Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya — meaning
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Oṁ Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya
“Om, I bow to Bhagavan Vasudeva” — to Lord Krishna / Vishnu, who dwells in all beings and in whom all beings dwell.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1 · 4.8.54This is the famous Dvadashakshari — twelve-syllable — mantra of Lord Vishnu and Shri Krishna. The Srimad Bhagavatam opens with these very words, and in its fourth canto Narada Muni gives this mantra to the five-year-old Dhruva, who chanted it with such devotion in the forest of Madhuvan that Lord Vishnu appeared before him and granted him the eternal Pole Star.
Vasudeva mantra jap — quick facts
| Deity | Lord Vishnu / Shri Krishna (Vasudeva) |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 12 — Om Na-mo Bha-ga-va-te Vā-su-de-vā-ya |
| Source | Srimad Bhagavatam (opening verse; Dhruva charitra 4.8.54), Vishnu Purana |
| Traditional mala | Tulsi |
| Auspicious days | Ekadashi, Thursdays, Kartik month, Janmashtami |
| One mala takes | About 6–8 minutes |
Word meaning
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ॐ Om | The Supreme, the primordial sound |
| नमो Namo | I bow, I offer myself |
| भगवते Bhagavate | To the Lord, possessor of all divine qualities |
| वासुदेवाय Vasudevaya | To Vasudeva — son of Vasudeva (Krishna), the one who dwells in all |
How to chant the Vasudeva mantra
Sit calmly, remember the form of the Lord you love — Vishnu or Krishna — and chant the twelve syllables clearly. Like Dhruva, chant with a single-minded heart. One tap in this counter counts one complete mantra.
- Tap the malaEvery tap counts one complete mantra. The glowing bead moves forward just like a real jap mala. On a computer, press Space or Enter.
- 108 taps = one malaAt 108 the temple bell rings, flower petals fall and your mala count goes up. The next mala begins automatically — no need to reset.
- Made a mistake?Press Undo to remove the last count. Reset only clears the current mala; your daily and lifetime totals stay safe.
- Track your sadhanaOpen My progress to see today, your streak, a 7-day chart, an 18-week calendar and the 70,000 Naam Challenge. Use Focus for a full-screen, tap-anywhere counter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya?
It means “Om, I bow to Bhagavan Vasudeva” — a surrender to Lord Vishnu or Krishna, who lives in the heart of every being.
Why is it called the Dvadashakshari mantra?
Because it has twelve syllables: Om Na-mo Bha-ga-va-te Vā-su-de-vā-ya.
Who received this mantra from Narada Muni?
The child devotee Dhruva. After chanting it with deep devotion, he had the darshan of Lord Vishnu and was blessed with the Pole Star (Dhruva Loka).
How many times should I chant it?
One mala of 108 daily is a good start. On Ekadashi and Thursdays devotees often chant more. Set a daily goal in Settings.