Religion:Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (
listen (help·info)) (in devanagari: ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय) is one of the most popular Hindu mantras, and the most important mantra in Vaishnavism. It is called the Dwadasakshari Mantra or simply Dwadasakshari, meaning the "twelve-syllable" mantra dedicated to Vishnu as Lord Krishna.[1][2] 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, however, say it is the Supreme Vishnu Mantra.
Sharada Tilak Tantram says:
| “ | "Dvadasharno mahamantrah pradhano Vaishnavagame"—
The twelve lettered mantra is the chief among vaishnava mantras. |
” |
Similarly, this is the ultimate mantra in Shrimad Bhagavatam. This twelve syllable mantra[3] is known as a Mukti (liberation) mantra and a spiritual formula for attaining freedom.[4] The mantra can also be found in the Vishnu Purana.
Meaning
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya means "Om, I bow to Lord Vasudeva or Lord Vasudev".[5]
| Term | Devanagari | Listen | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Om | Om (help·info) |
Refers to the Supreme Infinite Spirit or Person. Om represents the Shabda Brahman. | |
| Namo | Namo (help·info) |
Salutation, worship, a common spoken valediction or salutation originating from the Indian subcontinent. 'Namo' नमो is the Sandhi form of 'namas' नमस्, neuter nominative singular. | |
| Bhagavate | Bhagavate (help·info) |
1. 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.[6] | |
| Vasudevaya | Vasudevaya (help·info) |
Vasudevaya is Vasu 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 Vaasudeva (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. |
Importance
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya means "prostration to Vasudeva" who is variously understood as Krishna or Vishnu."[7] Krishna Himself asked His devotees to completely surrender to Him:
| “ | सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥१८- ६६॥
|
” |
Krishna also proclaimed "Everybody should recite "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" mantra daily whenever possible so that I will stand by them. I respond to the call of the heart immediately and invariably. See Me in your duties. I am committed to those who are committed to their duties. Believe in putting faith in Me and make Me your own".[8]
Popular culture
- Dhruva used this as his mantra in his penance. Dhruva was initiated by Narada into chanting.[9]
- Swami Vivekananda used this phrase multiple times in his lectures and letters.[10][11]
- Swami Sivananda suggested to repeat mantras like Om or "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya".[12]
- Vedanta philosopher Dayananda Saraswati wrote a book named "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya".[13]
See also
- Hare Krishna (mantra)
- Dwadashaakshara Mantra
- Svayam Bhagavan
- Bhagavata Purana
- Om Tat Sat
References
- ↑ Prabhakar Balvant Machwe (1983). Bhāratīya Saṃskr̥ti, Volume 1. Bhāratīya Saṃskr̥ti Saṃsada. p. 212. https://books.google.com/books?id=qa8aAAAAMAAJ.
- ↑ Edwin F. Bryant. Krishna: A Sourcebook. Oxford University Press. p. 354. https://books.google.com/books?id=2n4VDAAAQBAJ.
- ↑ Alexander Studholme (2002). The Origins of Oṃ Maṇipadme Hūṃ: A Study of the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra. SUNY Press. pp. 177. ISBN 978-0-7914-5389-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=5VlulOGhZ3EC&pg=PA177.
- ↑ "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". http://spiritualsoul.net/group/mantra/forum/topics/om-namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya?xg_source=activity. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ J. Donald Walters (1 March 2002). The Art and Science of Raja Yoga: Fourteen Steps to Higher Awareness : Based on the Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Crystal Clarity Publishers. pp. 251–. ISBN 978-1-56589-166-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=zh9DJU6CvLAC&pg=PA251. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ↑ "Chanting Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". http://sacralweb.blogspot.in/2008/10/chanting-om-namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya.html. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ Swami Krishnananda. "The Significance of Mantra-Japa Sadhana". swami-krishnananda.org. http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_90.html. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ "Autobiography Of Parampoojya Leelavati Karve". yogeshwar.org/. http://www.yogeshwar.org/om.htm. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ "Dhruva". Vaniquotes. http://www.vaniquotes.org/wiki/Prince_Dhruva_was_initiated_by_Narada_into_chanting%E2%80%A6_om_namo_bhagavate_vasudevaya,_and_Lord_Vasudeva_incarnated_Himself_as_Prsnigarbha,_the_Personality_of_Godhead_with_four_hands,_and_awarded_the_prince_a_specific_planet_above_the_seven_stars. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ "Swami Vivekananda Letters". Vedanta network Boston. http://www.vivekananda.org/newSVLetters.asp. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ "Swami Vivekananda letter the 15th February [1893"]. Ramakrishna Vivekananda Info. http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/unpublished/i_your_highness.htm. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ "20 Instructions by Swami Sivanananda". Writespirit. http://www.writespirit.net/authors/swami_sivananda/writings_sivananda/20%20Instructions/index.html. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ↑ "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya by Swami Dayananda Saraswati". vedicbooks.net/. http://www.vedicbooks.net/namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya-p-3650.html. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
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