Kevalaṣṭakam
This hymn, 'Harer Nāmaiva Kevalam', extols the supreme efficacy and all-encompassing nature of the holy name of Lord Hari (Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu). Written by Nīlakānta Gosvāmī, it emphasizes that in a world of illusion and temporary pursuits, the chanting of the Lord's name is the sole reality, the ultimate purifier, the sweetest of all things, and the most auspicious of all auspicious objects. The text presents the holy name not just as a means to an end, but as the ultimate goal itself, surpassing all material and even spiritual aspirations. The hymn serves as a powerful reminder of the simplicity and profound depth of nāma-saṅkīrtana (chanting of the holy name) as the most accessible and potent form of devotional practice. Each verse reinforces the central theme: 'Harer nāmaiva kevalam' – the holy name of God, alone, is everything.
मधुरं मधुरेभ्योऽपि मङ्गलेभ्योऽपि मङ्गलम्
पावनं पावनेभ्योऽपि हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
madhuraṃ madhurebhyo ‘pi
maṅgalebhyo ‘pi maṅgalam
pāvanaṃ pāvanebhyo ‘pi
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
More sweet than all other sweet things; more auspicious than all other auspicious things; the greatest purifier of all purifying things. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
आब्रह्मास्तम्बपर्यन्तम्सर्वम्मायामयम्जगत्
सत्यम्सत्यम्पुनः सत्यम्हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
ābrahmā-stamba-paryantam
sarvam māyā-mayam jagat
satyam satyam punaḥ satyam
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The entire universe, from exalted Brahma down to the lowly clump of grass, is a product of the illusory energy of the supreme Lord. The only thing that is reality, reality, again I say reality. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
स गुरुः स पिता चापि सा माता बन्धवोऽपि सः
शिक्षयेच्चेत्सदा स्मर्तुम्हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
sa guruḥ sa pitā cāpi
sā mātā bandhavo ‘pi saḥ
śikṣayec cet sadā smartum
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That person is a true preceptor, or a true father, a true mother, and a true friend also only if they teach one to always remember. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
निःश्वासे नाहि विश्वासः कदा रुद्धो भविष्यति
कीर्तनीयं मतो बाल्याद्हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
niḥśvāse nāhi viśvāsaḥ
kadā ruddho bhaviṣyati
kīrtanīyaṃ mato bālyād
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
There is no certainty when the last breath will come and put an abrupt halt to all one’s material plans; therefore, it is wise to always practice chanting from very childhood. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
हरिः सदा वसेत्तत्र यत्र भागवता जनाः
गायन्ति भक्तिभावेन हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
hariḥ sadā vaset tatra
yatra bhāgavatā janāḥ
gāyanti bhakti-bhāvena
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Lord Hari eternally dwells in that place where truly exalted, spiritually advanced souls sing in the mood of pure devotion. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
अहो दुःखम्महादुःखम्दुःखाद्दुःखतरम्यतः
काचार्थम्विस्मृतम्रत्न हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
aho duḥkham mahā-duḥkham
duḥkhād duḥkhataram yataḥ
kācārtham vismṛtam ratna-
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Aho! What a sorrow, what a great sorrow! More painful than any other misery in the world! Mistaking it as a mere piece of glass, the people have forgotten this jewel. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
दीयताम्दीयताम्कर्णो नीयताम्नीयताम्वचः
गीयताम्गीयताम्नित्यम्हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
dīyatām dīyatām karṇo
nīyatām nīyatām vacaḥ
gīyatām gīyatām nityam
harer nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
It should be heard again and again with one’s ears; It should be uttered over and over with one’s voice; It should be perpetually sung and sung anew. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
तृणीकृत्य जगत्सर्वम्राजते सकलोपरि
चिदानन्दमयं शुद्धम्हरेर्नामैव केवलम्
tṛṇī-kṛtya jagat sarvam
rājate sakalopari
cid-ānanda-mayaṃ śuddham
harer-nāmaiva kevalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
It makes the entire universe seem insignificant as a blade of grass; it reigns supreme over all in a splendorous manner; it is full of eternally conscious divine ecstasy; it is supremely pure. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.
