''Ashtapadis'' or ''Ashtapadi'' refers to the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

hymns of the ''

Gita Govinda The ''Gita Govinda'' (; IAST: ''gītagovindam'') is a work composed by the 12th-century Hindu poet, Jayadeva. It describes the relationship between Krishna, Radha and ''gopis'' (female cow herders) of Vrindavan. The ''Gita Govinda'' is organiz ...

'', composed by

Jayadeva Jayadeva (; born ), also spelt Jaideva, was a Sanskrit poet during the 12th century. He is most known for his epic poem ''Gita Govinda'' which concentrates on Krishna's love with the ''gopi'', Radha, in a rite of spring. This poem, which presen ...

in the 12th century. The ''ashtapadis'', which describe the beauty of Lord

Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...

and the love between Krishna and the ''

gopi Gopi (, ) or Gopika in Hinduism are commonly referred to the group of milkmaids of Braj. They are regarded as the consorts and devotees of Krishna and are venerated for their unconditional love and devotion (''Bhakti'') to him as described i ...

s'', are considered a masterpiece in esoteric spirituality and the theme of 'Divine romance'. The literal meaning of ''ashtapathi'', 'eight-steps', refers to the fact that each hymn is made of eight couplets (eight sets of two lines). It is also the source of the word ''

ashtāpada Ashtāpada () or Ashtapadi is an Indian board game. Although it is played on a checkered board similar to chess, Ashtāpada predates it and differs in its mechanics and victory conditions. The game was mentioned on the list of games that Gautama ...

'', an Indian

board game A board game is a type of tabletop game that involves small objects () that are placed and moved in particular ways on a specially designed patterned game board, potentially including other components, e.g. dice. The earliest known uses of the ...

, the forerunner of

chess Chess is a board game for two players. It is an abstract strategy game that involves Perfect information, no hidden information and no elements of game of chance, chance. It is played on a square chessboard, board consisting of 64 squares arran ...

. Although the original tunes of the ''ashtapadis'' were lost in history, they remain popular and are widely sung in a variety of tunes, and used in classical dance performances, across India. Ashtapadis are regularly performed at Kerala temples in the accompaniment of an ''

idakka The idakka (), also spelt edaykka/edakka, is an hourglass-shaped drum from Kerala in south India, very similar to the pan-Indian damaru. While the damaru is played by rattling knotted cords against the resonators, the idakka is played with a ...

;'' a genre of music called ''

sopana sangeetham Sopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India in the wake of the increasing popularity of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis. Etymology The name derives from two Malayalam or S ...

.'' The lyrical poetry of the ''Gita Govinda'' is divided into twelve chapters, each of which is sub-divided into twenty four divisions called ''Prabandha''. The ''Prabandhas'' contain couplets grouped into eights, called ''ashtapadis''. *

Melody type Melody type or type-melody is a set of melody, melodic formulas, figure (music), figures, and melodic pattern, patterns. Term and typical meanings "Melody type" is a fundamental notion for understanding a nature of Western and non-Western mus ...

Rasa (aesthetics) In Indian aesthetics, a rasa () literally means "juice, essence or taste".Monier Monier-Williams (1899)Rasa Sanskrit English Dictionary with Etymology, Motilal Banarsidass (Originally Published: Oxford) It is a concept in Indian arts denoting t ...

Works of Jayadeva Jayadeva was an 11th-century Sanskrit poet and lyricist from present-day India. The works of Jayadeva have had a profound influence on Indian culture. They form the basis of the east Indian classical dance form, Odissi as well as traditional classic ...

List of Ashtapadis

Today, the ashtapadis are sung in a variety of tunes and the list below is just a sample of some of the raga scales used. The original tunes of the ashtapadis are unknown and likely lost in history.'South Indian Music', Prof.Sambamoorthy * 1. pralaya payodhi jale (jaya jagadisha hare) - Sowrashtram * 2. shrita kamalā kucha-mandala (jaya jaya deva hare) -

Bhairavi Bhairavi () is a Hindu goddess, described as one of the Mahāvidyas, the ten avatars of the mother goddess. She is the consort of Bhairava ( a form of Shiva). Etymology The name ''Bhairavi'' means "terrifying" or "awe-inspiring". Iconogra ...

* 3. lalita lavanga-latā parishilana (viharati harir-iha) - Huseni / Vasantha * 4. chandana charchita nila kalevara -

Kamavardhini Kamavardhani (pronounced kāmavardhini – కామవర్ధిని/ ಕಾಮವರ್ಧಿನಿ/ காமவர்தினி / कामवर्धिनि) is a ragam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical mus ...

* 5. sancharad-adhara sudhā madhura (rāse harim-iha) - Thodi * 6. nibhruta nikunja gruham -

Kambhoji Kambhoji or Kambodhi is a popular Raga in Carnatic Music. It is classified as a derived raga from 28th Melakartha, Harikambhoji, and has existed since the 7th century. Scale The scale of Kambhoji is also said to have been derived from Camb ...

* 7. mām iyam chalitā vilokya - Bhupalam * 8. nindati chandanam indu-kirañam (sā virahe tava dinā) - Sowrashtram/ Dwijavanthi/

Darbari Kanada Darbari Kanada, or simply Raga Darbari (pronounced darbāri kānada), is a raga in Carnatic music. It is a janya ragam (derived scale) of 20th Melakarta raga Natabhairavi. It is believed to be borrowed into Hindustani classical music by M ...

* 9. stana-vinihitam api hāram udāram -

Bilahari Bilahari is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a ''janya'' rāgam (derived scale) from the 29th ''melakarta'' scale ''Sankarabharanam''. It is a ''janya'' scale, as it does not have all the seven ...

*10. vahati malaya samire (tava virahe vanamāli) - Anandabhairavi *11. rati-sukha-sāre gatam abhisāre (dhira samire yamunā tire) -

Kedaragowla Kedaragaula (pronounced kēdāragaula) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a ''janya'' rāgam (derived scale) from the 28th ''melakarta'' scale ''Harikambhoji'', and is sometimes spelled as Keda ...

or Pahadi *12. pashyati dishi dishi (nātha hare) -

Sankarabharanam Sankarabharanam may refer to: * ''Sankarabharanam'' (1980 film), an Indian Telugu-language musical drama film * ''Sankarabharanam'' (2015 film), an Indian Telugu-language crime comedy film * Sankarabharanam (raga), a rāga in Carnatic music ...

*13. kathita samayepi -

Ahiri Ahiri (pronounced āhiri) is a rāgam in Carnatic music. It is a ''janya'' rāgam (derived scale), and associated with the 14th ''melakarta'' scale ''Vakulabharanam''.''Raganidhi'' by P. Subba Rao, Pub. 1964, The Music Academy of Madras''Raga ...

*14. smara-samaro-chita virachita veshā - Saranga *15. samudita madane ramañi vadane -

Saveri Saveri (pronounced sāvēri) is a Carnatic music ragam. This raga is a janya of the 15th Melakarta raga Mayamalavagowla. This raga brings out karuna rasa, i.e. it brings mood of compassion.''Ragas in Carnatic music'' by Dr. S. Bhagyaleksh ...

*16. anila tarala kuvalaya nayanena - Punnagavarali/Vishwapriya/Shuddha Saranga *17. rajani janita guru-jāgara (yāhi mādhava yāhi keshava mā vada) -

Arabhi Arabhi or Aarabhi (pronounced ārabhi) is a ragam (musical scale) in Carnatic music (South Indian classical music). It is a ''Janya'' raga (derived scale), whose '' Melakarta'' raga (parent scale, also known as ''janaka'') is '' Shankarabhar ...

*18. harir-abhisarati vahati - Yadukulakamboji *19. vadasi yadi kinchid-api (priye chārushile muncha) -

Mukhaari Mukhari (pronounced mukhāri) is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a ''janya'' rāga of Kharaharapriya. A strong raga, it can sound very sorrowful and introspective. And of course, devotional as we ...

*20. virachita chātu-vachana rachanam - Kalyani *21. manju-tara kunja tala keli sadane (vilasa) - Ghanta *22. rādhā vadana vilokana -

Madhyamavati Madhyamavati (madhyamāvati) is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an ''audava'' rāga (or ''owdava'' rāga, meaning pentatonic scale), as it does not have all the seven musical notes (''swaras''). ...

*23. kishalaya shayana tale - Nadhanamakriya *24. kuru yadu-nandana (nijagāda sā) - Surutti/ Chakravakam

References

External links

www.odia.org Oriya (Odia) Gita Govinda
* http://www.sangeetasudha.org/jayadeva/index.html * https://gitagovinda.wordpress.com/
lyrics of ashtapathi

Jayadeva Ashtapathi/Geetha Govindam Lyrics in Carnatic/Bhajanais
Carnatic music Jayadeva {{india-music-stub lt:Gitagovinda