Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya (; ) is one of the most popular mantras in Hinduism 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 or Krishna.
Origin 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 Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya means "Om, I bow to Lord Vāsudeva or Lord Vishnu". TermDevanagariListenMeaning Om Refers to the Supreme Infinite Spirit or Person. Om represents the Shabda Brahman. Namo 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 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. Vāsudevāya Vasu means "Life in all beings" Devaya means "God". This means God(life/light) who lives in all beings. 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.
Details Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevaya means "prostration to Vasudeva", who is variously understood as Krishna. The Vaishnava Upanishads state that this mantra is described on the Sudarshana Chakra:
The Sharada Tilaka, a Tantric text, states:
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.
In the epic Mahabharata, Dhruva chanted this mantra in his penance as ordered by sage Narada.
In popular culture Swami Vivekananda used this phrase multiple times in his lectures and letters. 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) Svayam Bhagavan Om Namo Narayanaya Om Tat Sat Hari Om Vishnu Sahasranama
References