krishnabhajandevotionvishnu

Achyutam Keshavam

Achyutam Keshavam in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning or evening, especially during Krishna Janmashtami, Ekadashi·🎵 Audio included·📜 Traditional Sanskrit devotional literature

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglish

Origin & Story

Traditional Sanskrit devotional literature · Unknown (ancient tradition) · Medieval period

Achyutam Keshavam is a name-chanting (Nama Sankirtana) bhajan that follows the ancient Vedic principle that simply reciting the divine names with devotion is the most powerful form of worship. This became especially prominent through the Bhakti movement (12th-17th century) when saints like Chaitanya, Mirabai, and Tulsidas popularized devotional singing. The bhajan systematically lists names from both Ram and Krishna traditions, unifying Vaishnavism.

✦ As told in scripture

The Vishnu Sahasranamam declares: 'Sthaanaat sthaanam vilaasyam cha sthaanam sthaanaad gunaadapi' — that merely hearing or saying one name of Vishnu destroys sins accumulated over many lifetimes. Prahlada, the child devotee, survived being thrown into fire, fed poison, and crushed by elephants — all because he constantly chanted Vishnu's names. The power of each name in this bhajan is said to carry the same protective force.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

Achyutam Keshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhaje

Meaning:I worship Achyuta, Keshava, Rama, Narayana — Krishna Damodara, Vasudeva, Hari. Shridhara, Madhava, beloved of the gopis — Lord Ramachandra, consort of Janaki.

Verse 2

Achyutam Keshavam Satyabhama Dhavam Madhavam Shridharam Radhika Radhitam Indira Mandiram Chetasa Sundaram Devaki Nandanam Nandajam Sandadhe

Meaning:I meditate on Achyuta, Keshava — husband of Satyabhama, Madhava, Shridhara, adored by Radhika. The temple of Goddess Indira (Lakshmi), beautiful to the heart — son of Devaki, born to Nanda.

Verse 3

Vishnave Jishnave Shankhine Chakrine Rukmini Ragine Janaki Jaanaye Vallavi Vallabhaya Architaya Atmane Kamsa Vidhvamsine Vanshine Te Namah

Meaning:Salutations to Vishnu, the victorious, bearer of the conch and discus. Beloved of Rukmini, known to Janaki. Beloved of the gopis, worshipped, the Supreme Self. Destroyer of Kamsa, player of the flute — I bow to you.

Verse 4

Krishna Govinda He Rama Narayana Shesha Shayi Janardana Vasudeva Devaki Nandana Kamsa Mardana Gopa Balaka Nanda Nandana Krishna

Meaning:Krishna! Govinda! O Rama! O Narayana! Reclining on Shesha, Janardana, Vasudeva! Son of Devaki, crusher of Kamsa — cowherd boy, joy of Nanda, O Krishna!

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Achyutam🔊The infallible one, who never falls

Keshavam🔊One with beautiful hair, slayer of Keshi

Rama Narayanam🔊Ram and Narayana — two forms of Vishnu

Damodaram🔊One bound by a rope around the waist (baby Krishna)

Vasudevam🔊Son of Vasudeva

Harim🔊One who removes suffering

Shridharam🔊Bearer of Shri (Lakshmi)

Madhavam🔊Husband of Lakshmi, spring deity

Gopika Vallabham🔊Beloved of the gopis

Ramachandram🔊Ram — beautiful as the moon

Govinda🔊Protector of cows, finder of the senses

Shesha Shayi🔊One who reclines on the cosmic serpent Shesha

Janardana🔊One who helps people, destroyer of wicked

Kamsa Vidhvamsi🔊Destroyer of the tyrant Kamsa

Vanshi🔊Flute player

Benefits of Chanting Achyutam Keshavam

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Invokes all major names and forms of Lord Vishnu/Krishna in one bhajan

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Creates deep devotional mood — extremely popular in temples and satsangs

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Each name carries specific spiritual power and meaning

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Easy to chant and memorize — beautiful melodic structure

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Widely available as audio on YouTube with billions of combined views

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Perfect for daily devotional practice — short yet complete

How to Chant Achyutam Keshavam

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMorning or evening, especially during Krishna Janmashtami, Ekadashi

This bhajan is meant to be sung rather than just recited — its beauty lies in its melodic flow. Each line lists divine names of Krishna/Vishnu, and simply taking each name with devotion is considered powerful worship. Sing along with a recording to learn the melody, then chant independently. Can be sung during puja, aarti, or as personal devotion.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Achyutam Keshavam written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is a beautiful Sanskrit bhajan (devotional song) that lists the divine names of Lord Krishna/Vishnu — Achyuta, Keshava, Rama, Narayana, Damodara, Govinda, and many more. Each name describes a specific divine quality.

The exact composer is unknown. It is from the traditional Sanskrit devotional literature. Multiple versions exist across different regional traditions.

Achyuta means 'the infallible one' or 'one who never falls from his position.' It is one of the most important names of Lord Vishnu/Krishna, signifying his eternal, unchanging nature.

Achyutam means "the infallible one who never falls from His nature"; Keshavam means "the slayer of the demon Keshi" (also "the one of beautiful locks"); Krishna Damodaram refers to Krishna whom mother Yashoda bound with a rope (dama) around his belly (udara); Rama Narayanam is Rama who is Narayana himself; and Janaki-vallabham means "the beloved of Janaki (Sita)". The verse strings together these beloved names of Vishnu in his forms as Krishna and Rama.