Sri Krishnashtakam

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I always worship Nandanandan, the divine jewel of the land of Vraj, who eradicates all sins and fills the hearts of His devotees with joy. He who wears a beautiful peacock feather crown on His head holds a melodious flute in His hands and is the ocean of the art of love - salutations to that dancing lord, Shree Krishna Chandra, the supreme being.

I bow to Krishna, whose expansive, playful eyes eclipse even the god of  love, Kamdev. He dissipates the sorrows of the cowherd boys, the Gopas, with His lotus-like gaze. His lotus-like hands effortlessly lifted Govardhan Hill, and His captivating smile and glance humbled the pride of the king of gods, Indra. I offer my salutations to Krishna, the conqueror of Indra.

I bow to Krishna, adorned with earrings of Kadamba flowers, whose cheeks are radiant and captivating, the beloved of the Gopis of Vraj. To that rare Krishna, I offer my salutations. I bow to the leader of the Gopas, ever by Yashoda's side, filled with joy, surrounded by cowherd boys and Nanda, the sole giver of bliss.

I bow to the child of Nanda, whose lotus feet I forever cherish in my heart, adorned with a garland of Vaijayanti. To Nanda's beloved child, I offer my salutations. I bow to Nandalal, who eradicates all flaws, nourishes the entire universe, and resides in the hearts of all the  Gopas.

I bow to the  charming Yashoda Kumar, who lightens the burden of the earth and holds  the ocean of existence in His palm. I offer my salutations to the  ever-fresh Nand Kumar, who has beautiful, captivating glances and always surrounds Himself with His beloved companions.

I bow to Gopal, the divine treasure of virtues, the ocean of boundless happiness, the abode of infinite grace, and the compassionate one, who vanquishes the enemies of the gods with a single glance. I bow to the ever-fresh performer of  divine pastimes, Gopal, whose complexion is as captivating as a dark cloud and who wears a brilliant yellow garment that shines like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the universe with His divine presence.

I bow to Shyam Sundar, who delights all the Gopis. He who resides in the  grove nourishes everyone's souls just as the sun's presence causes the lotus to bloom. I bow to the divine being who fulfils the desires of His  devotees, whose graceful glances destroy sorrows, and who plays the most enchanting melodies on His flute, captivating the hearts of all with His divine presence.

I bow to Shree Krishna Chandra, who rests on the soft bed of the hearts of the clever Gopis and who drinks the fire of the forest to protect the Gopas. He is adorned with the brilliance of youth and has beautiful eyes enhanced with kohl. I bow to Him who liberated Gajendra from the grasp of the crocodile and who is the Lord and master of Shree Lakshmi.

O  Lord! May I receive such grace that in any circumstance, I may always sing your glories. Those who recite or chant these two authentic Ashtaksharas will be endowed with the devotion of Nandanandan ShyamSundar for many lifetimes.  

Composed by Adi Shankaracharya

Translated by Swami Mukundananda

Jai Śrī Kṛṣṇa! Oṁ Namo Nārāyaṇāya