What is Sri Yugalashtakam?

Sri Yugalashtakam is an eight-verse Sanskrit prayer by Srila Jiva Goswami glorifying the Divine Couple — Sri Sri Radha-Krishna — together (yugala), as One inseparable transcendental reality.

Why do we worship Radha and Krishna together?

Because Krishna is incomplete without His pleasure potency, Srimati Radharani. Gaudiya Vaishnavas always worship Them as the Divine Couple, Yugala-Kishora.

When should this stotra be recited?

Daily during Kartik month, on Radhashtami, before Sri Sri Radha-Krishna deities, and in advanced meditation on the eternal pastimes of Vrindavan.

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Yugalastakam

Prayer to Radha and Krishna

Author: Jiva Goswami | Damodar Maas Prayers | Language: Sanskrit

Sanskrit Verses

(1)

kṛṣṇa prema mayī rādhā rādhā prema mayo hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(2)

kṛṣṇasya draviṇaḿ radha rādhāyāḥ draviṇaṇ hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(3)

kṛṣṇa prāṇa mayī rādhā rādhā prāṇa mayo hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(4)

kṛṣṇa drava mayī rādhā rādhā drava mayo hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(5)

kṛṣṇa gehe sthitā rādhā rādhā gehe sthito hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(6)

kṛṣṇa citta sthitā rādhā rādhā citta sthito hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(7)

nīlāmbara dharā rādhā pītāmbara dharo hariḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

(8)

vṛndāvaneśvarī rādhā kṛṣṇo vṛndāvaneśvaraḥ jīvanena dhane nityaḿ rādhā kṛṣṇa gatir mama

Translation

1) Radha is made of pure love for Krsna and Hari is made of pure love of Radha. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

2) Radha is the treasure of Krsna and Hari is the treasure of Radha. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

3) Radha pervades the life-force of Krsna and Hari pervades the life-force of Radha. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

4) Radha is totally melted with Krsna and Hari is totally melted with Radha. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

5) Radha is situated in the body of Krsna and Hari is situated in the body of Radha. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

6) Radha is fixed in the heart of Krsna and Hari is fixed in the heart of Radha. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

7) Radha wears cloth of blue color and Hari wears cloth of yellow color. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

8) Radha is the Mistress of Vrndavana and Krsna is the Master of Vrndavana. Life's greatest wealth is Radha and Krsna: my eternal shelter.

Remarks

This song can be rendered in Raga Sindhu Bhairavi in Kaherva Tala.

The author and part of the song lyric is disputed. Many sources identify this song as "Krsnastakam" by Sri Vallabhacarya, while other sources identify this song as "Yugalastakam" by Srila Jiva Goswami.

The third line in each verse differs between the variations. Other sources say "jīvane nidhane", which translates to "in life and in death."

Spiritual Significance

Sri Yugalashtakam offers worship not to Krishna alone, but to Krishna along with His eternal beloved Srimati Radharani. This 'yugala' (paired) worship is the unique contribution of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the essence of the highest devotional service.

Scriptural Source & Tradition

Composed by Srila Jiva Goswami, the great Gaudiya philosopher and one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan. Drawn from the eternal pastimes described in Srimad Bhagavatam and elaborated in Sri Ujjvala-Nilamani.

Commentary from the Acharyas

Srila Prabhupada teaches that Krishna alone is not the complete Absolute Truth — only Sri Sri Radha-Krishna together are. Yugalashtakam captures this truth. The Six Goswamis' entire literature is, in essence, a meditation on this Divine Couple.

When to Sing / Chant

Daily during Kartik (Damodar) month, on Radhashtami and Janmashtami, before Sri Sri Radha-Krishna deities, and in advanced rupa-dhyana meditation.

Benefits for the Devotee

Establishes one in the highest Gaudiya worship of the Divine Couple, awakens love for Sri Sri Radha-Krishna together, supports advancement toward the highest rasa, and qualifies one for service in Goloka Vrindavan.

Gratitude to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

We offer our humble obeisances at the lotus feet of our founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, without whose causeless mercy the priceless prayers, bhajans and sacred literature of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition would have remained inaccessible to most of the world. By his herculean preaching efforts, his unparalleled translations and his founding of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the holy names, pastimes and instructions of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are today chanted in every town and village.

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the Vaishnava acharyas in the disciplic succession.