Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya

!Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya (Devanagari: ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय) is one of the most popular Hindu mantras, and according to the Bhagavata tradition, the most important mantra in Vaishnavism. It is called the Dvadasakshari Mantra, or simply Dvadasakshari, meaning the “twelve-syllable” mantra, dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna both. It has two traditions—Tantric and Puranic. In the Tantric tradition, the rishi of the mantra is Prajapati; in the Puranic tradition, the rishi is Narada. Both refer to it as the supreme Vishnu mantra.

Origin

!Krishna dancing on a lotus, c1825|||V***ā***sudeva (Krishna) dancing on a lotus, Tamil Nadu Bhagavatism, one of the traditions that was assimilated with what would become Vaishnavism, revered the Vrishni heroes, primary among them being Vāsudeva (Krishna). It may be concluded that the mantra was first associated with the reverence of Vāsudeva as the supreme deity before he was syncretised with Vishnu, after which it became an invocation of both deities.

Meaning

TermDevanagariListenMeaning
OmRefers to the Supreme Infinite Spirit) or Person. Om represents the Shabda Brahman.
NamoSalutation, worship, a common spoken valediction or salutation) originating from the Indian subcontinent. ‘Namo’ नमो is the Sandhi form of ’namas’ नमस्, neuter nominative singular.
Bhagavate1. God in Sanskrit, someone who is considered God (or equally powerful, merciful). ‘Bhagavate’ भगवते is the dative of ‘bhagavat’ भगवत्. 2. Bhagavate is one who is becoming divine.
VāsudevāyaVasu means “Life in all beings” Devaya means “God”. This means God(life/light) who lives of all beings. Other meaning for Krishna is also known as Vāsudeva (Krishna), because He was the son of Vasudeva. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna called Krishna by the name Vaasudeva multiple times. ‘Vāsudevāya’ वासुदेवाय is the dative of ‘vāsudeva’ वासुदेव.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya means “Om, I bow to Lord Vāsudeva or Lord Vishnu”.

Significance

Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevaya means “prostration to Vasudeva”, who is variously understood as Krishna an incarnation of Vishnu." According to the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna himself asked his devotees to completely surrender to him:सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥१८- ६६॥ Translation Abandon all varieties of duties or desires and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear. [Gita 18/66]The Vaishnava Upanishads state that this mantra is described on the Sudarshana Chakra:

The Sharada Tilaka, a Tantric text, states: “Dvadasharno mahamantrah pradhano Vaishnavagame”— The twelve lettered mantra is the chief among vaishnava mantras.

Similarly, this is referred to as the ultimate mantra in the Shrimad Bhagavatam. This twelve syllable mantra is known as a mukti (liberation) mantra, and a spiritual formula for attaining freedom. The mantra can also be found in the Vishnu Purana.

  • Dhruva used this as his mantra in his penance. Dhruva was initiated by Narada into chanting.
  • Swami Vivekananda used this phrase multiple times in his lectures and letters.
  • Swami Sivananda suggested to repeat mantras like Om or “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”.
  • Vedanta philosopher Dayananda Saraswati) wrote a book named “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”.
  • Willow Smith and Jahnavi Harrison put this mantra into their song Gajendra from their collaborative album RISE

See also

  • Hare Krishna (mantra)
  • Dwadashaakshara Mantra
  • Svayam Bhagavan
  • Om Namo Narayanaya
  • Om Tat Sat