Shri Radhika Krishnashtaka

The Radhika Krishnashtaka (also called the Radhashtak) is a hymn. It is said that the reciter can get to Krishna via his consort Radha by chanting it. As it is composed of eight verses it is known as ashtak, ashta means eight. It is recited mainly by vaishnavas. Members of the Swaminarayan Sampraday recite this daily as it is prescribed in the Satsangi Jeevan (P.4, A.48). BAPS members do not recite this version but instead recite created version called Shri Swaminarayan Ashtakam. This is due to the use of words such as ‘Venu, Vraja, Vrindavan, Gop-Gopi, Nanad, etc., that BAPS does not believe would be applicable to Swaminarayan. Followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday maintain that even Gunatitanand Swami recited the original ashtak every day and is established in the Satsangi Jeevan for all Satsangi's to recite.