Achyutam Keshavam (Achyutashtakam)
The famous opening verses of the Achyutashtakam, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, weaving together the names of Krishna and Rama.
Original text
अच्युतं केशवं रामनारायणं कृष्णदामोदरं वासुदेवं हरिम् ।
श्रीधरं माधवं गोपिकावल्लभं जानकीनायकं रामचन्द्रं भजे ॥ १ ॥
अच्युतं केशवं सत्यभामाधवं माधवं श्रीधरं राधिकाराधितम् ।
इन्दिरामन्दिरं चेतसा सुन्दरं देवकीनन्दनं नन्दजं सन्दधे ॥ २ ॥
विष्णवे जिष्णवे शङ्खिने चक्रिणे रुक्मिणीरागिणे जानकीजानये ।
वल्लवीवल्लभायार्चितायात्मने कंसविध्वंसिने वंशिने ते नमः ॥ ३ ॥
Author: Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
"Achyutam Keshavam" is sung as a bhajan in countless homes. Its source is the eight-verse Sanskrit Achyutashtakam, which tradition attributes to Adi Shankaracharya. The first three verses are given here.
Verse 1: I worship Achyuta (the one who never falls), Keshava, Rama, Narayana, Krishna, Damodara, Vasudeva, Hari, Shridhara, Madhava, the beloved of the gopis, and Ramachandra, the Lord of Janaki.
Verse 2: I hold in my heart Achyuta, Keshava, the husband of Satyabhama, Madhava, Shridhara, the one worshipped by Radha, the abode of Lakshmi, beautiful to the mind, the delight of Devaki and the son of Nanda.
Verse 3: Salutations to You — the all-pervading, the ever-victorious, bearer of conch and discus, beloved of Rukmini, husband of Janaki, beloved of the cowherd women, the worshipped one, the Self of all, destroyer of Kansa and player of the flute.
Chanting these names with love calms the mind and brings the many forms of the Lord to remembrance at once.
- Author
- Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
- Note
- First three of the eight verses.