Akrūra’s Stotra to Kṛshṇa

This is a stotra to Bhagavān Kṛshṇa sung by Akrūra at Nanda’s Vraja. It is a row of sixteen salutations (namaḥ) that name Kṛshṇa as the cause behind all that exists. It is found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, chapter 62.

The setting

Akrūra came to Nanda’s Vraja filled with joy in bhakti. Nanda showed him to a ratna-siṃhāsana (a gem throne). Akrūra bowed before Kṛshṇa with full surrender and sang this stotra.

Just before this he had seen Kṛshṇa in a row of forms: as four-armed Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa with Lakshmī and Sarasvatī, as five-faced Bhagavān Śiva, as Brahmā in meditation, as Dharma and as Ananta Śesha. When all these faded, Kṛshṇa stood before him as the parampraśobhā, the highest beauty, which defeats a crore of Manmathas. In that state Akrūra sang. After the stotra Akrūra fell into a swoon. When he rose he saw Kṛshṇa as the Viśvarūpa, the one who fills all things.

The stotra

Kāraṇa-rūpāya namaḥ।
Paramātma-svarūpāya namaḥ।
Sarva-viśva-īśvarāya namaḥ।
Parāya namaḥ।
Prakṛti-Īśāya namaḥ।
Nirguṇāya namaḥ।
Nirīhāya namaḥ।
Sarvadeva-svarūpāya namaḥ।
Sarva-deva-Īśvarāya namaḥ।
Brahma-Vishṇu-Śivātmakāya namaḥ।
Goāṅganā-Īśāya namaḥ।
Gaṇeśa-Īśvara-rūpāya namaḥ।
Rādheśāya namaḥ।
Rādhā-ramaṇa-rūpāya namaḥ।
Rādhā-prāṇa-adhideva-priyatamāya namaḥ।
Mahad-Vishṇu-Īśvarāya namaḥ।

The salutations

  1. To the Kāraṇa-rūpa, the causal form of all that exists.
  2. To the Paramātma-svarūpa, the very nature of the Supreme Self.
  3. To Sarvaviśveśvara, the Īśvara of all universes.
  4. To the Para, the Supreme beyond all.
  5. To Prakṛti-Īśa, the master of Prakṛti.
  6. To the Nirguṇa, who is beyond the three guṇas.
  7. To the Nirīha, who has no want or desire.
  8. To the one who is the svarūpa (essential nature) of all the devas.
  9. To the Īśvara of all the devas.
  10. To the one who is Brahmā, Vishṇu and Śiva in his very being.
  11. To Goāṅganā-Īśa, the master of the gopikās.
  12. To the Gaṇeśa-Īśvara-rūpa, the one above even Gaṇeśa.
  13. To Rādheśa, the master of Rādhā.
  14. To the Rādhā-ramaṇa-rūpa, the delight of Rādhā.
  15. To Rādhā-prāṇa-adhideva-priyatama, the most dear one and master of the life-breath of Rādhā.
  16. To Mahad-Vishṇu-Īśvara, the Īśvara above even Mahad-Vishṇu.

The phalaśruti

Whoever reads or hears this stotra of Akrūra obtains:

  • a son
  • a wife
  • wealth
  • land

At the end of life such a person reaches Hari-dāsya, eternal service at the feet of Bhagavān Hari.

Sources

  • Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, chapter 62