SHREE YAMUNASHTAKAM
Introduction:
In V.S. 1548 at the age of 13 years, Shri Mahaprabhuji arrived in mathura during his first global tour; he resided
at Vishram Ghat on the bank of Yamuna river. At this time he form Shri Yamunastakam, which describes Shri Yamunaji’s
divine description in "Pruthvi Chhand."
In Yamunastakam’s first eight shlokas, Shri Mahaprabhuji describes Shri Yamunaji’s eight fold powers, its
divine & wonderful idol and her divine qualities. Shri Yamunaji is the daughter of divine Sun. Her purpose for coming
to earth from heaven through Kalind mountain is to bless her devotees. Her physical state as a river is also very attractive
and charming. She is so kind that even she blessed evil spirited people. Shri Yamunaji blessed her devotees with eight fold
powers. If some evil person, drinks water from Yamuna river to quench thirst, she blessed that person also. So, if we pray
her with knowledge and understanding, we should not be surprised if she blessed us also. One of the example from Shri Mahaprabhuju’s
84 Vaishnavas, is of Kishoribai. Kishoribai was chanting only two lines from Yamunastakam with full faith. Shri Yamunaji blessed
Kishoribai with all divine fruits.
Namami Yamuna Maham, Sakal Siddhi Hetum Muda,
Murari Padpankaj Sfuradamand, Renootkatam,
Tatastha Nav Kanana, Prakat Mod Pushpambunaa,
Suraa Sursu Poojitaha, Smara Pituh
Shri yambibhrateem
Shri Yamunaji is capable of giving all kind of achievements. This first shloka describes the physical state of the
river. Its both banks are full of glittering sand, which is believed to be as soft as lotus feet of Shri Murari Prabhu (Shri
Krishna.) Also, there are various kind of gardens of the both banks of the river. The river water is full of scent due to
flowers of the garden. Shri Yamunaji is also worshipped by two kinds of vraj devotees. I bow to above described Shri Yamunaji
with my full love and devotion. She is capable of giving fulfillment of all the desires of the devotee in enjoying God’s
love.
Kalind Girimastake, Pata Damand Poorojjwalaa,
Vilas Gamanollasat, Prakatgand Shailonnata,
Sagoshagantidantura, Samadhiroodh Dolottama,
Mukund Rati Vardhinee, Jayati Padma
Bandhoho Suta
In this shloka, Shri Mahaprabhuji describes that how Shri Yamunaji can bless her devotees to increase their love towards
Shri Mukund Prabhu. Also, Shri Mahaprabhuji describes the physical existence of Yamunaji as river. It flows enthusiastically
from the top of Kalind mountain. The water appears to be as milk because of the force and twirls. It seems like Shri Yamunaji
is very eager to go in Vraj and meet Shri Krishna. It also gives impression as Shri Yamunaji is swinging in best king of jhula.
Shri Yamunaji is a daughter of Sun and victories.
Bhuvam Bhuvana Pawaneem, Adhigatamane Kashwanaihi,
Priyabhiriva Sevateam, Shuka Mayur Hansadibhihi,
Tarang Bhuj Kankana, Prakat muktikavaluka,
Nitambtat Sundareem, Namat Krushna Turya Priyam.
Whenever Shri Yamunaji comes to earth from heaven, she blessed the whole globe. All living beings including birds like
Parrot, Peacock, Hansas(Swans) serves Shri Yamunaji. Shri Mahaprabhuji visualize glittering sand as her bengal’s pearls
and waves of water as beautiful divine hands of Shri Yamunaji. From the birds eye view, Shri Yamunaji appears as beautiful
with both the banks with glamourous sand and river full of water. She is favorite fourth queen of Shri Krishna. And Shri Mahaprabhuji
asks us to bow her.
Anant Gunbhusite, Shiva Viranchi Devastute,
Ghanaghan Nibhe Sada, Dhruva Parasharaa Bhistade,
Vishuddha Mathura Tate, Sakal Gopgopi Vrute,
Krupa Jaladhi Sanshrite, Mama Manha
Sukham Bhavayah.
In this shloka, Shri Mahaprabhuji describes the prayer to Shri Yamuna Maharani. O! Shri Yamunaji, you are having infinite
divine qualities. Even, Gods like Shiv, Brahama praises you. You are capable of granting wishes to devotees like Dhruv and
Parasher. There are holy pilgrim places like Mathura is on your banks. You are always with gopi’s and gopijans and you
are always protected by blessings of Shri Krishna. O! Shri Yamunaji, I wish that you give me such a blessing that it gives
peace and happiness to my mind. Chanting this shloka with pure and honest heart gives tremendous mental peace and eternal
happiness.
Yaya Charan Padmajaa, Muraripoho Priyam Bhavuka,
Samaagamanto Bhavet, Sakal Siddhida Sevatam,
Taya Sadrushtamiyat, Kamalja Spatnee Vayat,
Hari Priya Kalindaya, Mansi Mesada
Stheeyatam.
Shri Gangaji evolved from the lotus feet of Shri Bhagavan. Shri Gangaji became holy and pious due to merging with Shri
Yamunaji at Triveni Sangam in Allhabad, India. Shri Yamunaji made Shri Gangaji capable of giving all achievements to the serving
devotees. Only Shri Laxmiji is equal and comparable to Shri Yamunaji. I wish that this type of Shri Yamunaji, who can take
all worries of her devotees and who is also favorite to Shri Krishna, come and stay in my heart and soul forever.
Namostu Yamune Sada, Tav Charitra Matyadbhutam,
Na Jaatu Yam Yatna, Bhavati Te Payaha Panatha,
Yamopi Bhaginee Sutan, Kathamuhanti Dushtanpi,
Priyobhavati Sevanaat, Tav Hareryutha
Gopikaha.
O! Shri Yamunaji, I bow to you with my full body and heart. Your divine character is very wonderful. Just by drinking
your water in Vraj, we do not have to worry about painful death. Your devotees can become favorite to Shri Krishna just like
gopijanas who became favorite by doing "Katyani Vrat." Vrat means fasting.
Mamastu Tav Sannidhau, Tanu Navatvam Etavata,
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 me divine body which can be used in
Shri Bhagvad Leela and also to serve you. Only you are capable of doing so. With such a divine body, I can serve Shri Mukund
Prabhu very well. Pushti Margiya vaishnavas (Jivas) had never praised Shri Gangaji without your merging with Shri Gangaji.
Stutim Tava Karotikaha, Kamal Ja Sapatni Priye,
Harer Yadanu Sevaya, Bhavati Saukhya Mamoxataha,
Iyam Tav Kathadhika, Sakal Gopika Sangamsmara,
Shramaja Lunibhi, Sakalgatra Jaihi
Sangamaha.
O! Shri Yamunaji, you are like Shri Laxmiji, who has good fortune. But no one is capable of praising you, because any
one serving God first and then Shri Laxmiji gets all happiness after death also. But the importance of Shri Yamunaji is the
best. Here Shri Maha Prabhuji explains the exaltation of soul through "Ras-Lila." By serving Shri Yamunaji we get blessing
from her, which is helpful in exalting our soul and making pious. As we wash our body from outside to make it look pretty,
we need to have blessings in form of Shri Yamunaji’s river water to wash our soul and body from within. Due to her blessings
our mind and thoughts becomes favorable to serve Shri Krishna.
Tavashtak Midam Muda, Pathati Soorsootesada,
Samasta Duritak Shayo, Bhavati Vai Mukunde Ratihi,
Taya Sakal Siddhayo, Murari Puscha Santushyati,
Swabhav Vijayo Bhavet, Vadati Vallabh
Shree Harehe.
O! Shri Yamunaji! Whoever always sings this eight hymns of Shri Yamunastak with happiness and pleasure, will
get following fruits.
All the sins of person will be destroyed by virtue of her blessings.
The devotee will be definitely spurred for love towards Shri Krishna.
Due to this love towards Shri Krishna, devotee can achieve all the goals and his soul will be exalted towards
the supreme Shri Krishna.
Moreover it changes the nature of the soul for the cause of exaltation and endearment to God. It also purifies
mind and senses, to enjoy pure love of God. It also imports fitness of body to serve Shri Krishna.