Vishnu Sahasranama

SHLOKA

The thousand names of Lord Vishnu, from the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata — recited for peace, protection and steadiness of mind. Its dhyana shlokas are beloved on their own, and are given here in full.

Dhyana Shloka

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥

Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham,
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam,
Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhir Dhyanagamyam,
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham.

Meaning: I bow to Vishnu — serene in form, resting on the serpent Shesha, lotus-naveled, lord of the devas; the support of the universe, vast as the sky, cloud-hued and beautiful; the beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, reached by yogis in meditation — the remover of the fear of worldly existence, the one Lord of all the worlds.

Opening Shloka

विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः।
भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः॥

Vishvam Vishnur Vashatkaro Bhuta-Bhavya-Bhavat-Prabhuh,
Bhuta-Krid Bhuta-Bhrid Bhavo Bhutatma Bhuta-Bhavanah.

Meaning: He is the universe itself, the all-pervading Vishnu, the Lord of past, present and future — creator and sustainer of all beings, their very Self and their nourisher. With this shloka begin the thousand names.

About the Full Recitation

The complete Vishnu Sahasranama comprises 107 shlokas containing the thousand names, traditionally recited from an authorised text on Ekadashi, in the month of Margashirsha, or as a daily parayana. Devotees who cannot recite the full hymn traditionally recite the dhyana shloka above, or simply the name “Om Namo Narayanaya” — the tradition holds that remembrance of even one name with devotion carries the blessing of the whole.