Madhurashtakam

Madhurashtakam 

Madhurashtakam is a popular devotional hymn composed by the 16th-century Indian saint and poet Vallabhacharya. It is a beautiful composition that extols the sweetness and divine attributes of Lord Krishna. The term "Madhura" means sweet or charming, and "ashtakam" refers to a composition with eight verses.

Here is the English translation of Madhurashtakam:

I take refuge in that sweet Lord Krishna,

Whose enchanting form is adorned with peacock feathers,

Whose face is radiant like the full moon,

Whose eyes are like blooming lotus flowers,

And whose lips are like the red Bimba fruit.

I bow down to that sweet Lord Krishna,

Whose melodious flute music captivates the hearts of all,

Whose blue complexion is like a rain-filled cloud,

Whose hands are adorned with a divine disc and conch,

And whose charming smile brings joy to the world.

I adore that sweet Lord Krishna,

Whose beautiful form is embraced by the dark rain clouds,

Whose chest is adorned with the Kaustubha gem,

Whose navel is like a whirlpool of love,

And whose feet are worshipped by the gods.

I seek the grace of that sweet Lord Krishna,

Whose divine pastimes are filled with love and compassion,

Who protects the devotees from all fears,

Who dances on the serpent Kaliya's hood,

And who removes the miseries of the world.

I surrender to that sweet Lord Krishna,

Who is the embodiment of bliss and knowledge,

Whose divine qualities are boundless,

Who grants liberation to the souls,

And who is the ultimate goal of all spiritual seekers.

I offer my salutations to that sweet Lord Krishna,

Whose divine play in Vrindavan is incomparable,

Whose eternal consort is the enchanting Radha,

Whose divine pastimes are a source of divine ecstasy,

And who is worshipped by the sages and saints.

I meditate upon that sweet Lord Krishna,

Whose charming form enchants the minds of all,

Who is the source of all creation and dissolution,

Who is the essence of all scriptures and teachings,

And who bestows divine grace upon his devotees.

O Lord Krishna, you are my everything,

You are the embodiment of love and devotion,

Your name is my refuge and solace,

Please shower your divine grace upon me,

And grant me eternal devotion at your lotus feet.

Madhurashtakam beautifully captures the essence of devotion and describes the various divine attributes of Lord Krishna. It is often sung or recited by devotees to express their love and adoration for the Lord.