Shri Govindashtakam Stotram

Q: When should Govindashtakam be chanted?

Early morning upon waking up (*Pratar Utthaya*).

Verse 1

Satyaṃ Jñānam-Anantaṃ Nityam-Anākāśaṃ Paramākāśam
Goṣṭhā-Prāṅgaṇa-Rinkhaṇa-Lolaṃ Anāyāsaṃ Paramāyāsam ।
Māyā-Kalpita-Nānā-Rūpaṃ Anūpaṃ Bhūmikampa-Karaṃ
Govindaṃ Paramānanda-Mādhavam-Abhirāmam-Abhi-Vande ॥ 1 ॥

Verse 2

Māyātītam-Anādim-Anantaṃ Jñānamayaṃ Parama-Prabhum
Gopālaka-Bāla-Vapurdhara-Mām-Āyāsa-Rahitama-Mānasa-Gamyam ।
Bhaktādhinam-Ananta-Guṇāḍhyaṃ Gopa-Vadhū-Parirambha-Rasajñaṃ
Govindaṃ Paramānanda-Mādhavam-Abhirāmam-Abhi-Vande ॥ 2 ॥

Verse 3

Dāmā-Baddha-Virāja-Māna-Vakṣasaṃ Jagad-Eka-Kāraṇaṃ
Pūtana-Māraṇa-Mocana-Karaṇaṃ Śakaṭā-Surā-Bhañjana-Caturam ।
Yāsam-Anāyāsenopa-Rataṃ Yaśodā-Nanda-Dāyakaṃ
Govindaṃ Paramānanda-Mādhavam-Abhirāmam-Abhi-Vande ॥ 3 ॥

Shri Govindashtakam Stotram is an 8-verse philosophical hymn composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Govinda (Krishna / Narayana).

This stotram begins with the celebrated Vedantic definition of Brahman: "Satyaṃ Jñānam-Anantaṃ Nityaṃ Anākāśaṃ Paramākāśam" ("Truth, Consciousness, Infinite, Eternal, beyond ether, Supreme Consciousness").

Each verse of the Govindashtakam combines deep Advaita philosophy with ecstatic devotion to Sri Krishna's divine sports in Vrindavan, ending with the sacred refrain: "Govindaṃ Paramānanda-Mādhavama-Bhī-Rāmama-Bhī-Wande" ("I bow to Govinda, Madhava, the supreme bliss!").

According to scriptural tradition and verse 9 of this stotram, daily recitation of Shri Govindashtakam grants the following blessings:

Eradication of All Sins and Sorrows: Destroys accumulated sins of past births.
Attainment of Supreme Bliss (Paramananda): Fills the mind with unshakable Vedantic peace.
Freedom from Rebirth Cycle (Samsara Mukti): Grants self-realization and liberation (Moksha).
Grace of Lord Govinda: Bestows righteous prosperity, wisdom, and protection.

Early morning upon waking up (Pratar Utthaya).

"Go" means cows, Vedas, senses, and earth. "Govinda" means the protector and master of cows, Vedas, senses, and earth.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed Govindashtakam synthesizing the highest Advaita philosophy (Nirguna Brahman) with personal devotion (Saguna Krishna).

Govindashtakam is a masterpiece of Vedantic devotion:

Satyam Jnanam Anantam (Verse 1): Quotes Taittiriya Upanishad definition of Brahman.
Kaliya & Govardhana (Verse 4): Commemorates dancing on Kaliya serpent and lifting Govardhana mountain.
Gita Speaker (Verse 6): Praises Krishna as the charioteer of Partha (Partha Rathasana Sthitam) who imparted the nectar of Bhagavad Gita.

Govindāṣṭakam-Idaṃ Puṇyaṃ Prātar-Utthāya Yaḥ Paṭhet ।
Goviṃde Mānasaṃ Yuktvā Sa Mukto Bhavati Saṃsārāt ॥ 9 ॥

Meaning of Phalashruti

Whoever recites this holy Govindashtakam every morning upon waking up, fixing their mind on Lord Govinda, will be liberated from the ocean of worldly existence (Samsara).

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!
Govindam Paramananda Madhavam Abhiramam Abhi Vande ||

O Lord Govinda, Madhava, Supreme Bliss! We bow down to You who are Truth, Consciousness, and Infinite.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

O Lord Govinda, Madhava, Supreme Bliss! We bow down to You who are Truth, Consciousness, and Infinite.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

Verse 1: Salutations to Govinda who is Truth, Consciousness, Infinite, crawling in the courtyards of Vraja.
Verse 2: Salutations to Govinda who is beyond Maya, without beginning or end, taking the form of a cowherd boy.
Verses 3–7: Praising Krishna tying to mortar, slaying Pootana, lifting Govardhana, dancing on Kaliya, speaking Gita, and husband of Rukmini.
Verse 8: Praising Govinda as Nirguna, eternal, immutable Narayana.
Verse 9 (Phalashruti): Reciting morning Govindashtakam grants liberation from Samsara.

Stotram Name	Shri Govindashtakam Stotram
Primary Deity	Lord Govinda (Krishna / Vishnu)
Composer	Sri Adi Shankaracharya
Language	IAST English Transliteration
Tradition	Advaita / Vaishnava
Verse Count	8 Core Verses + 1 Phalashruti Sloka