Devotion

Names & Mantras

Krishna is called by a thousand names, and each one is a small story. Here are the most loved ones, and the chants sung with them.

Govinda

Protector of cows and of the earth

Gopala

The cowherd boy

Madhava

Lord of fortune, born of the Madhu line

Keshava

One with beautiful long hair; slayer of Keshi

Murari

Enemy of the demon Mura

Damodara

Bound at the waist by Yashoda's rope

Giridhari

Holder of the mountain

Banke Bihari

The one who bends in three places and ever plays

Murlidhar

Bearer of the flute

Makhanchor

The butter thief

Yashoda Nandan

Delight of Yashoda

Devakinandan

Son of Devaki

Vasudeva

Son of Vasudeva; dwelling in all beings

Parthasarathi

Charioteer of Arjuna

Jagannath

Lord of the universe

Hrishikesha

Master of the senses

Achyuta

The infallible one who never falls

Ranchhod

The one who left the battlefield to save his people

Shyam

The dark one, like a raincloud

Ghanshyam

Dark as the monsoon cloud

Madanmohan

Enchanter of the god of love

Radhavallabha

Beloved of Radha

Janardana

Refuge of all people

Vishvarupa

The universal form shown to Arjuna

Mantras for daily chanting

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

The great chant of deliverance in this age, sung in kirtan across the world.

Krishna Mool Mantra

Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah

A seed mantra of attraction and devotion, traditionally chanted 108 times on tulsi beads.

Gopala Mantra

Om Klim Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijana Vallabhaya Swaha

An eighteen-syllable mantra invoking Krishna as the beloved of the gopis.

Achyutashtakam opening

Achyutam Keshavam Rama Narayanam, Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim

A simple chain of names, easy to sing with children and in daily worship.