Sri Krishna Kundastaka
[Eight Prayers Glorifying Syama-kunda]

by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

tim tapas cakara tirtha-laksam aksayam pura
suprasidati sma krsna eva sad varam yatah
yatra vasam apa sadhu tat samasta-durlabhe
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

What austerities did the hundreds of thousands of eternal holy places perform to please Krishna and obtain from Him the benediction to live at Krishna-kunda, the rarest holy place? Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda.

yady arista-danavo pi danado maha-nidher
asmad-adi-durmatibhya ity aho vasiyate
yo mrti-cchalena yatra muktim adbhutam vyadhat
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

If even the Arista demon was able to enter Krishna-kunda, then crooked hearted persons such as us may also be able to live there. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda which, on the pretext of death, grants a wonderful form of liberation.

go-vadhassya niskrtis triloka-tirtha-kotibhi
radhayety avadi tena ta harih samahvayat
yatra parsni-ghata-je mamaj ja ca svayam muda
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

When Radha said, "To atone for killing a cow (Aristasura) You must visit millions of holy places in the three worlds," Krishna called all the holy places and then happily bathed in the lake that sprang from His heel. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda.

kvapi papa-nasa eva karma-bandha-bandhanad
brahma-saukhyam eva visnuloka-vasita kvacit
prema-ratnam atyayatnam eva yatra labhyate
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

At some holy places one becomes free from all sins, at others one becomes free from the bondage of karma, at others one attains Brahman happiness, and at others one attains residence in Visnuloka. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda, where without any effort one attains the jewel of pure love for Krishna.

phulla-madhavi-rasala-nipa-kunja-mandale
bhrnga-koka-kokiladi-kakali yad ancati
asta-yamikavitarka-koti-bheda-saurabham
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

Krishna-kunda is surrounded by groves of mango, kadamba and other trees with many madhavis and other vines. There is the music of cakravakas, cuckoos, and bees. At night there are millions of inconceivable sweet fragrances. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda.

dola-keli-citra-rasa-nrtya-giti-vadanair
nihnava-prasuna-yuddha-sidhu-pana-kautukaih
yatra khelatah kisora-sekharau sahalibhis
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

With gopi friends the two crowns of youth enjoyed many pastimes there. They rode on a swing, danced wonderful rasa-dances, sang, played instrumental music, and talked. In a secluded place They eagerly drank the nectar of a flower-battle. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda.

divya-ratna-nirmitavatara-sara-sausthavais
chatrika viraji caru kuttima-prabha-bharaih
sarva-loka-locanati-dhanyata yato bhavet
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

With the beauty of its glistening jewel shores and the splendor of its canopies and mosaic pavements it brings auspiciousness to all eyes. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda.

mathuram vikunthato pi janma-dhama durlabham
vasakananam tato pi panina dhrto girih
sri-hares tato pi yat param saro ti-pavanam
tatra krsna-kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

The district of Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, is more sacred and difficult to attain than Vaikuntha. The forest where He lived is more sacred still, and the hill lifted by His hand is more sacred than that. More sacred than that is Lord Hari's very purifying lake nearby. Let us glorify residence at Krishna-kunda.

krsna-kunda-tira-vasa-sadhakam pathed idam
yo stakam dhiyam nimajya keli-kunja-rajitoh
radhika-girindradharinoh padambu jesu sa
prema-dasyam eva sighram apnuyad anamayam

May he who reads these eight verses, which convince one to reside at the shore of Krishna-kunda, and who also plunges his mind in the lotus flowers of Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari's feet, quickly attain sincere love for Them.