Krishnashatakam

Eight Cantos on Krishna

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who is the son of Vasudev, Who is the Lord, Who slayed Kans and Chanur, and Who is the bliss of Devaki.||1||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who is surrounded by flowers, Who is adorned with a garland and anklets, and Who has gem-studded necklace and arm-bracelet.||2||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who is adorned with curly tresses, Who has a face resplendent like full-moon, and Who has shining earrings.||3||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who is with the perfume of Mandara (a coral tree flower), Who has beautiful smile, Who has four hands (as Vishnu), and Who has peacock feather at the forehead.||4||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who has eyes like blooming lotus flower, Who resembles a new blue cloud, and Who is the best in the dynasty of Yadu.||5||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who plays with Rukmini (Lakshmi), Who is adorned with yellow-robes, and Who has attained the perfume of Tulsi.||6||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who has the marks of saffron from the dual-breasts of the cowgirls, Who is the abode of Lakshmi (Sri), and Who has mighty arrows.||7||

I sing praise of Krishna, the Preceptor of the universe, Who has the sign of ‘‘Srivatsa’’ at His broad-chest, Who has a flower-garland, and Who holds the conch-shell and discus (shankha and chakra).||8||

Having awaken in the morning, those who study these blissful Cantos on Krishna, destroy their sins of millions of birth.||9||

Poet: Adi Sankara