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Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra
Krishna Mantra sanskrit

Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra

Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah is a three-word declaration of absolute surrender. Om establishes the sacred vibration; Sri Krishna addresses the divine cowherd, teacher of the Bhagavad Gita, and eighth avatar of Vishnu; Sharanam (शरणम्) means refuge, shelter, or sanctuary—derived from the Sanskrit root shar, meaning protection; Mamah (ममः) means 'mine' or 'to me,' expressing personal belonging and intimate relationship. Literally: 'Lord Krishna is my refuge,' but the deeper meaning encompasses: 'I take shelter in you; I belong to you; you are my ultimate protection.'

This mantra embodies sharanagati (शरणागति)—complete surrender—the highest spiritual teaching in the Bhagavad Gita. When Krishna tells Arjuna in Chapter 18, verse 66, 'Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja' ('Abandon all forms of duty and surrender to me alone'), Krishna Sharanam Mamah is the devotee's direct response. In the Pushti Marg tradition founded by Vallabhacharya, sharanagati is not earned through effort but received as divine grace. The mantra activates the principle that Krishna himself is both the path and the destination—the protector who transcends all fear and limitation.

Chant this mantra as japa (108 repetitions on a tulsi mala) for daily grounding, or as kirtan in group settings to amplify devotional energy. In moments of anxiety, distress, or overwhelm, repeat it continuously as an immediate refuge. Traditionally chanted at the conclusion of Bhagavata Saptah (seven-day scripture recitations). Most powerful when sung with genuine feeling, allowing the words to shift your inner state from effort to surrender, from isolation to divine connection.

Curated by The Mahakatha Team · Original Composition: Mahakatha · Lyric: Traditional / Vaishnava

Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra

Krishna · Preview · 2:00

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Lyrics

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ॐ श्री कृष्ण शरणम् मम:

Om Shri Krishna Sharanam Mamah

Word-by-Word Meaning

Sanskrit Meaning
Om Shri Krishna Lord Krishna
Sharanam Protection
Mamah Surrender

How to Chant Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra

  1. 1

    Find a quiet, clean space

    Sit in a comfortable, undisturbed environment. Face east or north if possible. You may light incense or a candle to set a contemplative atmosphere.

  2. 2

    Settle into a comfortable posture

    Sit cross-legged on the floor or upright in a chair. Keep the spine erect and place the hands on the knees with palms facing upward.

  3. 3

    Take three cleansing breaths

    Inhale slowly through the nose, hold briefly, and exhale completely. Repeat three times to calm the mind and prepare for mantra recitation.

  4. 4

    Begin chanting Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra

    Chant the mantra clearly and with devotion — aloud, in a whisper, or silently. Use a mala (108 beads) to count repetitions. Aim for a consistent, unhurried rhythm throughout the session.

  5. 5

    Rest in stillness

    After completing your chanting, sit quietly for two to five minutes. Allow the vibration of the mantra to settle within. Close the practice with a moment of gratitude.

Benefits of Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra

  • Activates sharanagati (complete surrender), identified in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 as the ultimate path to liberation and divine grace.

    Source: Bhagavad Gita 18.66

  • Dissolves fear and anxiety by establishing felt sense of divine protection, shifting consciousness from personal vulnerability to cosmic shelter.

    Source: Traditional practice & Bhakti Yoga

  • Opens the heart to bhakti (devotional love), described as the most direct and accessible path to moksha (liberation) in Bhagavata Purana.

    Source: Bhagavata Purana 3.29.13

  • Creates continuous inner refuge accessible in any moment, transforming relationship with Krishna from distant deity to intimate protector.

    Source: Pushti Marg tradition

  • Amplifies devotional energy when chanted in kirtan groups, building collective resonance that elevates consciousness and strengthens spiritual community.

    Source: Traditional practice

Deity Krishna
Composition Mahakatha (Original) · Traditional / Vaishnava (Lyric)
Also called Krishna Sharanam Mantra
Krishna also known as Govinda · Madhava · Kesava · Vasudeva · Muralidhara · Gopala · Hari

Story & Symbolism

Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah originates directly from the Bhagavad Gita (18.66), Hinduism's most beloved scripture. In this climactic verse, after teaching Arjuna all paths of yoga and dharma, Krishna reveals the highest truth: 'Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja'—'Abandon all other forms of duty; take refuge in me alone.' This was Krishna's ultimate teaching, spoken not as command but as loving invitation to complete surrender (sharanagati). For centuries, this verse inspired seekers to respond with their own declaration of refuge. The mantra Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah crystallizes this response into three Sanskrit words that capture the entire philosophy of bhakti yoga—devotional surrender as the gateway to liberation.

In the 15th century, the saint Vallabhacharya founded the Pushti Marg (Path of Grace) in Rajasthan, emphasizing that sharanagati is not earned through effort but received as Krishna's grace. This teaching transformed how millions understand surrender—not as weakness or defeat, but as the highest wisdom and the truest freedom. Vallabhacharya taught that when we stop struggling and simply take refuge in Krishna, we align with the very nature of existence. The mantra became the heart-prayer of this tradition, repeated daily in temples and homes across North India. It also spread through the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage (the tradition of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), becoming central to kirtan practice worldwide.

Today, Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah appears in every Vaishnava tradition—from ISKCON temples in Western cities to rural Krishna temples in India. It is traditionally chanted at the completion of Bhagavata Saptah (seven-day recitations of the Bhagavata Purana), serving as the final seal of devotion. Millions of seekers worldwide now use this mantra as their daily practice, transforming it from ancient scripture into living spiritual technology for accessing Krishna's protection and grace.

How to Use in Daily Life

🌅

Morning Refuge

Chant 108 times at sunrise while facing east. Set your intention: 'I take shelter in Krishna today. Guide me, protect me, show me the way.' This establishes divine protection for your entire day and shifts consciousness from personal anxiety to cosmic trust.

🧘

Meditation Practice

During meditation, silently repeat the mantra with each breath: 'Om Sri Krishna' on the inhale, 'Sharanam Mamah' on the exhale. Let the words dissolve into pure feeling of surrender. This synchronizes mind and breath, anchoring consciousness in devotion rather than distraction.

🙏

In Moments of Fear

When anxiety, overwhelm, or fear arise, immediately begin chanting aloud or internally: 'Krishna Sharanam Mamah, Krishna Sharanam Mamah.' Continue without counting until your nervous system settles. This instantly shifts you from personal struggle into divine protection.

💤

Evening Surrender

Before sleep, chant softly 27 times while lying down. Release the day's burdens with each repetition: 'I surrender all to you, Krishna. Guard my sleep, guide my dreams, awaken me in your love.' This transitions consciousness from doing to being, preparing the mind for rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra?
Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah is a sacred three-word mantra expressing complete spiritual surrender to Lord Krishna. It translates as 'Lord Krishna is my refuge' or more deeply, 'I take shelter in you alone.' This mantra embodies sharanagati—the principle of absolute surrender taught by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita (18.66). It appears prominently in Vaishnava traditions, especially the Pushti Marg path founded by Vallabhacharya, where surrender is understood not as weakness but as the highest spiritual wisdom. The mantra can be chanted as personal japa (repeated 108 times on a mala), as a kirtan (devotional song in groups), or as continuous meditation during moments of distress. It represents the devotee's response to Krishna's own invitation to abandon all other paths and take refuge in him alone.
What are the benefits of chanting Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah?
Chanting this mantra activates the principle of sharanagati—complete surrender—which the Bhagavad Gita identifies as the gateway to liberation. Regular practice dissolves anxiety and fear by shifting your sense of protection from the fragile ego-self to the infinite, all-pervading Krishna consciousness. It opens the heart to bhakti (devotional love), which Bhakti Yoga teaches is the most direct path to moksha. The mantra creates a continuous inner refuge you can access in any moment of overwhelm or distress. When chanted in groups as kirtan, it generates collective devotional energy that elevates consciousness. Psychologically, it retrains the mind from anxiety-based thinking to trust-based surrender, creating lasting shifts in how you relate to difficulty and uncertainty.
How many times should I chant this mantra daily?
The traditional number for japa (personal mantra repetition) is 108 repetitions, which takes approximately 10-15 minutes depending on your pace. One complete round of 108 on a tulsi mala is considered a complete practice. However, you can adapt based on your schedule: even 27 repetitions (one quarter-mala) offers significant benefit. Many practitioners chant it once in the morning for protection throughout the day, and again in the evening before sleep. There is no maximum—some advanced practitioners do multiple rounds of 108. If you're using it in moments of acute distress, chant continuously without counting until your nervous system settles. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes sincere, heart-centered repetition over mechanical counting; quality of intention matters more than quantity of repetitions.
What is the origin and spiritual significance of this mantra?
Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah originates in the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna himself invites Arjuna (and all seekers) to surrender completely: 'Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja' (18.66)—'Abandon all forms of duty; take refuge in me alone.' The mantra is the devotee's direct response to this cosmic invitation. It became especially prominent in the Pushti Marg tradition (Path of Grace) founded by Vallabhacharya in 15th-century Rajasthan, where sharanagati—not effort or knowledge—is taught as the true way to divine grace. From there it spread throughout all Vaishnava lineages and is now central to Krishna kirtan practice worldwide. The Bhagavata Purana (3.29.13) teaches that bhakti (devotional surrender) is the supreme path, more direct than knowledge or ritual. Today, this mantra is chanted at the conclusion of Bhagavata Saptah (seven-day scripture recitations) and in daily worship across Hindu, ISKCON, and independent Krishna-centered communities.
How do I pronounce Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah correctly?
The pronunciation is: OHM SHREE KRISH-NAH SHA-RA-NUHM MAH-AH. Break it into syllables: Om (ॐ)—the primordial sound; Shri (श्री)—honorific, pronounced 'shree'; Krishna (कृष्ण)—'KRISH-nuh' with the stress on the first syllable; Sharanam (शरणम्)—'SHA-rah-num' with equal stress on first and second syllables; Mamah (ममः)—'MAH-uh' or 'MAH-huh' with the final 'h' barely audible. The entire phrase flows as one breath-line when chanted. Listen to recordings from established teachers like ISKCON kirtans, Pushti Marg communities, or traditional Krishna temples to hear authentic pronunciation. The Sanskrit 'a' vowel is always pronounced as in 'father,' not 'cat.' Start slowly, emphasizing feeling over perfection. Proper pronunciation helps activate the mantra's subtle vibration, but sincere intention and heart-centered chanting matter most.
What happens if we chant Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra?
Regular chanting of Om Sri Krishna Sharanam Mamah Mantra creates measurable shifts in your mental, emotional, and spiritual state. Activates sharanagati (complete surrender), identified in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 as the ultimate path to liberation and divine grace.. Dissolves fear and anxiety by establishing felt sense of divine protection, shifting consciousness from personal vulnerability to cosmic shelter.. Opens the heart to bhakti (devotional love), described as the most direct and accessible path to moksha (liberation) in Bhagavata Purana.. Most practitioners notice a tangible difference within the first week of daily practice — start with 108 repetitions using a mala and observe how your inner state transforms.

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