rādhā ṣoḍaśa nāma stotra

Shri Narayana said:

Radha, the queen of the Rasa dance, the one who resides in the Rasa, the goddess of the connoisseurs, dearer than life to Krishna, beloved of Krishna, and the embodiment of Krishna’s form.

Born from Krishna’s left side, embodying supreme bliss, Krishna’s beloved, the goddess of Vrindavan, Vrinda, and the one who delights in Vrindavan.

Chandraavali, with a face like the moon of autumn, these are her names and their inner meanings.

In the name Radha, the syllable ‘Ra’ signifies giving. She who grants liberation is celebrated as Radha.

As the wife of the lord of the Rasa, she is remembered as Raseshwari. She who resides in the Rasa is thus called Rasavasini.

The supreme goddess of all connoisseurs and deities, the sages of old have called her Rasikeshwari.

She is dearer than life to Krishna, the supreme soul. Krishna himself has declared her as dearer than life.

Krishna’s most beloved, his eternal consort, and always dear to him, she is remembered as Krishna Priya by all the divine beings.

She who can manifest Krishna’s form effortlessly, resembling Krishna in all aspects, is thus called Krishnasvarupini.

Born from Krishna’s left side, the supreme and virtuous one, she is celebrated by Krishna as Krishnavamangasambhuta.

The embodiment of supreme bliss, she is praised by the scriptures as Paramanandarupini.

The syllable ‘Kri’ signifies liberation, not just excellence. The syllable ‘A’ signifies giving, thus she is known as Krishna.

She who has Vrindavan is remembered as Vrindavani. As the presiding deity of Vrindavan, she is thus called.

The gathering of friends is called Vrinda, and the syllable ‘A’ signifies existence. She who has a group of friends is thus called Vrinda.

The delight in Vrindavan is hers, and she is there indeed. The Vedas declare her as Vrindavanavinodini.

Where the moon-like nails and face are always present, she is thus called Chandraavali by Krishna.

She who has a radiance like the moon, always day and night, is called Chandrakanta by Hari with joy.

She whose face has the radiance of the autumn moon day and night is praised by the sage as Sharachandraprabhanana.

This sixteen-name hymn, with explanations of meanings, was given by Narayana to Brahma in the lotus of the navel.

It was given by Brahma in ancient times to Dharma, my father. Given by Dharma with compassion to me on the day of the sun festival.

At the great holy place of Pushkara, on an auspicious day, in the assembly of gods, with a cheerful heart during the discourse on Radha’s glory.

This highly meritorious hymn is given to you by me, O sage. It should not be given to a critic or a non-devotee, O great sage.

Whoever recites this hymn thrice daily throughout their life will attain devotion at the lotus feet of Radha and Madhava.

In the end, they will attain servitude to them, becoming their eternal companion, and will achieve the perfections like anima and an eternal form.

By vows, charity, fasting, and all prescribed rules, and by the recitation of the four Vedas with all their meanings.

By performing all sacrifices and pilgrimages as instructed by the scriptures, and by circumambulating the entire earth seven times.

By protecting those who seek refuge, by imparting knowledge to the ignorant, and by even seeing the Vaishnavas and gods.

The merit of reciting this hymn does not equal even a sixteenth part of these. By the power of this hymn, a person becomes liberated while living.

Thus ends the Radha Shodasha Nama Stotra composed by Shri Narayana in the Brahma Vaivarta Mahapurana.