विष्णु सहस्रनाम — Word-by-Word 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. I take refuge in Vishvaksena, whose attendants, led by the elephant-faced one, constantly destroy all obstacles by the hundreds. 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. 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. To the Unchangeable, the Pure, the Eternal, the Supreme Self, to Him who is ever of one form — to Vishnu, the Conqueror of all. Salutations to that Vishnu, the Almighty, by merely remembering whom one is freed from the bondage of birth and worldly existence. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Universe, the All-Pervading, the Sacred Syllable, the Lord of past-present-future. Creator of beings, sustainer of beings, the essence, the soul of beings, the cause of beings. The Pure Self, the Supreme Self, the highest destination of the liberated. The Imperishable, the Supreme Person, the Witness, the Knower of the field, the Indestructible. Yoga itself, the leader of the knowledgeable, the Lord of primordial nature and soul. Of the form of Narasimha, glorious, Keshava, the Supreme Person. The All, the Destroyer, the Auspicious, the Immovable, the Origin of beings, the Imperishable Treasure. The Source, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Origin, the Lord, the Ruler. The Self-born, the Source of joy, the Sun, the Lotus-eyed, the Great-voiced. Without beginning or end, the Ordainer, the Creator, the Ultimate Essence. The Immeasurable, the Lord of the senses, the Lotus-naveled, the Lord of immortals. The Architect of the universe, Manu, the Shaper, the Most Vast, the Most Ancient, the Pole Star. The Ungraspable, the Eternal, the Dark One (Krishna), the Red-eyed, the Destroyer. The Abundant One, the Support of three worlds, the Sacred, the Most Auspicious. The Ruler, the Giver of life-breath, Life itself, the Eldest, the Greatest, the Lord of beings. The Golden Womb, the Womb of the earth, Madhava, the Slayer of Madhu. The Lord, the Valiant, the Wielder of the bow, the Wise, Valor itself, the Step. The Unsurpassed, the Invincible, the Grateful, the Doer, the Self-possessed. The Lord of gods, the Refuge, the Joy, the Seed of the universe, the Source of beings. The Day, the Year, the Serpent, the Conviction, the All-seeing. Om salutations to Lord Vasudeva. Om salutations to Vishnu. Om salutations to Narayana.