Vishnu Sahasranama Patha

विष्णु सहस्रनाम पाठ • विष्णुसहस्रनामस्तोत्रम्

Patha Lord Vishnu

About

The Vishnu Sahasranama (Thousand Names of Vishnu) is one of the most sacred and powerful stotras in Hindu tradition. It was revealed by Bhishma Pitamah to Yudhishthira on the battlefield of Kurukshetra while lying on his bed of arrows. Each of the 1000 names describes a divine attribute of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Regular recitation is believed to bestow all four Purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

Quick Reference

Author
Bhishma Pitamah (as told to Yudhishthira)
Language
Sanskrit
Verse Count
142
Source
Mahabharata - Anushasana Parva
Type
Sahasranama Stotra

Benefits

  • Attainment of all four Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha)
  • Liberation from cycle of birth and death
  • Removal of all sins and negative karma
  • Protection from all obstacles and enemies
  • Fulfillment of all righteous desires
  • Peace of mind and spiritual elevation
  • Divine grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu
  • Cure from diseases and ailments
  • Success in all endeavors
  • Development of devotion and surrender

When to Recite

Days Daily, Ekadashi, Thursday, Saturday
Times Brahma Muhurta (4-6 AM), Morning after bath, Evening
Occasions Vishnu Puja, Ekadashi Vrat, Janmashtami, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Anant Chaturdashi
Recommended Count Once daily, or 3 times, or 108 times for special occasions

Verses

Dhyana Shlokas 1

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥

Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam | Prasannavadanam Dhyayet Sarvavighnopashantaye ||

Dhyana Shlokas 2

यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण जन्मसंसारबन्धनात्। विमुच्यते नमस्तस्मै विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे॥

Yasya Smarana Matrena Janma Samsara Bandhanat | Vimuchyate Namastasmai Vishnave Prabhavishṇave ||

Dhyana Shlokas 3

ॐ नमो विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे। श्री वैशम्पायन उवाच - श्रुत्वा धर्मानशेषेण पावनानि च सर्वशः॥

Om Namo Vishnave Prabhavishṇave | Shri Vaishampayana Uvacha - Shrutva Dharman Asheshena Pavanani Cha Sarvashah ||

Poorva Peethika (Introduction) 1

युधिष्ठिर उवाच - किमेकं दैवतं लोके किं वाप्येकं परायणम्। स्तुवन्तः कं कमर्चन्तः प्राप्नुयुर्मानवाः शुभम्॥

Yudhishthira Uvacha - Kimekam Daivatam Loke Kim Vapyekam Parayanam | Stuvantah Kam Kamarchantah Prapnuyur Manavah Shubham ||

Poorva Peethika (Introduction) 2

को धर्मः सर्वधर्माणां भवतः परमो मतः। किं जपन्मुच्यते जन्तुर्जन्मसंसारबन्धनात्॥

Ko Dharmah Sarva Dharmanam Bhavatah Paramo Matah | Kim Japan Muchyate Jantur Janma Samsara Bandhanat ||

Poorva Peethika (Introduction) 3

भीष्म उवाच - जगत्प्रभुं देवदेवमनन्तं पुरुषोत्तमम्। स्तुवन्नामसहस्रेण पुरुषः सततोत्थितः॥

Bhishma Uvacha - Jagatprabhum Devadevamanantam Purushottamam | Stuvannama Sahasrena Purushah Satatotthitah ||

Key Sections of Sahasranama 1

विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः। भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः॥

Vishvam Vishnur Vashatkaro Bhutabhavya Bhavatprabhuh | Bhutakrid Bhutabhrid Bhavo Bhutatma Bhutabhavanah ||

Key Sections of Sahasranama 13

अमृत्युः सर्वदृक्सिंहः सन्धाता सन्धिमान्स्थिरः। अजो दुर्मर्षणः शास्ता विश्रुतात्मा सुरारिहा॥

Amrityuh Sarvadruk Simhah Sandhata Sandhiman Sthirah | Ajo Durmarṣaṇah Shasta Vishrutatma Surariha ||

Key Sections of Sahasranama 22

ईश्वरः विक्रमी धन्वी मेधावी विक्रमः क्रमः। अनुत्तमो दुराधर्षः कृतज्ञः कृतिरात्मवान्॥

Ishvarah Vikrami Dhanvi Medhavi Vikramah Kramah | Anuttamo Duraadharshah Kritajnah Kritir Atmavan ||

Key Sections of Sahasranama 45

महाबुद्धिर्महावीर्यो महाशक्तिर्महाद्युतिः। अनिर्देश्यवपुः श्रीमानमेयात्मा महाद्रिधृक्॥

Mahabuddhir Mahaviryo Mahashaktir Mahadyutih | Anirdeshyavapuh Shriman Ameyatma Mahadridhrik ||

Key Sections of Sahasranama 100

सर्वप्रहरणायुधः। ॐ नमः इति॥ वनमाली गदी शार्ङ्गी शङ्खी चक्री च नन्दकी। श्रीमान्नारायणो विष्णुर्वासुदेवोऽभिरक्षतु॥

Sarvapraharanaayudhah | Om Namah Iti || Vanamali Gadi Sharangi Shankhi Chakri Cha Nandaki | Shriman Narayano Vishnur Vasudevobhirakshatu ||

Phala Shruti (Benefits) 1

इतीदं कीर्तनीयस्य केशवस्य महात्मनः। नाम्नां सहस्रं दिव्यानामशेषेण प्रकीर्तितम्॥

Iteedam Keertaneeyasya Keshavasya Mahatmanah | Namnam Sahasram Divyanam Asheshena Prakeertitam ||

Phala Shruti (Benefits) 2

य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं यश्चापि परिकीर्तयेत्। नाशुभं प्राप्नुयात्किञ्चित्सोऽमुत्रेह च मानवः॥

Ya Idam Shrinuyan Nityam Yashchapi Parikirtayet | Nashubham Prapnuyat Kinchit So'mutreha Cha Manavah ||

Phala Shruti (Benefits) 3

वेदान्तगो ब्राह्मणः स्यात्क्षत्रियो विजयी भवेत्। वैश्यो धनसमृद्धः स्याच्छूद्रः सुखमवाप्नुयात्॥

Vedantago Brahmanah Syat Kshatriyo Vijayi Bhavet | Vaishyo Dhanasamriddhah Syach Chudrah Sukham Avapnuyat ||

Phala Shruti (Benefits) 4

धर्मार्थी प्राप्नुयाद्धर्ममर्थार्थी चार्थमाप्नुयात्। कामानवाप्नुयात्कामी प्रजार्थी प्राप्नुयात्प्रजाम्॥

Dharmarthi Prapnuyad Dharmam Artharthi Chartham Apnuyat | Kamanavapnuyat Kami Prajarthi Prapnuyat Prajam ||

Closing 1

ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमहाभारते शतसाहस्र्यां संहितायां वैयासिक्यां आनुशासनिकपर्वणि भीष्मयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे श्रीविष्णुसहस्रनामस्तोत्रम् सम्पूर्णम्॥

Om Tatsaditi Shri Mahabharate Shatasahasryam Samhitayam Vaiyasikyam Anushasanikaparvani Bhishmayudhishthira Samvade Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram Sampurnam ||