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Yamunashtakam Meaning — Line by Line

यमुनाष्टकम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Yamunashtakam with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. namāmi yamunām ahaṃ sakala-siddhi-hetuṃ mudā
  2. Verse 2. kalinda-giri-mastake patad-amanda-pūrojjvalā
  3. Verse 3. bhuvaṃ bhuvana-pāvanīm adhigatām aneka-svanaiḥ
  4. Verse 4. ananta-guṇa-bhūṣite śiva-viriñci-deva-stute
  5. Verse 5. yayā caraṇa-padma-jā mura-ripoḥ priyaṃ bhāvukā
  6. Verse 6. namo 'stu yamune sadā tava caritram aty-adbhutaṃ
  7. Verse 7. mamāstu tava sannidhau tanu-navatvam etāvatā
  8. Verse 8. stutiṃ tava karoti kaḥ kamalajā-sapatni priye
  9. Verse 9. tavāṣṭakam idaṃ mudā paṭhati sūra-sūnur mudā
Verse 1#

namāmi yamunām ahaṃ sakala-siddhi-hetuṃ mudā

नमामि यमुनामहं सकलसिद्धिहेतुं मुदा मुरारिपदपङ्कजस्फुरदमन्दरेणूत्कटाम्। तटस्थनवकाननप्रकटमोदपुष्पाम्बुना सुरासुरसुपूजितस्मरपितुः श्रियं बिभ्रतीम्॥

namāmi yamunām ahaṃ sakala-siddhi-hetuṃ mudā murāri-pada-paṅkaja-sphurad-amanda-reṇūtkaṭām | taṭastha-nava-kānana-prakaṭa-moda-puṣpāmbunā surāsura-supūjita-smara-pituḥ śriyaṃ bibhratīm ||

MeaningI 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.

Verse 2#

kalinda-giri-mastake patad-amanda-pūrojjvalā

कलिन्दगिरिमस्तके पतदमन्दपूरोज्ज्वला विलासगमनोल्लसत्प्रकटगण्डशैलोन्नता। सघोषगतिदन्तुरा समधिरूढदोलोत्तमा मुकुन्दरतिवर्धिनी जयति पद्मबन्धोः सुता॥

kalinda-giri-mastake patad-amanda-pūrojjvalā vilāsa-gamanollasat-prakaṭa-gaṇḍa-śailonnatā | saghoṣa-gati-danturā samadhirūḍha-dolottamā mukunda-rati-vardhinī jayati padma-bandhoḥ sutā ||

MeaningGleaming 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!

Verse 3#

bhuvaṃ bhuvana-pāvanīm adhigatām aneka-svanaiḥ

भुवं भुवनपावनीमधिगतामनेकस्वनैः प्रियाभिरिव सेवितां शुकमयूरहंसादिभिः। तरङ्गभुजकङ्कणप्रकटमुक्तिकावालुका- नितम्बतटसुन्दरीं नमत कृष्णतुर्यप्रियाम्॥

bhuvaṃ bhuvana-pāvanīm adhigatām aneka-svanaiḥ priyābhir iva sevitāṃ śuka-mayūra-haṃsādibhiḥ | taraṅga-bhuja-kaṅkaṇa-prakaṭa-muktikā-vālukā- nitamba-taṭa-sundarīṃ namata kṛṣṇa-turya-priyām ||

MeaningReaching 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.

Verse 4#

ananta-guṇa-bhūṣite śiva-viriñci-deva-stute

अनन्तगुणभूषिते शिवविरिञ्चिदेवस्तुते घनाघननिभे सदा ध्रुवपराशराभीष्टदे। विशुद्धमथुरातटे सकलगोपगोपीवृते कृपाजलधिसंश्रिते मम मनःसुखं भावय॥

ananta-guṇa-bhūṣite śiva-viriñci-deva-stute ghanāghana-nibhe sadā dhruva-parāśarābhīṣṭa-de | viśuddha-mathurā-taṭe sakala-gopa-gopī-vṛte kṛpā-jaladhi-saṃśrite mama manaḥ-sukhaṃ bhāvaya ||

MeaningO 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.

Verse 5#

yayā caraṇa-padma-jā mura-ripoḥ priyaṃ bhāvukā

यया चरणपद्मजा मुररिपोः प्रियं भावुका समागमनतोऽभवत्सकलसिद्धिदा सेवताम्। तया सदृशतामियात्कमलजा सपत्नीव यद् हरिप्रियकलिन्दया मनसि मे सदा स्थीयताम्॥

yayā caraṇa-padma-jā mura-ripoḥ priyaṃ bhāvukā samāgamanato 'bhavat sakala-siddhi-dā sevatām | tayā sadṛśatām iyāt kamalajā sapatnīva yad hari-priya-kalindajā manasi me sadā sthīyatām ||

MeaningBy 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.

Verse 6#

namo 'stu yamune sadā tava caritram aty-adbhutaṃ

नमोऽस्तु यमुने सदा तव चरित्रमत्यद्भुतं जातु यमयातना भवति ते पयःपानतः। यमोऽपि भगिनीसुतान्कथमु हन्ति दुष्टानपि प्रियो भवति सेवनात्तव हरेर्यथा गोपिकाः॥

namo 'stu yamune sadā tava caritram aty-adbhutaṃ na jātu yama-yātanā bhavati te payaḥ-pānataḥ | yamo 'pi bhaginī-sutān katham u hanti duṣṭān api priyo bhavati sevanāt tava harer yathā gopikāḥ ||

MeaningObeisances 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.

Verse 7#

mamāstu tava sannidhau tanu-navatvam etāvatā

ममास्तु तव सन्निधौ तनुनवत्वमेतावता दुर्लभतमा रतिर्मुररिपौ मुकुन्दप्रिये। अतोऽस्तु तव लालना सुरधुनी परं सङ्गमात् तवैव भुवि कीर्तिता तु कदापि पुष्टिस्थितैः॥

mamāstu tava sannidhau tanu-navatvam etāvatā na durlabhatamā ratir mura-ripau mukunda-priye | ato 'stu tava lālanā sura-dhunī paraṃ saṅgamāt tavaiva bhuvi kīrtitā na tu kadāpi puṣṭi-sthitaiḥ ||

MeaningLet 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.

Verse 8#

stutiṃ tava karoti kaḥ kamalajā-sapatni priye

स्तुतिं तव करोति कः कमलजासपत्नि प्रिये हरेर्यदनुसेवया भवति सौख्यमामोक्षतः। इयं तव कथाधिका सकलगोपिकासङ्गम- स्मरश्रमजलाणुभिः सकलगात्रजैः सङ्गता॥

stutiṃ tava karoti kaḥ kamalajā-sapatni priye harer yad-anusevayā bhavati saukhyam ā-mokṣataḥ | iyaṃ tava kathādhikā sakala-gopikā-saṅgama- smara-śrama-jalāṇubhiḥ sakala-gātra-jaiḥ saṅgatā ||

MeaningWho 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).

Verse 9#

tavāṣṭakam idaṃ mudā paṭhati sūra-sūnur mudā

तवाष्टकमिदं मुदा पठति सूरसूनुर्मुदा भवेत्सपदि तत्क्षणात्तदखिलं हरेस्तत्परम्। सदा भवतु सेवने व्रजवने नगाधीश्वरी प्रकाशितनिजार्थदा हरिरयं ददाति श्रियम्॥

tavāṣṭakam idaṃ mudā paṭhati sūra-sūnur mudā bhavet sapadi tat-kṣaṇāt tad akhilaṃ hares tat-param | sadā bhavatu sevane vraja-vane nagādhīśvarī prakāśita-nijārtha-dā harir ayaṃ dadāti śriyam ||

MeaningWhoever 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.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

नमामि
namāmi
I bow to, I offer my obeisances
यमुनाम्
yamunām
The river Yamuna (the goddess Yamuna / Kalindi)
अहम्
aham
I
सकलसिद्धिहेतुम्
sakala-siddhi-hetum
The cause of all spiritual perfections (siddhis)
मुदा
mudā
With joy, joyfully
मुरारिपदपङ्कज
murāri-pada-paṅkaja
The lotus feet of Murari (Krishna, slayer of the demon Mura)
स्फुरदमन्दरेणूत्कटाम्
sphurad-amanda-reṇūtkaṭām
Made fragrant/rich by the abundant glistening dust (from those lotus feet)
तटस्थनवकानन
taṭastha-nava-kānana
The fresh groves standing on her banks
मोदपुष्पाम्बुना
moda-puṣpāmbunā
With water fragrant from the joyful (blooming) flowers
स्मरपितुः श्रियं बिभ्रतीम्
smara-pituḥ śriyaṃ bibhratīm
Bearing the splendour of the father of Kamadeva (Krishna)
कलिन्दगिरिमस्तके
kalinda-giri-mastake
On the peak of Mount Kalinda (where the Yamuna originates)
मुकुन्दरतिवर्धिनी
mukunda-rati-vardhinī
She who increases loving attachment (rati) for Mukunda (Krishna)
जयति
jayati
May she be victorious / all glory to her
पद्मबन्धोः सुता
padma-bandhoḥ sutā
The daughter of the sun (Surya, friend of the lotus); Yamuna is daughter of the sun-god
भुवनपावनीम्
bhuvana-pāvanīm
The purifier of all the worlds
कृष्णतुर्यप्रियाम्
kṛṣṇa-turya-priyām
Dear to Krishna (one of His beloved associates)
शिवविरिञ्चिदेवस्तुते
śiva-viriñci-deva-stute
O you who are praised by Shiva, Brahma (Virinchi) and the gods
विशुद्धमथुरातटे
viśuddha-mathurā-taṭe
O you on whose bank stands the holy land of Mathura
कृपाजलधिसंश्रिते
kṛpā-jaladhi-saṃśrite
O you who are the resort (abode) of an ocean of compassion
नमोऽस्तु यमुने
namo 'stu yamune
Obeisances unto you, O Yamuna
यमयातना न भवति
yama-yātanā na bhavati
The torments of Yama (death/hell) do not arise (for those who drink your water)
तवाष्टकम् इदम्
tavāṣṭakam idam
This eight-verse hymn (ashtakam) to you

Origin & History

Source: Yamunashtakam (Shri Vallabhacharya's stotras, Pushtimarg tradition)

Author: Shri Vallabhacharya (Vallabha Mahaprabhu)

Period: 15th–16th century CE

Shri Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushtimarg path of grace, held the river Yamuna in the highest reverence as Shri Yamunaji, the eternal beloved of Lord Krishna and the very embodiment of His grace flowing into the world. Composing the Yamunashtakam, he glorified her as the daughter of the sun, the purifier of all worlds, and the giver of love for Krishna. The hymn remains a central daily prayer in the Pushtimarg, sung especially during seva and bathing in her sacred waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Yamunashtakam?
It is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn (ashtakam) in praise of the sacred river Yamuna, beginning 'Namami Yamunam aham'. It glorifies Yamuna as the daughter of the sun-god and the beloved companion of Lord Krishna, and describes the spiritual blessings of her worship.
Who composed the Yamunashtakam?
It was composed by Shri Vallabhacharya (Mahaprabhu Vallabha), the 15th–16th century saint-philosopher and founder of the Pushtimarg (Shuddhadvaita) tradition of Krishna devotion.
Why is the Yamuna so revered in Krishna devotion?
The Yamuna flows through Vraja and Mathura, the land of Krishna's pastimes. She is regarded as His eternal beloved associate; her waters bear the dust of His lotus feet, and serving her is said to grant love for Krishna and all spiritual perfections.
What blessings does reciting the Yamunashtakam bring?
Tradition holds that it increases love for Krishna, bestows every spiritual perfection, purifies the heart, and protects the devotee from the torments of death — for one who serves Yamuna becomes dear to Hari, just as the gopis did.

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