acyutāṣṭakam

I worship the unfailing Lord known as Keshava, Rama, Narayana, Krishna, Damodara, Vasudeva and Hari; as Shridhara, Madhava, beloved of the gopis, and Rama, Lord of Janaki.

I hold in my heart Achyuta and Keshava, the Lord of Satyabhama; Madhava and Shridhara worshipped by Radha; the dwelling place of Lakshmi, beautiful to the mind, son of Devaki and son of Nanda.

Salutations to Vishnu, the victorious one bearing conch and discus; beloved of Rukmini, Lord of Janaki, beloved of the cowherd women, worshipful Self, destroyer of Kansa and player of the flute.

O Krishna, Govinda, Rama, Narayana, Lord of Lakshmi, Vasudeva, unconquered treasure of splendour; O Achyuta, Ananta, Madhava, Adhokshaja, Lord of Dvaraka and protector of Draupadi!

May Raghava protect me—he who disturbed the demons, shone beside Sita, sanctified Dandaka forest, was accompanied by Lakshmana, served by the vanaras and worshipped by sage Agastya.

May child Gopala always protect me—the destroyer of Dhenuka, Arishta, Keshi and Kansa, the flute player who overcame Putana and joyfully played as the divine cowherd boy.

I worship the lotus-eyed Lord whose garments flash like lightning, whose body shines like a monsoon cloud, whose chest is adorned with a wild-flower garland and whose two feet are reddish.

I worship that dark-hued Lord with curling hair and radiant face, jeweled crown, shining earrings, necklaces, armlets and bracelets, and sweetly ringing waist-bells.

Whoever lovingly recites this beautiful Ashtakam of Achyuta every day with sincere longing is promised the grace and nearness of Hari, the sustainer of the universe.