Pranam Ballari - The glories of Sri Radhikaji

This has been posted elsewhere on the web by a bhakta named Nityasundara. With his permission I will copy it here.

Radhastami is rapidly approaching and I think these verses will please Her as well as the Vaisnavas attending this forum. I thank Dasaratha Suta dasji for these beautiful translations.

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- Pranam Ballari - "A Desire-Fulfilling Creeper Blooming With Prayer Flowers" -

The Author

Delivered by the hand of Sri Radhe Syama Banka, a great devotee of Srimati Radharani and contemporary member of Gita Press, this book Pranam Ballari follows the lilas and gunas of Hers which have been described in the glorious books of the Goswamis headed by Sri Rüpa, Sri Sanãtana, Sri Raghunatha das, Sri Jiva, Sri Prabodhânanda Sarasvati. Sri Krishnadasa Kaviraja, Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti. and many others. Thus our devoted author Sri Rädhe Syama has proven himself to be a great modern-day saint by compiling such a wonderful book, which is the essence of all the Vraja literatures that verily reveal the innermost core of the heart of Sri Vrindävan.

Being very humble and modest about this great creation, Radhe Syama resides in the Gita Gardens, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, in a very reclusive way. Not displaying his ardent devotional practices publicly, he has collected all the beautiful poems of Pranäm Ballari over a period of 15-20 years. The first edition was published in 1965 with only 108 pranams (one mala). The second edition was published in 1982, and included 108 more pranams, totalling 216. The author has noted that the book is the balli (or creeper) and the individual flowerlike offerings are the pranams (or obeisances).

Without a doubt, the assembly of devotees will remain eternally indebted to Sri Radhe Syama Bankä for penning such a jewel of a divine literary masterpiece as Pranam Ballari The Vaisnavas are so grateful because this is exactly the type of literature which puts into words the inexpressible realizations and revelations of mercy which similarly overwhelms each of their own hearts...


Sri Radha's Divine Names and Qualities

In the highest realm of the spiritual sky known as Goloka Vrindãvan, all living entities are flowing along the current of Vraja Consciousness. This living flow of divine conscious rasa also permeates any book, any thought or any word which deals with the subject of Vrindavan. In the Brahma-samhita, this transcendental realm is described to be the place where every word is a song. and every step a dance; where even the birds and bees, like the people there, constantly sing songs which give vocal expression to the living current of the ever-flowing gushing ecstasy that circulates everywhere as swirling conscious liquid rasa-patterns. These live, blissful patterns of flowing Vraja- mellows just quick-change so spontaneously from one color-pattern format to the next, in a most amazingly pleasing fashion of heavenly fulfillment.

This book Pranam Ballari gives a tiny sample of the type of songs all the people, the bees, parrots and all animate and inanimate beings in Goloka constantly sing in praise of Sri Rädhikã, the Queen of Vrindavan. From time to time this conscious blissful rasa fills the minds and hearts of Srimati”s devotees, and they thereby write books which reveal the wonderful way in which the rasa-flow systematically glorifies Her divine qualities. Sri Kisori has 25 principal gunas or qualities which are described by Srila Rüpa Goswami in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu; these qualities branch out into unlimited qualities, which are perpetually glorified by the moving and non-moving residents of Vraja-dhäma. In describing some of these endless qualities, this book Pranam Ballari gives a sweet glimpse of Sukumari Radha as the very Heart of Vrindavan.


Inconceivable Vraja-Moods

This book is of inestimable value for the execution of serious bhajan. The idea in Vrindavan is that since Sri Krishna is worshipped with His crown at Her feet. then that glorious soul who worships Her (the Vrindavanesvari) will definitely taste the absolute highest limit of transcendental service-bliss which is unavailable even for those devoted exclusively to Sri Krishna. (See Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi. verses 148, 149, 176, by Sri1a Prabodhananda Sarasvati.)

All these things are quite well-known in Vrindavan. Krishna is even worshipped there without His flute, because it is stolen every day by Radhika and Her sakhis; therefore Her name is ‘Harã’ (the She-thief), which comes in the maha-mantra as ‘Hare’ (in the vocative). She steals His flute as well as His mind (Madana-mohana-mohini). Whoever seriously performs the bhajan outlined in Pranam Ballari can witness such a glow of sweetness in their life as to attain the successful fulfillment of all genuine spiritual desires. Kishori’s heart is so incredibly soft (because She’s the very heart of Krishna revealed in personified sweetness) that whoever worships Her can taste the ecstatic mellows of Vraja-rasa so easily, by Her special kind favor. The reason behind this is -- Rädhikä is so, so dear to Krishna that when He sees a devotee having unflinching, honest devotion for the lotus feet of His most Beloved. then He practically swoons in ecstatic delight. He can’t resist it -- He may jump off His throne, embrace that devotee, kiss her, and offer remnants of His chewed betel into her mouth. He removes His own flower garland and places it around the neck of that fortunate devotee, finally offering the gift of the highest form of eternal personal service to Sri Rãdhâ -- just to please Her even more and more. (See Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi. verse 118.)


How to proceed
How to use this book

And that is the deep purpose behind books such as this Pranam Ballari It is a powerful tool -- so powerful that it can completely enchant even the super-aloof Supreme Personality of Godhead. But one really has to do the bhajan. Worship of the heart of Vrindãvan is not a cheap affair for the imitative sahajiya, nor a topic of gossip for the materialistic sensationaists; it is serious eternal life, eternal worship. Whoever learns to perform Vraja- bhajan properly will easily receive the causeless mercy and blessings of Sri Radhika and one’s life will definitely be transformed into Goloka at every step -- all problems will be solved once and for all, and one will feel safe permanently.

Needless to say, the esoteric nature and vocabulary of the rasa is very difficult to express with the words of the dry, emotionless English language. The native language of Vraja is actually very deep and ecstatic. Attempting to find suitable English synonyms is just a hopeless dream; nevertheless, the English has been stretched as far as humanly possible in an effort to give a faint glimpse of the original sweetness of the songs. Prayer is herewith submitted to the magnanimous readers to try to enter into the bhava, or transcendental emotional mood of Sri Rädhikä’s holy names and qualities, overlooking the deficiencies of this English style of transcreation. The reflections on Her qualities can be memorized so that the spontaneous appearance of one of Her names on your lips may discharge an ocean of sweetness at every step in life.

Whether speaking with others, while walking, resting, working -- anytime, anywhere, the lilas may be simultaneously served day and night with practice. This is facilitated by the easy picture-format as presented within this book. Each page is a living lila-bubble that gives a briefly outlined image of live lila-movies that are playing even now within the screening-room of your heart. Since the minimum of words are put on each page, it is therefore up to the noble readers to fill in the rest of the details and thus be swept away by pure meditation on the only reality of divine living pastimes. This is where we belong eternally, and only here will we find the bliss that we have always looked for (but forgot about). Change any channel on the lila film spool! All the lilas exist right now, and aren’t we just cheating ourselves by not taking advantage of Srimati Radharani's causeless mercy? She is just so eager to bless us with genuine realization of Her own living mellow sweetness.

Provided with a clear picture of the goal, such a potent connection to the Vraja-source of the jiva’s very life-force will vitalize one’s being with a special sakti. This Vraja-sakti (which is Sri Radhã Herself) will, in time, and by the guru’s grace, give one a solid footing in Goloka-lilä. Such a realization will allow you to not only feel the presence of Sri Yamunã flowing nearby, but it will simultaneously let you see exactly how so many aspects of that divine realm have been partially reflected here and there within the material sphere. This view can extinguish all your material tribulations, for you then understand how Vraja-dhama is Herself a fully conscious Sakhi of Radha, and you feel how Vraja moves and swells along with the cintamani fountainhead spouting source of ecstatic flowing liquid living rasa. This flow causes one to submit in eternal, submissive surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Guru, and to happily act for the eternal pleasure of the Divine Couple.

Needless to say, it is not a cheap thing to remain absorbed in divine lilas - it is an amazing privilege. And if one actually has some sublime experiences by Divine Grace while practicing the secret sadhana as outlined in this book, then that will never become a topic for loose talk to be spread amongst faithless persons or neophyte devotees. All of these transcendental topics are highly confidential, and it is only by Divine Grace that this book has been assembled and presented here before your eyes.

One should definitely strive to develop internally in the finer aspects of Krishna Conscious residence in Vraja, while externally we must remain absorbed in following the standard rules and regulations as practiced in the preaching mission of our Spiritual Master. This will form the perfect combination for profound, steady advancement in Krishna Consciousness as outlined by Srila Rüpa Goswami in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu.

The translator makes no claim to any realization of the topics explained within this book or in the various Introductions; the information has been compiled merely as a deeper study into the heart of Vrindàvan. Whatever knowledge that has been gathered as the result of living in Vrindivan and observing the moods of the Brijbasis, is presented herein for the benefit of the reader. Whether we are translating these things or reading them, we must all remain lifelong students of Vraja-consciousness as given to us by Mahaprabhu and our spiritual master.

The role played by books such as this Pranam Ballari is simply to give a glimpse of that ultimate devotional destination for those who have attained the divine perfection that arises from properly worshiping their guru.

First Mala
1) SHOBHAMAYI - She Who radiates splendrous beauty

She Whose smile
makes the moonbeams
shining within the forest bower
perk up and radiate still more brightly

Whose speech
creates an atmosphere
of undulating waves
like the sweetest lute music

Whose sheer beauty
diffuses a brilliant aura
of Her charms and loveliness
throughout the forest clearing

May this SHOBHAMAYI Sri Radha
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

2) NRITYA—NIPUNA- She Who is very expert in the art of dancing


Whose dancing sweetness
when discussed amongst
the parrots and cuckoos
makes them all forget
the very time of day

Whose artistic dance-step
completely astonishes
and stuns the Yamuna river
so much so
that it stops flowing

Whose ecstatic dancing form
is so lively
that even the frisky peacock
in amazement falls
motionless in every limb

May this NRITYA-NIPUNA Sri Rädhã
kindly accept my most humble pranãm
at Her divine lotus feet

3) CHATA-MAYI - She Who is effulgent with many types of auras

Before the effulgence
of Whose hair
waves of beautiful dark clouds
bow their heads in shame

Before the effulgence
of Whose teeth
garlands of glowing pearls
are helplessly defeated

Before the effulgence
of Whose fingernails
rows of glittering diamonds
must lower their gaze

May this CHATA—MAYI Sri Rãdhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

4) CHANCHALA - She Whose features are perpetually moving in a fickle manner

Whose fickle eye-movements
are exhibited only to the slightest degree
by the most fascinating wagtail bird
(who enchants the minds of the best relishers)

whose fickle mental changes
are just barely mirrored
by the God of Love, Kandarpa
(who can agitate the entire universe)

Whose fickle foot movements
are hardly simulated
by the flighty motion of the bumblebee
(who frolics from flower to flower)

May this CHANCHALA Sri Radha
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

5) VIRODHABHASIKA- She Who appears concealed by contradictions

Who, although eternally as the wife of another
is also eternally as His own wife

Who, although externally His left-wing antagonist
is also internally His right-wing protagonist

Who, although appearing to be the worshipper
is actually the most worshipable

May this VIRODHABHASIKA Sri Rãdhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

6) MADHURA GUNJA RAVATI- She Whose ornaments emit many sweet soft sounds

Whose bangles
resound so sweetly
pouring the topmost cherished nectar
into Her Most Beloved’s ears

Whose ornamental belt
of tiny tinkling bells
vibrates so sweetly
just to give Supreme happiness
to Her Most Beloved’s mind

Whose anklets
chime so sweetly
step after step
just to fill Her Most Beloved
with the topmost ecstasy

May this MADHURA GUNJA RAVATI Sri Rädha
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

7) MAHIMA~MAYI - She Who abounds in wonderful glories

The dust of Whose feet
is the balm for the eyes
of Her cowherd girlfriends

The dust of Whose feet
is the beautiful decoration
of Her Most Beloved Syama

The dust of Whose feet
is the playground
for the thoughts of the relishers

May this MAHIMA-MAYI Sri Rädhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

8) SUNAYANA - She Who has the most beautiful eyes

Seeing the perfect shape
of Whose eyes
the dazed lotus sways to and fro

Seeing the fickle restlessness
of Whose eyes
the wagtail bird goes insane

Seeing the harmless innocence
of Whose eyes
the deer begin to dance

May this SUNAYANA Sri Rãdhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

9) SUNAMNI - She Who has the nicest name

Whose dearest name
infuses Her Beloved’s soul
with vital life-force

Whose dearest name
always rides upon the waves
of melodies resounding
in the voices of Her girlfriends

Whose dearest name
always glides and dances lightly
upon the murmuring notes of His flute

May this SUNAMNI Sri Radhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

10) RUPAPLAVINI - She Whose sheer beauty inundates everyone and everything —— even beauty itself

The gently swaying nose-pearl
above Whose ruby lips
diffuses its own deep radiance


The random twinkling of diamond-like teeth
between Whose ruby lips
radiates a divinely beautiful aura


The silent dot of black musk
below Whose ruby lips
reveals a vision of Her pastimes of love

May this RUPAPLAVINI Sri Rãdha
kindly accept
my most humble pranãm
at Her divine lotus feet

11) SUMUKHI- She Who has the most gorgeous face

The orb of Whose face
a treasurehouse
of limitless beautiful features

The splendor of Whose face
Which, when gazed upon,
is encompassed by Priya ‘s eyes

The loveliness of Whose face
thus completely dispels
all the woes of Priya

May this SUMUKHI Sri Rädhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

12) PRIYATAM—PAGI- She Whose activities are totally
in step with Her Beloved

Who sometimes
weaves a flower garland
for Priyatam’s ornamentation

Who sometimes
makes a soft bed
for Priyatam to rest on

Who sometimes
plays rousing lute notes
just to charm and stimulate Priyatam

May this PRIYATAM-PAGI Sri Rãdhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

13) SYAMA-BIHARINI - She Who eternally plays sportive games with Syama

Whose topmost relish
to play water-sports
with Priyatam Syama
in the gentle babbling waves
of the holy river Yamuna

Whose eternal sport. . .
to play hide-and-seek
with Priyatam Syama
from grove to grove
in the riverbank forests

Whose cherished fun. . .
to sport a grand swing-festival
with Priyatam Syama
at the chirping bower-house
in the flowery garden park

May this SYAMA—BIHARINI Sri Rädha
kindly accept my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

14) SYAMAHLADINI- She Who always gives great pleasure to Syama In many ways

Sometimes singing -- sometimes dancing
Who gives comfort and joy
to Syama by numerous fine arts

Sometimes feeding -- sometimes offering drinks
Who gives Syama a reception
by serving numerous tasty eatables

Sometimes angry -- some times smiling
Who overwhelms Syama
with sheer ecstasy
by numerous playful moods

May this SYAMAHLADINI Sri Rãdhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

15) SYAMADHINA- She Who is submissive to Syama

Whose mind
always merged
in thoughts of Syama

Whose ears
always anxious
for the music of Syama’s flute

Whose body
always a plaything
for Syama‘s long arms

May this SYAMADHINA Sri Radha
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

16) PARAMA LOBHANIYA - She Who Is His topmost
desirable object

Whose pearl nose-ring
the most gratifying sight
for Syama‘s eyes

Whose numerous qualities
the choicest topic
of collection and recollection
for Syäma‘s mind

Whose bodily touch
the zenith of coveted longings
for Syäma‘s hands

May this PARAMA LOBHANIYA Sri Radhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranãm
at Her divine lotus feet

RAdhe rAdhe!

How nice, Sakhicaranji! Thank you for sharing.

rAdhA-nAma-sudhA-rasaM rasayituM jihvAs tu me vihvalA
pAdau tat-padakAMkitAsu caratAM vRndATavI-vIthiSu |
tat-karmaiva karaH karotu hRdayaM tasyaH padaM dhyAyatAM
tad-bhAvotsavataH paraM bhavatu me tat-prANanAthe ratiH ||142||

(Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi)

Shrimati Radharani ki jay!

17) SAKHI-SUKHA-LINA- She Who is lninersed in giving pleasure to Her dear girlfriends

Who sometimes
organizes various festivals
in the gardens of Her girlfriends

Who sometimes
plays games in the spotless Yamuna river
along with all Her girlfriends

Who sometimes
massages the lotus feet
of Her girlfriends as they sleep

May this SAKHI-SUKHA-LINA Sri Rãdhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

18) SYAMBHILASHINI- She Who intently desires only Syãma

Who worships Goddess Katyayani
desirous of the benediction
of winning Syama

Who offers oblations to the Sun-god
praying for the attainment
of pure Syama-love

Who adores all the gods and goddesses
in Her heart of hearts
longing only for Syäma

May this SYAMABHILASHINI Sri Radhã
kindly accept
my most huntle pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

19) JHULANA—RASIKA- She Who relishes the mellows of swinging on a swing

Who sometimes
seats Herself upon a swing
and asks Priyatam Syama
to swing it for Her

Who sometimes
seats Priyatam Syama upon the swing
and swings it Herself

Who sometimes
sits alongside Priyatam Syama
and gives Him the pure joy
of Their swinging together

May this JHULANA-RASIKA Sri Radhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

20) SHRINGARA-KUSHALA- She Who is expert in making all sorts of nice bodily decorations

Who with a golden comb
artfully arranges
Syama's ebony curls

Who with a fine brush
paints pictures
on Priya’s lotus face

Who with garlands, crown,
forehead paint, and flute
nicely adorns Priyatam

May this SHRINGARA-KUSHALA Sri Rädhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

21) SHIKSHANA-KUSHALA- She Who is skilled in giving instructive lessons to others

Who sometimes. . . .
instructs Her pet talking parrots
in the art of chanting “Syama”

Who sometimes. . . .
has Her intimate girlfriends
practice playing the lute

Who sometimes. . . .
teaches Her Priyatam Syama
new styles of dancing

May this SHIKSHANA-KUSHALA Sri Rãdhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

22) YAMUNA-BIHARINI - She Who likes to play with the Yamunã river

Who sometimes . . . .
on Yamunã’s bank
jokingly imitates the activities of Syama
along with all Her playful girlfriends

Who sometimes . . . .
in Yamuna’s eddies
becomes engrossed in water-sports
with the Connoisseur-of-Mellows Syama

Who sometimes . . . .
cradled in Yamuna’s lap
enjoys in a boat with Priyatam Syama
under the bright full moon

May this YAMUNA-BIHARINI Sri Radha
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

23) NAMANURAGINI - She Who is lovingly attached to the holy name of Her Beloved

Who sometimes . . . .
on the floor of the bower-house
forms Syama’s most charming holy name
so artistically
with different colored flower petals

Who sometimes . . . .
upon a canvas board
paints pictures in and around
Syama’s most charming holy name
with many different designs

Who sometimes . . . .
in the air all around the bower-house
listens intently
as the cuckoos joyfully sing
the most charming holy name of Syama

May this NAMANURAGINI Sri Rädhã
kindly accept my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

Thank you Sakhicharan for this devotional presentation Of Pranam Ballari.

Vini. Vidi. V?

I came. I saw. I was conquered.

I said it once, and I'll say it again!

Amor vincit omnia!

Vini. Vidi. Amor vincit omnia!

Like that?

No no... I don't know the Latin for "I was conquered" Sorry bapu.

"Amor vincit omnia" = Love conquers all...

24) PUSHPA-PRIYA - She Who is very fond of using
flowers for Syäma’s service

To ease Priyatam’s rest . . . .
Who is the expert designer
of a soft flower bed

To decorate Priyatam nicely . . . .
Who is the expert weaver
of beautiful flower garlands

To let Priyatam smell . . . .
Who is the expert preparer
of pleasantly scented flower bouquets

May this PUSHPA-PRIYA Sri Rädhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranãm
at Her divine lotus feet

25) RASOTSUKA - She Who is very eager to sport the daily rãsa-dance

Even on the mere probability
of being called for räsa-dancing
Who beholds the vision of that blissful celebration
spreading within Her imagination

On the slightest rumor
of being invited for rasa-dancing
Whose mind is excitedly drawn
to the circular dancing arena

Upon hearing the flute
calling Her for rasa-dancing
Whose lotus feet run swiftly
towards the ecstatic gathering

May this RASOTSUKA Sri Rädhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

26) RASAHLADINI- She Who is the pleasure of the rasa-dance

In the dancing arena
Whose golden luster
makes Syama's dark aura
all the more splendrous

In the center stage
on the dancing platform
Whose smooth gliding steps
make Syama's dancing lotus feet
all the more nimble

In the arena of ecstasy
Whose unique unparalleled joy
makes the delight of Syama
all the more intense


May this RASAHLADINI Sri Rädha
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

27) NILAMBARA - She Who is fond of wearing blue cloth

Whose lovely blue corset
glistening with gold and gemstones
enhances the raised plumpness
of Her lotus breasts

Whose blue petticoat’s
billowing ruffles
increase the enchantment
of Her widening hips

Whose blue ornamental veil
of lightning’s vivid brilliance
boundlessly intensifies
the graceful shapeliness of Her face

May this NILAMBARA Sri Rädhã
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

28) SUKESHINI - She Who is endowed with very nice fine hair

The dark beauty
of Whose silken hair
perpetually presents the most pleasing sight
for Syäma's eyes

The natural curls
of Whose ebony locks
generate the most maddening force
to control Syama’s mind

The extended reach of Whose wavy tresses
exercises full authority
over Syama from head to toe

May this SUKESHINI Sri Rãdhä
kindly accept
my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

29) SUBHASHINI - She Whose speech is very pleasing to hear

At the time of sporting
along the forest paths
Whose sweet relishable talks
are anxiously waited for
by all the parrots and cuckoos

At the time of bathing
in the Yamuna river
Whose sweet relishable remarks
are always longed for
by all the eager girlfriends

At the time of resting
in the solitary bower-house
Whose sweetly relishable utterings
charm Priyatam Syama
to forget all time and place

May this SUBHASHINI Sri Rädhä
kindly accept my most humble pranäm
at Her divine lotus feet

30) JANA-VATSALA - She Who is most affectionate to Her devotees

Who is always engaged
in seeing to the welfare
of Her own devotees

Who has the softest heart
to hear about the troubles
of Her own devotees

Who always renounces Her own happiness
just to see the happiness
of Her own devotees

May this JANA-VATSALA Sri Radha
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet

31) KALANKINI - She Who engenders scandalous blasphemy

The material universe
completely oblivious of the way
things spiritually function
tries to defame Whose pure chastity

The material universe
receiving not even a glimpse
of eternal spiritual reality
tries to deride Whose emotional ornaments

The material universe
not understanding the truth
of pure spiritual love
tries to condemn Whose forehead-dot of chastity

May this KALANKINI Sri Radha
kindly accept
my most humble pranam
at Her divine lotus feet