Composed by Adiguru Shankaracharya, this is a beautiful 8-verse stotra praising qualities of River Yamuna. River Yamuna has played an important role in the Vedic history.

Yamunashtakam is an eight-verse hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, extolling the virtues and significance of the sacred River Yamuna. The Yamuna holds a special place in Vedic history and Hindu spirituality, often associated with purity, divinity, and the many legends of Lord Krushna.

Here is a summary of each of the eight verses of the Yamunashtakam:

Verse 1

Adi Shankaracharya begins by saluting the divine River Yamuna, who descends from the heavens. The Yamuna is praised for her purifying waters, which cleanse sins and bestow spiritual merit on those who bathe in her.

Verse 2

In this verse, the composer highlights the sacredness of the Yamuna’s waters, which are considered even more sanctified than those of the Ganges. The Yamuna is depicted as a giver of boons, fulfilling the desires of devotees who seek her blessings.

Verse 3

The Yamuna is revered as the daughter of the Sun God (Surya) and the sister of Yam, the god of death. The verse emphasizes the auspiciousness of her waters, which provide liberation and protection from the torments of hell.

Verse 4

This verse describes the enchanting beauty of the Yamuna’s banks, adorned with groves and blooming flowers. The Yamuna is celebrated for her association with Lord Krushna, who performed many of his divine pastimes along her shores.

Verse 5

The hymn continues to extol the Yamuna’s role in the lives of Lord Krushna and his devotees. Her waters are described as being imbued with the essence of the divine, offering spiritual nourishment and joy to those who immerse themselves in her.

Verse 6

The composer praises the Yamuna for her healing properties, stating that a mere sight of her or a touch of her waters can alleviate suffering and bring peace to the heart. The Yamuna is seen as a source of spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

Verse 7

Adi Shankaracharya venerates the Yamuna’s connection to various sacred places and temples situated along her banks. The river is depicted as a divine mother, nurturing and sustaining the religious and cultural heritage of India.

Verse 8

The final verse is a heartfelt prayer to the Yamuna, seeking her blessings and grace. The devotee humbly requests the river to bestow her divine favor, ensuring a life of purity, devotion, and ultimate liberation.

Conclusion

The Yamunashtakam beautifully encapsulates the spiritual and cultural significance of the River Yamuna in Hindu tradition. Through these eight verses, Adi Shankaracharya not only praises the physical attributes of the river but also emphasizes her divine connection, making the hymn a timeless piece of devotional literature.

यमुनाष्टक

मुरारिकायकालिमाललामवारिधारिणी
तृणीकृतत्रिविष्टपा त्रिलोकशोकहारिणी ।
मनोऽनुकूलकूलकुञ्जपुञ्जधूतदुर्मदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥१॥

मलापहारिवारिपूरभूरिमण्डितामृता
भृशं प्रपातकप्रवञ्चनातिपण्डितानिशम् ।
सुनन्दनन्दनाङ्गसङ्गरागरञ्जिता हिता
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥२॥

लसत्तरङ्गसङ्गधूतभूतजातपातका
नवीनमाधुरीधुरीणभक्तिजातचातका ।
तटान्तवासदासहंससंसृता हि कामदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥३॥

विहाररासखेदभेदधीरतीरमारुता
गता गिरामगोचरे यदीयनीरचारुता ।
प्रवाहसाहचर्यपूतमेदिनीनदीनदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥४॥

तरङ्गसङ्गसैकताञ्चितान्तरा सदासिता
शरन्निशाकरांशुमञ्जुमञ्जरीसभाजिता ।
भवार्चनाय चारुणाम्बुनाधुना विशारदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥५॥

जलान्तकेलिकारिचारुराधिकाङ्गरागिणी
स्वभर्तुरन्यदुर्लभाङ्गसङ्गतांशभागिनी
स्वदत्तसुप्तसप्तसिन्धुभेदनातिकोविदा ।
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥६॥

जलच्युताच्युताङ्गरागलम्पटालिशालिनी
विलोलराधिकाकचान्तचम्पकालिमालिनी ।
सदावगाहनावतीर्णभर्तृभृत्यनारदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥७॥

सदैव नन्दनन्दकेलिशालिकुञ्जमञ्जुला
तटोत्थफुल्लमल्लिकाकदम्बरेणुसूज्ज्वला
जलावगाहिनां नृणां भवाब्धिसिन्धुपारदा
धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥८॥