Shri Narayanashtakam

Shri Narayanashtakam is the sacred hymn in praise of and as a prayer to Shri Narayana, the Supreme Lord, who is also worshipped as Vishnu, Hari, Govinda, Madhava, Keshava, Vasudeva, and by many other divine names. This devotional hymn glorifies Lord Narayana as the protector of the universe, the preserver of Dharma, and the eternal refuge of all devotees.

Shri Narayanashtakam consists of eight beautiful verses, each describing the divine form, infinite compassion, supreme qualities, and glorious deeds of Bhagwan Narayana. 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 Narayanashtakam with devotion removes sins, grants peace, prosperity, spiritual wisdom, and bestows the divine blessings of Lord Narayana.

This sacred hymn is widely recited during daily worship, Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and other auspicious occasions dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It encourages devotees to deepen their devotion, strengthen their faith, and attain spiritual upliftment through the constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord.

Shri Narayanashtakam 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 नारायणाष्टकम् ॥

वात्सल्यादभयप्रदानसमयादार्तिनिर्वापणादौदार्यादघशोषणादगणितश्रेयःपदप्रापणात्।
सेव्यः श्रीपतिरेक एव जगतामेतेऽभवन्साक्षिणः प्रह्लादश्च विभीषणश्च करिराट् पाञ्चाल्यहल्या ध्रुवः॥1॥

Vatsalyad Abhaya Pradana Samayad Arti Nirvapanad Audaryad

Agha Shoshanad Aganita Shreyah Pada Prapanat.
Sevyah Shripatir Eka Eva Jagatam Ete Bhavan Sakshinah

Prahladash Cha Vibhishanash Cha Karirat Panchaly Ahalya Dhruvah.

Lord Shripati alone is worthy of worship because of His boundless compassion, His gift of fearlessness, His protection of the distressed, His generosity, His destruction of sins, and His bestowal of the highest good. Prahlada, Vibhishana, Gajendra, Draupadi, Ahalya, and Dhruva all stand as witnesses to His divine grace.

प्रह्लादास्ति यदीश्वरो वद हरिः सर्वत्र मे दर्शय स्तम्भे चैवमिति ब्रुवन्तमसुरं तत्राविरासीद्धरिः।
वक्षस्तस्य विदारयन्निजनखैर्वात्सल्यमापादयन्नार्तत्राणपरायणः सभगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः॥2॥

Prahladasti Yad Ishvaro Vada Harih Sarvatra

Me Darshaya Stambhe Chaivam Iti Bruvantam Asuram Tatravirasid Harih.
Vakshas Tasya Vidarayannija Nakhair Vatsalyam Apadayan Arta Trana Parayanah

Sa Bhagavan Narayano Me Gatih.

When Prahlada declared that Lord Hari is present everywhere, even within a pillar, the Lord manifested as Narasimha and tore apart the demon Hiranyakashipu with His divine claws. Such is Lord Narayana, ever devoted to protecting those in distress, and He is my eternal refuge.

श्रीरामात्र विभीषणोऽयमनघो रक्षोभयादागतः सुग्रीवानय पालयैनमधुना पौलस्त्यमेवागतम्।
इत्युक्त्वाभयमस्य सर्वविदितं यो राघवो दत्तवानार्तत्राणपरायणः सभगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः॥3॥

Shri Ramatra Vibhishano’yam Anagho Raksho Bhayad Agatah

Sugrivanaya Palayainam Adhuna Paulastyam Eva Agatam.
Ityuktva Abhayam Asya Sarva Viditam Yo Raghavo Dattavan

Arta Trana Parayanah Sa Bhagavan Narayano Me Gatih.

When the righteous Vibhishana sought refuge in Lord Rama out of fear of Ravana, the Lord immediately granted him protection despite all opposition. Such compassionate Lord Narayana, who always shelters those who surrender to Him, is my eternal refuge.

नक्रग्रस्तपदं समुद्धतकरं ब्रह्मादयो भो सुराः।
पाल्यन्तामिति दीनवाक्यकरिणं देवेष्वशक्तेषु यः।
मा भैषीरिति यस्य नक्रहनने चक्रायुधः श्रीधरः।
आर्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः॥4॥

Nakra Grasta Padam Samuddhata Karam Brahmadayo Bho Surah.
Palyantam Iti Dina Vakya Karinam Deveshv Ashakteshu Yah.
Ma Bhaishir Iti Yasya Nakra Hanane Chakrayudhah Shridharah.
Arta Trana Parayanah Sa Bhagavan Narayano Me Gatih.

When Gajendra was seized by a crocodile and desperately raised his trunk in prayer, even Brahma and the other gods were unable to help him. Lord Shridhara immediately arrived with His Sudarshana Chakra, slew the crocodile, and reassured His devotee, saying, “Fear not.” That compassionate Lord Narayana is my eternal refuge.

भो कृष्णाच्युत भो कृपालय हरे भो पाण्डवानां सखे।
क्वासि क्वासि सुयोधनादपहृतां भो रक्ष मामातुराम्।
इत्युक्तोऽक्षयवस्त्रसंभृततनुं योऽपालयद्द्रौपदीम्।
आर्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः॥5॥

Bho Krishnachyuta Bho Kripalaya Hare Bho Pandavanam Sakhe.
Kvaasi Kvaasi Suyodhanad Apahritam Bho Raksha Mam Aturam.
Ity Ukto’Kshaya Vastra Sambhrita Tanum Yo’Palayad Draupadim.
Arta Trana Parayanah Sa Bhagavan Narayano Me Gatih.

When Draupadi cried out, “O Krishna! O Achyuta! O Compassionate Lord! O Friend of the Pandavas! Protect me from this unbearable humiliation,” Lord Krishna answered her prayer by granting her an endless stream of garments, preserving her honor. That compassionate Lord Narayana is my eternal refuge.

यत्पादाब्जनखोदकं त्रिजगतां पापौघविध्वंसनम्।
यन्नामामृतपूरकं च पिबतां संसारसन्तारकम्।
पाषाणोऽपि यदङ्घ्रिपद्मरजसा शापान्मुनेर्मोचितः।
आर्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः॥6॥

Yat Padabja Nakha Udakam Trijagatam Papa Ogha Vidhvamsanam.
Yan Nama Amrita Purakam Cha Pibatam Samsara Santarakam.
Pashano’Pi Yad Anghri Padma Rajasa Shapan Muner Mochitah.
Arta Trana Parayanah Sa Bhagavan Narayano Me Gatih.

The sacred water flowing from the Lord’s lotus feet destroys the accumulated sins of the three worlds. The nectar of His holy name carries devotees across the ocean of worldly existence. Even the stone-like Ahalya was freed from the sage’s curse by the dust of His lotus feet. That compassionate Lord Narayana is my eternal refuge.

पित्रा भ्रातरमुत्तमासनगतं चौत्तानपादिध्रुवो दृष्ट्वा।
तत्सममारुरुक्षुरधृतो मात्रावमानं गतः।
यं गत्वा शरणं यदाप तपसा हेमाद्रिसिंहासनम्।
आर्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः॥7॥

Pitra Bhrataram Uttama Asana Gatam Chauttanapadi Dhruvo Drishtva.
Tat Samam Arurukshur Adhrito Matra Avamanam Gatah.
Yam Gatva Sharanam Yada Apa Tapasa Hemadri Simhasanam.
Arta Trana Parayanah Sa Bhagavan Narayano Me Gatih.

When young Dhruva saw his stepbrother seated upon his father’s lap, he was humiliated after being rejected because of his mother’s position. Seeking refuge in Lord Narayana, he performed intense penance and was ultimately blessed with the eternal throne of Dhruva Loka. That compassionate Lord Narayana is my eternal refuge.

आर्ता विषण्णाः शिथिलाश्च भीताः घोरेषु च व्याधिषु वर्तमानाः।
सङ्कीर्त्य नारायणशब्दमात्रं विमुक्तदुःखाः सुखिनो भवन्ति॥8॥

Arta Vishannah Shithilash Cha Bhitah Ghoreshu Cha Vyadhishu Vartamanah.
Sankirtya Narayana Shabda Matram Vimukta Duhkhah Sukhino Bhavanti.

Those who are distressed, sorrowful, weak, fearful, or afflicted by terrible diseases become free from suffering and attain peace and happiness simply by chanting the sacred name of Lord Narayana.

॥ इति श्रीकूरेशस्वामिविरचितं श्रीनारायणाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥