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.