The Thousand Names Of Maha Vishnu

Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra

The Thousand Names Of Maha Vishnu

In Sanskrit, sahasra means thousand and nama means name. The Vishnu Sahasranama refers to the thousand names of the Supreme Hindu God, Lord Vishnu. However, even a thousand names may not be enough to describe the creator and ruler of The Universe. As Madhvacharya, the Dvaita philosopher, claimed, each word of the Sahasranama itself has 100 further meanings. Talk of number crunching. The person who strung together the thousand names as part of the Hindu epic, The Mahabharata, was none other than sage Ved Vyas.

 Prelude to the Sahasranamam

Om Shantakaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padma-nabham Suresham Vishvadharam Gagana-Sadrisham Megha-Varnam Sabhangam Lakshmi-Kantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogi-Vidya Dhyana-Gamyam Vande Vishnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Lokaika-Natham Meaning: I salute Vishnu, the sole master of the universe, whose presence is very peaceful, who stretches Himself on a serpent-bed, who sports a lotus in His navel, who is the one lord of all the Devas, who is the support of the worlds, who is subtle and all-pervading like the sky, whose complexion is like that of the clouds, whose form is very beautiful, who is the consort of Sri, whose eyes are like lotus petals, who is meditated upon by yogis and who eradicates the fear of samsara.

He is the Creator of the Universe

Yasya Smarana-Matrena Janma-Samsara-Bandhanat Vimucyate Namas-Tasmai Vishnave Prabhavishnave Namah Samasta-Bhutanam-Adhibhutaya Bhu-bhrite Aneka-Rupa-Rupaya Vishnave Prabhavishnave I bow to the first manifested of all manifestations, who upholds the earth, who has the form of the manifold, Vishnu, the Creator. By the mere remembrance of Him, one is freed from the bondage of birth and transmigration. I bow to that Vishnu, the Creator of the Universe.

He is the Path of Dharma

Vaishampayana Uvaca: Srutva Dharman-Asheshena Pavanani ca Sarvashah Yudhishthirah Shantanavam Punar Evabhya-Bhashata Vaishampayana says, Having heard of all the purifying duties or dharmas exhaustively, Yudhishthira repeats to Bhishma, son of Shantanu.

He is the Ultimate Goal in Life

Yudhishthira Uvaca: Kim-Ekam Daivatam Loke Kim Vapy-Ekam Parayanam Stuvantah Kam Kam-Arcantah Prapnuyur-Manavah Subham Yudhishthira said: What is the sole divinity in the world? In other words, what is the one supreme goal? By praising whom, by worshipping whom, can men obtain the good?

He spells Freedom from Bondage

Ko Dharmah Sarva-Dharmanam Bhavatah Paramo Matah, Kim Japan-Mucyate Jantur-Janma-Samsara-Bandhanat What duty of all duties, do you think supreme? By repeating whose name is a creature freed from the bondage of birth and transmigration?

His Names Uplift You

Bhisma Uvaca: Jagat-Prabhum Deva-Devam-Anantam Purushottamam Stuvan-Nama-Sahasrena Purushah Satatotthitah Bhisma says: The Lord of the World, the God of Gods, the Infinite, the Supreme Person, By praising Him constantly by means of His thousand names, a person is always uplifted.

He Is the Only Path to Moksha

Tam-Eva Carcayan Nityam Bhaktya Purusham-avyayam Dhyayan Stuvan-Namasyamsh-Ca Yajamanas-tam-Eva Ca And by worshipping Him alone, constantly with devotion, the Imperishable Person, by meditating on Him, by praising Him, and by prostrating to Him alone, the worshipper, the aspirant, is freed.

He is the End of Sorrow

Anadi-Nidhanam Vishnum Sarva-Loka-Maheshvaram Loka-Dhyaksham Stuvan-Nityam Sarva-Duhkhatigo Bhavet Having neither beginning nor end, Vishnu, the great Lord of all the worlds, the witness of the world. By constantly praising Him, one can pass beyond all sorrows.

He is the Well-Wisher of Good People

Brahmanyam Sarva-Dharmajnam Lokanam Kirti-Vardhanam Loka-Natham Mahad-Bhutam Sarva-Bhuta-Bhavodbhavam The well-wisher of Brahma and Brahmins, the knower of all dharmas, the enhancer of the fame of men and the worlds, the Lord of the world, the Truth Absolute, the Source of evolution of all things.

His Devotion is the Best Dharma

Esha Me Sarva-Dharmanam Dharmodhikatamo Matah Yad Bhaktya Pundarikaksam Stavair-Arcen-Narah Sada The most excellent dharma of all dharmas is that with devotion, a man should always glorify the lotus eyed Lord by praises.

 

He is the Supreme Light

Paranam Yo Mahat-Tejah Paranam Yo Mahat-tapah Paranam Yo Mahad-Brahma Paranam Yah Parayanam He is the supreme great light. He is the supreme great ruler. He is the supreme great Brahman (Absolute). He is the highest goal.

All Definitions of Him are in Superlative

Pavitranam Pavitrah Yo Mangalanam Ca Mangalam Daivatam Devatanam Ca Bhutanam Yovyayah Pita He is the purest of the pure, the most auspicious of the auspicious, the divinest of divinities, the imperishable Father of creatures.

He is the Beginning and the End

Yatah Sarvani Bhutani Bhavanty-Adi-Yugagame Yasmimsh Ca Pralayam Yanti Punar-Eva Yuga-Kshaye From Him, all creatures proceed in the beginning of an age, And in Him, they are absorbed again at the end of the age.

He is the Destroyer of Sin

Tasya Loka-Pradhanasya Jagan-Nathasya Bhupate Visnor-Nama-Sahasramme Shrinu Papa-Bhayapaham Of that chief of the world, of the Lord of the Universe, O King Yudhishthira, Of Vishnu, hear from me the thousand names, which remove all sin and fear.

His Presence is Manifold

Yani Namani Gaunani Vikhyatani Mahatmanah, Rishibhih Parigitani Tani Vaksyami Bhutaye Those famous names of the Great Soul, which bring out His manifold qualities celebrated by rishis, I shall declare for the good of all.