Sri Krishna Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya ji

The Ashtakam Sings the Glories of Sri Krishna

In this stotra or hymn, comprising of eight stanzas and composed by Adi Shankaracharya ji,dark-hued Krishna is construed as the object of longing towards whom his hungering devotees are passionately drawn.

Highly Revered Usha Bahenji, Fondly Called Bobo

Highly revered Usha Bahenji, a great saint of Vrindavan, gave me this stotra glorifying Lord Krishna.The ashtakam may be chanted daily to satiate the perennial quest of mankind for a divine and transcendental love.

sucharu vaktra mandalam, sukarnh ratna kundalam

suchchirtaang chandanam, namaami nand nandanam ||1||

Round-faced Krishna Wearing Kundals

The round face of Lord Krishna is so very lovely, and the precious kundals adorning his ears so attractive. His body smeared with the paste of sandalwood is beautifully scented. We bow to Lord Krishna, the illustrious son of Nanda.

sudeergh netra pankajam, shikhee shikhand moordhjam

anang koti mohanam, namaami nand nandanam ||2||

Lotus-Eyed Krishna

Lord Sri Krishna has large lotus-like eyes.His head is decked with feathers of a peacock's tail.Krishna enchants the whole world as millions of devotees are ardently drawn to him. We bow to Lord Krishna, the joyous son of Nanda.

sunasikagra mauktikam, svachh dant panktikam

navaambudaag chikkanam, namaami nand nandanam ||3||

Baby Krishna with Sparkling Teeth

Lord Krishna, the tip of whose nose glistens with a beautiful pearl and whose line of teeth is sparkling white. His cheeks are so very smooth and He is the true Lord of the Universe. We bow to Lord Krishna, the distinguished son of Nanda.

karen venu ranjitam, gati kareendra ganjitam

dukool peet sushobhnam, namaami nand nandanam ||4||

Graceful Krishna is Dressed in Yellow

Krishna holds the delightful flute in His hands. His gait is graceful like an elephant's and He is dressed in yellow silk garments which are most becoming.We bow to Lord Krishna, the illustrious son of Nanda.

Tribhang deh sundaram, nakhdhutee sudhaakaram

amoolya ratna bhooshnam, namaami nand nandanam ||5||

Lord Krishna Playing the Flute

Lord Krishna is depicted playing the flute in the tribhang mudra with bent legs, hips and neck. His nails shine like moonbeams and He is decked with priceless ornaments studded with precious stones. We bow to Lord Krishna, the delightful son of Nanda.

Sugandh ang saurabham, uro viraajit kaustubham

sphuraachchee mauktikam, namaami nand nandnam ||6||

Krishna, the Beautiful Son of Nanda

The fragrant limbs of Lord Krishna exude a certain fragrance. The kaustubh mani is resplendent on His chest whereas the radiant pearl glistens on his nose. We bow to the beautiful son of Nanda.


Vrindavan sunaagram, vilaasunaag vaassam

surendra garv mochnam, namaami nand nandnam ||7||

Young Krishna Lifts Mount Goverdhan

Lord Krishna is the star attraction of Vrindavan with every action of His being so very majestic. He lifted mount Goverdhan

Mighty Krishna Triumphs over Indra

and triumphed over the ego of Indra. We bow to Lord Krishna, the valiant son of Nanda.


Vrajaangna sunaayakam, sadaa sukh pradaayakam

jagan manah pralobhnam, namaami nand nandnam ||8||

Handsome Krishna, Adulated by the Gopis

The gopis of Vraja adulate dark-hued Krishna as their saviour. He bestows eternal joy on hungering devotees of the entire world who are invariably drawn to Him. We bow to Lord Krishna, the enchanting son of Nanda.

Shri nand nandnam ashtakam, pathed ya shradha na vitah

tared bhavaabdee dustaram labhet dranghee yukta kam ||

Adi Shankaracharya ji

Whosoever chants these eight stanzas, singing the glories of Lord Krishna, with sincere devotion will easily cross over the ocean of this temporal world.Such is the blessing granted by Adi Shankaracharya ji, the composer of this ashtakam.

The following addendum to the above stotra is also sung though it is a part of the Damodar Stotra.

Mohaandh poorne vishyaatee sakate sansaar koope patito hay gaadhe

karaamlanban mam dehi naath, govind daamodar maadhaveti ||

Oh Madhava, Help me Evolve Spiritually !

Oh Lord! I am steeped in the mundane world of attachment and delusion. Kindly give me Your hand so that I can evolve spiritually. Oh Govinda, Damodara and Madhava (epithets of Lord Krishna), this is my ardent entreaty to You!