirana-mandala-kanti-dandi
vaktra-sriyam cakita-caru-camuru-netram
radha-prasadhana-vidhana-kala-prasiddham
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
2. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
Her face defeats the beauty of the ambrosial corona of the full moon, her
eyes are like those of an alarmed deer and she is expert in the art of
decorating Sri Radhika.
verse 3
lasyollasad-bhujaga-satru-patatra-citra
pattamsukabharana-kanculikancitangim
gorocana-ruci-vigarhana-gaurimanam
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
3. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She wears a wonderful silk dress colored like a peacock with outstretched
feathers, as well as a nice blouse, and her complexion defeats the golden
splendour of gorocana.
verse 4
dhurte vrajendra-tanaye tanu susthu-vamyam
ma daksina bhava kalankini laghavaya
radhe giram srnu hitam iti siksayantim
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
4. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She teaches Sri Radhika the art of a left-wing heroine saying: “Radhe!
Firmly reject this shrewd son of the king of Vraja, O immoral girl! Listen!
Don’t be weak! I’m saying it for Your own good. Don’t submit to Him!”
verse 5
radham abhi vraja-pateh krtam atmajena
kutam manag api vilokya vilohitaksim
vag-bhangibhis tam acirena vilajjayantim
devim gunaih sulalitam namami
5. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
Her eyes become red with anger if she sees the son of the king of Vraja
cheating Sri Radhika even slightly, then she will promptly embarrass Him
with her clever words.
verse 6
vatsalya-vrnda-vasatim pasupala-rajnyah
sakhyanusiksana-kalasu gurum sakhinam
radha-balavaraja-jivita-nirvisesam
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
6. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She is the abode of affection for the Queen of cowherders, Yasoda, she is
the teacher of the art of friendship for all the sakhis and her love for Sri
Radhika and Krsna is equal.
verse 7
yam kam api vraja-kule vrsabhanu-jayah
preksya sva-paksa-padavim anurudhyamanam
sadyas tad-ista-ghatanena krtarthayantim
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
7. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She requests every girl in Vraja to join the party of Vrsabhanu’s daughter
and who fulfills all desires of that girl (or of Sri Radhika).
7a. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
All her desires were at once fulfilled when she saw the path of Sri Radha in
Vraja being blocked by a certain person.
verse 8
radha-vrajendra-suta-sangama-ranga-caryam
varyam viniscitavatim akhilotsavebhyah
tam gokula-priya-sakhi-nikuramba-mukhyam
devim gunaih sulalitam lalitam namami
8. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She always enjoys the festival of Radha and Vrajendrasuta’s meeting and she
is the chief of all Radha’s dear girlfriends in Gokula.
verse 9
nandann amuni lalita-guna-lalitani
padyani yah pathati nirmala-drstir astau
pritya vikarsati janam nija-vrnda-madhye
tam kirtida-pati-kulojjvala-kalpa-valli
9. Anyone who recites these prayers praising Lalita’s wonderful qualities
with a pure vision will be lovingly counted amongst her own (friends or
maidservants) by Sri Radhika, the brilliant desire vine of the family of the
Lord of Kirtida (King Vrsabhanu).