Vishnu Sahasranama Introduction

विष्णु सहस्रनाम परिचय • Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram

Sahasranama Lord Vishnu

About

Vishnu Sahasranama is a sacred hymn containing 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. It was narrated by Bhishma Pitamaha to Yudhishthira on the battlefield of Kurukshetra while lying on the bed of arrows. It is one of the most revered stotras in Hinduism, especially among Vaishnavites.

Quick Reference

Language
Sanskrit
Verse Count
1000
Source
Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva)

Benefits

  • Grants spiritual liberation (moksha)
  • Removes all sins and negative karma
  • Bestows prosperity and good fortune
  • Protects from all dangers
  • Grants peace of mind
  • Fulfills all desires
  • Cures diseases
  • Removes fear of death

When to Recite

Days Daily, Ekadashi, Vishnu festivals
Times Early morning (Brahma Muhurta), During Vishnu Puja
Occasions Vishnu Jayanti, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, All auspicious occasions
Recommended Count Once daily

Structure

Phala Shruti The phala shruti (benefits) section describes the immense merit gained from reciting the sahasranama
Dhyanam Opening meditation verses on Lord Vishnu
Main Stotram The 1000 names in 107 verses
Uttara Peetha Concluding prayers

Verses

Dhyanam 1 Opening

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥

Shuklambara Dharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam Chaturbhujam | Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayet Sarva Vighnopa Shantaye ||

Dhyanam 2

यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण जन्मसंसारबन्धनात्। विमुच्यते नमस्तस्मै विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे॥

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

Poorva Peethika 3

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

Kim Ekam Daivatam Loke Kim Vapyekam Parayanam | Stuvantah Kam Kamarchantah Prapnuyur Manavah Shubham ||

Phala Shruti 4 Closing

इदं स्तवं भगवतो विष्णोर्व्यासेन कीर्तितम्। पठेद्य इच्छेत्पुरुषः श्रेयः प्राप्तुं सुखानि च॥

Idam Stavam Bhagavato Vishnor Vyasena Keertitam | Pathedya Ichchhet Purushah Shreyah Praptum Sukhani Cha ||

Sacred Names

# Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17