Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka
AI-drafted translation — pending review
His radiant splendour made ever more charming by his ceaseless, friendly smile, seemingly swallowed up by the rippling waves of Radha's sidelong glances, his moon-like face full of joy, wearing a crown of peacock feathers, his beauty sweet as a raincloud -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
Producing sounds from wind instruments and drums, among the circle of adorned young women on the riverbank, performing incomparable dancing feats as the very king of dancers together with the daughter of the sun, Radha -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
As the peacock sounds the note sadja and the cuckoo the note pancama, he himself, on his fresh flute, elaborates the note that leads the scale, bearing the fragrance of musk, truly embodying the note gandhara -- thus, the stealer of the peace of the three worlds, shines the sporter of the bowers.
His incomparable hand entwined with Radha's fingers through his friend's mediation, wandering lightly, ever so lightly, among the flowers of the garden, eagerly sung after in loud and varied voices by the fresh young women of Vraja -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
While Garuda, enemy of serpents, dances, and the bamboo reeds begin their music, on the slope of Vraja's mountain resounding with the singing of bees, his service arranged amid a wondrous threefold concert of music, dance, and song, his very senses stilled in absorption -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
His hidden pastimes echoed openly in every direction by circles of parrots and mynah birds who repeat them, creating an astonishing spectacle; whispering, with a smiling face, that most secret happening into his beloved's ear -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
Seeing the cluster of your curling locks, the peacock stands transfixed; the black deer bows before the splendour of your lotus eyes; the line of bees, near the edge of your curls, sings your praise, saying sweetly again and again, "Behold, this is Radha!" -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
Served on every side by his troop of young friends, restless with the passion of Cupid, being instructed in various arts, his broad, celebrated arm resting upon the shoulder of his beloved, her hair and garments now disheveled -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
Whoever, with a satisfied mind, studies this eightfold hymn -- a subject for remembrance of Kunja-vihari and his incomparable pastimes -- him the king enthroned in the bower dwelling, worshipped by Sri Radha herself surrounded by her own qualities, leads to his own lotus feet.
About Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka
An eight-verse astaka, with a closing ninth phala-shruti verse, by Rupa Goswami in praise of Krishna as Kunja-vihari, "the one who sports in the forest bowers." Each of the eight verses ends in the same refrain, bhati kunje-vihari, describing his dancing to match the notes of peacock and cuckoo, his hand entwined with Radha's, and his most intimate pastimes overheard and echoed back by parrots and mynah birds hidden throughout Vrindavana.
Frequently asked
Who wrote Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka?
Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka was composed by Rupa Goswami.
What is the meaning of Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka?
His radiant splendour made ever more charming by his ceaseless, friendly smile, seemingly swallowed up by the rippling waves of Radha's sidelong glances, his moon-like face full of joy, wearing a crown of peacock feathers, his beauty sweet as a raincloud -- thus shines the sporter of the bowers.
How many verses does Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka have?
Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka has 9 verses.
Can I download Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka as a PPT or PDF?
Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Dvitiya Kunja Vihary Astaka — verse and translation on each slide — is available to download in both PowerPoint (.pptx) and PDF formats from this page, for use in kirtan or temple programs.