Vishnu Sahasranamam
विष्णु सहस्रनाम
Origin & Story
Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva (Book 13, Chapter 149) · Sage Vyasa (recorded); narrated by Bhishma · Ancient (c. 3000 BCE traditional; c. 400 BCE scholarly)
After the great Mahabharata war, Yudhishthira approached Bhishma Pitamaha, who lay on a bed of arrows awaiting the auspicious moment of death. Yudhishthira asked the patriarch the most important question: 'What is the greatest dharma? By chanting whose name can a person go beyond all sorrow?' In response, Bhishma revealed the Vishnu Sahasranamam — the thousand names of Lord Vishnu — declaring it the supreme path to liberation. This dialogue, witnessed by Lord Krishna himself, became one of the most sacred texts in Hinduism.
✦ As told in scripture
The most celebrated miracle associated with Vishnu Sahasranamam involves Adi Shankaracharya. While writing his commentary, Shankara came to the name 'Sahasrakoti Yugadharine' and found his pen stopped moving. Lord Vishnu himself appeared and completed the verse, proving that the divine names carry living power. In another tradition, it is said that the great devotee Prahlada survived all of his father Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill him solely through the power of chanting Vishnu's names — the very names catalogued in this Sahasranamam.
Complete Text with Meaning
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
Shuklambara Dharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayet Sarva Vighnopa Shantaye
Meaning:I meditate upon Lord Vishnu, who wears white garments, who has a moon-like complexion, who has four arms, and whose face is always serene — for the removal of all obstacles.
यस्य द्विरदवक्त्राद्याः पारिषद्याः परः शतम्। विघ्नं निघ्नन्ति सततं विष्वक्सेनं तमाश्रये॥
Yasya Dvirada Vaktradyah Parishadyah Parah Shatam Vighnam Nighnanti Satatam Vishvaksenam Tamashreye
Meaning:I take refuge in Vishvaksena, whose attendants, led by the elephant-faced one, constantly destroy all obstacles by the hundreds.
व्यासं वसिष्ठनप्तारं शक्तेः पौत्रमकल्मषम्। पराशरात्मजं वन्दे शुकतातं तपोनिधिम्॥
Vyasam Vasishtha Naptaram Shakteh Pautram Akalmasham Parasharatmajam Vande Shukatatum Taponidhim
Meaning:I salute Vyasa, the grandson of Vasishtha, the pure grandson of Shakti, the son of Parashara, the father of Shuka, and a treasure-house of penance.
व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे। नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः॥
Vyasaya Vishnurupaya Vyasarupaya Vishnave Namo Vai Brahmanidhaye Vasishthaya Namo Namah
Meaning:Salutations to Vyasa who is a form of Vishnu, and to Vishnu who is a form of Vyasa. Salutations again and again to the treasure of Vedic knowledge, the descendant of Vasishtha.
अविकाराय शुद्धाय नित्याय परमात्मने। सदैकरूपरूपाय विष्णवे सर्वजिष्णवे॥
Avikaraya Shuddhaya Nityaya Paramatmane Sadaikarupa Rupaya Vishnave Sarvajishnave
Meaning:To the Unchangeable, the Pure, the Eternal, the Supreme Self, to Him who is ever of one form — to Vishnu, the Conqueror of all.
यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण जन्मसंसारबन्धनात्। विमुच्यते नमस्तस्मै विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे॥
Yasya Smarana Matrena Janma Samsara Bandhanat Vimuchyate Namastasmai Vishnave Prabhvishnave
Meaning:Salutations to that Vishnu, the Almighty, by merely remembering whom one is freed from the bondage of birth and worldly existence.
ॐ नमो विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे। श्री वैशम्पायन उवाच — श्रुत्वा धर्मानशेषेण पावनानि च सर्वशः। युधिष्ठिरः शान्तनवं पुनरेवाभ्यभाषत॥
Om Namo Vishnave Prabhvishnave Shri Vaishampayan Uvacha — Shrutva Dharman Asheshena Pavanani Cha Sarvashah Yudhishthirah Shantanavam Punar Eva Abhyabhashata
Meaning:Om, salutations to Vishnu the Almighty. Shri Vaishampayan said: Having heard all the dharmas and all the purifying practices in full, Yudhishthira again addressed the son of Shantanu (Bhishma).
विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः। भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः॥
Vishvam Vishnur Vashatkaro Bhuta Bhavya Bhavat Prabhuh Bhutakrid Bhutabhrid Bhavo Bhutatma Bhutabhavanah
Meaning:The Universe, the All-Pervading, the Sacrificial Fire, the Lord of past-present-future, the Creator of beings, the Sustainer of beings, Pure Existence, the Soul of all beings, the Cause of all beings.
पूतात्मा परमात्मा च मुक्तानां परमा गतिः। अव्ययः पुरुषः साक्षी क्षेत्रज्ञोऽक्षर एव च॥
Putatma Paramatma Cha Muktanam Parama Gatih Avyayah Purushah Sakshi Kshetrajno Akshara Eva Cha
Meaning:The Pure Soul, the Supreme Soul, the Supreme Goal of the liberated, the Imperishable, the Supreme Being, the Witness, the Knower of the field, and the Indestructible.
योगो योगविदां नेता प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः। नारसिंहवपुः श्रीमान् केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः॥
Yogo Yogavidam Neta Pradhana Purusheshvarah Narasimhavapuh Shriman Keshavah Purushottamah
Meaning:Yoga itself, the Leader of the knowers of Yoga, the Lord of Pradhana and Purusha, He whose form is Narasimha, the Glorious, Keshava, the Supreme Person.
सर्वः शर्वः शिवः स्थाणुर्भूतादिर्निधिरव्ययः। सम्भवो भावनो भर्ता प्रभवः प्रभुरीश्वरः॥
Sarvah Sharvah Shivah Sthanur Bhutadir Nidhir Avyayah Sambhavo Bhavano Bharta Prabhavah Prabhur Ishvarah
Meaning:The All, the Destroyer, the Auspicious, the Immovable, the Origin of beings, the Imperishable Treasure, the Source, the Nourisher, the Supporter, the Creator, the Lord, the Ruler.
स्वयम्भूः शम्भुरादित्यः पुष्कराक्षो महास्वनः। अनादिनिधनो धाता विधाता धातुरुत्तमः॥
Svayambhuh Shambhur Adityah Pushkarakshah Mahasvanah Anadi Nidhano Dhata Vidhata Dhatur Uttamah
Meaning:The Self-born, the Source of happiness, the Sun, the Lotus-eyed, the Great-voiced, without beginning or end, the Ordainer, the Creator, the Best of all elements.
अप्रमेयो हृषीकेशः पद्मनाभोऽमरप्रभुः। विश्वकर्मा मनुस्त्वष्टा स्थविष्ठः स्थविरो ध्रुवः॥
Aprameyoh Hrishikeshah Padmanabho Amaraprabhuh Vishvakarma Manus Tvashta Sthavishthah Sthaviro Dhruvah
Meaning:The Immeasurable, the Lord of the senses, the Lotus-naveled, the Lord of the immortals, the Architect of the universe, Manu, Tvashta, the Mightiest, the Most Ancient, the Immovable.
अग्राह्यः शाश्वतः कृष्णो लोहिताक्षः प्रतर्दनः। प्रभूतस्त्रिककुब्धाम पवित्रं मङ्गलं परम्॥
Agrahyah Shashvatah Krishno Lohitakshah Pratardanah Prabhutah Trikakubdhama Pavitram Mangalam Param
Meaning:The Ungraspable, the Eternal, Krishna, the Red-eyed, the Destroyer, the Abundant, the Light of the three worlds, the Sacred, the Most Auspicious, the Supreme.
ईशानः प्राणदः प्राणो ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठः प्रजापतिः। हिरण्यगर्भो भूगर्भो माधवो मधुसूदनः॥
Ishanah Pranadah Prano Jyeshthah Shreshthah Prajapatih Hiranyagarbho Bhugarbho Madhavo Madhusudanah
Meaning:The Ruler, the Giver of life-breath, Life itself, the Eldest, the Greatest, the Lord of creatures, the Golden Womb, the Womb of the earth, Madhava, the Slayer of Madhu.
ईश्वरो विक्रमी धन्वी मेधावी विक्रमः क्रमः। अनुत्तमो दुराधर्षः कृतज्ञः कृतिरात्मवान्॥
Ishvaro Vikrami Dhanvi Medhavi Vikramah Kramah Anuttamo Duradharsah Kritajnah Kritir Atmavan
Meaning:The Lord, the Valiant, the Wielder of the bow, the Wise, Valor itself, the Strider, the Unsurpassed, the Invincible, the Grateful, Action itself, the Self-possessed.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam
Recitation bestows liberation (moksha) and frees one from the cycle of birth and death
Removes all sins and purifies the mind, body, and soul
Grants protection from enemies, diseases, and calamities
Bhishma declared it the supreme remedy for all worldly sorrows
Brings wealth, fame, and success in all endeavors
Creates deep inner peace and spiritual progress
Considered the most powerful Vishnu stotram in all of Hindu scripture
Regular recitation is said to cure chronic diseases and mental afflictions
How to Chant Vishnu Sahasranamam
Sit facing east or north before a Vishnu or Krishna image. Begin with the dhyana shlokas (meditation verses). Recite the entire Sahasranamam slowly and with devotion. If the full recitation is not possible, recite at least the dhyana shlokas and phala shruti (benefits section). Maintain mental focus on Lord Vishnu throughout. The complete recitation takes approximately 25-30 minutes.