Gau Mata ke 108 Naam: Namavali, Text & Meaning
Gau Mata ke 108 Naam - Sanskrit Text (Namavali)
श्री गौ अष्टोत्तर नामावलि - the 108 names of the sacred Cow Mother, recited as 'Om … namah'.
ॐ कपिला नमः । ॐ गौतमी नमः । ॐ सुरभी नमः । ॐ गौमती नमः । ॐ नंदनी नमः । ॐ श्यामा नमः ।
ॐ वैष्णवी नमः । ॐ मंगला नमः । ॐ सर्वदेव वासिनी नमः । ॐ महादेवी नमः ॥10 ॐ सिंधु अवतरणी नमः । ॐ सरस्वती नमः ।
ॐ त्रिवेणी नमः । ॐ लक्ष्मी नमः । ॐ गौरी नमः । ॐ वैदेही नमः । ॐ अन्नपूर्णा नमः । ॐ कौशल्या नमः ।
ॐ देवकी नमः । ॐ गोपालिनी नमः ॥20॥ ॐ कामधेनु नमः । ॐ आदिति नमः । ॐ माहेश्वरी नमः । ॐ गोदावरी नमः ।
ॐ जगदम्बा नमः । ॐ वैजयंती नमः । ॐ रेवती नमः । ॐ सती नमः । ॐ भारती नमः । ॐ त्रिविद्या नमः ॥30
ॐ गंगा नमः । ॐ यमुना नमः । ॐ कृष्णा नमः । ॐ राधा नमः । ॐ मोक्षदा नमः । ॐ उतरा नमः ।
ॐ अवधा नमः । ॐ ब्रजेश्वरी नमः । ॐ गोपेश्वरी नमः । ॐ कल्याणी नमः ॥40 ॐ करुणा नमः । ॐ विजया नमः ।
ॐ ज्ञानेश्वरी नमः । ॐ कालिंदी नमः । ॐ प्रकृति नमः । ॐ अरुंधति नमः । ॐ वृंदा नमः । ॐ गिरिजा नमः ।
ॐ मनहोरणी नमः । ॐ संध्या नमः ॥50 ॐ ललिता नमः । ॐ रश्मि नमः । ॐ ज्वाला नमः । ॐ तुलसी नमः ।
ॐ मल्लिका नमः । ॐ कमला नमः । ॐ योगेश्वरी नमः । ॐ नारायणी नमः । ॐ शिवा नमः । ॐ गीता नमः ॥60
ॐ नवनीता नमः । ॐ अमृता अमरो नमः । ॐ स्वाहा नमः । ॐ धंनजया नमः । ॐ ओमकारेश्वरी नमः । ॐ सिद्धिश्वरी नमः ।
ॐ निधि नमः । ॐ ऋद्धिश्वरी नमः । ॐ रोहिणी नमः । ॐ दुर्गा नमः ॥70 ॐ दूर्वा नमः । ॐ शुभमा नमः ।
ॐ रमा नमः । ॐ मोहनेश्वरी नमः । ॐ पवित्रा नमः । ॐ शताक्षी नमः । ॐ परिक्रमा नमः । ॐ पितरेश्वरी नमः ।
ॐ हरसिद्धि नमः । ॐ मणि नमः ॥80 ॐ अंजना नमः । ॐ धरणी नमः । ॐ विंध्या नमः । ॐ नवधा नमः ।
ॐ वारुणी नमः । ॐ सुवर्णा नमः । ॐ रजता नमः । ॐ यशस्वनि नमः । ॐ देवेश्वरी नमः । ॐ ऋषभा नमः ॥90
ॐ पावनी नमः । ॐ सुप्रभा नमः । ॐ वागेश्वरी नमः । ॐ मनसा नमः । ॐ शाण्डिली नमः । ॐ वेणी नमः ।
ॐ गरुडा नमः । ॐ त्रिकुटा नमः । ॐ औषधा नमः । ॐ कालांगि नमः ॥100 ॐ शीतला नमः । ॐ गायत्री नमः ।
ॐ कश्यपा नमः । ॐ कृतिका नमः । ॐ पूर्णा नमः । ॐ तृप्ता नमः । ॐ भक्ति नमः । ॐ त्वरिता नमः ॥108
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Oṁ kapilā namaḥ | Oṁ gautamī namaḥ | Oṁ surabhī namaḥ | Oṁ gaumatī namaḥ | Oṁ nandinī namaḥ | Oṁ śyāmā namaḥ | … | Oṁ tvaritā namaḥ ||
(All 108 names follow the salutation pattern "Oṁ … namaḥ" - "Om, salutations to …".)
Meaning
This namavali of 108 names honours Gau Mata, the sacred Cow Mother. The names identify her with the most revered feminine powers and holy presences of the tradition: Kapila and Surabhi (the celestial wish-cow Kamadhenu), Nandini, the goddesses Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Gauri, Durga, Gayatri and Annapurna, the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari and Saraswati, and the great sages' consorts and divine mothers. To name the cow as Kamadhenu, Lakshmi, Gayatri and Ganga is to declare that all that nourishes, sanctifies and grants wishes dwells within her; she is honoured as the abode of all the gods (sarva-deva-vasini) and the very form of the Divine Mother.
About this Namavali
In sanatana dharma the cow is revered as Gau Mata - "Mother Cow" - embodiment of selfless giving, of the Earth's nourishment, and of the divine. The Gau Ashtottara-shatanamavali (108 names) is a devotional litany that worships her as the totality of the sacred feminine, drawing in the names of goddesses, holy rivers and the celestial Kamadhenu. It is recited in cow-worship (go-puja), on Gopashtami and during Govardhan/Annakut, and by those who serve and protect cows (go-seva).
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Reciting the 108 names of Gau Mata is held to bring the blessings of all the deities the cow embodies - prosperity (Lakshmi), wisdom (Sarasvati), nourishment (Annapurna), protection (Durga) and purification (the holy rivers). Cow worship and go-seva are praised in the shastras as among the most meritorious acts, washing away sin and bringing peace, plenty and family welfare. The namavali is a way to honour the cow's sanctity and to invite that all-embracing maternal grace into the home.
Astrological Relevance
Go-seva (service to cows) and cow-worship are time-honoured remedies in Jyotisha. Feeding and serving cows is prescribed to strengthen many grahas - notably the Moon (Chandra), karaka of the mother and the mind, and Jupiter (Guru), karaka of wisdom and fortune; feeding a black cow is a classical remedy for Shani (Saturn) and Ketu, and offering the first roti to a cow daily is recommended to pacify malefic planetary periods. Reciting the 108 names of Gau Mata alongside go-seva enhances these remedies and is especially valued for relief from pitri dosha (ancestral affliction) and for general prosperity and peace.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Ideally recite while performing go-puja - bathing or honouring a cow, offering her fresh grass, grain or jaggery, and applying tilak and a garland. Where this is not possible, sit before an image of Gau Mata / Kamadhenu, light a lamp, and recite the 108 names with devotion. Conclude with a prayer for the welfare of all beings, and where possible feed a cow as part of the practice.
Best Day & Time
Gopashtami (Kartik Shukla Ashtami) is the principal day; Govardhan Puja / Annakut and Ekadashi are also auspicious. Friday and Monday suit cow-worship for prosperity and the Moon. Recite in the morning, ideally with go-seva.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cow worshipped as a mother and goddess?
In sanatana dharma the cow nourishes and gives selflessly, and is revered as the abode of all the gods. The namavali identifies her with Kamadhenu, Lakshmi, Gayatri, the holy rivers and the Divine Mother, expressing this all-embracing sanctity.
How is cow-worship a planetary remedy?
Go-seva strengthens the Moon and Jupiter and, by feeding a black cow, pacifies Saturn and Ketu; offering a cow her food daily is a classical upaya during difficult dashas and for pitri dosha.
Do I need a cow present to recite the names?
No. While reciting during go-seva is ideal, you may recite the 108 names before an image of Gau Mata or Kamadhenu with equal devotion, and feed a cow whenever you are able.
Gau Mata as the totality of the sacred feminine
Few acts of devotion in the Hindu tradition carry the layered symbolism of go-puja, the worship of the sacred cow. The Sri Gau Ashtottara Namavali enshrines this reverence in a concentrated form: by reciting the 108 names of Gau Mata, the devotee honours not a single deity but the entire sweep of the sacred feminine - Kamadhenu the wish-fulfilling mother, Lakshmi the bestower of abundance, Sarasvati the fountain of learning, Gauri and Durga in their nurturing and protective aspects, and the holy rivers in their life-giving purity. Each name is therefore a salutation to an entire principle of cosmic generosity, and the practice of going through all 108 becomes a kind of inner pilgrimage through the divine feminine.
In the Jyotish tradition, the cow is intimately linked with the Moon (Chandra) as the presiding force of nourishment and motherhood, and with Jupiter (Brihaspati) as the planet of dharma and abundance; consistent go-puja is traditionally held to strengthen both. The namavali is most auspiciously recited on Gopashtami, on Purnima, and on Mondays during the period of sandhya, ideally after offering fresh grass or flowers at a go-shala. Devotees believe that approaching this recitation with sincere gratitude - for sustenance, for the earth's abundance, for all maternal care - transforms the practice from ritual into genuine bhakti, a heartfelt recognition of the grace that quietly sustains all life.