108 Names of Lord Krishna (Shri Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali) with Meanings

The 108 names of Lord Krishna, the Shri Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali, are a beloved recitation of devotees, for each name reveals an aspect of the Lord, his beauty, his deeds, his nature and his glory. From Achala, the immovable, to Govinda, who pleases the cows, to Murlidhar, who holds the flute and Shyamsundar, the beautiful dark Lord, the 108 names together paint the whole portrait of Krishna. Here, from one born in Braj, is the complete list of the 108 names of Krishna, in Hindi and English, each with its meaning. Plan your visit with our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages.

Key takeaways

• The 108 names of Krishna are called the Shri Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali.

• Each name reveals an aspect of the Lord, his beauty, deeds, nature or glory.

• They include his famous Braj names: Gopal, Govinda, Murlidhar, Navaneetachora and Shyam.

• They also include his cosmic names: Parabrahma, Paramatma, Vishwarupa and Jagannath.

• The full list is given below in Hindi (Devanagari) and English, with meanings.

• Chanting the 108 names is a simple, cherished act of devotion to Krishna.

I am Gurudutt, born in Gokul in the Mathura district, in the very land where Krishna earned many of these names: the butter thief (Navaneetachora) of Gokul, the cowherd (Gopal) of the pastures, the flute-player (Murlidhar) of Vrindavan. Guiding pilgrims since 2018, more than 50,000 of them, I am glad to share his 108 holy names, in Hindi and English, with the meaning of each, so you may chant them and know him better.

About the 108 names of Krishna

In Hindu devotion, the divine is praised through its names, each a doorway to a quality of the Lord and 108 is a sacred number, found in the beads of the mala, the chanting of mantras and the names of the deities. The 108 names of Krishna gather together every facet of him: his enchanting beauty (Manohar, Shyamsundar, Manmohan), his famous childhood deeds in Braj (Navaneetachora the butter thief, Gopal the cowherd, Kamsantak the slayer of Kamsa), his role in the Mahabharata (Parthasarathi, Arjuna's charioteer) and his supreme, cosmic nature (Parabrahma, Paramatma, Vishwarupa). To chant them is to adore Krishna in all his forms and glory.

The 108 names of Lord Krishna, with meanings

Here is the complete list of the 108 names of Krishna in Hindi (Devanagari) and English, each with its meaning.

The Braj names of Krishna

Many of these 108 names were earned here, in the land of Braj, during Krishna's childhood and come alive when you visit. He is Navaneetachora, the butter thief, for stealing the gopis' butter in Gokul; Gopal and Govinda, the cowherd and the one who pleases the cows, from tending the herds of Braj; Murlidhar and Murlimanohar, the holder and the beauty of the flute, whose music called the gopis of Vrindavan; Kamsantak and Devakinandan, the slayer of Kamsa and the son of Devaki, from his birth at the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura; and Shyam and Shyamsundar, the dark and beautiful Lord, worshipped as Banke Bihari in Vrindavan. To visit Braj is to walk among the very deeds that gave Krishna his names.

How and when to chant the 108 names

The 108 names may be chanted at any time, softly or aloud, alone or with others, as a daily devotion or a heartfelt prayer. Many chant them on a mala of 108 beads, one name per bead, completing the full round; or recite them in the morning or evening before a picture or deity of Krishna, especially on his special days like Janmashtami. There is no strict rule; the feeling is what matters. To chant Krishna's names in his own land of Braj, before Banke Bihari or along the Yamuna, is especially blessed; we can arrange your pooja and seva.

Tips for chanting the 108 names

• Chant on a mala of 108 beads, one name per bead, for a full round.

• Follow along in Hindi or English; both are given above.

• Chant softly in the morning or evening, before Krishna.

• Chant them at Janmashtami, Krishna's birthday, for special blessings.

• Learn the meanings; they deepen the devotion as you chant.

• Chant with feeling rather than perfection; love is what matters.

The honest bit

Honest words from one born in Braj. These 108 names are drawn from the devotional tradition and you will find small variations between lists, in the names chosen, their spellings and their exact meanings, for Krishna has countless names (the Sahasranama gives a thousand) and different traditions choose different hundreds. So do not worry if another version differs a little from this one; the devotion is the same. The meanings here are given in plain words to open the heart of each name. And remember, chanting is not about perfect Sanskrit but about love: say the names with feeling and Krishna hears. To chant them in his own land of Braj, where he earned so many of them, is the sweetest way of all.

Why Experience My India is the right choice

I was born in Gokul in the Mathura district, in the land of Krishna's names and deeds. Guiding since 2018, more than 50,000 pilgrims, 4.5 stars on Google, WhatsApp first, 8 AM to 9 PM daily. We take you through Braj to the places behind his names, Gokul of the butter thief, Vrindavan of the flute-player, Mathura of his birth, tell you the stories on the ground, walk you into the temples cars cannot reach, help you obtain a genuine mala to chant upon and arrange your seva, with no touts. One clear fare and never a charge for free darshan.

Tip from Gurudutt: chant Krishna's 108 names not just to recite but to meet him, for each name is a little window into who he is. And if you can, come and chant them in his own land: say Navaneetachora at Gokul where he stole the butter, Murlidhar in the groves of Vrindavan where his flute still seems to sound, Shyamsundar before Banke Bihari. When the name and the place where he earned it meet, the name stops being a word and becomes a presence and you understand why the devotees say Krishna is known and loved, through his thousand beautiful names.

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Plan your visit to the land of Krishna

Tell me your dates and I will plan your journey through Braj, the land of Krishna's names and leelas, with a car, a guide born on this soil and your seva arranged, for one clear price. Our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages from Delhi and the NCR and our Mathura tour packages cover the heart of Braj. WhatsApp +91 7302265809, any day 8 AM to 9 PM. Packages from ₹1,999 per person, 4.5 stars on Google. Born in Gokul, Mathura.