Vishnu Sahasranama
विष्णु सहस्रनाम
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विष्णु सहस्रनाम (Vishnu Sahasranama)
From the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata
The Vishnu Sahasranama is a list of 1,000 names of Lord Vishnu, narrated by Bhishma Pitamah to Yudhishthira on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
ध्यान श्लोक (Dhyana Shloka)
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशम्
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभांगम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥
*Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham,
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam.
Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhir Dhyanagamyam,
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham.*
First 20 Names with Meanings
1. विश्वम् (Vishvam) — The Universe itself; He who is everything
He is the entire cosmos and all that exists within it.
2. विष्णुः (Vishnuh) — The All-Pervading One
He who pervades everything, present everywhere at all times.
3. वषट्कारः (Vashatkaarah) — He for whom the sacrificial fire is lit
The one who is invoked in Vedic rituals with the exclamation "Vashat!"
4. भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः (Bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuh) — The Lord of past, present, and future
He who is the master of all three periods of time.
5. भूतकृत् (Bhutakrit) — The Creator of all beings
He who creates all living entities.
6. भूतभृत् (Bhutabhrit) — The Sustainer of all beings
He who nourishes and supports all creatures.
7. भावः (Bhavah) — Existence itself
He who is pure existence, the source of all being.
8. भूतात्मा (Bhutatma) — The Soul of all beings
He who is the inner self (Atman) of every creature.
9. भूतभावनः (Bhutabhavanah) — The Cause of the growth of all beings
He who causes all beings to flourish.
10. पूतात्मा (Putatma) — The Pure Self
He whose nature is eternally pure and untainted.
11. परमात्मा (Paramatma) — The Supreme Self
The highest Self, the universal consciousness.
12. मुक्तानां परमा गतिः (Muktanam Parama Gatih) — The Supreme Goal of the liberated
The ultimate destination for those who attain Moksha.
13. अव्ययः (Avyayah) — The Imperishable
He who never diminishes or changes.
14. पुरुषः (Purushah) — The Supreme Being
The cosmic person who fills the universe.
15. साक्षी (Sakshi) — The Witness
He who observes everything without being affected.
16. क्षेत्रज्ञः (Kshetrajnah) — The Knower of the Field
He who knows every body (field) and every soul.
17. अक्षरः (Aksharah) — The Indestructible
He who can never be destroyed.
18. योगः (Yogah) — The Means of Union
He who is the path to spiritual union and liberation.
19. योगविदां नेता (Yogavidam Neta) — The Guide of the Knowers of Yoga
He who leads the great yogis on the path of realization.
20. प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः (Pradhana-purushesvara) — The Lord of Pradhana and Purusha
He who is the master of both matter (Prakriti) and spirit (Purusha).
फलश्रुति (Phalashruti — Benefits)
The Vishnu Sahasranama states that reciting these 1,000 names:
- Removes all sins and purifies the mind
- Grants liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death
- Bestows wealth, health, and prosperity
- Protects from all dangers and negative influences
- The one name "Rama" is equivalent to chanting all 1,000 names
Practice
- Best Time: Early morning after bath, or during Ekadashi
- Duration: Full recitation takes approximately 28-30 minutes
- Recommended: Daily recitation or at minimum on Thursdays and Ekadashi
- Mala: Use a Tulsi mala for Vaishnavas