Śānta Gopāla Kīrtanam: A Serene Sanskrit Hymn to Lord Krishna

A serene and deeply devotional kirtan (devotional song) dedicated to Lord Krishna in his peaceful, pastoral form as Gopala. This traditional Sanskrit hymn is structured as a series of praises and heartfelt prayers, expressing adoration for Krishna's beautiful form, his childhood pastimes in Vrindavan, and his compassionate nature. The musical arrangement would be melodic and meditative, suitable for group singing or contemplative listening, aiming to evoke feelings of love, surrender, and divine connection.

Lyrical Explanation:
This hymn is a classic example of Bhakti (devotional) poetry. It progresses through several themes: praising Krishna's enchanting physical beauty, remembering his playful childhood activities under mother Yashoda's care, declaring the singer's exclusive desire for devotion over liberation, recalling Krishna's loyalty to his poor friend Sudama, and culminating in earnest prayers for the removal of sorrow and for eternal service at his feet. It also offers respects to Radha and Yashoda, acknowledging their supreme devotion.

Full Original Sanskrit Text:
नमामि गोपालम् आनन्दरूपम्
प्रफुल्ल नीलोत्पल लोचनाढ्यम्
नमामि गोपालम् आनन्दरूपम्
प्रफुल्ल नीलोत्पल लोचनाढ्यम्
यशोदा करेणोपनीतम् सुस्नेहात्
मधुरं व्रजेषु क्रीडन्तम् बालम्
यशोदा करेणोपनीतम् सुस्नेहात्
मधुरं व्रजेषु क्रीडन्तम् बालम्
हसन्तम् सदा मन्दहासाङ्कुरेण
ललितं वदनं पूर्णचन्द्राभकान्तम्
हसन्तम् सदा मन्दहासाङ्कुरेण
ललितं वदनं पूर्णचन्द्राभकान्तम्
अवलीनभक्तैर् भुजाभ्यां गृहीतम्
स्नेहेन बद्धं हृदयेन भक्तेः
अवलीनभक्तैर् भुजाभ्यां गृहीतम्
स्नेहेन बद्धं हृदयेन भक्तेः
वृन्दावने रम्यतराङ्गणान्ते
मुरलीनिनादेन लोकान् प्रियंण्वन्
वृन्दावने रम्यतराङ्गणान्ते
मुरलीनिनादेन लोकान् प्रियंण्वन्
नित्यम् संस्कृतैः साधुभिरर्च्यमानम्
सुखसान्द्रचित्तेषु दिव्यप्रकाशम्
नित्यम् संस्कृतैः साधुभिरर्च्यमानम्
सुखसान्द्रचित्तेषु दिव्यप्रकाशम्
न वाञ्छे मया मोक्षपदं परं वा
भजनं तव त्वं मम केवलमेव
न वाञ्छे मया मोक्षपदं परं वा
भजनं तव त्वं मम केवलमेव
कुचेलस्य सख्यं यथा त्वं बिभर्षि
तथैव मदीयं हृदि सन्निधेहि
कुचेलस्य सख्यं यथा त्वं बिभर्षि
तथैव मदीयं हृदि सन्निधेहि
त्वदीयं पदाब्जं मनो न त्यजेत
अखण्डं भवेयम् तव सेवकः स्यात्
त्वदीयं पदाब्जं मनो न त्यजेत
अखण्डं भवेयम् तव सेवकः स्यात्
प्रसीद प्रभो भक्तजनाश्रयानाम्
व्रजेश तनूज त्वमेव शरण्यम्
प्रसीद प्रभो भक्तजनाश्रयानाम्
व्रजेश तनूज त्वमेव शरण्यम्
करुणासुधासिक्तदिव्यदृष्ट्या
हर मे विषादं मनसः क्लेशपङ्कम्
करुणासुधासिक्तदिव्यदृष्ट्या
हर मे विषादं मनसः क्लेशपङ्कम्
नमो राधिकायै महाभक्तिरूपायै
नमो व्रजेश्वर्यै यशोदानुग्रहाय
नमो राधिकायै महाभक्तिरूपायै
नमो व्रजेश्वर्यै यशोदानुग्रहाय
इति ते स्तवं भावसमुद्रनिष्ठं
समर्पयामि गोविन्द देवाय नित्यम्
इति ते स्तवं भावसमुद्रनिष्ठं
समर्पयामि गोविन्द देवाय नित्यम्

Full Transliteration in the comments

Full English Translation:

I bow to Gopala (Krishna), who is the form of bliss, endowed with eyes like fully bloomed blue lotuses.

[I bow to] the child who, brought with great affection by Yashoda's hand, plays sweetly in the pastures of Vraja.

[I bow to him] who is always smiling with tender sprouts of smiles, whose lovely face has the splendor of the full moon.

[I bow to him] who is held by the arms of his immersed devotees, and bound by the cord of love to the hearts of devotees.

[I bow to him] who, in the most beautiful courtyard of Vrindavana, pleases the people with the sound of his flute.

[I bow to him] who is always worshipped by virtuous, well-cultured devotees, a divine light within minds full of joy.

I do not desire the state of liberation or anything else. Your worship alone, You alone, are mine.

Just as You upheld the friendship of Kuchela (Sudama), in the same way, please reside in my heart.

May my mind never abandon Your lotus feet. May I become Your uninterrupted servant.

Be gracious, O Lord, refuge of those who take shelter in devotees. O son of the King of Vraja, You alone are my sanctuary.

With Your divine glance, sprinkled with the nectar of compassion, remove the sorrow and the mire of suffering from my mind.

Obeisance to Radhika, who has the form of great devotion. Obeisance to the Queen of Vraja, by the grace of Yashoda.

Thus, this prayer of mine, established in an ocean of feeling, I eternally offer to Lord Govinda.

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