Sri Damodarashtakam

The Sri Damodarashtakam is a tender hymn celebrating the sweet childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna, especially His Damodara lila where He was bound by Mother Yashoda out of loving affection. The hymn opens by bowing to the Supreme Lord, the embodiment of “Sat-Chit-Ananda,” whose earrings shine brilliantly as He runs in fear through Gokula, chased by Yashoda and finally caught and tied to the mortar by her loving hands.

The second verse describes the touching scene of the Lord crying, rubbing His eyes with His lotus hands, His throat trembling with sobs, and the black lines around His neck quivering — a divine yet childlike form bound by pure love. This form reveals how the Infinite Lord becomes conquered by His devotees’ affection.

The stotram goes on to praise Krishna’s enchanting leelas, expressing how these playful acts immerse the Gokula residents in an ocean of bliss and demonstrate the Lord’s willingness to submit to His devotees’ love. The devotee then declares that he desires neither liberation nor any heavenly boon; all he wants is the vision of this sweet Gopala’s form constantly present in his heart.

The later verses adore Krishna’s beautiful lotus face framed by dark curls, His reddish lips repeatedly kissed by the gopis. The devotee begs the Lord, the infinite Vishnu, to shower mercy and rescue him from the ocean of suffering. Krishna is asked to bestow pure loving devotion, just as He liberated the sons of Kubera (Nalakuvara and Manigriva). The hymn concludes by offering obeisances to the shining rope around Krishna’s waist, His divine form, His beloved Radharani, and His endless pastimes.

Benefits:
• Deepens love and devotion toward Sri Krishna
• Brings emotional peace, joy, and inner sweetness
• Removes anxiety, ego, and worldly burdens
• Invokes Krishna’s protection and divine grace in the household