Krishnashtakam

Krishnashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Sri Krishna, who is also revered as Govinda, Gopala, Madhava, Keshava, Vasudeva, Shyamasundara, Murari, and by countless other divine names. Worshipped as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sri Krishna is the embodiment of divine love, wisdom, compassion, righteousness, and eternal bliss. Devotees chant Krishnashtakam with deep faith to seek His blessings for peace, prosperity, spiritual wisdom, and liberation.

Krishnashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each glorifying the divine form, enchanting personality, supreme virtues, and glorious deeds of Bhagwan Krishna. Every stanza reflects His boundless compassion, playful childhood, divine teachings, and His role as the protector of devotees and the destroyer of evil. The spiritual benefits of reciting this sacred hymn are traditionally mentioned at the end. It is believed that chanting Krishnashtakam with devotion removes obstacles, purifies the mind, strengthens faith, grants inner happiness, and brings the devotee closer to the divine grace of Lord Krishna.

This sacred hymn has been cherished in the Vaishnava tradition for centuries and is widely recited during Krishna Janmashtami, daily worship, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Sri Krishna. It inspires devotees to cultivate devotion (Bhakti), righteousness (Dharma), and complete surrender to the Supreme Lord while remembering His divine pastimes and timeless teachings.

Krishnashtakam 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.

॥ अथ श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् ॥

वसुदेव सुतं देवं कंस चाणूर मर्दनम्।
देवकी परमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥1॥

Vasudeva Sutam Devam
Kamsa Chanura Mardanam
Devaki Paramanandam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, the divine son of Vasudeva, the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanura, the supreme joy of Mother Devaki, and the universal teacher of the world.

अतसी पुष्प सङ्काशं हार नूपुर शोभितम्।
रत्न कङ्कण केयूरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥2॥

Atasi Pushpa Sankasham
Hara Nupura Shobhitam
Ratna Kankana Keyuram
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, whose complexion resembles the beautiful Atasi flower, adorned with graceful garlands, anklets, jeweled bracelets, and magnificent armlets.

कुटिलालक संयुक्तं पूर्णचन्द्र निभाननम्।
विलसत् कुण्डलधरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥3॥

Kutilalaka Samyuktam
Purnachandra Nibhananam
Vilasat Kundala Dharam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, whose curly locks frame a face radiant like the full moon, and who shines beautifully wearing sparkling earrings.

मन्दार गन्ध संयुक्तं चारुहासं चतुर्भुजम्।
बर्हि पिञ्छाव चूडाङ्गं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥4॥

Mandara Gandha Samyuktam
Charu Hasam Chaturbhujam
Barhi Pinchava Chudangam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, fragrant with the divine scent of Mandara flowers, wearing a charming smile, possessing four divine arms, and adorned with a peacock feather upon His crown.

उत्फुल्ल पद्मपत्राक्षं नील जीमूत सन्निभम्।
यादवानां शिरोरत्नं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥5॥

Rukmini Keli Samyuktam
Pitambara Sushobhitam
Avapta Tulasi Gandham
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, delighting in the company of Rukmini, resplendent in His yellow garments, and filled with the sacred fragrance of Tulasi.

गोपिकानां कुचद्वन्द्व कुङ्कुमाङ्कित वक्षसम्।
श्रीनिकेतं महेष्वासं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥7॥

Gopikanam Kucha Dvandva
Kunkumankita Vakshasam
Shriniketam Maheshvasam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, whose chest bears the sacred vermilion marks of the Gopis’ loving devotion, who is the eternal abode of Goddess Lakshmi, and the mighty wielder of the divine bow.

श्रीवत्साङ्कं महोरस्कं वनमाला विराजितम्।
शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥8॥

Shrivatsankam Mahoraskam
Vanamala Virajitam
Shankha Chakra Dharam Devam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum

I bow to Lord Krishna, who bears the sacred Shrivatsa mark upon His broad chest, is adorned with a beautiful forest garland, and holds the divine conch and discus.

Phala Shruti (Benefits of Chanting)

कृष्णाष्टक मिदं पुण्यं प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्।
कोटिजन्म कृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥

Krishnashtakam Idam Punyam
Pratarutthaya Yah Pathet
Koti Janma Kritam Papam
Smaranena Vinashyati

Whoever recites this sacred Krishnashtakam every morning upon waking earns great spiritual merit. By merely remembering and chanting it, the sins accumulated over millions of births are destroyed.

॥ इति श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् सम्पूर्णम् ॥