A for Ashtakshara Mantra
The Ashtakshara Mantra
or the 8 letter mantra,which is first given to the devotee who comes under
Lord Shri Krishna, is no ordinary mantra. It has divine capabalities.
The mantra says " Shri Krishnah Sharnam Mamah:" literally meaning
"Shri Krishna is my shelter."
On superficial view, these words may sound like ordinary ones, but they
are definitely not so. They contain the meaning of the Vedas in them.The
one who is bestowed with this mantra by the Grace of God and the Guru
should be considered extremly fortunate.The vedas are treated as the highest
authority among the ancient Indian scriptures.The four vedas along with
the Bhagwad-Gita, Bhramasutras, and Shrimad Bhagwatam, collectively indicate
that "Shri Krishna alone is the ultimate reality or the innermost
soul of the whole universe" , he is "Purna-Purshottam","Paramatma","Para-Brahma".
Through this mantra, one comes under the protection of Lord Krishna, the
ultimate reality. Once Shri Krishna, accepts one as his dasa, one doesn't
have to fear anything or anybody. Shri "Vitthalnathji", who
is popularly known as "Gosainji" has this to say about the "Ashtakshara
mantra". The one who remembers Shri Krishna is assured a place
in "Vaikuntha" (adobe of Shri Krishna). (Vaikhuntam Tasya Mischitam)
He further assures that Yama (deity of death) cannot even touch you if
you always remember Him. All this because He loves His devotees very much.
This mantra is not a man made mantra, nor is it derived from any of the
scriptures. Instead, it is a mantra which was taught to Shrimad
Vallabhacharya by Shri "Govardhannathji". It is taught to
those wanting an entry in Pushtimarg, in order to deviate them from worshiping
any other deity apart from Shri Krishna , as no other deity has the qualities
of Shri Krishna.The name Shri Krishna itself is capable of removing all
sorts of worldly miseries.
The letter 
"Shri" :
suggests fortunes . "Shree"
means Lakshmi which also means luck or fortune.Therefore, one who recites
this name also becomes fortunate just like Lakshmi.
The letter 
"Kru"
destroys all the sins that are performed by us in our previous lives and the current one.
The letter 
"Shna":
keeps at bay all the miseries that
one experiences in the world.
The letter 
"Sha":
saves one from having to take
birth again and again in thousands of forms and suffer miseries.
The letter 
"Ra":
enables one to experience and
understand the heavenly form and heavenly deeds of the Lord.
The letter 
"Nam":
makes one's devotion towards Shri
Krishna strong.
The letter 
"Ma":
initiates eternal love for Shri
Krishna
The second
letter 
"Ma":
enables one to enjoy accompaniment
of Shri Krishna till eternity and keeps one from undergoing the the circle
of life forever.
According to
Shri Gosainji, a person who chants this mantra loses his worldly attachments
and develops heavenly bonds with Shri Krishna. He gains fortune and salvation.
He also experiences eternal bliss. God alone becomes dear to him and he
becomes dear to God. He has no fear of any kind of evil. The rough becomes
smooth for him and the difficult becomes easy. The enemy becomes friend
and no evil eye can affect him. He experiences no kind of pain or misery
as in his heart resides Shri Krishna , who is "Eternel Bliss"
Himself.
Therfore, one should chant this "Ashtakshara
Mantra" with complete Faith and Devotion. God will fulfill
wishes of all without fail.