bāla mukundāṣṭakam

Bala Mukundashtakam

With His lotus hand, He places His lotus foot into His lotus mouth. Lying on the fold of a banyan leaf, I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (1)

Having withdrawn all the worlds within Himself, He lies on the middle of a banyan leaf, His form devoid of beginning or end. He is the Lord of all, incarnated for the welfare of all; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (2)

His tender body is dark as a blue lotus, and His lotus feet are worshipped by Indra and other gods. He is the wish-fulfilling tree for those who take refuge in Him; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (3)

With dangling curls of hair and a hanging pearl necklace, His row of teeth is marked by playful charm. He has bimba-fruit like red lips and beautiful large eyes; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (4)

When the leading lady of Vraja (Yashoda) kept the milk and yogurt in a sling (high up) and went out, He ate as much as He wanted and then feigned sleep; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (5)

He loved dancing on the stage formed by the hoods of the Kaliya serpent, residing in the waters of the Kalindi (Yamuna) river. Holding its tail in His hand, His face shines like the autumn moon; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (6)

Bound to the mortar, displaying great valor, He playfully broke the two towering Arjuna trees. With beautiful eyes as wide as fully blossomed lotuses; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (7)

Looking at His mother's face with affection while drinking her breast milk, the lotus-eyed one. He is the divine embodiment of truth and consciousness (Sat-Chit), possessing an infinite form; I remember that child Mukunda in my mind. (8)