Krishna Ashtakam
Introduction to Krishna Ashtakam
The Krishna Ashtakam beginning with "Vasudeva Sutam Devam Kansa" is a profoundly devotional eight-verse hymn dedicated to Lord Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead. This ashtakam celebrates the divine birth, heroic deeds, and infinite compassion of Krishna, who descended as the son of Vasudeva to liberate the world from the tyranny of Kansa and to establish dharma.
Each verse of this ashtakam paints a vivid picture of Krishna's divine attributes — His enchanting form, His playful pastimes in Vrindavan, His role as the charioteer of Arjuna, and His position as the supreme refuge of all beings. The hymn serves as a complete meditation on Krishna's life and teachings, inspiring devotees to surrender to His divine will.
Regular recitation of the Krishna Ashtakam purifies the heart, awakens devotional love, and draws the devotee closer to the lotus feet of Shri Krishna. It is especially powerful when chanted on Janmashtami, Ekadashi days, and during the sacred month of Kartik.
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Krishna Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ अथ श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् ॥
वसुदेव सुतं देवं
कंस चाणूर मर्दनम्।
देवकी परमानन्दं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥1॥
अतसी पुष्प सङ्काशम्
हार नूपुर शोभितम्।
रत्न कङ्कण केयूरं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥2॥
कुटिलालक संयुक्तं
पूर्णचन्द्र निभाननम्।
विलसत् कुण्डलधरं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥3॥
मन्दार गन्ध संयुक्तं
चारुहासं चतुर्भुजम्।
बर्हि पिञ्छाव चूडाङ्गं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥4॥
उत्फुल्ल पद्मपत्राक्षं
नील जीमूत सन्निभम्।
यादवानां शिरोरत्नं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥5॥
रुक्मिणी केलि संयुक्तं
पीताम्बर सुशोभितम्।
अवाप्त तुलसी गन्धं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥6॥
गोपिकानां कुचद्वन्द्व
कुङ्कुमाङ्कित वक्षसम्।
श्रीनिकेतं महेष्वासं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥7॥
श्रीवत्साङ्कं महोरस्कं
वनमाला विराजितम्।
शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं
कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥8॥
कृष्णाष्टक मिदं पुण्यं
प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्।
कोटिजन्म कृतं पापं
स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥
॥ इति श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Atha Shri Krishnashtakam ॥
Vasudeva Sutam Devam
Kansa Chanura Mardanam।
Devaki Paramaanandam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥1॥
Atasi Pushpa Sankasham
Hara Nupura Shobhitam।
Ratna Kankana Keyuram
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥2॥
Kutilalaka Samyuktam
Purnachandra Nibhananam।
Vilasat Kundaladharam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥3॥
Mandara Gandha Samyuktam
Charuhasam Chaturbhujam।
Barhi Pichchhava Chudangam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥4॥
Utphulla Padmapatrakasham
Nila Jimuta Sannibham।
Yadavanam Shiroratnam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥5॥
Rukmini Keli Samyuktam
Pitambara Sushobhitam।
Avapta Tulasi Gandham
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥6॥
Gopikanam Kuchadvandva
Kunkumankita Vakshasam।
ShriNiketam Maheshvasam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥7॥
Shrivatsankam Mahoraskam
Vanamala Virajitam।
Shankhachakradharam Devam
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum॥8॥
Krishnashtaka Midam Punyam
Pratarutthaya Yah Pathet।
Kotijanma Kritam Papam
Smaranena Vinashyati॥
॥ Iti Shri Krishnashtakam Sampurnam ॥
॥ அத ஶ்ரீ க்ருஷ்ணாஷ்டகம் ॥
வஸுதேவ ஸுதம் தேவம்கம்ஸ சாணூர மர்தனம்।
தேவகீ பரமானந்தம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥1॥
அதஸீ புஷ்ப ஸங்காஶம்ஹார நூபுர ஶோபிதம்।
ரத்ன கங்கண கேயூரம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥2॥
குடிலாலக ஸம்யுக்தம்பூர்ணசந்த்ர நிபானனம்।
விலஸத் குண்டலதரம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥3॥
மந்தார கந்த ஸம்யுக்தம்சாருஹாஸம் சதுர்புஜம்।
பர்ஹி பிஞ்சாவ சூடாங்கம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥4॥
உத்புல்ல பத்மபத்ராக்ஷம்நீல ஜீமூத ஸன்னிபம்।
யாதவானாம் ஶிரோரத்னம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥5॥
ருக்மிணீ கேலி ஸம்யுக்தம்பீதாம்பர ஸுஶோபிதம்।
அவாப்த துலஸீ கந்தம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥6॥
கோபிகானாம் குசத்வந்த்வகுங்குமாங்கித வக்ஷஸம்।
ஶ்ரீநிகேதம் மஹேஷ்வாஸம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥7॥
ஶ்ரீவத்ஸாங்கம் மஹோரஸ்கம்வனமாலா விராஜிதம்।
ஶங்கசக்ரதரம் தேவம்க்ருஷ்ணம் வந்தே ஜகத்குரும்॥8॥
க்ருஷ்ணாஷ்டக மிதம் புண்யம்ப்ராதருத்தாய யः படேத்।
கோடிஜன்ம க்ருதம் பாபம்ஸ்மரணேன வினஶ்யதி॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீ க்ருஷ்ணாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ అథ శ్రీ కృష్ణాష్టకం ॥
వసుదేవ సుతం దేవంకంస చాణూర మర్దనం।
దేవకీ పరమానందంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥1॥
అతసీ పుష్ప సంకాశంహార నూపుర శోభితం।
రత్న కంకణ కేయూరంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥2॥
కుటిలాలక సంయుక్తంపూర్ణచంద్ర నిభాననం।
విలసత్ కుండలధరంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥3॥
మందార గంధ సంయుక్తంచారుహాసం చతుర్భుజం।
బర్హి పింఛావ చూడాంగంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥4॥
ఉత్ఫుల్ల పద్మపత్రాక్షంనీల జీమూత సన్నిభం।
యాదవానాం శిరోరత్నంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥5॥
రుక్మిణీ కేలి సంయుక్తంపీతాంబర సుశోభితం।
అవాప్త తులసీ గంధంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥6॥
గోపికానాం కుచద్వంద్వకుంకుమాంకిత వక్షసం।
శ్రీనికేతం మహేష్వాసంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥7॥
శ్రీవత్సాంకం మహోరస్కంవనమాలా విరాజితం।
శంఖచక్రధరం దేవంకృష్ణం వందే జగద్గురుం॥8॥
కృష్ణాష్టక మిదం పుణ్యంప్రాతరుత్థాయ యః పఠేత్।
కోటిజన్మ కృతం పాపంస్మరణేన వినశ్యతి॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీ కృష్ణాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Krishna Ashtakam
1 First Verse
देवकी परमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
2 Second Verse
रत्न कङ्कण केयूरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
3 Third Verse
विलसत् कुण्डलधरं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
4 Fourth Verse
बर्हि पिञ्छाव चूडाङ्गं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
5 Fifth Verse
यादवानां शिरोरत्नं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
6 Sixth Verse
अवाप्त तुलसी गन्धं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
7 Seventh Verse
श्रीनिकेतं महेष्वासं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
8 Eighth Verse
शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
✦ Phala Shruti (Fruit of Recitation)
कोटिजन्म कृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Krishna Ashtakam
- Awakens Divine Love: Cultivates pure bhakti and love for Lord Krishna
- Purifies Consciousness: Cleanses the mind of material attachments
- Grants Liberation: Helps devotees progress toward moksha
- Removes Sins: Destroys accumulated karmic debts
- Bestows Peace: Brings inner tranquility and contentment
- Divine Protection: Shields from negative influences and dangers
- Enhances Devotion: Strengthens the bond between devotee and God
- Grants Wisdom: Illuminates the path of dharma and righteousness
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before Krishna's image or idol
- Offer tulsi leaves, butter, or flowers to the Lord
- Chant with devotion, visualizing Krishna's divine form
- Ideal times: Brahma Muhurta, Janmashtami, Ekadashi, Thursdays
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with a heartfelt prayer to Shri Krishna
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Krishna Ashtakam
What is Krishna Ashtakam?
Krishna Ashtakam is a sacred eight-verse Sanskrit hymn (ashtakam) dedicated to Lord Krishna. Beginning with the famous invocation "Vasudeva Sutam Devam Kansa Chanura Mardanam," it glorifies Krishna's divine birth, His enchanting physical form, His ornaments, and His supreme position as Jagadguru — the teacher of the entire universe. Each verse ends with the refrain "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum" (I bow to Krishna, the World Teacher), making it a powerful devotional prayer.
Who composed the Krishna Ashtakam?
The Krishna Ashtakam (Vasudeva Sutam Devam) is a traditional Sanskrit stotra whose authorship is attributed to the ancient tradition of Vaishnava devotional literature. While some sources associate it with Adi Shankaracharya, it has been cherished across various Vaishnava sampradayas for centuries as a timeless hymn of devotion to Lord Krishna.
What are the spiritual benefits of reciting Krishna Ashtakam?
According to the Phala Shruti (concluding verse), reciting Krishna Ashtakam in the early morning destroys the sins accumulated over ten million (koti) births. Regular recitation awakens pure devotional love (bhakti) for Lord Krishna, purifies the mind and consciousness, grants inner peace and contentment, removes karmic obstacles, and draws the devotee closer to spiritual liberation (moksha). It is also believed to bestow divine protection and wisdom.
When is the best time to recite Krishna Ashtakam?
The Phala Shruti specifically recommends reciting it during Brahma Muhurta — the early morning hours before sunrise. Additionally, it is considered especially auspicious to chant during Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday), on Ekadashi days, during the month of Kartik (October–November), on Thursdays, and during sunrise or sunset. However, sincere devotees may recite it at any time with devotion and reverence.
Why is Krishna called Jagadguru in this Ashtakam?
Krishna is addressed as Jagadguru (जगद्गुरु — Teacher of the Universe) in every verse of this Ashtakam because He delivered the Bhagavad Gita, the supreme spiritual teaching, to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. As the source of all knowledge and the supreme reality, Krishna is the ultimate guru who guides all beings toward dharma, liberation, and divine love. This title emphasizes His role not just as a deity to worship, but as the eternal teacher of all souls.
How many times should I recite Krishna Ashtakam for maximum benefit?
For daily practice, reciting the Krishna Ashtakam once with full concentration and devotion is highly beneficial. For deeper spiritual practice, devotees traditionally chant it 3, 11, or 108 times. During special occasions like Janmashtami or a personal Krishna puja, reciting it 11 or 108 times creates a powerful devotional atmosphere. The key is sincerity and one-pointed focus on Lord Krishna's divine form rather than the number of repetitions.
Is Krishna Ashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Krishna Ashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration for easier recitation.