Krishnashtakam

वसुदेव सुतं देवं कंसचाणूर मर्दनम् ।
देवकी परमानन्दं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ १ ॥

vasudeva sutam devam kamsachanura mardanam
devaki 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 हारनूपुरशोभितम्
रत्नकण्कणकेयूरं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ २ ॥

atasi pushpa sankasham haranupura shobhitam
ratna 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 पूर्णचंद्रनिभाननम्
विलसत्कुण्डलधरं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ३ ॥

kutilalaka samyuktam purnachandra nibhananam
vilasat 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 चतुर्भुजम्
बर्हिपिञ्छावचूडाङ्गं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ४ ॥

mandara gandha samyuktam charu hasam chaturbhujam
barhi 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 नीलजीमूतसन्निभम्
यादवानां शिरोरत्नं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ५ ॥

utphulla padma patraksham nila jimuta sannibham
yadavanam 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 पीतांबरसुशोभितम्
अवाप्ततुलसीगन्धं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ६ ॥

rukmini keli samyuktam pitambara sushobhitam
avapta tulasi gandham krishnam vande jagadgurum

I worship Lord Krishna, Who plays with Rukmini, wears yellow garments, and carries the fragrance of Tulasi.

गोपिकानां कुचद्वन्द्व कुंकुमाङ्कितवक्षसम्
श्री निकेतं महेष्वासं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ७ ॥

gopikanam kucha dvandva kunkumankita vakshasam
shri 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 वनमालाविराजितम्
शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं कृष्णं वंदे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ८ ॥

shrivatsankam mahoraskam vanamala virajitam
shankha 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 पठेत्
कोटिजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनष्यति ॥

krishnashtakam idam punyam pratarutthaya yah pathet
koti 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.