Frequently asked questions

Common questions about kirtan lyrics, Vaishnava songs, ISKCON-style bhajans, Damodar Ashtakam, and using Kirtan Book on a phone in the temple hall.

Questions & answers

What is Kirtan Book?: Kirtan Book is a phone-first online songbook for Vaishnava and temple bhajans. Each song offers Roman diacritics (IAST), plain ASCII, Hindi Devanagari, and a short English meaning under every verse.
Where can I find ISKCON bhajan lyrics with Hindi and English?: Kirtan Book publishes temple-standard Vaishnava songs with Hindi Devanagari, diacritic Roman (IAST), plain Roman, and English meanings on one page. Start with Damodar Ashtakam and browse the growing song list.
What are Vaishnava songs?: Vaishnava songs (bhajans and kirtans) praise Lord Krishna, Rādhā, Caitanya, and the guru-paramparā. Common temple pieces include Damodar Ashtakam, Gurvaṣṭakam, praṇāma prayers, Gaura-ārati, and Jaya Rādhā Mādhava.
How do I read Sanskrit kirtan lyrics if I do not know Devanagari?: Use the Diacritics (IAST) or Plain tabs on each song page. IAST marks long vowels and aspirates for accurate chanting; Plain uses ASCII for quick typing and search.
When is Damodar Ashtakam sung?: Especially during the month of Kārtik (Damodara month), often in the evening after ārati. Many temples also sing it year-round. Hari-bhakti-vilāsa recommends daily recitation in Kārtik.
How many verses are in Damodar Ashtakam?: Eight verses (aṣṭaka). Verse 8 offers obeisances to the binding rope, the Lord’s belly, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and the Lord of endless pastimes.
Who wrote Damodar Ashtakam?: The prayer is traditionally attributed to Satyavrata Muni and appears in the Padma Purāṇa, in a conversation with Nārada and Śaunaka.
Can I use these lyrics for temple programs or home kirtan?: Yes. Sanskrit verses from public-domain sources may be sung freely. English meanings on this site are original editorial paraphrases — attribute Kirtan Book if you reprint them.
Do you have a Vaishnava song book PDF?: Not yet. Pages are built for phones first. A printable sheet or PDF export is planned after the catalog grows. For now, bookmark song URLs or use your browser’s print view.
What is the difference between kirtan and bhajan?: In practice the words often overlap. Kirtan usually means congregational chanting (often call-and-response), while bhajan can mean a softer, more melodic solo or group song of devotion. Temple songbooks include both.
How do I report a typo in the lyrics?: Email corrections@kirtanbook.com or use the Contact page. Include the song URL, verse number, and the suggested fix.

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