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.

Kasturi Tilakam Lalaata कस्तूरितिलकं ललाटपटले वक्षःस्थले कौस्तुभंनासाग्रे नवमौक्तिकं करतले वेणुं करे कंकणम् ।सर्वांगे हरिचंदनं सुललितं कंठे च मुक्तावलिंगोपस्त्री परिवेष्ठितो विजयते गोपाल चूडामणिम् ।। kastūritilakaṃ lalāṭapaṭale vakṣaḥsthale kaustubhaṃnāsāgre navamauktikaṃ karatale veṇuṃ kare kaṃkaṇam .sarvāṃge haricaṃdanaṃ sulalitaṃ kaṃṭhe ca muktāvaliṃgopastrī pariveṣṭhito vijayate gopāla cūḍāmaṇim .. With the fragrant kasturi-mark on the forehead, the precious Kaustubha gem on the chest, the lovely pearl-jewel at the nose tip, the flute in the palm and the kankan (bangle) encircling the hand, the scented sandalwood paste all over the body, the pearl-necklace around the beautiful neck, surrounded by milk-maids – may victory be yours, O crown gem of Gopalas.

Jagannath Ashtakam कदाचित् कालिन्दी तट विपिन सङ्गीत तरलोमुदाभीरी नारी वदन कमला स्वाद मधुपःरमा शम्भु ब्रह्मामरपति गणेशार्चित पदोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥१॥ kadācit kālindī taṭa vipina saṅgīta taralomudābhīrī nārī vadana kamalā svāda madhupaḥramā śambhu brahmāmarapati gaṇeśārcita padojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..1.. Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha, with his flute, makes a loud concert in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee who tastes the beautiful lotus-like faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and his lotus feet are worshiped by Lakshmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra and Ganesa. May that lord be the object of my vision. भुजे सव्ये वेणुं शिरसि शिखिपिच्छं कटितटेदुकूलं नेत्रान्ते सहचर-कटाक्षं विदधते ।सदा श्रीमद्‍-वृन्दावन-वसति-लीला-परिचयोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथ-गामी भवतु मे ॥२॥ bhuje savye veṇuṃ śirasi śikhipicchaṃ kaṭitaṭedukūlaṃ netrānte sahacara-kaṭākṣaṃ vidadhate .sadā śrīmad-vṛndāvana-vasati-līlā-paricayojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me ..2.. In his left hand Lord Jagannatha holds a flute. On his head he wears the feathers of peacocks and on his hips he wears fine yellow silken cloth. Out of the corners of his eyes he bestows sidelong glances upon his loving devotees and he always reveals himself through his pastimes in his divine abode of Vrindavana. May that lord be the object of my vision. महाम्भोधेस्तीरे कनक रुचिरे नील शिखरेवसन् प्रासादान्तः सहज बलभद्रेण बलिना ।सुभद्रा मध्यस्थः सकलसुर सेवावसरदोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथ-गामी भवतु मे ॥३॥ mahāmbhodhestīre kanaka rucire nīla śikharevasan prāsādāntaḥ sahaja balabhadreṇa balinā .subhadrā madhyasthaḥ sakalasura sevāvasaradojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me ..3.. Residing on the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace situated upon the crest of the brilliant, golden Nilacala Hill, along with his powerful brother Bala-bhadra, and in the middle of them his sister Subhadra, Lord Jagannatha bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls. May that lord be the object of my vision. कृपा पारावारः सजल जलद श्रेणिरुचिरोरमा वाणी रामः स्फुरद् अमल पङ्केरुहमुखः ।सुरेन्द्रैर् आराध्यः श्रुतिगण शिखा गीत चरितोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥४॥ kṛpā pārāvāraḥ sajala jalada śreṇiruciroramā vāṇī rāmaḥ sphurad amala paṅkeruhamukhaḥ .surendrair ārādhyaḥ śrutigaṇa śikhā gīta caritojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..4.. Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and he is beautiful like a row of blackish rain clouds. he is the storehouse of bliss for Lakshmi and Saraswati, and his face is like a spotless full-blown lotus. He is worshiped by the best of demigods and sages, and his glories are sung by the Upanishads. May that lord be the object of my vision. रथारूढो गच्छन् पथि मिलित भूदेव पटलैःस्तुति प्रादुर्भावम् प्रतिपदमुपाकर्ण्य सदयः ।दया सिन्धुर्बन्धुः सकल जगतां सिन्धु सुतयाजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥५॥ rathārūḍho gacchan pathi milita bhūdeva paṭalaiḥstuti prādurbhāvam pratipadamupākarṇya sadayaḥ .dayā sindhurbandhuḥ sakala jagatāṃ sindhu sutayājagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..5.. When Lord Jagannatha is on his Ratha-yatra cart and is moving along the road, at every step there is prayers and songs chanted by large assemblies of brahmanas. hearing their hymns Lord Jagannatha is very favorably disposed towards them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that lord, along with his consort Lakshmi, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision. परंब्रह्मापीड़ः कुवलय-दलोत्‍फुल्ल-नयनोनिवासी नीलाद्रौ निहित-चरणोऽनन्त-शिरसि ।रसानन्दी राधा-सरस-वपुरालिङ्गन-सुखोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन-पथगामी भवतु मे ॥६॥ parambrahmāpīr̤aḥ kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayanonivāsī nīlādrau nihita-caraṇo’nanta-śirasi .rasānandī rādhā-sarasa-vapurāliṅgana-sukhojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-pathagāmī bhavatu me ..6.. He is the ornament of the head of Lord Brahma and his eyes are like the full-blown petals of the lotus. He resides on the Nilacala Hill, and his lotus feet are placed on the heads of Ananta Deva. Lord Jagannatha is overwhelmed by the mellow of love and he becomes joyful in the embracing of the body of Sri Radharani, which is like a cool pond. May that lord be the object of my vision. न वै याचे राज्यं न च कनक माणिक्य विभवंन याचेऽहं रम्यां सकल जन काम्यां वरवधूम् ।सदा काले काले प्रमथ पतिना गीतचरितोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥७॥ na vai yāce rājyaṃ na ca kanaka māṇikya vibhavaṃna yāce’haṃ ramyāṃ sakala jana kāmyāṃ varavadhūm .sadā kāle kāle pramatha patinā gītacaritojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..7.. I do not pray for a kingdom, nor for gold, rubies, and wealth. I do not ask for an excellent and beautiful wife as desired by all men. I simply pray that lord, whose glories are always sung by Lord Siva, be the constant object of my vision. हर त्वं संसारं द्रुततरम् असारं सुरपतेहर त्वं पापानां विततिम् अपरां यादवपते ।अहो दीनेऽनाथे निहित चरणो निश्चितमिदंजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥८॥ hara tvaṃ saṃsāraṃ drutataram asāraṃ surapatehara tvaṃ pāpānāṃ vitatim aparāṃ yādavapate .aho dīne’nāthe nihita caraṇo niścitamidaṃjagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana patha gāmī bhavatu me ..8.. O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast ocean of sins which has no shore. Alas, this is certain that Lord Jagannatha’s lotus feet are bestowed upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that lord be the object of my vision. इति श्रीमद् शङ्कराचार्यप्रणीतं जगन्नाथाष्टकं सम्पूर्णं॥जगन्नाथाष्टकं पुन्यं यः पठेत् प्रयतः शुचिः ।सर्वपाप विशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ॥९॥ iti śrīmad śaṅkarācāryapraṇītaṃ jagannāthāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇaṃ..jagannāthāṣṭakaṃ punyaṃ yaḥ paṭhet prayataḥ śuciḥ .sarvapāpa viśuddhātmā viṣṇulokaṃ sa gacchati ..9.. This is the completion of the Jagannatha Ashtakam by Srimad Shankaracharya.The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord Jagannatha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Visnu’s abode. Description Shri Jagannath Ashtakam was composed by Adi Sankracharya in praise of Lord Jagannath on his visit to Puri. The merit of reciting the sacred Jagannath ashtakam carefully is such that, one becomes sinless and pure hearted and gains entrance to Vishnuloka. In this poem, Shankaracharya sees Jagannath as Krishna, adored by Gopikas and as Vishnu, served by all demi Gods. He prays that Jagannath Swami, who resides in a palace on the golden Nilachala hill on the shore of the great sea with his powerful brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra

Hare Murare Madhu Kaita हरे मुरारे मधुकैटभारे गोपाल गोविंद मुकुंद शौरे ।यज्ञेश नारायण कृष्ण विष्णो निराश्रयं माम् जगदीश रक्षः || hare murāre madhukaiṭabhāre gopāla goviṃda mukuṃda śaure .yajñeśa nārāyaṇa kṛṣṇa viṣṇo nirāśrayaṃ mām jagadīśa rakṣaḥ .. Murari, the enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha, Gopala, Govinda, Mukunda, the crowning lord, the lord of sacrifices, Narayana, Krishna, Vishnu, O lord of the universe, protect me, who has no other resort. Description Prayer to Krishna