Jay Radha-Madhava (A Hymn to Radha and Krishna)
Jaya Radha-Madhava, a Gaudiya Vaishnava song attributed to Bhaktivinoda Thakura, praising Krishna's names and Vrindavan pastimes.
Verses
I bow to Radha and Madhava, who delight in the forest groves; the beloved of the cowherd maidens, and the lifter of the great Govardhana Hill.
Verse 1
I bow to the darling son of Yashoda, who brings joy to the people of Vraja, and who wanders lovingly in the forests along the banks of the Yamuna.
Verse 2
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Wednesday (Budhwar), Thursday (Guruwar) & Ekadashi
Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta) or Sandhya (Twilight)
Tulsi leaves, Butter (Makhan), Mishri, Yellow flowers & Chandan
- Awakening of pure divine love (Prema Bhakti), mental joy, and freedom from anxiety
Background
This song belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of devotion to Radha and Krishna and is attributed to Bhaktivinoda Thakura (1838–1914); it is known in ISKCON as Jaya Radha-Krishna Giti. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada taught and sang it before lectures, as in his Gorakhpur talk of 14 February 1971. It strings together Krishna's names: lover of Radha, wanderer of the groves, beloved of the gopis, lifter of Govardhana (Bhagavata Purana 10.25), son of Yashoda, delight of Vraja and wanderer on the Yamuna's banks. It is sung as a kirtan during worship and festivals.
About this Text
Composed by: Bhaktivinoda Thakur
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Epithets of Krishna
The verse strings together several iconic names of Krishna, each pointing to a specific aspect of his life: "Kunja-Bihari" (wanderer of the forest groves), "Giri-Var-Dhari" (holder of Govardhan Hill), and "Yashoda-Nandana" (son of Yashoda). These titles condense entire stories from the Bhagavata Purana into single words.
Radha-Madhava
The opening phrase pairs Radha with "Madhava" (a name of Krishna meaning "spring-like" or "husband of the goddess of fortune"). This compound name is a hallmark of Gaudiya Vaishnava devotion, emphasizing the inseparable unity of Radha and Krishna as the supreme divine couple.
Vraja-Jana-Ranjana
Meaning "the one who delights the people of Vraja," this epithet highlights Krishna's role as the beloved resident of the pastoral region of Vrindavan. It contrasts with his more awe-inspiring forms, focusing instead on his intimate, joy-giving relationships with the cowherd community.
Yamuna-Tira-Vana-Chari
This phrase describes Krishna as one who roams (chari) the forests (vana) along the banks (tira) of the Yamuna River. The Yamuna is considered sacred in this tradition, and many of Krishna's childhood pastimes—like playing with the gopis and subduing the serpent Kaliya—take place on its shores.
Krishna
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The same teaching, echoed across traditions