Shri Venkatesha ashtakam is a powerful hymn devoted to Lord Tirupati balaji or Venkatesha as he is popularly known. Shri Venkatesha ashtakam is mentioned in Brahmanda Purana, which occurs in the chapter 4 on “ Greatness of the Venkata mountain”, which occurs in the midst of the discussion between Lord Brahma and sage Narada. Shri Venkatesha ashtakam has been translated in english by Shri P.R.Ramachander.
Shri Venkatesha ashtakam (from Brahmanda Purana.)
(The octet on Venkatesha) , Translated by Shri P.R.Ramachander
1.Venkatesho , Vasudeva, pradhyumno , amitha Vikrama,
Sankarshano anirudhascha Seshadri patireva cha.
He is Lord of Venkata mountain , son of Vasudeva , Pradhyumna,
The greatly valorous Sankarshana , Anirudha and the Lord of Seshadri hills.
2.Janardhana , padmanabho , venkatachala vasana,
Srushti Kartha , jagannatho, Madhavo, Bhaktha vathsala.
He is one who punishes bad people , one with a lotus on his belly,
One who lives in the Venkata mountain, He is the creator ,
Lord of the universe, Lord of knowledge and one who is dear to his devotees.
3.Govindo , gopathi , Krishna , Kesavo , Garuda dwaja,
Varaho, Vamanaschaiva , Narayana , Adhokshaja
He is the chief of cows, Lord of cows, the black one ,
One who gives lustrous body, One with Garuda in his flag,
He is Varaha the boar, Vamana the dwarf ,
And one in whom all souls reside and one who is forever victorious.
4.Sridara , pundarikaksha , sarva deva sthutho hari,
Sri Narasimho , maha Simha, suthrakara purathana.
He is the one who carries Lakshmi , one with lotus like eyes,
He is Vishnu prayed by all devas,He is the man lion,
He is the great lion and the ancient master of all actions.
5.Ramanatho mahi bhartha, bhoodhara , purushothama,
Chola puthra Priya santho , brahmadeenaam vara pradha
He who is Lord of Rama ,husband of earth ,
One who carries earth , greatest among males,
He is son of Chola , is a dear one , he is peaceful,
And he is the giver of boons to Lord Brahma and others.
6.Srinidhi sarva bhoothaanaam bhayakruth , bhaya nasana,
Sri Ramo Ramabhadrascha bhava bhandhaika mochaka.
He who is the treasure of Lakshmi , and one who creates fear
He also destroys fear among all beings, He is Rama,
He is Rama who ensures safety and also one who cuts off the ties with birth
7.Bhuthavaso girivasa , srinivasa , sriya pathi,
Achyuthanantha govindo vishnur venkata nayaka
He lives in all beings . lives on a mountain , Lives with Lakshmi
He is the consort of LakshmiHe is one cannot be destroyed,
He is one who does not have limits , who is Vishnu and the Lord of Venkata hills
8.Sarva devaika saranam , sarva devaika daivatham,
Samastha deva kavacham , sarva deva shikamani
He is the refuge of all devas and who is the God of all devas,
He is the protection of all devas and he is the most superior among the devas.
Phala sruthi
(Effect of reading)
9.Ithidham keerthitham yasya Vishnor amitha thejasa,
Trikala ya paden nithyam papam thasya na vidhyathe.
This is the song of the great glory of Lord Vishnu,
And if this is read by one at dawn, noon and dusk ,
All his sins would not remain.
10.Rajadware padeth ghore sangrame ripu sankate,
Bhootha sarpa pisachdhi bhayam nasthi kadachana.
There will be no fear in the gates of the palace ,
In Fierce war when the enemies are troubling,
And when troubles are caused by ghosts , serpents and devils.
11.Aputhro labhathe puthraan , nirdhano dhanavan bhyaveth,
Rogartho muchyathe rogath, bhadho muchyathe bhandanath.
The sonless one will get son, The money less will get money,
The one suffering from disease would get cured,
And the one who is in the prison would be set free.
12.Yadya adhi ishtathamam loke thathat praponathya asamsaya,
Aiswaryam, raja sanmanam , bhukthi , mukthi phala pradham.
Whatever one desires most in the world , would without doubt would be fulfilled,
And results like wealth, honour by kings, pleasures , and salvation would be attained.
13.Vishnor lokaika sopanam sarva dukhaika nasanam,
Sarva iswarya pradham nirnaam sarva mamgala karaka,
This is the stair case to the world of Vishnu and destroyer of all sorrows,
It results in all sorts of wealth and results in all auspicious things.
14.Mayavi paramandam thyakththwa vaikunda muthamam,
Swami pushkarani theere ramaya saha modhathe.
One will leave the illusory happiness and reach the great Vaikunda, the land of Vishnu,
If one prays the Lord with Lakshmni in the banks of the sacred tank of the God.
15.Kalyanadbhutha gathraya , kamithartha pradhayine,
Srimad Venkata nadhaya , Srinivasaya mangalam.
Oh God who has a wonderful form giving rise to good,
Oh God who gives all the wealth one desires for,
Oh God who is the Lord of the Venkata hills,
And Oh God in whom Lakshmi lives, let there be good.
Ithi Sri Brahmanda purane , Brahma-Narada SAmvadhe , Venkata giri Mahatmye,
Srimad Venkatesha stotram sampoornam
Thus ends the prayer addressed to Lord Venkatesa, which occurs in the chapter 4 on “ Greatness of the Venkata mountain”, which occurs in the midst of the discussion between Lord Brahma and sage Narada which occurs in Brahmanda Purana.
