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Narayana (Vishnu)

श्रीनारायणाष्टकम्

Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam

By Śrī Kūreśa Svāmī (Kūrattāḻvāṉ), foremost disciple of Śrī Rāmānuja

An eight-verse hymn to Nārāyaṇa as Ārta-trāṇa-parāyaṇa, the Lord ever intent on rescuing the afflicted — citing the six great witnesses of His saving grace: Prahlāda, Vibhīṣaṇa, Gajendra, Draupadī, Ahalyā and Dhruva.

वात्सल्यादभयप्रदानसमयादार्त्तार्तिनिर्वापणादौदार्य्यादघशोषणादगणितश्रेयःपदप्रापणात् । सेव्यः श्रीपतिरेक एव जगतामेतेऽभवन्साक्षिणः प्रह्लादश्च विभीषणश्च करिराट् पाञ्चाल्यहल्याध्रुवः ॥ १॥

vātsalyād abhaya-pradāna-samayād ārttārti-nirvāpaṇād audāryyād agha-śoṣaṇād agaṇita-śreyaḥ-pada-prāpaṇāt | sevyaḥ śrīpatir eka eva jagatām ete'bhavan sākṣiṇaḥ prahlādaś ca vibhīṣaṇaś ca karirāṭ pāñcālyahalyā-dhruvaḥ ||1||

vatsalyad abhaya-pradana-samayad arttarti-nirvapanad audaryad agha-shoshanad aganita-shreyah-pada-prapanat | sevyah shripatir eka eva jagatam ete'bhavan sakshinah prahladash cha vibhishanash cha karirat panchalyahalya-dhruvah ||1||

वात्सल्य के कारण, भय के समय अभयदान देने के कारण, आर्तों की पीड़ा शान्त करने के कारण, उदारता के कारण, पापों को सोख लेने के कारण और अनगिनत कल्याणमय पद प्रदान करने के कारण — जगत के लिए सेवनीय एकमात्र श्रीपति (नारायण) ही हैं; इसके साक्षी हुए हैं प्रह्लाद, विभीषण, गजराज, पांचाली, अहल्या और ध्रुव।

For His tenderness, for granting refuge in the hour of fear, for quenching the anguish of the afflicted, for His generosity, for absorbing sin, and for bestowing countless states of blessedness — the Lord of Śrī alone is worthy of the world's worship; the witnesses to this are Prahlāda, Vibhīṣaṇa, the elephant-king, Pāñcālī, Ahalyā and Dhruva.

प्रह्लादास्ति यदीश्वरो वद हरिः सर्वत्र मे दर्शय स्तंभे चैवमिति ब्रुवन्तमसुरं तत्राविरासीद्धरिः । वक्षस्तस्य विदारयन्निजनखैर्वात्सल्यमापादयन्नार्त्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः ॥ २॥

prahlādāsti yad īśvaro vada hariḥ sarvatra me darśaya stambhe caivam iti bruvantam asuraṃ tatrāvirāsīd dhariḥ | vakṣas tasya vidārayan nija-nakhair vātsalyam āpādayann ārtta-trāṇa-parāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavān nārāyaṇo me gatiḥ ||2||

prahladasti yad ishvaro vada harih sarvatra me darshaya stambhe chaivam iti bruvantam asuram tatravirasid dharih | vakshas tasya vidarayan nija-nakhair vatsalyam apadayann artta-trana-parayanah sa bhagavan narayano me gatih ||2||

“प्रह्लाद! यदि ईश्वर है तो बता — मुझे हरि सर्वत्र दिखा, इस खम्भे में भी” — ऐसा कहते हुए असुर हिरण्यकशिपु के सामने वहीं हरि प्रकट हो गये और अपने नखों से उसका वक्ष विदीर्ण कर भक्त पर वात्सल्य प्रकट किया। आर्तों की रक्षा में तत्पर वे भगवान नारायण ही मेरी गति हैं।

“Prahlāda! If there is a God, say so — show me Hari everywhere, even in this pillar!” — before the demon who spoke thus, Hari appeared on the spot, and tearing open his breast with His own nails showed His tenderness to the devotee. That Lord Nārāyaṇa, intent on saving the afflicted, is my refuge.

श्रीरामोऽत्र विभीषणोऽयमनघो रक्षोभयादागतः सुग्रीवानय पालयैनमधुना पौलस्त्यमेवागतम् । इत्युक्त्वाऽभयमस्य सर्वविदितं यो राघवो दत्तवानार्त्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः ॥ ३॥

śrīrāmo'tra vibhīṣaṇo'yam anagho rakṣo-bhayād āgataḥ sugrīvānaya pālayainam adhunā paulastyam evāgatam | ityuktvā'bhayam asya sarva-viditaṃ yo rāghavo dattavān ārtta-trāṇa-parāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavān nārāyaṇo me gatiḥ ||3||

shriramo'tra vibhishano'yam anagho raksho-bhayad agatah sugrivanaya palayainam adhuna paulastyam evagatam | ityuktva'bhayam asya sarva-viditam yo raghavo dattavan artta-trana-parayanah sa bhagavan narayano me gatih ||3||

“यह निष्पाप विभीषण राक्षसों के भय से यहाँ आया है; सुग्रीव! इसे ले आओ, अभी इसे अपनाओ — पुलस्त्य-वंशज स्वयं आये हैं” — ऐसा कहकर जिन राघव श्रीराम ने उसे सर्वविदित अभय प्रदान किया। आर्तों की रक्षा में तत्पर वे भगवान नारायण ही मेरी गति हैं।

“Here is sinless Vibhīṣaṇa, come out of fear of the rākṣasas; Sugrīva, bring him, take him in now — the scion of Pulastya himself has come” — saying this, the Rāghava granted him refuge known to all. That Lord Nārāyaṇa, intent on saving the afflicted, is my refuge.

नक्रग्रस्तपदं समुद्धृतकरं ब्रह्मादयो भोः सुरा रक्षन्तामिति दीनवाक्यकरिणं देवेष्वशक्तेषु यः । मा भैषीरिति तस्य नक्रहनने चक्रायुधः श्रीधरो ह्यार्त्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः ॥ ४॥

nakra-grasta-padaṃ samuddhṛta-karaṃ brahmādayo bhoḥ surā rakṣantām iti dīna-vākya-kariṇaṃ deveṣv aśakteṣu yaḥ | mā bhaiṣīr iti tasya nakra-hanane cakrāyudhaḥ śrīdharo hy ārtta-trāṇa-parāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavān nārāyaṇo me gatiḥ ||4||

nakra-grasta-padam samuddhrita-karam brahmadayo bhoh sura rakshantam iti dina-vakya-karinam deveshv ashakteshu yah | ma bhaishir iti tasya nakra-hanane chakrayudhah shridharo hy artta-trana-parayanah sa bhagavan narayano me gatih ||4||

ग्राह द्वारा पकड़े पैरवाला, सूँड़ ऊपर उठाये “हे ब्रह्मा आदि देवताओ! रक्षा करो” — ऐसे दीन वचन बोलते गजराज के लिए, जब देवता असमर्थ रहे, “मत डर!” कहकर जो चक्रधारी श्रीधर ग्राह का वध करने प्रकट हुए। आर्तों की रक्षा में तत्पर वे भगवान नारायण ही मेरी गति हैं।

When the elephant, his foot seized by the crocodile, trunk upraised, cried piteously “O Brahmā and you gods, save me!” and the gods proved powerless, He, the bearer of Śrī, discus in hand, saying “Fear not!”, came to slay the crocodile. That Lord Nārāyaṇa, intent on saving the afflicted, is my refuge.

भोः कृष्णाच्युत भोः कृपालय हरे भोः पाण्डवानां सखे क्वासि क्वासि सुयोधनादपहृतां भो रक्ष मामातुराम् । इत्युक्तोऽक्षयवस्त्रसंभृततनुं योऽपालयद्द्रौपदीमार्त्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः ॥ ५॥

bhoḥ kṛṣṇācyuta bhoḥ kṛpālaya hare bhoḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ sakhe kvāsi kvāsi suyodhanād apahṛtāṃ bho rakṣa mām āturām | ityukto'kṣaya-vastra-saṃbhṛta-tanuṃ yo'pālayad draupadīm ārtta-trāṇa-parāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavān nārāyaṇo me gatiḥ ||5||

bhoh krishnachyuta bhoh kripalaya hare bhoh pandavanam sakhe kvasi kvasi suyodhanad apahritam bho raksha mam aturam | ityukto'kshaya-vastra-sambhrita-tanum yo'palayad draupadim artta-trana-parayanah sa bhagavan narayano me gatih ||5||

“हे कृष्ण! हे अच्युत! हे कृपा के धाम हरि! हे पाण्डवों के सखा! कहाँ हो, कहाँ हो? सुयोधन (दुर्योधन) के द्वारा घसीटी गयी मुझ आतुरा की रक्षा करो!” — ऐसा पुकारे जाने पर जिन्होंने द्रौपदी के शरीर को अक्षय वस्त्रों से भरकर उसकी रक्षा की। आर्तों की रक्षा में तत्पर वे भगवान नारायण ही मेरी गति हैं।

“O Kṛṣṇa! O Acyuta! O abode of mercy, Hari! O friend of the Pāṇḍavas! Where are You, where are You? Protect me, distressed, dragged away by Suyodhana!” — thus implored, He protected Draupadī, clothing her body in inexhaustible garments. That Lord Nārāyaṇa, intent on saving the afflicted, is my refuge.

यत्पादाब्जनखोदकं त्रिजगतां पापौघविध्वंसनं यन्नामामृतपूरकं च पिबतां संसारसन्तारकम् । पाषाणोऽपि यदङ्घ्रिपद्मरजसा शापान्मुनेर्मोचितो ह्यार्त्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः ॥ ६॥

yat-pādābja-nakhodakaṃ tri-jagatāṃ pāpaugha-vidhvaṃsanaṃ yan-nāmāmṛta-pūrakaṃ ca pibatāṃ saṃsāra-santārakam | pāṣāṇo'pi yad-aṅghri-padma-rajasā śāpān muner mocito hy ārtta-trāṇa-parāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavān nārāyaṇo me gatiḥ ||6||

yat-padabja-nakhodakam tri-jagatam papaugha-vidhvamsanam yan-namamrita-purakam cha pibatam samsara-santarakam | pashano'pi yad-anghri-padma-rajasa shapan muner mochito hy artta-trana-parayanah sa bhagavan narayano me gatih ||6||

जिनके चरणकमल के नखों का जल (गंगाजी) तीनों लोकों के पाप-समूह का विनाश करनेवाला है, जिनके नाम का अमृत-पूर पीनेवालों को संसार-सागर से पार उतारनेवाला है, और जिनके चरणकमल की धूलि से पाषाण (बनी अहल्या) भी मुनि के शाप से मुक्त हो गयी। आर्तों की रक्षा में तत्पर वे भगवान नारायण ही मेरी गति हैं।

The water from the nails of whose lotus feet — the Gaṅgā — destroys the massed sins of the three worlds; the flood of nectar that is His name carries those who drink it across the ocean of existence; and by the dust of His lotus feet even a stone (Ahalyā) was released from the sage’s curse. That Lord Nārāyaṇa, intent on saving the afflicted, is my refuge.

पित्रा भ्रातरमुत्तमासनगतं ह्यौत्तानपादिर्ध्रुवो दृष्ट्वा तत्सममारुरुक्षुरधिकं मात्राऽवमानं गतः । यं गत्वा शरणं यदाप तपसा हेमाद्रिसिंहासनं ह्यार्त्तत्राणपरायणः स भगवान्नारायणो मे गतिः ॥ ७॥

pitrā bhrātaram uttamāsana-gataṃ hy auttānapādir dhruvo dṛṣṭvā tat-samam ārurukṣur adhikaṃ mātrā'vamānaṃ gataḥ | yaṃ gatvā śaraṇaṃ yad āpa tapasā hemādri-siṃhāsanaṃ hy ārtta-trāṇa-parāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavān nārāyaṇo me gatiḥ ||7||

pitra bhrataram uttamasana-gatam hy auttanapadir dhruvo drishtva tat-samam arurukshur adhikam matra'vamanam gatah | yam gatva sharanam yad apa tapasa hemadri-simhasanam hy artta-trana-parayanah sa bhagavan narayano me gatih ||7||

उत्तानपाद-पुत्र ध्रुव ने भाई को पिता के श्रेष्ठ आसन (गोद) पर बैठा देखकर स्वयं भी वहीं चढ़ना चाहा और विमाता से घोर अपमान पाया; तब जिनकी शरण में जाकर उसने तप के द्वारा स्वर्ण-पर्वत सुमेरु-सा (अटल) सिंहासन प्राप्त किया। आर्तों की रक्षा में तत्पर वे भगवान नारायण ही मेरी गति हैं।

Dhruva, son of Uttānapāda, seeing his brother seated on their father’s lap, longed to climb there too and met with bitter insult from his stepmother; taking refuge in Him, by austerity the boy won a throne like the golden mountain itself. That Lord Nārāyaṇa, intent on saving the afflicted, is my refuge.

आर्त्ता विषण्णाः शिथिलाश्च भीता घोरेषु च व्याधिषु वर्तमानाः । संकीर्त्य नारायणशब्दमात्रं विमुक्तदुःखाः सुखिनो भवन्ति ॥ ८॥

ārttā viṣaṇṇāḥ śithilāś ca bhītā ghoreṣu ca vyādhiṣu vartamānāḥ | saṃkīrtya nārāyaṇa-śabda-mātraṃ vimukta-duḥkhāḥ sukhino bhavanti ||8||

artta vishannah shithilash cha bhita ghoreshu cha vyadhishu vartamanah | samkirtya narayana-shabda-matram vimukta-duhkhah sukhino bhavanti ||8||

जो आर्त हैं, विषादग्रस्त हैं, शिथिल और भयभीत हैं, अथवा घोर व्याधियों में पड़े हैं — वे केवल “नारायण” इस शब्द का संकीर्तन करके दुःखों से मुक्त होकर सुखी हो जाते हैं।

The afflicted, the despondent, the weary and the fearful, and those in the grip of dread disease — by chanting merely the word “Nārāyaṇa” they are freed from sorrow and become happy.

Colophon

॥ इति श्रीकूरेशस्वामिविरचितं नारायणाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

iti śrī-kūreśa-svāmi-viracitaṃ nārāyaṇāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam ||

iti shri-kuresha-svami-virachitam narayanashtakam sampurnam ||

इस प्रकार श्रीकूरेश स्वामी द्वारा रचित नारायणाष्टकम् सम्पूर्ण हुआ।

Thus the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam composed by Śrī Kūreśa Svāmī is complete.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam?

Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam (श्रीनारायणाष्टकम्) is a ashtakam dedicated to Narayana (Vishnu). An Ashtakam is a hymn of eight verses praising a deity, valued for being short, melodious and powerful to recite daily.

Which deity is the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam dedicated to?

The Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam is dedicated to Narayana (Vishnu).

Is the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam available in Hindi and English?

Yes. On Adiveda the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam is given verse by verse in Devanagari (the original Hindi/Sanskrit script) with Roman (IAST) transliteration, simple phonetics and a clear English meaning, so you can read, pronounce and understand every line.

What is the source of the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam?

The Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam is drawn from By Śrī Kūreśa Svāmī (Kūrattāḻvāṉ), foremost disciple of Śrī Rāmānuja.

Can I read the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam online for free?

Yes - the Nārāyaṇāṣṭakam is free to read online at Adiveda, formatted for mobile, for devotees in India and around the world.