Vishnu Sahasranama
विष्णु सहस्रनाम
See all Vishnu content →॥ ध्यानम् ॥ शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥ ॐ विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः। भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः॥ पूतात्मा परमात्मा च मुक्तानां परमा गतिः। अव्ययः पुरुषः साक्षी क्षेत्रज्ञोऽक्षर एव च॥ योगो योगविदां नेता प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः। नारसिंहवपुः श्रीमान् केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः॥ सर्वः शर्वः शिवः स्थाणुर्भूतादिर्निधिरव्ययः। सम्भवो भावनो भर्ता प्रभवः प्रभुरीश्वरः॥ ॥ फलश्रुति ॥ य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं यश्चापि परिकीर्तयेत्। नाशुभं प्राप्नुयात् किञ्चित्सोऽमुत्रेह च मानवः॥
Above are the dhyana verse and the opening names of the Sahasranama. The complete hymn appears in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, where Vishnu's thousand names are set out across 107 verses — for the full authenticated text, please refer to a Gita Press or other reliable published edition.
Meaning
The Vishnu Sahasranama is a collection of one thousand sacred names of Lord Vishnu, taught by Bhishma to Yudhishthira in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata. Each name reveals a different divine quality, power, or aspect of the Lord — such as "Vishwa" (the entire universe), "Purushottama" (the supreme being), "Sarvah" (all that exists). It is held in the same profound reverence as the Bhagavad Gita.
Benefits
- 🪷Traditionally believed to bring mental peace, clarity, and spiritual growth
- 🪷Recited daily by many devotees for protection from obstacles
- 🪷Said to build focus, patience, and positivity
- 🪷Especially popular on Ekadashi and Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Chanting Method
Recite the complete text after your morning bath, before an image of Vishnu with a lit lamp, with correct pronunciation. A full recitation typically takes 20-30 minutes.
Best Time
Early morning and Ekadashi are considered especially auspicious.