The opening Mangalcharan shloka, Sachidanand Roopay shloka in Shrimad Bhagavatam Mahatmya is one of the most beautiful prayers dedicated to Shri Krishna.

The term “shloka” means a verse or hymn of Sanskrit literature has 32 syllables. This particular shloka is a praise of Shri Krishna.

Let’s dive deep into this.

Lyrics of Sachidanand Roopay Shloka

सच्चिदानन्दरूपाय विश्वोत्पत्यादिहेतवे । तापत्रयविनाशाय श्रीकृष्णाय वयं नुमः (नमः) ॥

Sac-cid-ānanda-rūpāya viśvotpaty-ādi-hetave | Tāpa-traya-vināśāya śrī-kṛṣṇāya vayaṁ namaḥ (numaḥ) ||
Sacchi-da-nand Roopay Vishvo Utpadi He Tve, Taa-patray Vinashay Shree Krishnay Vayam Numah.

Word-by-Word Meaning of Sachidanand Roopay Shloka

• सच्चिदानन्दरूपाय (Sat-Chit-Ananda-Rupaya): “Sach” means absolute truth. Chit means pure consciousness, and Aanand means ultimate bliss. This particular word is a combination of many words. “Roopay” means “figure/form.” This particular word means one who is the form of absolute truth, pure consciousness & ultimate bliss.
• विश्वोत्पत्यादिहेतवे (Vishva-Utpadi-hetave): “Vishva” means “universe.” Utpadi means to create, and Hetve means the source/creation. This combination collectively means who is the source/cause behind the creation of the entire universe.
• तापत्रयविनाशाय (Taa-patraya-vinashaya): The word “Vinashaya” means “to destroy,” and “Taa-patraya” refers to three types of human miseries/sufferings. These three sufferings are
• Adhyatmika: Miseries arising from one’s own body and mind.
• Adhibhautika: Miseries caused by other living entities.
• Adhidaivika: Miseries caused by natural disasters and demigods.
• This word collectively means destroyer of the three types of sufferings.
• श्रीकृष्णाय वयं नमः (Shri-Krishnaya Vayam Namah): We (vayam) offer our humble salutations and bow down (namah) to that supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

Overall Meaning

We humbly bow down to Sri Krishna, whose divine form embodies truth, consciousness, and bliss. He is the ultimate cause of the universe’s creation, maintenance, and demise as well as the merciful rescuer who puts an end to the three types of misery that exist in this world.

Bliss vs. Happiness

You may have noticed that the word “aanand” (Bliss) has been used in this shlok. Do you wonder why Khushi (Happiness) was not used? How is Bliss different from Happiness? Bliss is a deeper, more spiritual or lasting state of joy versus happiness which is a temporary emotional feeling. Bliss arises from inner peace and spiritual fulfillment in comparison to happiness which often comes from external events or achievements. That’s why Krishna has been defined as source of bliss.