One of the most popular Hindu mantras, dedicated to Vishnu as Lord Krishna. (As I understand it, Krishna is considered an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the principal Hindu deities. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna reveals his divine form to Arjuna as this assemblage of manifestations of Vishnu.)

Pam’s original tune for it is quite lovely. Here she is singing it with a small group in a sound healing workshop in 2011.

Photo: Avatars of Vishnu by Flickr user https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/378256/in/photostream/, thanks also to Wikimedia Commons.

The post Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (2010) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

• Sarasvati (Saraswati), Hindu goddess of learning, wisdom, music, and aesthetics;
• Mother Mary, revered by Christians for her grace and compassion;
• the Hindu goddess Kali, destroyer of evil; and
• Mother Earth, provider of of our physical lives.

I think Pam had a soft spot for Sarasvati, understandably. There were several figures and images of the music goddess around her apartment.

I never heard her perform this song, but I can imagine her encouraging the audience to sing along as she repeated the last four measures over and over again. If you have memories of this, please contact me.

Video

The friends who helped me make this video are: Miranda Lever (piano, voice, direction), and singers Ruth Lillington, Tracy Murdoch and Kristen Martell.

Sheet music

Lyrics

Om, Sarasvati, Mother of Song
When you move through my spirit, I have to sing along.
Joy ripples through me as I send my songs soaring through the air,
Lifting folks from their cares.

Om, Mother Mary, Holder of Hearts.
Your warm arms enwrap us wherever we are.
Show us how to create love on earth
As we open our hearts for this moment of rebirth.

Om Mother Kali, teach us how to let go
Of old shadows inside us
So a new path can guide us home.

Om Mother Earth, you cradle us all.
We drink of your waters.
We thank you for all of the richness you provide us:
The food that we eat; the company beside us;
For air that we breathe;
For wisdom to stand on our feet to say:

Om, Divine Mother, be home in our hearts.
Om, Divine Mother, be home in our hearts.

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