STOTRAM

Vishnu Sahasranama

श्रीविष्णुसहस्रनामस्तोत्रम्

🙏 Vishnu ✍️ Veda Vyasa 🗣️ Sanskrit 📜 108 verses 👁 17 reads Suggest a correction
Vishnu

The Vishnu Sahasranama (श्रीविष्णुसहस्रनामस्तोत्रम्) is a sacred hymn comprising one thousand names of Lord Vishnu — each name a distinct attribute, epithet, or glory of the Supreme Being who sustains and pervades the cosmos. It is one of the most revered stotrams in the Hindu tradition, recited daily by millions across India and the diaspora.

The text originates in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, delivered as a conversation between the dying patriarch Bhishma and the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira. Asked which single practice could lead a person to liberation, Bhishma — lying on his bed of arrows, awaiting an auspicious moment to die — responds with the thousand names of Vishnu. The setting gives the text its particular gravity: these are words chosen at the threshold of death as the most essential teaching a dying elder could offer.

Devotees recite it to seek Vishnu's blessings for spiritual clarity, removal of obstacles, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. It is traditionally chanted on Saturdays and Ekadashi — the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, which is the most significant fasting and worship day in the Vaishnava tradition.

Dhyanam 1
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् । प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥
Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam | Prasannavadanam Dhyayet Sarvavighnopashantaye ||
One should meditate upon Lord Vishnu, who wears white garments, who is all-pervading, who is bright as the moon, and who has four arms and a tranquil face, for the removal of all obstacles.
Dhyanam 2
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् । लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥
Shaantakaaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanaabham Suresham Vishvaadhaaram Gaganashadrusham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam | Lakshmikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyaanagamyam Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanaatham ||
I bow to Lord Vishnu, the embodiment of peace, who rests on a serpent, whose navel is the source of the lotus, and who is the Lord of gods. He supports the universe, is as vast as the sky, dark as the clouds, and possesses beautiful limbs. He is the beloved of Lakshmi, has lotus-like eyes, and is attainable by yogis through meditation. He is the destroyer of the fear of worldly existence and the sole Master of all worlds.
Shloka 1
विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः । भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ॥
Vishvam Vishnur Vashatkaaro Bhoota-Bhavya-Bhavat-Prabhuh | Bhootakrud Bhootabhrud Bhaavo Bhootaatmaa Bhoota-Bhaavanah ||
He is the Universe (Vishvam), the Pervader (Vishnu), the one worshipped with sacrifice (Vashatkara), and the Lord of past, present, and future. He is the Creator of all beings, the Sustainer of all beings, the Existence, the Soul of all beings, and the one who causes beings to grow.
Shloka 2
पूतात्मा परमात्मा च मुक्तानां परमा गतिः । अव्ययः पुरुषः साक्षी क्षेत्रज्ञोऽक्षर एव च ॥
Pootaatmaa Paramaatmaa Cha Muktaanaam Paramaa Gatih | Avyayah Purushah Saakshee Kshetrajno'kshara Eva Cha ||
He is the Pure Soul, the Supreme Soul, and the ultimate goal of liberated souls. He is Imperishable, the indwelling Spirit, the Witness, the Knower of the field (the body/consciousness), and the Undecaying one.
Shloka 3
योगो योगविदां नेता प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः । नारसिंहवपुः श्रीमान् केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥
Yogo Yogavidaam Netaa Pradhaana-Purushesvarah | Naarasimhavapuh Shreemaan Keshavah Purushottamah ||
He is the path of Yoga, the leader of those who know Yoga, and the Lord of Nature and Spirit. He has the form of Man-Lion, is ever-graceful with Lakshmi, is the slayer of Keshi (or has beautiful hair), and is the Supreme Person.
Shloka 4
सर्वः शर्वः शिवः स्थाणुर्भूतादिर्निधिरव्ययः । सम्भवो भावनो भर्ता सम्भवः प्रभुच्युतः ॥
Sarvah Sharvah Shivah Sthaanur-Bhootaadir-Nidhir-Avyayah | Sambhavo Bhaavano Bhartaa Sambhavah Prabhur-Achyutah ||
He is Everything, the Destroyer, the Auspicious one, the Immovable, the Source of all beings, and the Imperishable Treasure. He manifests by His own will, the Giver of all things, the Supporter, and the Lord who never falls from His glory.
Shloka 5
वृषाकपिर्मेयात्मा सर्वयोगविनिस्सृतः । वसुर्वसुमनाः सत्यः समात्माऽसम्मितः समः ॥
Vrushaakapir-Ameyaatmaa Sarva-Yoga-Vinissrutah | Vasur-Vasumanaah Satyah Samaatmaa'sammitah Samah ||
He is the Dharma-protector (Varaha), the Immeasurable Soul, and the one free from all bonds. He is the Dweller in all, the pure-minded, the Truth, the same in all, the Unmeasured, and the one who is even-handed.
Shloka 6
अमोघः पुण्डरीकाक्षो वृषकर्मा वृषाकृतिः । रुद्रो बहुशिरा बभ्रुर्विश्वयोनिः शुचिश्रवाः ॥
Amoghah Pundarikaaksho Vrushakarmaa Vrushaakrutih | Rudro Bahushiraa Babhrur-Vishvayonih Shuchishravaah ||
His worship is never fruitless; He has eyes like lotuses and His actions are righteous. He is the dispeller of sorrows, has countless heads, sustains the worlds, is the womb of the universe, and is known by holy names.
Shloka 7
अमृतः शाश्वतः स्थाणुर्वरारोहो महातपाः । सर्वगः सर्वविद्भानुर्विष्वक्सेनो जनार्दनः ॥
Amrutah Shaashvatah Sthaanur-Varaaroho Mahaatapaah | Sarvagah Sarvavid-Bhaanur-Vishvakseno Janaardanah ||
He is Immortal, Eternal, and Firm. He is the supreme ascent and of great penance. He is all-pervading, all-knowing, self-luminous, the leader of the universal army, and the destroyer of the cycle of birth.
Shloka 8
वेदो वेदविदव्यङ्गो वेदाङ्गो वेदवित् कविः । लोकाध्यक्षः सुराध्यक्षो धर्माध्यक्षः कृताकृतः ॥
Vedo Vedavid-Avyango Vedaango Vedavit Kavih | Lokaadhyakshah Suraadhyakshah Dharmaadhyakshah Krutaakrutah ||
He is the Veda, the knower of Vedas, and beyond all defects. He is the limbs of the Veda, the supreme seer, and the presiding officer of the worlds, the gods, and righteousness. He is the cause of both the manifested and the unmanifested.
Shloka 9
चतुरात्मा चतुर्व्यूहश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रश्चतुर्भुजः । भ्राजिष्णुर्भोजनं भोक्ता सहिष्णुर्जगदादिजः ॥
Chaturaatmaa Chaturvyuhash-Chaturdamsthrash-Chaturbhujah | Bhraajishnur-Bhojanam Bhoktaa Sahishnur-Jagadaadijah ||
He manifests in four souls and four forms; He has four tusks and four arms. He is the Resplendent, the Object of enjoyment, the Enjoyer, the Forbearing, and the first-born of the universe.
Shloka 10
अनघो विजयो जेता विश्वयोनिः पुनर्वसुः । उपेन्द्रो वामनः प्रांशुरमोघः शुचिरूर्जितः ॥
Anagho Vijayo Jetaa Vishvayonih Punarvasuh | Upendro Vaamanah Praamshur-Amoghah Shuchir-Urjitah ||
He is Sinless, Victorious, and the Conqueror. He is the womb of the universe and the dweller in every body again and again. He is the younger brother of Indra (Upendra), the Dwarf incarnation (Vamana), the Tall, the Unfailing, the Pure, and the supremely powerful.

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