acyutāṣṭakam

I worship Achyuta, Keshava, Rama-Narayana, Krishna-Damodara, Vasudeva, Hari, Sridhara, Madhava, the beloved of the Gopis, the lord of Janaki, Ramachandra.

I meditate upon Achyuta, Keshava, the husband of Satyabhama, Madhava, Sridhara, one worshipped by Radha, the abode of Lakshmi, one beautiful in mind, the son of Devaki, the beloved one.

Salutations to you, Vishnu, the victorious one, who holds the conch and discus, who is beloved by Rukmini, the husband of Janaki, the beloved of the Gopis, the worshipped Soul, the destroyer of Kamsa, the flute player.

O Krishna, Govinda! O Rama, Narayana! Lord of Lakshmi, Vasudeva, the unconquered one, treasure of splendor! O Achyuta, Ananta! O Madhava, Adhokshaja! Lord of Dvaraka, protector of Draupadi!

May Raghava protect me, who agitated the demons, who is adorned by Sita, who caused the land of Dandakaranya to become sacred, who is accompanied by Lakshmana, who is served by monkeys, and worshipped by Agastya.

May the child cowherd always protect me, who destroyed the inimical Dhenuka and Arishta, who killed Keshi, who vanquished Kamsa, who is a flute player, who destroyed Putana, and who played near the Yamuna.

I worship Him whose garment shines like a flash of lightning, whose body glows like a monsoon cloud, whose chest is adorned with a garland of forest flowers, whose two feet are reddish, and whose eyes are like lotuses.

I worship that dark-complexioned one whose face shines with curly locks of hair, who wears a jewelled crown, whose shining earrings adorn his cheeks, who wears necklaces, armlets, and sparkling bracelets, and who is charming with tiny bells.

Whoever, with love and yearning, recites this wish-granting Achyuta-Ashtakam every day, for him, Hari, the beautiful one, the creator and sustainer of the universe, quickly becomes amenable.

Thus concludes the Achyuta Aṣṭakam composed by Śrī Śaṅkarācārya.