krishnagovindavishnushankaracharya

𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌕𑌮𑍍 (𑌸𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌂 𑌜𑍍𑌞𑌾𑌨𑌮𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌮𑍍)

Govindashtakam (Satyam Jnanam Anantam) in Grantha · 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

🕉️ hindu·📿 8× repetitions·🕐 Early morning (Brahma Muhurta) or evening; especially on Janmashtami and Wednesdays·📜 Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (Stotra literature)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

Origin & Story

Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (Stotra literature) · Adi Shankaracharya · c. 8th century CE

Govinda is one of the most beloved names of Krishna, meaning the protector of cows, the Earth and the Vedas. Adi Shankaracharya, the great Advaita master, composed this Govindashtakam to reveal Krishna as both the formless Brahman of the Upanishads — Truth, Knowledge, Infinity — and the enchanting cowherd child of Vraja who ate butter, lifted Govardhana and danced on the serpent Kaliya. The hymn's eight verses are a rare and beautiful union of jnana and bhakti, and it remains distinct from the other Govindashtakam (beginning 'Chidanandakaram').

✦ As told in scripture

The final verse is itself the declared fruit: tradition holds that one who recites this Govindashtakam with the mind surrendered to Govinda is cleansed of all sins as if bathed in a nectar-ocean, and comes to realise the ever-blissful Govinda seated within the heart.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

𑌸𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌂 𑌜𑍍𑌞𑌾𑌨𑌮𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌨𑌿𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌶𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌶𑌂 𑌗𑍋𑌷𑍍𑌠𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌙𑍍𑌗𑌣𑌰𑌿𑌙𑍍𑌖𑌣𑌲𑍋𑌲𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌯𑌾𑌸𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌯𑌾𑌸𑌮𑍍 । 𑌮𑌾𑌯𑌾𑌕𑌲𑍍𑌪𑌿𑌤𑌨𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌂 𑌭𑍁𑌵𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌂 𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌮𑌾𑌯𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌥𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌥𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௧ ॥

Satyam jnanamanantam nityamanakasham paramakasham Goshthaprangana-rinkhana-lolamanayasam paramayasam | Maya-kalpita-nanakaramanakaram bhuvanakaram Kshmayanathamanatham pranamata govindam paramanandam || 1 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — who is Truth, Knowledge, infinite and eternal; who is not bound by space yet is the supreme space; who delights, untroubled, to crawl in the cowherds' courtyard, yet is the goal of utmost striving; who, fashioned by maya, appears in countless forms though himself formless, his very form the universe; the Lord of the Earth who has no lord above him.

Verse 2

𑌮𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌸𑍍𑌨𑌾𑌮𑌤𑍍𑌸𑍀𑌹𑍇𑌤𑌿 𑌯𑌶𑍋𑌦𑌾𑌤𑌾𑌡𑌨𑌶𑍈𑌶𑌵𑌸𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌸𑌂 𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌦𑌿𑌤𑌵𑌕𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌿𑌤𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌾𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌚𑌤𑍁𑌰𑍍𑌦𑌶𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌿𑌮𑍍 । 𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌯𑌪𑍁𑌰𑌮𑍂𑌲𑌸𑍍𑌤𑌮𑍍𑌭𑌂 𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌾𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌲𑍋𑌕𑌂 𑌲𑍋𑌕𑍇𑌶𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑍇𑌶𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௨ ॥

Mritsnamatsiheti yashodatadana-shaishavasantrasam Vyadita-vaktraalokita-lokaaloka-chaturdashalokalim | Lokatraya-pura-mulastambham lokalokamanalokam Lokesham paramesham pranamata govindam paramanandam || 2 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — who as a child trembled at Yashoda's chiding 'You have eaten mud!', and in whose opened mouth she beheld all the fourteen worlds; the central pillar upholding the cities of the three worlds; seen yet beyond sight, the Lord of all worlds, the supreme Lord.

Verse 3

𑌤𑍍𑌰𑍈𑌵𑌿𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌪𑌰𑌿𑌪𑍁𑌵𑍀𑌰𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌂 𑌕𑍍𑌷𑌿𑌤𑌿𑌭𑌾𑌰𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌂 𑌭𑌵𑌰𑍋𑌗𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌂 𑌕𑍈𑌵𑌲𑍍𑌯𑌂 𑌨𑌵𑌨𑍀𑌤𑌾𑌹𑌾𑌰𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌹𑌾𑌰𑌂 𑌭𑍁𑌵𑌨𑌾𑌹𑌾𑌰𑌮𑍍 । 𑌵𑍈𑌮𑌲𑍍𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌫𑍁𑌟𑌚𑍇𑌤𑍋𑌵𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌿𑌵𑌿𑌶𑍇𑌷𑌾𑌭𑌾𑌸𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌭𑌾𑌸𑌂 𑌶𑍈𑌵𑌂 𑌕𑍇𑌵𑌲𑌶𑌾𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௩ ॥

Traivishtaparipuviraghnam kshitibharaghnam bhavarogaghnam Kaivalyam navanitaharamanaharam bhuvanaharam | Vaimalya-sphuta-cheto-vritti-visheshabhasamanabhasam Shaivam kevalashantam pranamata govindam paramanandam || 3 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — slayer of the heroic foes of the gods, remover of the Earth's burden and the disease of existence; liberation itself, who eats fresh butter yet needs no food, being the sustainer of the worlds; the pure, stilled, auspicious One who shines forth as the spotless movements of a clear mind, though he himself is beyond all appearance.

Verse 4

𑌗𑍋𑌪𑌾𑌲𑌂 𑌭𑍂𑌲𑍀𑌲𑌾𑌵𑌿𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌹𑌗𑍋𑌪𑌾𑌲𑌂 𑌕𑍁𑌲𑌗𑍋𑌪𑌾𑌲𑌂 𑌗𑍋𑌪𑍀𑌖𑍇𑌲𑌨𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌧𑌨𑌧𑍃𑌤𑌿𑌲𑍀𑌲𑌾𑌲𑌾𑌲𑌿𑌤𑌗𑍋𑌪𑌾𑌲𑌮𑍍 । 𑌗𑍋𑌭𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌨𑌿𑌗𑌦𑌿𑌤𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌸𑍍𑌫𑍁𑌟𑌨𑌾𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌂 𑌬𑌹𑍁𑌨𑌾𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌂 𑌗𑍋𑌪𑍀𑌗𑍋𑌚𑌰𑌦𑍂𑌰𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௪ ॥

Gopalam bhulilavigrahagopalam kulagopalam Gopikhelana-govardhanadhritilila-lalitagopalam | Gobhirnigaditagovindasphutanaamanam bahunaamanam Gopigocharaduram pranamata govindam paramanandam || 4 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — Gopala, the cowherd who took a charming form in his earthly play, the cowherd of his clan, who lovingly lifted Govardhana in sport amid the gopis; whose names 'Govinda' the very cows proclaim, the One of many names, yet beyond even the gopis' grasp.

Verse 5

𑌗𑍋𑌪𑍀𑌮𑌣𑍍𑌡𑌲𑌗𑍋𑌷𑍍𑌠𑍀𑌭𑍇𑌦𑌂 𑌭𑍇𑌦𑌾𑌵𑌸𑍍𑌥𑌮𑌭𑍇𑌦𑌾𑌭𑌂 𑌶𑌶𑍍𑌵𑌦𑍍𑌗𑍋𑌖𑍁𑌰𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌧𑍂𑌤𑍋𑌦𑍍𑌗𑌤𑌧𑍂𑌲𑍀𑌧𑍂𑌸𑌰𑌸𑍗𑌭𑌾𑌗𑍍𑌯𑌮𑍍 । 𑌶𑍍𑌰𑌦𑍍𑌧𑌾𑌭𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌿𑌗𑍃𑌹𑍀𑌤𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑌚𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌂 𑌚𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌿𑌤𑌸𑌦𑍍𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌂 𑌚𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌾𑌮𑌣𑌿𑌮𑌹𑌿𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௫ ॥

Gopimandalagoshthibhedam bhedavasthamabhedabham Shashvadgokhuranirdhutodgatadhulidhusarasaubhagyam | Shraddhabhaktigrihitanandamachintyam chintitasadbhavam Chintamanimahimanam pranamata govindam paramanandam || 5 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — who, seeming many amid the circles of gopis, is yet the undivided One; whose beauty is dusted golden by the dust raised ceaselessly by the cows' hooves; whose bliss is grasped through faith and devotion, who is beyond thought yet the true essence contemplated by the devout, glorious as the wish-fulfilling Chintamani gem.

Verse 6

𑌸𑍍𑌨𑌾𑌨𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌕𑍁𑌲𑌯𑍋𑌷𑌿𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌮𑍁𑌪𑌾𑌦𑌾𑌯𑌾𑌗𑌮𑍁𑌪𑌾𑌰𑍂𑌢𑌂 𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌦𑌿𑌤𑍍𑌸𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍀𑌰𑌥 𑌦𑌿𑌗𑍍𑌵𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾 𑌦𑌾𑌤𑍁𑌮𑍁𑌪𑌾𑌕𑌰𑍍𑌷𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌤𑌾𑌃 । 𑌨𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌧𑍂𑌤𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌯𑌶𑍋𑌕𑌵𑌿𑌮𑍋𑌹𑌂 𑌬𑍁𑌦𑍍𑌧𑌂 𑌬𑍁𑌦𑍍𑌧𑍇𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌃𑌸𑍍𑌥𑌂 𑌸𑌤𑍍𑌤𑌾𑌮𑌾𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌶𑌰𑍀𑌰𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௬ ॥

Snanavyakulayoshidvastramupadayagamuparudham Vyaditsantiratha digvastra datumupakarshantam tah | Nirdhutadvayashokavimoham buddham buddherantahstham Sattamatrashariram pranamata govindam paramanandam || 6 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — who, taking up the garments of the maidens absorbed in bathing, climbed (the kadamba tree), and when they came, clad in the directions (bare), drew them near to give the clothes back; the Awakened One, free of the twin delusion of grief, dwelling within the intellect, his body pure Being alone.

Verse 7

𑌕𑌾𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌣𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌾𑌦𑌿𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌦𑌿𑌂 𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌮𑌨𑌾𑌭𑌾𑌸𑌂 𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑍀𑌗𑌤𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌿𑌯𑌶𑌿𑌰𑌸𑌿 𑌮𑍁𑌹𑍁𑌰𑍍𑌨𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌂 𑌨𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌮𑍍 । 𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌂 𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌕𑌲𑌾𑌤𑍀𑌤𑌂 𑌕𑌲𑌿𑌤𑌾𑌶𑍇𑌷𑌂 𑌕𑌲𑌿𑌦𑍋𑌷𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌂 𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌯𑌗𑌤𑌿𑌹𑍇𑌤𑍁𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௭ ॥

Kantam karanakaranamadimanadim kalamanabhasam Kalindigatakaliyashirasi muhurnrityantam nrityantam | Kalam kalakalatitam kalitaasesham kalidoshaghnam Kalatrayagatihetum pranamata govindam paramanandam || 7 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — the beloved, the cause of all causes, the beginningless beginning, Time itself yet beyond appearance, dancing again and again upon the heads of the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna; Time beyond the divisions of time, comprehending all, destroyer of the evils of Kali, the cause of the course of the three times.

Verse 8

𑌵𑍃𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌵𑌨𑌭𑍁𑌵𑌿 𑌵𑍃𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌰𑌕𑌗𑌣𑌵𑍃𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌰𑌾𑌧𑌿𑌤𑌵𑌨𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌯𑌂 𑌕𑍁𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌭𑌾𑌮𑌲𑌮𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌸𑍍𑌮𑍇𑌰𑌸𑍁𑌧𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌸𑍁𑌹𑍃𑌦𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 । 𑌵𑌨𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌶𑍇𑌷𑌮𑌹𑌾𑌮𑍁𑌨𑌿𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌸𑌵𑌨𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌪𑌦𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌨𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌵𑌂 𑌵𑌨𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌶𑍇𑌷𑌗𑍁𑌣𑌾𑌬𑍍𑌧𑌿𑌂 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍 ॥ ௮ ॥

Vrindavanabhuvi vrindarakaganavrindaradhitavandyayam Kundabhaamalamandasmera-sudhanandam suhridanandam | Vandyaasheshamahamunimanasavandyanandapadadvandvam Vandyaasheshagunabdhim pranamata govindam paramanandam || 8 ||

Meaning:Bow down to Govinda, the supreme bliss — adored and worshipped in the land of Vrindavan by hosts of the gods; whose gentle nectar-smile is pure as the jasmine, the joy of his loving companions; whose pair of blissful feet are revered in the hearts of all the great sages, the ocean of all praiseworthy virtues.

Verse 9

𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌷𑍍𑌟𑌕𑌮𑍇𑌤𑌦𑌧𑍀𑌤𑍇 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌪𑌿𑌤𑌚𑍇𑌤𑌾 𑌯𑍋 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌚𑍍𑌯𑍁𑌤 𑌮𑌾𑌧𑌵 𑌵𑌿𑌷𑍍𑌣𑍋 𑌗𑍋𑌕𑍁𑌲𑌨𑌾𑌯𑌕 𑌕𑍃𑌷𑍍𑌣𑍇𑌤𑌿 । 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌙𑍍𑌘𑍍𑌰𑌿𑌸𑌰𑍋𑌜𑌧𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌨𑌸𑍁𑌧𑌾𑌜𑌲𑌧𑍗𑌤𑌸𑌮𑌸𑍍𑌤𑌾𑌘𑍋 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌂 𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌮𑍃𑌤𑌮𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌃𑌸𑍍𑌥𑌂 𑌸 𑌤𑌮𑌭𑍍𑌯𑍇𑌤𑌿 ॥

Govindashtakametadadhite govindarpitacheta yo Govindachyuta madhava vishno gokulanayaka krishneti | Govindanghrisarojadhyanasudhajaladhautasamastagho Govindam paramanandamritamantahstham sa tamabhyeti ||

Meaning:Whoever, with mind offered to Govinda, recites this Govindashtakam, calling 'Govinda! Achyuta! Madhava! Vishnu! O Lord of Gokula! Krishna!' — all his sins washed away in the nectar-ocean of meditation on Govinda's lotus-feet — attains that Govinda, the supreme blissful nectar, abiding within.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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𑌸𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌮𑍍🔊SatyamTruth / the truly existent (Reality)

𑌜𑍍𑌞𑌾𑌨𑌮𑍍🔊JnanamPure consciousness / knowledge

𑌅𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌮𑍍🔊AnantamInfinite, endless

𑌨𑌿𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌮𑍍🔊NityamEternal

𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌶𑌮𑍍🔊ParamakashamThe supreme space (the transcendent expanse of consciousness)

𑌗𑍋𑌷𑍍𑌠𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌙𑍍𑌗𑌣𑌰𑌿𑌙𑍍𑌖𑌣𑌲𑍋𑌲𑌮𑍍🔊Goshtha-prangana-rinkhana-lolamDelighting to crawl in the courtyard of the cowherd settlement

𑌮𑌾𑌯𑌾𑌕𑌲𑍍𑌪𑌿𑌤𑌨𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌮𑍍🔊Maya-kalpita-nanakaramAppearing in countless forms fashioned by maya (illusion)

𑌅𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌮𑍍🔊AnakaramYet himself formless

𑌭𑍁𑌵𑌨𑌾𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌮𑍍🔊BhuvanakaramWhose form is the worlds (the universe itself)

𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌣𑌮𑌤 𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍🔊Pranamata govindamBow down to Govinda!

𑌪𑌰𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌮𑍍🔊ParamanandamThe supreme bliss

𑌮𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌸𑍍𑌨𑌾 𑌮𑌤𑍍𑌸𑌿 𑌇𑌤𑌿🔊Mritsna matsi iti'You have eaten earth (mud)!' — (Yashoda's accusation)

𑌯𑌶𑍋𑌦𑌾𑌤𑌾𑌡𑌨𑌶𑍈𑌶𑌵𑌸𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌸𑌮𑍍🔊Yashoda-tadana-shaishava-santrasamWho as a child showed fear at Yashoda's chiding (mock-punishment)

𑌕𑍍𑌷𑌿𑌤𑌿𑌭𑌾𑌰𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌮𑍍🔊KshitibharaghnamDestroyer of the burden of the Earth

𑌭𑌵𑌰𑍋𑌗𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌮𑍍🔊BhavarogaghnamDestroyer of the disease of worldly existence (samsara)

𑌨𑌵𑌨𑍀𑌤𑌾𑌹𑌾𑌰𑌮𑍍🔊NavanitaharamWhose food is fresh butter (navanita)

𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌧𑌨𑌧𑍃𑌤𑌿𑌲𑍀𑌲𑌾🔊Govardhana-dhriti-lilaThe playful lifting and holding up of Mount Govardhana

𑌗𑍋𑌪𑍀𑌗𑍋𑌚𑌰𑌦𑍂𑌰𑌮𑍍🔊Gopi-gochara-duramBeyond the reach even of the gopis' perception (i.e. transcendent)

𑌕𑌾𑌲𑌿𑌯𑌶𑌿𑌰𑌸𑌿 𑌨𑍃𑌤𑍍𑌯𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌮𑍍🔊Kaliya-shirasi nrityantamDancing upon the hood(s) of the serpent Kaliya

𑌕𑌲𑌿𑌦𑍋𑌷𑌘𑍍𑌨𑌮𑍍🔊KalidoshaghnamThe destroyer of the faults/evils of the Kali age

𑌵𑍃𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌵𑌨𑌭𑍁𑌵𑌿🔊VrindavanabhuviIn the land of Vrindavan

𑌅𑌶𑍇𑌷𑌗𑍁𑌣𑌾𑌬𑍍𑌧𑌿𑌮𑍍🔊Ashesha-gunabdhimThe ocean of infinite (auspicious) qualities

𑌗𑍋𑌵𑌿𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌪𑌿𑌤𑌚𑍇𑌤𑌾𑌃🔊Govindarpita-chetahWith the mind offered up to Govinda

𑌸𑌮𑌸𑍍𑌤𑌾𑌘𑌃🔊SamastaghahAll sins (washed away)

Benefits of Chanting Govindashtakam (Satyam Jnanam Anantam)

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Unites Vedantic contemplation of the Absolute with loving devotion to Krishna's pastimes

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Each verse ends with 'pranamata govindam paramanandam', drawing the mind to supreme bliss

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The closing verse promises that the reciter, his sins washed away, attains the inner Govinda

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Cultivates both jnana (wisdom) and bhakti (devotion) together

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Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, it carries the grace of the great non-dual master

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Brings deep peace and one-pointedness when recited contemplatively

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Excellent for daily recitation, Janmashtami and Krishna worship

How to Chant Govindashtakam (Satyam Jnanam Anantam)

Repetitions8times

Best TimeEarly morning (Brahma Muhurta) or evening; especially on Janmashtami and Wednesdays

Sit calmly before an image of Lord Krishna / Govinda, light a lamp and recite the eight verses slowly, holding both meanings in mind — Govinda as the formless Truth and as the child of Vraja. Let the refrain 'pranamata govindam paramanandam' settle the mind in devotion. Conclude with the ninth (phala) verse, calling on the names 'Govinda, Achyuta, Madhava, Vishnu, Krishna'. Especially recited on Janmashtami.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Govindashtakam (Satyam Jnanam Anantam) written in the Grantha script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn to Lord Krishna (Govinda) by Adi Shankaracharya, beginning 'Satyam jnanam anantam nityam'. It is distinctive for weaving Vedantic descriptions of the formless Absolute together with Krishna's childhood pastimes, each verse ending 'pranamata govindam paramanandam'.

It is traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE), the great Advaita Vedanta master, who composed many hymns blending philosophical depth with devotion. Note that another, different hymn beginning 'Chidanandakaram' is also called Govindashtakam.

The refrain 'pranamata govindam paramanandam' that ends every verse means 'Bow down to Govinda, who is the supreme bliss (paramananda).'

The concluding verse states that the devotee who recites it with mind fixed on Govinda — calling 'Govinda, Achyuta, Madhava, Vishnu, Krishna' — has all sins washed away in the nectar of meditation on Govinda's feet, and attains the supremely blissful Govinda who dwells within.