In2-MeC

Oslo, Norway
8 September 2003

Besides the asta-sakhis, goddess Vrnda-devi renders outstanding service to the loving affairs of the Divine Couple. In the following nine verses, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura gives insight into the special role played by Sri Vrnda-devi in madhurya-lila.

SRI SRI VRNDADEVYASTAKAM

By Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

1. gangeya campeya tadid vininda roci-pravaha snapitatma vrnde
bandhuka randhu-dyuti divya vaso vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"O Vrnde, whose very self is showered with the current of beauty, which defeats the golden splendour of the Campaka-flower or lightning bolts, we offer our obeisances unto Your lotus feet. "

2. bimbadharoditvara manda-hasya nasagra mukt-dyuti dipitasye
vicitra ratnabharana sriyadhye vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"O Vrnde, whose lips and face are shining red like Bimba-fruits, that smile slightly, and nose pearl that sparks brightly and who beauty is enriched with wonderful jeweled ornaments, we offer our obeisances unto Your lotus feet. "

3. samasta vaikuntha siromanau sir krsnasya vrndavana dhanya dhamni
dattadhikare vrsabhanu putrya vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"O Vrnde, who was bestowed the care of Sri Krsna's opulent abode Sri Vrndavana, the crest jewel of all Vaikunthas, by the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, we offer our obeisances unto Your lotus feet. "

4. tvad ajnaya pallava-puspa-bhrnga mrgadibhir madhava keli-kunjah
madhvadibhir bhanti vibhusyamana vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"O Vrnde, on whose order Madhava's play gardens are being adorned with leaves, flowers, bees, deer and dripping honey, we offer our obeisances unto Your lotus feet. "

5. tvadiya dutyena nikunja-yunor atyutkayo keli-vilasa-siddhih
tvat saubhagam kena nirucyatam tat vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"O Vrnde, through your canvassing Radha and Krsna, Who are eager to play in the nikunja, have Their desires fulfilled. Who can describe your good fortune? We offer our obeisances unto your lotus feet. "

6. rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrndavane tvad isanghri-saroja-seva
labhya ca pumsam krpaya tavaiva vrnde namas te caranavarvindam

"Only by your grace can one attain the desired service of the lotus feet of your mistress during the rasa festival in Her abode, Vrndavana. O Vrnde, we offer our obeisances unto your lotus feet. "

7. tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra vidbhir lilabhidhana kila krsna saktih
tavaiva murtim tulasi nr-loke vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"O Vrnde, the knowers of Satvatra-tantra, describe you as Krsna's own partial potency. But in the human world you appear only as Tulasi-devi. We offer our obeisances unto your lotus feet. "

8. bhaktya-vihina aparadha-laksaih ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye
krpamayi tvam saranam prapanna vrnde namas te caranaravindam

"Because of hundreds of thousands of offenses, devoid of devotion, we were thrown amidst the waves of lust and other urges. O merciful one, we take shelter of you! Vrnde! We offer our obeisances unto your lotus feet. "

9. vrndastakam yah srnu yat payed va vrndavana misa padabja bhrngah
sa prapya vrndavana nitya-vasam tat-prema-sevam labhate krtarthah

"Anyone who, like a honey bee at the lotus feet of the Lord of Vrndavana, hears or recites this astakam, attains eternal residence in Vrndavana, and becomes blessed with Krsna's loving service. "

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