What is the central theme of the Gopala Ashtakam?

The Gopala Ashtakam is a hymn dedicated to Lord Gopala, repeatedly offering salutations to the deity who is the origin, sustainer, and ultimate refuge of the universe.

According to the text, what dispels ignorance and its consequences?

The text states that knowledge of Lord Gopala quickly dispels ignorance, including birth, old age, disease, and prevents rebirth in the material world.

How do yogis perceive Lord Gopala in meditation?

Yogis, having purified their senses and stilled their minds, perceive Lord Gopala as a radiant form within their hearts during profound meditation, immersed in bliss.

How is Dharma protected, according to the Gopala Ashtakam?

When righteousness (Dharma) is threatened by unrighteousness, Lord Gopala incarnates in various forms to protect the earth.

What benefit does the text promise for reciting the Gopala Ashtakam?

The Gopala Ashtakam promises that anyone who recites this hymn with devotion and a steady mind will quickly be freed from sins and attain the pure abode of Vishnu, from which there is no return.

śrī gōpālāṣṭakam

1295
Krishna Stotra

yasmādviśvaṁ jātamidaṁ citramatarkyaṁ
yasminnānandātmani nityaṁ ramatē vai |
yatrāntē samyāti layaṁ caitadaśēṣaṁ
taṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 1 ||

yasyājñānājjanmajarārōgakadambaṁ
jñātē yasminnaśyati tatsarvamihāśu |
gatvā yatrāyāti punarnō bhavabhūmiṁ
taṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 2 ||

tiṣṭhannantaryō yamayatyētadajasraṁ
yaṁ kaścinnō vēda janō:’pyātmani santam |
sarvaṁ yasyēdaṁ ca vaśē tiṣṭhati viśvaṁ
taṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 3 ||

dharmō:’dharmēṇēha tiraskāramupaiti
kālē yasmin matsyamukhaiścārucaritraiḥ |
nānārūpaiḥ pāti tadā yō:’vanibimbaṁ
taṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 4 ||

prāṇāyāmairdhvastasamastēndriyadōṣā
ruddhvā cittaṁ yaṁ hr̥di paśyanti samādhau |
jyōtīrūpaṁ yōgijanā mōdanimagnā-
-staṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 5 ||

bhānuścandraścōḍugaṇaścaiva hutāśō
yasminnaivābhāti taḍiccāpi kadāpi |
yadbhāsā cābhāti samastaṁ jagadētat
taṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 6 ||

satyaṁ jñānaṁ mōdamavōcurnigamā yaṁ
yō brahmēndrādityagirīśārcitapādaḥ |
śētē:’nantō:’nantatanāvambunidhau ya-
-staṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 7 ||

śaivāḥ prāhuryaṁ śivamanyē gaṇanāthaṁ
śaktiṁ caikē:’rkaṁ ca tathānyē matibhēdāt |
nānākārairbhāti ya ēkō:’khilaśakti-
-staṁ gōpālaṁ santatakālaṁ prati vandē || 8 ||

śrīmadgōpālāṣṭakamētat samadhītē
bhaktyā nityaṁ yō manujō vai sthiracētāḥ |
hitvā tūrṇaṁ pāpakalāpaṁ sa samēti
puṇyaṁ viṣṇōrdhāma yatō naiva nipātaḥ || 9 ||

iti śrīmatparamahaṁsa svāmi brahmānanda viracitaṁ śrī gōpālāṣṭakam |

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