Krishna Mantra
Krishna is one of the most significant deities in Hinduism. He is the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, one of the three persons of the Hindu trinity. Krishna widely revered among devotees around the world. Krishna is known for the qualities of compassion, tenderness, protection and love.
The story of Krishna’s early life has many parallels with that of Jesus. Shortly after Krishna was born, he was sent to live in the country to protect him from the evil king Kamsa. Kamsa believed that Krishna would overthrow him and intended to kill him. For this reason, Krishna grew up living an idyllic rural life as a cow herder, known by the names of Govinda and Gopala.
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Devakinanadana Gopala
Gopala is one of the childhood names of Krishna, the son of Devaki. Govinda is also one of Krishna’s childhood names. There was a prophecy before Krishna’s birth that he would overthrow Kansa, an evil tyrant king. Krishna was sent to live in the country for his own protection. As a result, Krishna’s childhood was spent as a herder.
This is the origin of Krishna’s childhood names. “Go” means cow, a sacred animal that may also symbolically represent sacred scriptures or sacred truth. “Go” is sometimes translated as “light.” This chant means, “Gopala is the bliss (ananda) of his mother Devaki.” Music by Kathleen Karlsen.
Govinda: Childhood Form of Krishna
Govinda and Gopala are both childhood names of Krishna. Some scholars say that “go” means both “cow” and “light.” These names literally mean the protector of the cows. Symbolically, they mean the protector of the sacred truth.
Shortly after Krishna was born, he was sent to live in the country to protect him from the evil king Kamsa. Kamsa believed that Krishna would overthrow him and intended to kill him. For this reason, Krishna (Govinda, Gopala) grew up living an idyllic rural life as a cow herder.
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Below is another example of a Krishna mantra. This is a traditional mantra with a beautiful, haunting melody. Other names for Krishna in this chant are Vasudeva (the name of his father also attributed to Krishna) and Nityananda.
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Devaki: Mother of Krishna
Devaki is the Hindu goddess of childbirth. She is also the mother of Krishna. Devaki and her husband Vasudeva were imprisoned by Kamsa, an evil king who feared a prediction that their eight child would overthrow him.
Kamsa kills each of their male children after birth. The eighth (Krishna) is smuggled out to live in the country with surrogate parents. This is the origin of Krishna’s childhood names: Gopala and Govinda mean “the one who protects the cows.”
Symbolically, Krishna is the one who protects what is sacred or the sacred truth. This chant means “Gopala is the bliss of his mother Devaki.” To hear the full chant, go to Vocal Medicine Album. The story of this chant and a brief version are included in the video below.
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Author Kathleen Karlsen
Kathleen Karlsen is a musician, artist, writer and speaker. She is the author of two books (Flower Symbols and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Kathleen, her husband Andrew, and their five children live in Bozeman, Montana. More about Kathleen Karlsen.
Krishna Mantra Article Summary
Krishna is one of the most significant deities in Hinduism. He is the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, one of the three persons of the Hindu trinity. Krishna widely revered among devotees around the world. Krishna is known for the qualities of compassion, tenderness, protection and love. This article includes a mantra to Krishna and his consort Radha.
Watch 150+ videos on Kathleen Karlsen’s YouTube channel.