Sri Ashtabhuja Ashtakam
Shree asht'abhujaasht'akam'
Shreemaan venkat'anaathaaryah' kavitaarkikakesaree |
Vedaantaachaaryavaryo me sannidhattaam' sadaa hri'di ||
Gajendrarakshaatvaritam' bhavantam'
Graahairivaaham' vishayairvikri'sht'ah' |
Apaaravijnyaanadayaanubhaava-
-maaptam' sataamasht'abhujam' prapadye || 1 ||
Tvadekashesho'hamanaatmatantra-
-stvatpaadalipsaam' dishataa tvayaiva |
Asatsamo'pyasht'abhujaaspadesha
Sattaamidaaneemupalambhito'smi || 2 ||
Svarooparoopaastravibhooshanaadyaih'
Paratvachintaam' tvayi durnivaaraam |
Bhoge mri'doopakramataamabheepsan
Sheelaadibhirvaarayaseeva pum'saam || 3 ||
Shaktim' sharanyaantarashabdabhaajaam'
Saaram' cha santolya phalaantaraanaam |
Tvaddaasyahetostvayi nirvishankam'
Nyastaatmanaam' naatha bibharshi bhaaram || 4 ||
Abheetihetoranuvartaneeyam'
Naatha tvadanyam' na vibhaavayaami |
Bhayam' kutah' syaat tvayi saanukampe
Rakshaa kutah' syaat tvayi jaataroshe || 5 ||
Tvadekatantram' kamalaasahaaya
Svenaiva maam' rakshitumarhasi tvam |
Tvayi pravri'tte mama kim' prayaasai-
-stvayyapravri'tte mama kim' prayaasaih' || 6 ||
Samaadhibhangeshvapi sampatatsu
Sharanyabhoote tvayi baddhakakshye |
Apatrape sod'humakinchano'ham'
Dooraadhiroham' patanam' cha naatha || 7 ||
Praaptaabhilaasham' tvadanugrahaanmaam'
Padmaanishevye tava paadapadme |
Aadehapaataadaparaadhadoora-
-maatmaantakainkaryarasam' vidheyaah' || 8 ||
Prapanna janapaatheyam' prapitsoonaam' rasaayanam |
Shreyase jagataametachchhreemadasht'abhujaasht'akam || 9 ||
Sharanaagatasantraanatvaraadvigunabaahunaa |
Harinaa venkat'esheeyaa stutih' sveekriyataamiyam || 10 ||
Kavitaarkikasim'haaya kal'yaanagunashaaline |
Shreemate venkat'eshaaya vedaantagurave namah' ||
Iti shree vedaantadeshika kri'tam' shree asht'abhujaasht'akam |
Meaning
The Sri Ashtabhujashtakam, composed by Vedanta Desika, is a heartfelt hymn surrendering to Lord Vishnu in His eight-armed (Ashtabhujan) form. The poet recalls the urgency with which the Lord rushed to save Gajendra and prays for the same swift compassion, as the world drags him like a crocodile pulling the elephant. He acknowledges that he is completely dependent on the Lord, not self-sufficient, and that only divine grace can lift him above weaknesses and temptations.
The hymn beautifully depicts the Lord’s divine form—His limbs, weapons, ornaments, compassion and supreme knowledge—highlighting His nature as the sole refuge. Desika says that when the Lord is pleased, fear cannot approach; when He is displeased, no one can protect. Thus, the devotee resolves to surrender entirely, recognizing that all effort bears fruit only when aligned with the Lord’s will.
Even during disturbances, failures or inner turbulence, the devotee remains unashamed and anchored in the Lord who is the ultimate shelter. Finally, Desika prays to attain the Lord’s lotus feet—served by Lakshmi Herself—and to enjoy eternal service beyond this embodied life.
This hymn is not merely poetic praise; it is a complete spiritual declaration of surrender, protection, and inner transformation through divine grace.
Benefits:
• Strengthens complete surrender and devotion
• Removes fear, anxiety, and worldly disturbances
• Invokes Vishnu’s protection, grace, and clarity
• Builds inner courage, humility, and trust in God
• Supports progress toward liberation and divine service
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