Krishna Kriyaashtakam: An Invocation to Welcome Krishna
Krishna Kriyaashtakam (कृष्णक्रिया षटकम्) - Sanskrit Text
बिनिद्र जिवोहं गहन त्रासम् ।
संसार अनले बिधुर बासम् ।
अनंतपुरुष जगन्निवास ।
अत्रागच्छ स्वामी अत्रागच्छ ॥ १ ॥
एकाकी बिहारं च सर्व क्रिया ।
एकाकी कर्मो धर्मश्च सकलम् ।
अनंतपुरुष जगन्निवास ।
अत्रागच्छ स्वामी अत्रागच्छ ॥ २ ॥
पचामी पाकोहं यथा सामर्थ्यम् ।
फल जलेन सह बृंदा नाथ ।
अनंतपुरुष जगन्निवास ।
अत्रागच्छ स्वामी अत्रागच्छ ॥ ३ ॥
करोमि देव ते शय्यारचितम् ।
आनंद दायनी प्रियासहितम् ।
अनंतपुरुष जगन्निवास ।
अत्रागच्छ स्वामी अत्रागच्छ ॥ ४ ॥
नंदनंदनस्त्वं गोपिकाकांत ।
भक्तानां प्राणस्त्वं च जगन्नाथ ।
अनंतपुरुष जगन्निवास ।
अत्रागच्छ स्वामी अत्रागच्छ ॥ ५ ॥
त्वया बिना नाथ स्थले मत्स्याहम् ।
यथा प्राणहीना निर्देहि देहम् ।
आवाह्वती त्वम् नित्य कृष्णदासः ।
अत्रागच्छ स्वामी अत्रागच्छ ॥ ६ ॥
॥ इति श्री कृष्णदासः विरचित कृष्णक्रिया षटकम् सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
binidra jīvo'haṁ gahana trāsam, saṁsāra anale bidhura bāsam,
anaṁta-puruṣa jagan-nivāsa, atrāgaccha svāmī atrāgaccha ॥1॥
(Each verse closes with the invocation: anaṁta-puruṣa jagan-nivāsa, atrāgaccha svāmī atrāgaccha - "O infinite Person, abode of the universe, come here, my Lord, come here.")
Meaning
This is a heartfelt prayer of invocation (avahana), in which the devotee invites Sri Krishna into his life and home. Sleepless and burning in the deep fire of worldly existence, the devotee cries out: O infinite Person, dwelling-place of all the worlds, please come to me. He offers all his solitary actions, his cooking, his preparing of the Lord's seat, recognising Krishna as the beloved of the gopis, the very life-breath of His devotees. Without You, he laments, I am like a fish out of water, a body without life - so come, my Lord, come.
About this Stotra
Krishna Kriyaashtakam (also titled Krishna-kriya-shatakam) is a modern devotional composition by a poet who signs himself "Sri Krishnadas." Though not a classical Puranic text, it follows the traditional avahana form - the loving summons by which a devotee invites the deity to be present in every daily act (kriya). Its tender refrain, "come here, my Lord," makes it a prayer of yearning and intimate companionship.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
The hymn teaches the practice of offering every ordinary action - cooking, resting, daily chores - to Krishna, so that life itself becomes worship (karma-yoga in the mood of bhakti). Reciting it cultivates the felt presence of the Lord as constant companion, dissolving loneliness and the "burning" of samsara. It is especially comforting to those who feel isolated or spiritually parched.
Astrological Relevance
As a Krishna invocation, it carries the soothing influence of a strong Moon (emotional steadiness and companionship) and Jupiter (devotion and grace). The theme of inviting the Divine into solitary daily life makes it particularly supportive during a difficult Moon period, Ketu dasha (which brings feelings of isolation and detachment), or phases of loneliness and emotional drought. Krishna's grace is the classic balm for an afflicted mind (chandra).
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Sit before an image of Krishna, light a lamp, and recite the verses as a personal invitation, pausing on the refrain "atrāgaccha svāmī atrāgaccha." Mentally invite the Lord to share each of your daily activities. Recite once or thrice, ending in silent companionship.
Best Day & Time
Wednesday (Krishna) and Ekadashi are ideal, as is Janmashtami. Early morning or the evening lamp hour, when the mind is quiet, suits its intimate mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Krishna Kriyaashtakam an ancient text?
No. It is a modern bhakti composition by a poet signing himself "Sri Krishnadas," written in the traditional avahana (invocation) style.
What does the refrain mean?
"Anantapurusha jagannivasa, atragaccha svami atragaccha" means "O infinite Person, abode of the universe, come here, my Lord, come here."
What is the purpose of this hymn?
To invite Krishna into one's daily life and actions, turning ordinary tasks into loving worship and dispelling the loneliness of worldly existence.
Welcoming Krishna into Every Moment with Tender Longing
The Krishna Kriyaashtakam is a hymn of avahana -- the devotional act of invitation -- woven around the poignant refrain atragaccha swami, meaning 'come here, my Lord.' Unlike stotras that contemplate Krishna from a reverent distance, this composition draws him into the intimacy of daily life: every act, every movement, every breath becomes an occasion to call the Lord near. The mood (rasa) is unmistakably that of madhurya and sakhya combined -- a yearning that is at once the longing of a beloved and the eager welcome of a devoted companion. Bhaktas recite it in the early morning just before or after mangala arati, and it has a natural place in Krishna Janmashtami celebrations and in the daily nitya-seva of home shrines.
What makes this ashtakam distinctive is the way it collapses the distance between the sacred and the everyday: the devotee is not journeying to find Krishna in some remote place but discovering that the Lord is already present, waiting only to be noticed and welcomed. In the Jyotish tradition, Krishna is associated with the Moon -- the planet of mind, emotion, and the inner world -- and hymns of this intimate quality are sometimes recommended for those seeking to cultivate bhakti as an antidote to a restless or anxious mind. The practice carries a warm invitation for every seeker: to approach each ordinary task as a gesture of welcome extended to the divine guest who never truly left.