Achyutashtakam (Achyutam Keshavam) — Lyrics with Meaning
Achyutashtakam is a hymn to Lord Vishnu as Achyut, the one who never falls, traditionally credited to Adi Shankaracharya. It sings the names and deeds of both Krishna and Ram, Vishnu's avatars. As the bhajan 'Achyutam Keshavam', it is hugely popular today.
Achyutam keshavam ramanarayanam krishnadamodaram vasudevam harim | Shridharam madhavam gopikavallabham janakinayakam ramachandram bhaje ||1||
Achyutam keshavam satyabhamadhavam madhavam shridharam radhikaradhitam | Indiramandiram chetasa sundaram devakinandanam nandajam sandadhe ||2||
Vishnave jishnave shankhine chakrine rukminiragine janakijanaye | Vallavivallabhayarchitayatmane kamsavidhvamsine vamshine te namah ||3||
Krishna govinda he rama narayana shripate vasudevajita shrinidhe | Achyutananta he madhavadhokshaja dvarakanayaka draupadirakshaka ||4||
Rakshasakshobhitah sitaya shobhito dandakaranyabhupunyatakaranah | Lakshmanenanvito vanaraih sevito- agastyasampujito raghavah patu mam ||5||
Dhenukarishtakanishtakriddveshiha keshiha kamsahridvamshikavadakah | Putanakopakah surajakhelano balagopalakah patu mam sarvada ||6||
Vidyududyotavatprasphuradvasasam pravridambhodavatprollasadvigraham | Vanyaya malaya shobhitorahsthalam lohitanghridvayam varijaksham bhaje ||7||
Kunchitaih kuntalairbhrajamananam ratnamaulim lasatkundalam gandayoh | Harakeyurakam kankanaprojjvalam kinkinimanjulam shyamalam tam bhaje ||8||
Achyutasyashtakam yah pathedishtadam prematah pratyaham purushah saspriham | Vrittatah sundaram kartrivishvambharas tasya vashyo harirjayate satvaram ||9||
Meaning
Verse 1
Achyutam keshavam ramanarayanam krishnadamodaram vasudevam harim | Shridharam madhavam gopikavallabham janakinayakam ramachandram bhaje ||1||
I worship Achyut, Keshav, Ram, Narayan, Krishna, Damodar, Vasudev, Hari, Shridhar, Madhav, beloved of the gopis, and Ramachandra, Lord of Janaki.
Verse 2
Achyutam keshavam satyabhamadhavam madhavam shridharam radhikaradhitam | Indiramandiram chetasa sundaram devakinandanam nandajam sandadhe ||2||
Achyut, Keshav, husband of Satyabhama, Madhav, Shridhar, adored by Radha, home of Lakshmi, beautiful at heart, joy of Devaki, son of Nanda — him I hold in my heart.
Verse 3
Vishnave jishnave shankhine chakrine rukminiragine janakijanaye | Vallavivallabhayarchitayatmane kamsavidhvamsine vamshine te namah ||3||
To the all-pervading, the victorious, bearer of conch and discus, lover of Rukmini, husband of Janaki, beloved of the gopis, the worshipped one, the Self of all, destroyer of Kamsa, the flute player — salutations to you.
Verse 4
Krishna govinda he rama narayana shripate vasudevajita shrinidhe | Achyutananta he madhavadhokshaja dvarakanayaka draupadirakshaka ||4||
O Krishna, Govind, Ram, Narayan, Lord of Lakshmi, Vasudev, unconquered one, treasure of glory, Achyut, endless one, Madhav, beyond the senses, Lord of Dwarka, protector of Draupadi!
Verse 5
Rakshasakshobhitah sitaya shobhito dandakaranyabhupunyatakaranah | Lakshmanenanvito vanaraih sevito- agastyasampujito raghavah patu mam ||5||
He who stirred up the demons, shines beside Sita, made the land of Dandaka forest holy, is accompanied by Lakshman, served by the vanaras and honoured by sage Agastya — may that Raghav protect me.
Verse 6
Dhenukarishtakanishtakriddveshiha keshiha kamsahridvamshikavadakah | Putanakopakah surajakhelano balagopalakah patu mam sarvada ||6||
He who slew harmful foes like Dhenuka and Arishta, killed Keshi, ended Kamsa, plays the flute, was angered by Putana and plays in the Yamuna — may that child cowherd always protect me.
Verse 7
Vidyududyotavatprasphuradvasasam pravridambhodavatprollasadvigraham | Vanyaya malaya shobhitorahsthalam lohitanghridvayam varijaksham bhaje ||7||
His garments flash like lightning, his body glows dark like a monsoon cloud, his chest is adorned with a garland of forest flowers, his two feet are rosy — I worship the lotus-eyed Lord.
Verse 8
Kunchitaih kuntalairbhrajamananam ratnamaulim lasatkundalam gandayoh | Harakeyurakam kankanaprojjvalam kinkinimanjulam shyamalam tam bhaje ||8||
His face shines framed by curling locks, a jewelled crown on his head, earrings glinting on his cheeks; he sparkles with necklace, armlets and bracelets, charming with tinkling waist bells — I worship that dark, lovely Lord.
Verse 9
Achyutasyashtakam yah pathedishtadam prematah pratyaham purushah saspriham | Vrittatah sundaram kartrivishvambharas tasya vashyo harirjayate satvaram ||9||
Whoever reads this Achyutashtakam, beautiful in metre and granting good wishes, every day with love and longing — tradition says Hari, sustainer of the universe, is soon won over by that devotee's love.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
What does 'Achyut' mean?
'Achyut' means one who never falls, never perishes and never moves from his true nature. It is a name of Lord Vishnu.
Who wrote the Achyutashtakam?
Tradition credits it to Adi Shankaracharya.
When is 'Achyutam Keshavam' sung?
It is sung in morning or evening worship, on Ekadashi, Janmashtami, Ram Navami or at any bhajan gathering. Many people repeat just the first verse as a bhajan.