Madhurashtakam - Adharam Madhuram- English Translation and Meaning with Sanskrit Lyrics

Srimad Vallabhacharya

अधरं मधुरं वदनं मधुरं नयनं मधुरं हसितं मधुरम् ।
हृदयं मधुरं गमनं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥१॥

adharam-madhuram-vadanam-madhuram
nayanam-madhuram-hashitam-madhuram
hridayam-madhuram-gamanam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram ||1||

Everything about lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable,
his lips are sweet, his face is sweet, his eyes are sweet, his smile is sweet,
his heart is sweet, his walking is sweet. ||1||

वचनं मधुरं चरितं मधुरं वसनं मधुरं वलितं मधुरम् ।
चलितं मधुरं भ्रमितं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥२॥

vachanam-madhuram-charitam-madhuram
vasanam-madhuram-valitam-madhuram
chalitam-madhuram-bhramitam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||2||

His talking is sweet, his nature is sweet, his clothes are sweet,
his crooked posture (Tribhanga) is adorable, his walking is adorable,
his wandering is adorable. Everything about
lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable, ||2||

वेणुर्मधुरो रेणुर्मधुरः पाणिर्मधुरः पादौ मधुरौ ।
नृत्यं मधुरं सख्यं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥३॥

venur-madhuro-renur-madhurah
panir-madhurah-padau-madhuro
nrityam-madhuram-sakhyam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||3||

His flute is sweet, dust on his feet are sweet, his hands are sweet,
his feet are sweet, his dancing is sweet, his friendship is sweet. Everything about
lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable,||3||

गीतं मधुरं पीतं मधुरं भुक्तं मधुरं सुप्तं मधुरम् ।
रूपं मधुरं तिलकं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥४॥

geetam-madhuram-peetam-madhuram
bhuktam-madhuram-suptam-madhuram
roopam-madhuram-tilakam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||4||

His singing is sweet, his drinking is sweet, his eating is sweet,
his sleeping is sweet, his form is sweet, his mark on forehead is sweet. Everything about
lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable,||4|| 

करणं मधुरं तरणं मधुरं हरणं मधुरं रमणं मधुरम् ।
वमितं मधुरं शमितं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥५॥

karanam-madhuram-taranam-madhuram
haranam-madhuram-ramanam-madhuram
vamitam-madhuram-shamitam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||5||

His works are sweet, his swimming is sweet, his stealing is sweet,
his love play is sweet, he becoming excited is sweet, his relaxation is sweet. Everything about
lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable. ||5||

गुञ्जा मधुरा माला मधुरा यमुना मधुरा वीची मधुरा ।
सलिलं मधुरं कमलं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥६॥

gunja-madhura-mala-madhura
yamuna-madhura-vichi-madhura
salilam-madhuram-kamalam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||6||

His humming is sweet, his garland is sweet,
his river yamuna is sweet, his waves of river yamuna are sweet,
your water of yamuna is sweet, his lotus is sweet,
Everything about lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable. ||6||

गोपी मधुरा लीला मधुरा युक्तं मधुरं मुक्तं मधुरम् ।
दृष्टं मधुरं शिष्टं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥७॥

gopi-madhura-leela-madhura
yuktam-madhuram-muktam-madhuram
drishtam-madhuram-shishtam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||7||

His gopis are sweet, his divine play is sweet, your union is sweet,
your separation is sweet, his glance is sweet, your disciplined actions are sweet,
Everything about lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable ||7||

गोपा मधुरा गावो मधुरा यष्टिर्मधुरा सृष्टिर्मधुरा ।
दलितं मधुरं फलितं मधुरं मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ॥८॥

gopa-madhura-gaavo-madhura
yashtir-madhura-srishtir-madhura
dalitam-madhuram-falitam-madhuram
madhura-dhipater-akhilam-madhuram||8||

His cowherd boys are sweet. his cows are sweet, his stick is sweet,
your creation is sweet, your act of killing demons are sweet
and it's result is also sweet. Everything about
lord of sweetness (Sri Krishna) is sweet and adorable ||8||

Title: Melodies of Sweetness: Exploring the Adorations of Lord Krishna

Introduction: Step into the enchanting world of devotion as we delve into the verses of "Madhurashtakam," a hymn that paints a vivid portrait of the beloved Lord Krishna. Each verse unfolds like a fragrant blossom, capturing the sweetness and adorability that define the essence of the divine. Join us on a journey through the verses, where the charm of Krishna's every aspect is celebrated with heartfelt devotion.

Verse 1: In the inaugural verse, the sweetness of Sri Krishna permeates every facet of his being. From the tenderness of his lips to the warmth of his smile, the Lord of Sweetness captivates hearts with his unparalleled charm. This verse sets the tone for a melodic exploration of Krishna's divine attributes.

Verse 2: The second verse continues the symphony of sweetness, highlighting the delightful nature of Krishna's speech, clothing, and unique posture. Adorability intertwines with every step, making the Lord's mere presence a source of joy. Immerse yourself in the enchanting dance of the divine.

Verse 3: As we progress, the sweetness extends to Krishna's flute, his feet, and the grace of his dance. Friendship with the Lord becomes a sweet bond, enriching the spiritual journey. The verse is a poetic ode to the multifaceted sweetness that defines Krishna's persona.

Verse 4: Sri Krishna's singing, eating, and sleeping become a lullaby of sweetness in the fourth verse. The intricacies of his divine form, marked by a forehead ornament, unfold as a mesmerizing spectacle. The verse invites us to savor the sweetness of Krishna's every action.

Verse 5: The sweetness of Krishna's deeds, from playful stealing to love-filled pastimes, is a testament to the divine charm. The verse paints a canvas of Krishna's multifaceted nature, each stroke echoing the melody of sweetness that surrounds the lord.

Verse 6: The sixth verse introduces the sweetness of Krishna's humming, the beauty of his garland, and the divine river Yamuna, reflecting the purity of the Lord's surroundings. Every element, from water to lotus, becomes a harmonious part of Krishna's captivating sweetness.

Verse 7: The divine play of Krishna and the sweet union and separation with his beloved gopis are celebrated in the seventh verse. Krishna's gaze and disciplined actions weave a tapestry of sweetness, inviting us to witness the divine love story unfold.

Verse 8: The final verse concludes with the sweetness of Krishna's companions—the cowherd boys, cows, and even his protective stick. The divine acts of Krishna, from creating to vanquishing demons, are embraced with sweetness, leaving an indelible mark on the devotee's heart.

About The Author

Srimad Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) was one of India’s profound sage-philosophers, revered as a leading figure in the Bhakti Marga (Path of Devotion) tradition. Born into a Telugu family, he traveled extensively throughout India, sharing his teachings and establishing his unique philosophy, Pushti Marga (Path of Grace), in North India during the 16th century. Unlike conventional expressions of devotion, Vallabhacharya's Bhakti went beyond worship, representing a complete surrender and an ecstatic longing for God, leading to a state where a true devotee perceives only the divine in all things.

Among his significant contributions to devotional literature is the Madhurashtakam, a hymn dedicated to Lord Krishna. This composition embodies the depth of Vallabhacharya’s devotion as he extols the sweetness of every aspect of his beloved Lord, seeing beauty and divinity in each part of Krishna's being. The verses of Madhurashtakam describe Krishna's charm inch by inch, celebrating his features and qualities with profound reverence. Vallabhacharya’s words, infused with divine love, make it clear that for the devotee, Krishna is the very essence of sweetness in thought, form, and spirit.

In the English rendition, additional mentions of "Krishna" are often woven in to retain the clarity and poetic essence of the original Sanskrit, ensuring that the meaning remains as clear and heartfelt as in Vallabhacharya’s verses.

Conclusion: As we conclude this lyrical journey through Madhurashtakam, the verses echo the sentiment that every aspect of the Lord of Sweetness, Sri Krishna, is a sublime melody. His divine charm, captured in each verse, transcends the ordinary, leaving an everlasting imprint of sweetness on the soul of the devotee. May the melodies of Krishna's sweetness continue to resonate in our hearts, inspiring devotion and love for the divine.