About this stotra
Lord Krishna is a central figure in Hinduism, revered as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is celebrated for his divine play (lila), teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, and his role in the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna is often depicted as a youthful cowherd, a wise prince, and a supreme being who embodies love, compassion, and dharma.
This shloka is a devotional plea to Lord Krishna, invoking him through various epithets that highlight his divine attributes and roles. The verse addresses him as Hare, Murare, and Madhukaiṭabhāre, acknowledging his prowess in vanquishing demons like Mura and Madhu-Kaitabha. The names Gopala, Lord Govinda, and Mukunda emphasize his role as the protector and nurturer of cows and his ability to bestow liberation. Shaure refers to his valor, while Yajñeśa and Nārāyaṇa highlight his connection to cosmic order and his identity as the supreme being. The devotee seeks protection from Lord Krishna, addressing him as Jagadīśa, the Lord of the universe, and expresses a state of helplessness, asking for refuge and safeguarding. The overall purpose of reciting this verse is to seek Lord Krishna's divine protection and guidance, acknowledging his supreme power and benevolence.
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Verse 1
Hare Murare Madhu Kaita – Verse 1
हरे मुरारे मधुकैटभारे गोपाल गोविंद मुकुंद शौरे ।
यज्ञेश नारायण कृष्ण विष्णो निराश्रयं माम् जगदीश रक्षः ||
hare murāre madhukaiṭabhāre gopāla goviṃda mukuṃda śaure .
yajñeśa nārāyaṇa kṛṣṇa viṣṇo nirāśrayaṃ mām jagadīśa rakṣaḥ ..
Murari, the enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha, Gopala, Govinda, Mukunda, the crowning lord, the lord of sacrifices, Narayana, Krishna, Vishnu, O lord of the universe, protect me, who has no other resort.
Word by word
- हरे (hare)
- O Hari
- मुरारे (murāre)
- enemy of Mura
- मधुकैटभारे (madhukaiṭabhāre)
- enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha (madhu:Madhu | kaiṭabha:Kaitabha | āre:enemy)
- गोपाल (gopāla)
- protector of cows
- गोविंद (goviṃda)
- Govinda
- मुकुंद (mukuṃda)
- giver of liberation
- शौरे (śaure)
- descendant of Śūra
- यज्ञेश (yajñeśa)
- lord of sacrifices (yajña:sacrifice | īśa:lord)
- नारायण (nārāyaṇa)
- Narayana
- कृष्ण (kṛṣṇa)
- Krishna
- विष्णो (viṣṇo)
- O Vishnu
- निराश्रयं (nirāśrayaṃ)
- without refuge
- माम् (mām)
- me
- जगदीश (jagadīśa)
- lord of the universe (jagat:universe | īśa:lord)
- रक्षः (rakṣaḥ)
- protect