Madhurashtakam

Madhurashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Sri Krishna, who is also adored as Govinda, Gopala, Madhava, Shyamasundara, Keshava, Murari, and by many other divine names. Composed by the great saint Sri Vallabhacharya, this devotional hymn beautifully glorifies the unparalleled sweetness (Madhurya) of Lord Krishna’s divine form, words, actions, and every aspect of His eternal personality. It is one of the most cherished hymns in the Vaishnava tradition and is recited with deep love and devotion by Krishna devotees around the world.

Madhurashtakam consists of eight melodious verses, each describing the infinite sweetness of Bhagwan Krishna. Every stanza praises His enchanting smile, lotus eyes, flute, lips, heart, footsteps, pastimes, devotees, and divine qualities, repeatedly affirming that everything associated with Him is supremely sweet. The spiritual benefits of reciting this sacred hymn are traditionally cherished by devotees. It is believed that chanting Madhurashtakam with devotion fills the heart with divine love, purifies the mind, strengthens devotion (Bhakti), brings inner peace, and helps devotees experience the blissful presence of Lord Krishna.

This sacred hymn holds a special place in the Pushtimarg tradition established by Sri Vallabhacharya and is widely sung during daily worship, Krishna Janmashtami, temple ceremonies, and devotional gatherings. Its verses inspire devotees to immerse themselves in the sweetness of Sri Krishna’s divine form and cultivate unconditional love and complete surrender to the Supreme Lord.

Madhurashtakam is presented in Devanagari and English scripts along with a simple English translation, enabling devotees to understand its profound meaning and recite this beautiful hymn with faith, devotion, and joy.

॥ मधुराष्टकम् ॥

॥ श्रीमद्वल्लभाचार्यकृतं मधुराष्टकम् ॥

अधरं मधुरं वदनं मधुरं
नयनं मधुरं हसितं मधुरम्।
हृदयं मधुरं गमनं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥1॥

Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram
Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram
Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet are His lips, sweet is His face, sweet are His eyes, and sweet is His smile. Sweet is His heart, sweet is His gait—indeed, everything about the Lord of Sweetness is utterly sweet.

वचनं मधुरं चरितं मधुरं
वसनं मधुरं वलितं मधुरम्।
चलितं मधुरं भ्रमितं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥2॥

Vachanam Madhuram Charitam Madhuram
Vasanam Madhuram Valitam Madhuram
Chalitam Madhuram Bhramitam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet are His words, sweet are His divine deeds, sweet are His garments, and sweet are His graceful movements. Sweet is His walking, sweet are His wanderings—everything about the Lord of Sweetness is completely sweet.

वेणुर्मधुरो रेणुर्मधुरः
पाणिर्मधुरः पादौ मधुरौ।
नृत्यं मधुरं सख्यं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥3॥

Venur Madhuro Renur Madhurah
Panir Madhurah Padau Madhurau
Nrityam Madhuram Sakhyam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet is His flute, sweet is the dust touched by His feet. Sweet are His hands, sweet are His feet. Sweet is His dance, sweet is His friendship—everything about the Lord of Sweetness is perfectly sweet.

गीतं मधुरं पीतं मधुरं
भुक्तं मधुरं सुप्तं मधुरम्।
रूपं मधुरं तिलकं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥4॥

Gitam Madhuram Pitam Madhuram
Bhuktam Madhuram Suptam Madhuram
Rupam Madhuram Tilakam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet is His song, sweet is what He drinks, sweet is what He eats, and sweet is His sleep. Sweet is His divine form, sweet is the mark upon His forehead—everything about the Lord of Sweetness is infinitely sweet.

करणं मधुरं तरणं मधुरं
हरणं मधुरं रमणं मधुरम्।
वमितं मधुरं शमितं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥5॥

Karanam Madhuram Taranam Madhuram
Haranam Madhuram Ramanam Madhuram
Vamitam Madhuram Shamitam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet are His actions, sweet is His protection, sweet is His stealing, and sweet are His loving pastimes. Sweet is all that comes from Him, and sweet is the peace He bestows—everything about the Lord of Sweetness is completely sweet.

गुञ्जा मधुरा माला मधुरा
यमुना मधुरा वीची मधुरा।
सलिलं मधुरं कमलं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥6॥

Gunja Madhura Mala Madhura
Yamuna Madhura Vichi Madhura
Salilam Madhuram Kamalam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet are His Gunja berry garland, sweet are His flower garlands. Sweet is the River Yamuna, sweet are its waves. Sweet is its water, and sweet are the lotus flowers—everything connected with the Lord of Sweetness is sweet.

गोपी मधुरा लीला मधुरा
युक्तं मधुरं मुक्तं मधुरम्।
दृष्टं मधुरं शिष्टं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥7॥

Gopi Madhura Lila Madhura
Yuktam Madhuram Muktam Madhuram
Drishtam Madhuram Shishtam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet are the Gopis, sweet are His divine pastimes. Sweet is His union with devotees, and sweet is His liberation. Sweet is His glance, and sweet is His noble conduct—everything about the Lord of Sweetness is eternally sweet.

गोपा मधुरा गावो मधुरा
यष्टिर्मधुरा सृष्टिर्मधुरा।
दलितं मधुरं फलितं मधुरं
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्॥8॥

Gopa Madhura Gavo Madhura
Yashtir Madhura Srishtir Madhura
Dalitam Madhuram Phalitam Madhuram
Madhuradhipater Akhilam Madhuram

Sweet are the cowherds, sweet are the cows. Sweet is His shepherd’s staff, and sweet is His entire creation. Sweet are His victories, and sweet are the fruits of His divine actions—everything about the Lord of Sweetness is absolutely sweet.

॥ इति श्रीमद्वल्लभाचार्यकृतं मधुराष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥