श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् is a devotional स्तोत्र dedicated to Lord Krishna. It describes the divine रूप, qualities and glory of भगवान श्रीकृष्ण and concludes with a prayer seeking the spiritual benefit of remembering and reciting his name.
Shri Krishna Ashtakam
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 ॥
About Shri Krishna Ashtakam
श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् is a devotional hymn that praises Lord Krishna through descriptions of his divine form, ornaments, qualities and important aspects of his divine personality.
The first verse remembers Krishna as the son of वसुदेव and the one who defeated कंस and चाणूर. It also remembers the joy he brought to देवकी and offers reverence to Krishna as जगद्गुरु.
The following verses describe different aspects of Krishna’s divine appearance. His beautiful face, कुंडल, रत्न आभूषण, पीताम्बर, वनमाला and मोरपंख are remembered with devotion.
The Ashtakam also mentions रुक्मिणी, the गोपिकाएँ, the यादव वंश, and the traditional symbols associated with Lord Krishna, including the शंख and चक्र.
The Ashtakam consists of eight verses, with each verse ending with the भक्तिपूर्ण expression “कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्”, meaning that the devotee offers reverence to Krishna, the spiritual teacher of the universe.
The concluding फलश्रुति describes the traditional spiritual significance of reciting or remembering this कृष्णाष्टकम्.
Importance of Shri Krishna Ashtakam
Shri Krishna Ashtakam provides devotees with an opportunity to remember भगवान श्रीकृष्ण through his divine qualities and form.
The repeated remembrance of Krishna as जगद्गुरु reflects the devotional attitude of surrender and respect toward him. Reciting the Ashtakam can become part of a regular श्रीकृष्ण पूजा or personal devotional practice.
The verses also encourage भक्तों to focus their mind on Krishna’s divine रूप, नाम and गुण.
Puja Samagri for Shri Krishna Ashtakam
If you are reciting Shri Krishna Ashtakam as part of a पूजा, you may keep the following items:
- भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की मूर्ति or picture
- दीपक
- धूप or अगरबत्ती
- पीले फूल
- तुलसी दल
- चंदन
- अक्षत
- फल
- माखन-मिश्री
- पंचामृत
- स्वच्छ जल
The पूजा सामग्री can be adjusted according to your श्रद्धा and family tradition.
Shri Krishna Ashtakam Path Vidhi
- Take a bath and wear clean clothes before beginning the पूजा.
- Clean the पूजा स्थान and place भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की मूर्ति or picture.
- Light a दीपक and धूप.
- Offer चंदन, पुष्प and तुलसी दल to Krishna Ji.
- Offer माखन-मिश्री or another सात्त्विक प्रसाद.
- Remember भगवान श्रीकृष्ण with श्रद्धा.
- Recite श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् slowly and with concentration.
- After completing the पाठ, offer your प्रार्थना to Lord Krishna.
- Conclude the पूजा with आरती and प्रसाद.
During the recitation, try to keep your mind शांत and focused on भगवान श्रीकृष्ण.
Benefits of Shri Krishna Ashtakam
According to traditional devotional belief, श्रद्धा से reciting Shri Krishna Ashtakam is associated with the following spiritual benefits:
- Helps develop devotion toward भगवान श्रीकृष्ण.
- Encourages remembrance of Krishna’s divine रूप and गुण.
- Helps bring concentration and शांत भाव during पूजा.
- Strengthens श्रद्धा and भक्तिभाव.
- Provides an opportunity for नियमित कृष्ण स्मरण.
- Encourages positive and spiritual thoughts.
- Helps devotees cultivate humility and surrender toward भगवान.
The फलश्रुति of the Ashtakam also describes traditional spiritual benefits associated with its recitation and remembrance.
When to Read Shri Krishna Ashtakam?
Shri Krishna Ashtakam can be recited on any day with श्रद्धा and devotion.
It can be included in daily श्रीकृष्ण पूजा or recited when a devotee wishes to spend time in कृष्ण स्मरण.
It can also be recited during special occasions associated with Lord Krishna.
How Many Times Should Shri Krishna Ashtakam Be Read?
There is no single mandatory number of recitations.
For regular devotional practice, भक्त can recite the Ashtakam once a day. During a special पूजा or संकल्प, it may be recited according to one’s श्रद्धा and धार्मिक परंपरा.
Best Day and Auspicious Occasions
Shri Krishna Ashtakam can be recited on any day.
It is particularly suitable during festivals and occasions associated with भगवान श्रीकृष्ण, including:
- श्री कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी
- कृष्ण पक्ष devotional observances
- गोकुलाष्टमी
- भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की विशेष पूजा
- Daily कृष्ण भक्ति and पूजा
Who Can Read Shri Krishna Ashtakam?
Anyone with श्रद्धा and devotion toward भगवान श्रीकृष्ण can recite Shri Krishna Ashtakam.
There is no specific age requirement. Children can also learn the Ashtakam and recite it with guidance from parents or elders.
Best Time to Read Shri Krishna Ashtakam
प्रातःकाल is considered a suitable time for devotional recitation. After स्नान and completing the morning routine, the Ashtakam can be recited in a clean and शांत पूजा स्थान.
It can also be recited during the evening पूजा if morning recitation is not convenient.
The most important aspect is to recite it with श्रद्धा, concentration and भक्तिभाव.
Phalashruti of Shri Krishna Ashtakam
The फलश्रुति of Shri Krishna Ashtakam states:
कृष्णाष्टक मिदं पुण्यं
प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्।
कोटिजन्म कृतं पापं
स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥
The traditional meaning is that a person who recites this पुण्य कृष्णाष्टकम् after rising in the morning is said to receive spiritual benefit, and the remembrance of Lord Krishna is described as capable of destroying sins accumulated over countless births.
This फलश्रुति highlights the importance of प्रातःकालीन कृष्ण स्मरण and भक्तिपूर्वक recitation of the Ashtakam.
Shri Krishna Ashtakam YouTube Video
FAQs – Shri Krishna Ashtakam
What is Shri Krishna Ashtakam?
श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् is an eight-verse devotional hymn dedicated to भगवान श्रीकृष्ण. It describes his divine form, qualities, ornaments and glory.
What does “कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्” mean?
“कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्” expresses reverence to Lord Krishna as जगद्गुरु, the spiritual teacher of the universe.
When should Shri Krishna Ashtakam be read?
It can be read at any time with श्रद्धा. प्रातःकाल is a suitable time for regular devotional recitation, and it can also be recited during evening पूजा.
Can Shri Krishna Ashtakam be read every day?
Yes. Devotees can include it in their daily कृष्ण पूजा or regular devotional routine.
How many times should Shri Krishna Ashtakam be recited?
There is no universally mandatory number. One recitation is suitable for regular practice, while additional recitations may be performed according to one’s श्रद्धा and धार्मिक परंपरा.
Can children read Shri Krishna Ashtakam?
Yes. Children can learn and recite श्री कृष्णाष्टकम् with guidance from parents or elders.
What are the benefits of reading Shri Krishna Ashtakam?
According to traditional devotional belief, its recitation helps strengthen कृष्ण भक्ति, श्रद्धा, concentration and remembrance of Lord Krishna.
What does the फलश्रुति of Shri Krishna Ashtakam say?
The फलश्रुति states that a person who recites the Krishna Ashtakam in the morning receives पुण्य and that remembrance of Lord Krishna is traditionally described as destroying sins accumulated over countless births.
Which occasion is best for Shri Krishna Ashtakam?
श्री कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी is an especially suitable occasion, although the Ashtakam can be recited on any day as part of भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की भक्ति.