श्रीकृष्ण अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली — Benefits & How to Chant
श्रीकृष्ण अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting श्रीकृष्ण अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Chanting the 108 names of Krishna invokes his grace, love and personal protection.
Each name is a meditation on a divine pastime (lila); reciting all 108 purifies the heart and deepens bhakti.
Traditionally offered as an archana
one name at a time with a tulsi leaf or flower at the Lord's feet.
Removes obstacles, fears and the bondage of samsara, of which Krishna is called the foe (Samsara-Vairi).
Most auspicious on Janmashtami, Ekadashi and Wednesdays; suitable for daily recitation with faith.
Cultivates the sweet, loving devotion (madhurya bhakti) for which Krishna worship is renowned.
How to Chant श्रीकृष्ण अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Instructions
Bathe and sit before an image or deity of Sri Krishna. Recite each of the 108 names beginning with 'Om' (ॐ) and ending with 'namaha' (नमः), offering a tulsi leaf, a flower or a pinch of kumkum at the Lord's feet for each name (archana). The complete garland of 108 names may be chanted daily, and especially during Janmashtami, on Ekadashi and on Wednesdays. It is often preceded by lighting a lamp and offering makhan-mishri (butter and sugar) as naivedya.
Spiritual Significance
It is said that even a child, like Prahlada in faith, who lovingly recites the 108 names of Krishna draws the Lord as surely as the cowherds of Vrindavana drew him with their love; for Krishna himself declares in the Gita that he is ever near to those who remember him with devotion.
Origin & History
Source: Brahmanda Purana (as spoken by Vayu)
Author: Traditional (Puranic)
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).