Narayana Kavacham ॐ श्रीगणेशाय नमः ।ॐ नमो नारायणाय ।अङ्गन्यासः –ॐ ॐ नमः पादयोः ।ॐ नं नमः जानुनोः ।ॐ मों नमः ऊर्वोः ।ॐ नां नमः उदरे ।ॐ रां नमः हृदि ।ॐ यं नमः उरसि ।ॐ णां नमः मुखे ।ॐ यं नमः शिरसि ॥ oṃ śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ .oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya .aṅganyāsaḥ –oṃ oṃ namaḥ pādayoḥ .oṃ naṃ namaḥ jānunoḥ .oṃ moṃ namaḥ ūrvoḥ .oṃ nāṃ namaḥ udare .oṃ rāṃ namaḥ hṛdi .oṃ yaṃ namaḥ urasi .oṃ ṇāṃ namaḥ mukhe .oṃ yaṃ namaḥ śirasi .. Salutations to Lord Ganesha.Salutations to Lord Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu).Om Om Salutations to the feet.Om Naṃ Salutations to the knees.Om Moṃ Salutations to the thighs.Om Nāṃ Salutations to the abdomen.Om Rāṃ Salutations to the heart.Om Yaṃ Salutations to the chest.Om Ṇāṃ Salutations to the mouth.Om Yaṃ Salutations to the head. करन्यासःॐ ॐ नमः दक्षिणतर्जन्याम् ।ॐ नं नमः दक्षिणमध्यमायाम् ।ॐ मों नमः दक्षिणानामिकायाम् ।ॐ भं नमः दक्षिणकनिष्ठिकायाम् ।ॐ गं नमः वामकनिष्ठिकायाम् ।ॐ वं नमः वामानामिकायाम् ।ॐ तें नमः वाममध्यमायाम् ।ॐ वां नमः वामतर्जन्याम् ।ॐ सुं नमः दक्षिणांगुष्ठोर्ध्वपर्वणि ।ॐ दें नमः दक्षिणांगुष्ठाय पर्वणि ।ॐ वां नमः वामांगुष्ठोर्ध्वपर्वणि ।ॐ यं नमः वामांगुष्ठाय पर्वणि ॥ oṃ oṃ namaḥ dakṣiṇatarjanyām .oṃ naṃ namaḥ dakṣiṇamadhyamāyām .oṃ moṃ namaḥ dakṣiṇānāmikāyām .oṃ bhaṃ namaḥ dakṣiṇakaniṣṭhikāyām .oṃ gaṃ namaḥ vāmakaniṣṭhikāyām .oṃ vaṃ namaḥ vāmānāmikāyām .oṃ teṃ namaḥ vāmamadhyamāyām .oṃ vāṃ namaḥ vāmatarjanyām .oṃ suṃ namaḥ dakṣiṇāṃguṣṭhordhvaparvaṇi .oṃ deṃ namaḥ dakṣiṇāṃguṣṭhāya parvaṇi .oṃ vāṃ namaḥ vāmāṃguṣṭhordhvaparvaṇi .oṃ yaṃ namaḥ vāmāṃguṣṭhāya parvaṇi .. Om Om Salutations to the right thumb.Om Naṃ Salutations to the right middle finger.Om Moṃ Salutations to the right ring finger.Om Bhaṃ Salutations to the right little finger.Om Gaṃ Salutations to the left little finger.Om Vaṃ Salutations to the left ring finger.Om Teṃ Salutations to the left middle finger.Om Vāṃ Salutations to the left thumb.Om Suṃ Salutations to the upper joint of the right thumb.Om Deṃ Salutations to the joint of the right thumb.Om Vāṃ Salutations to the upper joint of the left thumb.Om Yaṃ Salutations to the joint of the left thumb. विष्णुषडक्षरन्यासःॐ ॐ नमः हृदये ।ॐ विं नमः मूर्धनि ।ॐ षं नमः भ्रुवोर्मध्ये ।ॐ णं नमः शिखायाम् ।ॐ वें नमः नेत्रयोः ।ॐ नं नमः सर्वसन्धिषु ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् प्राच्याम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् आग्नेयाम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् दक्षिणस्याम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् नैरृत्ये ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् प्रतीच्याम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् वायव्ये ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् उदीच्याम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् ऐशान्याम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् ऊर्ध्वायाम् ।ॐ मः अस्त्राय फट् अधरायाम् ॥ oṃ oṃ namaḥ hṛdaye .oṃ viṃ namaḥ mūrdhani .oṃ ṣaṃ namaḥ bhruvormadhye .oṃ ṇaṃ namaḥ śikhāyām .oṃ veṃ namaḥ netrayoḥ .oṃ naṃ namaḥ sarvasandhiṣu .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ prācyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ āgneyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ dakṣiṇasyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ nairṛtye .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ pratīcyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ vāyavye .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ udīcyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ aiśānyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ ūrdhvāyām .oṃ maḥ astrāya phaṭ adharāyām .. Om Om Salutations to the heart.Om Viṃ Salutations to the top of the head.Om Ṣaṃ Salutations to the middle of the eyebrows.Om Ṇaṃ Salutations to the tuft of hair.Om Veṃ Salutations to the eyes.Om Naṃ Salutations to all the joints.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the east.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the southeast.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the south.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the southwest.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the west.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the northwest.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the north.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ to the northeast.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ upwards.Om Maḥ Astrāya Phaṭ downwards. Narayana Kavachamअथ श्रीनारायणकवचम् ।राजोवाच ।यया गुप्तः सहस्राक्षः सवाहान्रिपुसैनिकान् ।क्रीडन्निव विनिर्जित्य त्रिलोक्या बुभुजे श्रियम् ॥ १॥ atha śrīnārāyaṇakavacam .rājovāca .yayā guptaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ savāhānripusainikān .krīḍanniva vinirjitya trilokyā bubhuje śriyam .. 1.. Now begins the Narayana Kavacham.The king Parikshit said:By which protection, the thousand-eyed Lord Vishnu defeated his enemies and enjoyed the wealth of the three worlds as if in play. भगवंस्तन्ममाख्याहि वर्म नारायणात्मकम् ।यथाऽऽततायिनः शत्रून् येन गुप्तोऽजयन्मृधे ॥ २॥ bhagavaṃs tan mamākhyāhi varma nārāyaṇātmakam .yathā”tatāyinaḥ śatrūn yena gupto’jayanmṛdhe .. 2.. O Bhagavan, please tell me the armor that is the essence of Narayana,By which, protected, the enemies of the one who is steadfast were defeated in battle. श्रीशुक उवाच ।वृतः पुरोहितस्त्वाष्ट्रो महेन्द्रायानुपृच्छते ।नारायणाख्यं वर्माह तदिहैकमनाः श‍ृणु ॥ ३॥ śrīśuka uvāca .vṛtaḥ purohitastvāṣṭro mahendrāyānupṛcchate .nārāyaṇākhyaṃ varmāha tadihaikamanāḥ śṛṇu .. 3.. Sri Sukadeva said: King Indra, the leader of the demigods, inquired about the armor known as Narayana-kavaca from Visvarupa, who was engaged by the demigods as their priest. Please hear Visvarupa’s reply with great attention. विश्वरूप उवाच ।धौताङ्घ्रिपाणिराचम्य सपवित्र उदङ्मुखः ।कृतस्वाङ्गकरन्यासो मन्त्राभ्यां वाग्यतः शुचिः ॥ ४॥ नारायणमयं वर्म सन्नह्येद्भय आगते ।पादयोर्जानुनोरूर्वोरुदरे हृद्यथोरसि ॥ ५॥ मुखे शिरस्यानुपूर्व्यादोङ्कारादीनि विन्यसेत् ।ॐ नमो नारायणायेति विपर्ययमथापि वा ॥ ६॥ viśvarūpa uvāca .dhautāṅghripāṇirācamya sapavitra udaṅmukhaḥ .kṛtasvāṅgakaranyāso mantrābhyāṃ vāgyataḥ śuciḥ .. 4.. nārāyaṇamayaṃ varma sannahyedbhaya āgate .pādayorjānunorūrvorudare hṛdyathorasi .. 5.. mukhe śirasyānupūrvyād oṅkārādīni vinyaset .oṃ namo nārāyaṇāyeti viparyayamathāpi vā .. 6.. Visvarupa said: If some form of fear arrives, one should first wash his hands and legs clean and then perform acamana by chanting this mantra: om apavitrah pavitro va sarvavastham gato ‘pi va. yah smaret pundarikaksam sa bahyabhyantarah sucih. sri-visnu sri-visnu sri-visnu. Then one should touch kusa grass and sit gravely and silently, facing north. When completely purified, one should touch the mantra composed of eight syllables to the eight parts of his body and touch the mantra composed of twelve syllables to his hands. Thus, in the following manner, he should bind himself with the Narayana coat of armor. First, while chanting the mantra composed of eight syllables [om namo narayanaya], beginning with the pranava, the syllable om, one should touch his hands to eight parts of his body, starting with the two feet and progressing systematically to the knees, thighs, abdomen, heart, chest, mouth and head. Then one should chant the mantra in reverse, beginning from the last syllable [ya], while touching the parts of his body in the reverse order. These two processes are known as utpatti-nyasa and samhara-nyasa respectively. करन्यासं ततः कुर्याद्द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया ।प्रणवादियकारान्तमङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठ पर्वसु ॥ ७॥ karanyāsaṃ tataḥ kuryāddvādaśākṣaravidyayā .Praṇavādiyakārāntam aṅgulyaṅguṣṭha parvasu .. 7.. Then one should chant the mantra composed of twelve

Nandakumar Ashtakam सुन्दरगोपालम् उरवनमालं नयनविशालं दुःखहरम् ।वृन्दावनचन्द्रमानन्दकन्दं परमानन्दं धरणिधरम् ॥वल्लभघनश्यामं पूर्णकामम् अत्यभिरामं प्रीतिकरम् ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥१॥ sundaragopālam uravanamālaṃ nayanaviśālaṃ duḥkhaharam .vṛndāvanacandramānandakandaṃ paramānandaṃ dharaṇidharam ..vallabhaghanaśyāmaṃ pūrṇakāmam atyabhirāmaṃ prītikaram .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..1.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) who is the beautiful gopala of Vrindavana, with vanamala (garland of forest flowers) hanging on his chest and with large eyes captivating everyone; whose very form removes the sufferings of his devotees,who is the bright moon of Vrindavana, and a source of immense joy; who is the embodiment of supreme bliss himself and bears the earth within him,who is the most beloved ghanashyama (literally dark-coloured), who is self-satisfied by being absorbed within his own divine nature, and extremely pleasing, inspiring love and affection from all,worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on his divine essence (which is) of the nature of supreme brahman. सुन्दरवारिजवदनं निर्जितमदनम् आनन्दसदनं मुकुटधरम् ।गुञ्जाकृतिहारं विपिनविहारं परमोदारं चीरहरम् ॥वल्लभपटपीतं कृतउपवीतं करनवनीतं विबुधवरं ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥२॥ sundaravārijavadanaṃ nirjitamadanam ānandasadanaṃ mukuṭadharam .guñjākṛtihāraṃ vipinavihāraṃ paramodāraṃ cīraharam ..vallabhapaṭapītaṃ kṛtaüpavītaṃ karanavanītaṃ vibudhavaraṃ .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..2.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) who has a beautiful face like the lotus flower which subdues the pride of even madana (god of love) in beauty, who is an abode of joy, and who wears a crown on his head,who wears a garland made of gunja berries and wanders in the groves with the gopis; who is extremely generous and also extremely playful, stealing the clothes of the gopis,who is beloved of all and loves to wear yellow garments; who wears the sacred thread; who stole butter during childhood and held it in his hand and who is the supreme god,worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on his divine essence (which is) of the nature of supreme brahman. शोभितमुखधूलं यमुनाकूलं निपट_अतूलं सुखदतरम् ।मुखमण्डितरेणुं चारितधेनुं वादितवेणुं मधुरसुरम् ॥वल्लभमतिविमलं शुभपदकमलं नखरुचिअमलं तिमिरहरं ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥३॥ śobhitamukhadhūlaṃ yamunākūlaṃ nipaṭa_atūlaṃ sukhadataram .mukhamaṇḍitareṇuṃ cāritadhenuṃ vāditaveṇuṃ madhurasuram ..vallabhamativimalaṃ śubhapadakamalaṃ nakharuciamalaṃ timiraharaṃ .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..3.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) whose face is adorned with the dust of the shore of yamuna river in Vrindavana; such a matchless adornment (of dust) gives great joy to the devotees,who, with the adornment of dust on his face, wanders about with the cows in Vrindavana playing melodious tunes in his flute,who is the beloved of the devotees and stainless pure divinity, whose lotus feet is a source of auspicious blessings, and the splendour of whose pure toe-nails remove the darkness within (the heart of devotees).worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on his divine essence (which is) of the nature of supreme brahman. शिरमुकुटसुदेशं कुञ्चितकेशं नटवरवेशं कामवरम् ।मायाकृतमनुजं हलधर_अनुजं प्रतिहतदनुजं भारहरम् ॥वल्लभव्रजपालं सुभगसुचालं हितमनुकालं भाववरं ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥४॥ śiramukuṭasudeśaṃ kuñcitakeśaṃ naṭavaraveśaṃ kāmavaram .māyākṛtamanujaṃ haladhara_anujaṃ pratihatadanujaṃ bhāraharam ..vallabhavrajapālaṃ subhagasucālaṃ hitamanukālaṃ bhāvavaraṃ .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..4.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) who has a crown well-decorating his head, from which curly locks flow down; who has assumed the dress of a dancing actor and the beauty of that form excels the god of love,who has assumed a human form through his power of maya, and became the younger brother of Haladhara (Balaram); who checked the demons and removed the weight of sins from the earth,who is the beloved protector of vraja, bringing good fortune to the people and guiding them well; who is always a benefactor of everyone and feels deeply for his devotees.worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on his divine essence (which is) of the nature of supreme brahman. इन्दीवरभासं प्रकटसुरासं कुसुमविकासं वंशिधरम् ।हृतमन्मथमानं रूपनिधानं कृतकलगानं चित्तहरम् ॥वल्लभमृदुहासं कुञ्जनिवासं विविधविलासं केलिकरं ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥५॥ indīvarabhāsaṃ prakaṭasurāsaṃ kusumavikāsaṃ vaṃśidharam .hṛtamanmathamānaṃ rūpanidhānaṃ kṛtakalagānaṃ cittaharam ..vallabhamṛduhāsaṃ kuñjanivāsaṃ vividhavilāsaṃ kelikaraṃ .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..5.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) who shine like the blossom of a blue lotus and manifests his divine plays like the blossom of the flowers, holding the divine flute in his hand,who takes away the pride of manmatha through his repository of beauty, and playing melodious music with his flute, steals the heart of all,who is extremely dear to all and has a gentle smile; who dwells in the grooves of Vrindavana and plays various divine plays with the gopis.worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on his divine essence (which is) of the nature of supreme brahman. अतिपरप्रवीणं पालितदीनं भक्ताधीनं कर्मकरम् ।मोहनमतिधीरं फणिबलवीरं हतपरवीरं तरलतरम् ॥वल्लभव्रजरमणं वारिजवदनं हलधरशमनं शैलधरं ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥६॥ atiparapravīṇaṃ pālitadīnaṃ bhaktādhīnaṃ karmakaram .mohanamatidhīraṃ phaṇibalavīraṃ hataparavīraṃ taralataram ..vallabhavrajaramaṇaṃ vārijavadanaṃ haladharaśamanaṃ śailadharaṃ .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..6.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) who is very skillful and wise, and protects the distressed; who is under the control of his devotees and performs his duties in a steady manner,who is very captivating as well as composed, and who with his elder brother Balavira (i.e. Balarama), the incarnation of serpent Shesha, killed mighty enemies; who is also extremely playful,who is very dear to the gopis of vraja and delights them with his lotus-like face; who pacifies the anger of Haladhara (i.e. Balarama) and lifted the Govardhana mountain.worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on his divine essence (which is) of the nature of supreme brahman. जलधरद्युतिअङ्गं ललितत्रिभङ्गं बहुकृतरङ्गं रसिकवरम् ।गोकुलपरिवारं मदनाकारं कुञ्जविहारं गूढतरम् ॥वल्लभव्रजचन्द्रं सुभगसुछन्दं कृतआनन्दं भ्रान्तिहरं ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥७॥ jaladharadyutiaṅgaṃ lalitatribhaṅgaṃ bahukṛtaraṅgaṃ rasikavaram .gokulaparivāraṃ madanākāraṃ kuñjavihāraṃ gūḍhataram ..vallabhavrajacandraṃ subhagasuchandaṃ kṛtaānandaṃ bhrāntiharaṃ .bhaja nandakumāraṃ sarvasukhasāraṃ tattvavicāraṃ brahmaparam ..7.. (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) whose body has the splendour of rain-clouds and bends in three-parts in playful attitude, who performed many plays and is a great rasika (one who delight in rasa or love plays),who treats the entire gokula as a great family, and with his beautiful form which is like Madana (god of love), moves about in the grooves of vraja performing his divine plays; who is also very mysterious,who is the beloved moon of vraja, bringing good fortune to all, and

Namo Brahmanya Devaya नमो ब्रह्मण्य देवाय गोब्राह्मण हिताय च ।जगत् हिताय कृष्णाय गोविंदाय नमो नमः ॥ namo brahmaṇya devāya gobrāhmaṇa hitāya ca .jagat hitāya kṛṣṇāya goviṃdāya namo namaḥ .. Salutation to the brahma-swarupa for the welfare of the devas, cows and brahmins. Salutation again and again to the benefactor of the universe, Krishna and Govinda. Description Prayer to Krishna

Madhurashtakam अधरं मधुरं वदनं मधुरं नयनं मधुरं हसितं मधुरम् ।हृदयं मधुरं गमनं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 1 ॥ adharam madhuram vadanam madhuram nayanam madhuram hasitam madhuramhridayam madhuram gamanam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His lips are sweet, His face is sweet, His eyes are sweet, His smile is sweet, His loving heart is sweet, His gait is sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. वचनं मधुरं चरितं मधुरं वसनं मधुरं वलितं मधुरम् ।चलितं मधुरं भ्रमितं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 2 ॥ vachanam madhuram charitam madhuram vasanam madhuram valitam madhuramchalitam madhuram bhramitam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His words are sweet, His character is sweet, His dress is sweet, His posture is sweet, His movements are sweet, His roaming is sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. वेणुर्मधुरो रेणुर्मधुरः पाणिर्मधुरः पादौ मधुरौ ।नृत्यं मधुरं सख्यं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 3 ॥ venur madhuro renur madhurah panir madhurah padau madhuraunrityam madhuram sakhyam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His flute is sweet, His foot-dust is sweet, His hands are sweet, His feet are sweet, His dance is sweet, His friendship is sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. गीतं मधुरं पीतं मधुरं भुक्तं मधुरं सुप्तं मधुरम् ।रूपं मधुरं तिलकं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 4 ॥ gitam madhuram pitam madhuram bhuktam madhuram suptam madhuramrupam madhuram tilakam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His song is sweet, His drinking is sweet, His eating is sweet, His sleeping is sweet, His form is sweet, His tilak is sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. करणं मधुरं तरणं मधुरं हरणं मधुरं स्मरणं मधुरम् ।वमितं मधुरं शमितं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 5 ॥ karanam madhuram taranam madhuram haranam madhuram smaranam madhuramvamitam madhuram shamitam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His actions are sweet, His deliverance is sweet, His stealing is sweet, His remembrance is sweet, His offerings are sweet, His calming is sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. गुञ्जा मधुरा माला मधुरा यमुना मधुरा वीची मधुरा ।सलिलं मधुरं कमलं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 6 ॥ gunja madhura mala madhura yamuna madhura vichi madhurasalilam madhuram kamalam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His gunja garland is sweet, His flower garland is sweet, Yamuna is sweet, her waves are sweet, her water is sweet, her lotuses are sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. गोपि मधुरा लीला मधुरा युक्तं मधुरं भुक्तं मधुरम् ।दृष्टं मधुरं शिष्टं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 7 ॥ gopi madhura lila madhura yuktam madhuram bhuktam madhuramdrishtam madhuram shishtam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His gopis are sweet, His pastimes are sweet, union with Him is sweet, His protection is sweet, His glances are sweet, His manners are sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. गोपा मधुरा गावो मधुरा यष्टिर्मधुरा सृष्टिर्मधुरा ।दलितं मधुरं फलितं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥ 8 ॥ gopa madhura gavo madhura yashtir madhura srishtir madhuradalitam madhuram phalitam madhuram madhuradhipaterakhilam madhuram His gopas are sweet, His cows are sweet, His staff is sweet, His creation is sweet, His victory is sweet, His fulfillment is sweet, everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. Description Shree Krishna Madhurashtakam (श्री कृष्णमधुराष्टकम), composed by Sri Vallabhacharya (1478 A.D), is a unique stotra, describing the Sweetness of Lord Sri Krishna. Madhura or Madhurya means ‘Sweetness’. Only that one word, madhuram: sweetness, is repeated seven times each in this ashtakam. Ashta means 8, this stotra has 8 verses in it. Madhurashtakam uses just one adjective, madhuram, meaning sweet or beautiful etc., to describe the lovely attributes of Lord Sri Krishna’s beautiful form, who is the master of Sweetness and Sweetness personified. Sri Vallabhacharya propagated Pushtimarg, which emphasizes on the unconditional bhakti and seva of Krishna. According to ancient texts and accounts when Sri Krishna himself appeared in front of Vallabhacharya, on midnight of Sravana Sukla Ekadasi, Vallabhacharya composed the Madhurashtakam in praise of the lord. Shri Vallabhacharya posits Krishna as the paragon of sweetness and hence gives him epithets such as madhupati (Lord of Sweetness). Krishna exudes madhurya (sweetness) through his acts and his gestures, his words and his flute, his clothes and his sports. His madhurya or sweet love is richly shared with the gopis of Vrindavan. With tenderness and teasing, and the beauty of his dark body, Krishna enflames the desire of the individuated soul for union with the Divine. The devotional hymn “Madhurāṣṭakam” of Sri Vallabhacarya was created to lead the devotee in Pustimarga, the Path of Grace, which involves a constant love-filled devotion to Krishna by various acts of homage, such as singing (kirtana), remembering (smarana), conceptualising and beholding (darshana) a beatific image of the deity and offering of services (seva). These acts enable the devotee to enter into the divine presence of Sri Krishna and to experience the Lord’s real essence (svarupa) which are in fact, succinctly laid down by the Madhurāṣṭakam. Hence, Madhurāṣṭakam plays an instrumental role in the realisation of the Lord. It is evident from the ashtakam that the devotee is fascinated to have a look at not only the beautiful divine sweet form [sarvanga sundara rupam] of Lord Krishna but also the very existence of the Lord — by way of His moves, plays, pastimes, etc. Thus says the devotee: “The Lord of Mathura, Krishna, is sweet, sweet and nothing but sweet! Even ambrosia and nectar may satiate after some time, but concerning the sweetness of the Divine Lord, one cannot have enough of it. Krishna’s lips are very sweet, his beautiful face is sweet, his beautiful black eyes with sidelong glances are sweet, his enchanting smile is even sweeter, his love-sports are sweet, and his three-fold bend form is very sweet. O Lord of sweetness, everything about You is completely sweet, You are sweetness personified.”

Krishnaya Vasudevaya Haraye कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने ।प्रणतः क्लेशनाशाय गोविंदाय नमो नमः ।। kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane .praṇataḥ kleśanāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ .. Salutation to Krishna, Vaasudeva, Hari the Paramatman, Govinda, we bow our heads to you for the destruction of all our grief. Description Doing Japa or reciting the above sloka with awareness, several names referred to Sri Krishna in the sloka will ward off all our difficulties and troubles by pardoning us from sins which are the root cause for all our sufferings. Lord Shiva, after teaching this mantra to Parvati, states that one who performs Japa of this mantra daily, will not only be rid of sins, but also will reach Vishnu Loka in course of time. Again and again we offer our obeisances unto Lord Krishna, Hari, the son of Vasudeva. That Supreme Soul (Paramatma), Govinda, destroys, removes the suffering of all who surrender to Him. Word Meaning Krishnaya – to Krishna;Vasudevaya – the son of Vasudeva;Haraye – the Supreme Lord, Hari;Parama-atmane – the Supreme Lord, Soul;Pranata – of those who have surrendered;Klesa – of the distress;Nasaya – to the destroyer;Govindaya – to Govinda;Namo Namah – repeated obeisances;The word Namaha repeated twice represents our complete surrender to Him. The names of the Lord used are:Paramatma, Supreme Lord, indicates Krishna’s Sarvothamathva.Govinda indicates his sarva sabdha vachyathva which in turn indicates his auspicious qualities represented by the words.Krishna refers to his capacity to ward off difficulties faced by the bhaktas.Hari refers to His capacity to rid bhakthas from their sins if they are sincere in their repenting for the sins they committed.The name Hari denotes his compassion towards bhakthas in warding off their sins which are the root cause of misery.

Krishnaya Vasudevaya Devaki कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकी नंदनाय च ।नंदगोप कुमाराय गोविंदाय नमो नमः ॥ kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya devakī naṃdanāya ca .naṃdagopa kumārāya goviṃdāya namo namaḥ .. Salutation again and again to Krishna, Vaasudeva, Devaki’s darling too, Nandagopa’s son and Govinda. Description Prayer to Krishna

Krishnashtakam वसुदेव सुतं देवं कंसचाणूर मर्दनम् ।देवकी परमानन्दं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ १ ॥ vasudeva sutam devam kamsachanura mardanamdevaki paramanandam krishnam vande jagadgurum Son of Vasudeva, divine lord, the killer of Kamsa and Chaanura, the supreme happiness of Devaki, we bow to Krishna, the Guru (teacher) of the universe. आतसीपुष्पसंकाशम् हारनूपुरशोभितम्रत्नकण्कणकेयूरं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ २ ॥ atasi pushpa sankasham haranupura shobhitamratna kankana keyuram krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who is the spiritual master of the universe, Who is surrounded by flowers, Who is adorned with a garland and anklets, and Who has gem-studded necklace and arm-bracelet. कुटिलालकसंयुक्तं पूर्णचंद्रनिभाननम्विलसत्कुण्डलधरं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ३ ॥ kutilalaka samyuktam purnachandra nibhananamvilasat kundala dharam krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who is adorned with curly locks of hair, Who has a face like the full moon, and Who has shining earrings. मंदारगन्धसंयुक्तं चारुहासं चतुर्भुजम्बर्हिपिञ्छावचूडाङ्गं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ४ ॥ mandara gandha samyuktam charu hasam chaturbhujambarhi pincha avachudangam krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who has the fragrance of Mandara flowers, a beautiful smile, four arms, and a peacock feather. उत्फुल्लपद्मपत्राक्षं नीलजीमूतसन्निभम्यादवानां शिरोरत्नं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ५ ॥ utphulla padma patraksham nila jimuta sannibhamyadavanam shiro ratnam krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who has lotus-like eyes, a blue cloud-like form, and is the jewel of the Yadu dynasty. रुक्मिणीकेळिसंयुक्तं पीतांबरसुशोभितम्अवाप्ततुलसीगन्धं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ६ ॥ rukmini keli samyuktam pitambara sushobhitamavapta tulasi gandham krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who plays with Rukmini, wears yellow garments, and carries the fragrance of Tulasi. गोपिकानां कुचद्वन्द्व कुंकुमाङ्कितवक्षसम्श्री निकेतं महेष्वासं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ७ ॥ gopikanam kucha dvandva kunkumankita vakshasamshri niketam maheshvasam krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who bears saffron marks on His chest, is the abode of Lakshmi, and wields mighty weapons. श्रीवत्साङ्कं महोरस्कं वनमालाविराजितम्शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ८ ॥ shrivatsankam mahoraskam vanamala virajitamshankha chakra dharam devam krishnam vande jagadgurum I worship Lord Krishna, Who bears the Shrivatsa mark, wears a forest garland, and holds the conch and discus. कृष्णाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्कोटिजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनष्यति ॥ krishnashtakam idam punyam pratarutthaya yah pathetkoti janma kritam papam smaranena vinashyati Upon waking in the morning, those who recite this sacred Krishnashtakam destroy sins accumulated over millions of births. Description This is an octet (ashtakam = 8 verses) of prayer to Lord Krishna, as the Guru of the entire universe. Shri Krishna Ashtakam is a worshiping prayer devoted to Lord Krishna, praising his powers and glory. Ashtakam means a prayer which contains eight hymns(slokas). Each hymn or verse is composed of four phrases, each describing one quality or great acts of Sri Krishna. All verses end with the phrase “Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum” meaning “Krishna! I bow to you the Guru of the entire Universe.” There are a few variations of the Krishnashtakam, the original being composed by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. This version is by an unknown composer, nevertheless very popular and when chanted with devotion and meaning can lift one to great spiritual heights. In other words, brings one very close to Lord Krishna himself. What more can you ask for. The last verse is the Phala shruthi or benefit of singing this Ashtakam. Sins committed in billions of lives, would be destroyed.