Gopala Chalisa

Hail perfect Brahman sporting; playful incarnation crushing the wicked.

Whoever sings your play gains all rewards without toil.

From Vasudeva-Devaki you appeared, with plough-bearing brother.

From Mathura the Lord came to Gokul; Nanda’s house rang with congratulations.

Putana who came to poison you — granting her release, you sent her home.

You destroyed demon Trinavarta, stretching your foot to kill Sakatasura.

Playing, you ate earth, showing the whole world in your mouth.

House to house you ate the gopis’ butter, delighting child Yashoda with play.

Tied by your own body to the mortar, you freed Yamalarjuna from tree-birth.

You tore Baka-demon’s beak and destroyed dread Aghasura.

Brahma stole calves and cowherd boys; he came to enchant Mohan.

Murari himself became every calf and boy; then Brahma entreated greatly.

The Lord subdued serpent Kaliya and drank the forest-fire.

Playing with friends in joy, you lifted Shridama onto your shoulders.

Stealing garments you taught a lesson, lifting the mountain on your nail.

You granted vision to the sacrificers’ wives, tasting Radha’s nectar-love.

You brought Nanda back from Varuna’s realm, showing cowherds your own abode.

Beholding autumn’s moon you piped your flute, staging rasa in great joy.

From the python you freed your father’s feet, beheading Shankhachuda.

You slew Arishtasura and Keshi, killing disguised Vyomasura.

Leaving anguished Braj for Mathura, you killed Kansa, settling the Yadus.

You freed your parents from prison, studying at Sandipani’s home.

Then you sent wise Uddhava to Braj, who forgot all learning seeing such love.

You made Kubja a beauty; Hari wed delicate Rukmini.

Slaying Bhaumasura, you freed devotees, conquering gods to bring heaven’s tree to earth.

You destroyed Dantavakra-Shishupala, delivering birds, beasts, Nriga and hunters.

Poor Sudama you made wealthy; driving Partha’s chariot you won glory.

Teaching Gita’s wisdom, ending Arjuna’s delusion.

You ate bananas at devotee Vidura’s home, staging the Mahabharata war.

For Drupada’s daughter you lengthened cloth, saving burning Parikshit in the womb.

Tortoise, fish, boar, serpent-lord; dwarf, Kalki, Buddha, great sages.

As Narasimha you saved Prahlada; as Rama you killed Ravana.

Hail slayer of Madhu-Kaitabha; beloved of Ambarisha, discus-bearer.

You delivered hunter and Ajamila, Shabari and courtesan women.

Garuda-mounted, cutter of Gaja’s bonds; grant vision, joy of Dhruva’s eyes.

Grant pure saints’ company, growing love-devotion’s joyous hue.

Grant divine Vrindavan dwelling, ending mirage-thirst, worldly hope.

Shiva and Narada hold your attention; Shuka, Sanaka and Brahma-sages.

Hail, hail, merciful Radha-ramana, ending all peril, delusion’s snares.

Perils, sickness, heavy sorrows perish for whoever remembers world-lord Giridhari.