Ashtak · Sanskrit
कृष्णाष्टकम्
Krishnashtakam
The celebrated eight verses composed by Adi Shankaracharya venerating Lord Krishna as the Jagadguru (Teacher of the Universe).
Read & reflect
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम् । देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ १ ॥
अतसीपुष्पसङ्काशं हारनूपुरशोभितम् । रत्नकङ्कणकेयूरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ २ ॥
कुटिलालकसंयुक्तं पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननम् । विलसत्कुण्डलं देवं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ३ ॥
मन्दारगन्धसंयुक्तं चारुहासं चतुर्भुजम् । बर्हिपिञ्छावचूडाङ्गं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ४ ॥
उत्फुल्लपद्मपत्राक्षं नीलजीमूतसन्निभम् । यादवानां शिरोरत्नं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ५ ॥
रुक्मिणीकेळिसंयुक्तं पीताम्बरसुशोभितम् । अवाप्ततुलसीगन्धं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ६ ॥
गोपिकानां कुचद्वन्द्वकुङ्कुमाङ्कितवक्षसम् । श्रीनिकेतं महेष्वासं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ७ ॥
श्रीवत्साङ्कं महोरस्कं वनमालाविराजितम् । शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ८ ॥
Roman reading aid
Vasudeva Sutam Devam Kamsa Chanura Mardanam | Devaki Paramanandam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 1 || Atasi Pushpa Samkasham Hara Nupura Shobhitam | Ratna Kankana Keyooram Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 2 || Kutilalaka Samyuktam Poorna Chandra Nibhananam | Vilasat Kundalam Devam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 3 || Mandara Gandha Samyuktam Charuhasam Chaturbhujam | Barhipinchha Avachoodangam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 4 || Utphulla Padma Patraksham Neela Jeemoota Sannibham | Yadavanam Shiroratnam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 5 || Rukmini Keli Samyuktam Peetambara Sushobhitam | Avapta Tulasi Gandham Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 6 || Gopikanam Kuchadvandva Kunkumankita Vakshasam | Shreeniketam Maheshwasam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 7 || Shreevatsankam Mahoraskam Vanamala Virajitam | Shankhachakradharam Devam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum || 8 ||
English meaning
English Translation: Son of Vasudeva, slayer of tyrants Kamsa and Chanura, the supreme joy of Mother Devaki — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 1 || Radiant like the blue Atasi flower, adorned with sparkling garlands and tinkling anklets, wearing gem-encrusted bracelets and armlets — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 2 || Adorned with curling black locks, His face lovely as the full moon, wearing shimmering earrings — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 3 || Fragrant with the perfume of Mandara blossoms, gracing creation with an enchanting smile, four-armed, adorned with a peacock feather upon His crown — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 4 || With eyes like blossoming lotus petals, dark like a rain-bearing monsoon cloud, crest-jewel of the Yadava dynasty — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 5 || Sporting joyfully with Queen Rukmini, draped in golden silk attire, fragrant with sacred Tulasi leaves — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 6 || Abode of Goddess Lakshmi, bearer of the mighty bow Sharnga — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 7 || Bearing the auspicious Shrivatsa mark upon His broad chest, adorned with the forest flower garland (Vanamala), holding the divine conch and discus — I bow to Lord Krishna, the Teacher of the Universe! || 8 || Devotional Significance: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, this hymn establishes Lord Krishna not merely as an incarnation, but as 'Jagadguru' — the supreme preceptor whose teachings in the Bhagavad Gita illuminate all humanity.