Shri Nanda-Nandanashtakam

An ancient prayer by an unknown Vaishnava author

sucaru-vaktra-mandalam sukarna-ratna-kundalam
sucarcitanga-candanam namami nanda-nandanam (1)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, whose face is extremely lovely, from whose
beautiful ears hang jewelled earrings, and whose entire body is anointed with fragrant
candana.

sudirgha-netra-pankajam shikhi-shikhanda-murdhajam
ananga-koti-mohanam namami nanda-nandanam (2)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, whose elongated eyes are beautiful like a
fully-bloomed lotus, the top of whose head is exquisitely adorned with peacock
feathers, and who enchants millions of Cupids (Kamadevas).

sunasikagra-mauktikam svacchanda-danta-panktikam
navambudanga-cikkanam namami nanda-nandanam (3)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, from whose beautiful nose hangs an elephantpearl,
whose teeth are brilliantly shining, and whose bodily complexion is more
beautiful and lustrous than a fresh raincloud.

karena venu-ranjitam gati-karindra-ganjitam

dukula-pita-shobhanam namami nanda-nandanam (4)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, whose lotus hands hold the flute, whose
lingering gait defeats even that of an intoxicated elephant, and whose dark limbs are
beautified by a yellow dhoti.

tri-bhanga-deha-sundaram nakha-dyuti-sudhakaram
amulya-ratna-bhushanam namami nanda-nandanam (5)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, whose threefold bending posture is exquisitely

elegant, the effulgence of whose toe-nails puts to shame even the moon, and who
wears invaluable jewels and ornaments.

sugandha-anga-saurabham uro-viraji-kaustubham
sphurac-chrivatsa-lanchanam namami nanda-nandanam (6)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, whose body exudes an extraodinarily

enchanting fragrance and upon whose broad chest the kaustubha gem shines together
with the mark of Shrivatsa.

vrindavana-sunagaram vilasanuga-vasasam
 surendra-garva-mocanam namami nanda-nandanam (7)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, Vrindavana’s expert lover who dresses in a

manner that enhances His charming, playful pastimes, and who pulverised the pride
of Indra.

vrajangana-sunayakam sada sukha-pradayakam

jagan-manah pralobhanam namami nanda-nandanam (8)

I offer pranama to Shri Nanda-nandana, who as the lover of the Vraja gopis perpetually
delights them and who enchants the minds of all living entities.

shri-nanda-nandanashtakam pathed yah shraddhayanvitah

tared bhavabdhim dustaram labhet tad-anghri-yugmakam (9)

Whoever regularly recites this Shri Nanda-nandanashtakam with deep faith will easily
cross the seemingly insurmountable ocean of material existence and attain eternal
residence at the lotus feet of Shri Nanda-nandana.