Sri Radha Sahasra-nama-stotra ((Transliteration and Translation))

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Introduction

We who are chanting the Hare Krsna mantra are always chanting the name of Srimati Radharani. How this is so was explained by Srila Prabhupada in the following purport (CC Adi 7.73)

"Simply addressing the energy of the Supreme Lord as Hare and the Lord Himself as Krsna very soon situates the Lord within the heart of the devotee. By thus addressing Radha and Krsna, one directly engages in His Lordship's service. The essence of all revealed scriptures and all knowledge is present when one addresses the Lord and His energy by the Hare Krsna Mantra, for this transcendental vibration can completely liberate a conditioned soul and directly engage him in the devotional service of the Lord."

In another purport (CC Adi. 4.56), Srila Prabhupada futher explains the importance of chanting the holy names of Radha, as follows:

"In fact, Radharani is the internal potency of Sri Krsna, and She eternally intensifies the pleasure of Sri Krsna. Impersonalists cannot understand this without the help of a maha-bhagavata devotee. The very name 'Radha' suggests that Srimati Radharani is eternally the topmost mistress of the comforts of Sri Krsna. As such, she is the medium transmitting the living entities' service to Sri Krsna. Devotees in Vrndavana Therefore seek the mercy of Srimati Radharani in order to be recognized as loving servitors of Sri Krsna."

The following verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam is quoted in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:

"[When the gopis began to talk among themselves, they said:] 'Dear friends, the gopi who has been taken away by Krsna to a secluded place must have worshiped the Lord more than anyone else."

In the purport to this verse (CC Madhya 8.100), Srila Prabhupada explains the meaning and derivation of the holy name of Radha as follows:

"The name Radha is derived from this Verse (Bhag. 10.30.28), from the words anayaradhitah, meaning 'by Her the Lord is worshiped.' Sometimes the critics of Srimad-Bhagavatam find it difficult to find Radharani's holy name in that book, but the secret is disclosed here in the word aradhita, from which the name Radha has come. Of course, the name of Radharani is directly mentioned in other Puranas. This gopi's worship of Krsna is topmost, and therefore Her name is Radha, or 'the topmost worshiper."

When we chant the holy names of Radha, we must remind ourselves that we are trying to act on the spiritual platform and so we should be very careful not to commit offenses by considering transcendental subject matter from a mundane point of view. This is somewhat humorously explained by Srila Prabhupada in the following verse and purport (CC Madhya 2.155):

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, " Out of all topics people listen to, which is best for all living entities?"

Ramananda Raya replied, "Hearing about the loving affairs between Radha and Krsna is most pleasing to the ear."
According to Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.33.39)

"He who faithfully hears about the dealings between Lord Krsna and the gopis in the rasa dance and he who describes these activities attain to the perfectional stage of devotional service and simultaneously lose material, lusty desires.

A liberated person who hears about the loving affairs of Radha and Krsna is not inclined to have lusty desires. One mundane rogue once said that when the Vaisnavas chant the name "Radha, Radha," he simply remembers a barber's wife named Radha. This is a practical example. Unless one is liberated, he should not try to hear about the loving affairs between Radha and Krsna. If one is not liberated and listens to a relation of the rasa dance, he may remember his own mundane activities and illicit connections with some woman whose name may also be Radha. In the conditioned stage one should not even try to remember such things. By practicing the regulative principles, one should rise to the platform of spontaneous attraction for Krsna. Then and only then should one hear about Radha-krsna-lila. Although these affairs may be very pleasing both to conditioned soul should not try to hear them. The talks between Ramananda Raya and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are conducted on the platform of liberation.