Chant the Dvadashakshari mantra - 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' - and count your malas to 108. The twelve-syllable mantra of Lord Krishna and one of the most foundational Vaishnava chants.
ॐ नमो भगवते
वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate
Vasudevaya
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Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is the Dvadashakshari Mantra - the 'twelve-syllable' mantra of Lord Krishna in his form as Vasudeva (son of Vasudev). It is the central mantra of the Bhagavata tradition and appears throughout the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Vasudeva is one of Krishna's principal names. The mantra is traditionally given at Vaishnava initiation and is considered complete in itself - the Bhagavata Purana states that chanting this name even once at the time of death grants liberation.
Krishna devotees often chant this alongside the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Both invoke the same Lord; this form is more contemplative, the Maha Mantra more devotional.
Complete text of the Krishna Mantra with Devanagari script, English transliteration, and line-by-line meaning.
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Om - the primordial sound.
Namo - I bow, I surrender.
Bhagavate - to the Bhagavan, possessor of the six divine opulences.
Vasudevaya - to Vasudeva (Krishna), in whom all beings dwell.
Twelve syllables, the Dvadashakshari Mantra. The central mantra of the Bhagavata Purana, said to grant liberation when chanted even once at the time of death.
The primordial sound.
I bow, I surrender.
To the Bhagavan - the one who possesses all six divine opulences (wisdom, strength, beauty, fame, wealth, renunciation).
To Vasudeva - Krishna, the son of Vasudev; the one in whom all beings dwell (vasu = dwelling, deva = divine).
Janmashtami (August/September) is Krishna's birthday and the most auspicious day. Ekadashi days are also powerful. Daily morning practice during Brahma Muhurta is the classical recommendation.
Both invoke Krishna. Hare Krishna is the famous 16-word ISKCON mantra - more devotional, more energetic. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is the 12-syllable Bhagavata mantra - more contemplative, more surrendering. Choose what your heart settles on, or chant both at different times.
It appears in the Vedic-era texts (Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana) and is considered a foundational Vaishnava mantra, not tantric. No special initiation is required for daily chanting.
Bhagavan / Bhagavate refers to the one who possesses bhaga - the six divine attributes: complete wisdom, strength, beauty, fame, wealth, and renunciation. It is the title of the supreme divine personality.