Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam
The Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam beginning with "Yasmadidam Jagadudeti" is a deeply moving eight-verse hymn that praises Lord Vishnu as the compassionate friend and protector of the humble and downtrodden. "Dinabandhu" literally means "the friend of the poor and afflicted," embodying the divine quality of infinite mercy and grace.
This ashtakam beautifully describes how the entire universe emanates from the Lord, is sustained by Him, and ultimately merges back into His supreme being. Each verse unfolds the tender relationship between the Lord and His devotees, emphasizing that no matter how lowly or fallen one may feel, Dinabandhu always extends His compassionate hand.
Reciting this ashtakam with a humble and devoted heart draws the Lord's special attention and protection. It is particularly beneficial for those going through difficult times, as it invokes the most compassionate aspect of Lord Vishnu — the one who never abandons those who seek His refuge.
Watch Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam
Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ श्री दीनबन्ध्वष्टकम् ॥
यस्मादिदं जगदुदेति चतुर्मुखाद्यं
यस्मिन्नवस्थितमशेषमशेषमूले।
यत्रोपयाति विलयं च समस्तमन्ते
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥1॥
चक्रं सहस्रकरचारु करारविन्दे
गुर्वी गदा दरवरश्च विभाति यस्य।
पक्षीन्द्रपृष्ठपरिरोपितपादपद्मो
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥2॥
येनोद्धृता वसुमती सलिले निमग्ना
नग्नाच पाण्डववधूः स्थगिता दुकूलैः।
संमोचितो जलचरस्य मुखाद्गजेन्द्रो
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥3॥
यस्यार्द्रदृष्टिवशतस्तु सुराः समृद्धिं
कोपेक्षणेन दनुजा विलयं व्रजन्ति।
भीताश्चरन्ति च यतोऽर्कयमानिलाद्या
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥4॥
गायन्ति सामकुशला यमजं मखेषु
ध्यायन्ति धीरमतयो यतयो विविक्ते।
पश्यन्ति योगिपुरुषाः पुरुषं शरीरे
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥5॥
आकाररूपगुणयोगविवर्जितोऽपि
मददभक्तानुकम्पननिमित्तगृहीतमूर्तिः।
यः सर्वगोऽपि कृतशेषशरीरशय्यो
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥6॥
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजमनिद्रमुनीन्द्रवृन्दैर्
आराध्यते भवदवानलदाहशान्त्यै।
सर्वापराधमविचिन्त्य ममाखिलात्मा
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥7॥
यन्नामकीर्तनपरः श्वपचोऽपि नूनं
हित्वाखिलं कलिमलं भुवनं पुनाति।
दग्ध्वा ममाघमखिलं करुणेक्षणेन
दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥8॥
दीनबन्ध्वष्टकं पुण्यं
ब्रह्मानन्देन भाषितम्।
यः पठेत् प्रयतो नित्यं
तस्य विष्णुः प्रसीदति॥9॥
॥ इति श्रीमत्परमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीदीनबन्ध्वष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam ॥
Yasmadidam Jagadudeti Chaturmukhadyam
Yasminnavasthitamasheshamasheshamoole।
Yatropayati Vilayam Cha Samastamante
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥1॥
Chakram Sahasrakaracharu Karaarvinde
Gurvi Gada Daravarascha Vibhati Yasya।
Pakshindraprishthapariroopitapadapadmo
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥2॥
Yenoddhruta Vasumati Salile Nimagna
Nagnacha Pandavavadhuh Sthagita Dukoolaihi।
Sammochito Jalacharasya Mukhadgajendro
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥3॥
Yasyardradrishtivashatastu Suraah Samriddhim
Kopekshanena Danuja Vilayam Vrajanti।
Bheetashcharanti Cha Yato'rkayamanilaadhya
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥4॥
Gayanti Saamakushala Yamajam Makheshu
Dhyayanti Dheeramatayo Yatayo Vivikte।
Pashyanti Yogipurushah Purusham Shareere
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥5॥
Aakararoopagunyogavivarjito'pi
Madadbhaktanukampananimittagruheetamoortih।
Yah Sarvago'pi Krutasheshashareerashaiyyo
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥6॥
Yasyaanghripankajamnidramuneendravriandair
Aaradhyate Bhavadavaanaladaahashantaiyai।
Sarvaaparaadhmavichintya Mamaakhilaatma
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥7॥
Yannaamakeertanaparah Shvapcho'pi Noonam
Hitvakhilam Kalimalam Bhuvanam Punaati।
Dagdhva Mamaaghmakhilam Karunekshanen
Driggocharao Bhavatu Me'dya Sa Deenabandhuh॥8॥
Deenabandhashtakam Punyam
Brahmanandena Bhashitam।
Yah Pathet Pryato Nityam
Tasya Vishnuh Praseedati॥9॥
॥ Iti Shrimatparamhamsaswamibrahmandavirachitam Shrideenabandhashtakam Sampoornam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீ தீனபந்த்வஷ்டகம் ॥
யஸ்மாதிதம் ஜகதுதேதி சதுர்முகாத்யம்யஸ்மின்னவஸ்திதமஶேஷமஶேஷமூலே।
யத்ரோபயாதி விலயம் ச ஸமஸ்தமந்தேத்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥1॥
சக்ரம் ஸஹஸ்ரகரசாரு கராரவிந்தேகுர்வீ கதா தரவரஶ்ச விபாதி யஸ்ய।
பக்ஷீந்த்ரப்ருஷ்டபரிரோபிதபாதபத்மோ।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥2॥
யேனோத்த்ருதா வஸுமதீ ஸலிலே நிமக்னா நக்னாச பாண்டவவதூः ஸ்தகிதா துகூலைः।
ஸம்மோசிதோ ஜலசரஸ்ய முகாத்கஜேந்த்ரோ।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥3॥
யஸ்யார்த்ரத்ருஷ்டிவஶதஸ்து ஸுராः ஸம்ருத்திம்கோபேக்ஷணேன தனுஜா விலயம் வ்ரஜந்தி।
பீதாஶ்சரந்தி ச யதோ(அ)ர்கயமானிலாத்யா।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥4॥
காயந்தி ஸாமகுஶலா யமஜம் மகேஷுத்யாயந்தி தீரமதயோ யதயோ விவிக்தே।
பஶ்யந்தி யோகிபுருஷாः புருஷம் ஶரீரே।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥5॥
ஆகாரரூபகுணயோகவிவர்ஜிதோ(அ)பி மததபக்தானுகம்பனநிமித்தக்ருஹீதமூர்திः।
யः ஸர்வகோ(அ)பி க்ருதஶேஷஶரீரஶய்யோ।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥6॥
யஸ்யாங்க்ரிபங்கஜமநித்ரமுனீந்த்ரவ்ருந்தைராராத்யதே பவதவானலதாஹஶாந்த்யை।
ஸர்வாபராதமவிசிந்த்ய மமாகிலாத்மா।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥7॥
யந்நாமகீர்தனபரः ஶ்வபசோ(அ)பி நூனம்ஹித்வாகிலம் கலிமலம் புவனம் புனாதி।
தக்த்வா மமாகமகிலம் கருணேக்ஷணேன।த்ருக்கோசரோ பவது மே(அ)த்ய ஸ தீனபந்துः॥8॥
தீனபந்த்வஷ்டகம் புண்யம்ப்ரஹ்மானந்தேன பாஷிதம்।
யः படேத் ப்ரயதோ நித்யம்தஸ்ய விஷ்ணுः ப்ரஸீததி॥9॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீமத்பரமஹம்ஸஸ்வாமிப்ரஹ்மானந்தவிரசிதம் ஶ்ரீதீனபந்த்வஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీ దీనబంధ్వష్టకం ॥
యస్మాదిదం జగదుదేతి చతుర్ముఖాద్యం
యస్మిన్నవస్థితమశేషమశేషమూలే।
యత్రోపయాతి విలయం చ సమస్తమంతే
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥1॥
చక్రం సహస్రకరచారు కరారవిందే
గుర్వీ గదా దరవరశ్చ విభాతి యస్య।
పక్షీంద్రపృష్ఠపరిరోపితపాదపద్మో।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥2॥
యేనోద్ధృతా వసుమతీ సలిలే నిమగ్నా
నగ్నాచ పాండవవధూః స్థగితా దుకూలైః।
సంమోచితో జలచరస్య ముఖాద్గజేంద్రో।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥3॥
యస్యార్ద్రదృష్టివశతస్తు సురాః సమృద్ధిం
కోపేక్షణేన దనుజా విలయం వ్రజంతి।
భీతాశ్చరంతి చ యతోఽర్కయమానిలాద్యా।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥4॥
గాయంతి సామకుశలా యమజం మఖేషు
ధ్యాయంతి ధీరమతయో యతయో వివిక్తే।
పశ్యంతి యోగిపురుషాః పురుషం శరీరే।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥5॥
ఆకారరూపగుణయోగవివర్జితోఽపి
మదద్భక్తానుకంపననిమిత్తగృహీతమూర్తిః।
యః సర్వగోఽపి కృతశేషశరీరశయ్యో।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥6॥
యస్యాంఘ్రిపంకజమనిద్రమునీంద్రవృందైర్
ఆరాధ్యతే భవదవానలదాహశాంత్యై।
సర్వాపరాధమవిచింత్య మమాఖిలాత్మా।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥7॥
యన్నామకీర్తనపరః శ్వపచోఽపి నూనం
హిత్వాఖిలం కలిమలం భువనం పునాతి।
దగ్ధ్వా మమాఘమఖిలం కరుణేక్షణేన।
దృగ్గోచరో భవతు మేఽద్య స దీనబంధుః॥8॥
దీనబంధ్వష్టకం పుణ్యం
బ్రహ్మానందేన భాషితం।
యః పఠేత్ ప్రయతో నిత్యం
తస్య విష్ణుః ప్రసీదతి॥9॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీమత్పరమహంసస్వామిబ్రహ్మానందవిరచితం శ్రీదీనబంధ్వష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam
1 First Verse
यस्मादिदं जगदुदेति चतुर्मुखाद्यं यस्मिन्नवस्थितमशेषमशेषमूले। यत्रोपयाति विलयं च समस्तमन्ते दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: yasmāt = from whom; idam = this; jagat = universe; udeti = arises; chaturmukha-ādyam = beginning with four-faced Brahmā; yasmin = in whom; avasthitam = rests; aśeṣam = everything; aśeṣa-mūle = the root of all; yatra = in whom; upayāti = goes to; vilayam = dissolution; samastam = all; ante = at the end; dṛg-gocharaḥ = visible to the eyes; bhavatu = may become; me = to me; adya = today; sa = that; dīna-bandhuḥ = friend of the humble
Translation: From whom this entire universe arises, beginning with the four-faced Brahmā; in whom everything without exception rests, He being the root of all; and into whom everything dissolves at the end — may that Dinabandhu, the friend of the humble, become visible to me today.
2 Second Verse
चक्रं सहस्रकरचारु करारविन्दे गुर्वी गदा दरवरश्च विभाति यस्य। पक्षीन्द्रपृष्ठपरिरोपितपादपद्मो दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: chakram = discus (Sudarshana); sahasra-kara-chāru = radiant with a thousand rays; kara-aravinde = in the lotus hand; gurvī = mighty; gadā = mace (Kaumodaki); dara-varaḥ = excellent conch (Panchajanya); cha = and; vibhāti = shines; yasya = whose; pakṣī-indra = king of birds (Garuda); pṛṣṭha = back; parirōpita = placed upon; pāda-padmaḥ = lotus feet
Translation: In whose beautiful lotus hand shines the discus radiant with a thousand rays, along with the mighty mace and the excellent conch; whose lotus feet are placed upon the back of Garuda, the king of birds — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
3 Third Verse
येनोद्धृता वसुमती सलिले निमग्ना नग्नाच पाण्डववधूः स्थगिता दुकूलैः। संमोचितो जलचरस्य मुखाद्गजेन्द्रो दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: yena = by whom; uddhṛtā = uplifted/rescued; vasumatī = the Earth; salile = in the water; nimagnā = submerged; nagnā = unclothed; cha = and; pāṇḍava-vadhūḥ = wife of the Pandavas (Draupadi); sthagitā = covered; dukūlaiḥ = with garments; sammochitaḥ = liberated; jala-charasya = of the water-dweller (crocodile); mukhāt = from the mouth; gajendraḥ = king of elephants
Translation: By whom the Earth was uplifted when submerged in the cosmic waters (as Varaha); by whom Draupadi was covered with garments when disrobed; and by whom the king of elephants was liberated from the jaws of the crocodile — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
4 Fourth Verse
यस्यार्द्रदृष्टिवशतस्तु सुराः समृद्धिं कोपेक्षणेन दनुजा विलयं व्रजन्ति। भीताश्चरन्ति च यतोऽर्कयमानिलाद्या दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: yasya = whose; ārdra-dṛṣṭi = compassionate glance; vaśataḥ = by virtue of; surāḥ = the gods; samṛddhim = prosperity; kopa-īkṣaṇena = by wrathful glance; danujāḥ = demons; vilayam = destruction; vrajanti = undergo; bhītāḥ = in fear; charanti = function/move; yataḥ = from whom; arka = sun; yama = god of death; anila = wind; ādyāḥ = and others
Translation: By whose compassionate glance the gods attain prosperity, and by whose wrathful glance the demons meet destruction; from fear of whom the sun, Yama, the wind, and all cosmic powers faithfully perform their duties — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
5 Fifth Verse
गायन्ति सामकुशला यमजं मखेषु ध्यायन्ति धीरमतयो यतयो विविक्ते। पश्यन्ति योगिपुरुषाः पुरुषं शरीरे दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: gāyanti = sing; sāma-kuśalāḥ = those skilled in Sama Veda; yamajam = Him (the Supreme Being); makheṣu = in sacrificial rites; dhyāyanti = meditate upon; dhīra-matayaḥ = steady-minded; yatayaḥ = ascetics; vivikte = in solitude; paśyanti = behold; yogi-puruṣāḥ = great yogis; puruṣam = the Supreme Person; śarīre = within the body
Translation: Whom those skilled in the Sama Veda sing about through hymns in sacrificial rites; upon whom the steady-minded ascetics meditate in solitude; and whom the great yogis behold as the Supreme Person within the body — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
6 Sixth Verse
आकाररूपगुणयोगविवर्जितोऽपि मददभक्तानुकम्पननिमित्तगृहीतमूर्तिः। यः सर्वगोऽपि कृतशेषशरीरशय्यो दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: ākāra-rūpa-guṇa-yoga-vivarjitaḥ = devoid of material form, appearance, and qualities; api = even though; mat-bhakta = His devotees; anukampana = out of compassion; nimitta = for the purpose of; gṛhīta-mūrtiḥ = assumed a divine form; yaḥ = who; sarva-gaḥ = all-pervading; api = even though; kṛta = made; śeṣa = serpent Shesha; śarīra = body; śayyaḥ = bed/couch
Translation: Though devoid of all material form, appearance, and qualities, He assumes a divine form solely out of compassion for His devotees; though all-pervading, He lovingly reclines upon the body of Shesha Naga as His couch — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
7 Seventh Verse
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजमनिद्रमुनीन्द्रवृन्दैराराध्यते भवदवानलदाहशान्त्यै। सर्वापराधमविचिन्त्य ममाखिलात्मा दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: yasya = whose; aṅghri-paṅkajam = lotus feet; anidra = ever-wakeful; munī-indra = great sages; vṛndaiḥ = by assemblies of; ārādhyate = is worshipped; bhava = worldly existence; dava-anala = forest fire; dāha = burning; śāntyai = for extinguishing; sarva-aparādham = all offenses; avichintya = disregarding; mama = my; akhila-ātmā = the Self of all beings
Translation: Whose lotus feet are worshipped by assemblies of ever-wakeful great sages to extinguish the scorching forest fire of worldly existence; may He, the Self of all, disregarding all my offenses — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
8 Eighth Verse
यन्नामकीर्तनपरः श्वपचोऽपि नूनं हित्वाखिलं कलिमलं भुवनं पुनाति। दग्ध्वा ममाघमखिलं करुणेक्षणेन दृग्गोचरो भवतु मेऽद्य स दीनबन्धुः॥
Word Meanings: yat = whose; nāma-kīrtana = chanting of the name; paraḥ = devoted to; śva-pachaḥ = an outcaste; api = even; nūnam = certainly; hitvā = having abandoned; akhilam = all; kali-malam = impurities of Kali Yuga; bhuvanam = the world; punāti = purifies; dagdhvā = having burned; mama = my; agham = sins; akhilam = all; karuṇa-īkṣaṇena = with compassionate glance
Translation: By devotion to whose name-chanting, even an outcaste certainly purifies the entire world, transcending all impurities of Kali Yuga; burning away all my sins with His compassionate glance — may that Dinabandhu become visible to me today.
✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 9)
दीनबन्ध्वष्टकं पुण्यं ब्रह्मानन्देन भाषितम्। यः पठेत् प्रयतो नित्यं तस्य विष्णुः प्रसीदति॥
Word Meanings: dīna-bandhu-aṣṭakam = the eight verses of Dinabandhu; puṇyam = meritorious/sacred; brahmānandena = by Brahmananda; bhāṣitam = composed/spoken; yaḥ = whoever; paṭhet = recites; prayataḥ = with devotion and effort; nityam = daily; tasya = to that person; viṣṇuḥ = Lord Vishnu; prasīdati = becomes pleased
Translation: This sacred Dinabandhu Ashtakam, composed by Swami Brahmananda — whoever recites it daily with sincere devotion, Lord Vishnu becomes pleased with that person and bestows His divine grace.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Dinabandhu Ashtakam
- Divine Compassion: Invokes Lord Vishnu's boundless mercy
- Removes Suffering: Alleviates pain and afflictions of all kinds
- Grants Refuge: Provides divine shelter in times of distress
- Purifies Heart: Cleanses the heart of pride and ego
- Bestows Humility: Cultivates true devotion and surrender
- Spiritual Upliftment: Elevates the consciousness toward the divine
- Removes Fear: Eliminates anxieties and worldly fears
- Grants Liberation: Opens the path to moksha through divine grace
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before the image of Lord Vishnu
- Offer tulsi leaves, flowers, or water to the Lord
- Chant with humility and heartfelt devotion
- Ideal times: Brahma Muhurta, Ekadashi, Thursdays
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of Dinabandhu