Om kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane.
praṇataḥ kleśanāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ ..
Meaning: Salutations to Sri Krishna, Vasudeva, Hari Paramatma, Govinda, we salute you again and again for the destruction of all our miseries.
Krishnaya – to Krishna;
Vasudevaya – the son of Vasudeva;
Haraye – the Supreme Lord, Hari;
Parama-atmane – the Supreme Lord, Soul;
Pranata – of those who have surrendered;
Klesa – of the distress;
Nasaya – to the destroyer;
Govindaya – to Govinda;
Namo Namah – repeated obeisances;
The word Namaha repeated twice represents our complete surrender to Him.
We offer obeisances again and again to Lord Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, Hari. That Supreme Soul (Paramatma), Govinda destroys the miseries of all those who surrender to Him.
The mantra is composed in the sacred Sanskrit language, known for its power to convey profound spiritual truths. Its melodious syllables carry both vibrational energy and deep significance. Let's understand the mantra:
ऊँ (Om): This primordial sound symbolizes the ultimate reality, the source of all existence. It is often used as a prelude to spiritual invocations, representing the cosmic energy and the unity of all things.
कृष्णाय (Krishnaya): This is a reference to Lord Krishna, who is regarded as one of the most beloved and revered deities in Hinduism. He is a symbol of divine love, compassion, and the embodiment of the absolute truth.
वासुदेवाय (Vasudevaya): This name further emphasizes Krishna's divine lineage, being the son of Vasudeva. It points to his origin and divine nature.
हरये (Haraye): This name signifies Krishna as the remover of all obstacles, the one who liberates devotees from the cycle of birth and death.
परमात्मने (Paramatmane): This term refers to the Supreme Soul or the ultimate divine essence that resides within all beings. It acknowledges Krishna as the universal soul.
प्रणतः क्लेशनाशाय (Pranatah Klesha Nashaya): This phrase seeks refuge in Krishna, the dispeller of afflictions. It acknowledges his ability to alleviate suffering and free the devotee from the burdens of worldly troubles.
गोविंदाय नमो नमः (Govindaya Namo Namah): "Govinda" is another name of Krishna, signifying his role as the protector of cows (and by extension, all beings). "Namo Namah" is a repeated salutation, indicating profound respect and surrender.
This mantra encapsulates several key aspects of devotion, seeking, and surrender:
Devotion to Krishna: By invoking Krishna's name, the mantra expresses a deep devotion, acknowledging his divine presence in the universe.
Seeking Protection: The mantra seeks protection from Krishna, recognizing him as the remover of obstacles and the dispeller of suffering.
Surrender: The repeated salutation, "Namo Namah," reflects a profound surrender, submitting oneself to the divine will and acknowledging Krishna's supremacy.
Unity of All: The mantra acknowledges the interconnectedness of all life, recognizing Krishna as the universal soul.
In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainties, this mantra serves as a guiding light, reminding us of the divine love, protection, and interconnectedness that Krishna represents. By chanting this mantra with a pure heart, we align ourselves with the timeless wisdom of the Hindu tradition, drawing closer to the divine and finding solace in the midst of life's journey.
In a story told by Maharishi Premanand ji that if a person is troubled by bad dreams or some spirit, then by chanting this mantra before sleeping at night, no bad dreams come and no spirit will bother. Even if you feel afraid, you should chant it, fear will disappear from your mind.
Mother Parvati was told about this mantra by Lord Shiva that the person who chants this mantra daily, will not only be free from sins, but will also reach Vishnu Lok with time.
Reciting this shloka, the many names of Shri Krishna mentioned in the shloka will remove all our difficulties and troubles by forgiving us from those sins which are the root cause of all our sufferings.