Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotram: Sanskrit Lyrics, Meaning & Benefits
Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotram - Sanskrit Text
मुनीन्द्र-वृन्द-वन्दिते त्रिलोक-शोक-हारिणि
प्रसन्न-वक्त्र-पङ्कजे निकुञ्ज-भू-विलासिनि ।
व्रजेन्द्र-भानु-नन्दिनि व्रजेन्द्र-सूनु-सङ्गते
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥१॥
अशोक-वृक्ष-वल्लरी वितान-मण्डप-स्थिते
प्रवालबाल-पल्लव प्रभारुणाङ्घ्रि-कोमले ।
वराभयस्फुरत्करे प्रभूतसम्पदालये
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥२॥
अनङ्ग-रङ्ग मङ्गल-प्रसङ्ग-भङ्गुर-भ्रुवां
सविभ्रमं ससम्भ्रमं दृगन्त-बाणपातनैः ।
निरन्तरं वशीकृतप्रतीतनन्दनन्दने
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥३॥
तडित्-सुवर्ण-चम्पक-प्रदीप्त-गौर-विग्रहे
मुख-प्रभा-परास्त-कोटि-शारदेन्दुमण्डले ।
विचित्र-चित्र सञ्चरच्चकोर-शाव-लोचने
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥४॥
मदोन्मदाति-यौवने प्रमोद-मान-मण्डिते
प्रियानुराग-रञ्जिते कला-विलास-पण्डिते ।
अनन्यधन्य-कुञ्जराज्य-कामकेलि-कोविदे
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥५॥
अशेष-हावभाव-धीरहीरहार-भूषिते
प्रभूतशातकुम्भ-कुम्भकुम्भि-कुम्भसुस्तनि ।
प्रशस्तमन्द-हास्यचूर्ण पूर्णसौख्य-सागरे
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥६॥
मृणाल-वाल-वल्लरी तरङ्ग-रङ्ग-दोर्लते
लताग्र-लास्य-लोल-नील-लोचनावलोकने ।
ललल्लुलन्मिलन्मनोज्ञ-मुग्ध-मोहिनाश्रिते
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥७॥
सुवर्णमलिकाञ्चित-त्रिरेख-कम्बु-कण्ठगे
त्रिसूत्र-मङ्गली-गुण-त्रिरत्न-दीप्ति-दीधिते ।
सलोल-नीलकुन्तल-प्रसून-गुच्छ-गुम्फिते
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥८॥
नितम्ब-बिम्ब-लम्बमान-पुष्पमेखलागुणे
प्रशस्तरत्न-किङ्किणी-कलाप-मध्य मञ्जुले ।
करीन्द्र-शुण्डदण्डिका-वरोहसौभगोरुके
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥९॥
अनेक-मन्त्रनाद-मञ्जु नूपुरारव-स्खलत्
समाज-राजहंस-वंश-निक्वणाति-गौरवे ।
विलोलहेम-वल्लरी-विडम्बिचारु-चङ्क्रमे
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥१०॥
अनन्त-कोटि-विष्णुलोक-नम्र-पद्मजार्चिते
हिमाद्रिजा-पुलोमजा-विरिञ्चजा-वरप्रदे ।
अपार-सिद्धि-ऋद्धि-दिग्ध-सत्पदाङ्गुली-नखे
कदा करिष्यसीह मां कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ॥११॥
मखेश्वरि क्रियेश्वरि स्वधेश्वरि सुरेश्वरि
त्रिवेद-भारतीश्वरि प्रमाण-शासनेश्वरि ।
रमेश्वरि क्षमेश्वरि प्रमोद-काननेश्वरि
व्रजेश्वरि व्रजाधिपे श्रीराधिके नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१२॥
इति ममद्भुतं-स्तवं निशम्य भानुनन्दिनी
करोतु सन्ततं जनं कृपाकटाक्ष-भाजनम् ।
भवेत्तदैव सञ्चित त्रिरूप-कर्म नाशनं
लभेत्तदा व्रजेन्द्र-सूनु-मण्डल-प्रवेशनम् ॥१३॥
राकायां च सिताष्टम्यां दशम्यां च विशुद्धधीः ।
एकादश्यां त्रयोदश्यां यः पठेत्साधकः सुधीः ॥१४॥
यं यं कामयते कामं तं तमाप्नोति साधकः ।
राधाकृपाकटाक्षेण भक्तिः स्यात् प्रेमलक्षणा ॥१५॥
ऊरुदघ्ने नाभिदघ्ने हृद्दघ्ने कण्ठदघ्नके ।
राधाकुण्डजले स्थिता यः पठेत् साधकः शतम् ॥१६॥
तस्य सर्वार्थ सिद्धिः स्याद् वाक्सामर्थ्यं तथा लभेत् ।
ऐश्वर्यं च लभेत् साक्षाद् दृशा पश्यति राधिकाम् ॥१७॥
तेन स तत्क्षणादेव तुष्टा दत्ते महावरम् ।
येन पश्यति नेत्राभ्यां तत् प्रियं श्यामसुन्दरम् ॥१८॥
नित्यलीला-प्रवेशं च ददाति श्री-व्रजाधिपः ।
अतः परतरं प्रार्थ्यं वैष्णवस्य न विद्यते ॥१९॥
॥ इति श्रीमदूर्ध्वाम्नाये श्रीराधिकायाः कृपाकटाक्षस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
munīndra-vṛnda-vandite triloka-śoka-hāriṇi
prasanna-vaktra-paṅkaje nikuñja-bhū-vilāsini |
vrajendra-bhānu-nandini vrajendra-sūnu-saṅgate
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam ||1||
(Every verse of the main stotra ends with the longing refrain kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam - "When, O when, will you make me a recipient of your merciful sidelong glance?" The full Roman transliteration follows the Devanagari line for line.)
Meaning
This is an impassioned plea to Shri Radha for the gift of her kripa-kataksha - her grace-laden sidelong glance. The devotee praises her as the one worshipped by the foremost sages, who removes the sorrow of the three worlds, whose lotus-face is ever serene, who sports in the bowers of Vrindavan, daughter of Vrishabhanu and beloved of the prince of Vraja. Verse after verse describes her radiant golden form, her playful arched brows, her ornaments, her gait like a royal swan - and each closes with the same yearning question: "When will you make me the object of your compassionate glance?" The final phala-shruti verses promise that one who recites this on auspicious tithis fulfils every desire, gains eloquence and prosperity, beholds Shyamasundara (Krishna) with his own eyes, and enters the eternal pastimes of Vraja.
About this Stotra
The Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotram is one of the most beloved hymns to Shri Radha, drawn from the Urdhvamnaya Tantra and widely sung across Vrindavan and Braj. Its galloping metre and hypnotic refrain make it a staple of kirtan and personal sadhana. The hymn is unusual in that it is almost entirely a prayer for grace rather than a list of philosophical truths - the soul stands before Radha and simply begs for her glance, which is held to be the gateway to Krishna himself.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
The stotra teaches that Radha's grace (kripa) is the indispensable key to Krishna-prema; even Krishna is won through her favour. Its closing verses promise fulfilment of desires, mastery of speech, wealth, the direct vision of Radha and Krishna, and entry into nitya-lila for one who recites it with devotion on the prescribed lunar days. Devotees chant it to deepen bhakti, dissolve accumulated karma (the "three kinds of karma"), and cultivate the mood of selfless service (seva) to the Divine Couple.
Astrological Relevance
As a hymn invoking divine feminine grace, this stotra resonates with Venus (Shukra) - the karaka of love, devotion, beauty and refined emotion - and with a strong Moon for emotional surrender. Where Venus is afflicted or the fifth house of bhakti and romance is weak, immersion in Radha-bhakti is offered as a sattvic remedy that channels longing into the highest love. The stotra's emphasis on receiving "grace" rather than asserting effort also suits those struggling with ego (a hard Sun or Mars), teaching surrender. Fridays, ruled by Venus, are ideal.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit before an image of Radha-Krishna. Light a ghee lamp and offer tulsi and fresh flowers. The text itself recommends recitation on Purnima, the bright-fortnight Ashtami, Dashami, Ekadashi and Trayodashi tithis for best results. Recite all the verses with feeling and the recurring prayer for Radha's glance. Advanced sadhakas in Braj recite it standing in the waters of Radha Kunda. Conclude by dedicating the merit to the service of the Divine Couple.
Best Day & Time
Fridays, Radhashtami, Purnima, Ekadashi, and the tithis named in the text (Ashtami, Dashami, Trayodashi) are most auspicious; dawn and dusk are the ideal hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "kripa kataksha" mean?
It means the "merciful sidelong glance" of Shri Radha - her compassionate look, which devotees regard as the gateway to Krishna's love.
What is the source of this stotra?
It is drawn from the Urdhvamnaya Tantra and is popular throughout the Braj region and Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
On which days should it be recited?
The text recommends Purnima, the bright Ashtami, Dashami, Ekadashi and Trayodashi; Fridays and Radhashtami are also especially auspicious.
The longing for Radha's compassionate glance - the doorway to divine love
The Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotram occupies a singular place in Vaishnava devotional literature because it frames the entire path to Krishna through Radha's grace alone. The premise is luminous in its simplicity: without Shri Radha's compassionate sidelong glance - her kataksha - even the most diligent seeker cannot truly enter the innermost circle of Krishna's love. Rooted in the Urdhvamnaya Tantra, this hymn encodes a profound theological understanding: Radha is not secondary to Krishna but the very doorway to his presence, the embodiment of the highest prema, divine love in its most complete expression. The mood the stotram evokes is madhura bhakti - the sweetest, most intimate rasa - and devotees who engage it with sincerity often describe a blossoming of tenderness in the heart that is its own quiet form of grace.
In the Jyotish tradition, this stotra resonates deeply with Venus (Shukra), the planet governing love, beauty, aesthetic sensitivity, and the refining of the emotions. Those who seek to deepen their capacity for devotion and heartfelt surrender often find this text a natural companion for their sadhana, particularly on Fridays and during festivals honouring Radha and the Vrindavan lila. What makes the Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotram so enduring is its honest vulnerability - the devotee comes not with achievements but with longing alone, recognising that surrender to Radha's mercy is itself the highest and most direct practice available to the seeker.