Complete · ~5 min chant
Narmadashtakam
नर्मदाष्टकम्
Narmadāṣṭakam
Eight verses to the Narmada river, each saluting her lotus feet as refuge and armour.
8 verses · About 5 min · Sacred Rivers
How do you want to read?
New here? Read the full text first, or go verse by verse to chant.
Narmadashtakam is a hymn attributed to Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of the river Narmada. Each verse closes with salutation to her lotus feet (*tvadīyapādapaṅkajaṃ namāmi devi narmade*).
More about this stotra
The hymn celebrates Narmada as destroyer of sin, refuge of sages from Markandeya to Narada, and giver of both worldly happiness and liberation. Her circumambulation (narmada parikrama) is among the great pilgrimages of India.
At a glance
- Deity
- Sacred Rivers
- Verses
- 8 verses
- Chant time
- About 5 minutes
- Attribution
- Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
- Sanskrit source
- sanskritdocuments.org · All sources
Verse overview
- 1
The river that terrifies sin and shields from death's messengers images the inner refuge that cuts fear at its root; devotion to her feet turns the mind from…
- 2
She uplifts even the lowly fish and bears away Kali's stain because grace does not reckon worldly rank; the chief of sacred fords points the heart toward the…
- 3
Her depths cleanse the earth as the Self's depth cleanses the mind of accumulated error; where Markandeya found refuge beyond great fear, the devotee discovers…
- 4
Fear departs at the sight of her waters because recognition of the sacred breaks the spell of becoming; the armour she grants is the steady turning of mind…
- 5
Gods, kinnaras, and sages alike honor her banks because the holy does not belong to one rank alone; the shore where Vasishtha and seers found rest invites…
- 6
The seers who hold her in the mind show that the river is not only water but inward presence; when the great ones of heaven and earth draw peace from her, the…
- 7
Weapon against sin and giver of both enjoyment and release, she holds the Trimurti's abode because the one reality sustains worldly life and freedom alike;…
- 8
Her sound on Shiva's locks and in every human type declares that grace reaches all masks of the one Self; when the fire of sin's remorse is quenched, peace is…
All verses
Open full textRelated works
Common questions
- When do people recite Narmadashtakam?
- River hymns are recited on riverbanks, during river festivals, and when purification imagery is the day's focus. This edition presents 8 verses and takes about 5 minutes to chant.
- What is the opening focus of Narmadashtakam?
- The river that terrifies sin and shields from death's messengers images the inner refuge that cuts fear at its root; devotion to her feet turns the mind from dread of consequences toward the fearless ground of being. Read verse 1 in Study mode for the full editorial note beside the Sanskrit.
- Which hymns pair well with Narmadashtakam?
- On this site, related reading includes Gangashtakam, and Yamunashtakam. Open those hubs for their own Sanskrit, English meaning, and study notes.