Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Jack UtermoehlOm Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is a deeply devotional mantra that honors the divine presence within all beings. It is traditionally associated with Krishna in his form as Vasudeva, the indwelling Self that permeates all of existence.
This mantra is both a call to surrender and a recognition of unity with the eternal. It appears in the Bhagavata Purana and is used in various paths of yoga, particularly in bhakti (devotion) and jnana (wisdom) traditions.
The mantra affirms that the divine is not separate or distant, but present in the heart of every being.
English Name
English Spelling: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Transliteration: Oṃ Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya
Sanskrit Name
Sanskrit: ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Phonetic Spelling: Om Nah-moh Bhag-ah-vuh-tay Vah-soo-day-vah-yah
Translation: “I bow to the Lord who dwells in all things” or “Salutations to the indwelling Divine”
Mantra Breakdown
Om: The universal sound; the root vibration of creation
Namo: I bow, I offer reverence
Bhagavate: To the blessed, divine, or supreme being
Vasudevaya: To Vasudeva, the indwelling presence in all beings (a name of Krishna)
This mantra is both a personal prayer and a universal invocation. It expresses humility, surrender, and recognition of the divine Self (atman) in all.
While Krishna is the form invoked, the essence pointed to is the one consciousness that pervades all of life.
Benefits of Chanting Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
- Strengthens devotion and heart-centered awareness
- Supports inner peace and spiritual focus
- Reinforces humility and surrender to divine guidance
- Connects with the sustaining power of Krishna
- Promotes realization of the divine within
How to Chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
- Settle the Mind: Begin in stillness, sitting comfortably with an upright spine
- Breathe and Center: Take a few full breaths, allowing awareness to soften inward
- Chant Slowly: Repeat the mantra clearly and rhythmically, with sincerity
- Use a Mala: Repeat 108 times using a mala to build depth and focus
- Pause in Silence: After chanting, rest in the presence you’ve invoked
Integration of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
This mantra is well-suited for devotional practice, japa (mantra repetition), or as a centering tool before study or reflection.
It serves as a reminder that the divine is not separate, it is already within and around you, waiting for recognition.
Methods to Integrate:
Devotional Meditation: Use during seated meditation to cultivate connection with the divine
Japa: Repeat mentally during the day, while walking, or in mantra meditation
Heart Practice: Chant with attention on the heart center as a prayer of surrender
Evening Reflection: Use to close the day with peace, gratitude, and humility
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is a pathway to direct experience. It affirms that divinity is not a distant ideal but a living truth within your own being.
With consistent practice, this mantra brings inner alignment, peace, and a deep sense of unity with all life.
It is an offering, a remembrance, and a return to the source that lives in all things.
