Sri Bala Mukunda stuti By Markandeya from Brahmma Purana

Nanda Nandana Sri Krishnashtakam

Nanda Nandana Sri Krishnashtakam

This Ashtakam( 8 verses) on Lord Krishna is said to be the composition of Sri Adi Sankara.

The composer prays to Lord Krishna and requests Lord Krishan to bless him and advises devotees to remember lord Krishana all times and all places.

He offers salutations to Lord Krishna  whom he describes as follows. Major attributes of Lord Krishna.

His Mahima

Lifted Govardhana Hills to protect the people of Gokula

Humbled Indra

Takes care of the entire world

Rescued Elephant Gajendra

Removes obstacles of Devas

His Karunya

·        Wipes out sins

·        Grants supreme bliss

·        He is pure Love and an ocean of Love

·        Giver of pleasure to Yashodha

·        Helps in Crossing the Ocean of Life

·        Loves His devotees and pleases them

His Beauty

·        Peacock feathers decorate his head

·        Weilds and plays flue

·        Has Lotus like Eyes 

·        His broad eyes keep shifting

·        Spots a pretty smile and gaze 

·        his chheks are prettu smooth

·        Curley hair falling on his face                                                                                                

·        Wears kadamba (Neolamarckia) flowers as ear rings

His Identification

·        Son of Nandagopar

·        ornament to the land of Vraja

·        Chief of Gokula

Bala Munkundashtakam 

Mukunda is another name for Lord Krishna and name implies one who bestows mukthi to those who surrender unconditionally. This Ashtakam is on child Mukunda (Krishna) consists of 8 verses.  Salutations are offered to  Mukunda who is sleeping on the banyan leaf with his lotus hands holding the lotus feet near his lotus face.

This Ashtakam describes the beauty and glory of Bala Mukunda. Bala mukunda is one

·        Is the God for all

·        Whose form has no beginning and no end

·        Who takes avatar for the good of every one

·        Whose Lotus feet is worshiped by Indra and Devas

·        who is a wish fulfilling tree and blesses progeny to who seek

·        Who is of dark color

·        Who has long curly hair, shining teeth.

·        Who has red lips resembling Bimba fruit and attractive eyes

·        who pretends to sleep and waiting for Yasodha to leave to consume Butter

·        who has a face like moon

·        Who dances on snake Kalinga's hood holding its tail on river Kalindhi

·        Who broke twin trees moving along with mortar

·        Whose eyes resemble fully blown red lotus flower

·        Who is adventurous

·        Who looks Yasotha's face tenderly while drinking milk

Krishnashtakam

Krishnashtakam

This Ashtakam( eight verses) on Lord Krishna describes Lord Krishna's beauty, who is the Jagat Guru,  The sloka says that salutations are offered to Lord Krishna, the Jagat Guru, Who is descrbed as 

• Son of Vasudeva
• One who killed Kamsa and Chanura
• Source of Joy to Devaki
• Likes to be surrounded by Hemp ( (Apocynum cannabinum)flowers
• Shines with decorated necklaces, Anklet, banagles and armlets
• Shines like full moon
• Having curly locks of hair
• Wearing glittering ear studs
• Associated with smell of Mandhara(Erytrina indica) flowers
• Ever smiling 
• with four arms
• decorated with peacock feathers
• one with eyes like fully bloomed lotus 
• resembles like dark blue cloud
• Gem amongst Yadhavas
• Seen with Charming and Playful Rukmani
• seen in shining yellow silk dress
• One who (garlanded in thulasi mala) spreads the perfume of Basil
• In whom Sri Lakshmi Resides
• One in whom Maheswara is a part
• Has Srivathsa in his Chest
• Garlanded by Vanamala(wild flowers )
• Who wields Sangu and Chakara 

One who sings this daily in the morning with devotion has his/her sins from several Births erased.


PS: The Tamil and English versions of Krishnashtakam at the bottom.

Happy Janmashtami Happy Sri Krishna Jayanthi