Sloka Kasturi Tilakam with meaning
"Kasturi Tilakam" is the 2.108 Slokam of Sri Krishna Karnamrutham, a string of Bhakthi laden poems offered at the sacred feet of the Lord . The author of Sri Krishna Karnamrutham is Bilva Mangalar (AD 1220-1300). He was a contemproary of Swami Desikan (AD 1268-1369). Since he described with great joy the leelas of Krishna like Sukha Brahmam, the author of Srimad Bhagavatham, he came to be known as Leela Sukhar. He belongs to the tradition of great devotees of Krishna of Kerala such as Narayana Bhattadhiri, the author of Sri NarayaNeeyam, Poonthaanma and Vasudeva Nambhhodhri and other great scholars of Dasama Skhandham of Srimad Bhagavatham. Meaning of this beautiful Shloka which has a contrast between ornamented god and god as the supreme ornament.
कस्तूरीतिलकं ललाटपटले वक्षःस्थले कौस्तुभं
नासाग्रे नवमौक्तिकं करतले वेणुं करे कङ्कणम् ।
सर्वाङ्गे हरिचन्दनं सुललितं कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिं
गोपस्त्री परिवेष्टितो विजयते गोपाल चूडामणिः ॥
Kasturi tilakam lalata phalake vakshasthale kaustubham
Nasagre navamauktikam karatale venum kare kankanam |
Sarvange haricandanam kalayan kantheca muktavali
Gopastree pariveshtito vijayate gopala cudaamanih ||
O Sri Krishna ! The Kasturi (Musk) Tilak, a red ritual mark decorates your forehead and the Kaustubha jewel ornaments your chest. The Nava mouktika, a pearl ornament on your nose, your fingertips graced by a flute, while your wrist is ornamented with a bracelet. O Sri Hari! Your entire body is bedecked with fragrant sandalwood paste, your neck has a beautiful garland. You gave Mukti (salvation) to the Gopis (lady-cowherds) who followed you. Victory be to that Lord who proved to be the choodamani (crest jewel – singular ornament of all ornaments) for even a commoner like a cowherd.
'हे श्रीकृष्ण! आपके मस्तक पर कस्तूरी तिलक सुशोभित है। आपके वक्ष पर देदीप्यमान कौस्तुभ मणि विराजित है। आपने नाक में सुंदर मोती पहना हुआ है। आपके हाथ में बांसुरी है और कलाई में आपने कंगन धारण किया हुआ है। हे हरि! आपकी सम्पूर्ण देह पर सुगन्धित चंदन लगा हुआ है और सुंदर कंठ मुक्ताहार से विभूषित है। आप सेवारत गोपियों के मुक्ति प्रदाता हैं। हे ईश्वर! आपकी जय हो। आप सर्वसौंदर्यपूर्ण हैं।'
