Krishnashtakam III

Krishnashtakam III

By

Adhi Shankara

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

( In my translations earlier I had included two Krishnashtakams. But on referring the complete works of Shankara, I find that this is the only one composed by Adhi Shankara. The last stanza clearly indicates that it was composed so that his mother would get salvation.)

Sriyaslishto Vishnu sthira chara gurur veda vishayo,
Dhiyaam sakshee shudho harira sura hanthabja nayana,
Gadhee Shankhee Chakreevimala vana mali sthira ruchi,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 1

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Who is embraced by Lakshmi , Who is Vishnu , who is the teacher to all,
Who is the subject of the Vedas, who is the witness to wisdom,
Who is pure , Who is Hari, who is killer of Asuras, who has lotus like eyes,
Who carries mace , conch and the wheel , who has stable taste and wears forest garlands.

Yatha sarvam jatham viyadhanila mukhyam jagadhidham,
Sthithou nissesham yovathi nija sukhamsena madhuhaa,
Laye sarvam swasmin harathi kalayaa yasthu savibhu,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 2

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Who was the source of birth of Ether, air , fire , earth and water ,
Who is the killer of Madhu who looks after the world by his pleasure,
And Who is the one who merges everything in himself at deluge by his power.

Asoonayamyadhou yani Niyama mukhyai sookaranai,
Nirudhyedham chitham hrudi vilaya maneeya sakalam ,
Yameedyam pasyanthi pravaramathayo mayi namasou,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 3

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Who is the one seen by the wise sages , who follow the prescribed rituals.,
Control their souls completely , turn off their minds from ordinary things,
And completely stabilize all the activities of their mind.

Prithvyam thishtan yo yamayathi maheem Vedanadharam,
Yamithyadhou Vedo vadathi jagathameesamamalam,
Niyantharam dhyeyam muni sura nrunaam moksha damasou,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 4

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Who controls the world, being very much a part of it, who carries our pain,
Who is the lord of the world as told in the Vedas , Who is pure and the law giver,
And who is the subject of meditation of devas, sages and men and giver of salvation.

Mahendradhi devo jayathi dithi janyasya balatho,
Na kasya swathanthryam kwachidhapi kruthow yath kruthi mruthe,
Kavithwa derggavam pariharathi yosou vijayina,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 5

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Who is the won by whose strength Indra and other devas win battle against asuras,
Who is the one without whose encouragement no one has independence of action,
And who is the one who cures the pride of the ability to write poems of the poets.

Vinaa yasya dhyaanam vrajathi pasuthaam sookhara mukhaam,
Vinaa yasya jnanam jani mruthi bhayam yathi janathaa,
Vinaa yasya smruthya krumi satha janim yathi sa vibhu,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 6

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Without whose meditation people happen to be born as animals like pig,
Who causes people to get fear of birth or death by not knowing him,
And who causes people to be born as insects due to one not remembering him.

Narraa thangothanga sarani sarano branthi harano,
Ghana shyamo vaamo Vruja sisu vayasyo , Arjuna sakha,
Swayambur bhoothaanam janaka uchithachara sukhadha,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 7

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
Who destroys sorrow of humans , who helps those who surrender, who cures confusion,
Who is dark black , who is a pretty child of Vruja with friends there,
who is friend of Arjuna,
Who was created by himself , who creates all beings and gives proper reward and punishment.

Yadha dharma glanirbhavathi jagathaam kshobha karana,
Thadhaa loka swami prakatitha vapu sethu drugaja,
SAthaam dathaa swacho nisamsa guna geetho vrujapathi,
Saranyo lokeso mama bhavathu krushnokshi vishaya. 8

Let my eye be able to see that Krishna, who is the protector and Lord of the world,
For whenever the world becomes tumultuous, when dharma suffers in execution,
Then the Lord of Gokula who follows Dharma, who does not have birth,
Who looks after good people and who is independently praised by Vedas,
Appears as the Lord of the world to reform it.

Ithi harir akhilaathma aaradhitha sankarena,
Sruthi visadha gunosou mathru mokashartha madhya,
Yathi vara nikate Sri yuktha Aavirbhabhoova,
Swagunavrutha udhaara sankha chakrabhja hastha. 9

Lord Vishnu with all properties as revealed by the Vedas,
Who is primeval and the soul of all beings of the world,
Prayed like this by Sankara for the salvation of his mother,
Appeared before that great sage along with Goddess Lakshmi,
With a merciful mien holding Whel mace and the lotus.

Ithi Shankaracharya virachitham Krishnashtakam samaptham.