Vishnu Sahasranama — 1000 Names of Lord Vishnu
The Vishnu Sahasranama appears in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata (Chapter 149). Bhishma recited it to Yudhishthira from his bed of arrows, in response to the question: "What is the one, supreme refuge for all beings?"
The Phala Shruti (Fruit of Recitation)
Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama daily is said to bestow:
- Freedom from all fears and sorrows
- Fulfilment of all righteous desires
- Prosperity, health and long life
- Liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death
Dhyana Shloka (Meditation Verse)
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशम्।
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्।
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham.
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnham Shubhangam.
Lakshmikantam Kamala-nayanam Yogibhir Dhyana-gamyam.
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham.
I bow to Vishnu — of peaceful form, reclining on the serpent, lotus-navel, lord of gods. Support of the universe, like the sky, cloud-colored, auspicious-limbed. Beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, attainable by yogis in meditation. The remover of worldly fear, the one lord of all worlds.
First 108 Names with Meanings
1.Vishvam (विश्वम्) — The universe itself; all that exists
2.Vishnuh (विष्णुः) — The all-pervading one (from vish = to pervade)
3.Vashatkaarah (वषट्कारः) — He who controls and directs
4.Bhoota-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuh (भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः) — Lord of past, future and present
5.Bhoota-krit (भूतकृत्) — Creator of all beings
6.Bhoota-bhrit (भूतभृत्) — Sustainer of all beings
7.Bhaavah (भावः) — Pure existence; the state of being
8.Bhootaatma (भूतात्मा) — The soul within all beings
9.Bhoota-bhaavanah (भूतभावनः) — He who causes beings to flourish
10.Pootaatma (पूतात्मा) — The pure-souled one
11.Paramaatma (परमात्मा) — The supreme Self
12.Muktaanaam-paramaa-gatih (मुक्तानां परमागतिः) — The supreme refuge of the liberated
13.Avyayah (अव्ययः) — The imperishable one
14.Purushah (पुरुषः) — The one who dwells in the body (pura = city, ush = dweller)
15.Saakshi (साक्षी) — The witness of all
16.Kshetrajnah (क्षेत्रज्ञः) — The knower of the field (the body)
17.Aksharah (अक्षरः) — The indestructible
18.Yogah (योगः) — The yoga itself; union with the divine
19.Yoga-vidaam-netaa (योगविदां नेता) — The guide of those who know yoga
20.Pradhaana-purusheshvarah (प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः) — Lord of Pradhana (Prakriti) and Purusha
21.Naarasimha-vapuh (नारसिंहवपुः) — He of the man-lion form (Narasimha avatar)
22.Shreemaan (श्रीमान्) — The glorious one, possessor of Sri (Lakshmi)
23.Keshavah (केशवः) — He of beautiful hair; killer of Keshi demon
24.Purushottamah (पुरुषोत्तमः) — The supreme among persons/purusharthas
25.Sarvah (सर्वः) — The all; complete in himself
26.Sharvah (शर्वः) — The remover of all sins
27.Shivah (शिवः) — The auspicious one; the purifier
28.Sthaanuh (स्थाणुः) — The immovable; the firmly established
29.Bhoota-aadih (भूतादिः) — The primal source of all beings
30.Nidhir-avyayah (निधिरव्ययः) — The inexhaustible treasure
31.Sambhavah (संभवः) — He who manifests at will
32.Bhaavaanah (भावनः) — The creator; he who brings into being
33.Bhartaa (भर्ता) — The sustainer of all
34.Prabhavah (प्रभवः) — The source of all power and greatness
35.Prabhuh (प्रभुः) — The Lord; the all-powerful
36.Eeshvarah (ईश्वरः) — The supreme ruler; controller of all
37.Svayambhooh (स्वयंभूः) — The self-existent; he who exists by himself
38.Shambhuh (शंभुः) — The giver of happiness
39.Aadityah (आदित्यः) — The son of Aditi; the solar deity
40.Pushkaraakshah (पुष्कराक्षः) — He of lotus eyes
41.Maha-svanah (महास्वनः) — He of the great sound (Pranava/Om)
42.Anaadi-nidhanah (अनादिनिधनः) — Without beginning or end
43.Dhaataa (धाता) — The sustainer; the holder of all
44.Vidhaat (विधाता) — The ordainer of all actions/fate
45.Dhaatur-uttamah (धातुरुत्तमः) — The supreme among creators
46.Aprameyah (अप्रमेयः) — The immeasurable; beyond measurement
47.Hrishikeshah (हृषीकेशः) — The lord of the senses (hrishika = senses)
48.Padma-naabhah (पद्मनाभः) — He from whose navel the lotus (universe) emerges
49.Amara-prabhuh (अमरप्रभुः) — The lord of the immortals
50.Vishva-karmaa (विश्वकर्मा) — The creator of the universe
51.Manuh (मनुः) — The cosmic mind; law-giver
52.Tvashthaa (त्वष्टा) — The fashioner; the divine craftsman
53.Sthavishthhah (स्थविष्ठः) — The most massive; the infinitely large
54.Sthavirah (स्थविरः) — The ancient; the eternally old
55.Dhruvah (ध्रुवः) — The immovable; the fixed pole
56.Agrahyah (अग्राह्यः) — Beyond the grasp of the senses
57.Shaashvatah (शाश्वतः) — The eternal
58.Krishnah (कृष्णः) — The dark one; the all-attractive (from karsh = to attract)
59.Lohitaakshah (लोहिताक्षः) — He of red eyes
60.Pratardanah (प्रतर्दनः) — The destroyer; he who dissolves all
61.Prabhootah (प्रभूतः) — The ever-full; the abundantly endowed
62.Tri-kak-ubh-dhaam (त्रिककुब्धाम) — The support of the three realms
63.Pavitram (पवित्रम्) — The purifier; purity itself
64.Mangalam param (मंगलं परम्) — The supreme auspiciousness
65.Eeshanah (ईशानः) — The ruler; the lord of all
66.Praanadah (प्राणदः) — The giver of life breath
67.Praanahah (प्राणः) — Life itself; the vital force
68.Jyeshthah (ज्येष्ठः) — The eldest; the most senior
69.Shreshthah (श्रेष्ठः) — The best; the most excellent
70.Prajaapatih (प्रजापतिः) — The lord of all beings
71.Hiranya-garbhah (हिरण्यगर्भः) — The golden womb; the cosmic embryo
72.Bhoogarbhah (भूगर्भः) — He who contains the earth in his womb
73.Maadhavah (माधवः) — The lord of Lakshmi; born in the Madhu dynasty
74.Madhusoodanah (मधुसूदनः) — The slayer of the demon Madhu
75.Eeshvarah (ईश्वरः) — The supreme controller
76.Vikrami (विक्रमी) — He of mighty strides (Vamana's three steps)
77.Dhanvi (धन्वी) — He who wields the bow (Sharanga)
78.Medhaavi (मेधावी) — The supremely intelligent
79.Vikramah (विक्रमः) — Valour itself; extraordinary courage
80.Kramah (क्रमः) — The orderly sequence; the cosmic order
81.Anuttamah (अनुत्तमः) — He who has no superior
82.Duraadharshah (दुराधर्षः) — The unconquerable; impossible to assault
83.Kritajnah (कृतज्ञः) — The grateful one; who remembers all good deeds
84.Kritihi (कृतिः) — Action itself; one who acts for others' welfare
85.Aatmavaan (आत्मवान्) — The self-possessed; resting in his own self
86.Sureshah (सुरेशः) — Lord of the gods
87.Sharanam (शरणम्) — The refuge; the shelter
88.Sharma (शर्म) — Happiness itself; bliss
89.Vishva-retaah (विश्वरेताः) — The seed of the universe
90.Prajaa-bhavah (प्रजाभवः) — The source from which beings arise
91.Ahah (अहः) — The day; light itself
92.Samvatsarah (संवत्सरः) — The year; time itself
93.Vyaalah (व्यालः) — The snake (ungraspable by ordinary means)
94.Pratyayah (प्रत्ययः) — Trust, faith; the basis of all cognition
95.Sarva-darshana (सर्वदर्शनः) — The all-seeing; witness of everything
96.Ajah (अजः) — The unborn
97.Sarveshvara (सर्वेश्वरः) — The lord of all lords
98.Siddhah (सिद्धः) — The accomplished; perfection itself
99.Siddhih (सिद्धिः) — Accomplishment; achievement
100.Sarvaadih (सर्वादिः) — The beginning of all
101.Achyutah (अच्युतः) — The infallible; who never falls or fails
102.Vrishaakapih (वृषाकपिः) — He who ensures dharma and prosperity
103.Ameyaatmaa (अमेयात्मा) — He of immeasurable self
104.Sarva-yoga-vinihshritah (सर्वयोगविनिःसृतः) — He who is free from all bondage
105.Vasuh (वसुः) — The treasure; he who dwells in all
106.Vasumanaah (वसुमनाः) — He of brilliant/wealthy mind
107.Satyah (सत्यः) — Truth itself
108.Samaatmaa (समात्मा) — The equal-souled; the impartial self
The remaining 892 names continue in the full Vishnu Sahasranama text. Reading this much daily is considered highly meritorious.
Closing Shloka
वेदान्तगो ब्राह्मणः स्यात् क्षत्रियो विजयी भवेत्।
वैश्यो धनसमृद्धः स्यात् शूद्रः सुखमवाप्नुयात्॥
By reciting the Sahasranama: a Brahmin attains Vedic knowledge, a Kshatriya attains victory, a Vaishya attains wealth, and a Shudra attains happiness.