Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam

Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Shri Dinabandhu, a compassionate form of Lord Krishna, who is also worshipped as Govinda, Gopala, Madhava, Keshava, Vasudeva, and by many other divine names. This devotional hymn glorifies the Supreme Lord as the eternal friend and protector of the poor, the helpless, and all those who seek refuge in Him with sincere devotion.

Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each describing the boundless mercy, divine compassion, supreme qualities, and glorious deeds of Bhagwan Dinabandhu. Every stanza inspires faith, devotion, and complete surrender to the Lord. The benefits of chanting this sacred hymn are traditionally cherished by devotees. It is believed that reciting Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam with devotion removes sorrow, grants inner peace, strengthens faith, and brings the divine blessings of Lord Krishna.

This sacred hymn is widely recited during daily worship, Krishna Janmashtami, Ekadashi, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Lord Krishna. It encourages devotees to remember the Lord’s infinite kindness and experience His divine grace through unwavering devotion.

Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam 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.

॥ श्री दीनबन्ध्वष्टकम् ॥

यस्मादिदं जगदुदेति चतुर्मुखाद्यं
यस्मिन्नवस्थितमशेषमशेषमूले।
यत्रोपयाति विलयं च समस्तमन्ते
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥1॥

Yasmad Idam Jagad Udeti Chaturmukhadyam
Yasmin Navasthitam Ashesham Ashesha Mule
Yatropayati Vilayam Cha Samastam Ante
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that compassionate Friend of the helpless appear before my eyes today—from whom this entire universe, including Brahma, has arisen, in whom everything is sustained, and into whom all creation ultimately dissolves.

चक्रं सहस्रकरचारु करारविन्दे
गुर्वी गदा दरवरश्च विभाति यस्य।
पक्षीन्द्रपृष्ठपरिरोपितपादपद्मो
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥2॥

Chakram Sahasra Kara Charu Kararavinde
Gurvi Gada Daravarash Cha Vibhati Yasya
Pakshindra Prishtha Pariropita Pada Padmo
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today, whose beautiful lotus hands hold the divine discus, mighty mace, and sacred conch, and whose lotus feet rest upon Garuda, the king of birds.

येनोद्धृता वसुमती सलिले निमग्ना
नग्नाच पाण्डववधूः स्थगिता दुकूलैः।
संमोचितो जलचरस्य मुखाद्गजेन्द्रो
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥3॥

Yenoddhrita Vasumati Salile Nimagna
Nagna Cha Pandava Vadhu Sthagita Dukulaih
Sammochito Jalacharasya Mukhad Gajendro
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today—He who lifted the Earth from the cosmic waters, protected Draupadi by providing endless garments, and rescued Gajendra from the jaws of the crocodile.

यस्यार्द्रदृष्टिवशतस्तु सुराः समृद्धिं
कोपेक्षणेन दनुजा विलयं व्रजन्ति।
भीताश्चरन्ति च यतोऽर्कयमानिलाद्या
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥4॥

Yasyardra Drishti Vashatas Tu Surah Samriddhim
Kopekshanena Danuja Vilayam Vrajanti
Bhitash Charanti Cha Yato Arka Yama Aniladyah
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today. By His compassionate glance, the gods prosper; by His wrathful glance, demons perish. Even the Sun, Yama, the Wind, and the cosmic powers carry out their duties in awe of Him.

गायन्ति सामकुशला यमजं मखेषु
ध्यायन्ति धीरमतयो यतयो विविक्ते।
पश्यन्ति योगिपुरुषाः पुरुषं शरीरे
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥5॥

Gayanti Sama Kushala Yamajam Makheshu
Dhyayanti Dhira Matayo Yatayo Vivikte
Pashyanti Yogi Purushah Purusham Sharire
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today. The masters of Sama Veda sing His praises during sacrifices, wise sages meditate upon Him in solitude, and accomplished yogis behold the Supreme Person dwelling within their own hearts.

आकाररूपगुणयोगविवर्जितोऽपि
मद्भक्तानुकम्पननिमित्तगृहीतमूर्तिः।
यः सर्वगोऽपि कृतशेषशरीरशय्यो
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥6॥

Akara Rupa Guna Yoga Vivarjito’pi
Mad Bhakta Anukampana Nimitta Grihita Murtih
Yah Sarvago’pi Krita Shesha Sharira Shayyo
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today. Though beyond all form, qualities, and limitations, He assumes a divine form out of compassion for His devotees. Though all-pervading, He reclines upon the serpent Shesha.

यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजमनिद्रमुनीन्द्रवृन्दैः
आराध्यते भवदवानलदाहशान्त्यै।
सर्वापराधमविचिन्त्य ममाखिलात्मा
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥7॥

Yasyanghri Pankajam Anidra Munindra Vrindaih
Aradhyate Bhava Davanala Daha Shantyai
Sarvaparadham Avichintya Mamakhilatma
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today. Great sages tirelessly worship His lotus feet to extinguish the blazing fire of worldly existence. May the indwelling Lord overlook all my faults and grant me His gracious vision.

यन्नामकीर्तनपरः श्वपचोऽपि नूनं
हित्वाखिलं कलिमलं भुवनं पुनाति।
दग्ध्वा ममाघमखिलं करुणेक्षणेन
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥8॥

Yannama Kirtana Parah Shvapacho’pi Nunam
Hitvakhilam Kali Malam Bhuvanam Punati
Dagdhva Mamagham Akhilam Karunekshanena
Driggocharo Bhavatu Me Adya Sa Dinabandhuh

May that Friend of the helpless appear before me today. Even one of the humblest birth becomes purified and sanctifies the world by devotedly chanting His holy name. By His compassionate glance, may He burn away all my sins.

दीनबन्ध्वष्टकं पुण्यं
ब्रह्मानन्देन भाषितम्।
यः पठेत् प्रयतो नित्यं
तस्य विष्णुः प्रसीदति॥9॥

Dinabandhvashtakam Punyam
Brahmanandena Bhashitam
Yah Pathet Prayato Nityam
Tasya Vishnuh Prasidati

This sacred Dinabandhu Ashtakam was composed by Swami Brahmananda. Whoever recites it daily with devotion and purity of heart earns the grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu.

॥ इति श्रीमत्परमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीदीनबन्ध्वष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥