Shri Nandakumara Ashtakam

Shri Nandakumara Ashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Shri Nandakumara, the beloved son of Nanda Maharaja, who is also worshipped as Sri Krishna, Govinda, Gopala, Madhava, Keshava, and Shyamasundara. This devotional hymn glorifies the enchanting form, divine childhood pastimes, boundless compassion, and supreme grace of Lord Krishna.

Shri Nandakumara Ashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each describing the divine beauty, virtues, and glorious deeds of Bhagwan Nandakumara. Every stanza inspires love, devotion, and complete surrender to the Supreme Lord. The benefits of chanting this sacred hymn are traditionally cherished by devotees. It is believed that reciting Shri Nandakumara Ashtakam with faith brings inner peace, spiritual wisdom, prosperity, and the divine blessings of Lord Krishna.

This sacred hymn is widely recited during daily worship, Krishna Janmashtami, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Lord Krishna. It encourages devotees to cultivate unwavering devotion, strengthen their faith, and experience the eternal bliss of remembering Shri Nandakumara.

Shri Nandakumara 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.

॥ श्रीनन्दकुमाराष्टकम् ॥

सुन्दरगोपालम् उरवनमालं
नयनविशालं दुःखहरं।
वृन्दावनचन्द्रमानन्दकन्दं
परमानन्दं धरणिधरम्।
वल्लभघनश्यामं पूर्णकामं
अत्यभिरामं प्रीतिकरं।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥1॥

Sundara Gopalam Ura Vanamalam
Nayana Vishalam Duhkhaharam
Vrindavana Chandram Ananda Kandam
Parama Anandam Dharanidharam
Vallabha Ghanashyamam Purna Kamam
Atyabhiramam Pritikaram
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, the beautiful cowherd adorned with a forest garland, whose large eyes remove all sorrow. He is the moon of Vrindavan, the source of supreme bliss, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, the dark-hued Lord who fulfills every desire, delights every heart, and is the Supreme Absolute Reality.

सुन्दरवारिजवदनं निर्जितमदनं
आनन्दसदनं मुकुटधरं।
गुञ्जाकृतिहारं विपिनविहारं
परमोदारं चीरहरम्।
वल्लभपटपीतं कृतउपवीतं
करनवनीतं विबुधवरं।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥2॥

Sundara Varija Vadanam Nirjita Madanam
Ananda Sadanam Mukuta Dharam
Gunja Krita Haram Vipina Viharam
Paramodaram Chiraharam
Vallabha Pata Pitam Krita Upavitam
Kara Navanitam Vibudha Varam
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, whose lotus-like face surpasses the beauty of Cupid, who is the abode of bliss and wears a radiant crown. Adorned with a Gunja berry garland, He joyfully roams the forests, playfully stole the garments of the Gopis, wears yellow robes, holds fresh butter in His hand, and is revered even by the gods.

शोभितमुखधूलं यमुनाकूलं
निपटअतूलं सुखदतरं।
मुखमण्डितरेणुं चारितधेनुं
वादितवेणुं मधुरसुरम्।
वल्लभमतिविमलं शुभपदकमलं
नखरुचिअमलं तिमिरहरं।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥3॥

Shobhita Mukhadhulam Yamuna Kulam
Nipata Atulam Sukhadataram
Mukha Mandita Renum Charita Dhenum
Vadita Venum Madhura Suram
Vallabha Mati Vimalam Shubha Pada Kamalam
Nakha Ruchi Amalam Timira Haram
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, whose face is beautified by the sacred dust of Vrindavan, who wanders along the banks of the Yamuna, tends the cows, and enchants all with the sweet melody of His flute. His pure lotus feet and the radiance of His toenails dispel the darkness of ignorance.

शिरमुकुटसुदेशं कुञ्चितकेशं
नटवरवेशं कामवरं।
मायाकृतमनुजं हलधरअनुजं
प्रतिहतदनुजं भारहरम्।
वल्लभव्रजपालं सुभगसुचालं
हितमनुकालं भाववरं।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥4॥

Shira Mukuta Sudesham Kunchita Kesham
Natavara Vesham Kamavaram
Maya Krita Manujam Haladhara Anujam
Pratihata Danujam Bharaharam
Vallabha Vraja Palam Subhaga Suchalam
Hitam Anukalam Bhavavaram
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, adorned with a splendid crown and curly locks, dressed as the supreme dancer. Though appearing in human form through divine Maya, He is the younger brother of Balarama, destroyer of demons, remover of Earth’s burdens, protector of Vraja, and bestower of divine devotion.

इन्दीवरभासं प्रकटसुरासं
कुसुमविकासं वंशिधरं।
हृतमन्मथमानं रूपनिधानं
कृतकलगानं चित्तहरम्।
वल्लभमृदुहासं कुञ्जनिवासं
विविधविलासं केलिकरं।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥5॥

Indivara Bhasam Prakata Surasam
Kusuma Vikasam Vamshidharam
Hrita Manmatha Manam Rupa Nidhanam
Krita Kala Ganam Chittaharam
Vallabha Mridu Hasam Kunja Nivasam
Vividha Vilasam Kelikaram
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, whose complexion resembles the blue lotus, who carries the divine flute, whose beauty humbles even Cupid, and whose enchanting music captivates every heart. With His gentle smile, He delights in the forest groves and performs countless divine pastimes.

अतिपरप्रवीणं पालितदीनं
भक्ताधीनं कर्मकरं।
मोहनमतिधीरं फणिबलवीरं
हतपरवीरं तरलतरम्।
वल्लभव्रजरमणं वारिजवदनं
हलधरशमनं शैलधरम्।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥6॥

Ati Para Pravinam Palita Dinam
Bhaktadhinam Karmakaram
Mohana Mati Dhiram Phani Bala Viram
Hata Para Viram Taralataram
Vallabha Vraja Ramanam Varija Vadanam
Haladhara Shamanam Shailadharam
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, who is supremely wise, protector of the humble, and always responsive to the love of His devotees. He is courageous, conquered the mighty serpent Kaliya, defeated powerful enemies, enchants Vraja with His lotus-like face, and lifted Govardhana Hill.

जलधरद्युतिअङ्गं ललितत्रिभङ्गं
बहुकृतरङ्गं रसिकवरं।
गोकुलपरिवारं मदनाकारं
कुञ्जविहारं गूढतरम्।
वल्लभव्रजचन्द्रं सुभगसुछन्दं
कृतआनन्दं भ्रान्तिहरम्।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥7॥

Jaladhara Dyuti Angam Lalita Tribhangam
Bahu Krita Rangam Rasika Varam
Gokula Parivaram Madanakaram
Kunja Viharam Gudhataram
Vallabha Vraja Chandram Subhaga Suchandam
Krita Anandam Bhranti Haram
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, whose body shines like a rain-filled cloud, who stands gracefully in the threefold Tribhanga posture, and who delights in countless divine pastimes. He is the beloved of Gokula, wanders through the forest bowers, is the moon of Vraja, fills hearts with joy, and removes all illusion.

वन्दितयुगचरणं पावनकरणं
जगदुद्धरणं विमलधरं।
कालियशिरगमनं कृतफणिनमनं
घातितयमनं मृदुलतरम्।
वल्लभदुःखहरणं निर्मलचरणं
अशरणशरणं मुक्तिकरम्।
भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं
तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम्॥8॥

Vandita Yuga Charanam Pavana Karanam
Jagaduddharanam Vimaladharam
Kaliya Shira Gamanam Krita Phani Namanam
Ghatita Yamanam Mridulataram
Vallabha Duhkha Haranam Nirmala Charanam
Asharana Sharanam Muktikaram
Bhaja Nandakumaram Sarva Sukha Saram
Tattva Vicharam Brahma Param

Worship Lord Nandakumara, whose sacred feet are adored by all and sanctify the universe. He danced upon the hoods of the serpent Kaliya, subdued the pride of the serpent, conquered death, removes every sorrow, offers refuge to the helpless, and grants the supreme gift of liberation.

॥ इति श्रीमहाप्रभुवल्लभाचार्यविरचितं श्रीनन्दकुमाराष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥