Krishna Ashtakam
Lyrics:
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम्।
देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।1।
अतसीपुष्पसङ्काशं हारनूपुरशोभितम्।
रत्नकङ्कणकेयूरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।2।
कुटिलालकसंयुक्तं पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननम्।
विलसत्कुन्डलधरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।3।
मन्दारगन्धसंयुक्तं चारुहासं चतुर्भुजम्।
बर्हिपिञ्छावचूडाङ्गं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।4।
उत्फुल्लपद्मपत्राक्षं नीलजीमूतसन्निभम्।
यादवानां शिरोरत्नं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।5।
रुक्मिणीकेलिसंयुक्तं पीताम्बरसुशोभितम्।
अवाप्ततुलसीगन्धं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।6।
गोपिकानां कुचद्वन्द्वकुङ्कुमाङ्कितवक्षसम्।
श्रीनिकेतं महेष्वासं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।7।
श्रीवत्साङ्कं महोरस्कं वनमालाविराजितम्।
शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्।8।
कृष्णाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्।
कोटिजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति।9।
vasudevasutam devam kamsachaanooramardanam.
devakeeparamaanandam kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.1.
ataseepushpasankaasham haaranoopurashobhitam.
ratnakankanakeyooram kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.2.
kut'ilaalakasamyuktam poornachandranibhaananam.
vilasatkund'aladharam kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.3.
mandaaragandhasamyuktam chaaruhaasam chaturbhujam.
barhipinchhaavachood'aangam kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.4.
utphullapadmapatraaksham neelajeemootasannibham.
yaadavaanaam shiroratnam kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.5.
rukmineekelisamyuktam peetaambarasushobhitam.
avaaptatulaseegandham kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.6.
gopikaanaam kuchadvandvakunkumaankitavakshasam.
shreeniketam maheshvaasam kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.7.
shreevatsaankam mahoraskam vanamaalaaviraajitam.
shankhachakradharam devam kri'shnam vande jagadgurum.8.
kri'shnaasht'akamidam punyam praatarutthaaya yah' pat'het.
kot'ijanmakri'tam paapam smaranena vinashyati.9.
Meaning:
This is the famous Krishna Ashtakam, a hymn that paints Krishna not merely as a historical figure, but as the supreme teacher, the divine beauty, and the inner guide of all existence. Each verse reveals a different dimension of Krishna — his form, his fragrance, his compassion, and his cosmic authority.
1. I bow to Krishna, the Jagadguru — the teacher of the universe.
He is the divine son of Vasudeva.
He is the destroyer of the tyrants Kamsa and Chanura.
He is the supreme source of joy for Devaki.
This verse establishes Krishna as both human and divine — born in a family, yet existing to destroy adharma and uplift the world.
2. I bow to Krishna, whose complexion resembles the deep blue Atasi flower.
He shines with garlands and anklets.
His wrists and arms are adorned with brilliant gem-studded ornaments.
This describes Krishna’s divine beauty — not mere physical attractiveness, but a form that attracts the soul itself.
3. I bow to Krishna, whose curly locks frame his face.
His face shines like the full moon.
His earrings sparkle brilliantly.
His face radiates calmness, completeness, and nourishment — just like the full moon nourishes life on earth.
4. I bow to Krishna, who carries the divine fragrance of Mandara flowers.
He has a charming smile.
He appears with four arms in his divine form.
He wears a peacock feather on his crown.
This verse shows both his human and cosmic form — the playful Krishna and the supreme Vishnu united.
5. I bow to Krishna, whose eyes are like fully bloomed lotus petals.
His complexion resembles a dark rain cloud.
He is the crown jewel of the Yadava dynasty.
Like rain clouds bring life-giving water, Krishna brings life-giving wisdom and grace.
6. I bow to Krishna, who enjoys divine pastimes with Rukmini.
He shines in yellow garments.
He carries the sacred fragrance of Tulasi.
Tulasi represents devotion — Krishna is inseparable from bhakti.
7. I bow to Krishna, whose chest bears the marks of kumkum from the Gopis.
He is the abode of Lakshmi.
He is the wielder of the mighty bow.
This symbolizes that pure love leaves its mark on Bhagavan. He becomes bound by devotion.
8. I bow to Krishna, whose chest bears the sacred Srivatsa mark.
He has a broad and powerful chest.
He wears a forest garland.
He holds the conch and discus.
This confirms Krishna as the supreme Vishnu himself — the protector and sustainer of the universe.
9. Phala Shruti (Benefit of chanting)
Whoever recites this Krishna Ashtakam in the morning,
The sins accumulated over millions of births are destroyed simply by remembering Krishna.
This reveals the power of remembrance. The mind becomes purified when it aligns with Krishna.
Core message of Krishna Ashtakam
Krishna is:
The destroyer of evil
The embodiment of divine beauty
The source of joy and devotion
The supreme teacher
The protector of dharma
The ultimate refuge of the soul
He is Jagadguru — not because he teaches through words alone, but because his very existence teaches how to live, love, and transcend suffering.
Other stotras
