Shri Achyutashtakam

Shri Achyutashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Shri Achyuta, an eternal name of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, who is also worshipped as Narayana, Govinda, Keshava, Madhava, Vasudeva, Hari, and by many other divine names. This devotional hymn glorifies the Supreme Lord as the eternal, infallible, and compassionate protector of the universe.

Shri Achyutashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each describing the divine names, glorious form, supreme qualities, and boundless grace of Bhagwan Achyuta. Every stanza inspires devotion, surrender, and remembrance of the Lord. The benefits of chanting this sacred hymn are traditionally cherished by devotees. It is believed that reciting Shri Achyutashtakam with faith brings peace, prosperity, spiritual wisdom, protection, and the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu.

This sacred hymn is widely recited during daily worship, Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Janmashtami, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. It encourages devotees to strengthen their devotion and attain spiritual upliftment through constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord.

Shri Achyutashtakam is presented in Devanagari and English scripts along with a simple English translation, enabling devotees to understand its profound meaning and recite it with devotion and reverence.

॥ अच्युताष्टकम् ॥

अच्युतं केशवं रामनारायणं
कृष्णदामोदरं वासुदेवं हरिम्।
श्रीधरं माधवं गोपिकावल्लभं
जानकीनायकं रामचन्द्रं भजे॥1॥

Achyutam Keshavam Rama Narayanam
Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim
Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham
Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhaje

I worship Lord Achyuta, Keshava, Rama, Narayana, Krishna, Damodara, Vasudeva, and Hari; Lord Shridhara, Madhava, the beloved of the Gopis, the Lord of Janaki, and Shri Ramachandra.

अच्युतं केशवं सत्यभामाधवं
माधवं श्रीधरं राधिकाराधितम्।
इन्दिरामन्दिरं चेतसा सुन्दरं
देवकीनन्दनं नन्दजं सन्दधे॥2॥

Achyutam Keshavam Satyabhama Dhavam
Madhavam Shridharam Radhika Aradhitam
Indira Mandiram Chetasa Sundaram
Devaki Nandanam Nandajam Sandadhe

I meditate upon Lord Achyuta, Keshava, the beloved of Satyabhama, Madhava, Shridhara, who is worshipped by Radha, the abode of Goddess Lakshmi, supremely beautiful in heart, the joyful son of Devaki and the beloved child of Nanda.

विष्णवे जिष्णवे शङ्खिने चक्रिणे
रूक्मिणीरागिणे जानकीजानये।
वल्लवीवल्लभायार्चितायात्मने
कंसविध्वंसिने वंशिने ते नमः॥3॥

Vishnave Jishnave Shankhine Chakrine
Rukmini Ragine Janaki Janaye
Vallavi Vallabhaya Architaya Atmane
Kamsa Vidhvamsine Vamshine Te Namah

Salutations to Lord Vishnu, the ever-victorious One who bears the conch and discus, the beloved of Rukmini, the Lord of Janaki, adored by the Gopis, the indwelling Self of all, the destroyer of Kamsa, and the enchanting flute player.

कृष्ण गोविन्दहे राम नारायण
श्रीपते वासुदेवाजित श्रीनिधे।
अच्युतानन्त हे माधवाधोक्षज
द्वारकानायक द्रौपदीरक्षक॥4॥

Krishna Govinda He Rama Narayana
Shripate Vasudeva Ajita Shrinidhe
Achyuta Ananta He Madhava Adhokshaja
Dwaraka Nayaka Draupadi Rakshaka

O Krishna! O Govinda! O Rama! O Narayana! O Lord of Lakshmi! O Vasudeva! O Unconquered One! O Treasure of Prosperity! O Achyuta! O Infinite Lord! O Madhava! O Adhokshaja! O Lord of Dwaraka! O Protector of Draupadi! I bow to You.

राक्षसक्षोभितः सीतया शोभितो
दण्डकारण्यभूपुण्यताकारणः।
लक्ष्मणेनान्वितो वानरैः सेवितो
अगस्त्यसम्पूजितो राघवः पातु माम्॥5॥

Rakshasa Kshobhita Sitaaya Shobhito
Dandakaranya Bhu Punyata Karanah
Lakshmanena Anvito Vanaraih Sevito
Agastya Sampujito Raghavah Patu Mam

May Lord Raghava protect me—He who disturbed the wicked demons, was accompanied by Sita, sanctified the Dandaka forest, was always with Lakshmana, served by the Vanaras, and worshipped by Sage Agastya

धेनुकारिष्टकानिष्टकृदद्वेषिहा
केशिहा कंसह्रद्वंशिकावादकः।
पूतनाकोपकः सूरजाखेलनो
बालगोपालकः पातु मां सर्वदा॥6॥

Dhenuka Arishta Kanishtha Krit Dveshiha
Keshiha Kamsa Hrid Vamshika Vadakah
Putana Kopakah Suraja Khelano
Bala Gopalakah Patu Mam Sarvada

May the child Gopala always protect me—He who destroyed the demons Dhenuka, Arishta, Keshi, and Kamsa, who joyfully plays the divine flute, slew Putana, and delighted everyone with His playful childhood pastimes.

विद्युदुद्योतवत्प्रस्फुरद्वाससं
प्रावृडम्भोदवत्प्रोल्लसद्विग्रहम्।
वन्यया मालया शोभितोरःस्थलं
लोहिताङ्घ्रिद्वयं वारिजाक्षं भजे॥7॥

Vidyud Udyotavat Prasphurad Vasasam
Pravrida Ambhodavat Prollasad Vigraham
Vanyaya Malaya Shobhita Urahsthalam
Lohitanghri Dvayam Varijaksham Bhaje

I worship the lotus-eyed Lord whose garments shine like flashes of lightning, whose dark form resembles a rain-filled cloud, whose chest is adorned with a beautiful forest garland, and whose reddish lotus feet radiate divine beauty.

कुञ्चितैः कुन्तलैर्भ्राजमानाननं
रत्नमौलिं लसत्कुण्डलं गण्डयोः।
हारकेयूरकं कङ्कणप्रोज्ज्वलं
किङ्किणीमञ्जुलं श्यामलं तं भजे॥8॥

Kunchitaih Kuntalair Bhrajamana Ananam
Ratna Maulim Lasat Kundalam Gandayoh
Hara Keyurakam Kankana Projjvalam
Kinkini Manjulam Shyamalam Tam Bhaje

I worship the dark-complexioned Lord whose curly locks frame His radiant face, who wears a jeweled crown and shining earrings, adorned with beautiful necklaces, armlets, bracelets, and charming tinkling ornaments.

(Phala Shruti)

अच्युतस्याष्टकं यः पठेदिष्टदं
प्रेमतः प्रत्यहं पूरुषः सस्पृहम्।
वृत्ततः सुन्दरं कर्तृविश्वम्भरः
तस्य वश्यो हरिर्जायते सत्वरम्॥9॥

Achyutasya Ashtakam Yah Pathed Ishtadam
Prematah Pratyaham Purushah Saspriham
Vrittatah Sundaram Kartru Vishvambharah
Tasya Vashyo Harir Jayate Satvaram

Whoever recites this sacred Achyutashtakam every day with love and devotion obtains cherished blessings. Lord Hari, the sustainer of the universe, is quickly pleased with such a devotee and bestows His divine grace.

॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यकृतमच्युताष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥