Mahabharata Katha

Yudhishthira Ashtakam

[Author's note: Ashtakam is a collection of eight verses that glorifies a particular God or Goddess. Here is my attempt to compose a eight-verses poem on Samrat Yudhishthira. This poem follows his life journey chronologically from beginning to end. Translation is provided along with each verse. I'm a beginner in Sanskrit writing so please ignore my mistakes. This is just written out of pure love.]
__________________________________________

Dharmaatmajam yashaswim Chandra kula bhushanam
Namami Yudhishthiram Paartham Pandu hridaya Nandanam. (1)

[I bow to the glorious one who was born from Dharma, and was the ornament of the lunar dynasty. I bow to Yudhishthira, the son of Pritha, the delight of Pandu's heart.]

Jambunada shuddha gauram aayata tamtralochanam
Namami Pandavagrajam anuja sneha manditam. (2)

[I bow to him, who is fair like pure gold and has large copper-hued eyes. I bow to Pandavagraja (eldest of Pandavas), who is full of love for his younger brothers.]

Dharmanityam satyavratam praja hita parayanam
Namami Ajatashatrum shuddham kuruvansha naayakam. (3)

[I bow to him, who is eternal shelter of Dharma, the one who follows truth, and is dedicated to the welfare of subjects. I bow to the pious Ajatashatru, the hero of Kuru clan.]

Priyam Vaasudevasya cha Mahendra Dhanu shobhitam
Namami Drupada sutaa priyam Gauvasani vallabham. (4)

[I bow to the one who is dear to Vaasudeva (Krishna), and who is adorned with Mahendra bow. I bow to the beloved of Drupada's daughter, to the Lord of Gauvasani (Devika, Govasana's daughter).]

Indraprastha naresham sarva rajabhi vanditam
Namami Dharmanripatim praja kalyana karinam. (5)

[I bow to the King of Indraprastha, who is worshipped by all Kings. I bow to Dharmaraja, the doer of people's welfare.]

Tapoparayanam vane rishi vaakya aashritam
Namami Dharmarakshakam sarva devanugrihitam. (6)

[I bow to him who was devoted to tapa in forest and has taken shelter to the words of sages. I bow to Dharmarakshaka (the one who protects Dharma), who is blessed by all Gods.]

Dharmayuddhe Kurukshetre adharma samharakam
Namami Mridangaketum Jayam Namami Dharma sthaapakam. (7)

[I bow to the one who destroyed adharma in the Dharma yuddha of Kurukshetra. I bow to Mridangaketu (one who has tabors on his flag), to Jaya, who established Dharma.]

Dharme sthitam Dharmamayam Guru sevaparayanam
Namami Devaparikshitam Deva loke virajitam. (8)

[I bow to him, who is steady in his Dharma, who is full of Dharma, and who serves his Guru and elders. I bow to Devaparikshita (one who was tested by Gods), the one who resides in Deva loka.]

Iti Yudhishthira Ashtakam samaptam.

||Namami Bhimapurvajam Namami Deva sambhavam||

[I bow to the elder of Bhima, I bow to the one who was originated from God.]

Happy birthday, Dharmaraj! All my love is for you and you alone!