Sri Ladileyastakam Brishabhanu’s Darling Narayan Bhatta Goswami

Sri Ladileyashtakam   

The Beloved of Brishabhanu’s Darling The author of this prayer, Narayan Bhatta Goswami, was a disciple of Sri Krishnadas Brahmachari, who in turn was a disciple of Sri Gadadhar Pandit. Narayan Bhatta Goswami lived for many years in Vraja. He is said to have discovered the ancient deity of Sriji and had her installed on top of Barshana hill. He was a prolific writer and authored Bhakti-rasatarangini, Vraja-bhakti-vilasa, Vraja-dipika, Vrajotsavacandrika, Vraja-mahodadhi, Vrajotsava- hladini, Brihad Vraja-gunotsava, Vraja-prakasa, Vraja-dipika, Bhakta-bhushana-sandarbha, Vraja-sadhana-candrika, Bhakti-viveka, Sahana-dipika, Rasika-hladini, Premankura (drama), Ladili-lala Yugala Paddhati and this Ladileyashtakam. Narayan Bhatta Goswami’s samadhi is near Barshana in Uchagaon, the village where Lalita Sakhi appeared. “Ladili” literally means “darling”. It is a popular name of Srimati Radharani in Vrindavan. In this context, “Ladili” can mean “Brishabhanu’s darling” or “the darling queen of Barshana”. srimad-vrajesa-tanayam dhrita-manavangam sarvanga-sundara-varam kati-pita-vastram brahmadi-deva-muni-vandya-padaravindam sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami Accepting a form possessed of all beautiful limbs and wearing a yellowish cloth around his waist, his lotus feet are worshipped by all sages and demigods headed by Lord Brahma. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. tiryag-kirita-mukutam vana-malaya vai samsobhamana-vapusham hasatekshanadhyam dedipyamana-makarakriti-kundalam ca sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami On his head rests a curved helmet, his ears are embellished with a pair of brilliantly glowing shark-shaped earrings, his eyes are enhanced with a smile, and his body is decorated with a garland of forest flowers. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. anamra-janu-yugalam vraja-bhumikayam utthaya dakshina-karam sasarisripantam padaravinda-yugale dhrita-nupuram ca sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami His lotus feet are decorated with a pair of anklets. He crawls beautifully on the land of Vraja while using his right hand to pull himself forward. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. kaumara-darsita-sukham vapusha sva-pitror balais ca kridana-param samudarayantam mugdha-smitam nija-bhuje dhrita-modakam ca sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami He smilingly holds a sweet in his hands and displays his unlimitedly magnanimous playful pastimes of infancy, thus delighting his parents. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. srimad-balanujam ativa priya-svarupam saukhya-pradam nija-janan atimanayantam syamangam adbhutataram sumukham sunetram sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami The younger brother of Baladev has an immensely wonderful form with complexion like a dark monsoon cloud and beautiful lotus-like face and eyes. These bestow great happiness on his kinsmen and earn him a respected place amongst them. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. subhru-nasam subhuja-danda-paraga-damam drashtavya-rupam asitekshana-caru-hasam kancya paranga-dhrita-hara-manoharantam sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami His well built arms appear to subdue the strength of mountains. He displays a beautiful form having blackish eyes, beautiful brows, perfect nose, and a sweet smile. Around his waist is a strand of jewels that steals one’s mind. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. go-vatsa-khelana-param gala-maukti-haram vamsi-dharam sughata-nritya-karam varam ca gopi-griheshu nitaram navanita-cauram sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami Around his neck swings a necklace of pearls as he exhibits his pastimes of playing with the calves. He holds a flute in his hands and effortlessly displays his dancing skill as well as his expertise at regularly stealing butter from the homes of the gopis. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. dhyanaspadam jagati purnatamavataram santam param nikhila-jiva-nikaya-ketum lila-kadambam atilanghita-satru-vargam sri-ladileya-lalitam satatam bhajami He soundly defeated his enemies in his multifarious pastimes. He is the Supreme Lord in the most perfect form, the object of meditation for the entire world, the sought-after shelter of the sages, and the refuge of all souls. I constantly worship that beloved of Vrishabhanu’s darling daughter. slokashtakam hi sumukham sumuda sva-citte sandhaya nityam amalam hari-bhaktidam ca devalaye pathati tasya harih svayam ca moksha-prado bhavati nunam adabhra-buddheh A blissful soul of purified intelligence who in a joyous state of mind fixes his attention constantly upon these eight transcendental verses that bestow devotional service to Lord Hari, or who recites it in a temple of Lord Hari, will be rewarded by the Lord personally coming and bestowing the gift of liberation upon him.· — Translated by Hari Parshad Das from the version on Gaudiya Grantha Mandir: http://granthamandira.com