There is a beautiful story behind the name “Damodar”. Once, when little Krishna ate butter, his mother Yashoda tied him with a rope to the mortar to punish him. Whenever Mother Yashoda tried to tie Krishna, the rope would become two inches shorter, no matter how many ropes she added. Ultimately, seeing his mother’s hard work, Krishna allowed himself to remain in bondage.
This amazing play of Shri Krishna, the lord of the infinite universe, is described in Padma Purana. These plays of Krishna confuse the gods and anyone else, no one believes that he is God. The omnipresent God naturally comes to the earth and has fun, eats soil, gets beaten by Mother Yashoda and dances for butter at the behest of the Gopis.
During the month of Kartik, we daily recite Damodarashtakam, a hymn from the Padma Purana written by Satyavrata Muni. This Damodarashtakam is presented in the form of a conversation between Narad Muni and Shaunaka Rishi.
Sri Damodarashtakam Starts Here:
नमामीश्वरं सच्चिदानन्दरूपं
लसत्कुण्डलं गोकुले भ्राजमानम्।
यशोदाभियोलूखलाद्धावमानं
परामृष्टमत्यन्ततो द्रुत्य गोप्या॥१॥
To the Supreme Lord, with the eternal presence of bliss and knowledge, whose shining earrings wave from side to side, who manifested himself in Gokul and silently took the butter stored by the gopis, and who did so in a hurry out of fear of Meya Yashoda. . Tried to escape but were eventually caught – I express my deepest respect to that divine Lord, Sri Damodar.
रुदन्तं मुहुर्नेत्रयुग्मं मृजन्तं
कराम्भोजयुग्मेन सातङ्कनेत्रम् ।
मुहुः श्वासकम्पत्रिरेखाङ्ककण्ठ-
स्थितग्रैवदामोदरं भक्तिबद्धम्॥२॥
When he saw his mother’s stick, tears welled up in his eyes and he kept wiping them again and again with his soft lotus feet. His eyes widened with fear, his breathing quickened and he began to tremble as his mother tied the ropes around his waist. The pearls around her neck started trembling due to her movements. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodar, I offer my humble obeisances.
इतीदृक् स्वलीलाभिरानन्दकुण्डे
स्वघोषं निमज्जन्तमाख्यापयन्तम् ।
तदीयेशितज्ञेषु भक्तैर्जितत्वं
पुनः प्रेमतस्तं शतावृत्ति वन्दे॥३॥
The extraordinary childhood activities of Lord Krishna filled the residents of Gokul with immense joy. For those devotees who are primarily attracted to His grand form as Narayana in Vaikuntha, the Lord shows that He is deeply moved and influenced by genuine love and devotion. I offer my deepest respects to the Supreme Lord Damodar countless times.
वरं देव मोक्षं न मोक्षावधिं वा
न चान्यं वृणेऽहं वरेशादपीह।
इदं ते वपुर्नाथ गोपालबालं
सदा मे मनस्यविरास्तां किमन्यैः॥४॥
Oh Divine One, even though You have the power to bestow any blessings, I do not seek from You freedom, eternal existence in Vaikuntha or any other gift. My only wish is that the memories of your youthful adventures remain in my thoughts forever. I am not even interested in understanding the omnipresent aspect of your God. I only hope that the stories of your early days continue to play in my heart.
इदं ते मुखाम्भोजमव्यक्तनीलै-
र्वृतं कुन्तलैः स्निग्धरक्तैश्च गोप्या ।
मुहुश्चुम्बितंबिम्बरक्ताधरंमे
मनस्याविरास्तामलं लक्षलाभैः॥५॥
O Supreme Lord, the black complexion of Your face surrounded by curly hair turns red like ripe berries by the affectionate kiss of Mother Yashoda. What else can I say? Immense wealth means nothing to me, but this image remains in my thoughts forever.
नमो देव दामोदरानन्त विष्णो
प्रसीद प्रभो दुःखजालाब्धिमग्नम्।
कृपादृष्टिवृष्ट्यातिदीनं बतानु-
गृहाणेश मामज्ञमेध्यक्षिदृश्यः॥६॥
O infinite Vishnu! O supreme guide! Bestow your blessings on me. I am surrounded by extreme sadness and feel lifeless. Bless me with your kind eyes; Elevate me and protect me with your kind eyes.
कुबेरात्मजौ बद्धमूर्त्यैव यद्वत्
त्वया मोचितौ भक्तिभाजौ कृतौ च।
तथा प्रेमभक्तिं स्वकां मे प्रयच्छ
न मोक्षे ग्रहो मेऽस्ति दामोदरेह॥७॥
Oh Supreme Damodar, as an infant, Mother Yashoda tied you to the millstone with a thread made for cattle. You freed Kuvera’s sons, Manigriva and Nalakuvara, from the curse of being trees, and allowed them to worship you. I seek blessings like this and do not long to merge into your bright light.
नमस्तेऽस्तु दाम्ने स्फुरद्दीप्तिधाम्ने
त्वदीयोदरायाथ विश्वस्य धाम्ने।
नमो राधिकायै त्वदीयप्रियायै
नमोऽनन्तलीलाय देवाय तुभ्यम्॥८॥
O Supreme Lord, the vast cosmos was shaped by Lord Brahma, who emerged from Your midsection, which Mother Yasoda tied with a cord. Many humble obeisances to that cord. I also bow down to the cherished Srimati Radharani and to the countless adventures You have had.
Why we do Deepdaan (Offer a Lamp) in front of Lord Damodar in the month of Kartik?
It is believed that any devotional service performed during the month of Kartik, including offering lamps to Lord Damodara, yields great spiritual merit. The act of offering light represents the removal of ignorance and darkness from one’s heart and inviting the divine light of knowledge and devotion.
The rituals and practices during Kartik are also a means for devotees to intensify their bhakti (devotion) towards Lord Krishna. By singing, praying, and offering lamps daily, devotees strengthen their bond with the Divine.
Conclusion
We hope that you would have enjoyed this beautiful composition Sri Damodarashtakam described in Padmapuran, which is the divine and astonishing play of the infinite Lord Shri Krishna, and would have found it as an increase in your devotion.
We have also made PDF of Sri Damodarashtakam available for you on our website Vrindavanrasamrit.in which you can download.Also Check Stuti and Ashtakas like Bhishma Stuti, Kunti Stuti, Chaurashtakam & Vishnu Sahasranamam Complete with Lyrics on our website.
Journey through Radha and Krishna’s love with each photo in our gallery here, narrating their spiritual romance.
Jai Jai Shri Radha Damodar
Other Popular Damodarastakam Video
