Nanda Kumara Ashtakam
नन्दकुमाराष्टकम् in English · English
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✦ Meaning
The Nanda Kumara Ashtakam is a melodious eight-verse hymn praising Sri Krishna as the beloved son of Nanda and the moon of Vrindavan. Each verse recalls His enchanting form and divine play — subduing Kaliya, lifting Govardhana, slaying Kamsa, stealing butter, and sporting with the cowherds — and ends with the loving refrain 'Nanda-sutaya namo namah' (salutations again and again to the son of Nanda). It is a favourite devotional song urging all to worship the all-blissful Lord of Vrindavan.
Origin & Story
Traditional Sanskrit hymn (Vaishnava / Krishna-bhakti tradition) · Unknown (traditional) · Medieval / traditional
The Nanda Kumara Ashtakam is a much-loved hymn from the devotional tradition centred on Krishna's childhood pastimes in Vrindavan. Its verses gather together the most beloved lilas of the Lord — the dancing upon the hood of Kaliya, the lifting of Govardhana to shelter the cowherds from Indra's wrath, the destruction of demons and of Kamsa, and the tender butter-thieving in Yashoda's courtyard — and offer them at the feet of 'Nanda-Kumara', the son of Nanda. It is sung as a bhajan throughout the Vaishnava world.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees hold that this hymn carries the very sweetness of Vrindavan: the final phala-verse promises that whoever recites the Nanda-Kumara Ashtakam, or even hears it with faith, receives the loving grace of Vrindavana-chandra, the son of Nanda, who removes sorrow and draws the heart irresistibly into His blissful presence.
Complete Text with Meaning
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Sundara-gopālam ura-vana-mālaṃ nayana-viśālaṃ duḥkha-haram | Vṛndāvana-candram ānanda-kandaṃ paramānandaṃ nanda-sutam || Iti śrī-nanda-kumāram aṣṭakaṃ paṭhati yaḥ śṛṇuyād viśvāsam | Vṛndāvana-candraḥ kṛpayati tasmai nanda-sutāya namo namaḥ ||
Meaning:I worship the beautiful Gopala, who wears a garland of forest flowers upon His chest, whose eyes are wide like lotuses, the remover of all sorrow; the moon of Vrindavan, the very root of bliss, the supreme joy, the son of Nanda. Whoever recites this Nanda-Kumara Ashtakam, or hears it with faith — upon him the moon of Vrindavan, the son of Nanda, bestows His grace. Salutations again and again to Him.
Kāliya-nāga-vimardana-kārī gopī-citta-vihārī | Muralī-dhara-mukha-candra-manohārī viśva-vihārī giridhārī || Vṛndāvana-candram ānanda-kandaṃ paramānandaṃ nanda-sutam | Bhajare bhajare manuja-manuṣyaṃ nanda-sutāya namo namaḥ ||
Meaning:He who subdued the serpent Kaliya, who sports in the hearts of the gopis; the flute-bearer whose moon-like face enchants all, who roams through the worlds, the lifter of the mountain — the moon of Vrindavan, the root of bliss, the supreme joy, the son of Nanda. Worship Him, worship Him, O mortals! Salutations again and again to the son of Nanda.
Indrādika-garva-vināśana-kārī govardhana-dhārī | Dhenuka-mukhyāsura-mardana-kārī kaṃsa-nikandana-kārī || Vṛndāvana-candram ānanda-kandaṃ paramānandaṃ nanda-sutam | Bhajare bhajare manuja-manuṣyaṃ nanda-sutāya namo namaḥ ||
Meaning:He who shattered the pride of Indra and the gods, who held up Mount Govardhana, who slew the demon Dhenuka and others, and who destroyed Kamsa — the moon of Vrindavan, the root of bliss, the supreme joy, the son of Nanda. Worship Him, worship Him, O mortals! Salutations again and again to the son of Nanda.
Śrīdāma-sudāma-subala-sakhena saha viharantaṃ vipinena | Gopa-gaṇaiḥ saha go-dhana-cārī vaṃśī-vaṭa-taṭa-vihārī || Vṛndāvana-candram ānanda-kandaṃ paramānandaṃ nanda-sutam | Bhajare bhajare manuja-manuṣyaṃ nanda-sutāya namo namaḥ ||
Meaning:He who roams the forest playing with His friends Sridama, Sudama and Subala, tending the cows with the cowherd boys, sporting upon the banks by the Vamshi-vata — the moon of Vrindavan, the root of bliss, the supreme joy, the son of Nanda. Worship Him, worship Him, O mortals! Salutations again and again to the son of Nanda.
Yaśomati-nandana-nanda-kiśoraṃ navanīta-coram ati-dhīram | Nayana-saroruha-bhṛṅga-manoharaṃ vadana-sudhākara-sundaram || Vṛndāvana-candram ānanda-kandaṃ paramānandaṃ nanda-sutam | Bhajare bhajare manuja-manuṣyaṃ nanda-sutāya namo namaḥ ||
Meaning:The darling boy of mother Yashoda, the butter-thief who is yet utterly serene, whose lotus eyes are enchanting like bees, whose face is lovely as the nectar-rayed moon — the moon of Vrindavan, the root of bliss, the supreme joy, the son of Nanda. Worship Him, worship Him, O mortals! Salutations again and again to the son of Nanda.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting नन्दकुमाराष्टकम्
Kindles deep love (bhakti-rasa) for the sweet, child-like form of Sri Krishna of Vrindavan.
Each verse meditates on a divine pastime — Kaliya, Govardhana, Kamsa, the butter-theft — making it a complete remembrance of Krishna's lila.
The refrain 'Nanda-sutaya namo namah' fills the heart with surrender and the joy of His name.
Said to remove sorrow (duhkha-haram) and bestow Krishna's grace upon the one who recites or hears it with faith.
Melodious and easy to sing, making it ideal for daily bhajan, kirtan and for children.
Especially cherished on Janmashtami and during Vrindavan-centred Krishna worship.
How to Chant नन्दकुमाराष्टकम्
Sit before an image of Bala-Krishna or Gopala and sing the verses melodiously, picturing each pastime — the lifting of Govardhana, the dance upon Kaliya, the stealing of butter in Yashoda's home. Let the heart melt at the refrain 'Nanda-sutaya namo namah'. It may be sung as a bhajan in kirtan with others, or recited quietly as daily remembrance of the Lord of Vrindavan.
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Read the full नन्दकुमाराष्टकम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts