Govindashtakam
Govindashtakam is a devotional hymn composed in praise of Lord Krishna, specifically addressing him as “Govinda,” the protector of cows and the Supreme Being in Vaishnavism. This hymn consists of eight verses (Ashtakam) and is believed to be composed by the great philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya. The verses glorify Lord Krishna’s divine attributes, his pastimes, and his supreme position in the cosmos.
Meaning of the Name
- Govinda means “one who gives pleasure to the cows, the earth, and the senses.” It is a popular name of Lord Krishna, signifying his role as the supreme protector and provider.
- Ashtakam refers to a composition of eight verses.
Thus, Govindashtakam literally means “a set of eight verses dedicated to Govinda (Krishna).”
Spiritual Significance
- Chanting Govindashtakam fills the devotee with peace and divine love.
- It is believed to purify the mind and bring one closer to Krishna consciousness.
- The hymn helps in surrendering to the divine will of Lord Krishna.
- It is especially recited during prayers, meditation, and bhakti practices.
Govindashtakam In English
satyaṃ jñānamanantaṃ nityamanākāśaṃ paramākāśam ।
gōṣṭhaprāṅgaṇariṅkhaṇalōlamanāyāsaṃ paramāyāsam ।
māyākalpitanānākāramanākāraṃ bhuvanākāram ।
kṣmāmānāthamanāthaṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 1 ॥
mṛtsnāmatsīhēti yaśōdātāḍanaśaiśava santrāsam ।
vyāditavaktrālōkitalōkālōkachaturdaśalōkālim ।
lōkatrayapuramūlastambhaṃ lōkālōkamanālōkam ।
lōkēśaṃ paramēśaṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 2 ॥
traiviṣṭaparipuvīraghnaṃ kṣitibhāraghnaṃ bhavarōgaghnam ।
kaivalyaṃ navanītāhāramanāhāraṃ bhuvanāhāram ।
vaimalyasphuṭachētōvṛttiviśēṣābhāsamanābhāsam ।
śaivaṃ kēvalaśāntaṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 3 ॥
gōpālaṃ prabhulīlāvigrahagōpālaṃ kulagōpālam ।
gōpīkhēlanagōvardhanadhṛtilīlālālitagōpālam ।
gōbhirnigadita gōvindasphuṭanāmānaṃ bahunāmānam ।
gōpīgōcharadūraṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 4 ॥
gōpīmaṇḍalagōṣṭhībhēdaṃ bhēdāvasthamabhēdābham ।
śaśvadgōkhuranirdhūtōdgata dhūḻīdhūsarasaubhāgyam ।
śraddhābhaktigṛhītānandamachintyaṃ chintitasadbhāvam ।
chintāmaṇimahimānaṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 5 ॥
snānavyākulayōṣidvastramupādāyāgamupārūḍham ।
vyāditsantīratha digvastrā dātumupākarṣantaṃ tāḥ
nirdhūtadvayaśōkavimōhaṃ buddhaṃ buddhērantastham ।
sattāmātraśarīraṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 6 ॥
kāntaṃ kāraṇakāraṇamādimanādiṃ kāladhanābhāsam ।
kāḻindīgatakāliyaśirasi sunṛtyantaṃ muhuratyantam ।
kālaṃ kālakalātītaṃ kalitāśēṣaṃ kalidōṣaghnam ।
kālatrayagatihētuṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 7 ॥
bṛndāvanabhuvi bṛndārakagaṇabṛndārādhitavandēham ।
kundābhāmalamandasmērasudhānandaṃ suhṛdānandam ।
vandyāśēṣa mahāmuni mānasa vandyānandapadadvandvam ।
vandyāśēṣaguṇābdhiṃ praṇamata gōvindaṃ paramānandam ॥ 8 ॥
gōvindāṣṭakamētadadhītē gōvindārpitachētā yaḥ ।
gōvindāchyuta mādhava viṣṇō gōkulanāyaka kṛṣṇēti ।
gōvindāṅghri sarōjadhyānasudhājaladhautasamastāghaḥ ।
gōvindaṃ paramānandāmṛtamantasthaṃ sa tamabhyēti ॥
iti śrī śaṅkarāchārya virachita śrīgōvindāṣṭakaṃ samāptaṃ
Govindashtakam is a deeply devotional hymn that glorifies the all-pervading and merciful nature of Lord Krishna. It reminds devotees of Krishna’s omnipresence, his boundless love, and his role as the Supreme Lord. Reciting or meditating on this ashtakam with sincerity and devotion brings inner peace, spiritual upliftment, and ultimately Krishna’s divine grace.
