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Krishna Mantra sanskrit

Shri Krishna Ashtakam

Ashtakam means an eight-verse hymn (ashta = eight). The Shri Krishna Ashtakam is a devotional hymn of eight verses praising Lord Krishna's divine qualities, his pastimes (lilas) in Vrindavan, and his cosmic nature as the supreme divine person. Traditional ashtakams follow a pattern: each verse praises a different quality or aspect of the deity, and the hymn concludes with a phalashruti (statement of the fruit of chanting), promising that one who recites these eight verses attains liberation, devotion, or a specific blessing.

Krishna Ashtakams exist in several versions — the most widely known are attributed to Adi Shankaracharya ("Bhaja Govindam" is sometimes considered his Krishna ashtakam), Madhusudana Saraswati, and various Gaudiya Vaishnava saints. Each version emphasises different aspects: some focus on Krishna the cowherd of Vrindavan and the divine lover; others on Krishna the cosmic teacher of the Bhagavad Gita; others on Krishna as the absolute divine person (Svayam Bhagavan). The common thread across all versions is the eight-verse structure of complete devotional praise.

The Krishna Ashtakam is chanted during Krishna puja, on Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday), on Ekadashi (the eleventh lunar day, sacred to Vishnu-Krishna), and as a Thursday devotional practice. Each verse is ideally chanted slowly with full attention on the image or quality being described — the pastoral Krishna of Vrindavan, the flute-player, the butter-stealer, the lifter of Govardhan hill. The hymn is complete in itself — one reading with genuine devotion is equivalent to a complete act of worship.

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Lyrics

Vasudeva Sutam Devam Kamsa Chaanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramaanandam Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Atasee Pushpa Sankaasham Haara Noopura Shobhitam Rathna Kankana Keyooram Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Kutilaalaka Samyuktam Poorna Chandra Nibhaananam Vilasat Kundala Dharam Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Mandaara Gandha Samyuktam Chaaruhaasam Chaturbhujam Barhipinchhaava Choodaangam Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Utphulla Padma Patraaksham Neelajimuta Sannibham Yaadavaanaam Shiroratnam Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Rukmini Keli Samyuktam Peetambaram Sushobhitam Avaapta Tulasi Gandham Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Gopikaanaam Kuchaadvandva Kunkumaankita Vakshasam Shriniketham Maheshvaasam Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Shrivatsaankam Mahoraskam Vanamaala Viraajitam Shankha-Chakra-Dharam Devam Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum

Krishnaashtakam Idam Punyam Praata Ruththaaya Yaha Padeth Koti Janma Krutam Paapam Smaranena Vinashyati

Word-by-Word Meaning

Sanskrit Meaning
Vasudeva Sutham Devam O Lord, the son of VasudevaKamsa
Chanoora Mardhanam who killed the Kamsa(Maternal uncle) and Chanura (Wrestler in the Kamsa’s court)
Devaki Paramanandam Who is the immense joy of Devaki (Krishna’s Mother)
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum O Krishna I bow to you, the guru of the world
Athasee Pushpa Sangasam The one who looks great with Aathasi flowers
Hara Noopura Shobitham who shines resplendent with the jewels like neclace and anklets
Rathna Kankana Keyuram Who wears a bracelet made with precious gems
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum I bow to you Lord Krishna, the teacher of the world
Kutilalaka Samyuktham The one with the curly hair
Poorna Chandra Nibhananam whose face looks like the full moon
Vilasath Kundala Dharam Who is adorned with great looking earrings
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum I bow to you, Lord Krishna, the Guru of the world
Mandhara Gandha Samyuktham The one who has fragrance of the pastes of Mandara flowers
Charuhasam Chathurbhujam a gentle smile and four hands
Barhi Pinjava Choodangam Wearing the peacock feather on his head
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum I bow to you O lord Krishna, the guru of the world
Uthfulla Padma Pathraksham The one whose eyes look like bloomed lotus petals
Neela Jeemutha Sannibham whose body resembles the dark blue clouds
Yadavaanaam Siro Rathnam Who is the crest gem among the Yadavas
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum Lord Krishna, I bow to you, the guru of the world
Rukmani Keli Samyuktham The Lord who is engaged in playing with Rukmini
Peethambara Shobitham adorned and resplendent with peetambaras
Avaptha Thulasi Gandham Who attracts to the scent of Tulasi
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum I bow to you, Lord Krishna, Guru of the World
Gopikaanaam Kucha Dwandwam One who is embraced with the Gopikas
Kunkumankitha Vakshasam whose body is smeared the vermilion
Sriniketham Maheshwasam The Lord in whom the Lakshmi resides, the one who has a big bow
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum The Lord in whom the Lakshmi resides, the one who has a big bow
Sree Vathsam Mahoraskam Having the marks of Sri Vatsa
Vanamala Virajitham Who enjoys in himself, looking great with the garlands of flowers
Sanka Chakra Dharam Devam O Lord Krishna, holding the conch and a discus
Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum I bow to you, the Guru of the world

Benefits of Shri Krishna Ashtakam

  • Complete devotional invocation of Krishna through eight verses covering his key qualities and divine forms

    Source: Ashtakam tradition — eight as completeness in Sanskrit poetics

  • Deepens bhakti (devotion) through prolonged, narrative engagement with Krishna's divine qualities

    Source: Bhagavata Purana — sravana (hearing) and kirtana (singing) as primary bhakti practices

  • Invokes Krishna's blessings for liberation (mukti) and devotional love (bhakti) through the phalashruti promise

    Source: Traditional ashtakam structure — phalashruti as closing blessing statement

  • Creates a sacred space of Krishna's presence through the extended devotional engagement of eight verses

    Source: Traditional practice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Krishna Ashtakam?
The Krishna Ashtakam is an eight-verse devotional hymn to Lord Krishna, following the classical ashtakam structure in which each verse praises a different quality, form, or pastime (lila) of the deity. "Ashta" means eight; "ashtakam" means a composition of eight verses. Multiple versions exist, composed by different saint-poets. All share the structure of building devotion through eight successive praises, concluding with a phalashruti (declaration of the fruit of recitation). The recitation is a complete act of worship in itself — a concise but full engagement with Krishna's divine nature.
What is the significance of eight verses in an ashtakam?
Eight (ashta) is a sacred number in multiple Indian traditions. It represents completeness and totality: eight directions (including above, below, and the centre), eight limbs of yoga, eight Lakshmis, eight forms of Ganesha. In Sanskrit poetics, an ashtakam achieves a quality of completeness through its eight movements — each verse a different facet of the deity, the whole creating a complete portrait. The practitioner who chants all eight has, in effect, circled the deity completely — viewed them from all angles. The phalashruti typically declares that this complete circumambulation-in-verse grants a specific liberation or blessing.
When should I chant the Krishna Ashtakam?
Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday — the 8th day of the dark half of Bhadrapada, typically August) is the primary occasion for Krishna ashtakam recitation, particularly at midnight (the hour of Krishna's birth). Year-round: Ekadashi (the 11th lunar day) is sacred to Krishna-Vishnu and is an excellent regular practice day. Thursdays (Jupiter's day — associated with the guru and divine grace) are also auspicious for Krishna bhakti. For daily practice, chanting the ashtakam once each morning as an opening devotional act takes only 5–7 minutes and establishes Krishna's presence throughout the day.
How is the Krishna Ashtakam related to Bhaja Govindam?
Bhaja Govindam (also known as Mohamudgara — "the hammer of delusion") is sometimes classified as Adi Shankaracharya's Krishna/Vishnu-Govinda ashtakam, though it has 31 verses rather than eight. It begins: "Bhaja Govindam, bhaja Govindam, Govindam bhaja moodhamate" — "Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind." While Bhaja Govindam is technically a different category of hymn (more of a stotra than an ashtakam), it shares the ashtakam's purpose: to redirect the mind from worldly preoccupation to divine focus. If you enjoy the Krishna Ashtakam, Bhaja Govindam is a natural companion text.
Can the Krishna Ashtakam be chanted by non-Vaishnavas?
Yes — the Ashtakam is devotional poetry in praise of a divine quality (love, wisdom, beauty, grace), and its beauty and power are available to anyone who approaches it sincerely. Krishna's qualities — divine love (prem), wisdom (jnana), playfulness (lila), protection (raksha) — are universal. Many practitioners from diverse backgrounds find the devotional bhakti tradition accessible because it centres on a personal, relatable divine quality (love) rather than abstract philosophy. The ashtakam format, with its narrative praise, is particularly accessible for those new to Sanskrit devotional practice.

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