Shri Damodarashtakam Stotram

Q: When is Damodarashtakam recited?

Every evening during the holy month of **Kartika** (October–November) while offering a Ghee/Sesame oil lamp (*Deepam*) to Lord Damodara.

Q: What does "Damodara" mean?

*Dama* means "Rope" and *Udara* means "Waist"—referring to Lord Krishna who allowed Himself to be bound around the waist by Mother Yashoda's rope of love.

Verse 1

Namāmīśvaraṃ Saccidānanda-Rūpaṃ
Lasat-Kuṇḍalaṃ Gokule Bhrājamānam ।
Yaśodā-Bhiyolūkhalād-Dhāvamānaṃ
Parāmṛṣṭam-Atyantato Drutya Gopī ॥ 1 ॥

Verse 2

Rudantaṃ Muhur-Netra-Yugmaṃ Mṛjantam
Karāmbhoja-Yugmena Sātaṅka-Netram ।
Muhuh Śvāsa-Kampa-Trirekhāṅka-Kaṇṭha-
Sthagraīva-Graṃ Dāmodaraṃ Bhakti-Baddham ॥ 2 ॥

Verse 3

Itīdṛk Svalīlābhir-Ānanda-Kuṇḍe
Sva-Ghoṣaṃ Nimajjantam-Ākhyāpayantam ।
Tadīyeṣita-Jñāneṣu Bhaktair-Jitatvaṃ
Punas-Tandineṣṭiṃ Śatāvṛtti Vande ॥ 3 ॥

Verse 4

Shri Damodarashtakam Stotram is an 8-verse devotional masterpiece found in the Padma Purana, spoken by Sage Satyavrata Muni in a dialogue with Sage Narada and Lord Brahma.

This stotram is the central anthem of the holy month of Kartika (Damodara Masa). It commemorates the famous Damodara-Leela, where Mother Yashoda tried to tie baby Krishna to a wooden grinding mortar (Ukala) with a rope (Dama) around His waist (Udara). The rope was repeatedly two inches short until Mother Yashoda's selfless affection moved Krishna to allow Himself to be bound by Her love.

The Damodarashtakam praises Krishna as Saccidananda Rupa (the embodiment of eternity, knowledge, and bliss), who wept with fear of His mother's stick while bestowing liberation upon the two Yamalarjuna trees (Nalakuvara and Manigriva).

According to scriptural tradition and verse 8 of this stotram, daily recitation of Shri Damodarashtakam during Kartika month grants the following blessings:

Attainment of Pure Love for Krishna (Prema Bhakti): Grants unswerving devotional love for Lord Damodara.
Freedom from Rebirth Cycle: Delivers the soul from the ocean of samsara.
Eternal Refuge in Vrindavan: Grants eternal association with Lord Krishna's divine sports.

Every evening during the holy month of Kartika (October–November) while offering a Ghee/Sesame oil lamp (Deepam) to Lord Damodara.

Dama means "Rope" and Udara means "Waist"—referring to Lord Krishna who allowed Himself to be bound around the waist by Mother Yashoda's rope of love.

Sage Satyavrata Muni composed Damodarashtakam as recorded in the Padma Purana.

Damodarashtakam is the essence of Kartika Month worship:

Bhakti-Baddham (Verse 2): Proclaims that Supreme God, whom no yogi or scripture can trap, allows Himself to be bound solely by love (Bhakti-Baddham).
Rejecting Impersonal Liberation (Verse 4): Declares: "I do not ask for Mukti or impersonal oneness; I only ask that this infant form of Gopal Krishna stay forever in my heart!"
Liberation of Yamalarjuna (Verse 7): Commemorates freeing Nalakuvara and Manigriva from their tree curse.

Whoever offers a lamp (Deepam) to Lord Damodara while reciting this Damodarashtakam every day during the month of Kartika will be delivered from all sins and attain eternal Prema Bhakti at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara in Goloka Vrindavan.

Om Shri Radha-Damodarabhyam Namah!
Namamisvaram Saccidananda Rupam Lasat Kundalam Gokule Bhrajamanam |
Yasoda Bhiyolukhalad Dhavamanam Paramrishtam Atyantato Drutya Gopi ||

O Lord Damodara! Embodiment of eternity, knowledge, and bliss! Bound by Mother Yashoda's rope of love! We bow down to You.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

O Lord Damodara! Embodiment of eternity, knowledge, and bliss! Bound by Mother Yashoda's rope of love! We bow down to You.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

Verse 1: Salutations to Damodara, Saccidananda form, fleeing in fear from Mother Yashoda.
Verse 2: Salutations to Damodara, rubbing His tearful eyes with lotus hands, bound by love.
Verse 3: By His child sports He drowns Gokula in pools of bliss, proving love conquers God.
Verse 4: O Lord! I do not ask for Mukti or boons; let Your child form reside in my heart!
Verse 5: Let Your lotus face kissed by Yashoda bloom forever in my heart!
Verse 6: O Damodara, Ananta, Vishnu! Show mercy on this drowning soul in samsara!
Verse 7: Just as You liberated the two sons of Kubera, grant me pure Prema Bhakti!
Verse 8: Salutations to Your radiant waist, to Mother Radhika, and Your infinite sports!

Stotram Name	Shri Damodarashtakam Stotram
Primary Deity	Lord Damodara (Krishna)
Composer	Sage Satyavrata Muni
Source Text	Padma Purana (Kartika Mahatmya)
Language	IAST English Transliteration
Tradition	Gaudiya Vaishnava / Smarta
Verse Count	8 Verses