Shri Krishna Naam Stotra - Divine Glory of the Eight Names of God.

Devotion to Lord Krishna has special importance in Hindu religion. Shri Krishna Naam Stotra mentioned in Bhagwat Purana and other scriptures is a simple yet powerful mantra, which shows the devotees the path to salvation and freedom from sins. This stotra glorifies the various incarnations and names of Lord Vishnu, which are revealed to Arjuna by Shri Krishna. In today's busy life, this stotra can become a source of mental peace and spiritual progress. Especially on the occasion of Janmashtami, Ekadashi and Amavasya-Purnima, its recitation is considered extremely fruitful.

History of Stotra: Dialogues inspired by Bhagavad Purana

This stotra is taken from a passage in the Bhagavad Purana, where Lord Krishna preaches to his great devotee Arjuna. After the Mahabharata war, on Arjun's curiosity, Shri Krishna says that by chanting these names of mine, all the sins of a person are destroyed. This dialogue shows the simplicity of the path of devotion—no complicated penance, just chanting the name! Adi Shankaracharya and other Acharyas have also described the glory of this stotra. This is the short form of Vishnu Sahasranama, which can be easily adopted in daily life.

Reading of the Psalm: Divine List of Names

The stotra mentions eight major names of God, which reflect His incarnations and attributes. The original verse is as follows:

matsyaṁ kūrmaṁ varāhaṁ ca vāmanaṁ ca janārdanam
govindaṁ puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ mādhavaṁ madhusūdanam || 1 ||

padmanābhaṁ sahasrākṣaṁ vanamāliṁ halāyudham
govardhanaṁ hṛṣīkeśaṁ vaikuṇṭhaṁ puruṣottamam || 2 ||

viśvarūpaṁ vāsudevaṁ rāmaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ harim
dāmodaraṁ śrīdharaṁ ca vedavedyaṁ garuḍadhvajam || 3 ||

anantaṁ kṛṣṇa-gopālaṁ japato nāsti pātakam
gavāṁ koṭi-dānasya aśvamedha-śatasya ca || 4 ||

kanyādāna-sahasrāṇāṁ phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ
amāvāsyāṁ vā paurṇamāsyām ekādaśyāṁ tathaiva ca || 5 ||

saṁdhyākāle tathā rātriṁ prātaḥkāle tathaiva ca
madhyāhne ca japen nityaṁ sarva-pāpaiḥ pramucyate || 6 ||

Meaning of the Names and Their Importance

This Shri Krishna Naam Stotra is a collection of divine names reflecting the incarnations and qualities of Lord Vishnu. Chanting these names grants devotees liberation from sins, attainment of merit, and the path to moksha. Each name symbolizes the Lord's divine plays, powers, and compassion. Below, the key names from the shlokas are explained sequentially with their meanings, contexts, and significance. These names are excerpts from the Vishnu Sahasranama, as described in the Bhagavata Purana and Mahabharata. Chanting them yields the fruit of one crore cow donations, a hundred Ashwamedha yagnas, and a thousand kanyadan (as stated in shlokas 4-6).

First Shloka (1): Initial Names of Incarnations

• Matsyam (Matsya): Meaning—Fish incarnation. Significance—The protector of the Vedas during the churning of the ocean. Symbol of deliverance from calamities; chanting relieves flood-like adversities in life.
• Kurmam (Kurma): Meaning—Tortoise incarnation. Significance—The bearer of Mount Mandara. Symbol of stability and endurance; grants patience and support to devotees.
• Varaham (Varaha): Meaning—Boar incarnation. Significance—The rescuer of Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. Protects land and wealth; chanting alleviates financial crises.
• Vamanam (Vamana): Meaning—Dwarf Brahmin incarnation. Significance—The one who took the three worlds as alms from King Bali. Symbol of humility and wisdom; helps control ambitions.
• Janardanam (Janardana): Meaning—The remover of people's sorrows. Significance—Destroyer of worldly afflictions. Hears devotees' prayers; provides relief from daily troubles.
• Govindam (Govinda): Meaning—Protector of cows. Significance—The lifter of Govardhana Hill. Symbol of nature and life preservation; beneficial for environmental protection and animal welfare.
• Pundarikaksham (Pundarikaksha): Meaning—One with lotus-like eyes. Significance—All-knowing with pure vision. Relieves eye ailments and illusions; enhances inner insight.
• Madhavam (Madhava): Meaning—Lord of the Madhu (sweet) dynasty. Significance—Master of the spring season. Symbol of love and beauty; brings sweetness to marital life.
• Madhusudanam (Madhusudana): Meaning—Slayer of the demon Madhu. Significance—Destroyer of darkness. Frees from negative energies; provides mental peace.

Second Shloka (2): Names of Qualities and Powers

• Padmanabham (Padmanabha): Meaning—One with a lotus from the navel. Significance—Source of creation, birth-giver of Brahma. Symbol of creativity; aids new beginnings and prosperity.
• Sahasraksham (Sahasraksha): Meaning—One with a thousand eyes. Significance—All-seeing and omnipresent. Symbol of protection; safeguards devotees from all directions.
• Vanmalim (Vanamali): Meaning—Adorned with a garland of forest flowers. Significance—Lover of nature and beauty. Benefits related to flora; enhances health and aesthetics.
• Halayudham (Halayudha): Meaning—Bearer of the plough (reference to Balarama). Significance—Protector of agriculture and land. Special for farmers; ensures crop abundance and rewards labor.
• Govardhanam (Govardhana): Meaning—Lifter of Govardhana Mountain. Significance—Humbler of Indra's ego. Symbol of rain and shelter; protects from natural disasters.
• Hrishikeshm (Hrishikesa): Meaning—Lord of the senses. Significance—Controller of mind and senses. Ideal for meditation and yoga; liberates from vices.
• Vaikuntham (Vaikuntha): Meaning—Lord of Vaikuntha realm. Significance—Bestower of moksha. Symbol of heavenly bliss; frees from the fear of death.
• Purushottamam (Purushottama): Meaning—Supreme Person. Significance—Essence of creation. Symbol of excellence; grants leadership and success.

Third Shloka (3): Names of Divine Plays and Incarnations

• Vishvarupam (Vishvarupa): Meaning—Universal Form. Significance—The cosmic form shown to Arjuna in the Gita. Expansive vision; destroys fear and ignorance.
• Vasudevam (Vasudeva): Meaning—Son of Vasudeva. Significance—Krishna's primary name. Symbol of familial bonds; brings domestic happiness.
• Ramam (Rama): Meaning—Reference to Parashurama incarnation. Significance—Destroyer of tyrants. Symbol of justice; protects from injustice.
• Narayana (Narayana): Meaning—One who rests on the waters. Significance—Nurturer of the world. Peace and nourishment; health benefits.
• Harim (Hari): Meaning—Remover of sins. Significance—Ultimate protector. Key name for sin destruction; daily chanting purifies.
• Damodaram (Damodara): Meaning—One bound by a rope (Yashoda's leela). Significance—Symbol of maternal devotion. Childlike play evokes love; grants progeny joy.
• Shridharam (Shridhara): Meaning—Bearer of Shri (Lakshmi). Significance—Lord of prosperity. Wealth and opulence; financial stability.
• Vedavedam (Vedaveda): Meaning—Knower of the Vedas. Significance—Source of knowledge. Enhances intellect; beneficial for education and learning.
• Garudadhvajam (Garudadhvaja): Meaning—One with Garuda as the banner. Significance—Lord of wind and speed. Travel safety; swift accomplishment of tasks.

Benefits and Chanting Method (Shlokas 4-6)

• Anantam Krishnagopale (Ananta Krishnagopala): Meaning—Eternal Cowherd Krishna. Significance—Infinite grace; frees from sins (no pataka remains). Chanting yields the fruit of crore cow donations, hundred Ashwamedha yagnas, and thousand kanyadans.
• Chanting times: Amavasya, Purnima, Ekadashi, twilight (sandhya), dawn (pratah), and midday (madhyahna). This liberates from all sins.

Chanting these names brings devotees closer to the Lord. Chant 108 times daily, especially on Janmashtami. This stotra is the essence of simple devotion—names are the gateway to moksha!

Method and Benefits of Chanting: A Simple Path to Daily Devotion

The Lord says: "These names should be chanted on Amavasya, Purnima, Ekadashi tithis, and daily in the morning, evening, and at midday." Choose a quiet place for chanting, and chant 108 times with a rosary. Chanting with remembrance destroys all sins.

Main Benefits:

• Destruction of Sins: Even hidden sins within the mind are eradicated.
• Attainment of Merit: Merit equivalent to performing acts of charity and yajnas.
• Liberation: Regular chanting leads to freedom from sinful dreams and attainment of the supreme abode.

This stotra is especially useful for young people who want to keep their devotion simple amidst the busyness of modern life.

Conclusion: Krishna's Grace through Name Chanting
The Shri Krishna Nama Stotra teaches us that devotion is not complicated, but a call from the heart. Organize a group recitation of this stotra on Janmashtami, or adopt daily chanting at home. By God's grace, life will become joyful. If you wish to follow this simple path of devotion, start today—the name of God is everything!