යමුනාෂ්ටකම්

Meaning:I joyfully bow to Yamuna, the cause of all perfections, enriched by the abundant glistening dust of the lotus feet of Murari; whose waters carry the fragrance of the blossoming flowers of the fresh groves upon her banks, and who bears the splendour of Krishna, the father of Cupid, worshipped by gods and demons alike.

Meaning:Gleaming as she falls in a mighty stream from the crest of Mount Kalinda, rising high over prominent boulder-cliffs in her playful, graceful course, studded with sounding rapids and swaying like a fine swing — all glory to the daughter of the sun, who increases love for Mukunda!

Meaning:Reaching the earth and purifying all the worlds, served as if by dear companions — parrots, peacocks, swans and others with their many calls — her waves like arms, her bangles the pearls she reveals, her sandy banks and slopes lovely as a fair maiden: bow to her, the beloved of Krishna.

Meaning:O you adorned with endless virtues, praised by Shiva, Brahma and the gods, dark as a heavy rain cloud, ever granting the desires of Dhruva and Parashara; on whose pure bank stands Mathura, surrounded by all the cowherds and cowherd maidens, the resort of an ocean of mercy — please bring delight to my mind.

Meaning:By whose touch even the lotus born of Murari's feet became dear to Him and, through union with her, a giver of all perfections to those who serve her — to whom even the lotus-born Lakshmi would, as a co-wife, wish to be equal: may that Kalindi, beloved of Hari, ever abide in my heart.

Meaning:Obeisances unto you forever, O Yamuna — your character is most wondrous: never does the torment of Yama befall one who drinks your water. Even Yama himself, how could he punish his sister's children, however sinful? By serving you one becomes dear to Hari, just as the gopis became.

Meaning:Let me, in your presence, attain a fresh new body; by this, love for Murari, O beloved of Mukunda, is not at all hard to gain. Therefore let your fondling care be upon me. The celestial Ganga is glorious only through union with you; you alone are truly glorified on earth — never doubted by those established on the path of grace.

Meaning:Who can fully praise you, O dear co-wife of the lotus-born, by whose loving service to Hari there is happiness up to liberation itself? This glory of yours is greater still: you are joined with all the limbs of the gopis, who came to you bearing the droplets of perspiration from their loving union (with Krishna).

Meaning:Whoever joyfully recites this Ashtakam of yours — even a child of Surya (an ordinary devotee) — at once, that very moment, becomes wholly devoted to Hari. May the queen of mountains (Yamuna) ever be present in our service in the groves of Vraja; revealing her own treasure, this Lord Hari bestows divine fortune.