Shree Yamunashtak – an introduction 1 - VaishnavSangh.org.uk

Shree Yamunashtak – an introductionIn V.S. 1549 (year 1493) at the age of 14 years, Shri Mahaprabhuji arrived in Gokulduring his first global tour; he resided at Thakurani Ghat / Govind ghat on thebank of Yamuna river. He was totally mersmerised by Shree Yamunaji’s beauty,and on the spur of the moment, he wrote Shri Yamunastakam which describes ShriYamunaji’s divine form.In Yamunastakam’s first eight shloks, Shri Mahaprabhuji describes ShriYamunaji’s eight fold powers, her divine & wonderful idol and her divine qualities.Shri Yamunaji is the daughter of divine Sun. Her purpose for coming to earth fromheaven through Kalind mountain is to bless her devotees. Her physical state as ariver is also very attractive and charming. She is so kind that she even blessed evilspirited people. Shri Yamunaji blessed her devotees with eight fold powers. If someevil person, drinks water from Yamuna river to quench thirst, she blessed thatperson as well. So, if we pray her, with knowledge and understanding, we should notbe surprised if we also get blessed. One of the examples from Shri Mahaprabhuju’s84 Vaishnavas, is of Kishoribai, who was chanting only two lines fromYamunastakam with full faith. Shri Yamunaji blessed Kishoribai with all divinefruits.1

Shree Yamunashtak********** Shlok 1 **********Namami Yamuna Maham, Sakal Siddhi Hetum Muda, Murari Padpankaj-Sfuradmand, Renoot-katam, Tatasth Nav Kanan, Prakat ModPushpambunaa, Suraa Sur suPoojitaha, Smara Pituh Shri yam-bibhrateemI (Shri Mahaprabhuji) bow (Namami) to Shri Yamunaji with my full love anddevotion. She is capable of giving fulfillment of all the desires(Sakal Siddhi) of thedevotee in enjoying God’s love. Shri Yamunaji is capable of giving all kind ofachievements. This first shlok describes the physical state of the river. Its both banksare full of glittering sand which is believed to be as soft as lotus feet of Shri MurariPrabhu (Shri Krishna.) Also, there are various kinds of evergreen gardens on bothbanks of the river. The river water is filled with scent from the flowers of thegardens. Shri Yamunaji is also worshipped by two kinds (Suraa -Sur) of vrajdevotees.********** Shlok 2 **********Kalind Girimastake, Pata-d-mand Poorojjwalaa, Vilas Gamanollasat,Prakatgand Shailonnata, Sagosh-gantidantura, Samadhiroodh Dolottama,Mukund Rati Vardhinee, Jayati Padma Bandho SutaIn this shlok, Shri Mahaprabhuji describes how Shri Yamunaji can bless her devoteesto increase their love towards Shri Mukund Prabhu. Also, Shri Mahaprabhujidescribes the physical existence of Yamunaji as river. It flows enthusiastically (withspeed and splendor - Poorojjwalaa) from the top of Kalind mountain. The waterappears to be as rich as milk because of the force and twirls. It seems that Shri2

Yamunaji is very eager to reach Vraj and meet Shri Krishna. It also gives theimpression that Shri Yamunaji is swinging on (Dolottama) jhula. Shri Yamunaji isdaughter of Sun, who is so fond of lotus(Padma).********** Shlok 3 **********Bhuvam Bhuvan Pawaneem, Madhigatamane Kashwanaihi, PriyabhirivSevatam, Shuka Mayur Hansadibhihi, Tarang Bhuj Kankana, Prakatmuktikavaluka, Nitambtat Sundareem, Namat Krishna Turya Priyam.Whenever Shri Yamunaji comes to earth from heaven, she blesses the Earth(Bhuvam Bhuvana Pawaneem). All birds like Parrot, Peacock, Hansas (Swans) servesShri Yamunaji. Shri Mahaprabhuji visualizes glittering (sterling) sand as her bangle’spearls (muktikavaluka) and waves of water as beautiful divine hands (Tarang BhujKankana) of Shri Yamunaji. From the birds eye view, Shri Yamunaji appears asbeautiful with both the banks with glamorous sand and river full of water. She isfavorite fourth queen of Shri Krishna, and Shri Mahaprabhuji asks us to bow to her(Namat Krishna Turya Priyam).********** Shlok 4 **********Anant Gunbhusite, Shiva Viranchi Devastute, Ghanaghan Nibhe Sada,Dhruva Parasharaa Bhistade, Vishuddha Mathura Tate, Sakal Gop-gopiVrute, Krupa Jaladhi Sanshrite, Mama Manha Sukham Bhavayah.In this shlok, Shri Mahaprabhuji offers his prayers to Shri Yamuna Maharani. O! ShriYamunaji, you are having infinite divine qualities – countless virtues. Even Gods likeShiv, Brahama praise you. You are capable of granting wishes to devotees like Dhruvand Parasher. There are holy pilgrim places like “Mathura” on your banks. You arealways surrounded with gopis and gopijans and you are always protected byblessings of Shri Krishna. O! Shri Yamunaji, I wish that you give me such a blessingthat it gives peace and happiness to my mind. Chanting this shlok with pure andhonest heart gives tremendous mental peace and eternal happiness. (Kishoribai waschanting only two lines Vishuddha Mathura Tate, Sakal Gopgopi Vrute, Krupa JaladhiSanshrite, Mama Manha Sukham Bhavayah. with full faith. Shri Yamunaji blessedKishoribai with all divine fruits.)********** Shlok 5 ********** 3

Yaya Charan Padmajaa, Muraripoho Priyam Bhavuka, SamaagamantoBhavat, Sakal Siddhida Sevatam, Taya Sadrushtamiyat, Kamalaja SpatneeVayat, Hari Priya Kalindaya, Mansi Me sada Stheeyatam.Shri Gangaji evolved from the lotus feet of Shri Bhagavan. Shri Gangaji became holyand pious due to merging with Shri Yamunaji at Triveni Sangam. Shri Yamunajimade Shri Gangaji capable of giving all achievements (Sakal Siddhi) to the servingdevotees. Only Shri Laxmiji is equal and comparable to Shri Yamunaji-but on a lesserdegree. I wish that this type of Shri Yamunaji, who can take all worries of herdevotees and who is also favorite (Hari Priya) to Shri Krishna, come and reside in myheart and soul forever.********** Shlok 6 **********Namostu Yamune Sada, Tav Charitra Matyadbhutam, Na Jaatu Yam Yatna,Bhavati Te Payaha Panat-ha, Yamopi Bhaginee Sutan, KathamuhantiDushtanpi, Priyobhavati Sevanaat, Tav Hareryatha Gopikaha.O! Shri Yamunaji, I bow to you with my full body and heart. Your divine character isvery wonderful. Just by drinking your water in Vraj, we do not have to worry aboutpainful death. Your devotees can become favorite to Shri Krishna just like gopijanaswho became favorite by doing “Katyani Vrat”.********** Shlok 7 **********Mamastu Tav Sannidhau, Tanu Navatva Metavata, Na Durlabhatama Rati,Muraripau Mukundpriye, Atostu Tav Lalna, Surdhunee Param Sangamaat,Tavaiv Bhuvi Keertita, Na Tu Kadapi Pushti Sthitaihi.O! Shri Yamunaji, who is favorite of Shri Mukund Prabhu, I pray to you to give medivine body (Tanu Navatv) which can be used in divine Leela of Lord and also toserve you. Only you are capable of doing so. With such a divine body, I can serveShri Mukund Prabhu very well. Pushti Margiya vaishnavas - Divine souls (Jeevs) hadnever praised Shri Gangaji without your merging with Shri Gangaji.********** Shlok 8 ********** 4

Stutim Tava Karotikaha, Kamal Ja Sapatni Priye, Harer Yadanu Sevaya,Bhavati Saukhya Mamoxataha, Iyam Tav Kathadhika, Sakal Gopika SangamSmar, Shram jaLunibhi, Sakalgatra Jaihi Sangamaha.O! Shri Yamunaji, you are like Shri Laxmiji, who has good fortune. But no one iscapable of praising you, because any one serving God first and then Shri Laxmiji getsall happiness after death also Mamoxataha. But the importance of Shri Yamunaji isunique. Here Shri Maha Prabhuji explains the exaltation of soul just by bathing in thewaters of Shri Yamunaji which becomes pious daily by the “Ras-Lila of Lord with thevraj-bhakts”. By serving Shri Yamunaji we get blessing from her, which is helpful inexalting our soul and making pious. As we wash our body from outside to make itlook pretty, we need to have blessings in form of Shri Yamunaji’s river water to washour soul and body from within. Due to her blessings our mind and thoughts becomecapable to serve Shri Krishna.********** Shlok 9 **********Tavashtak Midam Muda, Pathati Soorsootesada, Samasta Duritak Shayo,Bhavati Vai Mukunde Ratihi, Taya Sakal Siddhayo, Murari PuschaSantushyati, Swabhav Vijayo Bhavet, Vadati Vallabh Shree Harehe.O! Shri Yamunaji! Whoever always sings these hymns of Shri Yamunastak withhappiness, joy and pleasure, will get following fruits.(1) Absolving one of all the worldly sins.(2) The love for the lord increases manifold.(3) All yours endeavors, worldly and spiritual, are completed successfully.(4) You become a worthy recipient of God’s grace-love.(5) You emerge victorious over your nature. Sakal Siddhi (”ashta - eight” siddhis)(6) To worship God.(7) To watch God’s action.(8) To feel God’s action.(9) To get sarvatm Bhav siddhi.(10) To remain and have God’s blessing even during difficult days.(11) To get divine sight (Darshan of lord).(12) To feel the pleasure of God’s blessings (Krupa).(13) To feel God’s presence in all situations. 5