Śrī Yamunāṣṭaka is a hymn composed by Śrī Vallabhācārya. This composition praises the divine river Yamunā, considered a manifestation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s grace. The hymn elaborates on her divine attributes, her ability to purify devotees, and her role in connecting them with Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. It emphasizes Yamunā’s significance in both spiritual growth and devotion.

  • Three Forms of Yamunā Ji: Describes her as:
    1. Adhidaivik (Divine) – Symbol of divine grace, residing eternally in Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s spiritual realm.
    2. Adhyātmik (Spiritual) – Represents purification, washing away karmic burdens.
    3. Adhibhautik (Physical) – As the sacred river flowing through Mathurā and Vṛndāvana.
  • Purifying Power: Yamunā Ji cleanses sins and enables devotees to transcend worldly distractions, preparing them for higher devotion.
  • Enhancing Bhakti: Fosters love and attachment (Mukunda-rati) towards Śrī Kṛṣṇa, intensifying spiritual practice.
  • Protector and Guide: Her waters shield devotees from the consequences of negative karma and connect them deeply with Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s līlās (divine pastimes).
  • Empowerment for Devotees: Grants divine grace (puṣṭi), helping devotees overcome obstacles and align their lives with spiritual goals.

namāmi yamunāṁ ahaṁ sakala siddhi hetuṁ mudā
murāri pada paṅkaja sphurad amanda reṇū utkaṭām ।
taṭastha nava kānana prakaṭa moda puṣpa ambunā
surāsura supūjita smarapituḥ śriyaṁ bibhratīm ।। 1 ।।
नमामि यमुनां अहं सकल सिद्धि हेतुं मुदा
मुरारि पद पंकज स्फुरद अमन्द रेणु उत्कटाम् ।
तटस्थ नव कानन प्रकट मोद पुष्प अम्बुना
सुरासुर सुपूजित स्मरपितुः श्रियं बिभ्रतीम् ।। १ ।।
namāmi yamunāmahaṃ sakalasiddhihetuṃ mudā
murāripadapaṃkaja sphuradamandareṇūtkaṭām ।
taṭastha navakānanaprakaṭa modapuṣpāmbunā
surāsura supūjitasmarapituḥ śriyaṃ bibhratīm ।। 1 ।।
नमामि यमुनामहं सकलसिद्धिहेतुं मुदा
मुरारिपदपंकजस्फुरदमन्दरेणूत्कटाम् ।
तटस्थनवकाननप्रकटमोदपुष्पाम्बुना
सुरासुरसुपूजितस्मरपितुः श्रियं बिभ्रतीम् ।। १ ।।

I bow to Yamunā with joy, who is the cause of all perfections (sakala-siddhi-hetuṁ). She is adorned with the shining and ceaseless dust (amanda-reṇu) from the lotus feet (pada-paṅkaja) of Murāri (Śrī Kṛṣṇa). Her banks (taṭastha) are lined with fresh forests (nava-kānana), whose blooming flowers (moda-puṣpa) fill her waters (ambunā) with fragrance. Worshipped by both gods (sura) and demons (asura), she bears the glory (śriyam) of being the consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the father of Kamadev (smara-pituḥ). Śrīyamunā embodies splendor and divine magnificence, making her worthy of reverence.

kalinda giri mastake patada amanda pūra ujjvalā
vilāsa gamana ullasat prakaṭa gaṇḍa śaila unnatā ।
saghoṣa gati danturā samadhirūḍha dola uttamā
mukunda rati vardhinī jayati padma bandhoḥ sutā ।। 2 ।।
कलिन्द गिरि मस्तके पतद अमन्द पूर उज्ज्वला
विलास गमन उल्लसत् प्रकट गण्ड शैल उन्नता ।
सघोष गति दन्तुरा समधिरूढ दोल उत्तमा
मुकुन्द रति वर्धिनी जयति पद्म बन्धोः सुता ।। २ ।।
kalindagirimastake patadamandapūrojjvalā
vilāsagamanollasatprakaṭagaṇḍaśailonnatā ।
saghoṣagatidanturā samadhirūḍhadolottamā
mukundarativardhinī jayati padmabandhoḥ sutā ।। 2 ।।
कलिन्दगिरिमस्तके पतदमन्दपूरोज्ज्वला ।
विलासगमनोल्लसत्प्रकटगण्डशैलोन्नता ।
सघोषगतिदन्तुरा समधिरूढदोलोत्तमा ।
मुकुन्दरतिवर्धिनी जयति पद्मबन्धोः सुता ।। २ ।।

Victory to Śrīyamunā; the daughter of the sun (padma-bandhoḥ sutā); who begins her journey from the peak of the Kalinda mountain (kalinda-giri mastake) with an unceasing; bright stream (amanda-pūra ujjvalā); her playful and graceful movements (vilāsa gamanā) adorn her prominent elevated banks (prakaṭa gaṇḍa śaila unnata); as she flows noisily (saghoṣa gati); her oscillating and undulating waters (danturā dolo-uttamā) create a magnificent spectacle; she enhances the love (rati varddhinī) of Śrī Mukunda (Kṛṣṇa) and is celebrated for her divine splendor.

bhuvaṁ bhuvana pāvanīm adhigatām aneka svanaiḥ ।
priyābhiḥ iva sevitām śuka mayūra haṁsa ādibhiḥ ।।
taraṅga bhuja kaṅkaṇa prakaṭa muktikā vālukā ।
nitamba taṭa sundarīṁ namata kṛṣṇa turya priyām ।। 3 ।।
भुवं भुवन पावनीम् अधिगताम् अनेक स्वनैः ।
प्रियाभिः इव सेविताम् शुक मयूर हंस आदिभिः ।।
तरङ्ग भुज कङ्कण प्रकट मुक्तिका वालुका ।
नितम्ब तट सुन्दरीं नमत कृष्ण तुर्य प्रियाम् ।। ३ ।।
bhuvam bhuvana pāvanīmadhigatāmaneka svanaih ।
priyābhiriva sevitām śukamayūrahansādibhiḥ ।।
tarangabhujakankaņa prakața muktikāvālukā ।
nitambatața sundarīṁ namata kṛṣṇaturyapriyām ।। 3 ।।
भुवंभुवनपावनीमधिगतामनेकस्वनैः ।
प्रियाभिरिवसेवितांशुकमयूरहंसादिभिः ।।
तरंगभुजकंकणप्रकटमुक्तिकावलुकां ।
नितंबतटसुंदरींनमतकृष्णतुर्यप्रियाम् ।। ३ ।।

Bow down to Śrīyamunā, the sanctifier (pāvanīm) of the earth and the world (bhuvaṁ, bhuvana), who flows with melodious sounds (aneka svanaiḥ). Attended lovingly as if by dear companions (priyābhiḥ iva sevitām), she is served by parrots (śuka), peacocks (mayūra), swans (haṁsa), and others (ādibhiḥ). Her waves (taraṅga), adorned like arms with bangles made of visible pearls (bhujakaṅkaṇa prakaṭa muktikā), flow gracefully over sandbanks (vālukā). She appears like a beautiful maiden with her curving banks (nitamba taṭa sundarīm), and she is beloved by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the companion of his enchanting flute (kṛṣṇa turya-priyām).

ananta guṇa bhūṣite śiva virañci deva stute
ghana āghana nibhe sadā dhruva parāśara abhiṣṭa de ।
viśuddha mathurā taṭe sakala gopa gopī vrte
kṛpā jaladhi sanśrite mama manaḥ sukham bhāvaya ।। 4 ।।
अनन्त गुण भूषिते शिव विरञ्चि देव स्तुते
घन आघन निभे सदा ध्रुव पराशर अभिष्ट दे ।
विशुद्ध मथुरा तटे सकल गोप गोपी वृते
कृपा जलधि संरिशते मम मनः सुखम् भावय ।। ४ ।।
anantaguna bhūṣite śivavirañcidevastute
ghanāghananibhe sadā dhruvaparāśarābhiṣṭade ।
viśuddha mathurātațe sakalagopagopīvrte
kṛpājaladhisanśrite mama manaḥ sukham bhāvaya ।। 4 ।।
अनन्तगुण भूषिते शिवविरञ्चिदेवस्तुते
घनाघननिभे सदा ध्रुवपराशराभिष्टदे ।
विशुद्धमथुरातटे सकलगोपगोपीवृते
कृपाजलधिसंरिशते मम मनः सुखंभावय ।। ४ ।।

Adorned with infinite virtues (ananta-guṇa), and praised by Śiva (śiva), Brahmā (virañci), and the gods (deva-stute), Śrīyamunā resembles the beauty of dark clouds (ghanāghana-nibhe). She is eternally revered by sages such as Dhruva and Parāśara (sadā dhruva-parāśara-abhiṣṭade). Dwelling on the pure banks of Mathurā (viśuddha mathurā-taṭe), she is surrounded by cowherds (gopa) and cowherd maidens (gopī-vṛte). Sheltered in the ocean of compassion (kṛpā-jaladhi-saṁśrite), Śrīyamunā brings happiness (sukhaṁ) to my mind—may she inspire joy within me.

yayā caraṇa padmajā muraripoḥ priya ambhāvukā
samāgamanataḥ bhavat sakala siddhi dā sevatām ।
tayā sadṛśatām iyāt kamalajā sapatnī iva yat
hari priya kalindayā manasi me sadā sthīyatām ।। 5 ।।
यया चरण पद्मजा मुररिपोः प्रिया अम्भावुका
समागमनतः भवत् सकल सिद्धि दा सेवताम् ।
तया सदृशताम् इयात् कमलजा सपत्नि इव यत्
हरि प्रिय कलिन्दया मनसि मे सदा स्थीयताम् ।। ५ ।।
yayā caranapadmajā muraripoh priyambhāvukā
samāgamanato bhavatsakala siddhidā sevatām ।
tayā sadṛśatāmiyātkamalajā sapatnīva yat
hari priyakalindayā manasi me sadā sthīyatām ।। 5 ।।
यया चरणपद्मजा मुररिपोः प्रियम्भावुका
समागमनतो भवत्सकलसिद्धिदा सेवताम् ।
तया सदृशतामियात्कमलजासपत्नीव यत्
हरिप्रियकलिन्दया मनसि मे सदा स्थीयताम् ।। ५ ।।

May my mind always dwell on Kalindā (Yamunā), who, being affectionate to the beloved of Murāri (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), is the lotus-born goddess (padmaja). By her union (samāgamana) with Murāri, she bestows all accomplishments (sakal siddhidā) upon those who serve her (sevatām). Lakṣmī (kamalajā), like a wife (sapatnīva), attains similarity (sadṛśatām) with her. May my mind always remain established (manasi me sadā sthīyatām) in Hari’s beloved (haripriya) Kalindā.

namo'stu yamune sadā tava caritraṁ atyadbhutam
na jātu yama yātanā bhavati te payaḥ pānataḥ ।
yamaḥ api bhaginī sutān katham uhanti duṣṭān api
priyaḥ bhavati sevanāt tava hareḥ yathā gopikāḥ ।। 6 ।।
नमोऽस्तु यमुनॆ सदा तव चरित्रम् अत्यद्भुतम्
न जातु यम यातना भवति ते पयः पानतः ।
यमः अपि भगिनि सुतान् कथम् उहन्ति दुष्टान् अपि
प्रियः भवति सेवनात् तव हरेः यथा गोपिकाः ।। ६ ।।
namo'stu yamune sadā tava caritramatyadbhutam
na jātu yamayātanā bhavati te payaḥ pānatah ।
yamo'pi bhaginī sutānkathamuhanti duṣṭānapi
priyo bhavati sevanāttava hareryathā gopikāḥ ।। 6 ।।
नमोऽस्तु यमुनॆ सदा तव चरित्रमत्यद्भुतम् ।
न जातु यमयातना भवति ते पयः पानतः ।
यमोऽपि भगिनीसुतान्कथमोहन्ति दुष्टानपि ।
प्रियो भवति सेवनात्तव हरेर्यथा गोपिकाः ।। ६ ।।

Salutations always to Yamunā, whose deeds are very wonderful (atyadbhutam). Never does the torment of Yama (yamayātanā) befall those who drink your waters (te payaḥ pānataḥ). Even Yama, being your brother (bhaginī), refrains from harming his devotees (sutān), even if they are wicked (duṣṭān). Those who serve you (sevanāt), beloved like the Gopikās of Hari (hareḥ yathā gopikāḥ), become dear to you.

mamāstu tava sannidhau tanunavatvam etāvatā
na durlabhatama ratiḥ muraripau mukunda priye ।
ato'astu tava lalanā suradhunī param saṅgamat
tavaiva bhuvi kīrtitā na tu kadāpi puṣṭisthitaiḥ ।। 7 ।।
ममास्तु तव सन्निधौ तनुनवत्वम् एतावता
न दुर्लभतम रतिः मुररिपौ मुकुन्द प्रिये ।
अतोऽस्तु तव ललना सुरधुनी परम संगमत्
तवैव भुवि कीर्तिता न तु कदापि पुष्टिस्थितैः ।। ७ ।।
mamāstu tava sannidhau tanunavatvametāvatā
na durlabhatama ratirmuraripau mukundapriye ।
ato'stu tava lalanā suradhunī param sangamat
tavaivabhuvi kīrtitā na tu kadāpi pustisthitaiḥ ।। 7 ।।
ममास्तु तव सन्निधौ तनुनवत्वमेतावता
नदुर्लभतमरतिर्मुररिपौमुकुन्दप्रिये ।
अतोऽस्तु तवललनासुरधुनीपरंसंगमत
तवैवभुविकीर्तितानतु कदापिपुष्टिस्थितैः ।। ७ ।।

May I attain renewal of the body (tanunavatvam) in your proximity (sannidhau), O beloved of Mukunda (mukunda-priye). By this, may I obtain the rarest love (rati) for Murāri (muraripau). Therefore, may your nurturing (lālanā) be supreme, surpassing even the union (saṅgamāt) of the divine river Gaṅgā (suradhunī). On this earth (bhuvi), your glory (kīrtitā) remains unparalleled, as it is not celebrated (na kīrtitā) by those outside the Puṣṭimārga (puṣṭisthitaiḥ).

stutiṁ tava karoti kaḥ kamalajā sapatni priye ।
hareḥ yad anusevayā bhavati saukhyaṁ amokṣataḥ ।
iyaṁ tava kathā adhikā sakala gopikā saṅgamaḥ ।
smara śrama jala aṇubhiḥ sakala gātrajaḥ saṅgamaḥ ।। 8 ।।
स्तुतिं तव करोति कः कमलजा सपत्नि प्रिये ।
हरेः यद् अनुसेवया भवति सौख्यम् अमोक्षतः ।
इयं तव कथा अधिका सकल गोपिका संगमः ।
स्मर श्रम जल अणुभिः सकल गात्रजः संगमः ।। ८ ।।
pstutiṃ tava karoti kaḥ kamalajā sapatni priye
hareryadanusevayā bhavati saukhyamāmokṣataḥ ।
iyaṃ tava kathādhikā sakalagopikāsaṃgamaḥ
smaraśramajalāṇubhiḥ sakalagātrajaiḥ saṃgamaḥ ।। 8 ।।
स्तुतिंतवकरोतिः कः कमलजासपत्नीप्रिये
हरेर्यदनुसेवया भवति सौख्यमामोक्षतः ।
इयं तवकथाधिका सकलगोपिकासंगमः
स्मरश्रमजलाणुभिः सकलगात्रजैः संगमः ।। ८ ।।

Who can adequately perform your praise (stutiṁ), O Śrīyamunājī, the beloved (priye) co-wife (sapatnī) of Lakṣmī (kamalajā)? Through service to Hari (hareḥ anusevayā), devotees achieve bliss (saukhyam) that surpasses even liberation (amokṣataḥ). Your tales (kathā) are superior (adhikā) to all, even to the union (saṅgamaḥ) of the Gopikās with Śrī Kṛṣṇa (sakala-gopikā-saṅgamaḥ). In your waters are mingled the droplets of perspiration (śrama-jala) from Kamdev’s passionate efforts, which touch every part of the body (sakal-gātrajaiḥ). Such union with you symbolizes both divine intimacy and unparalleled grace.

tava aṣṭakam idaṁ mudā paṭhati sūra sute sadā ।
samasta durita kṣayaḥ bhavati vai mukunde ratiḥ ।
tayā sakala siddhayaḥ muraripuḥ ca santuṣyati ।
svabhāva vijayaḥ bhavet vadati vallabhaḥ śrī hareḥ ।। 9 ।।
तव अष्टकम् इदम् मुदा पठति सूर सुते सदा ।
समस्त दुरित क्षयः भवति वै मुकुन्दे रतिः ।
तया सकल सिद्धयः मुररिपुः च सन्तुष्यति ।
स्वभाव विजयः भवेत् वदति वल्लभः श्री हरेः ।। ९ ।।
tavāṣṭakamidaṃ mudā paṭhati sūrasute sadā
samastaduritakṣayo bhavati vai mukunde ratiḥ ।
tayā sakalasiddhayo muraripuśca santuṣyati
svabhāva vijayo bhavedvadati vallabhaḥ śrīhareḥ ।। 9 ।।
तवाष्टकमिदं मुदा पठति सूरसुते सदा
समस्तदुरितक्षयो भवति वै मुकुन्दे रतिः ।
तया सकलसिद्धयो मुररिपुश्च सन्तुष्यति
स्वभावविजयो भवेद्वदति वल्लभः श्रीहरेः ।। ९ ।।

Whoever joyfully recites this eight-verse hymn (aṣṭakam) in praise of you, O daughter of the Sun (sūrasute), regularly and with devotion (sadā), experiences the destruction (kṣayaḥ) of all sins (durita) and miseries. Such recitation naturally leads to unwavering love and devotion (ratiḥ) toward Mukunda (Śrī Kṛṣṇa). Through this hymn, all perfections (sakala siddhayaḥ) are bestowed, and Śrī Muraripu (Kṛṣṇa) is immensely pleased (santuṣyati). Moreover, by your grace, even one’s inherent tendencies (svabhāva) and weaknesses are overcome (vijayaḥ), bringing ultimate spiritual triumph. As Śrī Vallabha declares, this hymn fosters pure devotion and secures Bhagavān Śrī Hari’s favor for the reciter.

Thus ends the 'Śrī-yamunāṣṭaka' composed by Shri Vallabhacharya.