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krishnaradha-krishnasharanagatisurrender

He Krishna Karuna Sindho

हे कृष्ण करुणासिन्धो in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning (Brahma Muhurta) or evening; before any Krishna worship or scripture reading·📜 Traditional Vaishnava prayer verse (sharanagati shloka)
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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This single, beloved verse addresses Sri Krishna by six tender names — ocean of compassion, friend of the fallen, Lord of the universe, master of the cowherds, beloved of the gopis and beloved of Radha — and ends in complete surrender. It is one of the most widely recited prayers of sharanagati (loving self-surrender) to Krishna.

Origin & Story

Traditional Vaishnava prayer verse (sharanagati shloka) · Unknown (traditional) · Classical / medieval Vaishnava tradition

This verse belongs to the rich tradition of sharanagati (surrender) prayers offered to Sri Krishna. By naming Him as the ocean of compassion, the friend of the distressed and the beloved of Radha and the gopis, the devotee approaches Krishna not as a distant deity but as the most intimate refuge. It is recited daily by Vaishnavas across India as a humble offering of the self at Krishna's feet.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees relate that calling upon Krishna as 'Dina-bandhu' — friend of the helpless — has brought solace in their darkest moments, echoing the Lord's own promise in the Gita that He personally cares for those who surrender to Him with love.

The Mantra

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He Krishna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate Gopesha gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo'stu te

Meaning:O Krishna, ocean of compassion! O friend of the fallen and distressed! O Lord of the universe! O master of the cowherds, beloved of the gopis, beloved of Radha — I offer my humble salutations unto You.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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He Krishna🔊O Krishna (the all-attractive Lord)
Karuna-sindho🔊O ocean of compassion
Dina-bandho🔊O friend of the lowly and the distressed
Jagat-pate🔊O Lord and master of the universe
Gopesha🔊O Lord of the cowherds (Gopas)
Gopika-kanta🔊O beloved of the gopis (cowherd maidens)
Radha-kanta🔊O beloved of Radha
Namah🔊Salutations, I bow
Astu🔊Let there be, may it be
Te🔊Unto You

Benefits of Chanting हे कृष्ण करुणासिन्धो

✦

Expresses complete loving surrender (sharanagati) at the feet of Sri Krishna

✦

Invokes Krishna's boundless compassion as 'ocean of mercy' and 'friend of the distressed'

✦

Short and easily memorised, ideal for daily remembrance and for opening any Krishna prayer

✦

Fills the heart with humility and the sweet mood (madhurya-bhava) of Radha-Krishna devotion

✦

Brings peace and reassurance in times of trouble by calling on the friend of the fallen

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A perfect verse to chant before reading the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam

How to Chant हे कृष्ण करुणासिन्धो

Repetitions11times
Best TimeEarly morning (Brahma Muhurta) or evening; before any Krishna worship or scripture reading
FaceEast

Sit calmly before an image of Sri Krishna or Radha-Krishna. Recite the verse slowly, feeling the meaning of each name as you call upon the Lord. Many devotees repeat it 3, 11 or 27 times as a gentle invocation of surrender before japa, aarti, or reading the Gita. It may also be sung melodiously as a prayer of refuge.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete हे कृष्ण करुणासिन्धो written in the English 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 means 'O Krishna, ocean of compassion.' The verse goes on to call Him friend of the distressed (dina-bandho), Lord of the universe (jagat-pate), Lord of the cowherds (gopesha), beloved of the gopis (gopika-kanta) and beloved of Radha (radha-kanta), ending with loving surrender.
It is a popular prayer of surrender chanted in the morning or evening, before Krishna worship, aarti, japa, or before reading the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. It is also recited whenever one seeks Krishna's shelter and grace.
Dina-bandhu means 'friend of the lowly and helpless.' It expresses the devotee's trust that Krishna's mercy especially embraces those who feel fallen, weak or distressed, and who turn to Him in surrender.
It is widely cited as an independent prayer of sharanagati and is included in many traditional Krishna prayer collections and sandhya recitations. Its six names and final salutation make it a complete, self-contained invocation.

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कृष्णाय वासुदेवायकृष्णाय वासुदेवायअच्युतम् केशवम्अच्युतम् केशवम्हरे कृष्ण महामंत्रहरे कृष्ण महामंत्रकृष्ण मंत्रकृष्ण मंत्रमधुराष्टकम्मधुराष्टकम्आरती कुंजबिहारी कीआरती कुंजबिहारी कीमुकुन्दमाला स्तोत्रम्मुकुन्दमाला स्तोत्रम्

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