Sri Yamunastakam of Sri Rupa

[madanmohandas]

First three verses of Sri Rupa's Sri Yamunastakam.

Who rescues those who are fit to descend,
Who would to her brother Death's city wend;
Her mere sight washes off iniquity,
And sinners cross this existential sea;
Who with her sweet waters glittering bright,
Affords to all fond charm and much delight.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 1

With her soft shimmering ripples and waves,
The banks of the great Khandava wood laves;
Whose waters with bright lotuses abound,
Where egg-born creatures dance and flit around;
Who merely wishes in her stream to bathe,
Are relieved of great sin and free from scathe.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 2

Whoso merely a sprinkled drop receives,
Those sacred drops iniquity relieves;
Whose pure waters carry the benison,
Of fondest affection for Nanda's son;
Who wish to dwell upon her sandy shore,
Attain of all auspiciousness the store.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 3

[madanmohandas]

Whose seven streams through seven regions goes,
Whose current then into the ocean flows,
And as with her bright water she proceeds,
Bears witness to Mukunda's many deeds;
Who with her glist'ning waves of sable hue,
Decries the pride of strands of sapphire blue.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 4

[madanmohandas]

Whose waters through Mathuras' region flow,
Which doth an added bright lustre bestow;
Who affords loving and protective care,
To all the Vaishnav saints who worship there;
And as her soft waves gently lap the sands,
She offers lotuses with wavy hands,
Unto the Lord Shri Padmanabha hight,
And honours him with fond and pure delight.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her waters cleanse me and purify. 5

[madanmohandas]

Delightsome groves upon whose banks divine,
Are frequented by herds of lowing kine;
Where fragrant gardens of Kadamba bowers,
Emit sweet odours from the blooming flowers;
Who takes joy a place to facilitate,
Where Nanda's son's devotees congregate.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 6

Bourne in thousands along her flowing tide,
Bright regal swans, delighted, cooing glide;
By devotees adored with honour high,
By gods, sages, and Siddhas from the sky;
Whose limped breezes with fragrances blend,
Which brings about of birth and death the end.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 7

Whose pure waters, divine, radiant, clear,
Sanctify earth, heaven and atmosphere;
The grievous sins that in the heart remain,
She washes off the indelible stain;
Who is fragrant with ointments washed away,
When cowherd Nanda's son did in her play.
May daughter of the Lotus-friend on high,
With her water cleanse me and purify. 8

O daughter of the blazing Lord of light!
Grant to those who these eight verses recite,
And with a mind delighted glorify,
Your fame, with all the gods attendant nigh;
And freed from sin confer the great reward,
Of love divine for the Lotus-eyed Lord. 9

Finis