Gopala Raja Stotra

vapur-atula-tamala-sphita-bahuru-sakho- pari-dhrta-giri-varya-svarna-varnaika-gucchah kati-krta-para-hastarakta-sakhagra-hrdyah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

His form like a peerless, massive tamala tree with a great spreading branch, wearing upon the king of mountains a single lock of golden hue, one hand resting charmingly at his waist, its reddened fingertips like a branch's very tip — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

rucira-drg-abhidhane pankaje phullayantam subhaga-vadana-gatram citra-candram dadhanah vilasad-adhara-bimba-ghrayi-nasa-sukosthah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Whose beautiful eyes, likened to blossoming lotuses, are ever in bloom, bearing upon his handsome face a wondrous moon, his delicate nose set gracefully above his glistening, bimba-red lips — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

cala-kutilatara-bhru-karmukantar-drg-anta- kramana-nisita-banam sighra-yanam dadhanah davayitum iva radha-dhairya-parindra-varyam pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Bearing the swift arrow of his sidelong glance, sharpened as it flies from within the curved bow of his restless, crooked eyebrows, as though to burn away the very lion of Radha's patience — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

asulabham iha radha-vaktra-cumbam vijanann iva vilasitum eta chayayapi pradurat mukura-yugalam accham ganda-dambhena bibhrat pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Knowing, as it were, that even a mere kiss of Radha's face is hard to obtain here, he seems to sport instead with her reflection, his own cheeks bearing a clear pair of mirrors — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

ruci-nikara-virajad-dadimi-pakva-bija- prakara-vijayi-danta-sreni-saurabhya-vataih racita-yuvati-cetah-kira-jihvati-laulyah

The fragrant breeze from His teeth, which defeat a host of splendid ripe pomegranate seeds, creating the restlessness of a parrot's tongue in the hearts of the young gopis, Sri Gopala-raja is splendidly manifest on the king of mountains.

vacana-madhu-rasanam payanair gopa-rama- kulam uru-dhrta-dhamapy unmadi-krtya kamam abhimata-rati-ratnany adadanas tato drak pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

By offering draughts of the honeyed nectar of his words, he maddens at will the whole multitude of cowherd women, himself possessed of vast splendour, and swiftly wins from them the cherished jewels of their love; Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

kuvalaya-nibha-bhale kaunkuma-drava-pundram dadhad iva ghana-sande niscala-cascalagram racayitum iva sadhvi-kirti-mugdhali-bhitim pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Wearing upon his lotus-dark brow a tilaka of liquid kumkum, as though placing a flickering point upon a still, dense cloud, as if to fashion some pretext to unsettle the honor of chaste women bewildered by his glory — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

sravana-madana-rajju sajjayal lajji-radha- nayana-cala-cakorau bandhum utkah kisorau krta-makara-vatamsa-snigdha-candramsu-carah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Preparing the cord of Cupid at his ears to bind the restless, cakora-bird eyes of the shy Radha, this eager youth moves about, his soft moon-ray glow set off by shark-shaped earrings — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

yuvati-karana-ratna-vratam acchidya netra- bhramana-patu-bhatais tam nyasya hrt-saudha-madhye garuda-mani-kavatenorasaghusya hrstah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Snatching away the jewel-like faculties of the young women through the skillful soldiers of his roving glances, placing that plunder within the palace of his heart, then joyfully shutting it behind the emerald door of his chest — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

tri-bali-lalita-tunda-syandi-nabhi-hradodyat- tanuruha-tati-sarpim atra bibhrana ugram yuvati-pati-bhayakhu-grasanayeva sadyah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Bearing here the fierce line of fine hair that creeps upward, serpent-like, from the pool of his navel toward the charming triple fold of his waist, as if instantly to swallow, like a mongoose devouring a snake, the fear that grips the young women's hearts — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

marakata-krta-rambha-garva-sarvankasoru- dvayam uru-rasa-dhama preyasinam dadhanah sphurad-avirala-pusta-sroni-bharati-ramyah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Possessing a pair of thighs, like emerald plantain trunks, that shatter the pride of every such comparison, a very abode of great sweetness for his beloveds, made charming by his full, gracefully rounded hips — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

madana-mani-varali-samputa-ksulla-janu- dvaya-su-lalita-jangha-masju-padabja-yugmah vividha-vasana-bhusa-bhusitangah su-kanthah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

With a pair of small, jewel-box-like knees, graceful calves, and a beautiful pair of lotus feet, his limbs adorned with manifold garments and ornaments, his throat lovely — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

kalita-vapur iva sri-vitthala-prema-pusjah parijana-paricarya-varya-piyusa-pustah dyuti-bhara-jita-madyan-manmathodyat-samajah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

His very form seeming fashioned from the massed love of Sri Vitthala, nourished by the excellent nectar of his loyal servants' devoted care, his gathered radiance surpassing the rising pride of intoxicated Cupid himself — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

vividha-bhajana-puspair ista-namani grhnan pulakita-tanur iha sri-vitthalasyoru-sakhyaih pranaya-mani-saram svam hanta tasmai dadanah pratapati giri-patte susthu gopala-rajah

Accepting his cherished names offered with manifold flowers of devotion, his body thrilling with ecstasy here through the great friendship of Sri Vitthala, graciously bestowing upon him the very essence-jewel of his own love — Gopala-raja reigns gloriously atop the lord of mountains.

giri-kula-pati-pattollasi-gopala-raja- stuti-vilasita-padyany udbhata-prema-dani natayati rasanagre sraddhaya nirbharam yah sa sapadi labhate tat-prema-ratnam prasadam

Whoever, with full faith, makes his tongue dance forth these playful, love-bestowing verses in praise of Gopala-raja who shines resplendent atop the king of mountains, swiftly obtains, as grace, that very jewel of divine love.