Various padas in praise of Sri Radha - On Radha nama sankirtan

The holy name of Radha has been glorified in the sastras. Is Radha nama sankirtan performed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas? I have heard in Vrndavan Vaisnava women sing in sankirtan, but I've never heard men do it. Any comments?

There are at least some kirtans composed for this. I'll post them here.

This one, though not particularly a Radha Nama-kirtana, is very relevant.

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zrIla RaghunAtha dAsa GosvAmIra Uddezye Racita GItA BoliyA Pracalita

—The Song on the Life Goal of zrIla RagunAtha dAsa GosvAmI—

by zrIla Gaura Kizora dAsa BAbAjI MahArAja

kothAya go premamayi rAdhe rAdhe
rAdhe, rAdhe go, jaya rAdhe, rAdhe (1)

Where is She who is full of prema? All glories to zrI RAdhA.

dekhA diye prANa rAkho rAdhe rAdhe
tomAra kAGgAla tomAya DAke rAdhe rAdhe (2)

O RAdhA! Please give me your darzana and save my life. Your wretched pauper calls out to you, "RAdhe! RAdhe!"

rAdhe vRndAvana vilAsinI, rAdhe rAdhe
rAdhe kAnu-mana-mohinI rAdhe rAdhe (3)

O RAdhA, You enjoy pleasure pastimes in the forest of VRndAvana wherein You enchant the mind of KRSNa.

rAdhe aSTasakhIra ziromaNi, rAdhe rAdhe
rAdhe vRSabhAnu-nandinI, rAdhe rAdhe (4)

O RAdhe, You are the crest-jewel among Your eight principal sakhIs. O RAdhA, daughter of VRSabhAnu BAbA.

(gosAI) niyam kore sadAI DAke, rAdhe rAdhe (5)

RaghunAtha dAsa GosvAmI was always calling out, "RAdhe! RAdhe!"

(gosAI) ekhAr DAke kezIghATe
AbAr DAke vaMzIvaTe rAdhe rAdhe (6)

. . . sometimes at KezI GhATa, sometimes at VaMzI vaTa.
(gosAI) ekhAr DAke nidhuvane

AbAr DAke kuJjavane rAdhe rAdhe (7)

. . . sometimes in Nidhuvan, sometimes in SevA KuJja.

(gosAI) ekhAr DAke rAdhAkuNDe
AbAr DAke zyAmakuNDe rAdhe rAdhe (8)

. . . sometimes at RAdhA KuNDa, sometimes at zyAma KuNDa.

(gosAI) ekhAr DAke kusumvane
AbAr DAke govardhane rAdhe rAdhe (9)

. . . sometimes at Kusuma Sarovara, sometimes at GirirAja Govardhana.

(gosAI) ekhAr DAke tAlavane
AbAr DAke tamAlvane rAdhe rAdhe (10)

. . . sometimes at TAlavan, sometimes at TamAlvan.

(gosAI) malina vasan diye gAya,
vrahera dhulAya gaDAgaDi jaya rAdhe rAdhe (11)

RaghunAtha dAsa wears simple cloth which appears to be dirty because he is always rolling on the earth crying out, "RAdhe! RAdhe!"

(gosAI) mukhe rAdhA rAdhA bole,
bhAse nayanera jale, rAdhe rAdhe (12)

Calling out "RAdhe! RAdhe," his eyes overflowing with tears.

(gosAI) vRndAvane kuli kuli kende deDAya
rAdhA boli, rAdhe rAdhe (13)

He wanders throughout the lanes of VRndAvana crying out, "RAdhe! RAdhe!"

Here are some Radha Nama-kirtanas composed by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. I am uncertain about the exact source, I would have to do a bit of study for that.

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ramaNI-ziromaNi, vRSabhAnu-nandinI, nIla-vasana-paridhAna
chinna-puraTa jini, varna-vikAzini, baddha-kavarI hari-prANA (1)
AbharaNa-maNDitA, hari-rasa-paNDitA, tilaka-suzobhita-bhAlA
kaJculikAchAditA, stana-maNi-maNDitA, kajjala-nayanI rasAlA (2)
sakala tyajiyA se rAdhA-caraNe, dAsI ho’ye bhaja parama-jatane (3)
saundarya-kiraNa dekhiyA jAhAra, rati-gaurI-lIlA garva-parihAra (4)
zacI-lakSmI-satyA saubhAgya bolane, parAjita hoya yAhAra caraNe (5)
kRSNa-vazIkAre candrAvalI-Adi, parAjaya mAne hoiyA vivAdI (6)
hari-dayitA rAdhA caraNa preyAsI, bhakativinoda zrI-godruma-vAsI (7)

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rasika nAgarI, gaNa-ziromaNi, kRSNa-preme sarahaMsI
vRSabhAnu-rAja, zuddha kalpa-vallI, sarva-lakSmI-gaNa-aMzI (1)
rakta paTTa-vastra, nitamba-upari, khudra ghaNTi dule tA’ya
kuca-yugopari, duli’ muktA-mAlA, citta-hArI zobhA paya (2)
sarasija-bara-karNikA-samAna, atizoya kAntimatI
kaizora-amRta, tAruNya-karpUra, miSra-smitAdharA satI (3)
vanAnte Agata, vraja-pati-suta, parama-caJcala-bare
heri zankAkula, nayana-bhaGgite, Adarete stava kore (4)
vrajera mahilA, gaNera parANa, yazomatI-priya-pAtrI
lalita lalitA snehete praphulla-zarIrA lalita-gAtrI (5)
vizAkhAra sane, vana-phula tuli, gAGthe vaijayantI mAlA
sakala-zreyasI, kRSNa-bakSaH-sthitA, parama-preyasI bAlA (6)
snigdha veNu-rabe, druta-gati jAi, kuJje peye naTavare
hasita-noyanI, namra-mukhI satI, karNa kaNDUyana kore (7)
sparziyA kamala, bAyu su-zItala, kore jabe kuNDa-nIra
nidAghe tathAya, nija-gaNa saha, tuSaya gokula-bIra (8)
bhakativinoda, rUpa-raghunAthe, kohaye caraNa dhori
heno rAdhA-dAsya, sudhIra-sampad, kabe dibe kRpA kori (9)

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varaja-vipine yamunA-kule, maJca manohara zobhita phule (1)
vanaspati-latA tuSaye Akhi, tad upari kata DAkaye pAkhI (2)
malaya anila bahaye dhIre, ali-kula madhu-lobheye phire (3)
vAsantIra rAkA urupa tadA, kaumudI bitore Adare sadA (4)
emata samaye rasika-bara, Arambhilo rAsa mUralIdhara (5)
zata-koTI gopI mAjhete hari, rAdhA-saha nAce Ananda kori (6)
mAdhava-mohinI gAiyA gIta‚ harilo sakala jagata-cita (7)
sthAbara-jaGgama mohilA satI, hArAolo candrA-balIra mati (8)
mathiyA baraja-kizora-mana, antarita hoya rAdhA takhon (9)
bhakativinoda paramAda gaNe, rAsa bhAGgalo (Aji) rAdhA vihane (10)

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zata-koTi gopI mAdhava-mana, rAkhite nArilo kori jatana (1)
veNu-gIte dAke rAdhikA-nAma, eso eso rAdhe! Dakoye zyAma (2)
bhAGgiyA zrI-rAsa-maNDala tabe, rAdhA-anveSaNe calaye jabe (3)
dekhA diyA rAdhe! rAkhoha prANa! boliya kAdaye kAnane kAna (4)
nirjana kAnane, rAdhAre dhori, miliyA parANa juDAya hari (5)
bole, tUhu vinA kAhAra rAsa? tUhu lAgi mora varaja-vAsa (6)
e heno rAdhikA-caraNa-tale, bhakativinoda kAGdiyA bole (7)
“tuwA gaNa-mAjhe AmAre gaNi, kinkorI koriyA rakho apani” (8)

This one is a traditional kirtan not attributed to any specific author to the best of my understanding. We used to hear it sung in Gaudiya Math now and then. I don't know about elsewhere.

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VRndAvana VilAsinI, RAdhe, RAdhe

rAdhe, rAdhe, rAdhe, rAdhe
vRndAvana vilAsinI, rAdhe, rAdhe
vRSabhAnu-nandinI, rAdhe, rAdhe
govinda-nandinI, rAdhe, rAdhe
kAnu-mana-mohinI, rAdhe, rAdhe
aSTasakhIra ziromaNi, rAdhe, rAdhe
param karuNAmayI, rAdhe, rAdhe
prema bhakti pradAyinI, rAdhe, rAdhe
ei bAra more doyA koro, rAdhe, rAdhe
aparAdha kSamA koro, rAdhe, rAdhe
sevA adhikAra diyo, rAdhe, rAdhe
tomAra kAGgAla tomAya Dako, rAdhe, rAdhe

If you want to have them with Balaram diacritics, drop me a note.

Radhey, Radhey blessed devotees!

This wonderful, delicious 'Prema Rasa Sankirtana Pada' is from 'Sri Radha Madhuri' of

"Prema-Rasa-Madira" i.e. Wine of Divine Love, composed by Jagadguru Sri Kripaluji Maharaj.

Singing or listening to this kirtana makes devotees of Radha Pyari extremely happy.

hamArI swAminI rAdhe rAnI!

My All in all is my Precious Radha Rani.

She alone is our eternal Mistress and She is our ever worshippable goddess and Divine Consort.

zrIvRSabhAnu kizorI, bhorI, sarala prema-sukha-khAnI,

Srimati Radhika, the darling  Daughter of King Vrishbhanu, is always youthful.

Her natural, simple, sweet, innocent Personality is the mine of Divine Love and the treasure-house of Divine Bliss.

zrIbarasAno nitya dhAma aru, vRndAvana rajadhAnI,

The Blessed village of Barsana is Her eternal Abode and the enchanting Divine Vrindavana is privileged to become the Royal Capital for Amorous pastimes.

sakhina jUtha sanga, nita prati navarasa, barasAvati manamAnI,

Along with Her intimate eternal Associates and their groups of unlimited playmate Sakhis, Sri Radhaji, continuously rains down the torrential currents of Bliss of Prema Rasa, according to Her loving moods and ecstasies.

tAla, tamAla, rasAla bola nita, "rAdhe, rAdhe" vANI,

In that Land of Love, only ONE sound is ever echoing,

the mantra of "Radhey! Radhey! Radhey!",

as the sacred palm trees, dark tamala trees and delicious mango trees,

absorbed in their meditational trance,

chanting loudly the Divine Name of their Beloved.

siMhAsana ArUdha calata jaba, karata brahma agavAnI,

When Sri Radhika visits the enchanting garden bowers of Vrindavana, seated on a golden throne and carried by Her loving servants, the Supreme Personality of Godhead walks in front of the procession recounting with pride, Her unlimited Glories to all.

lakhi 'kRpAlu' balijAta kahata hari, 'jayati! jayati! maharANI!'

In the concluding verse, the Saint-Poet sings:-

Overwhelmed with Love, just by looking at His Soul, Sri Radha,

Lord Krishna surrenders Himself totally to Her incomprehensible charms and Her inconcievable, fathomless Divine Love and loudly proclaims in spiritual ecstasy,

"All glories to My great Queen, all glories to My Radha Rani!"

Jayati! Jayati! Maharani, Radhey!

Jaya Sri Radhey!

Jaya Sri Radhey!

Here is another 'Radha Nama Sankirtana'  from '"Prema Rasa Madira" of Sri Kripaluji Maharaj.

This hilarious 'pada' is sung in a joyful tune and consists of the rhythum of skilfully selected rhyming words with double meaning.

The Rasik-Poet is describing the transcendental beauty of Srimati Radharani for remembrance and contemplation by the fortunate, dedicated souls!

rangIlI rAdhA rasikan prAN

The Sweet Colorful Girl, Rangili Radha, is the life breath of Rasik Saints, the sole Treasure of his (her) soul!
His (Her) all in all is Radhapyari !

sarasa kizorI kI rasa bori, bhorI mRdu musukAn

Not only Sri Radhaji is ever drowned in the ecstasies of Divine Bliss Herself, but with Her enchanting, sweet, innocent smile, She plunges the Rasik devotees also in the Ocean of Divine Love!


subaran baran gaura tanu subaran, nIla baran paridhAn,
kanakan mukuTa laTan kI laTakani, bhrukuTin kuTila kamAn
kanakana kaMkan, kanakana kiMkini, kanakana kuNDala kAn

Her glowing golden complexion is complimented by the flowing, blue silken garment.
The brilliant golden girdle on Her thin waist,
the golden bangles on Her tender lotus hands,
the swinging earrings on Her charming ears,
Her royal bejewelled crown,
Her lovely, dark curly locks of hair and
Her cute, curved bow like eye-brows .....

lakhi lAjata zRMgAra lADalihi, kaha lauM kariya bakhAn

..have become the source of shame even to the Goddess of Beauty Personified!

What more can be told regarding Her transcendental Charm!
She is simply enticing the hearts of the blessed spectators!

hota 'kRpAlu' nichAvar jApar, sundara zyAma sujAn

In the concluding verse the Saint-Poet reminds the devotees, that the All Attractive, the Almighty, the Supreme Personality, the All Blissful God, Shyama Sundara, Lord Krshna also surrenders HIMSELF to the captivating Divine Beauty of His Soul, Srimati Radharani !  

Boliye Rangili Sarkar, Radha Thakurani ki jai!

Jaya, Jaya Sri Radhey!

That song is said by Saraswati Thakur to have been sung by Gaur Kishor Das Babaji. There is more to it. This is actually what you call "Akhar" format, or improvised lyrics that get introduced into a regularly composed kirtan.

Jaya Sri Radhey!
Dear blessed devotees of Srimati Radhikaji!

For our Raganuga devotional sadhana, Prema-Rasa-Acarya has composed this contemplative Hymn -
ARATI ADORATION to Srimati Radha Rani.

This 'pada'- KIRTANA is sung by devotees, visualising the Gopis performing Arati Ceremony to Their Swamini Srimati Radharani.

The melodious tune is exactly same as in, "AratI kunja bihari kI," -  sung by the famous Indian vocal artist- Srimati Anuradha Paduwal.

AratI bhAnu dulArI kI,
ki zrI barasAne vArI kI.

Let me joyfully perform the most glorious ARATI to the Princess, darling Daughter of King Vrshabhanu and to the simple village Girl of Divine Barsana Dhama!

virAjai siMhAsana zyAmA,
divya zrI vrndAvana dhAmA
DhurAvai cAmvar sughara bAmA,
paloTai paga pUraNa kAmA,

lalI paga aGk,
cApi nizzaGk,
zyAma janu raGk,

pAyi nidhi pArasa pyArI kI  

Sri Kishoriji - My Radhika has been seated upon
the golden throne in the Divine Abode of eternal Vrindavana Dhama.

On Her both sides, Her most beautiful maidens-Gopis, are standing and delightfully waving the feathered fans.

The "Purna-Kama" Absolute Brahman, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Whose desires are ever fulfilled, is tenderly massaging the lotus-feet of His Soul Radha Pyari without any hesitation!

Moreover He is totally lost in the transcendendental ecstasy just as an ordinary penniless man has found a treasure of touch (philosopher) stone.

(Philosopher's stone is capable of converting any metal into gold)

gaura sira kanaka mukuTa rAjai,
candrikA cAru suchavi hAjai,
kuTila kuntala ali bhala bhrAjai,
lakhata jehi zikhi kalApa lAjai,

mAmga sindhUr,
motiyan pUr,
sajIvani mUr,

brahma govardhana dhArI kI.  

The description of Sri Radharani's ornaments from head to toe (nakha-zikha-paryantha) is given for meditation.

Her head is charmingly adorned with bejeweled golden tiara with an elegant swinginging central decoration, candrika.

Her soft, lovely locks of dark beautiful hair are putting shame to the attractive plumes of peacock-tail.

Her forehead is decorated with sparkling sindhur-the red auspicious poweder-dye and with the hanging rows of brilliant pearls.

Let me offer the glorious Arati ceremony to My Radhaji,
Who alone is the Life giving Soul of Sat-Cit-Ananda-Brahma, the Lifter of Govardhana Mountain, Lord Sri Krishna.

zravaNa bica karaNaphUl jhalakai,
nAsikA bica besar halakai,
nayana bica prema sudhA chalakai,
bandhu bala ke lakhi lakhi lalakai,

capala-natha-camak,
dazana-duti-damak,
sumikhi-mukha-ramak,

madhura musukani sukumArI kI  

Sri Radhikaji's shapely ears are shining with flowery ornaments and Her cute nose ring is delicately dancing on Her moon like face.
Her large, lotus eyes are overflowing with the Nectar of Divine Love and tempting even the Brother of Unshakable, Mighty Balarama, Sri Syama Sundar!

Let me offer the glorious Arati ceremony to Sri Radhaji,
Whose bright teeth and innocent sweet smiles
are ever captivating the minds and hearts of the fortunate onlookers.

motiyan lar ura maNi mAlA,
cibuka jhalakata ik til kAlA,
zaMbhu zuka dai samg kara tAlA,
lalI guna gAvati braja-bAlA,

kabahu mukha murani,
kabahu dRga durani,
kabahu dRga jurani,

kabahu sudhi bhurani bihArI kI.  

Her attractive bosom has been decorated with layers of pearl necklaces and golden chains of precious stones.
A black beauty spot of musk is placed on Her chin to deter the envious looks of impure e

yes.

The Maha-Bhagavata, Lord Siva and Sri Suka Deva Paramahamsa are playing the heavenly, musical instruments while the Gopi-Bhava Rasik Saints, Nitya Siddha  Gopikas are extolling the Divine virtues of Radhikaji and singing with their melodious, faltering voice.

Due to Her natural modesty,
now and then Radhapyari moves Her looks away from Her Sweetheart, throwing Him into the restlessness of separation and also into the unbearable anxiety for reunion.

As Her intoxicating looks return to fall back upon Sri Krishna, Lord could not contain the Bliss of Her Divine Love and forgets Himself entering into ecstatic Trance!

Please join me and enjoy the glorious Arati ceremony of My Queen Radha.

kinArina jarina nIla sArI,
kaMcukI kumkuma rang vArI,
curI kara, kaGkaNa manhArI,
chIna kaTi kiJkiNi chavi nyArI,

pAyalin pagani,
mihAvari lagani,
bichuvani nagani,

'kRpAlu' sukIrti-kumArI kI

Arati bhAnu-dulArI kI,
ki zrI barasAne vArI kI !

Sri Radhikaji is robed in the elegant blue silk saree with a golden border and in the well-fitting pinkish-red blouse.
Her tender lotus hands are adorned with golden bangles and Her thin waist with the the golden girdle of jingling bells.

Her sacred lotus feet are decorated with attractive designs of red lac (henna) dye and golden anklets of dancing bells.
The ornaments of precious toe-rings are shining upon Her cool moon like toes.

The Rasik Saint Sri Kripaluji, in the concluding verse, requesting all the blessed souls-

Let us offer the auspicious Arati ceremony to the most beautiful, merciful Radharani Who has appeared on earth as the delicate, Divine Daughter of Mother Kirti Devi!

(Source- 'Arati Madhuri' of Prema-Rasa-Madira by Sri Kripaluji Maharaj)

All Glories to Sri Radhaapyaari, Sukumaari !

Jaya, Jaya Sri Radhey!