Govindashtakam
गोविन्दाष्टकम् in English · English
Origin & Story
Ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · Classical
The Govindashtakam is traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya. Eight verses to Govinda (Krishna) by Adi Shankaracharya — adoring the Lord as Truth, Knowledge, the Infinite and Eternal (satyam jnanam anantam nityam), the all-pervading reality beyond the senses.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Govindashtakam with a sincere and devoted heart is to draw near to the grace of the Lord, who never forsakes those who lovingly call upon Him.
The Mantra
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śrī gaṇeśāya namaḥ || cidānandākāraṃ śrutisarasasāraṃ samarasaṃ nirādhārādhāraṃ bhavajaladhipāraṃ paraguṇam | ramāgrīvāhāraṃ vrajavanavihāraṃ haranutaṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 1|| mahāmbhodisthānaṃ sthiracaranidānaṃ divijapaṃ sudhādhārāpānaṃ vihagapatiyānaṃ yamaratam | manojñaṃ sujñānaṃ munijananidhānaṃ dhruvapadam sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 2|| dhiyā dhīrairdhyeyaṃ śravaṇapuṭapeyaṃ yativaraiḥ mahāvākyaijñeyaṃ tribhuvanavidheyaṃ vidhiparam | manomānāmeyaṃ sapadi hṛdi neyaṃ navatanuṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 3|| mahāmāyājālaṃ vimalavanamālaṃ malaharaṃ subālaṃ gopālaṃ nihataśiśupālaṃ śaśimukham | kalātītaṃ kālaṃ gatihatamarālaṃ muraripuṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 4|| nabhobimbasphītaṃ nigamagaṇagītaṃ samagatiṃ suraughe samprītaṃ ditijaviparītaṃ puriśayam | girāṃ panthātītaṃ svaditanavanītaṃ nayakaraṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 5|| pareśaṃ padmeśaṃ śivakamalajeśam śivakaraṃ dvijeśaṃ deveśaṃ tanukuṭilakeśaṃ kaliharam | khageśaṃ nāgeśaṃ nikhilabhuvaneśaṃ nagadharaṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 6|| ramākāntaṃ kāntaṃ bhavabhayalayāntaṃ bhavasukhaṃ durāśāntaṃ śāntaṃ nikhilahṛdi bhāntaṃ bhuvanapam | vivādāntaṃ dāntaṃ danujanicayāntaṃ sucaritaṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 7|| jagajjyeṣṭhaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ surapatikaniṣṭhaṃ kratupatiṃ baliṣṭhaṃ bhūyiṣṭhaṃ tribhuvanavariṣṭhaṃ varavaham | svaniṣṭhaṃ dhārmiṣṭhaṃ guruguṇagariṣṭhaṃ guruvaraṃ sadā taṃ govindaṃ paramasukhakandaṃ bhajata re || 8|| gadāpāṇeretadduritadalanaṃ duḥkhaśamanaṃ viśuddhātmā stotraṃ paṭhati manujo yastu satatam | sa bhuktvā bhogaughaṃ ciramiha tato'pāstavṛjino varaṃ viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ vrajati khalu vaikuṇṭhabhuvanam || || iti śrī paramahaṃsa svāmi brahmānanda viracitaṃ śrī govindāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam ||
Meaning:Eight verses to Govinda (Krishna) by Adi Shankaracharya — adoring the Lord as Truth, Knowledge, the Infinite and Eternal (satyam jnanam anantam nityam), the all-pervading reality beyond the senses.
Benefits of Chanting गोविन्दाष्टकम्
Recitation of the Govindashtakam is held to bring the grace, blessings and protection of the Lord.
Cultivates devotion, calms the mind and steadies the heart in the Lord’s remembrance.
Most auspicious on Wednesdays and Ekadashi, and during Janmashtami and Ekadashi.
A short, melodious hymn that anyone can learn and recite daily with faith.
How to Chant गोविन्दाष्टकम्
Bathe and sit facing east before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Govindashtakam slowly and with devotion. It may be chanted daily, or especially during Janmashtami and Ekadashi. Conclude with a prayer for grace and protection.
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Read the full गोविन्दाष्टकम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts