Sri Damodarashthaka

(from the Padma Purâna)

(1)

namâmîs'varam sac-cid-ânanda-rûpam

To the Lord whose form is ever to know glee,

lasat-kundalam gokule bhrâjamânam

His earrings swinging, the brilliance of Gokul,

yas'odâ-bhiyolûkhalâd dhâvamânam

Yasodha's yogurt-pot he broke stealing the butter,

parâmrishtham atyantato drutya-gopyâ

running she seized Him, my respect unto Him.

(2)

rudantam muhur netra-yugmam mrijantam

Seeing the stick He cries rubbing His eyes,

karâmbhoja-yugmena sâtanka-netram

looking afraid with the pearl string on his neck.

muhuh s'vâsa-kampa-trirekhânka-kanthha-

No rope can bind Him, only love can,

sthita-graivam dâmodaram bhakti-baddham

To this Lord Dâmodar' all my respect,

(3)

itîdrik sva-lîlâbhir ânanda-kunde

This childplay submerges Vrindavana in happiness,

sva-ghosham nimajjantam âkhyâpayantam

and shows devotees how to know Him with wisdom.

tadîyeshita-jneshu bhaktair jitatvam

The full of Him intimate knows free and devoted,

punah prematas tam s'atâvritti vande

full of admiration and full of awe.

(4)

varam deva moksham na mokshâvadhim vâ

O Lord you grant freedom but impersonal no,

na cânyam vrine 'ham vares'âd apîha

I long for no heaven or for another boon,

idam te vapur nâtha gopâla-bâlam

Your form Bala-Aopal ever in my heart,

sadâ me manasy âvirâstâm kim anyaih

no other favor has any meaning to me.

(5)

idam te mukhâmbhojam atyanta-nîlair

O Lord Your face, with black hair glowing red,

vritam kuntalaih snigdha-raktais' ca gopyâ

is kissed by Yasodha, Your Bimba-lips red as the fruit,

muhus' cubitam bimba-raktâdharam me

May your sweet face be forever in My heart,

manasy âvirâstâm alam laksha-lâbhaih

Thousands of other favors are of no avail.

(6)

namo deva dâmodarânanta vishno

I honor You Dâmodhar, Ananta Vishnu

prasîda prabho duhkha-jâlâbdhi-magnam

O master, my Lord be pleased with me.

kripâ-drishthi-vrishthyâti-dînam batânu-

Merciful casting Your glance frees this fool,

grihânes'a mâm ajñam edhy akshi-dris'yah

who thus may see You in his worldy grief.

(7)

kuverâtmajau baddha-mûrtyaiva yadvat

The way You set Kuvera's sons free from the curse,

tvayâ mocitau bhakti-bhâjau kritau ca

planting devotion as a baby to the block,

tathâ prema-bhaktim svakâm me prayaccha

Please grant me too Your loving devotion,

na mokshe graho me 'sti dâmodareha

that's all I desire, no other freedom.

(8)

namas te 'stu dâmne sphurad-dîpti-dhâmne

First of all o lord I honor your bellies cord,

tvadîyodarâyâtha vis'vasya-dhâmne

than the belly itself that carries the universe,

namo râdhikâyai tvadîya-priyâyai

Humly I bow for your sweetheart Râdhâ,

namo 'nanta-lîlâya devâya tubhyam

next then to You O lord of infinite joy.