Sri Vasudeva Dvadasakshari Maha Mantra

Śrī Vāsudeva dvādaśākṣarī mahāmantraḥ

(श्री वासुदेव द्वादशाक्षरी महामन्त्रः)

Source – Sourced from a manuscript called Mantra Rahasya.

Initiation – Required.

Purpose – Wish fulfillment.

1. Viniyogaḥ (विनियोगः) -

asyaśrī maddvādaśākṣarī mahāmantrasya ।

prajāpati ṛṣiḥ ।

gāyatrī chandaḥ ।

paramātmā vāsudevo devatāḥ ।

am̐ bījaṃ ।

śrīm̐ śaktiḥ ।

namaḥ kīlakaṃ ।

mama bhagavat prītyarthe śrī-guror-anujñāyā mahāmantra jape viniyogaḥ ॥

अस्यश्री मद्द्वादशाक्षरी महामन्त्रस्य ।

प्रजापति ऋषिः ।

गायत्री छन्दः ।

परमात्मा वासुदेवो देवताः ।

अँ बीजं ।

श्रीँ शक्तिः ।

नमः कीलकं ।

मम भगवत् प्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः ॥

Meaning - This prayer/mantra japa is to invoke Śrī Vāsudeva in our heart, perform mantra japa to obtain His complete grace in all aspects, including the four puruṣārthas – dharma (following own nature), artha (wealth), kāma (desires) and mokṣa (liberation) and all desires that one may seek from the Divine. The sage who visually saw this mantra (ṛṣiḥ) is Śrī Prajāpati. The meter (chandas) for the mantra is Gāyatrī of twenty-four syllables and its variations. The deity is Śrī Paramātmā Vāsudeva, the seed (bījaṃ) is am̐, the power (śakti) is śrī m̐. The key (kīlaka) that binds the mantra is namaḥ. By the grace and command of our guru and the guru lineage, we pledge to undertake the mantra japa in full earnest.

2.Ṛṣyādi nyāsa (ऋष्यादि न्यास) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	Prajāpati ṛṣaye namaḥ śirasi ।	प्रजापति ऋषये नमः शिरसि ।	Open the right palm and touch the top of the forehead with the ring and middle fingers joined at the top of the head.
2	gāyatrī chandase namaḥ mukhe।	गायत्री छन्दसे नमः मुखे ।	Now touch the lips of the mouth with the four fingers in the right palm, excluding thumb.
3	Paramātmā Vāsudevo devatāyai namaḥ hṛdi ।	परमात्मा वासुदेवो देवतायै नमः हृदि ।	Touch the heart with the right index, middle and ring fingers
4	am̐ bījāya namaḥ guhye ।	अँ बीजाय नमः गुह्ये ।	Touch the area of genitals with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.
5	śrīm̐ śaktaye namaḥ pādayoḥ ।	श्रीँ शक्तये नमः पादयोः ।	Touch both the feet with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.
6	namaḥ kīlakāya namaḥ nābhau।	नमः कीलकाय नमः नाभौ।	Touch the navel with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.
7	mama sarvaroga vināśanārthe siddhyarthe śrī-guror-anujñāyā mahāmantra jape viniyogāya namaḥ sarvāṅge ।	मम सर्वरोग विनाशनार्थे सिद्ध्यर्थे श्रीगुरोरनुज्ञाया महामन्त्र जपे विनियोगाय नमः सर्वाङ्गे ।	Run both the palms all over the body.
8	iti ṛṣyādi nyāsaḥ ॥	इति ऋष्यादि न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the Ṛṣyādi nyāsa.

3.Kara nyāsaḥ (करन्यासः) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	om̐ om̐ jñānāya - aṅguṣṭābhyāṃ namaḥ ।	ॐ ॐ ज्ञानाय - अङ्गुष्टाभ्यां नमः ।	Use both the index fingers and run them on both the thumbs.
2	om̐ namo aiśvaryāya - tarjanībhyāṃ svāhā ।	ॐ नमो ऐश्वर्याय - तर्जनीभ्यां स्वाहा ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the index fingers.
3	om̐ bhagavate śaktyai - madhyamābhyāṃ vaṣaṭ ।	ॐ भगवते शक्त्यै - मध्यमाभ्यां वषट् ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the middle fingers.
4	om̐ vāsudevāya balāya - anāmikābhyāṃ huṃ ।	ॐ वासुदेवाय बलाय - अनामिकाभ्यां हुं ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the ring fingers.
5	om̐ om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya tejase - kaniṣṭikābhyāṃ vauṣaṭ	ॐ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय तेजसे - कनिष्टिकाभ्यां वौषट् ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the little fingers.
6	om̐ om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya vīryāya - karatalakarapruṣṭābhyāṃ phaṭ ।	ॐ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय वीर्याय - करतलकरप्रुष्टाभ्यां फट् ।	Open both the palms; run the opened palms of the right hand on the front and back sides of the left palm and repeat the same for the other palm.
7	iti kara nyāsaḥ ॥	इति कर न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the six-part Kara nyāsa.

4.Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsaḥ (षडाङ्गन्यासः) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	om̐ om̐ jñānāya – hṛdayāya namaḥ ।	ॐ ॐ ज्ञानाय – हृदयाय नम: ।	Open index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand and place them on the heart chakra.
2	om̐ namo aiśvaryāya - śirase svāhā ।	ॐ नमो ऐश्वर्याय - शिरसे स्वाहा ।	Open middle and ring fingers of the right hand and touch the top of the head.
3	om̐ bhagavate śaktyai - śikhāyai vaṣaṭ ।	ॐ भगवते शक्त्यै - शिखायै वषट् ।	Open the right thumb and touch the back of the head. This is the point where there is a tuft of hair.
4	om̐ vāsudevāya balāya - kavacāya huṃ ।	ॐ वासुदेवाय बलाय - कवचाय हुं ।	Cross both the hands and touch both shoulders with the palms.
5	om̐ om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya tejase - netratrayāya vauṣaṭ ।	ॐ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय तेजसे - नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट् ।	Touch the eyes with the right index and ring fingers, with the middle finger touching the ājña cakra.
6	om̐ om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya vīryāya - astrāya phaṭ ।	ॐ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय वीर्याय - अस्त्राय फट् ।	Open up the left palm and strike it three times with index and middle fingers of the right hand.
7	iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ ॥	इति षडङ्ग न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the six-part Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsa.

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digbandhaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् इति दिग्बन्धः ॥

Meaning: May the directions be charmed and bound, to prevent any external obstacles from the powers residing in the triads – the Earth, atmosphere and the heavens.

5. Dhyānam (ध्यानम् ) -

bhagavān sarvabhūtastha sarvabhūta pratiṣṭhitam ।

vāsudevam jagadyonim naumi nārāyaṇam harim ॥

harimujjvala cakradarābja gadā karadoḥ parigham sitapadma gatam ।

valayāṅgadahāra kirīṭa-dharam nava-kuṇḍa-rucam praṇamāmi sadā ॥

भगवान् सर्वभूतस्थ सर्वभूत प्रतिष्ठितम् ।

वासुदेवम् जगद्योनिम् नौमि नारायणम् हरिम् ॥

हरिमुज्ज्वल चक्रदराब्ज गदा करदोः परिघम् सितपद्म गतम् ।

वलयाङ्गदहार किरीटधरम् नवकुण्डरुचम् प्रणमामि सदा ॥

Meaning: Salutations to the Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent Lord Vāsudeva, the constituent of all matter, both sentient and insentient. He bears the entire Creation and supports it at all times. He holds in His four arms, a blazing discus – cakra, a conch - śaṅkha, an iron mace – gada/parigham and a white lotus (sitapadma). He is adorned with dazzling armlets, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, nine types of ear-rings and ornaments all over His body, as well as a magnificent crown. May we offer our salutations to the Divine Lord at all times!

The conch and discus take us away from the distractions of the world and the mace grinds the ego and tames the stubborn karma. The lotus offers salvation and self-realization. The dazzling ornaments offer the taste of all the riches of the material world leaving no dearth at any time.

6.Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	lam̐ pṛthvyātmane gandham kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	लँ पृथ्व्यात्मने गन्धम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the little fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
2	ham̐ ākāśātmane puṣpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	हँ आकाशात्मने पुष्पम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the thumbs of both hands with the upper tip of the index fingers.
3	yam̐ vāyvyātmane dhūpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	यँ वाय्व्यात्मने धूपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the index fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
4	ram̐ vahnyātmane dīpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	रँ वह्न्यात्मने दीपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the middle fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
5	vam̐ amṛtātmane naivedyam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	वँ अमृतात्मने नैवेद्यम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the ring fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
6	sam̐ sarvātmane karpūramiśrita tāmbūlādi sarvopacārān kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	सँ सर्वात्मने कर्पूरमिश्रित ताम्बूलादि सर्वोपचारान् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the fingers of each palm in a folded manner with the tips of the fingers of both hands touching each other and the thumbs facing the heart, in a Namaste position.
7	Iti Pañcapūjā ॥	इति पञ्चपूजा ॥	Thus ends the Pañcapūjā.

7.Mantraḥ (मन्त्रः) -

om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ॥

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

The 12 lettered Śrī Vāsudeva mantra should be recited at least 108 times. Initiation is essential.

Meaning -

This is a twelve syllabled mantra with some syllables representing bīja (seed) mantras. The parts of the main mantra including the bījas are described below. –

The bīja (seed) mantra om̐ (ॐ) consists of – ‘au’ => healing and deep cleansing, ‘m̐’ => removes misery. Ushers in auspiciousness.
The bīja (seed) mantra namo (नमो) refers to our salutations to the Divine and constitutes a bond that is nurtured in our heart.
The words “bhagavate vāsudevāya (भगवते वासुदेवाय)” refer to the Divine eminence of Śrī Vāsudeva referred in the vocative case. There are 8 Vasus in the entire universe as per the Vaiṣṇava pāñcarātra doctrine. Namely –

Dhara (धर) => The Lord who Bears and Sustains. A reference to the Earth as well, which supports life.
Dhruva (ध्रुव) => The polestar, which is immovable, unchangeable and permanent. The reference to the immortality of the Lord.
Soma (सोम) => Refers to the Moon and its control over the mind.
Āpa (आप) => Lord Varuṇa for His water bearing ability to sustain life.
Anila (अनिल) => Lord Vāyu representing air and wind, which is essential for life.
Anala (अनल) => Lord Agni representing fire and heat that is an absolute necessity for sustenance of life.
Pratyūṣa (प्रत्यूष) => Lord Sūrya representing the Sun, day break, dawn as well as the entire solar systems and life.
Prabhāsa (प्रभास) => Light, beauty, splendor and the abundance present in the universe.

Salutations to the highly revered Divine in the form of Śrī Vāsudeva, the Lord of the Universe and all elements. May He bestow abundance in all aspects and fulfill all our wishes.

Gāyatrī mantraḥ (गायत्री मन्त्रः) –

dāmodarāya vidmahe ।

vāsudevāya dhīmahi ।

tanno kṛṣṇaḥ pracodayāt ॥

दामोदराय विद्महे ।

वासुदेवाय धीमहि ।

तन्नो कृष्णः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Meaning: May the dark complexioned, compassionate sustainer of all elements - Lord Kṛṣṇa, kindle our intellect and illumine it!

8. Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsaḥ (षडाङ्गन्यासः) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	om̐ om̐ jñānāya – hṛdayāya namaḥ ।	ॐ ॐ ज्ञानाय – हृदयाय नम: ।	Open index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand and place them on the heart chakra.
2	om̐ namo aiśvaryāya - śirase svāhā ।	ॐ नमो ऐश्वर्याय - शिरसे स्वाहा ।	Open middle and ring fingers of the right hand and touch the top of the head.
3	om̐ bhagavate śaktyai - śikhāyai vaṣaṭ ।	ॐ भगवते शक्त्यै - शिखायै वषट् ।	Open the right thumb and touch the back of the head. This is the point where there is a tuft of hair.
4	om̐ vāsudevāya balāya - kavacāya huṃ ।	ॐ वासुदेवाय बलाय - कवचाय हुं ।	Cross both the hands and touch both shoulders with the palms.
5	om̐ om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya tejase - netratrayāya vauṣaṭ ।	ॐ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय तेजसे - नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट् ।	Touch the eyes with the right index and ring fingers, with the middle finger touching the ājña cakra.
6	om̐ om̐ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya vīryāya - astrāya phaṭ ।	ॐ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय वीर्याय - अस्त्राय फट् ।	Open up the left palm and strike it three times with index and middle fingers of the right hand.
7	iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ ॥	इति षडङ्ग न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the six-part Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsa.

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digvimokaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् इति दिग्विमोकः ॥

Meaning: May the directions get unlocked to allow ourselves to experience the grace from all the triads of the three realms.

9.Dhyānam (ध्यानम् ) -

bhagavān sarvabhūtastha sarvabhūta pratiṣṭhitam ।

vāsudevam jagadyonim naumi nārāyaṇam harim ॥

harimujjvala cakradarābja gadā karadoḥ parigham sitapadma gatam ।

valayāṅgadahāra kirīṭa-dharam nava-kuṇḍa-rucam praṇamāmi sadā ॥

भगवान् सर्वभूतस्थ सर्वभूत प्रतिष्ठितम् ।

वासुदेवम् जगद्योनिम् नौमि नारायणम् हरिम् ॥

हरिमुज्ज्वल चक्रदराब्ज गदा करदोः परिघम् सितपद्म गतम् ।

वलयाङ्गदहार किरीटधरम् नवकुण्डरुचम् प्रणमामि सदा ॥

10.Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	lam̐ pṛthvyātmane gandham kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	लँ पृथ्व्यात्मने गन्धम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the little fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
2	ham̐ ākāśātmane puṣpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	हँ आकाशात्मने पुष्पम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the thumbs of both hands with the upper tip of the index fingers.
3	yam̐ vāyvyātmane dhūpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	यँ वाय्व्यात्मने धूपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the index fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
4	ram̐ vahnyātmane dīpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	रँ वह्न्यात्मने दीपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the middle fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
5	vam̐ amṛtātmane naivedyam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	वँ अमृतात्मने नैवेद्यम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the ring fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
6	sam̐ sarvātmane karpūramiśrita tāmbūlādi sarvopacārān kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	सँ सर्वात्मने कर्पूरमिश्रित ताम्बूलादि सर्वोपचारान् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the fingers of each palm in a folded manner with the tips of the fingers of both hands touching each other and the thumbs facing the heart, in a Namaste position.
7	Iti Pañcapūjā ॥	इति पञ्चपूजा ॥	Thus ends the Pañcapūjā.

11.Samarpaṇam (समर्पणम्) –

guhyādi guhya goptvātvam gṛhaṇāsmat kṛtaṃ japaṃ ।
siddhirbhavatu me deva tvat prasadān mayī sthirā ॥

गुह्यादि गुह्य गोप्त्वात्वम् गृहणास्मत् कृतं जपं ।

सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देव त्वत् प्रसदान् मयी स्थिरा ॥

Meaning: O Lord, you are the most hidden secret of all secrets. May these mantra japa counts performed by me, be offered to you in totality. Our prayers and hope, are that your grace shall remain with us always.

12.Puraścaraṇa (पुरश्चरण) -

Japa	800,000
Homa	80,000
Tarpaṇa	8,000
Mārjana	800
Bhojana	80

This article is written by Krishna Vallapareddy and can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com

Sri Vasudeva Dvadasakshari Maha Mantra

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