Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीकृष्ण अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
श्रीकृष्णाय नमः
śrīkṛṣṇāya namaḥ
Salutations to Sri Krishna, the all-attractive dark-hued Lord
कमलानाथाय नमः
kamalānāthāya namaḥ
to the Lord of Kamala (Lakshmi), the lotus-goddess
वासुदेवाय नमः
vāsudevāya namaḥ
to Vasudeva, the indwelling Lord present in all beings
सनातनाय नमः
sanātanāya namaḥ
to the eternal, ever-existing one (Sanatana)
वसुदेवात्मजाय नमः
vasudevātmajāya namaḥ
to the son born of Vasudeva
पुण्याय नमः
puṇyāya namaḥ
to the supremely meritorious and purifying one (Punya)
लीलामानुषविग्रहाय नमः
līlāmānuṣavigrahāya namaḥ
to one who takes a human form purely as divine play (lila)
श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभधराय नमः
śrīvatsakaustubhadharāya namaḥ
to the wearer of the Shrivatsa mark and the Kaustubha gem
यशोदावत्सलाय नमः
yaśodāvatsalāya namaḥ
to the beloved darling of Yashoda
हरये नमः
haraye namaḥ
to Hari, who removes sorrows and sins
चतुर्भुजात्तचक्रासिगदाशङ्खाम्बुजायुधाय नमः
caturbhujāttacakrāsigadāśaṅkhāmbujāyudhāya namaḥ
to the four-armed Lord bearing the discus, sword, mace, conch and lotus
देवकीनन्दनाय नमः
devakīnandanāya namaḥ
to Devaki-nandana, the delight of Devaki
श्रीशाय नमः
śrīśāya namaḥ
to Shrisha, the Lord of Shri (Lakshmi)
नन्दगोपप्रियात्मजाय नमः
nandagopapriyātmajāya namaḥ
to the beloved son of the cowherd Nanda
यमुनावेगसंहारिणे नमः
yamunāvegasaṃhāriṇe namaḥ
to one who subdued the force (current) of the Yamuna
बलभद्रप्रियानुजाय नमः
balabhadrapriyānujāya namaḥ
to the dear younger brother of Balabhadra (Balarama)
Complete Translation
The Sri Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali is the sacred garland of the 108 names of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatara of Vishnu and the Supreme Person (Purushottama). Each name — recited with 'Om' before it and 'namaha' after it — celebrates a quality, pastime or victory of the Lord: the darling of Yashoda and Devaki, the cowherd of Vrindavana who lifted Govardhana and danced upon Kaliya, the slayer of Putana, Kamsa and Narakasura, the charioteer of Arjuna who gave the Bhagavad Gita, and the Supreme Brahman beyond the beyond. Chanting all 108 with devotion, offering a tulsi leaf or flower at each name, draws his grace, love and protection.
Origin & History
Source: Brahmanda Purana (as spoken by Vayu)
Author: Traditional (Puranic)
Period: Classical
This garland of the 108 names of Lord Krishna is traditionally drawn from the Brahmanda Mahapurana. The names move through his miraculous birth to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura's prison, his upbringing among the cowherds of Gokula and Vrindavana, his slaying of the demons sent by Kamsa, the lifting of Govardhana, the subduing of Kaliya, his deeds in the Mahabharata as Parthasarathi, and finally his glory as Narayana and the Supreme Brahman (Paratpara).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali?▼
It is the sacred garland of the 108 names of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatara of Vishnu, traditionally drawn from the Brahmanda Purana. Each name, chanted with 'Om' before and 'namaha' after, praises a quality, pastime or victory of the Lord and is offered as an archana with tulsi or flowers.
What does 'Ashtottara Shatanamavali' mean?▼
'Ashtottara-shata' means 'one hundred and eight' (108) and 'namavali' means 'a garland of names'. So it is the garland of the 108 names of Sri Krishna, each a name of praise and meditation.
When is the best time to chant Krishna's 108 names?▼
It may be chanted daily, morning or evening, and is considered especially powerful on Janmashtami (Krishna's appearance day), on Ekadashi, and on Wednesdays, which are sacred to Krishna.
How should the names be offered as an archana?▼
Sit before an image of Krishna and recite each name with 'Om' and 'namaha', placing a tulsi leaf or a flower at the Lord's feet for every name, so that the full set of 108 forms a garland of devotion offered in one sitting.
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