Krishnashtakam (Vasudeva Sutam Devam) — Lyrics with Meaning

Verse 1

Vasudevasutam devam kamsachanuramardanam | devakiparamanandam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||1||

I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world — the divine son of Vasudev, crusher of Kamsa and Chanura, the supreme joy of Devaki.

Verse 2

Atasipushpasankasham haranupurashobhitam | ratnakankanakeyuram krishnam vande jagadgurum ||2||

Hued like the blue flax flower, adorned with necklace and anklets, wearing jewelled bracelets and armlets — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 3

Kutilalakasamyuktam purnachandranibhananam | vilasatkundaladharam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||3||

With curling locks, a face like the full moon and gleaming earrings — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 4

Mandaragandhasamyuktam charuhasam chaturbhujam | barhipinchhavachudangam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||4||

Fragrant with mandar flowers, with a lovely smile, four-armed, with a peacock feather in his crown — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 5

Utphullapadmapatraksham nilajimutasannibham | yadavanam shiroratnam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||5||

With eyes like petals of a blooming lotus, dark like a blue rain cloud, the crown jewel of the Yadavas — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 6

Rukminikelisamyuktam pitambarasushobhitam | avaptatulasigandham krishnam vande jagadgurum ||6||

Playful with Rukmini, handsome in yellow silk, carrying the fragrance of tulsi — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 7

Gopikanam kuchadvandvakunkumankitavakshasam | shriniketam maheshvasam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||7||

His chest marked with kumkum from the loving embrace of the gopis, the home of Lakshmi, the mighty archer — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 8

Shrivatsankam mahoraskam vanamalavirajitam | shankhachakradharam devam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||8||

Bearing the Shrivatsa mark on his broad chest, shining with a garland of forest flowers, holding conch and discus — I bow to Krishna, teacher of the world.

Verse 9

Krishnashtakamidam punyam pratarutthaya yah pathet | kotijanmakritam papam smaranena vinashyati ||9||

Whoever recites this holy Krishnashtakam on rising in the morning — tradition says the sins of countless lifetimes are destroyed just by remembering it.