Shri Yamuna Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Yamuna Ashtakam
The Shri Yamuna Ashtakam beginning with "Murarikayakali-malalamavaridharini" is a beautiful eight-verse hymn that glorifies the sacred river Yamuna, the beloved river associated with Lord Krishna's divine pastimes. "Yamuna" is revered as the daughter of Surya (the Sun God) and the sister of Yama (the Lord of Death), whose waters are eternally blessed by the lotus feet of Shri Krishna.
This ashtakam celebrates the divine qualities of Yamuna Devi — Kalindi, Surya-tanaya, Krishna-priya, and Bhakti-dayini — each name reflecting her intimate connection with Lord Krishna and her power to bestow pure devotion. The banks of the Yamuna in Vrindavan witnessed the most enchanting pastimes of the Lord, making her waters the very embodiment of divine love and Krishna consciousness.
Reciting this ashtakam with devotion connects the devotee to the transcendental realm of Vrindavan, awakens Krishna bhakti in the heart, and purifies the soul of all material contamination. It is especially powerful during Yamuna Jayanti, the sacred month of Kartik, and for those seeking to deepen their devotion to Lord Krishna.
Shri Yamuna Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English, Tamil & Telugu Verses
॥ श्रीयमुनाष्टकम् ॥
मुरारिकायकालिमाललामवारिधारिणी
तृणीकृतत्रिविष्टपा त्रिलोकशोकहारिणी।
मनोऽनुकूलकूलकुञ्जपुञ्जधूतदुर्मदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥1॥
मलापहारिवारिपूरभूरिमण्डितामृता
भृशं प्रपातकप्रवञ्चनातिपण्डितानिशम्।
सुनन्दनन्दनाङ्ग-सङ्गरागरञ्जिता हिता
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥2॥
लसत्तरङ्गसङ्गधूतभूतजातपातका
नवीनमाधुरीधुरीणभक्तिजातचातका।
तटान्तवासदासहंससंसृता हि कामदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥3॥
विहाररासखेदभेदधीरतीरमारुता
गता गिरामगोचरे यदीयनीरचारुता।
प्रवाहसाहचर्यपूतमेदिनीनदीनदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥4॥
तरङ्गसङ्गसैकताञ्चितान्तरा सदासिता
शरन्निशाकरांशुमञ्जुमञ्जरीसभाजिता।
भवार्चनाय चारुणाम्बुनाधुना विशारदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥5॥
जलान्तकेलिकारिचारुराधिकाङ्गरागिणी
स्वभर्तुरन्यदुर्लभाङ्गसङ्गतांशभागिनी।
स्वदत्तसुप्तसप्तसिन्धुभेदनातिकोविदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥6॥
जलच्युताच्युताङ्गरागलम्पटालिशालिनी
विलोलराधिकाकचान्तचम्पकालिमालिनी।
सदावगाहनावतीर्णभर्तृभृत्यनारदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥7॥
सदैव नन्दनन्दकेलिशालिकुञ्जमञ्जुला
तटोत्थफुल्लमल्लिकाकदम्बरेणुसूज्ज्वला।
जलावगाहिनां नृणां भवाब्धिसिन्धुपारदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥8॥
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं श्रीयमुनाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Yamunashtakam ॥
Murarikayakalima-Lalamavaridhaarini
Truneekrutatrivishtapa Trilokashokahaarini।
Manonukoolakoolakunjapunjadhoota-Durmada
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥1॥
Malapahaarivaaripoorabhoorimandita-Amruta
Bhrusham Prapatakpravanchanatipanditanisham।
Sunandanandananga-Sangaraagaranjita Hita
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥2॥
Lasattarangasangadhoota-Bhootajaatapataka
Naveenamaadhureedhureenabhaktijaatachaataka।
Tatantavasadasahamsasamsruta Hi Kamada
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥3॥
Vihaararaasakhedabhedadheerateeramaaruta
Gata Giraamagochare Yadeeyaneera-Chaaruta।
Pravahasahacharyapootamedinee-Nadeenada
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥4॥
Tarangasangasaikatanchitantara Sadasita
Sharannishakaraamshuma-Njumanjareesabhaajita।
Bhavarchanaya Chaarunaambunadhuna Vishaarada
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥5॥
Jalantakelikaari-Chaaruradhikanga-Raagini
Swabharturanyadur-Labhangasangatamsha-Bhagini।
Swadattasuptasaptasindhubhedanaatikovida
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥6॥
Jalachyutachyutanga-Raagalampataalishaalini
Vilolaradhikakachanta-Champakaalimaalini।
Sadaavagaahanaavateernaabhartrubhrutyanarada
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥7॥
Sadaiva Nandanandakeli-Shaalikunja-Manjula
Tatotthaphullamallikaa-Kadambarenusujjwala।
Jalavaagahinam Nrunaam Bhavaabdhisindhupaarada
Dhunotu Me Manomalam Kalindanandini Sada॥8॥
॥ Iti Shrimachchhankaracharyavirachitam Shriyamunashtakam Sampoornam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீயமுனாஷ்டகம் ॥
முராரிகாயகாலிமாலலாமவாரிதாரிணீத்ருணீக்ருதத்ரிவிஷ்டபா த்ரிலோகஶோகஹாரிணீ।
மனோ(அ)னுகூலகூலகுஞ்ஜபுஞ்ஜதூததுர்மதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥1॥
மலாபஹாரிவாரிபூரபூரிமண்டிதாம்ருதாப்ருஶம் ப்ரபாதகப்ரவஞ்சனாதிபண்டிதாநிஶம்।
ஸுநந்தனந்தனாங்க-ஸங்கராகரஞ்ஜிதா ஹிதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥2॥
லஸத்தரங்கஸங்கதூதபூதஜாதபாதகாநவீனமாதுரீதுரீணபக்திஜாதசாதகா।
தடாந்தவாஸதாஸஹம்ஸஸம்ஸ்ருதா ஹி காமதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥3॥
விஹாரராஸகேதபேததீரதீரமாருதாகதா கிராமகோசரே யதீயநீரசாருதா।
ப்ரவாஹஸாஹசர்யபூதமேதினீநதீனதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥4॥
தரங்கஸங்கஸைகதாஞ்சிதாந்தரா ஸதாஸிதாஶரந்நிஶாகராம்ஶுமஞ்ஜுமஞ்ஜரீஸபாஜிதா।
பவார்சனாய சாருணாம்புனாதுனா விஶாரதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥5॥
ஜலாந்தகேலிகாரிசாருராதிகாங்கராகிணீஸ்வபர்துரன்யதுர்லபாங்கஸங்கதாம்ஶபாகினீ।
ஸ்வதத்தஸுப்தஸப்தஸிந்துபேதனாதிகோவிதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥6॥
ஜலச்யுதாச்யுதாங்கராகலம்படாலிஶாலினீவிலோலராதிகாகசாந்தசம்பகாலிமாலினீ।
ஸதாவகாஹனாவதீர்ணபர்த்ருப்ருத்யநாரதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥7॥
ஸதைவ நந்தனந்தகேலிஶாலிகுஞ்ஜமஞ்ஜுலாதடோத்தபுல்லமல்லிகாகதம்பரேணுஸூஜ்ஜ்வலா।
ஜலாவகாஹினாம் ந்ருணாம் பவாப்திஸிந்துபாரதாதுனோது மே மனோமலம் கலிந்தனந்தினீ ஸதா॥8॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீமச்சங்கராசார்யவிரசிதம் ஶ்ரீயமுனாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీయమునాష్టకం ॥
మురారికాయకాలిమాలలామవారిధారిణీతృణీకృతత్రివిష్టపా త్రిలోకశోకహారిణీ।
మనోఽనుకూలకూలకుంజపుంజధూతదుర్మదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥1॥
మలాపహారివారిపూరభూరిమండితామృతాభృశం ప్రపాతకప్రవంచనాతిపండితానిశం।
సునందనందనాంగ-సంగరాగరంజితా హితాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥2॥
లసత్తరంగసంగధూతభూతజాతపాతకానవీనమాధురీధురీణభక్తిజాతచాతకా।
తటాంతవాసదాసహంససంసృతా హి కామదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥3॥
విహారరాసఖేదభేదధీరతీరమారుతాగతా గిరామగోచరే యదీయనీరచారుతా।
ప్రవాహసాహచర్యపూతమేదినీనదీనదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥4॥
తరంగసంగసైకతాంచితాంతరా సదాసితాశరన్నిశాకరాంశుమంజుమంజరీసభాజితా।
భవార్చనాయ చారుణాంబునాధునా విశారదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥5॥
జలాంతకేలికారిచారురాధికాంగరాగిణీస్వభర్తురన్యదుర్లభాంగసంగతాంశభాగినీ।
స్వదత్తసుప్తసప్తసింధుభేదనాతికోవిదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥6॥
జలచ్యుతాచ్యుతాంగరాగలంపటాలిశాలినీవిలోలరాధికాకచాంతచంపకాలిమాలినీ।
సదావగాహనావతీర్ణభర్తృభృత్యనారదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥7॥
సదైవ నందనందకేలిశాలికుంజమంజులాతటోత్థఫుల్లమల్లికాకదంబరేణుసూజ్జ్వలా।
జలావగాహినాం నృణాం భవాబ్ధిసింధుపారదాధునోతు మే మనోమలం కలిందనందినీ సదా॥8॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీమచ్ఛంకరాచార్యవిరచితం శ్రీయమునాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Yamuna Ashtakam
1 First Verse
मुरारिकायकालिमाललामवारिधारिणी तृणीकृतत्रिविष्टपा त्रिलोकशोकहारिणी। मनोऽनुकूलकूलकुञ्जपुञ्जधूतदुर्मदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: मुरारिकाय = body of Murari (Krishna); कालिमा = dark complexion; लाल = beauty; लाम = adorned; वारिधारिणी = bearer of waters; तृणीकृत = rendered insignificant like grass; त्रिविष्टपा = heaven (Trivishtapa); त्रिलोकशोकहारिणी = remover of the sorrows of the three worlds; मनोऽनुकूल = pleasing to the mind; कूल = banks; कुञ्जपुञ्ज = clusters of bowers; धूत = dispelled; दुर्मदा = evil pride; धुनोतु = may she wash away; मे = my; मनोमलम् = impurities of the mind; कलिन्दनन्दिनी = daughter of Mount Kalinda (Yamuna); सदा = always
Translation: She who bears waters adorned with the beauty of the dark complexion of Lord Krishna's body, she who makes heaven seem as insignificant as a blade of grass, she who removes the sorrows of the three worlds, she whose clusters of pleasant bowers on the banks dispel all evil pride — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
2 Second Verse
मलापहारिवारिपूरभूरिमण्डितामृता भृशं प्रपातकप्रवञ्चनातिपण्डितानिशम्। सुनन्दनन्दनाङ्गसङ्गरागरञ्जिता हिता धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: मलापहारि = sin-removing; वारिपूर = flood of waters; भूरि = abundant; मण्डिता = adorned; अमृता = nectar-like; भृशम् = exceedingly; प्रपातक = great sins; प्रवञ्चना = deceiving/destroying; अतिपण्डिता = supremely clever; अनिशम् = always; सुनन्दनन्दन = son of Nanda (Krishna); अङ्गसङ्ग = bodily contact; राग = love/color; रञ्जिता = colored/delighted; हिता = benevolent
Translation: She who is like nectar, adorned with abundant floods of sin-removing waters, she who is exceedingly clever at destroying great sins at all times, she who is colored with the loving touch of the body of Nanda's son Krishna, and is ever benevolent — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
3 Third Verse
लसत्तरङ्गसङ्गधूतभूतजातपातका नवीनमाधुरीधुरीणभक्तिजातचातका। तटान्तवासदासहंससंसृता हि कामदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: लसत् = shining; तरङ्गसङ्ग = association with waves; धूत = destroyed; भूतजात = all beings; पातका = sins; नवीन = fresh/new; माधुरी = sweetness; धुरीण = foremost; भक्तिजात = born of devotion; चातका = chataka birds (who thirst for raindrops); तटान्तवास = dwelling along the banks; दासहंस = devoted swans (devotees); संसृता = associated with; कामदा = granter of desires
Translation: She whose shining waves destroy the sins of all beings, she who produces devotees like chataka birds thirsting for the ever-fresh sweetness of devotion, she who fulfills all desires and is associated with the devoted swan-like saints residing along her banks — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
4 Fourth Verse
विहाररासखेदभेदधीरतीरमारुता गता गिरामगोचरे यदीयनीरचारुता। प्रवाहसाहचर्यपूतमेदिनीनदीनदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: विहार = pastimes; रास = Rasa dance; खेद = fatigue; भेद = dispelling; धीर = steady; तीरमारुता = bank-breezes; गता = gone; गिराम् = of words; अगोचरे = beyond the reach; यदीय = whose; नीर = water; चारुता = beauty; प्रवाह = flowing current; साहचर्य = companionship; पूत = purified; मेदिनी = earth; नदीनदा = joy/nourisher of rivers
Translation: She whose steady bank-breezes dispel the fatigue of the divine Rasa-lila pastimes, she whose water's beauty is beyond the reach of all words, she whose flowing companionship purifies all the rivers of the earth and is the joy of all rivers — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
5 Fifth Verse
तरङ्गसङ्गसैकताञ्चितान्तरा सदासिता शरन्निशाकरांशुमञ्जुमञ्जरीसभाजिता। भवार्चनाय चारुणाम्बुनाधुना विशारदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: तरङ्गसङ्ग = with waves; सैकता = sandy; अञ्चित = adorned; अन्तरा = within; सदासिता = always dark-hued; शरत् = autumn; निशाकर = moon; अंशु = rays; मञ्जुमञ्जरी = beautiful clusters; सभाजिता = honored; भवार्चनाय = for the worship of the Lord; चारुण = beautiful; अम्बुना = with water; अधुना = now; विशारदा = skilled/expert
Translation: She who is always dark-hued within her wave-adorned sandy expanses, she who is honored by the beautiful clusters of autumn moonbeams, she who is skilled in providing beautiful waters for the worship of the Lord — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
6 Sixth Verse
जलान्तकेलिकारिचारुराधिकाङ्गरागिणी स्वभर्तुरन्यदुर्लभाङ्गसङ्गतांशभागिनी। स्वदत्तसुप्तसप्तसिन्धुभेदनातिकोविदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: जलान्तकेलि = water-sports; कारि = performing; चारु = beautiful; राधिका = Radhika; अङ्गरागिणी = bearing the body-colors; स्वभर्तुः = of her Lord (Krishna); अन्यदुर्लभ = otherwise unattainable; अङ्गसङ्गता = bodily association; अंशभागिनी = sharer of a portion; स्वदत्त = self-given; सुप्त = dormant; सप्तसिन्धु = seven oceans; भेदन = piercing; अतिकोविदा = supremely skillful
Translation: She who bears the colors from beautiful Radhika's body during water-sports, she who shares a portion of the intimate bodily association with her Lord Krishna that is otherwise unattainable by anyone, she who is supremely skillful in piercing through the seven dormant oceans by her own force — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
7 Seventh Verse
जलच्युताच्युताङ्गरागलम्पटालिशालिनी विलोलराधिकाकचान्तचम्पकालिमालिनी। सदावगाहनावतीर्णभर्तृभृत्यनारदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: जलच्युत = fallen into the water; अच्युत = Achyuta (Krishna); अङ्गराग = body colors/ointments; लम्पट = eager; अलि = bees; शालिनी = abounding in; विलोल = restless/flowing; राधिका = Radhika; कचान्त = ends of hair; चम्पक = champaka flowers; अलिमालिनी = garlanded with bees; सदा = always; अवगाहन = bathing; अवतीर्ण = descended; भर्तृभृत्य = servants of the Lord; नारदा = Narada and others
Translation: She who abounds with bees eager for the body-colors of Lord Krishna (Achyuta) fallen into her waters, she who wears garlands of bees hovering around the champaka flowers adorning Radhika's flowing tresses, she in whom sage Narada and other servants of the Lord always descend to bathe — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
8 Eighth Verse
सदैव नन्दनन्दकेलिशालिकुञ्जमञ्जुला तटोत्थफुल्लमल्लिकाकदम्बरेणुसूज्ज्वला। जलावगाहिनां नृणां भवाब्धिसिन्धुपारदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा॥
Word Meanings: सदैव = always; नन्दनन्द = son of Nanda (Krishna); केलि = pastimes; शालि = abundant; कुञ्जमञ्जुला = beautiful with bowers; तटोत्थ = rising from the banks; फुल्ल = blooming; मल्लिका = jasmine; कदम्ब = kadamba tree; रेणु = pollen; सूज्ज्वला = brilliantly shining; जलावगाहिनाम् = of those who bathe in the waters; नृणाम् = of people; भवाब्धिसिन्धुपारदा = one who takes across the ocean of worldly existence
Translation: She who is always beautiful with bowers that are abundant with the pastimes of Nanda's son Krishna, she who shines brilliantly with the pollen of blooming jasmine and kadamba flowers rising from her banks, she who carries those people who bathe in her waters across the ocean of worldly existence — may the daughter of Kalinda, Yamuna, always wash away the impurities of my mind!
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Yamuna Ashtakam
- Removes Sins: Purifies the devotee of all accumulated sins and transgressions
- Connects to Krishna Bhakti: Awakens deep devotion for Lord Krishna in the heart
- Purifies the Soul: Cleanses the soul of material contamination and illusions
- Grants Divine Love: Bestows the rare gift of prema-bhakti (pure divine love)
- Removes Obstacles in Devotion: Clears all impediments on the path of bhakti
- Bestows Purity: Fills the devotee with transcendental sanctity and holiness
- Heals Spiritual Ailments: Cures the diseases of the soul caused by material attachment
- Leads to Vrindavan Consciousness: Elevates the devotee to the spiritual realm of Vrindavan
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before an image of Lord Krishna or Yamuna Devi
- Offer tulsi leaves, flowers, or Yamuna jal to the Lord
- Chant with devotion, meditating on the sacred waters of Yamuna in Vrindavan
- Ideal times: Yamuna Jayanti, Kartik month, Ekadashi, while performing river worship
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of Shri Yamuna Devi
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Yamuna Ashtakam
Who composed the Shri Yamuna Ashtakam?
The Shri Yamuna Ashtakam beginning with "Murarikayakali-malalamavaridharini" is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century Advaita Vedanta philosopher. It is one of his many stotra compositions glorifying the sacred rivers and deities of India, expressing deep devotion to the holy river Yamuna.
What are the benefits of reciting Yamuna Ashtakam?
Reciting the Yamuna Ashtakam purifies the devotee of all accumulated sins, awakens deep Krishna bhakti (devotion) in the heart, grants the rare gift of prema-bhakti (pure divine love), removes obstacles on the path of devotion, and elevates the soul to the transcendental consciousness of Vrindavan. Each verse concludes with the prayer to cleanse the impurities of the mind.
When is the best time to recite Yamuna Ashtakam?
The best times to recite Yamuna Ashtakam are during Yamuna Jayanti, the sacred month of Kartik, Ekadashi days, and while performing river worship. It can also be recited daily during morning or evening prayers, especially by those seeking to deepen their devotion to Lord Krishna and Yamuna Devi.
What is the meaning of "Kalindanandini" that appears in every verse?
"Kalindanandini" means "daughter of Kalinda" (Mount Kalinda, associated with the Sun God Surya). Yamuna is called Kalindanandini because she originates from the Kalinda mountain in the Himalayas. This name highlights her divine origin as the daughter of the Sun God, making her the sister of Yama (the Lord of Death).
What is the connection between Yamuna and Lord Krishna?
The Yamuna river is intimately connected with Lord Krishna's divine pastimes (leelas) in Vrindavan. Krishna performed His enchanting Rasa Lila on her banks, played water sports in her waters with Radha and the Gopis, and her dark waters are said to mirror Krishna's own divine dark complexion. The ashtakam celebrates this sacred relationship throughout its verses.
How many verses are in the Yamuna Ashtakam and what is the refrain?
The Yamuna Ashtakam contains 8 verses (ashtakam means "eight verses"). Each verse ends with the same refrain: "Dhunotu me manomalam Kalindanandini sada" — meaning "May the daughter of Kalinda (Yamuna) always wash away the impurities of my mind." This repeated prayer emphasizes the purifying power of Yamuna Devi.
Is Shri Yamuna Ashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Shri Yamuna Ashtakam in Tamil script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration, helping Tamil devotees chant with clarity and devotion.