Ashtakam • Krishna / Govinda

Govinda Ashtakam

Eight verses in praise of Govinda (Krishna). A beautiful hymn for devotion, peace and attaining the bliss of Krishna.

गोविन्द अष्टकम्

When to recite: Janmashtami, Ekadashi, daily Krishna worship

Overview

Govinda Ashtakam is an eight-verse hymn in praise of Krishna as Govinda, the blissful Lord of Vraja. It is recited for Krishna-bhakti, peace, and meditation on the beauty and sweetness of the Lord.

The hymn brings together the playful Krishna of Vrindavan and the supreme Narayana who is the source of all existence.

Meaning

The ashtakam praises Govinda as eternal, blissful, beautiful, and beloved by devotees. Its devotional center is remembrance of Krishna's form, qualities, and divine play.

Traditional Benefits

Traditionally recited for Krishna devotion, joy, peace, and inner sweetness.
Supports Janmashtami, Ekadashi, and daily Krishna worship.
Helps devotees meditate on Govinda beyond ordinary mental agitation.

Recitation Notes

Recite before Krishna or Radha-Krishna with tulasi and diya.
Pair with Hare Krishna Mahamantra, Krishna aarti, or Bhagavata reading.
Use a slower pace so the imagery of Govinda can be contemplated.

Related Practice

Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki and Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
Janmashtami puja and Ekadashi vrata.
Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana study.

Devanagari / Hindi script

सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं नित्यमनाकाशं परमाकाशम्।
गोष्ठप्रांगणरिंखणलोलमनायासं परमायासम्॥
मायाकल्पितनानाकारमनाकारं भुवनाकारम्।
क्षमया रमया च समं रमणं गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥१॥

वृन्दावनभुवि वृन्दारकगणवृन्दाराधितवन्दे।
कुन्दाभामलदन्तं मन्दस्मितसुन्दरवदनारविन्दम्॥
गोपीमण्डलगोष्ठीक्रीडनमानन्दितगोवर्धनम्।
गोपालं कलगानलोलमनालसं गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥२॥

गोपीनं नयनोत्पलार्चितपादाब्जं तं केशवम्।
श्रेयः कारणकारणं ब्रह्म परं नारायणमव्ययम्॥
मायाकल्पितलोकपालकमाला राजमहेशम्।
क्षमया रमया समं भज गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥३॥

ब्रह्मानन्दसनातनसुखरससरिच्छीत तरिच्छेत।
योगीन्द्रमुनिवरमानसहंसकमाश्रय नितरां श्रेयसे॥
ललितं लहरीखेलनलोलकपोलं कलकण्ठम्।
मञ्जुलमञ्जुनमञ्जुलभाषिणमानन्दं गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥४॥

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Overview

Govinda Ashtakam is an eight-verse hymn in praise of Krishna as Govinda, the blissful Lord of Vraja. It is recited for Krishna-bhakti, peace, and meditation on the beauty and sweetness of the Lord.

The hymn brings together the playful Krishna of Vrindavan and the supreme Narayana who is the source of all existence.

सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं नित्यमनाकाशं परमाकाशम्। गोष्ठप्रांगणरिंखणलोलमनायासं परमायासम्॥ मायाकल्पितनानाकारमनाकारं भुवनाकारम्। क्षमया रमया च समं रमणं गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥१॥ वृन्दावनभुवि वृन्दारकगणवृन्दाराधितवन्दे। कुन्दाभामलदन्तं मन्दस्मितसुन्दरवदनारविन्दम्॥ गोपीमण्डलगोष्ठीक्रीडनमानन्दितगोवर्धनम्। गोपालं कलगानलोलमनालसं गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥२॥ गोपीनं नयनोत्पलार्चितपादाब्जं तं केशवम्। श्रेयः कारणकारणं ब्रह्म परं नारायणमव्ययम्॥ मायाकल्पितलोकपालकमाला राजमहेशम्। क्षमया रमया समं भज गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥३॥ ब्रह्मानन्दसनातनसुखरससरिच्छीत तरिच्छेत। योगीन्द्रमुनिवरमानसहंसकमाश्रय नितरां श्रेयसे॥ ललितं लहरीखेलनलोलकपोलं कलकण्ठम्। मञ्जुलमञ्जुनमञ्जुलभाषिणमानन्दं गोविन्दमानन्दं भज॥४॥