Sanskrit Mantras With Meaning — Part 5: Krishnaya Vasudevaya

This is Part 5 of the Sanskrit Mantras With Meaning series. Read the introduction and full list in Part 1.

History

Krishnaya Vasudevaya is a single verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 73, Verse 16 (SB 10.73.16). The Tenth Canto of the Bhagavatam is devoted entirely to the life of Lord Krishna, and this verse falls within the chapter covering Lord Krishna's rescue of the kings held captive by the tyrant Jarasandha. According to this account, after Bhima slays Jarasandha with Lord Krishna's guidance, the imprisoned kings are freed — and this verse is what they offer in gratitude and surrender. [Worth noting: I found this specific narrative detail in only one source, so treat it as likely but not fully confirmed.]

The verse itself is straightforward devotional Sanskrit, not part of a longer stotra — a short prayer of surrender, addressed directly to Lord Krishna.

Benefits

The text itself does not attach a separate list of benefits to this verse. What it states directly, within the verse, is its own claim: that Govinda, the Supreme Soul, removes the distress of those who surrender to him.

The Mantra, Pankti by Pankti

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने । प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥

Again and again we offer our obeisances unto Lord Krishna, Hari, the son of Vasudeva. That Supreme Soul, Govinda, vanquishes the suffering of all who surrender to him.

Word by word:

• Krishnaya — to Lord Krishna, the all-attractive one

• Vasudevaya — to the son of Vasudeva

• Haraye — to Hari, the one who removes sorrow and illusion

• Paramatmane — to the Supreme Soul, the Supersoul within every being

• Pranata-kleshanashaya — to the destroyer of the suffering of those who surrender

• Govindaya — to Govinda, protector of cows, land, and the senses

• Namo Namah — I bow down, again and again

Sources: Sanskrit text and translation sourced from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust's translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam (vedabase.io), cross-checked against harekrishnamandir.org. Recording: Apple Music — Chanting India & Parul Mishra. I have not translated any part of this text myself; all meaning is drawn from the cited sources.

Om Namah Shivaya