Jai Shri Krishna Archives

Jai Shri Krishna to all readers/vaishnavas,

One of our Pustimargiya Vaishnav Harsh Vora wrote a very good article and shared with us. Please find it below in his words.

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(The explanation below is from my daily reflections on the path of devotion (or Bhakti). It is not comprehensive and does not include all the esoteric meanings of this mantra.)

l l Shri Krishna Sharanam Mamah l l

This mantra is called the ‘Ashtaakshar mantra’ or the eight-syllable mantra. Literally, it means “Lord Krishna is my refuge.” These eight syllables contain within them a profound truth that allows us to see the world as it is, as opposed to seeing it through the lens of our misconceptions, imagination, concoctions and false knowledge.

The underlying meaning of this mantra is based on the concept that everything in the material as well as spiritual realm ultimately belongs to God. We are merely entrusted material things for a limited period (from the day we were born until we die). This can be inferred from the Gita which reveals that the Lord is everything in this universe and that nothing exists outside Him. “There is no truth superior to me,” says Krishna, “Everything rests on Me, as pearls are strung on a thread, O Arjuna.” (Gita, 7.7) It is understood from this verse that whatever possessions in the world we think belong to us are not really ours. In other words, the ultimate beneficiary of all things is God.

Another verse from the Gita corroborates this fact when Krishna says, “All created beings have their source in these two natures (Prakriti). Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and dissolution.” (Gita, 7.6) Even we, as living entities, are a part and parcel of the Lord. Thinking otherwise (that we are the actual owners of our house, money, wife, children, pen, book, television, etc.) leads to maya, or illusion. Oxford lexicon defines “illusion” as the “state of being deceived by appearances.” Indeed, just like a mirage appears like a small pond from far away, things appear to be ours until they are snatched away by the effect of Time and the delusion is no more extant.

Buddha put it in a similar way when he said, “We lose only that which we cling unto.” By saying thus, he too, as mentioned in the Gita, implied that we own nothing in reality. It is only our own misidentification with all material things that makes us fall into an abyss of endless birth and death.

H.H Goswami Shri Chandragopalji writes about the significance of this mantra in his book, Brahmasabandha or Self-dedication: “Since this is a unique mantra, it will first assist the jiva (soul) in reaching the shelter of Divine and thereafter obtaining freedom from all blemishes.” (p. 24) By chanting this mantra (“Shri Krishna Sharanam Mamah”), we are affirming that we are seeking Krishna as our first and last refuge.

In days of yore, pious kings of the Indian sub-continent followed a tradition that has its beginning in time unknown even to historians. This tradition called for a dignity that required kings to give complete protection to any person (even if he comes from an enemy’s kingdom) who sought refuge in them. Obviously, the kings ensured the person’s genuineness and honesty before agreeing to safeguard him. If the rulers denied refuge to any deserving man, it was considered an act of shame, immorality and indignity. God, being the greatest king of all times, assures that we are offered complete shelter from all problems, challenges, anxieties, tensions and evils of this age. He makes sure that He grants us asylum from the cycle of repeated birth and death. This is strongly believed by the devotees; their faith is grounded not on mental concoction or imagination, but on a promise made by Shri Krishna to Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya (preceptor of Pushti-marg, or The Path of Grace).

Whenever I personally chant this mantra, I focus on each word specifically. The word ‘sharanam’ reminds me that I am ‘taking complete refuge.’ That I am placing all my belongings including my body, indriyas (senses), mind, woman, home, family, wealth, heavens and atman (soul) at Shri Krishna’s lotus feet. This helps me perform my worldly actions with a touch of divinity. It makes me see things as they actually are, not as I am – with all my weaknesses and disqualifications!

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Regards,
Arpit Shah