Pratibha Goswami
DEEPEN YOUR RADHA-KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Hit Chaurasi by Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu
Pratibha Goswami translated this book consisting of 84 exquisite vanis from Braja Bhasha to English. Here, Sri Radha is held as the supreme deity, and Krishna serves Her. Because it demands complete detachment from worldly ideas and a high degree of spiritual purity to avoid misinterpreting its intense, intimate imagery, it is strictly meant for advanced practitioners rooted in Raganugha Bhakti.
About Hit Chaurasi
It´s foundational spiritual text of the Radhavallabh Sampradaya, composed in the 16th century by the saint-poet Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu. Written in classical Vraj Bhasha, the work consists of 84 devotional hymns (padas) set to traditional musical ragas. Rather than focusing on grand philosophical debates or formal scriptural rules, the text paints vivid poetic pictures of Nitya Vihar—the eternal, joyful divine play of Sri Radha and Krishna within the hidden arbors (nikunj) of Vrindavan. At its core, Hit Chaurasi presents a unique theology where Srimati Radharani holds the supreme position, and Krishna is portrayed as her devoted companion, enraptured by her grace.
Intention of the Book
The primary intention of Hit Chaurasi is to guide spiritual seekers into the mood of Sahachari Bhava—the devotional state of an intimate companion and servant to the divine couple. Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu created these stanzas to evoke pure, spontaneous love (Prema) and spiritual aesthetic bliss (Rasa), elevating the soul beyond rigid ritualistic duties, fear, or seeking liberation (mukti). By meditating on and singing these 84 hymns, practitioners are invited to mentally enter the groves of Vrindavan, witnessing the selfless love of Radha and Krishna through the eyes of their eternal companions.
About the Author
Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu (1502–1552) was a master devotional poet, reformer, and the founder of the Radhavallabh tradition in Vrindavan. Born in Baad, near Mathura, he experienced deep mystic visions from an early age and eventually settled at Seva Kunj in Vrindavan, where he established the the Radha-Ballabha-line. He also founded the popular Radha-Vallabha-temple in Vrindavana. Revered by his followers as an incarnation of Krishna's flute (Vamsi), Hit Harivansh emphasized sweet, unconditioned love over asceticism or complex intellectual philosophy. His literary works, led by Hit Chaurasi and Radha Sudha Nidhi, remain among the most celebrated treasures of Braj devotional poetry.
About the translation
Pratibha Goswami is the first to translate Hit Chaurasi from Vraj Bhasha to English. As she says “Actually it is not possible to translate Vraj Bhasha properly into English. There are so many nuances especially to express feelings like Love, but I gave my best to come close to the Bhav that Hit Harivansh-ji expressed.”
Note from Pratibha Goswami
This is my humble request to all devotees to understand the love of Radha-Krishna and read this book carefully with Sakhi Bhaav or Manjari Bhaav(divine love) in the heart. Divine love supports pure hearted persons who have dedicated their entire life for the pleasure of Radha-Krishna. Those who are not in this bhaav can misinterpret the divine love for worldly love. This book is completely meant for those saints who have dedicated their entire life for the pleasure of Radha-Krishna. Please do not read this book as a curiosity to know the divine love, but read it to feel pure bhakti (love) for Radha-Krishna.