Krishna Chalisa

Glory to the joy of the Yadava clan, worshipped by the whole world, the dear son of Vasudeva and Devaki.

Glory to Yashoda's son and Nanda's darling, the Lord who keeps watch over his devotees.

Glory to the master dancer who subdued the serpent, Krishna the cowherd who grazes the cattle.

You held the great mountain on a fingernail; come now and remove the suffering of the helpless.

You hold the sweet flute to your lips; through your grace may every wish of my heart be fulfilled.

Come, Hari, taste the butter once more; today protect the honour of this land of devotees.

When the people of Gokul behold you with their eyes, a special joy and bliss fills their hearts.

A peacock crown and a folded waist-cloth adorn you; your gentle smile captivates the minds of all.

Curling locks fall gracefully upon your lotus face; in the very form of Vishnu you delight your devotee.

In the groves of Madhuban Hari held the raas dance with the gopis, fulfilling their deepest longing.

Hari granted liberation even to the demoness Putana and struck down the demon Bakasura among many others.

He took the life of Aghasura and destroyed the whirlwind demon Trinavarta as well.

He slew the calf-demon Vatsasura and won renown by subduing the serpent Kaliya.

With his great strength he destroyed the mighty ass-demon Dhenukasura.

He flung down the wrestlers Chanura and Mushtika, then turned his wrath upon Kansa and the horse-demon Keshi.

He freed his mother and father from prison and restored the kingdom to King Ugrasena.

He brought back her six departed sons and wiped away the grief of mother Devaki.

He vanquished the demons Bhaumasura and Mura and rescued the sixteen thousand captive maidens.

He gave Bhima the strategy to slay Jarasandha, and so that demon king met his end.

By destroying the demons he served the welfare of the people, and he saved the honour of Draupadi in her hour of need.

He showered boundless generosity on the poor Sudama, granting him every fortune as his own.

He sent word across far-off lands and kept watch over the affairs of his devotees everywhere.

When he made his home in Mathura, the dark flute-player won every heart.

He understood the workings of the world and knew the divine play of every age.

He delivered the teaching of the Gita and gave Arjuna the whole of spiritual knowledge.

Show mercy, Hari, knowing us to be lowly; you are the guardian of the orphaned and the forsaken.

Who but you can wash away my faults? In every way you alone are my refuge and my support.

You are called the compassionate one to the poor, known by the name of the lover of his devotees.

Be pleased with me according to your will, and grant me your grace with gentle understanding.

Lift me out of distress, O Hari; you are boundless, and I have no other shelter.

Have mercy, O ocean of compassion; in your wisdom swiftly set right the work of your devotee.

By taming the serpent he showed his mighty power and effortlessly put the demons to flight.

Your glory shines through all four ages, and you are first and dearest to all people.

Be kind, Lord, to the humble; there is no other who gives such joy as you.

You are the supreme abode and the cause of all; you are the one beginningless source of every incarnation.

Hari, you alone bestow happiness and prosperity; grant your grace, recognising me as your own.

At the mere utterance of your name, the heaviest of troubles dissolve away.

By the banks of the Yamuna in Vrindavan, Hari ever plays, drawing away the pain of every heart.

Whoever meditates while chanting 'Krishna, Krishna' departs at life's end to Hari's eternal abode.

Krishna is forever the helper of the lowly, taking on countless forms for the sake of his devotees.