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श्रीनन्दकुमाराष्टकम्

Nandakumārāṣṭakam

By Śrī Mahāprabhu Vallabhācārya (Puṣṭimārga tradition) — the poet’s signature “Vallabha” is woven into every verse

A lilting eight-verse portrait of Kṛṣṇa as Nanda’s darling boy — butter in hand, flute at His lips, dancing on Kāliya’s hoods and lifting Govardhana — each verse calling the heart to worship Nandakumāra, the essence of all joy and the supreme Brahman.

सुन्दरगोपालम् उरवनमालं नयनविशालं दुःखहरं । वृन्दावनचन्द्रमानन्दकन्दं परमानन्दं धरणिधर वल्लभघनश्यामं पूर्णकामं अत्यभिरामं प्रीतिकरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ १॥

sundara-gopālam ura-vana-mālaṃ nayana-viśālaṃ duḥkha-haraṃ | vṛndāvana-candram ānanda-kandaṃ paramānandaṃ dharaṇi-dhara vallabha-ghana-śyāmaṃ pūrṇa-kāmaṃ atyabhirāmaṃ prīti-karaṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||1||

sundara-gopalam ura-vana-malam nayana-vishalam duhkha-haram | vrindavana-chandram ananda-kandam paramanandam dharani-dhara vallabha-ghana-shyamam purna-kamam atyabhiramam priti-karam | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||1||

सुन्दर गोपाल, वक्ष पर वनमाला, विशाल नेत्र, दुःख हरनेवाले; वृन्दावन के चन्द्र, आनन्द के कन्द, परमानन्दस्वरूप, गोवर्धन धारण करनेवाले; प्रिय घनश्याम, पूर्णकाम, अत्यन्त अभिराम, प्रीति जगानेवाले — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

The beautiful Gopāla, a forest-garland on His chest, large-eyed, remover of sorrow; moon of Vṛndāvana, root of bliss, supreme joy itself, upholder of the hill; the beloved dark as a rain-cloud, complete in every wish, utterly charming, kindler of love — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

सुन्दरवारिजवदनं निर्जितमदनं आनन्दसदनं मुकुटधरं । गुञ्जाकृतिहारं विपिनविहारं परमोदारं चीरहर वल्लभपटपीतं कृतउपवीतं करनवनीतं विबुधवरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ २॥

sundara-vārija-vadanaṃ nirjita-madanaṃ ānanda-sadanaṃ mukuṭa-dharaṃ | guñjā-kṛti-hāraṃ vipina-vihāraṃ paramodāraṃ cīra-hara vallabha-paṭa-pītaṃ kṛta-upavītaṃ kara-navanītaṃ vibudha-varaṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||2||

sundara-varija-vadanam nirjita-madanam ananda-sadanam mukuta-dharam | gunja-kriti-haram vipina-viharam paramodaram chira-hara vallabha-pata-pitam krita-upavitam kara-navanitam vibudha-varam | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||2||

सुन्दर कमल-मुख, कामदेव को जीतनेवाले, आनन्द के धाम, मुकुटधारी; घुंघची का हार पहने, वन-विहारी, परम उदार, गोपियों के चीर हरनेवाले; पीताम्बरधारी प्रिय, यज्ञोपवीत धारण किये, हाथ में मक्खन लिये, ज्ञानियों में श्रेष्ठ — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

His face a lovely lotus, vanquisher of the love-god, abode of bliss, crowned; wearing a guñjā-berry necklace, roaming the woods, supremely generous, stealer of the gopīs’ garments; the beloved in yellow silk, wearing the sacred thread, fresh butter in hand, best of the wise — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

शोभितमुखधूलं यमुनाकूलं निपटअतूलं सुखदतरं । मुखमण्डितरेणुं चारितधेनुं वादितवेणुं मधुरसुर वल्लभमतिविमलं शुभपदकमलं नखरुचिअमलं तिमिरहरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ३॥

śobhita-mukha-dhūlaṃ yamunā-kūlaṃ nipaṭa-atūlaṃ sukhada-taraṃ | mukha-maṇḍita-reṇuṃ cārita-dhenuṃ vādita-veṇuṃ madhura-sura vallabha-mati-vimalaṃ śubha-pada-kamalaṃ nakha-ruci-amalaṃ timira-haraṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||3||

shobhita-mukha-dhulam yamuna-kulam nipata-atulam sukhada-taram | mukha-mandita-renum charita-dhenum vadita-venum madhura-sura vallabha-mati-vimalam shubha-pada-kamalam nakha-ruchi-amalam timira-haram | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||3||

धूल से शोभित मुखवाले, यमुना-तट के वासी, नितान्त अतुल, अत्यन्त सुखदायी; गो-धूलि से मण्डित मुख, गायें चरानेवाले, वेणु बजानेवाले, मधुर स्वरवाले; निर्मल बुद्धिवाले प्रिय, शुभ चरणकमल, निर्मल नख-कान्ति से अन्धकार हरनेवाले — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

His face adorned with dust, dwelling on the Yamunā’s bank, utterly peerless, giver of great joy; His face bright with the herd’s dust, grazing the cows, playing the flute, sweet-voiced; the pure-hearted beloved, His blessed lotus feet, the spotless lustre of their nails dispelling darkness — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

शिरमुकुटसुदेशं कुञ्चितकेशं नटवरवेशं कामवरं । मायाकृतमनुजं हलधरअनुजं प्रतिहतदनुजं भारहर वल्लभव्रजपालं सुभगसुचालं हितमनुकालं भाववरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ४॥

śira-mukuṭa-sudeśaṃ kuñcita-keśaṃ naṭavara-veśaṃ kāma-varaṃ | māyā-kṛta-manujaṃ haladhara-anujaṃ pratihata-danujaṃ bhāra-hara vallabha-vraja-pālaṃ subhaga-sucālaṃ hitam-anukālaṃ bhāva-varaṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||4||

shira-mukuta-sudesham kunchita-kesham natavara-vesham kama-varam | maya-krita-manujam haladhara-anujam pratihata-danujam bhara-hara vallabha-vraja-palam subhaga-suchalam hitam-anukalam bhava-varam | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||4||

सिर पर सुन्दर मुकुट, घुँघराले केश, नटवर वेश, कामनाओं के वरदाता; अपनी माया से मनुष्य बने, हलधर बलराम के अनुज, दैत्यों का नाश करनेवाले, पृथ्वी का भार हरनेवाले; व्रज के पालक प्रिय, सुन्दर चालवाले, सदा हितकारी, भाव (भक्ति) के वरदाता — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

A fine crown upon His head, curling locks, dressed as the prince of dancers, granter of desires; human by His own māyā, younger brother of the plough-bearer, crusher of demons, lifter of the earth’s burden; the beloved guardian of Vraja, graceful in His gait, ever intent on our good, bestower of loving devotion — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

इन्दीवरभासं प्रकटसुरासं कुसुमविकासं वंशिधरं । हृतमन्मथमानं रूपनिधानं कृतकलगानं चित्तहर वल्लभमृदुहासं कुञ्जनिवासं विविधविलासं केलिकरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ५॥

indīvara-bhāsaṃ prakaṭa-surāsaṃ kusuma-vikāsaṃ vaṃśi-dharaṃ | hṛta-manmatha-mānaṃ rūpa-nidhānaṃ kṛta-kala-gānaṃ citta-hara vallabha-mṛdu-hāsaṃ kuñja-nivāsaṃ vividha-vilāsaṃ keli-karaṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||5||

indivara-bhasam prakata-surasam kusuma-vikasam vamshi-dharam | hrita-manmatha-manam rupa-nidhanam krita-kala-ganam chitta-hara vallabha-mridu-hasam kunja-nivasam vividha-vilasam keli-karam | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||5||

नील कमल-सी आभावाले, प्रकट रस-माधुर्यवाले, कुसुम-से खिले हुए, वंशीधारी; कामदेव का मान हरनेवाले, रूप के निधान, मधुर गान करनेवाले, चित्त चुरानेवाले; मृदु मुस्कानवाले प्रिय, कुंज-निवासी, विविध विलास-लीलाएँ रचानेवाले — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

Glowing like the blue lotus, His sweetness made manifest, blossoming like a flower, bearer of the flute; humbler of Cupid’s pride, treasury of beauty, maker of melodious song, stealer of hearts; the soft-smiling beloved who dwells in the bowers, master of every playful delight — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

अतिपरप्रवीणं पालितदीनं भक्ताधीनं कर्मकरं । मोहनमतिधीरं फणिबलवीरं हतपरवीरं तरलतर वल्लभव्रजरमणं वारिजवदनं हलधरशमनं शैलधरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ६॥

ati-para-pravīṇaṃ pālita-dīnaṃ bhaktādhīnaṃ karma-karaṃ | mohana-mati-dhīraṃ phaṇi-bala-vīraṃ hata-para-vīraṃ tarala-tara vallabha-vraja-ramaṇaṃ vārija-vadanaṃ haladhara-śamanaṃ śaila-dharaṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||6||

ati-para-pravinam palita-dinam bhaktadhinam karma-karam | mohana-mati-dhiram phani-bala-viram hata-para-viram tarala-tara vallabha-vraja-ramanam varija-vadanam haladhara-shamanam shaila-dharam | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||6||

अत्यन्त परम-प्रवीण, दीनों के पालक, भक्तों के अधीन, उनके कार्य कर देनेवाले; मोहन, अति धीर, कालिय नाग के बल को जीतनेवाले वीर, शत्रु-वीरों के हन्ता, अति चपल; व्रज के रमण प्रिय, कमल-मुख, हलधर के क्रोध को शान्त करनेवाले, गोवर्धन धारण करनेवाले — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

Supremely skilful, protector of the meek, bound to His devotees, doing their errands; the enchanter, deeply steadfast, the hero who broke the serpent’s might, slayer of enemy champions, quicksilver-swift; the beloved delight of Vraja, lotus-faced, soother of the plough-bearer, upholder of the hill — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

जलधरद्युतिअङ्गं ललितत्रिभङ्गं बहुकृतरङ्गं रसिकवरं । गोकुलपरिवारं मदनाकारं कुञ्जविहारं गूढतर वल्लभव्रजचन्द्रं सुभगसुछन्दं कृतआनन्दं भ्रान्तिहरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ७॥

jaladhara-dyuti-aṅgaṃ lalita-tribhaṅgaṃ bahu-kṛta-raṅgaṃ rasika-varaṃ | gokula-parivāraṃ madanākāraṃ kuñja-vihāraṃ gūḍha-tara vallabha-vraja-candraṃ subhaga-suchandaṃ kṛta-ānandaṃ bhrānti-haraṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||7||

jaladhara-dyuti-angam lalita-tribhangam bahu-krita-rangam rasika-varam | gokula-parivaram madanakaram kunja-viharam gudha-tara vallabha-vraja-chandram subhaga-suchhandam krita-anandam bhranti-haram | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||7||

मेघ-सी द्युतिवाले अंग, ललित त्रिभंगी मुद्रा, अनेक रंग-रास रचानेवाले, रसिकों में श्रेष्ठ; सम्पूर्ण गोकुल ही जिनका परिवार है, कामदेव-से रूपवाले, कुंज-विहारी, अति गूढ़; व्रज के चन्द्र प्रिय, सुभग, सुन्दर छन्दवाले, आनन्द रचानेवाले, भ्रान्ति हरनेवाले — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

His limbs lustrous as the rain-cloud, lovely in the triple-bend pose, maker of many a dance of delight, prince of connoisseurs; all Gokula His household, beautiful as the love-god, sporting in the groves, deeply mysterious; the beloved moon of Vraja, fortunate and graceful, creator of joy, dispeller of delusion — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

वन्दितयुगचरणं पावनकरणं जगदुद्धरणं विमलधरं । कालियशिरगमनं कृतफणिनमनं घातितयमनं मृदुलतर वल्लभदुःखहरणं निर्मलचरणम् अशरणशरणं मुक्तिकरं । भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ८॥

vandita-yuga-caraṇaṃ pāvana-karaṇaṃ jagad-uddharaṇaṃ vimala-dharaṃ | kāliya-śira-gamanaṃ kṛta-phaṇi-namanaṃ ghātita-yamanaṃ mṛdula-tara vallabha-duḥkha-haraṇaṃ nirmala-caraṇam aśaraṇa-śaraṇaṃ mukti-karaṃ | bhaja nanda-kumāraṃ sarva-sukha-sāraṃ tattva-vicāraṃ brahma-param ||8||

vandita-yuga-charanam pavana-karanam jagad-uddharanam vimala-dharam | kaliya-shira-gamanam krita-phani-namanam ghatita-yamanam mridula-tara vallabha-duhkha-haranam nirmala-charanam asharana-sharanam mukti-karam | bhaja nanda-kumaram sarva-sukha-saram tattva-vicharam brahma-param ||8||

जिनके युगल चरण सबसे वन्दित हैं, जो पवित्र करनेवाले, जगत का उद्धार करनेवाले, निर्मलता धारण करनेवाले हैं; जो कालिय के फणों पर चढ़े, नाग से प्रणाम कराया, अत्याचारी का घात किया, अति कोमल हैं; दुःख हरनेवाले प्रिय, निर्मल चरणोंवाले, अशरणों की शरण, मुक्ति देनेवाले — उन नन्दकुमार का भजन करो, जो समस्त सुखों के सार, तत्त्व-विचार के परम विषय और परब्रह्म हैं।

His twin feet adored by all, the purifier, uplifter of the world, clothed in stainlessness; who danced upon Kāliya’s hoods and made the serpent bow, striking down the oppressor, most tender; the beloved remover of sorrow, of spotless feet, refuge of the refugeless, giver of liberation — worship Nandakumāra — essence of all happiness, the goal of all inquiry into truth, the supreme Brahman.

Colophon

॥ इति श्रीमहाप्रभुवल्लभाचार्यविरचितं श्रीनन्दकुमाराष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

iti śrī-mahāprabhu-vallabhācārya-viracitaṃ śrī-nandakumārāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam ||

iti shri-mahaprabhu-vallabhacharya-virachitam shri-nandakumarashtakam sampurnam ||

इस प्रकार श्रीमहाप्रभु वल्लभाचार्य द्वारा रचित श्रीनन्दकुमाराष्टकम् सम्पूर्ण हुआ।

Thus the Śrī Nandakumārāṣṭakam composed by Śrī Mahāprabhu Vallabhācārya is complete.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Nandakumārāṣṭakam?

Nandakumārāṣṭakam (श्रीनन्दकुमाराष्टकम्) is a ashtakam dedicated to Krishna. 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 Nandakumārāṣṭakam dedicated to?

The Nandakumārāṣṭakam is dedicated to Krishna.

Is the Nandakumārāṣṭakam available in Hindi and English?

Yes. On Adiveda the Nandakumārāṣṭakam 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 Nandakumārāṣṭakam?

The Nandakumārāṣṭakam is drawn from By Śrī Mahāprabhu Vallabhācārya (Puṣṭimārga tradition) — the poet’s signature “Vallabha” is woven into every verse.

Can I read the Nandakumārāṣṭakam online for free?

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