Shri Govindashtakam

Shri Govindashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Sri Govinda, a beloved form of Lord Krishna, who is also worshipped as Gopala, Madhava, Keshava, Vasudeva, Shyamasundara, and by many other divine names. This devotional hymn glorifies the Supreme Lord as the protector of devotees, the sustainer of the universe, and the embodiment of divine love, compassion, and bliss.

Shri Govindashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each describing the divine form, supreme qualities, and glorious deeds of Bhagwan Govinda. Every stanza inspires devotion and surrender while praising His boundless grace and eternal presence. The benefits of chanting this sacred hymn are traditionally cherished by devotees. It is believed that reciting Shri Govindashtakam with faith brings peace, prosperity, spiritual wisdom, and the divine blessings of Lord Govinda.

This sacred hymn is widely recited during daily worship, Krishna Janmashtami, Ekadashi, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Lord Krishna. It encourages devotees to deepen their devotion, strengthen their faith, and experience the eternal joy of remembering the Supreme Lord.

Shri Govindashtakam 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.

॥ श्रीगोविन्दाष्टकम् ॥

सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं नित्यमनाकाशं परमाकाशं
गोष्ठप्राङ्गणरिङ्गणलोलमनायासं परमायासम्।
मायाकल्पितनानाकारमनाकारं भुवनाकारं
क्ष्मामा नाथमनाथं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥1॥

Satyam Jnanam Anantam Nityam Anakasham Paramakasham
Goshtha Prangana Ringana Lolam Anayasam Paramayasam
Maya Kalpita Nanaakaram Anakaram Bhuvanakaram
Kshmama Natham Anatham Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, the embodiment of eternal truth, infinite knowledge, and everlasting bliss. Though beyond space and form, He joyfully plays in the courtyards of Gokula. He appears in countless forms through His divine Maya while remaining formless, the Lord and protector of all beings, the supreme source of everlasting bliss.

मृत्स्नामत्सीहेति यशोदाताडनशैशवसंत्रासं
व्यादितवक्त्रालोकितलोकालोकचतुर्दशलोकालिम्।
लोकत्रयपुरमूलस्तम्भं लोकालोकमनालोकं
लोकेशं परमेशं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥2॥

Mritsnam Atsi Heti Yashoda Tadana Shaishava Santrasam
Vyadita Vaktra Alokita Lokaaloka Chaturdasha Lokalīm
Lokatraya Pura Mula Stambham Lokaalokam Analokam
Lokesham Paramesham Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, who as a child appeared frightened when Mother Yashoda scolded Him for eating mud. Yet when He opened His mouth, she beheld all the fourteen worlds within Him. He is the support of all the worlds, the Lord of the universe, and the Supreme God beyond all perception.

त्रैविष्टपरिपुवीरघ्नं क्षितिभारघ्नं भवरोगघ्नं
कैवल्यं नवनीताहारमनाहारं भुवनाहारम्।
वैमल्यस्फुटचेतोवृत्तिविशेषाभासमनाभासं
शैवं केवलशान्तं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥3॥

Traivishta Paripu Veera Ghnam Kshitibhara Ghnam Bhava Roga Ghnam
Kaivalyam Navanita Aharam Anaharam Bhuvanaharam
Vaimalya Sphuta Cheto Vritti Visheshabhasam Anabhasam
Shaivam Kevala Shantam Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, who destroys mighty demons, relieves the earth of its burdens, and cures the disease of worldly existence. Though He delights in eating freshly churned butter, He is beyond all material needs. He shines in the pure hearts of devotees and is the embodiment of supreme peace and liberation.

गोपालं भुलीलाविग्रहगोपालं कुलगोपालं
गोपीखेलनगोवर्धनधृतिलीलालालितगोपालम्।
गोभिर्निगदितगोविन्दस्फुटनामानं बहुनामानं
गोपीगोचरदूरं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥4॥

Gopalam Bhu Lila Vigraha Gopalam Kula Gopalam
Gopi Khelana Govardhana Dhriti Lila Lalita Gopalam
Gobhir Nigadita Govinda Sphuta Namanam Bahunamanam
Gopi Gochara Duram Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, the divine protector of cows, who joyfully sports with the Gopis, lifted Govardhana Hill, and is lovingly known by countless sacred names. Though close to His devotees, His true nature remains beyond ordinary understanding.

गोपीमण्डलगोष्ठीभेदं भेदावस्थमभेदाभं
शश्वद्गोखुरनिर्धूतोद्धतधूलीधूसरसौभाग्यम्।
श्रद्धाभक्तिगृहीतानन्दमचिन्त्यं चिन्तितसद्भावं
चिन्तामणिमहिमानं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥5॥

Gopi Mandala Goshthi Bhedam Bhedavastham Abhedabham
Shashvad Gokhura Nirdhuta Uddhata Dhuli Dhusara Saubhagyam
Shraddha Bhakti Grihita Anandam Achintyam Chintita Sadbhavam
Chintamani Mahimanam Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, who mingles lovingly among the Gopis while remaining beyond all distinctions. His divine form is covered with the sacred dust raised by the cows of Vrindavan. He is attained through faith and devotion and grants immeasurable joy beyond the reach of ordinary thought.

स्नानव्याकुलयोषिद्वस्त्रमुपादायागमुपारूढं
व्यादित्सन्तीरथ दिग्वस्त्रा ह्युपदातुमुपाकर्षन्तम्।
निर्धूतद्वयशोकविमोहं बुद्धं बुद्धेरन्तःस्थं
सत्तामात्रशरीरं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥6॥

Snana Vyakula Yoshid Vastram Upadaya Agam Uparudham
Vyaditsantiratha Digvastra Hyupadatum Upakarshantam
Nirdhuta Dvaya Shoka Vimoham Buddham Buddher Antahstham
Satta Matra Shariram Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, who playfully took the garments of the Gopis while they bathed and taught them the highest lesson of complete surrender. He removes sorrow, attachment, and delusion, dwells within every intellect, and is the pure essence of eternal existence.

कान्तं कारणकारणमादिमनादिं कालमनाभासं
कालिन्दीगतकालियशिरसि मुहुर्नृत्यन्तं नृत्यन्तम्।
कालं कालकलातीतं कलिताशेषं कलिदोषघ्नं
कालत्रयगतिहेतुं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥7॥

Kantam Karana Karanam Adim Anadim Kalam Anabhasam
Kalindi Gata Kaliya Shirasi Muhur Nrityantam Nrityantam
Kalam Kalakala Titam Kalitashesham Kali Doshaghnam
Kalatraya Gati Hetum Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

Bow to Lord Govinda, the beautiful cause of all causes, without beginning or end. He danced upon the hoods of the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna. He transcends time, destroys the evils of the Kali Age, and is the source of past, present, and future.

वृन्दावनभुवि वृन्दारकगणवृन्दाराध्यं वन्देऽहं
कुन्दाभामलमन्दस्मेरसुधानन्दं सुहृदानन्दम्।
वन्द्याशेषमहामुनिमानसवन्द्यानन्दपदद्वन्द्वं
वन्द्याशेषगुणाब्धिं प्रणमत गोविन्दं परमानन्दम्॥8॥

Vrindavana Bhuvi Vrindaraka Gana Vrindaradhyam Vandeham
Kundabha Amala Manda Smera Sudhanandam Suhridanandam
Vandyashesha Mahamuni Manasa Vandyananda Pada Dvandvam
Vandyashesha Gunabdhim Pranamata Govindam Paramanandam

I bow to Lord Govinda, worshipped in the sacred land of Vrindavan by celestial beings and saints. His gentle smile is as pure as the jasmine flower, bringing nectar-like joy to all. His divine feet are adored by great sages, and He is the boundless ocean of auspicious qualities.

(Phala Shruti)

गोविन्दाष्टकमेतदधीते गोविन्दार्पितचेता यो
गोविन्दाच्युत माधवविष्णो गोकुलनायक कृष्णेति।
गोविन्दाङ्घ्रिसरोजध्यानसुधाजलधौतसमस्ताघो
गोविन्दं परमानन्दामृतमन्तःस्थं स समभ्येति॥9॥

Govindashtakam Etad Adhite Govindarpita Chetah Yo
Govinda Achyuta Madhava Vishno Gokulanayaka Krishneti
Govindanghri Saroja Dhyana Sudha Jala Dhauta Samastagho
Govindam Paramananda Amritam Antahstham Sa Samabhyeti

Whoever recites this sacred Govindashtakam with a mind fully dedicated to Lord Govinda, remembering Him as Govinda, Achyuta, Madhava, Vishnu, the Lord of Gokula, and Krishna, is cleansed of all sins through meditation on His lotus feet and ultimately attains the immortal bliss of the Supreme Lord dwelling within

॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं श्रीगोविन्दाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥