krishnakrishnashtakamvishnushankaracharya

ଶ୍ରୀ କୃଷ୍ଣାଷ୍ଟକମ୍ (ଭଜେ ବ୍ରଜୈକ ମଣ୍ଡନମ୍)

श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् (भजे व्रजैकमण्डनम्)

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

Also known as: bhaje vrajaika mandanam · krishnashtakam bhaje vrajaika mandanam · shri krishnashtakam · krishnashtaka · vrajaika mandanam

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Krishnashtakam beginning 'Bhaje Vrajaika Mandanam' is a melodious eight-verse hymn to Lord Krishna, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. Set to a flowing internally-rhyming metre, each verse ends with 'namami…' (I bow), adoring Krishna as the ornament of Vraja, the lotus-eyed lifter of Govardhana, the beloved of the gopis, and the stealer of hearts. The closing verse promises pure devotion to Krishna in every birth to those who recite it.

Origin & Story

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

Lord Krishna, the eighth avatara of Vishnu, spent his childhood in Vraja (Vrindavan) enchanting all with his beauty, his flute and his playful pastimes — lifting Mount Govardhana, humbling Indra's pride, and stealing the hearts of the gopas and gopis. This Krishnashtakam, traditionally credited to Adi Shankaracharya, gathers those very pastimes into eight flowing verses. It is one of two famous ashtakas to Krishna ascribed to the acharya, the other beginning 'Vasudeva-sutam devam'.

✦ As told in scripture

The closing verse itself is the promised fruit (phala): tradition holds that whoever sincerely studies and recites these eight verses is granted unshakable devotion to Krishna life after life — a boon dearer to devotees than any worldly gain.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

भजे व्रजैकमण्डनं समस्तपापखण्डनं स्वभक्तचित्तरञ्जनं सदैव नन्दनन्दनम् । सुपिच्छगुच्छमस्तकं सुनादवेणुहस्तकं अनङ्गरङ्गसागरं नमामि कृष्णनागरम् ॥ १ ॥

Bhaje vrajaikamandanam samastapapakhandanam Svabhaktachittaranjanam sadaiva nandanandanam | Supicchagucchamastakam sunadavenuhastakam Anangarangasagaram namami krishnanagaram || 1 ||

Meaning:ବ୍ରଜର ଏକମାତ୍ର ଆଭୂଷଣକୁ, ସମସ୍ତ ପାପର ନାଶକକୁ, ନିଜ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ଚିତ୍ତକୁ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ କରୁଥିବାଙ୍କୁ, ସଦା ଆନନ୍ଦମୟ ନନ୍ଦନନ୍ଦନଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ଭଜନା କରେ; ଯାହାଙ୍କ ମସ୍ତକରେ ସୁନ୍ଦର ମୟୂରପୁଚ୍ଛର ଗୁଚ୍ଛ ଓ ହାତରେ ମଧୁର ଧ୍ୱନିଯୁକ୍ତ ବେଣୁ ଅଛି — ଯିଏ ପ୍ରେମ-ରସର ସାଗର — ସେହି ନାଗର (ରସିକ) କୃଷ୍ଣଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 2

मनोजगर्वमोचनं विशाललोललोचनं विधूतगोपशोचनं नमामि पद्मलोचनम् । करारविन्दभूधरं स्मितावलोकसुन्दरं महेन्द्रमानदारणं नमामि कृष्णवारणम् ॥ २ ॥

Manojagarvamochanam vishalalolalochanam Vidhutagopashochanam namami padmalochanam | Kararavindabhudharam smitavalokasundaram Mahendramanadaranam namami krishnavaranam || 2 ||

Meaning:ଯିଏ କାମଦେବର ଗର୍ବ ଚୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କରନ୍ତି, ଯାହାଙ୍କ ନେତ୍ର ବିଶାଳ ଓ ଚଞ୍ଚଳ, ଯିଏ ଗୋପମାନଙ୍କ ଶୋକ ଦୂର କରନ୍ତି — ସେହି କମଳନୟନଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ଯିଏ ନିଜ କରକମଳରେ ପର୍ବତ (ଗୋବର୍ଦ୍ଧନ) ଧାରଣ କଲେ, ଯିଏ ହାସ୍ୟମୟ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ସୁନ୍ଦର, ଯିଏ ମହେନ୍ଦ୍ର (ଇନ୍ଦ୍ର)ଙ୍କ ଅଭିମାନ ଦମନ କଲେ — ସେହି ରକ୍ଷକ କୃଷ୍ଣଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 3

कदम्बसूनकुण्डलं सुचारुगण्डमण्डलं व्रजाङ्गनैकवल्लभं नमामि कृष्णदुर्लभम् । यशोदया समोदया सगोपया सनन्दया युतं सुखैकदायकं नमामि गोपनायकम् ॥ ३ ॥

Kadambasunakundalam sucharugandamandalam Vrajanganaikavallabham namami krishnadurlabham | Yashodaya samodaya sagopaya sanandaya Yutam sukhaikadayakam namami gopanayakam || 3 ||

Meaning:କଦମ୍ବ ଫୁଲର କୁଣ୍ଡଳଯୁକ୍ତ, ଅତି ସୁନ୍ଦର କପୋଳମଣ୍ଡଳଯୁକ୍ତ, ବ୍ରଜାଙ୍ଗନାମାନଙ୍କ ଏକମାତ୍ର ପ୍ରିୟ — ସେହି ଦୁର୍ଲଭ କୃଷ୍ଣଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ଯଶୋଦା, ଗୋପ ଓ ନନ୍ଦଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଆନନ୍ଦମଗ୍ନ, ଏକମାତ୍ର ସୁଖଦାତା — ସେହି ଗୋପନାୟକଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 4

सदैव पादपङ्कजं मदीयमानसे निजं दधानमुक्तमालकं नमामि नन्दबालकम् । समस्तदोषशोषणं समस्तलोकपोषणं समस्तगोपमानसं नमामि नन्दलालसम् ॥ ४ ॥

Sadaiva padapankajam madiyamanase nijam Dadhanamuktamalakam namami nandabalakam | Samastadoshashoshanam samastalokaposhanam Samastagopamanasam namami nandalalasam || 4 ||

Meaning:ଯାହାଙ୍କ ଚରଣକମଳ ସଦା ମୋ ମନରେ ନିଜ ରୂପରେ ନିବାସ କରନ୍ତୁ — ଖୋଲା ଅଳକାବଳୀ ଧାରଣକାରୀ ସେହି ନନ୍ଦବାଳକଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ସମସ୍ତ ଦୋଷ ଶୁଷ୍କକାରୀଙ୍କୁ, ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକର ପୋଷଣକାରୀଙ୍କୁ, ସମସ୍ତ ଗୋପଙ୍କ ମନରେ ବାସକାରୀଙ୍କୁ — ସେହି ନନ୍ଦଲାଲଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 5

भुवो भरावतारकं भवाब्धिकर्णधारकं यशोमतीकिशोरकं नमामि चित्तचोरकम् । दृगन्तकान्तभङ्गिनं सदा सदालसङ्गिनं दिने दिने नवं नवं नमामि नन्दसम्भवम् ॥ ५ ॥

Bhuvo bharavatarakam bhavabdhikarnadharakam Yashomatikishorakam namami chittachorakam | Drigantakantabhanginam sada sadalasanginam Dine dine navam navam namami nandasambhavam || 5 ||

Meaning:ପୃଥିବୀର ଭାର ଓହ୍ଲାଇବାକୁ ଅବତରିତ, ଭବସାଗରର କର୍ଣ୍ଣଧାର, ଯଶୋଦାଙ୍କ କିଶୋର — ସେହି ଚିତ୍ତଚୋରଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ନେତ୍ରର ମନୋହର କଟାକ୍ଷଯୁକ୍ତ, ସଦା ସତ୍‌ସଙ୍ଗୀ, ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ନବୀନ-ରୁ-ନବୀନ — ସେହି ନନ୍ଦନନ୍ଦନଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 6

गुणाकरं सुखाकरं कृपाकरं कृपापरं सुरद्विषन्निकन्दनं नमामि गोपनन्दनम् । नवीनगोपनागरं नवीनकेलिलम्पटं नमामि मेघसुन्दरं तडित्प्रभालसत्पटम् ॥ ६ ॥

Gunakaram sukhakaram kripakaram kripaparam Suradvishannikandanam namami gopanandanam | Navinagopanagaram navinakelilampatam Namami meghasundaram taditprabhalasatpatam || 6 ||

Meaning:ଗୁଣର ଆକର, ସୁଖର ଆକର, କୃପାର ଆକର, ପରମ କୃପାଳୁ, ଦେବଶତ୍ରୁମାନଙ୍କ ନାଶକ — ସେହି ଗୋପନନ୍ଦନଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ନିତ୍ୟ ନବୀନ ଗୋପ-ନାଗର, ନବୀନ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାରେ ରତ, ମେଘ ସମାନ ସୁନ୍ଦର, ବିଦ୍ୟୁତ ପରି ଝଲସୁଥିବା ପୀତାମ୍ବରଧାରୀ — ତାଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 7

समस्तगोपनन्दनं हृदम्बुजैकमोदनं नमामि कुञ्जमध्यगं प्रसन्नभानुशोभनम् । निकामकामदायकं दृगन्तचारुसायकं रसालवेणुगायकं नमामि कुञ्जनायकम् ॥ ७ ॥

Samastagopanandanam hridambujaikamodanam Namami kunjamadhyagam prasannabhanushobhanam | Nikamakamadayakam drigantacharusayakam Rasalavenugayakam namami kunjanayakam || 7 ||

Meaning:ସମସ୍ତ ଗୋପଙ୍କ ଆନନ୍ଦ, ହୃଦୟକମଳର ଏକମାତ୍ର ହର୍ଷ — କୁଞ୍ଜ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ବିରାଜମାନ, ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପରି ଶୋଭାଯୁକ୍ତ ତାଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ସମସ୍ତ କାମନାର ଦାତା, କଟାକ୍ଷର ସୁନ୍ଦର ବାଣଯୁକ୍ତ, ମଧୁର ବେଣୁ-ଗାୟକ — ସେହି କୁଞ୍ଜନାୟକଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ।

Verse 8

विदग्धगोपिकामनोमनोज्ञतल्पशायिनं नमामि कुञ्जकाननं प्रविष्टरासमण्डनम् । यदा तदा यथा तथा तथैव कृष्णसत्कथा मया सदैव गीयतां तथा कृपा विधीयताम् ॥ ८ ॥

Vidagdhagopikamanomanojnatalpashayinam Namami kunjakananam pravishtarasamandanam | Yada tada yatha tatha tathaiva krishnasatkatha Maya sadaiva giyatam tatha kripa vidhiyatam || 8 ||

Meaning:ଚତୁର ଗୋପୀମାନଙ୍କ ମନୋହର ଶଯ୍ୟାରେ ଶୟନକାରୀ — ରାସମଣ୍ଡଳରେ ପ୍ରବିଷ୍ଟ କୁଞ୍ଜବନର ଆଭୂଷଣକୁ ମୁଁ ନମସ୍କାର କରେ; ଯେତେବେଳେ-ସେତେବେଳେ, ଯେପରି-ସେପରି, ସଦା ମୁଁ କୃଷ୍ଣଙ୍କ ସତ୍‌କଥା ଗାନ କରୁଥାଏ — ହେ ପ୍ରଭୁ, ମୋ ଉପରେ ସେପରି କୃପା କରନ୍ତୁ।

Verse 9

प्रमाणिकाष्टकद्वयं जपत्यधीत्य यः पुमान् भवेत्स नन्दनन्दने भवे भवे सुभक्तिमान् ॥

Pramanikashtakadvayam japatyadhitya yah puman Bhavetsa nandanandane bhave bhave subhaktiman ||

Meaning:ଯେଉଁ ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ଏହି ପ୍ରାମାଣିକ ଅଷ୍ଟକ-ଯୁଗଳ ଅଧ୍ୟୟନ କରି ଜପ କରେ, ସେ ଜନ୍ମ-ଜନ୍ମାନ୍ତରରେ ନନ୍ଦନନ୍ଦନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଉତ୍ତମ ଭକ୍ତିରେ ଯୁକ୍ତ ହୁଏ।

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

भजे🔊BhajeI worship / I adore

व्रजैकमण्डनम्🔊Vraja-eka-mandanamThe sole ornament (mandana) of Vraja (Vrindavan)

समस्तपापखण्डनम्🔊Samasta-papa-khandanamThe destroyer of all sins

स्वभक्तचित्तरञ्जनम्🔊Svabhakta-chitta-ranjanamOne who delights the hearts of his own devotees

नन्दनन्दनम्🔊Nanda-nandanamThe (joy-giving) son of Nanda

सुपिच्छगुच्छमस्तकम्🔊Su-piccha-guccha-mastakamOne whose head bears a lovely cluster of peacock feathers

सुनादवेणुहस्तकम्🔊Sunada-venu-hastakamOne holding in his hand the sweet-sounding flute

अनङ्गरङ्गसागरम्🔊Ananga-ranga-sagaramAn ocean of the play (delight) of love / beauty

नमामि कृष्णनागरम्🔊Namami krishna-nagaramI bow to Krishna, the charming, gallant one

मनोजगर्वमोचनम्🔊Manoja-garva-mochanamOne who shatters the pride of Cupid (Manmatha)

विशाललोललोचनम्🔊Vishala-lola-lochanamOne with large, restlessly moving (lotus) eyes

पद्मलोचनम्🔊Padma-lochanamThe lotus-eyed one

कदम्बसूनकुण्डलम्🔊Kadamba-suna-kundalamOne wearing ear-ornaments of kadamba blossoms

व्रजाङ्गनैकवल्लभम्🔊Vrajangana-eka-vallabhamThe one beloved of the women (gopis) of Vraja

नमामि कृष्णदुर्लभम्🔊Namami krishna-durlabhamI bow to Krishna, who is (otherwise) hard to attain

गोपनायकम्🔊Gopa-nayakamThe leader of the cowherds

नन्दबालकम्🔊Nanda-balakamThe little child of Nanda

भुवो भरावतारकम्🔊Bhuvo bhara-avatarakamOne who descended to remove the burden of the Earth

भवाब्धिकर्णधारकम्🔊Bhava-abdhi-karnadharakamThe helmsman who steers (devotees) across the ocean of worldly existence

चित्तचोरकम्🔊Chitta-chorakamThe stealer of (devotees') hearts

मेघसुन्दरम्🔊Megha-sundaramBeautiful as a (dark rain-) cloud

रसालवेणुगायकम्🔊Rasala-venu-gayakamOne who sings sweetly upon the flute

कृपा विधीयताम्🔊Kripa vidhiyatamMay (your) grace be bestowed (upon me)

Benefits of Chanting ଶ୍ରୀ କୃଷ୍ଣାଷ୍ଟକମ୍ (ଭଜେ ବ୍ରଜୈକ ମଣ୍ଡନମ୍)

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Kindles loving devotion (madhurya bhakti) toward Lord Krishna as the charmer of Vraja

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Beautifully describes Krishna's form, pastimes and grace, ideal for meditation and singing

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The closing verse promises steadfast devotion to Krishna in birth after birth to those who recite it

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Believed to destroy all sins, as declared in the very first verse ('samasta-papa-khandanam')

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Brings peace, joy and sweetness to the heart through its flowing, musical metre

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Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, it carries the grace of the great acharya

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Excellent for daily recitation, Janmashtami and Krishna worship

How to Chant ଶ୍ରୀ କୃଷ୍ଣାଷ୍ଟକମ୍ (ଭଜେ ବ୍ରଜୈକ ମଣ୍ଡନମ୍)

Repetitions8times

Best TimeEarly morning or evening; especially on Janmashtami and Wednesdays

Sit before an image of Lord Krishna, light a lamp and recite the eight verses melodiously, letting the internal rhyme carry the devotion. Visualise Krishna as each verse describes him — peacock-feathered, flute in hand, lifting Govardhana, dancing in the bower. It is especially sung on Krishna Janmashtami. Conclude with the final verse seeking devotion to Krishna in every birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn in praise of Lord Krishna, beginning 'Bhaje Vrajaika Mandanam samasta-papa-khandanam'. It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya and is distinct from the other well-known Krishnashtakam that begins 'Vasudeva-sutam devam'.

It is traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE). The hymn's flowing, internally-rhyming metre and rich descriptions of Krishna's Vraja-lila have made it a favourite for devotional singing.

Every verse is built on internal rhymes and ends with the word 'namami' — 'I bow' — addressing a different aspect of Krishna, such as Krishna-nagaram (the charming one), Krishna-varanam (the protector), gopa-nayakam (leader of cowherds) and chitta-chorakam (the stealer of hearts).

The concluding verse states that one who studies and recites this 'pair of authentic ashtakas' becomes endowed with pure devotion to the son of Nanda (Krishna) in birth after birth. It is also said to destroy all sins and fill the heart with Krishna's sweetness.