Kunja Viharaya Ashtakam

Kunja Viharayashtakam
By Sri Roopa Deva
Translated By P. R. Ramachander

["Rupa Goswami (1489-1564 CE) is a devotional teacher, poet, and philosopher from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. Alongside Sanatana Goswami he was considered as the leader of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan - a highly influential group of devotees made up from a number of disciples of the Vaishnava saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu." - Wikipedia.]

Avirathara rathi bandhu smera bandhra sri,
Kabalitha iva radhapanga bangee tharangai,
Mudhitha vadana chandra chandrika peeda dhari,
Mudhira madhra kanthir bhathi Kunje vihari. 1

The Lord who is much prettier than Rathi's consort,
The Lord who has been swallowed by the waves of glances of Radha,
The Lord Who has a smiling face and wears the feather of peacock,
And the Lord who has the mind stealing luster of the cloud, shines as Kunja Vihari.

Thatha sushira ghanaanaam nadha manadha bhaajaam,
Janayathi tharuneenaam mandale mandithaanaam,
Thata bhuvi nata raja kreedaya bhanu puthryaa,
Vidhatha thula chareer bhathi kunje vihari. 2

Along with ornaments of invaluable gems and with accompaniment of
Musical sounds created by the groups of maidens surrounding him,
In the shores of Yamuna, the daughter of Sun God, Kunja Vihari shines
With his royal dance involving pretty movements of his body.

Shikhi nigalitha shadje Kokile panchamadye,
Swayamapi nava vamsyoddhamayam grama mukhyam,
Drutha mruga mada gandha, sushtu Gaandhaaram samgnam,
Tribhuvana druthi haarir bhathi Kunje vihari. 3

When the peacocks are playing Shadja and the Cuckoos are Playing Panchama,
In front of the important people of the village Kunja Vihari,
Who is the prettiest in all the three worlds is playing his flute,
The essence of Gandhara with musk of the deer permeating the environment.

Anupama kara shakhopatha radhanguleeko,
Laghu laghu kusumanam paryatan vatikayam,
Sarabha samanu Geetha schithakanteerabhiruchair,
Vruja nava yuvathi bhir Bhathi Kunja Vihari. 4

Holding the incomparably pretty fingers of Radha,
Like a very tender flower, you took her to the Garden,
And accompanied by the loud songs coming from the minds,
Of pretty damsels of Vrindavana, The Kunja Vihari shines.

Aharipu krutha laasye ka chakarabda vadye,
Vruja giri thata range, brunga Sangeetha bhaaji,
Virachitha paricharya schithrathou ryytrikone,
Sthamitha karana vruthir bhathi kunje vihari. 5

When the peacocks dance, when the flute sings soulful music,
And when the bevy of bees sings prettily together,
In the valley of the mountains, in Brindavana,
The Kunja Vihari shines along with several of his friends,
By completely controlling his senses.

Disi disi suka sareemandalair gooda leelaa,
Prakata manu patathbhir nirmithascha rya pooraa,
Thadathi rahasi vrutham preyasi kanna mole,
Smitha mukha mabhi jalpan, bhathi kunje vihari. 6

When the parrot couples are enjoying the play of love,
With an obviously seen sense of wonderment,
The Kunja Vihari shines by telling about it,
With a smile, in the ears of his sweet hearts.

Thava chikura kadambham sthambhate prekshya kekee,
Nayana kamala lakshmeer vandathe Krishna saaraa,
Aliralamala kanthm nauthi pasyethi Radhaam,
Sumadhura mabhisamsan Bhathi Kunje Vihari. 7

Your curly black tresses make the peacocks benumbed,
Seeing your pretty lotus like eyes, the deer salutes you,
The bees seeing your hair, worship you and Kunja Vihari,
Tells Radha, do you see all these happenings.

Madana tharalabala chakra valena vishwa,
Gwidha varakalaanaam sikshaya sevya maanaa,
Skhalitha chikura vese Skanda desepriyaya,
Pridhitha pradhula bahur bhathi Kunje vihari. 8

When you are being served by very many maidens
Overcome by passion by various blessed arts that they have learned,
Kunja Vihari keeps his very pleasing loving hands on their neck,
Which is covered by their loosely untied hair and shines.

Idham anupama lelaaharee Kunje Vihari,
Smarana padamadheethe thushtadheerashtakam ya,
Nija guna vruthaya Sri Radhayaa aaradhithastham,
Nayathi nija padabhjam Kunja sathmadhi raja. 9

If this great prayer addressed to Kunje vihari,
Is read and meditated upon, then Kunja Vihari,
Who is always being worshipped by Radha,
Would lead him to the feet and place of Kunja Vihari.

Ithi Sri Rupa deva virachitham Kunja Viharyashtakam Sampoornam
Thus ends the Octet on Kunja Vihari written by Sri Rupa Deva.