Krsna Chalisa

[Paramananda das]

Krsna Chalisa
In Uttar Pradesh sometimes I would hear people chant Krsna Chalisa and I found out it was written by one Sundardas that lived at Durvasa Munis asrama accross from Yamuna ,It is a very popular Chalisa ,like a prayer or Kavacha if you want ,I am not sure if is written in Vraja Bhasa or just in plain Hindi but many chant it daily even in Vrindavana ,so on travelling sankirtana I heard of the Krsna Chalisa that people chanted it also in Naimisaranya ,many devotees from different Sampradayas chant it so it very popular,he has mentioned Krsna killed Kakasura ,a demon in the form of a crow..I have not heard of this crow demon in Krsna lila but there was a Kakasura in Rama Lila"I Vrindavana many chant it daily also
Bhagvan Sri Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman were residing in the Chitrakuta Mountain during their exile period in the Ramayana. Kakasura, son of Indra, in the form a crow was flying over the Chitrakuta and noticed the divine couple.
Sri Ram was lying on the lap of Mata Sita and sleeping. Kakasura came in the form crow and scratched Mata Sita. The painful cry of Sita woke up Sri Ram.
Bhagavan Sri Ram immediately realized that the crow was Kakasura. He took up a sharp blade of grass, infused into it the spell of Brahma and directed it at the crow.
Fearing for his life, Kakasura flew all over the world. But the divine arrow followed him.
Trimurtis, Devas and Saints could not save Kakasura. Finally, Kakasura took refuge at the feet of Sri Ram.
Bhagvan Sri Ram said that the Brahmastra could never become futile so the arrow will hit the right eye of Kakasura. Accordingly, the arrow struck the right of eye of Kakasura.

 
Krishna Chalisa
Krishna Chalisa means a prayer of "forty verses", which praise and entreat Sri Krishna with devotion. They are recited over and over again to recall the virtues of Krishna, the Lord, in order to aid the disciple to meditate on good and righteous qualities.
ll Doha ll
Banshi Shobhit Kar Madhur, Neel Jalad Tanu Shyam l
Arun Adhar Janu Bimba Phal, Nayan Kamal Abhiraam ll
Puran Indu Arvind Mukha, Pitaambar Shubha Saaj l
Jai Manmohan Madan Chhavi, Krishnachandra Maharaj ll
The sweet sounding flute embellishes your hands, your body dark of hue is like the blue lotus. Your crimson lips are like the bimba fruit, and your eyes are like the pleasing lotuses. Your face is like a fresh- blossoming lotus and radiating like the full moon, and you are beautifully attired in your yellow silken costume.
ll Chaupai ll
Jai Yadunandan Jai Jagvandan, Jai Vasudev Devki Nandan
Jai Yashoda Sut Nanda Dulaare, Jai Prabhu Bhaktan Ke Rakhavaare
Glory, glory to the son of the Yadav race, glory to one who is universally adored; glory to the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. Glory to the beloved son of Yashoda and Nanda, glory to you, O Lord, the protector of your devotees.
Jai Natanaagar Naag Nathaiyaa, Krishna Kanhaiya Dhenu Charaiya
Puni Nakh Par Prabhu Girivar Dhaaro, Aao Deenan Kasht Nivaaro
Glory to the most accomplished player, the subduer of the Naag (cobra snake, you are indeed Kanhaiya, the cowherd. O Lord! You uplifted the Govardhan mountain on the nail of your small finger, Pray come and free the helpless from their distress.
Bansi Madhur Adhar Dhari Teri, Hove Puran Manorath Meri
Aao Hari Puni Maakhan Chaakho, Aaj Laaj Bhaktan Ki Raakho
O Lord, you have the sweet flute touching your lips, Pray fulfill our wishes. Come again, O Lord to eat makkhan (cream), And protect your devotee’s honor this day.
Gol Kapol Chibuk Arunaare, Mridul Muskaan Mohini Daare
Ranjit Raajiv Nayan Vishaalaa, Mor Mukut Vaijayanti Maalaa
With reddish chubby cheeks, Your smile is gentle (soft and sweet) and bewitching. You have large lotus-like eyes, you wear crown adorned with peacock feather and you wear Vaijayanti garland.
Kundal Shravan Peetpat Aache, Kati Kinkini Kaachhan Kaachhe
Neel Jalaj Sundar Tanu Sohe, Chhavi Lakhi Sur Nar Muni Mana Mohe
Your ears are elegantly adorned with gold ear-rings, while the trinkets on your corset and the lovely kachani are looking graceful. Gods and humans and sages are entranced at the sight of your beautiful and magnificent body which is like the blue lotus.
Mastak Tilak Alak Ghunghraale, Aao Shyaam Bansuri Vaale
Kari Pai Paan, Putanaahin Taaryo, Akaa Bakaa Kaaga Sur Maaryo
Your forehead is decorated with tilak with lovely braided hair on your head; Please come, O Shyam, the flute player. You liberated the demoness Putana when as a baby, you sucked the dreadful breast of Putana drawing out poison along with her life. Also you killed many a demons like Akaasur, Bakaasur and Kagaasur.
Madhuvan Jalat Agni Jab Jvaala, Bhaye Sheetal ,Lakhitahin Nandalala
Surpati Jab Brij Chadhyo Risaai, Musar Dhaar Baari Barsaai
When wild fire broke out in the forest Madhuvan, Nandalala swallowed up that fierce conflagration and restored the cool. The ruler of gods, Indra, was angered, and Indra produced over Vraj a deluge causing the rains to come down in torrents of cataclysmic and violent downpour.
Lagat-Lagat Brij Chahan Bahaayo, Govardhan Nakhdhari Bachaayo.
Lakhi Yashodaa Man Bhram Adhikaai, Mukh Mahan Chaudah Bhuvan Dikhaai
When entire Vraj was being drowned, the Lord saved Vraj by uprooting with one hand Mount Govardhan and sheltering Vraj under it. For removing doubts in mother Yashoda's mind, you displayed, within your mouth, the fourteen spheres.
Dusht Kansa Ati Udham Machaayo, Koti Kamal Kahan Phul Mangaayo.
Naathi Kaaliyahin Tab Tum Linhen, Charanchinh Dai Nirbhay Kinhe
When wicked Kansa was causing great havoc, and demanded that a crore of lotus flowers be sent to him. By overpowering and subduing Kaliya, you provided safety for all.
Kari Gopin Sang Raas Vilaasa, Sab Ki Puran Kari Abhilashaa
Ketik Mahaa Asur Sanhaaryo, Kansahi Kesh Pakadi Dai Maaryo
You fulfilled the desires of all the Gopis by playing Raas with them. You eliminated innumerable powerful demons, and with Kansa, grasping him tightly by the hair, you dragged him hard and killed him.
Maatu Pitaa Ki Bandi Chhudaayi, Ugrasen Kahan Raaj Dilaayi
Mahi Se Mritak Chhaho Sut Laayo, Matu Devaki Shok Mitaayo
Having secured the release of his mother and father from bondage, you restored to Ugrasen his lost kingdom. You brought back the six dead sons of Devaki from the underworld and freed her from grief.
Bhomaasur Mura Daitya Sanhaari, Laaye Shatdash Sahas Kumaari
Dai Bhinhin Trincheer Sanhaara, Jaraasindhu Raakshas Kahan Maara
You killed the demon Bhomasur and also the demon Mura; and freed sixteen thousand maidens who were kept in bondage by Narkasur. By a cryptic signal by splitting a twig you instructed Bhima as to how Jarasandha can be slain.
Asur Vrikaasur Aadik Maaryo, Bhaktan Ke Tab Kasht Nivaariyo
Deen Sudaamaa Ke Dukh Taaryo, Tandul Teen Muthi Mukh Daaryo
By killing many demons like Vrikaasur, you eased the distress of your devotees. You removed poor Sudama's poverty, and you ate with relish three handfuls of beaten rice.
Prem Ke Saag Vidura Ghar Maange, Duryodhan Ke Mevaa Tyaage
Laakhi Premki Mahimaa Bhaari, Naumi Shyam Deenan Hitkaari
You ate simple vegetables at the house of devotees like Vidur in preference to the rich fare at Duryodhan's palace. O Shyama! O compassionate to the poor! Having witnessed your abounding grace and glory, I bow to you.
Bhaarath Ke Paarath Rath Haanke, Liye Chakra Kar Nahin Bal Thaake
Nij Gitaa Ke Gyaan Sunaaye, Bhaktan Hriday Sudhaa Barsaaye
You drove chariot during the battle of Mahabharata; you remained unwearied with the discus in your hand. You communicated the wisdom of the Gita and let the hearts of your devotees abound with the nectar of love.
Meera Thi Aisi Matvaali, Vish Pee Gayi Bajaakar Taali
Raanaa Bhejaa Saamp Pitaari, Shaaligraam Bane Banvaari
Mira, your devotee, was so totally engrossed with unbounded devotion to you, that brimming with joy she even drank poison. When O Banavaari, the Rana sent a basket containing a snake, you assumed the form of a Shaligram stone.
Nij Maayaa Tum Vidhihin Dikhaayo, Urate Sanshay Sakal Mitaayo
Tav Shat Nindaa Kari Tatkaalaa, Jivan Mukt Bhayo Shishupaalaa
By revealing your illusory powers to Brahma, you dispelled all his misgivings. When Shishupala reviled you, you terminated his life.
Jabahin Draupadi Ter Lagaai, Deenanaath Laaj Ab Jaai
Asa Anaatha Ke Naath Kanhaiyaa, Dubat Bhanvar Bachaavat Naiyaa
When Draupadi sought your help by pleading, 'O Lord of the distressed! My honor is at stake!' You are, O Kanhaiya, so great a guardian of the helpless orphan that you rescue every sinking boat from the whirlpool of life.
Sundardaas Aas Ura Dhaari, Dayadrishti Keeje Banwaari
Naath Sakal Mam Kumati Nivaaro, Chhamobegi Apraadh Hamaaro
O Lord! Sundardas, an inmate of the hermitage of Durvasa, beseeches You to grant his wishes. O Lord! Dispel all ignorance from his heart and forgive him his faults.
Kholo Pat Ab Darshan Deeje, Bolo Krishna Kanhaiya Ki Jai
May you reveal yourself to him by opening the door of his heart. May we all sing 'Victory, victory to you, Lord Krishna, glory to Kanhaiya!'
ll Doha ll
Krishna chandra ke naam Se, hot praphullit gaay,
tan ghaatak paatak tarat, rog duri hoy jaay.
Chaalisaa jo nit padhai, Kathin kasht kati jaai,
dhan jan bal vidyaa badhaai, nit nar sukh sarsai.
Yah chalisa Krishna ka, path kare ur dhaari,
asht siddhi nav niddhi phal, lahe padaarath chaari.
Whoever with cheerfulness sings this song will have his (or her) three types of troubles removed and will be freed from sins and diseases.
Those who recite this Krishna Chalisa with faith and devotion can acquire eight siddhis (supernatural powers through Yoga, viz., anima, mahima, garima, laghima, prapti, prakamya, ishitva and vashitva) and the nine types of treasures.