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Hari Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

हरि स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Hari Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Jagaj-jāla-pālaṃ chalat-kaṇṭha-mālaṃ
  2. Verse 2. Sadāmbhodhi-vāsaṃ galat-puṣpa-hāsaṃ
  3. Verse 3. Ramā-kaṇṭha-hāraṃ shruti-vrāta-sāraṃ
  4. Verse 4. Jarā-janma-hīnaṃ parānanda-pīnaṃ
  5. Verse 5. Kṛtāmnāya-gānaṃ khagādhīsha-yānaṃ
  6. Verse 6. Samastāmar-eshaṃ dvirephābha-keshaṃ
  7. Verse 7. Surāli-baliṣṭhaṃ tri-lokī-variṣṭhaṃ
  8. Verse 8. Ramā-vāma-bhāgaṃ talān-agra-nāgaṃ
  9. Verse 9. Idaṃ yas tu nityaṃ samādhāya chittaṃ
Verse 1#

Jagaj-jāla-pālaṃ chalat-kaṇṭha-mālaṃ

जगज्जालपालं चलत्कण्ठमालं शरच्चन्द्रभालं महादैत्यकालम्। नभोनीलकायं दुरावारमायं सुपद्मासहायं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ १॥

Jagaj-jāla-pālaṃ chalat-kaṇṭha-mālaṃ Sharach-chandra-bhālaṃ mahā-daitya-kālam. Nabho-nīla-kāyaṃ durāvāra-māyaṃ Su-padmā-sahāyaṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (1)

MeaningHe who sustains the web of all the worlds, on whose throat a garland gently sways; whose forehead shines like the autumn moon, who is death itself to the great demons. Whose body is dark-blue as the sky, whose maya none can overcome, the loving companion of Lakshmi — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 2#

Sadāmbhodhi-vāsaṃ galat-puṣpa-hāsaṃ

सदाम्भोधिवासं गलत्पुष्पहासं जगत्सन्निवासं शतादित्यभासम्। गदाचक्रशस्त्रं लसत्पीतवस्त्रं हसच्चारुवक्त्रं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ २॥

Sadāmbhodhi-vāsaṃ galat-puṣpa-hāsaṃ Jagat-sannivāsaṃ shatāditya-bhāsam. Gadā-chakra-shastraṃ lasat-pīta-vastraṃ Hasach-chāru-vaktraṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (2)

MeaningHe who ever dwells upon the ocean, whose smile is like blossoming flowers; the abode of the whole universe, radiant as a hundred suns. Bearing the mace and the discus, resplendent in yellow silk, with a charming, smiling face — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 3#

Ramā-kaṇṭha-hāraṃ shruti-vrāta-sāraṃ

रमाकण्ठहारं श्रुतिव्रातसारं जलान्तर्विहारं धराभारहारम्। चिदानन्दरूपं मनोज्ञस्वरूपं धृतानेकरूपं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ ३॥

Ramā-kaṇṭha-hāraṃ shruti-vrāta-sāraṃ Jalāntar-vihāraṃ dharā-bhāra-hāram. Chid-ānanda-rūpaṃ manojña-svarūpaṃ Dhṛtāneka-rūpaṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (3)

MeaningHe who is the necklace at Lakshmi's throat, the essence of all the Vedas; who sports within the waters, who lifts away the burden of the earth. Whose form is consciousness and bliss, whose nature is enchanting, who takes on many forms — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 4#

Jarā-janma-hīnaṃ parānanda-pīnaṃ

जराजन्महीनं परानन्दपीनं समाधानलीनं सदैवानवीनम्। जगज्जन्महेतुं सुरानीककेतुं त्रिलोकैकसेतुं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ ४॥

Jarā-janma-hīnaṃ parānanda-pīnaṃ Samādhāna-līnaṃ sadaivā-navīnam. Jagaj-janma-hetuṃ surānīka-ketuṃ Tri-lokaika-setuṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (4)

MeaningHe who is free from old age and birth, full to overflowing with supreme bliss; absorbed in perfect stillness, ever new and ageless. The cause of the world's birth, the banner of the host of gods, the one bridge across the three worlds — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 5#

Kṛtāmnāya-gānaṃ khagādhīsha-yānaṃ

कृताम्नायगानं खगाधीशयानं विमुक्तेर्निदानं हरारातिमानम्। स्वभक्तानुकूलं जगद्वृक्षमूलं निरस्तार्तशूलं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ ५॥

Kṛtāmnāya-gānaṃ khagādhīsha-yānaṃ Vimukter-nidānaṃ harārāti-mānam. Sva-bhaktānukūlaṃ jagad-vṛkṣa-mūlaṃ Nirastārta-shūlaṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (5)

MeaningHe who is sung by all the Vedas, who rides upon Garuda the king of birds; the very source of liberation, the humbler of the enemies' pride. Ever gracious to His devotees, the root of the great tree of the world, who casts away the piercing spear of suffering — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 6#

Samastāmar-eshaṃ dvirephābha-keshaṃ

समस्तामरेशं द्विरेफाभकेशं जगद्बिम्बलेशं हृदाकाशदेशम्। सदा दिव्यदेहं विमुक्ताखिलेहं सुवैकुण्ठगेहं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ ६॥

Samastāmar-eshaṃ dvirephābha-keshaṃ Jagad-bimba-leshaṃ hṛd-ākāsha-desham. Sadā divya-dehaṃ vimuktākhil-ehaṃ Su-vaikuṇṭha-gehaṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (6)

MeaningHe who is Lord of all the immortals, whose locks are dark as a swarm of bees; of whom this whole visible universe is but a fragment, who dwells in the space of the heart. Of ever-divine body, free from every desire, whose home is the blessed Vaikuntha — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 7#

Surāli-baliṣṭhaṃ tri-lokī-variṣṭhaṃ

सुरालिबलिष्ठं त्रिलोकीवरिष्ठं गुरूणां गरिष्ठं स्वरूपैकनिष्ठम्। सदा युद्धधीरं महावीरवीरं महाम्भोधितीरं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ ७॥

Surāli-baliṣṭhaṃ tri-lokī-variṣṭhaṃ Gurūṇāṃ gariṣṭhaṃ svarūpaika-niṣṭham. Sadā yuddha-dhīraṃ mahā-vīra-vīraṃ Mahāmbhodhi-tīraṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (7)

MeaningHe who is mightiest in the ranks of the gods, most exalted in the three worlds; the greatest of the great, steadfast solely in His own true nature. Ever fearless in battle, the hero among the mightiest heroes, who rests on the shore of the vast ocean — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 8#

Ramā-vāma-bhāgaṃ talān-agra-nāgaṃ

रमावामभागं तलानग्रनागं कृताधीनयागं गतारागरागम्। मुनीन्द्रैः सुगीतं सुरैः सम्परीतं गुणौघैरतीतं भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्॥ ८॥

Ramā-vāma-bhāgaṃ talān-agra-nāgaṃ Kṛtādhīna-yāgaṃ gatārāga-rāgam. Munīndraiḥ su-gītaṃ suraiḥ samparītaṃ Guṇaughair-atītaṃ bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham. (8)

MeaningHe who keeps Lakshmi at His left side, who reclines upon the serpent; to whom all sacrifices are made subordinate, who is utterly free of passion and attachment. Beautifully sung by the foremost sages, encircled by the gods, beyond the flood of all qualities — Him I worship, Him I worship.

Verse 9#

Idaṃ yas tu nityaṃ samādhāya chittaṃ

इदं यस्तु नित्यं समाधाय चित्तं पठेदष्टकं कण्ठहारं मुरारेः। विष्णोर्विशोकं ध्रुवं याति लोकं जराजन्मशोकं पुनर्विन्दते नो॥ ९॥

Idaṃ yas tu nityaṃ samādhāya chittaṃ Paṭhed aṣṭakaṃ kaṇṭha-hāraṃ murāreḥ. Sa viṣṇor vishokaṃ dhruvaṃ yāti lokaṃ Jarā-janma-shokaṃ punar vindate no. (9)

MeaningWhoever, with a steadied and concentrated mind, daily recites this eight-versed hymn — this garland of praise for Murari (Vishnu) — surely attains the sorrowless realm of Vishnu, and never again meets the grief of old age and birth.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

जगज्जालपालं
Jagaj-jāla-pālaṃ
the protector who sustains the whole web (net) of the worlds
शरच्चन्द्रभालं
Sharach-chandra-bhālaṃ
whose forehead shines like the autumn moon
नभोनीलकायं
Nabho-nīla-kāyaṃ
whose body is dark-blue like the sky
सुपद्मासहायं
Su-padmā-sahāyaṃ
the beloved companion of Lakshmi (she of the lotus)
भजेऽहं भजेऽहम्
Bhaje'haṃ bhaje'ham
Him I worship, Him I worship (the refrain of every verse)
शतादित्यभासम्
Shatāditya-bhāsam
radiant with the splendour of a hundred suns
गदाचक्रशस्त्रं
Gadā-chakra-shastraṃ
armed with the mace (gada) and the discus (chakra)
रमाकण्ठहारं
Ramā-kaṇṭha-hāraṃ
the very necklace upon Lakshmi's throat — her dearest ornament
चिदानन्दरूपं
Chid-ānanda-rūpaṃ
whose form is pure consciousness and bliss (chit-ananda)
त्रिलोकैकसेतुं
Tri-lokaika-setuṃ
the one bridge across (and uniting) the three worlds
खगाधीशयानं
Khagādhīsha-yānaṃ
who rides upon Garuda, the king of birds
मुरारेः
Murāreḥ
of Murari — Vishnu, the slayer of the demon Mura

Origin & History

Source: A classical Sanskrit hymn to Vishnu

Author: Traditionally attributed to Swami Brahmananda

The Hari Stotram is a much-loved devotional hymn to Vishnu, known the world over by its opening word 'Jagajjalapalam'. In nine flowing verses of the Bhujangaprayata metre, it gathers a cascade of compound epithets — Hari as the sustainer of the worlds, the sky-blue Lord whose maya none can cross, the husband of Lakshmi, the one bridge across the three worlds — each verse closing with the heartfelt refrain 'Bhaje'ham Bhaje'ham', 'Him I worship, Him I worship'. The final verse promises the reciter the sorrowless abode of Vishnu and freedom from rebirth. It is traditionally attributed to Swami Brahmananda and remains a favourite for Thursday and Ekadashi worship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hari Stotram?
It is a Sanskrit hymn to Vishnu (Hari) in nine verses, famous by its opening words 'Jagajjalapalam'. Each of the eight main verses heaps ornate epithets upon the Lord and ends with the refrain 'Bhaje'ham Bhaje'ham' — 'Him I worship, Him I worship' — and a ninth verse describes the fruit of reciting it.
What does 'Jagajjalapalam' mean?
'Jagaj-jala-palam' means 'the protector who sustains the whole web (or net) of the worlds'. It is the very first epithet of the stotram, declaring Vishnu as the one who upholds and preserves the entire created universe.
What are the benefits of reciting the Hari Stotram?
Its closing verse promises that whoever recites this eight-versed hymn daily with a steady, concentrated mind attains the sorrowless realm of Vishnu and never again suffers the grief of old age and birth. It is cherished for bringing devotion, peace of mind and liberation.
When should the Hari Stotram be recited?
It is recited at dawn or dusk, and is especially auspicious on Thursdays (the day of Vishnu), on Ekadashi, and during Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Many sing it daily for its beautiful, flowing metre.

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