Vishnu sahasranama

Vishnu sahasranama
The Vishnusahasranama (Sanskrit Viusahasranma, a tatpurusha compound translating literally to "the thousand names of Vishnu") is a list of 1,000 names (sahasranama) of Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the personal supreme God for Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu). It is also one of the most sacred and commonly chanted stotras in Hinduism. The Vishnusahasranama as found in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata is the most popular version of the 1,000 names of Vishnu. Another version exists in the Padma Purana and Matsya Purana. Each name eulogizes one of His countless great attributes. The Vishnusahasranma has been the subject of numerous commentaries. Adi Shankaracharya wrote a definitive commentary on the sahasranma in the 8th century, which is the oldest and has been particularly influential for many schools of Hinduism even today. Parasara Bhattar, a follower of Ramanujacharya wrote a commentary in the 12th century, detailing the names Vishnusahasranama manuscript, ca1690. of Vishnu from a Vishishtadvaita perspective. Madhvacharya also wrote a commentary on Vishnusahasranama, disclosing that each name in the sahasranama has a minimum of 100 meaning. Upon being challenged by the audience during his time, Sri Madhvacharaya not only gives 101 meanings for each of the "Vishnusahasranma", but also expands on each of the meanings making it a multi-fold complexity and displays an outspoken quality to hold and explain the miracle and deep hidden meaning of sahasranma.

Background
According to the 149th chapter of Anushsanaparva (verses 14 to 120) in the epic Mahabharata, the names were handed down to Yudhisthira by the famous warrior Bhishma who was on his death bed (of arrows) in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Yudhisthira asks Bhishma the following questions:[1][2]

kimekam daivatam loke kim vpyekam paryaam stuvanta kam kamarcanta prpnuyurmnav ubham ko dharma sarva dharmm bhavata paramo mata kim japan mucyate jantu janmasamsrabandhant

In this universe Who is the one (ekam) refuge (paryaam) for all? Who (kim) is the greatest (ekam) Lord (daivatam) in the world (loke)? By eulogising (sthuvanta) whom (kam) can a person (mnav) reach auspiciousness (ubham) (peace and prosperity)? By worshipping (archanta) whom can a person reach auspiciousness (peace and prosperity)? What (kah) is, in thy opinion, the Greatest Dharma of all Dharmas? By (kim) chanting whose name, can a "creature" (jantuh) proceed beyond (muchyate) the bonds (bandhant) of samsra?
[3]

Vishnu sahasranama Bhisma answers by stating that, the mankind will be free from all sorrows by chanting the "Vishnusahasranma", which are the thousand names of the all-pervading Supreme Being Vishnu, who is the master of all the worlds, the supreme light, the essence of the universe and who is Brahman. All matter animate and inanimate reside in him, and he in turn resides within all matter.

Etymology
In Sanskrit, sahasra means "a thousand" and nma (nominative, the stem is nman-) means "name". The compound is of the Bahuvrihi type and may be translated as "having a thousand names". In modern Hindi pronunciation, nma is pronounced [na:m]. It is also pronounced sahasranmam in South India.

Interpretations
There are Sahasranma for many forms of God (Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Shakti, and others). The Vishnu Sahasranma is popular among common Hindus, and a major part of prayer for devout Vaishnavas, or followers of Vishnu. While Vaishanvas venerate other deities, they believe that the universe, including the other divinities such as Shiva and Devi, is ultimately a manifestation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Followers of Shaivism similarly give prominence to Shiva. Interestingly, despite the existence of other sahasranamas of other forms of God, referring a sahasranama as "The Sahasranama," generally refers to the Vishnu Sahasranama alone, thereby indicating its wide popularity and use. .[4]

Smarta interpretations
Two of the names in Vishnusahasranama that refer to Shiva are "Shiva" (names # 27 and # 600 in Adi Sankara's commentary) itself, "Shambhu" (name # 38), "Isanah" (name #6 4), and "Rudra" (name # 114). Most notably, Adi Shankara, according to one interpretation, has not interpreted these to mean that the deity Shiva and the deity Vishnu are the same.[5] Specifically, he asserts that the deity Vishnu is Brahman itself (not just an aspect of Brahmam).[6] Again, he notes that "only Hari (Vishnu) is eulogized by names such as Shiva",[7] a position consistent with interpretations of the Srivaishnavite commentator Parasara Bhattar. Parasara Bhattar had interpreted Shiva to mean a quality of Vishnu, such as "One who bestows auspiciousness.".[8]In fact, the Shri Rudram, a sacred prayer for Hindus and devotees of Shiva in particular, describes Vishnu as an aspect of Shiva in the fifth anuvaka. However, this interpretation of the name Shiva has been challenged by Swami Tapasyananda's translation of Sankara's commentary on the Vishnusahasranama.[9] He translates the 27th name, Shiva to mean:"One who is not affected by the three Gunas of Prakrti, Sattva, Rajas,and Tamas; The Kaivalaya Upanishad says, "He is both Brahma and Shiva." In the light of this statement of non-difference between Shiva and Vishnu, it is Vishnu Himself that is exalted by the praise and worship of Shiva." [9] Based on this commonly held Advaitan point of view which has been adopted by Smartas, Vishnu and Shiva are viewed as the one and the same God, being different aspects of preservation and destruction respectively. As many Sanskrit words have multiple meanings it is possible that both Vishnu and Shiva share names in this instance. For example, the name Shiva itself means "auspicious"[10] which could also apply to Vishnu. The Deities Ananthapadmanabha and Shankaranarayana are worshipped by Hindus, as is Lord Panduranga Vitthala a form of Lord Krishna with a Shiva Linga on his crown, signifying the oneness of both deities.

Vishnu sahasranama

Vaishnava interpretations
However, the Vaishnava commentator, Parasara Bhattar, a follower of Ramanujacharya has interpreted the names "Shiva" and "Rudra" in Vishnu sahasranama to mean qualities or attributes of Vishnu, and not to indicate that Vishnu and Shiva are one and the same God. Vaishnavas worship Vishnu in his four-armed form, carrying conch, disc, flower and mace in his hands, believing that to be the Supreme form. However, Smarthas do not subscribe to this aspect or personification of God, as Smarthas say that God is pure and thus devoid of form. Additionally, they believe that God is not limited by time nor limited by shape and color. Vaishnava traditions are of the opinion that Vishnu is both unlimited and yet still capable of having specific forms, as to give arguments to the contrary (to say that God is incapable of having a form) is to limit the unlimitable and all-powerful Supreme. In the Sri Vaishnava tradition, the Bhagavad-gita and the Vishnu Sahasranama are considered the two eyes of spiritual revelation. In other Vaishnava traditions too, the Vishnu Sahasranama is considered an important text. Within Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Vallabha sampradaya, Nimbarka sampradaya and among Ramanandis, the chanting of the names of Krishna and Rama to be superior to that of Vishnu. Based on another verse in the Padma Purana which says that the benefit of chanting the one thousand names of Vishnu can be derived from chanting one name of Rama, and a verse in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana equating the benefit of chanting three names of Rama with one name of Krishna. However, it is important to realize that those verses in those puranas are not to be interpreted literally, as many believe that there is no difference between Vishnu and Krishna. This theological difference can be expressed as follows: Many Vaishnava groups recognize Krishna as an Avatar of Vishnu, while others, instead, consider Him to be svayam bhagavan, or the original form of the Lord. Yet these verses can be interpreted as it is more important to have pure bhakti or devotion than merely repeating the many names of God without emotion. Indeed, Shri Krishna Himself said, "Arjuna, One may be desirous of praising by reciting the thousand names. But, on my part, I feel praised by one shloka. There is no doubt about it. [11] Within Vaisnavism some groups, such as Sri sampradaya, adhere to and follow the Rig Veda: V.I.15b.3, which states "O ye who wish to gain realization of the supreme truth, utter the name of Vishnu at least once in the steadfast faith that it will lead you to such realization." [12] Interpretations alluding to the power of God in controlling karma Many names in the Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu allude to the power of God in controlling karma. For example, the 135th name of Vishnu, Dharmadhyaksha, in Sankara's interpretation means, "One who directly sees the merits (Dharma) and demerits (Adharma), of beings by bestowing their due rewards on them." [13] Other names of Vishnu alluding to this nature of God are Bhavanah, the 32nd name, Vidhata, the 44th name, Apramattah, the 325th name, Sthanadah, the 387th name and Srivibhavanah, the 609th name.[14] Bhavanah, according to Sankara's interpretation, means "One who generates the fruits of Karmas of all Jivas for them to enjoy." [15] The Brahma Sutra (3.2.28) "Phalmatah upapatteh" speaks of the Lord's function as the bestower of the fruits of all actions of the jivas.[15]

General thoughts
Sections from Swami Tapasyananda's translation of the concluding verses of Vishnu sahasranama, state the following: "Nothing evil or inauspicious will befall a man here or hereafter who daily hears or repeats these names." That comment is noteworthy. King Nahusha, a once righteous king, ancestor of Yudhisthira, according to excerpt from C. Rajagopalachari's translation of the Mahabharata, became an Indra, king of devas, but was later expelled from Swarga or heaven due to a curse by the great sage Agastya for his eventual gain in pride and arrogance and became a python for thousands of years.[16] Thus, chanting of Vishnu sahasranama will help lead to success in this life and hereafter.

Vishnu sahasranama A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gives a Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation of verse 7.24 from the Bhagavad Gita, wherein he quotes the Avatar, Krishna, as saying: "Unintelligent men, who do not know Me perfectly, think that I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, was impersonal before and have now assumed this personality. Due to their small knowledge, they do not know My higher nature, which is imperishable and supreme."[17] Prabhupada has also stated that I beg to point out that the Hindu religion is perfectly based on the personal conception of God, or Vishnu."[18] In Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of the Bhagavad Gita, he gives an opposite interpretation of the same verse, 7:24, "men of poor understanding think of Me, the unmanifest, as having manifestation, not knowing My supreme state, immutable and unsurpassed." Swami Chidbhavananda, holding Advaita views, gives more importance to God being formless while Srila Prabhupada, following Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's philosophy, gives importance to God with form. Ramakrishna analogized God with form and without form as being like ice and liquid water, as being both the same but in different states.[19]

Pronunciation
In the linked preface prayer (But not in the succeeding Sahasranama) non-formal pronunciation is used, since correct representation of pronunciation requires extensive use of diacritic marks. An example: Sanskrit/Hindi has three letters representing S, which are represented here as 's', '', and '', as used in the Sanskrit word atkona (= "hexagon"), Vinu, Ka and others is actually a retroflex phoneme and has no equivalent in English. Retroflex phonemes are those where the tongue is slightly coiled back in the palate and released along with the phoneme's sound. Also, the '' in Viu and Ka is retroflex. In formal transliteration of Sanskrit alphabet to English, this set-up is denoted by placing dots below the letter ''. More details can be found at Sanskrit language#Consonants, and at IAST Although devotion is considered the most important thing while reciting any prayer or mantra (Unless used for tantric purposes, where the sound's vibration plays the major role), use of the correct pronunciation is believed by devotees to enhance the satisfaction derived from the recital, in the case of both vocal and mental chants.

Merits of Recitation
Believers in the recitation of the Sahasranama claim that it brings unwavering calm of mind, complete freedom from stress and brings eternal knowledge. A translation of the concluding verses (Phalasruti) of Vishnu sahasranama, state the following: "Nothing evil or inauspicious will befall a man here or hereafter who daily hears or repeats these names.. Whichever devoted man, getting up early in the morning and purifying himself, repeats this hymn devoted to Vasudeva, with a mind that is concentrated on Him, that man attains to great fame, leadership among his peers, wealth that is secure and the supreme good unsurpassed by anything. He will be free from all fears and be endowed with great courage and energy and he will be free from diseases. Beauty of form, strength of body and mind, and virtuous character will be natural to him.... One who reads this hymn every day with devotion and attention attains to peace of mind, patience, prosperity, mental stability, memory and reputation.... Whoever desires advancement and happiness should repeat this devotional hymn on Vishnu composed by Vyasa....Never will defeat attend on a man who adores the Lotus-Eyed One (Kamala Nayana), who is the Master of all the worlds, who is birthless, and out of whom the worlds have originated and into whom they dissolve." In orthodox Hindu tradition, a devotee should daily chant the Upanishads, Gita, Rudram, Purusha Sukta and Vishnu sahasranama. If one cannot do all this on any day, it is believed that chanting Visnu sahasranama alone is sufficient. Vishnu sahasranama can be chanted at any time, irrespective of gender. Varahi Tantra says that in the age of Kali yuga, most stotras are cursed by Parashurama and hence are ineffective. While listing the ones which are free from this curse and hence suitable during Kali Yuga, it is said, "Gita of the Bhishma Parva, Vishnu Sahasranama of Mahabharata and Chandika Saptashati' (Devi Mahatmyam) are free from all

Vishnu sahasranama Doshas and grant fruits immediately in Kali Yuga." [20] In a classic astrological text, the Bhat Parara Horstra, Sage Parashara frequently recommends the recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama as the best remedial measure for planetary afflictions.[21] For example, see the following verse: "The most effective and beneficial remedial measure for the prolongation of longevity and to obtain relief from other evil effects is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam." ch 56 verse 30 [21] Sage Parashara mentions this practice more than ten times in his text. Here's another verse: "The remedial measure to obtain relief from the above evil effects, is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama." ch 59 verse 77 [21] It is customary to commence the Vishnu sahasranama with a devotional prayer to Vishnu.

Shlokas
Recitation and aggregation
An alternative approach is to say the starting prayer, and then say the names collected in stanzas (As they were originally said by Bhishma.) Such stanzas are called Slokas in Sanskrit. The Sahasranama (apart from the initial and concluding prayers) has a total of 108 shlokas. For example, the first sloka is: om visvam vishnur-vashatkaro bhutbhavyabhavatprabhuh bhutkrd bhutbhrd-bhaavo bhutatma bhutabhavanah Notice the aggregation of several words and the omission of their intervening spaces. For example, the last word of the first line of this Sloka: bhutabhavya-bhavatprabhuh corresponds to: om bhutabhavya bhavat prabhave namah of the expanded version. This joining-together of words is a common feature of Sanskrit and is called Samasa- a compound. It makes the slokas compact, and easier to remember.

The Thousand names

Most Popular Names of Vishnu Bhagwan
1. Vishwam ( ) 2. Vishnu ( ) 3. Vashatkara ( ) 4. Bhuta Bhavya Bhavatprabhu ( ) 5. Bhutakrut ( ) 6. Bhutabhrut ( ) 7. Bhava ( ) 8. Bhutatma ( ) 9. Bhutabhavanah ( ) 10.Putatma ( )

11.Paramatma ( ) 12.Muktanam Parama Gatih ( ) 13.Avyaya ( , the never changing)

Vishnu sahasranama 14.Purusha ( )

Some other names

The names are generally derived from the anantakalyanagunas (meaning: infinite auspicious attributes). Some names are: Achintya (Incomprehensible, beyond understanding) Acyutah (infallible) Ananta (endless, eternal, infinite) Damodara (having a rope (dama) around his belly (udara): a name of Krishna) Govinda (protector of the cows & Brahmins; master of the senses: a name of Krishna) Hari (one who takes away jo manushya ke avguno ko har leta hai) Hayagriva (giver of knowledge) Jagannatha (Owner/Ruler of the world/universe) Janardana (One who is worshiped by people for Wealth) Keshava (slayer of Keshi, having long or much or handsome hair, from Atharvaveda viii, 6, 23) Krishna (born during the third epoch or yuga, his deeds range from cow protection (go rakshya) to absolving the earth of load of sins)

Madhava (relating to the season of spring,ma=laxmi,dhav=dhaaran karne walle means madhava) Madhusudana (he who destroyed the demon called Madhu) Narayana (said to mean "he who is the abode of nr (= ether)", i.e., the whole universe's shelter. Also means "The supreme Man who is the foundation of all men". Another meaning is "He who lies (i.e., rests) in the water".) Padmanabha (lotus-naveled one, from whose navel sprang the lotus which contained Brahma, who created the universe) Parthasarathy (Charioteer of Arjuna/Partha) Purushottama - The Supreme Eternal Being Rama (born during the second epoch or Yuga, his deeds primarily established the ideal living principles for a man) Hrishikesh (Lord of the senses or Lord within the heart; "hri" root meaning the heart) Rohit (another Name of Vishnu) Satyanarayana (a combination of satya and Narayana meaning 'protector of truth') Shrivatsa Shikhandee: He who wears a peacock feather. Souryarayan (the one who destroys the evil/sins and who comforts us) described in Vishnu kautuvam. Sridhara (consort of Sri = Laxmi or Ultimate wealth) Siddhartha (one who attains perfection, birth name of Buddha avatar in the last epoch of Kali Yuga) Sriman (the pride of Shri or Lakshmi); Often Sriman is combined with the name, Narayana, to form a compound word, Sriman Narayana. Srinivasa (the abode of Shri) (also specifically referring to his form in the temple at Tirupati). Also the form of Vishnu at Tirupati is well known as Venkateswara. Trivikrama (Conqueror of the three worlds, as in Vamana avatara). Vishal (Immense, The Unstoppable One). Vamana (dwarfish, small or short in stature, a dwarf brahmana) Vsudeva ( "All-Pervading god", with the long vowel A; it also means "the son of Vasudeva", i.e. Krishna) Shreesh (Husband of Goddess Lakshmi). Guruvayurappan Lord of Guruvayur (Temple made by Guru(Brihaspati) & Vayu deva) Jaganath is the south eastern name of Vishnu. The word juggernaut (the mightiest) is derived from this name. Sohama means the most intelligent, it is strongest form of Vishnu with a thousand brains and hands

Vishnu sahasranama Jayan means The Victorious or The conqueror of all enemies

Complete List of Names of Bhagawan Vishnu

This is the complete list of names, in loosed anglicized spelling and with idiosyncractic translations.[22][23] 1) vishvam: He who is the universe, the virat-purusha 2) vishnuh: He who pervades everywhere 3) vashatkaarah: He who is invoked for oblations 4) bhoota-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuh: The Lord of past, present and future 5) bhoota-krit: The creator of all creatures 6) bhoota-bhrit: He who nourishes all creatures 7) bhaavo: He who becomes all moving and nonmoving things 8) bhootaatmaa: The aatman of all beings 9) bhoota-bhaavanah: The cause of the growth and birth of all creatures 10) pootaatmaa: He with an extremely pure essence 11) paramaatmaa: The Supersoul 12) muktaanaam paramaa gatih: The final goal, reached by liberated souls 13) avyayah: Without destruction 14) purushah: He who dwells in the city of nine gates 15) saakshee: The witness 16) kshetrajnah: The knower of the field 17) akshara: Indestructible 18) yogah: He who is realized through yoga 19) yoga-vidaam netaa: The guide of those who know yoga 20) pradhaana-purusheshvarah: Lord of pradhaana and purusha 21) naarasimha-vapuh: He whose form is man-lion 22) shreemaan: He who is always with shree 23) keshavah: He who has beautiful locks of hair 24) purushottamah: The Supreme Controller 25) sarvah: He who is everything 26) sharvas: The auspicious 27) shivah: He who is eternally pure 28) sthaanuh: The pillar, the immovable truth 29) bhootaadih: The cause of the five great elements 30) nidhir-avyayah: The imperishable treasure 31) sambhavah: He who descends of His own free will 32) bhaavanah: He who gives everything to his devotees 33) bhartaa: He who governs the entire living world 34) prabhavah: The womb of the five great elements 35) prabhuh: The Almighty Lord 36) eeshvarah: He who can do anything without any help 37) svayambhooh: He who manifests from Himself 38) shambhuh: He who brings auspiciousness 39) aadityah: The son of Aditi (Vaamana) 40) pushkaraakshah: He who has eyes like the lotus

41) mahaasvanah: He who has a thundering voice 42) anaadi-nidhanah: He without origin or end 43) dhaataa: He who supports all fields of experience

Vishnu sahasranama 44) vidhaataa: The dispenser of fruits of action 45) dhaaturuttamah: The subtlest atom 46) aprameyah: He who cannot be perceived 47) hrisheekeshah: The Lord of the senses 48) padmanaabhah: He from whose navel comes the lotus 49) amaraprabhuh: The Lord of the devas 50) vishvakarmaa: The creator of the universe 51) manuh: He who has manifested as the Vedic mantras 52) tvashtaa: He who makes huge things small 53) sthavishtah: The supremely gross 54) sthaviro dhruvah: The ancient, motionless one 55) agraahyah: He who is not perceived sensually 56) shaashvatah: He who always remains the same 57) krishno: He whose complexion is dark 58) lohitaakshah: Red-eyed 59) pratardanah: The Supreme destruction 60) prabhootas: Ever-full 61) trikakub-dhaama: The support of the three quarters 62) pavitram: He who gives purity to the heart 63) mangalam param: The Supreme auspiciousness 64) eeshanah: The controller of the five great elements 65) praanadah: He who gives life 66) praano: He who ever lives 67) jyeshthah: Older than all 68) shreshthah: The most glorious 69) prajaapatih: The Lord of all creatures 70) hiranyagarbhah: He who dwells in the womb of the world 71) bhoogarbhah: He who is the womb of the world 72) maadhavah: Husband of Lakshmi 73) madhusoodanah: Destroyer of the Madhu demon 74) eeshvarah: The controller 75) vikramee: He who is full of prowess 76) dhanvee: He who always has a divine bow 77) medhaavee: Supremely intelligent 78) vikramah: He who stepped (Vaamana) 79) kramah: All-pervading 80) anuttamah: Incomparably great 81) duraadharshah: He who cannot be attacked successfully 82) kritajnah: He who knows all that is 83) kritih: He who rewards all our actions 84) aatmavaan: The self in all beings 85) sureshah: The Lord of the demigods 86) sharanam: The refuge 87) sharma: He who is Himself infinite bliss 88) visva-retaah: The seed of the universe

89) prajaa-bhavah: He from whom all praja comes 90) ahah: He who is the nature of time

Vishnu sahasranama 91) samvatsarah: He from whom the concept of time comes 92) vyaalah: The serpent (vyaalah) to atheists 93) pratyayah: He whose nature is knowledge 94) sarvadarshanah: All-seeing 95) ajah: Unborn 96) sarveshvarah: Controller of all 97) siddhah: The most famous 98) siddhih: He who gives moksha 99) sarvaadih: The beginning of all 100) achyutah: Infallible 101) vrishaakapih: He who lifts the world to dharma 102) ameyaatmaa: He who manifests in infinite varieties 103) sarva-yoga-vinissritah: He who is free from all attachments 104) vasuh: The support of all elements 105) vasumanaah: He whose mind is supremely pure 106) satyah: The truth 107) samaatmaa: He who is the same in all 108) sammitah: He who has been accepted by authorities 109) samah: Equal 110) amoghah: Ever useful 111) pundareekaakshah: He who dwells in the heart 112) vrishakarmaa: He whose every act is righteous 113) vrishaakritih: The form of dharma 114) rudrah: He who makes all people weep 115) bahu-shiraah: He who has many heads 116) babhrur: He who rules over all the worlds 117) vishvayonih: The womb of the universe 118) shuchi-shravaah: He who has beautiful, sacred names 119) amritah: Immortal 120) shaashvatah-sthaanur: Permanent and immovable 121) varaaroho: The most glorious destination 122) mahaatapaah: He of great tapas 123) sarvagah: All-pervading 124) sarvavid-bhaanuh: All-knowing and effulgent 125) vishvaksenah: He against whom no army can stand 126) janaardanah: He who gives joy to good people 127) vedah: He who is the Vedas 128) vedavid: The knower of the Vedas 129) avyangah: Without imperfections 130) vedaangah: He whose limbs are the Vedas 131) vedavit: He who contemplates upon the Vedas 132) kavih: The seer 133) lokaadhyakshah: He who presides over all lokas 134) suraadhyaksho: He who presides over all devas 135) dharmaadhyakshah: He who presides over dharma

136) krita-akritah: All that is created and not created 137) chaturaatmaa: The four-fold self

Vishnu sahasranama 138) chaturvyoohah: Vasudeva, Sankarshan etc. 139) chaturdamstrah: He who has four canines (Nrsimha) 140) chaturbhujah: Four-handed 141) bhraajishnur: Self-effulgent consciousness 142) bhojanam: He who is the sense-objects 143) bhoktaa: The enjoyer 144) sahishnuh: He who can suffer patiently 145) jagadaadijah: Born at the beginning of the world 146) anaghah: Sinless 147) vijayah: Victorious 148) jetaa: Ever-successful 149) vishvayonih: He who incarnates because of the world 150) punarvasuh: He who lives repeatedly in different bodies 151) upendrah: The younger brother of Indra (vaamana) 152) vaamanah: He with a dwarf body 153) praamshuh: He with a huge body 154) amoghah: He whose acts are for a great purpose 155) shuchih: He who is spotlessly clean 156) oorjitah: He who has infinite vitality 157) ateendrah: He who surpasses Indra 158) samgrahah: He who holds everything together 159) sargah: He who creates the world from Himself 160) dhritaatmaa: Established in Himself 161) niyamo: The appointing authority 162) yamah: The administrator 163) vedyah: That which is to be known 164) vaidyah: The Supreme doctor 165) sadaa-yogee: Always in yoga 166) veerahaa: He who destroys the mighty heroes 167) maadhavo: The Lord of all knowledge 168) madhuh: Sweet 169) ateendriyo: Beyond the sense organs 170) mahaamayo: The Supreme Master of all Maya 171) mahotsaaho: The great enthusiast 172) mahaabalah: He who has supreme strength 173) mahaabuddhir: He who has supreme intelligence 174) mahaa-veeryah: The supreme essence 175) mahaa-shaktih: All-powerful 176) mahaa-dyutih: Greatly luminous 177) anirdeshya-vapuh: He whose form is indescribable 178) shreemaan: He who is always courted by glories 179) ameyaatmaa: He whose essence is immeasurable 180) mahaadri-dhrik: He who supports the great mountain 181) maheshvaasah: He who wields shaarnga 182) maheebhartaa: The husband of mother earth

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183) shreenivaasah: The permanent abode of Shree 184) sataam gatih: The goal for all virtuous people

Vishnu sahasranama 185) aniruddhah: He who cannot be obstructed 186) suraanando: He who gives out happiness 187) govindah: The protector of the cows 188) govidaam-patih: The Lord of all men of wisdom 189) mareechih: Effulgence 190) damanah: He who controls rakshasas 191) hamsah: The swan 192) suparnah: Beautiful-winged (Two birds analogy) 193) bhujagottamah: The serpent Ananta 194) hiranyanaabhah: He who has a golden navel 195) sutapaah: He who has glorious tapas 196) padmanaabhah: He whose navel is like a lotus 197) prajaapatih: He from whom all creatures emerge 198) amrityuh: He who knows no death 199) sarva-drik: The seer of everything 200) simhah: He who destroys 201) sandhaataa: The regulator 202) sandhimaan: He who seems to be conditioned 203) sthirah: Steady 204) ajah: He who takes the form of Aja, Brahma 205) durmarshanah: He who cannot be vanquished 206) shaastaa: He who rules over the universe 207) visrutaatmaa: He who is called atma in the Vedas 208) suraarihaa: Destroyer of the enemies of the devas 209) guruh: The teacher 210) gurutamah: The greatest teacher 211) dhaama: The goal 212) satyah: He who is Himself the truth 213) satya-paraakramah: Dynamic Truth 214) nimishah: He who has closed eyes in contemplation 215) animishah: He who remains unwinking; ever knowing 216) sragvee: He who always wears a garland of undecaying flowers 217) vaachaspatir-udaara-dheeh: He who is eloquent in championing the Supreme law of life; He with a large-hearted intelligence 218) agraneeh: He who guides us to the peak 219) graamaneeh: He who leads the flock 220) shreemaan: The possessor of light, effulgence, glory 221) nyaayah: Justice 222) netaa: The leader 223) sameeranah: He who sufficiently administers all movements of all living creatures 224) sahasra-moordhaa: He who has endless heads 225) vishvaatmaa: The soul of the universe 226) sahasraakshah: Thousands of eyes 227) sahasrapaat: Thousand-footed 228) aavartanah: The unseen dynamism

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229) nivritaatmaa: The soul retreated from matter 230) samvritah: He who is veiled from the jiva

Vishnu sahasranama 231) sam-pramardanah: He who persecutes evil men 232) ahassamvartakah: He who thrills the day and makes it function vigorously 233) vahnih: Fire 234) anilah: Air 235) dharaneedharah: He who supports the earth 236) suprasaadah: Fully satisfied 237) prasanaatmaa: Ever pure and all-blissful self 238) vishva-dhrik: Supporter of the world 239) vishvabhuk: He who enjoys all experiences 240) vibhuh: He who manifests in endless forms 241) satkartaa: He who adores good and wise people 242) satkritah: He who is adored by all good people 243) saadhur: He who lives by the righteous codes 244) jahnuh: Leader of men 245) naaraayanah: He who resides on the waters 246) narah: The guide 247) asankhyeyah: He who has numberless names and forms 248) aprameyaatmaa: A soul not known through the pramanas 249) vishishtah: He who transcends all in His glory 250) shishta-krit: The law-maker 251) shuchih: He who is pure 252) siddhaarthah: He who has all arthas 253) siddhasankalpah: He who gets all He wishes for 254) siddhidah: The giver of benedictions 255) siddhisaadhanah: The power behind our sadhana 256) vrishaahee: Controller of all actions 257) vrishabhah: He who showers all dharmas 258) vishnuh: Long-striding 259) vrishaparvaa: The ladder leading to dharma (As well as dharma itself) 260) vrishodarah: He from whose belly life showers forth 261) vardhanah: The nurturer and nourisher 262) vardhamaanah: He who can grow into any dimension 263) viviktah: Separate 264) shruti-saagarah: The ocean for all scripture 265) subhujah: He who has graceful arms 266) durdurdharah: He who cannot be known by great yogis 267) vaagmee: He who is eloquent in speech 268) mahendrah: The lord of Indra 269) vasudah: He who gives all wealth 270) vasuh: He who is Wealth 271) naika-roopo: He who has unlimited forms 272) brihad-roopah: Vast, of infinite dimensions 273) shipivishtah: The presiding deity of the sun 274) prakaashanah: He who illuminates 275) ojas-tejo-dyutidharah: The possessor of vitality, effulgence and beauty

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276) prakaashaatmaa: The effulgent self 277) prataapanah: Thermal energy; one who heats

Vishnu sahasranama 278) riddhah: Full of prosperity 279) spashtaaksharo: One who is indicated by OM 280) mantrah: The nature of the Vedic mantras 281) chandraamshuh: The rays of the moon 282) bhaaskara-dyutih: The effulgence of the sun 283) amritaamsoodbhavo: The moon who gives flavor to vegetables 284) bhaanuh: Self-effulgent 285) shashabindhuh: The moon who has a rabbit-like spot 286) sureshvarah: A person of extreme charity 287) aushadham: Medicine 288) jagatas-setuh: A bridge across the material energy 289) satya-dharma-paraakramah: One who champions heroically for truth and righteousness 290) bhoota-bhavya-bhavan-naathah: The Lord of past, present and future 291) pavanah: The air that fills the universe 292) paavanah: He who gives life-sustaining power to air 293) analah: Fire 294) kaamahaa: He who destroys all desires 295) kaamakrit: He who fulfills all desires 296) kaantah: He who is of enchanting form 297) kaamah: The beloved 298) kaamapradah: He who supplies desired objects 299) prabhuh: The Lord 300) yugaadi-krit: The creator of the yugas 301) yugaavartah: The law behind time 302) naikamaayah: He whose forms are endless and varied 303) mahaashanah: He who eats up everything 304) adrishyah: Imperceptible 305) vyaktaroopah: He who is perceptible to the yogi 306) sahasrajit: He who vanquishes thousands 307) anantajit: Ever-victorious 308) ishtah: He who is invoked through Vedic rituals 309) visishtah: The noblest and most sacred 310) sishteshtah: The greatest beloved 311) shikhandee: He who wears a peacock feather 312) nahushah: He who binds all with maya 313) vrishah: He who is dharma 314) krodhahaa: He who destroys anger 315) krodhakrit-kartaa: He who generates anger against the lower tendency 316) visvabaahuh: He whose hand is in everything 317) maheedharah: The support of the earth 318) achyutah: He who undergoes no changes 319) prathitah: He who exists pervading all 320) praanah: The prana in all living creatures 321) praanadah: He who gives prana 322) vaasavaanujah: The brother of Indra

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323) apaam-nidhih: Treasure of waters (the ocean) 324) adhishthaanam: The substratum of the entire universe

Vishnu sahasranama 325) apramattah: He who never makes a wrong judgement 326) pratishthitah: He who has no cause 327) skandah: He whose glory is expressed through Subrahmanya 328) skanda-dharah: Upholder of withering righteousness 329) dhuryah: Who carries out creation etc. without hitch 330) varadah: He who fulfills boons 331) vaayuvaahanah: Controller of winds 332) vaasudevah: Dwelling in all creatures although not affected by that condition 333) brihat-bhaanuh: He who illumines the world with the rays of the sun and moon 334) aadidevah: The primary source of everything 335) purandarah: Destroyer of cities 336) ashokah: He who has no sorrow 337) taaranah: He who enables others to cross 338) taarah: He who saves 339) shoorah: The valiant 340) shaurih: He who incarnated in the dynasty of Shoora 341) janeshvarah: The Lord of the people 342) anukoolah: Well-wisher of everyone 343) sataavarttah: He who takes infinite forms 344) padmee: He who holds a lotus 345) padmanibhekshanah: Lotus-eyed 346) padmanaabhah: He who has a lotus-navel 347) aravindaakshah: He who has eyes as beautiful as the lotus 348) padmagarbhah: He who is being meditated upon in the lotus of the heart 349) shareerabhrit: He who sustains all bodies 350) maharddhi: One who has great prosperity 351) riddhah: He who has expanded Himself as the universe 352) Vriddhaatmaa: The ancient self 353) mahaakshah: The great-eyed 354) garudadhvajah: One who has Garuda on His flag 355) atulah: Incomparable 356) sharabhah: One who dwells and shines forth through the bodies 357) bheemah: The terrible 358) samayajnah: One whose worship is nothing more than keeping an equal vision of the mind by the devotee 359) havirharih: The receiver of all oblation 360) sarva-lakshana-lakshanyah: Known through all proofs 361) lakshmeevaan: The consort of Laksmi 362) samitinjayah: Ever-victorious 363) viksharah: Imperishable 364) rohitah: The fish incarnation 365) maargah: The path 366) hetuh: The cause 367) daamodarah: Whose stomach is marked with three lines 368) sahah: All-enduring 369) maheedharah: The bearer of the earth

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370) mahaabhaago: He who gets the greates share in every Yajna 371) vegavaan: He who is swift

Vishnu sahasranama 372) amitaashanah: Of endless appetite 373) udbhavah: The originator 374) kshobhanah: The agitator 375) devah: He who revels 376) shreegarbhah: He in whom are all glories 377) parameshvarah: The Supreme Lord 378) karanam: The instrument 379) kaaranam: The cause 380) kartaa: The doer 381) vikartaa: Creator of the endless varieties that make up the universe 382) gahanah: The unknowable 383) guhah: He who dwells in the cave of the heart 384) vyavasaayah: Resolute 385) vyavasthaanah: The substratum 386) samsthaanah: The ultimate authority 387) sthaanadah: He who confers the right abode 388) dhruvah: The changeless in the midst of changes 389) pararddhih: He who has supreme manifestations 390) paramaspashtah: The extremely vivid 391) tushtah: One who is contented with a very simple offering 392) pushtah: One who is ever-full 393) shubhekshanah: All-auspicious gaze 394) raamah: One who is most handsome 395) viraamah: The abode of perfect-rest 396) virajo: Passionless 397) maargah: The path 398) neyah: The guide 399) nayah: One who leads 400) anayah: One who has no leader 401) veerah: The valiant 402) shaktimataam-shresthah: The best among the powerful 403) dharmah: The law of being 404) dharmaviduttamah: The highest among men of realisation 405) vaikunthah: One who prevents men from straying on wrong paths 406) purushah: One who dwells in all bodies 407) praanah: Life 408) praanadah: Giver of life 409) pranavah: He who is praised by the gods 410) prituh: The expanded 411) hiranyagarbhah: The creator 412) shatrughnah: The destroyer of enemies 413) vyaaptah: The pervader 414) vaayuh: The air 415) adhokshajah: One whose vitality never flows downwards 416) rituh: The seasons

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417) sudarshanah: He whose meeting is auspicious 418) kaalah: He who judges and punishes beings

Vishnu sahasranama 419) parameshthee: One who is readily available for experience within the heart 420) parigrahah: The receiver 421) ugrah: The terrible 422) samvatsarah: The year 423) dakshah: The smart 424) vishraamah: The resting place 425) vishva-dakshinah: The most skilful and efficient 426) vistaarah: The extension 427) sthaavarah-sthaanuh: The firm and motionless 428) pramaanam: The proof 429) beejamavyayam: The Immutable Seed 430) arthah: He who is worshiped by all 431) anarthah: One to whom there is nothing yet to be fulfilled 432) mahaakoshah: He who has got around him great sheaths 433) mahaabhogah: He who is of the nature of enjoyment 434) mahaadhanah: He who is supremely rich 435) anirvinnah: He who has no discontent 436) sthavishthah: One who is supremely huge 437) a-bhooh: One who has no birth 438) dharma-yoopah: The post to which all dharma is tied 439) mahaa-makhah: The great sacrificer 440) nakshatranemir: The nave of the stars 441) nakshatree: The Lord of the stars (the moon) 442) kshamah: He who is supremely efficient in all undertakings 443) kshaamah: He who ever remains without any scarcity 444) sameehanah: One whose desires are auspicious 445) yajnah: One who is of the nature of yajna 446) ijyah: He who is fit to be invoked through yajna 447) mahejyah: One who is to be most worshiped 448) kratuh: The animal-sacrifice 449) satram: Protector of the good 450) sataam-gatih: Refuge of the good 451) sarvadarshee: All-knower 452) vimuktaatmaa: The ever-liberated self 453) sarvajno: Omniscient 454) jnaanamuttamam: The Supreme Knowledge 455) suvratah: He who ever-perfoeming the pure vow 456) sumukhah: One who has a charming face 457) sookshmah: The subtlest 458) sughoshah: Of auspicious sound 459) sukhadah: Giver of happiness 460) suhrit: Friend of all creatures 461) manoharah: The stealer of the mind 462) jita-krodhah: One who has conquered anger 463) veerabaahur: Having mighty arms

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464) vidaaranah: One who splits asunder 465) svaapanah: One who puts people to sleep

Vishnu sahasranama 466) svavashah: He who has everything under His control 467) vyaapee: All-pervading 468) naikaatmaa: Many souled 469) naikakarmakrit: One who does many actions 470) vatsarah: The abode 471) vatsalah: The supremely affectionate 472) vatsee: The father 473) ratnagarbhah: The jewel-wombed 474) dhaneshvarah: The Lord of wealth 475) dharmagub: One who protects dharma 476) dharmakrit: One who acts according to dharma 477) dharmee: The supporter of dharma 478) sat: existence 479) asat: illusion 480) ksharam: He who appears to perish 481) aksharam: Imperishable 482) avijnaataa: The non-knower (The knower being the conditioned soul within the body) 483) sahasraamshur: The thousand-rayed 484) vidhaataa: All supporter 485) kritalakshanah: One who is famous for His qualities 486) gabhastinemih: The hub of the universal wheel 487) sattvasthah: Situated in sattva 488) simhah: The lion 489) bhoota-maheshvarah: The great lord of beings 490) aadidevah: The first deity 491) mahaadevah: The great deity 492) deveshah: The Lord of all devas 493) devabhrit-guruh: Advisor of Indra 494) uttarah: He who lifts us from the ocean of samsara 495) gopatih: The shepherd 496) goptaa: The protector 497) jnaanagamyah: One who is experienced through pure knowledge 498) puraatanah: He who was even before time 499) shareera-bhootabhrit: One who nourishes the nature from which the bodies came 500) bhoktaa: The enjoyer 501) kapeendrah: Lord of the monkeys (Rama) 502) bhooridakshinah: He who gives away large gifts 503) somapah: One who takes Soma in the yajnas 504) amritapah: One who drinks the nectar 505) somah: One who as the moon nourishes plants 506) purujit: One who has conquered numerous enemies 507) purusattamah: The greatest of the great 508) vinayah: He who humiliates those who are unrighteous 509) jayah: The victorious 510) satyasandhah: Of truthful resolution

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511) daashaarhah: One who was born in the Dasarha race 512) saatvataam-patih: The Lord of the Satvatas

Vishnu sahasranama 513) jeevah: One who functions as the ksetrajna 514) vinayitaa-saakshee: The witness of modesty 515) mukundah: The giver of liberation 516) amitavikramah: Of immeasurable prowess 517) ambho-nidhir: The substratum of the four types of beings 518) anantaatmaa: The infinite self 519) mahodadhishayah: One who rests on the great ocean 520) antakah: The death 521) ajah: Unborn 522) mahaarhah: One who deserves the highest worship 523) svaabhaavyah: Ever rooted in the nature of His own self 524) jitaamitrah: One who has conquered all enemies 525) pramodanah: Ever-blissful 526) aanandah: A mass of pure bliss 527) nandanah: One who makes others blissful 528) nandah: Free from all worldly pleasures 529) satyadharmaa: One who has in Himself all true dharmas 530) trivikramah: One who took three steps 531) maharshih kapilaachaaryah: He who incarnated as Kapila, the great sage 532) kritajnah: The knower of the creation 533) medineepatih: The Lord of the earth 534) tripadah: One who has taken three steps 535) tridashaadhyaksho: The Lord of the three states of consciousness 536) mahaashringah: Great-horned (Matsya) 537) kritaantakrit: Destroyer of the creation 538) mahaavaraaho: The great boar 539) govindah: One who is known through Vedanta 540) sushenah: He who has a charming army 541) kanakaangadee: Wearer of bright-as-gold armlets 542) guhyo: The mysterious 543) gabheerah: The unfathomable 544) gahano: Impenetrable 545) guptah: The well-concealed 546) chakra-gadaadharah: Bearer of the disc and mace 547) vedhaah: Creator of the universe 548) svaangah: One with well-proportioned limbs 549) ajitah: Vanquished by none 550) krishnah: Dark-complexioned 551) dridhah: The firm 552) sankarshanochyutah: He who absorbs the whole creation into His nature and never falls away from that nature 553) varunah: One who sets on the horizon (Sun) 554) vaarunah: The son of Varuna (Vasistha or Agastya) 555) vrikshah: The tree 556) pushkaraakshah: Lotus eyed

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557) mahaamanaah: Great-minded 558) bhagavaan: One who possesses six opulences

Vishnu sahasranama 559) bhagahaa: One who destroys the six opulences during pralaya 560) aanandee: One who gives delight 561) vanamaalee: One who wears a garland of forest flowers 562) halaayudhah: One who has a plough as His weapon 563) aadityah: Son of Aditi 564) jyotiraadityah: The resplendence of the sun 565) sahishnuh: One who calmly endures duality 566) gatisattamah: The ultimate refuge for all devotees 567) sudhanvaa: One who has Shaarnga 568) khanda-parashur: One who holds an axe 569) daarunah: Merciless towards the unrighteous 570) dravinapradah: One who lavishly gives wealth 571) divah-sprik: Sky-reaching 572) sarvadrik-vyaaso: One who creates many men of wisdom 573) vaachaspatir-ayonijah: One who is the master of all vidyas and who is unborn through a womb 574) trisaamaa: One who is glorified by Devas, Vratas and Saamans 575) saamagah: The singer of the sama songs 576) saama: The Sama Veda 577) nirvaanam: All-bliss 578) bheshajam: Medicine 579) bhishak: Physician 580) samnyaasa-krit: Institutor of sannyasa 581) samah: Calm 582) shaantah: Peaceful within 583) nishthaa: Abode of all beings 584) shaantih: One whose very nature is peace 585) paraayanam: The way to liberation 586) shubhaangah: One who has the most beautiful form 587) shaantidah: Giver of peace 588) shrashtaa: Creator of all beings 589) kumudah: He who delights in the earth 590) kuvaleshayah: He who reclines in the waters 591) gohitah: One who does welfare for cows 592) gopatih: Husband of the earth 593) goptaa: Protector of the universe 594) vrishabhaaksho: One whose eyes rain fulfilment of desires 595) vrishapriyah: One who delights in dharma 596) anivartee: One who never retreats 597) nivrittaatmaa: One who is fully restrained from all sense indulgences 598) samksheptaa: The involver 599) kshemakrit: Doer of good 600) shivah: Auspiciousness 601) shreevatsa-vakshaah: One who has sreevatsa on His chest 602) shrevaasah: Abode of Sree 603) shreepatih: Lord of Laksmi

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604) shreemataam varah: The best among glorious 605) shreedah: Giver of opulence

Vishnu sahasranama 606) shreeshah: The Lord of Sree 607) shreenivaasah: One who dwells in the good people 608) shreenidhih: The treasure of Sree 609) shreevibhaavanah: Distributor of Sree 610) shreedharah: Holder of Sree 611) shreekarah: One who gives Sree 612) shreyah: Liberation 613) shreemaan: Possessor of Sree 614) loka-trayaashrayah: Shelter of the three worlds 615) svakshah: Beautiful-eyed 616) svangah: Beautiful-limbed 617) shataanandah: Of infinite varieties and joys 618) nandih: Infinite bliss 619) jyotir-ganeshvarah: Lord of the luminaries in the cosmos 620) vijitaatmaa: One who has conquered the sense organs 621) vidheyaatmaa: One who is ever available for the devotees to command in love 622) sat-keertih: One of pure fame 623) chinnasamshayah: One whose doubts are ever at rest 624) udeernah: The great transcendent 625) sarvatah-chakshuh: One who has eyes everywhere 626) aneeshah: One who has none to Lord over Him 627) shaashvata-sthirah: One who is eternal and stable 628) bhooshayah: One who rested on the ocean shore (Rama) 629) bhooshanah: One who adorns the world 630) bhootih: One who is pure existence 631) vishokah: Sorrowless 632) shoka-naashanah: Destroyer of sorrows 633) archishmaan: The effulgent 634) architah: One who is constantly worshipped by His devotees 635) kumbhah: The pot within whom everything is contained 636) vishuddhaatmaa: One who has the purest soul 637) vishodhanah: The great purifier 638) anniruddhah: He who is invincible by any enemy 639) apratirathah: One who has no enemies to threaten Him 640) pradyumnah: Very rich 641) amitavikramah: Of immeasurable prowess 642) kaalanemi-nihaa: Slayer of Kalanemi 643) veerah: The heroic victor 644) shauri: One who always has invincible prowess 645) shoora-janeshvarah: Lord of the valiant 646) trilokaatmaa: The self of the three worlds 647) trilokeshah: The Lord of the three worlds 648) keshavah: One whose rays illumine the cosmos 649) keshihaa: Killer of Kesi 650) harih: The destroyer

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651) kaamadevah: The beloved Lord 652) kaamapaalah: The fulfiller of desires

Vishnu sahasranama 653) kaamee: One who has fulfilled all His desires 654) kaantah: Of enchanting form 655) kritaagamah: The author of the agama scriptures 656) anirdeshya-vapuh: Of Indescribable form 657) vishnuh: All-pervading 658) veerah: The courageous 659) anantah: Endless 660) dhananjayah: One who gained wealth through conquest 661) brahmanyah: Protector of Brahman (anything related to Narayana) 662) brahmakrit: One who acts in Brahman 663) brahmaa: Creator 664) brahma: Biggest 665) brahma-vivardhanah: One who increases the Brahman 666) brahmavid: One who knows Brahman 667) braahmanah: One who has realised Brahman 668) brahmee: One who is with Brahma 669) brahmajno: One who knows the nature of Brahman 670) braahmana-priyah: Dear to the brahmanas 671) mahaakramo: Of great step 672) mahaakarmaa: One who performs great deeds 673) mahaatejaah: One of great resplendence 674) mahoragah: The great serpent 675) mahaakratuh: The great sacrifice 676) mahaayajvaa: One who performed great yajnas 677) mahaayajnah: The great yajna 678) mahaahavih: The great offering 679) stavyah: One who is the object of all praise 680) stavapriyah: One who is invoked through prayer 681) stotram: The hymn 682) stutih: The act of praise 683) stotaa: One who adores or praises 684) ranapriyah: Lover of battles 685) poornah: The complete 686) poorayitaa: The fulfiller 687) punyah: The truly holy 688) punya-keertir: Of Holy fame 689) anaamayah: One who has no diseases 690) manojavah: Swift as the mind 691) teerthakaro: The teacher of the tirthas 692) vasuretaah: He whose essence is golden 693) vasupradah: The free-giver of wealth 694) vasupradah: The giver of salvation, the greatest wealth 695) vaasudevo: The son of Vasudeva 696) vasuh: The refuge for all 697) vasumanaah: One who is attentive to everything

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698) havih: The oblation 699) sadgatih: The goal of good people

Vishnu sahasranama 700) satkritih: One who is full of Good actions 701) satta: One without a second 702) sadbhootih: One who has rich glories 703) satparaayanah: The Supreme goal for the good 704) shoorasenah: One who has heroic and valiant armies 705) yadu-shresthah: The best among the Yadava clan 706) sannivaasah: The abode of the good 707) suyaamunah: One who attended by the people dwelling on the banks of Yamuna 708) bhootaavaaso: The dwelling place of the elements 709) vaasudevah: One who envelops the world with Maya 710) sarvaasunilayah: The abode of all life energies 711) analah: One of unlimited wealth, power and glory 712) darpahaa: The destroyer of pride in evil-minded people 713) darpadah: One who creates pride, or an urge to be the best, among the righteous 714) driptah: One who is drunk with Infinite bliss 715) durdharah: The object of contemplation 716) athaaparaajitah: The unvanquished 717) vishvamoortih: Of the form of the entire Universe 718) mahaamortir: The great form 719) deeptamoortir: Of resplendent form 720) a-moortirmaan: Having no form 721) anekamoortih: Multi-formed 722) avyaktah: Unmanifeset 723) shatamoortih: Of many forms 724) shataananah: Many-faced 725) ekah: The one 726) naikah: The many 727) savah: The nature of the sacrifice 728) kah: One who is of the nature of bliss 729) kim: What (the one to be inquired into) 730) yat: Which 731) tat: That 732) padam-anuttamam: The unequalled state of perfection 733) lokabandhur: Friend of the world 734) lokanaathah: Lord of the world 735) maadhavah: Born in the family of Madhu 736) bhaktavatsalah: One who loves His devotees 737) suvarna-varnah: Golden-coloured 738) hemaangah: One who has limbs of gold 739) varaangah: With beautiful limbs 740) chandanaangadee: One who has attractive armlets 741) veerahaa: Destroyer of valiant heroes 742) vishama: Unequalled 743) shoonyah: The void 744) ghritaaseeh: One who has no need for good wishes

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745) acalah: Non-moving 746) chalah: Moving

Vishnu sahasranama 747) amaanee: Without false vanity 748) maanadah: One who causes, by His maya, false identification with the body 749) maanyah: One who is to be honoured 750) lokasvaamee: Lord of the universe 751) trilokadhrik: One who is the support of all the three worlds 752) sumedhaa: One who has pure intelligence 753) medhajah: Born out of sacrifices 754) dhanyah: Fortunate 755) satyamedhah: One whose intelligence never fails 756) dharaadharah: The sole support of the earth 757) tejovrisho: One who showers radiance 758) dyutidharah: One who bears an effulgent form 759) sarva-shastra-bhritaam-varah: The best among those who wield weapons 760) pragrahah: Receiver of worship 761) nigrahah: The killer 762) vyagrah: One who is ever engaged in fulfilling the devotee's desires 763) naikashringah: One who has many horns 764) gadaagrajah: One who is invoked through mantra 765) chaturmoortih: Four-formed 766) chaturbaahuh: Four-handed 767) chaturvyoohah: One who expresses Himself as the dynamic centre in the four vyoohas 768) chaturgatih: The ultimate goal of all four varnas and asramas 769) chaturaatmaa: Clear-minded 770) chaturbhaavas: The source of the four 771) chatur-vedavid: Knower of all four vedas 772) ekapaat: One-footed (BG 10.42) 773) samaavartah: The efficient turner 774) nivrittaatmaa: One whose mind is turned away from sense indulgence 775) durjayah: The invincible 776) duratikramah: One who is difficult to be disobeyed 777) durlabhah: One who can be obtained with great efforts 778) durgamah: One who is realised with great effort 779) durgah: Not easy to storm into 780) duraavaasah: Not easy to lodge 781) duraarihaa: Slayer of the asuras 782) shubhaangah: One with enchanting limbs 783) lokasaarangah: One who understands the universe 784) sutantuh: Beautifully expanded 785) tantu-vardhanah: One who sustains the continuity of the drive for the family 786) indrakarmaa: One who always performs gloriously auspicious actions 787) mahaakarmaa: One who accomplishes great acts 788) kritakarmaa: One who has fulfilled his acts 789) kritaagamah: Author of the Vedas 790) udbhavah: The ultimate source 791) sundarah: Of unrivalled beauty

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792) sundah: Of great mercy 793) ratna-naabhah: Of beautiful navel

Vishnu sahasranama 794) sulochanah: One who has the most enchanting eyes 795) arkah: One who is in the form of the sun 796) vaajasanah: The giver of food 797) shringee: The horned one 798) jayantah: The conqueror of all enemies 799) sarvavij-jayee: One who is at once omniscient and victorious 800) suvarna-binduh: With limbs radiant like gold 801) akshobhyah: One who is ever unruffled 802) sarva-vaageeshvareshvarah: Lord of the Lord of speech 803) mahaahradah: One who is like a great refreshing swimming pool 804) mahaagartah: The great chasm 805) mahaabhootah: The great being 806) mahaanidhih: The great abode 807) kumudah: One who gladdens the earth 808) kundarah: The one who lifted the earth 809) kundah: One who is as attractive as Kunda flowers 810) parjanyah: He who is similar to rain-bearing clouds 811) paavanah: One who ever purifies 812) anilah: One who never slips 813) amritaashah: One whose desires are never fruitless 814) amritavapuh: He whose form is immortal 815) sarvajna: Omniscient 816) sarvato-mukhah: One who has His face turned everywhere 817) sulabhah: One who is readily available 818) suvratah: One who has taken the most auspicious forms 819) siddhah: One who is perfection 820) shatrujit: One who is ever victorious over His hosts of enemies 821) shatrutaapanah: The scorcher of enemies 822) nyagrodhah: The one who veils Himself with Maya 823) udumbarah: Nourishment of all living creatures 824) ashvattas: Tree of life 825) chaanooraandhra-nishoodanah: The slayer of Canura 826) sahasraarchih: He who has thousands of rays 827) saptajihvah: He who expresses himself as the seven tongues of fire (Types of agni) 828) saptaidhaah: The seven effulgences in the flames 829) saptavaahanah: One who has a vehicle of seven horses (sun) 830) amoortih: Formless 831) anaghah: Sinless 832) acintyo: Inconceivable 833) bhayakrit: Giver of fear 834) bhayanaashanah: Destroyer of fear 835) anuh: The subtlest 836) brihat: The greatest 837) krishah: Delicate, lean 838) sthoolah: One who is the fattest

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839) gunabhrit: One who supports 840) nirgunah: Without any properties

Vishnu sahasranama 841) mahaan: The mighty 842) adhritah: Without support 843) svadhritah: Self-supported 844) svaasyah: One who has an effulgent face 845) praagvamshah: One who has the most ancient ancestry 846) vamshavardhanah: He who multiplies His family of descendents 847) bhaarabhrit: One who carries the load of the universe 848) kathitah: One who is glorified in all scriptures 849) yogee: One who can be realised through yoga 850) yogeeshah: The king of yogis 851) sarvakaamadah: One who fulfils all desires of true devotees 852) aashramah: Haven 853) shramanah: One who persecutes the worldly people 854) kshaamah: One who destroys everything 855) suparnah: The golden leaf (Vedas) BG 15.1 856) vaayuvaahanah: The mover of the winds 857) dhanurdharah: The wielder of the bow 858) dhanurvedah: One who declared the science of archery 859) dandah: One who punishes the wicked 860) damayitaa: The controller 861) damah: Beautitude in the self 862) aparaajitah: One who cannot be defeated 863) sarvasahah: One who carries the entire Universe 864) aniyantaa: One who has no controller 865) niyamah: One who is not under anyone's laws 866) ayamah: One who knows no death 867) sattvavaan: One who is full of exploits and courage 868) saattvikah: One who is full of sattvic qualities 869) satyah: Truth 870) satya-dharma-paraayanah: One who is the very abode of truth and dharma 871) abhipraayah: One who is faced by all seekers marching to the infinite 872) priyaarhah: One who deserves all our love 873) arhah: One who deserves to be worshiped 874) priyakrit: One who is ever-obliging in fulfilling our wishes 875) preetivardhanah: One who increases joy in the devotee's heart 876) vihaayasa-gatih: One who travels in space 877) jyotih: Self-effulgent 878) suruchih: Whose desire manifests as the universe 879) hutabhuk: One who enjoys all that is offered in yajna 880) vibhuh: All-pervading 881) ravih: One who dries up everything 882) virochanah: One who shines in different forms 883) sooryah: The one source from where everything is born 884) savitaa: The one who brings forth the Universe from Himself 885) ravilochanah: One whose eye is the sun

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886) anantah: Endless 887) hutabhuk: One who accepts oblations

Vishnu sahasranama 888) bhoktaaA: One who enjoys 889) sukhadah: Giver of bliss to those who are liberated 890) naikajah: One who is born many times 891) agrajah: The first-born 892) anirvinnah: One who feels no disappointment 893) sadaamarshee: One who forgives the trespasses of His devotees 894) lokaadhishthaanam: The substratum of the universe 895) adbhutah: Wonderful 896) sanaat: The beginningless and endless factor 897) sanaatanatamah: The most ancient 898) kapilah: The great sage Kapila 899) kapih: One who drinks water 900) apyayah: The one in whom the universe merges 901) svastidah: Giver of Svasti 902) svastikrit: One who robs all auspiciousness 903) svasti: One who is the source of all auspiciouness 904) svastibhuk: One who constantly enjoys auspiciousness 905) svastidakshinah: Distributor of auspiciousness 906) araudrah: One who has no negative emotions or urges 907) kundalee: One who wears shark earrings 908) chakree: Holder of the chakra 909) vikramee: The most daring 910) oorjita-shaasanah: One who commands with His hand 911) shabdaatigah: One who transcends all words 912) shabdasahah: One who allows Himself to be invoked by Vedic declarations 913) shishirah: The cold season, winter 914) sharvaree-karah: Creator of darkness 915) akroorah: Never cruel 916) peshalah: One who is supremely soft 917) dakshah: Prompt 918) dakshinah: The most liberal 919) kshaminaam-varah: One who has the greatest amount of patience with sinners 920) vidvattamah: One who has the greatest wisdom 921) veetabhayah: One with no fear 922) punya-shravana-keertanah: The hearing of whose glory causes holiness to grow 923) uttaaranah: One who lifts us out of the ocean of change 924) dushkritihaa: Destroyer of bad actions 925) punyah: Supremely pure 926) duh-svapna-naashanah: One who destroys all bad dreams 927) veerahaa: One who ends the passage from womb to womb 928) rakshanah: Protector of the universe 929) santah: One who is expressed through saintly men 930) jeevanah: The life spark in all creatures 931) paryavasthitah: One who dwells everywhere 932) anantaroopah: One of infinite forms

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933) anantashreeh: Full of infinite glories 934) jitamanyuh: One who has no anger

Vishnu sahasranama 935) bhayapahah: One who destroys all fears 936) chaturashrah: One who deals squarely 937) gabheeraatmaa: Too deep to be fathomed 938) vidishah: One who is unique in His giving 939) vyaadishah: One who is unique in His commanding power 940) dishah: One who advises and gives knowledge 941) anaadih: One who is the first cause 942) bhoor-bhuvo: The substratum of the earth 943) lakshmeeh: The glory of the universe 944) suveerah: One who moves through various ways 945) ruchiraangadah: One who wears resplendent shoulder caps 946) jananah: He who delivers all living creatures 947) jana-janmaadir: The cause of the birth of all creatures 948) bheemah: Terrible form 949) bheema-paraakramah: One whose prowess is fearful to His enemies 950) aadhaaranilayah: The fundamental sustainer 951) adhaataa: Above whom there is no other to command 952) pushpahaasah: He who shines like an opening flower 953) prajaagarah: Ever-awakened 954) oordhvagah: One who is on top of everything 955) satpathaachaarah: One who walks the path of truth 956) praanadah: Giver of life 957) pranavah: Omkara 958) panah: The supreme universal manager 959) pramaanam: He whose form is the Vedas 960) praananilayah: He in whom all prana is established 961) praanibhrit: He who rules over all pranas 962) praanajeevanah: He who maintains the life-breath in all living creatures 963) tattvam: The reality 964) tattvavit: One who has realised the reality 965) ekaatmaa: The one self 966) janma-mrityu-jaraatigah: One who knows no birth, death or old age in Himself 967) bhoor-bhuvah svas-taruh: The tree of bhur, bhuvah and svah 968) taarah: One who helps all to cross over 969) savitaa: The father of all 970) prapitaamahah: The father of the father of beings (Brahma) 971) yajnah: One whose very nature is yajna 972) yajnapatih: The Lord of all yajnas 973) yajvaa: The one who performs yajna 974) yajnaangah: One whose limbs are the things employed in yajna 975) yajnavaahanah: One who fulfils yajnas in complete 976) yajnabhrid: The ruler of the yajanas 977) yajnakrit: One who performs yajna 978) yajnee: Enjoyer of yajnas 979) yajnabhuk: Receiver of all that is offered

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980) yajnasaadhanah: One who fulfils all yajnas 981) yajnaantakrit: One who performs the concluding act of the yajna

Vishnu sahasranama 982) yajnaguhyam: The person to be realised by yajna 983) annam: One who is food 984) annaadah: One who eats the food 985) aatmayonih: The uncaused cause 986) svayamjaatah: Self-born 987) vaikhaanah: The one who cut through the earth 988) saamagaayanah: One who sings the sama songs; one who loves hearing saama chants; 989) devakee-nandanah: Son of Devaki 990) srashtaa: Creator 991) kshiteeshah: The Lord of the earth 992) paapa-naashanah: Destroyer of sin 993) samkha-bhrit: One who has the divine Pancajanya 994) nandakee: One who holds the Nandaka sword 995) chakree: Carrier of Sudarsana 996) shaarnga-dhanvaa: One who aims His shaarnga bow 997) gadaadharah: Carrier of Kaumodakee club

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998) rathaanga-paanih: One who has the wheel of a chariot as His weapon; One with the strings of the chariot in his hands; 999) akshobhyah: One who cannot be annoyed by anyone 1000) sarva-praharanaayudhah: He who has all implements for all kinds of assault and fight ==

Tradition of recitation
Since ancient times till date, many Hindus in traditional families daily recite the Sahasranama, or a similar set of prayer Slokas of their chosen deity. (Such a collection of Slokas which are used for recital purposes is generally called a Stotra (Both 't's have soft pronunciation.))

Inclusion of other deities

One notable thing about the Sahasranama is that it includes names of other Hindu deities such as Shiva, Brahma, etc. within it. According to followers of Vaishnava theology, this is an example of Vishnu considered in His universal aspect, as an aggregation, and basis of all other deities which emanate from Him. In this cosmic aspect, Vishnu is also called Mahavishnu (Great Vishnu). By an Advaitan interpretation, this notation is not surprising as followers of Advaita philosophy, in particular, Smartas believe that Vishnu and Shiva are the same and are hence different aspects of the one Supreme Being.

1,000 Names of Lord Vishnu in English alphabetical Order

aadhaaranilayah: The fundamental sustainer aadidevah: The first deity aadidevah: The primary source of everything aadityah: Son of Aditi aadityah: The son of Aditi (Vaamana) aanandah: A mass of pure bliss aanandee: One who gives delight aashramah: Haven aatmavaan: The self in all beings

aatmayonih: The uncaused cause aavartanah: The unseen dynamism

Vishnu sahasranama abhipraayah: One who is faced by all seekers marching to the infinite a-bhooh: One who has no birth acalah: Non-moving achyutah: He who undergoes no changes achyutah: Infallible acintyo: Inconceivable adbhutah: Wonderful adhaataa: Above whom there is no other to command adhishthaanam: The substratum of the entire universe adhokshajah: One whose vitality never flows downwards adhritah: Without support adrishyah: Imperceptible agraahyah: He who is not perceived sensually agrajah: The first-born agraneeh: He who guides us to the peak ahah: He who is the nature of time ahassamvartakah: He who thrills the day and makes it function vigorously ajah: He who takes the form of Aja, Brahma ajah: Unborn ajah: Unborn ajitah: Vanquished by none ajnee: Enjoyer of yajnas akroorah: Never cruel akshara: Indestructible aksharam: Imperishable akshobhyah: One who cannot be annoyed by anyone akshobhyah: One who is ever unruffled amaanee: Without false vanity amaraprabhuh: The Lord of the devas ambho-nidhir: The substratum of the four types of beings ameyaatmaa: He who manifests in infinite varieties ameyaatmaa: He whose essence is immeasurable amitaashanah: Of endless appetite amitavikramah: Of immeasurable prowess amitavikramah: Of immeasurable prowess amoghah: Ever useful amoghah: He whose acts are for a great purpose amoortih: Formless a-moortirmaan: Having no form amritaamsoodbhavo: The moon who gives flavor to vegetables amritaashah: One whose desires are never fruitless amritah: Immortal amritapah: One who drinks the nectar amritavapuh: He whose form is immortal amrityuh: He who knows no death

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anaadih: One who is the first cause anaadi-nidhanah: He without origin or end

Vishnu sahasranama anaamayah: One who has no diseases anaghah: Sinless anaghah: Sinless analah: Fire analah: One of unlimited wealth, power and glory anantah: Endless anantah: Endless anantajit: Ever-victorious anantaroopah: One of infinite forms anantashreeh: Full of infinite glories anarthah: One to whom there is nothing yet to be fulfilled anayah: One who has no leader aneeshah: One who has none to Lord over Him anekamoortih: Multi-formed anilah: Air anilah: One who never slips animishah: He who remains unwinking; ever knowing anirdeshya-vapuh: He whose form is indescribable anirdeshya-vapuh: Of Indescribable form aniruddhah: He who cannot be obstructed anirvinnah: He who has no discontent anirvinnah: One who feels no disappointment anivartee: One who never retreats aniyantaa: One who has no controller annaadah: One who eats the food annam: One who is food anniruddhah: He who is invincible by any enemy antakah: The death anuh: The subtlest anukoolah: Well-wisher of everyone anuttamah: Incomparably great apaam-nidhih: Treasure of waters (the ocean) aparaajitah: One who cannot be defeated apramattah: He who never makes a wrong judgement aprameyaatmaa: A soul not known through the pramanas aprameyah: He who cannot be perceived apratirathah: One who has no enemies to threaten Him apyayah: The one in whom the universe merges araudrah: One who has no negative emotions or urges aravindaakshah: He who has eyes as beautiful as the lotus archishmaan: The effulgent architah: One who is constantly worshipped by His devotees arhah: One who deserves to be worshiped arkah: One who is in the form of the sun arthah: He who is worshiped by all

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asankhyeyah: He who has numberless names and forms asat: illusion

Vishnu sahasranama ashokah: He who has no sorrow ashvattas: Tree of life ateendrah: He who surpasses Indra ateendriyo: Beyond the sense organs athaaparaajitah: The unvanquished atulah: Incomparable aushadham: Medicine avijnaataa: The non-knower (The knower being the conditioned soul within the body) avyaktah: Unmanifeset avyangah: Without imperfections avyayah: Without destruction ayamah: One who knows no death babhrur: He who rules over all the worlds bahu-shiraah: He who has many heads beejamavyayam: The Immutable Seed bhaanuh: Self-effulgent bhaarabhrit: One who carries the load of the universe bhaaskara-dyutih: The effulgence of the sun bhaavanah: He who gives everything to his devotees bhaavo: He who becomes all moving and nonmoving things bhagahaa: One who destroys the six opulences during pralaya bhagavaan: One who possesses six opulences bhaktavatsalah: One who loves His devotees bhartaa: He who governs the entire living world bhayakrit: Giver of fear bhayanaashanah: Destroyer of fear bhayapahah: One who destroys all fears bheemah: Terrible form bheemah: The terrible bheema-paraakramah: One whose prowess is fearful to His enemies bheshajam: Medicine bhishak: Physician bhojanam: He who is the sense-objects bhoktaa: The enjoyer bhoktaa: The enjoyer bhoktaaA: One who enjoys bhoogarbhah: He who is the womb of the world bhoor-bhuvah svas-taruh: The tree of bhur, bhuvah and svah bhoor-bhuvo: The substratum of the earth bhooridakshinah: He who gives away large gifts bhooshanah: One who adorns the world bhooshayah: One who rested on the ocean shore (Rama) bhootaadih: The cause of the five great elements bhootaatmaa: The aatman of all beings bhootaavaaso: The dwelling place of the elements

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bhoota-bhaavanah: The cause of the growth and birth of all creatures bhoota-bhavya-bhavan-naathah: The Lord of past, present and future

Vishnu sahasranama bhoota-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuh: The Lord of past, present and future bhoota-bhrit: He who nourishes all creatures bhoota-krit: The creator of all creatures bhoota-maheshvarah: The great lord of beings bhootih: One who is pure existence bhraajishnur: Self-effulgent consciousness bhujagottamah: The serpent Ananta braahmanah: One who has realised Brahman braahmana-priyah: Dear to the brahmanas brahma: Biggest brahmaa: Creator brahmajno: One who knows the nature of Brahman brahmakrit: One who acts in Brahman brahmanyah: Protector of Brahman (anything related to Narayana) brahmavid: One who knows Brahman brahma-vivardhanah: One who increases the Brahman brahmee: One who is with Brahma brhad-roopah: Vast, of infinite dimensions brhat: The greatest brihat-bhaanuh: He who illumines the world with the rays of the sun and moon chaanooraandhra-nishoodanah: The slayer of Canura chakra-gadaadharah: Bearer of the disc and mace chakree: Carrier of Sudarsana chakree: Holder of the chakra chalah: Moving chandanaangadee: One who has attractive armlets chandraamshuh: The rays of the moon chaturaatmaa: Clear-minded chaturaatmaa: The four-fold self chaturashrah: One who deals squarely chaturbaahuh: Four-handed chaturbhaavas: The source of the four chaturbhujah: Four-handed chaturdamstrah: He who has four canines (Nrsimha) chaturgatih: The ultimate goal of all four varnas and asramas chaturmoortih: Four-formed chatur-vedavid: Knower of all four vedas chaturvyoohah: Vasudeva, Sankarshan etc. chinnasamshayah: One whose doubts are ever at rest daamodarah: Whose stomach is marked with three lines daarunah: Merciless towards the unrighteous daashaarhah: One who was born in the Dasarha race dakshah: Prompt dakshah: The smart dakshinah: The most liberal

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damah: Beautitude in the self damanah: He who controls rakshasas

Vishnu sahasranama damayitaa: The controller dandah: One who punishes the wicked darpadah: One who creates pride, or an urge to be the best, among the righteous darpahaa: The destroyer of pride in evil-minded people deeptamoortir: Of resplendent form devabhrit-guruh: Advisor of Indra devah: He who revels devakee-nandanah: Son of Devaki deveshah: The Lord of all devas dhaama: The goal dhaataa: He who supports all fields of experience dhaaturuttamah: The subtlest atom dhananjayah: One who gained wealth through conquest dhaneshvarah: The Lord of wealth dhanurdharah: The wielder of the bow dhanurvedah: One who declared the science of archery dhanvee: He who always has a divine bow dhanyah: Fortunate dharaadharah: The sole support of the earth dharaneedharah: He who supports the earth dharmaadhyakshah: He who presides over dharma dharmagub: One who protects dharma dharmah: The law of being dharmakrit: One who acts according to dharma dharmaviduttamah: The highest among men of realisation dharma-yoopah: The post to which all dharma is tied dharmee: The supporter of dharma dhritaatmaa: Established in Himself dhruvah: The changeless in the midst of changes dhuryah: Who carries out creation etc. without hitch dishah: One who advises and gives knowledge divah-sprik: Sky-reaching dravinapradah: One who lavishly gives wealth dridhah: The firm driptah: One who is drunk with Infinite bliss duh-svapna-naashanah: One who destroys all bad dreams duraadharshah: He who cannot be attacked successfully duraarihaa: Slayer of the asuras duraavaasah: Not easy to lodge duratikramah: One who is difficult to be disobeyed durdharah: The object of contemplation durdurdharah: He who cannot be known by great yogis durgah: Not easy to storm into durgamah: One who is realised with great effort durjayah: The invincible

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durlabhah: One who can be obtained with great efforts durmarshanah: He who cannot be vanquished

Vishnu sahasranama dushkritihaa: Destroyer of bad actions dyutidharah: One who bears an effulgent form eeshanah: The controller of the five great elements eeshvarah: He who can do anything without any help eeshvarah: The controller ekaatmaa: The one self ekah: The one ekapaat: One-footed (BG 10.42) gabhastinemih: The hub of the universal wheel gabheeraatmaa: Too deep to be fathomed gabheerah: The unfathomable gadaadharah: Carrier of Kaumodakee club gadaagrajah: One who is invoked through mantra gahanah: The unknowable gahano: Impenetrable garudadhvajah: One who has Garuda on His flag gatisattamah: The ultimate refuge for all devotees ghritaaseeh: One who has no need for good wishes gohitah: One who does welfare for cows gopatih: Husband of the earth gopatih: The shepherd goptaa: Protector of the universe goptaa: The protector govidaam-patih: The Lord of all men of wisdom govindah: One who is known through Vedanta govindah: The protector of the cows graamaneeh: He who leads the flock guhah: He who dwells in the cave of the heart guhyo: The mysterious gunabhrit: One who supports guptah: The well-concealed guruh: The teacher gurutamah: The greatest teacher halaayudhah: One who has a plough as His weapon hamsah: The swan harih: The destroyer haturvyoohah: One who expresses Himself as the dynamic centre in the four vyoohas havih: The oblation havirharih: The receiver of all oblation hemaangah: One who has limbs of gold hetuh: The cause hiranyagarbhah: He who dwells in the womb of the world hiranyagarbhah: The creator hiranyanaabhah: He who has a golden navel hrisheekeshah: The Lord of the senses

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hutabhuk: One who accepts oblations hutabhuk: One who enjoys all that is offered in yajna

Vishnu sahasranama ijyah: He who is fit to be invoked through yajna indrakarmaa: One who always performs gloriously auspicious actions ishtah: He who is invoked through Vedic rituals jagadaadijah: Born at the beginning of the world jagatas-setuh: A bridge across the material energy jahnuh: Leader of men janaardanah: He who gives joy to good people jana-janmaadir: The cause of the birth of all creatures jananah: He who delivers all living creatures janeshvarah: The Lord of the people janma-mrityu-jaraatigah: One who knows no birth, death or old age in Himself jayah: The victorious jayantah: The conqueror of all enemies jeevah: One who functions as the ksetrajna jeevanah: The life spark in all creatures jetaa: Ever-successful jitaamitrah: One who has conquered all enemies jita-krodhah: One who has conquered anger jitamanyuh: One who has no anger jnaanagamyah: One who is experienced through pure knowledge jnaanamuttamam: The Supreme Knowledge jyeshthah: Older than all jyotih: Self-effulgent jyotiraadityah: The resplendence of the sun jyotir-ganeshvarah: Lord of the luminaries in the cosmos kaalah: He who judges and punishes beings kaalanemi-nihaa: Slayer of Kalanemi kaamadevah: The beloved Lord kaamah: The beloved kaamahaa: He who destroys all desires kaamakrit: He who fulfills all desires kaamapaalah: The fulfiller of desires kaamapradah: He who supplies desired objects kaamee: One who has fulfilled all His desires kaantah: He who is of enchanting form kaantah: Of enchanting form kaaranam: The cause kah: One who is of the nature of bliss kanakaangadee: Wearer of bright-as-gold armlets kapeendrah: Lord of the monkeys (Rama) kapih: One who drinks water kapilah: The great sage Kapila karanam: The instrument kartaa: The doer kathitah: One who is glorified in all scriptures

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kavih: The seer keshavah: He who has beautiful locks of hair

Vishnu sahasranama keshavah: One whose rays illumine the cosmos keshihaa: Killer of Kesi khanda-parashur: One who holds an axe kim: What (the one to be inquired into) kramah: All-pervading kratuh: The animal-sacrifice krishah: Delicate, lean krishnah: Dark-complexioned krishno: He whose complexion is dark kritaagamah: Author of the Vedas kritaagamah: The author of the agama scriptures krita-akritah: All that is created and not created kritaantakrit: Destroyer of the creation kritajnah: He who knows all that is kritajnah: The knower of the creation kritakarmaa: One who has fulfilled his acts kritalakshanah: One who is famous for His qualities kritih: He who rewards all our actions krodhahaa: He who destroys anger krodhakrit-kartaa: He who generates anger against the lower tendency kshaamah: He who ever remains without any scarcity kshaamah: One who destroys everything kshamah: He who is supremely efficient in all undertakings kshaminaam-varah: One who has the greatest amount of patience with sinners ksharam: He who appears to perish kshemakrit: Doer of good kshetrajnah: The knower of the field kshiteeshah: The Lord of the earth kshobhanah: The agitator kumbhah: The pot within whom everything is contained kumudah: He who delights in the earth kumudah: One who gladdens the earth kundah: One who is as attractive as Kunda flowers kundalee: One who wears shark earrings kundarah: The one who lifted the earth kuvaleshayah: He who reclines in the waters lakshmeeh: The glory of the universe lakshmeevaan: The consort of Laksmi lohitaakshah: Red-eyed lokaadhishthaanam: The substratum of the universe lokaadhyakshah: He who presides over all lokas lokabandhur: Friend of the world lokanaathah: Lord of the world lokasaarangah: One who understands the universe lokasvaamee: Lord of the universe

36

loka-trayaashrayah: Shelter of the three worlds maadhavah: Born in the family of Madhu

Vishnu sahasranama maadhavah: Husband of Lakshmi maadhavo: The Lord of all knowledge maanadah: One who causes, by His maya, false identification with the body maanyah: One who is to be honoured maargah: The path maargah: The path madhuh: Sweet madhusoodanah: Destroyer of the Madhu demon mahaabalah: He who has supreme strength mahaabhaago: He who gets the greates share in every Yajna mahaabhogah: He who is of the nature of enjoyment mahaabhootah: The great being mahaabuddhir: He who has supreme intelligence mahaadevah: The great deity mahaadhanah: He who is supremely rich mahaadri-dhrik: He who supports the great mountain mahaa-dyutih: Greatly luminous mahaagartah: The great chasm mahaahavih: The great offering mahaahradah: One who is like a great refreshing swimming pool mahaakarmaa: One who accomplishes great acts mahaakarmaa: One who performs great deeds mahaakoshah: He who has got around him great sheaths mahaakramo: Of great step mahaakratuh: The great sacrifice mahaakshah: The great-eyed mahaa-makhah: The great sacrificer mahaamanaah: Great-minded mahaamayo: The Supreme Master of all Maya mahaamortir: The great form mahaan: The mighty mahaanidhih: The great abode mahaarhah: One who deserves the highest worship mahaa-shaktih: All-powerful mahaashanah: He who eats up everything mahaashringah: Great-horned (Matsya) mahaasvanah: He who has a thundering voice mahaatapaah: He of great tapas mahaatejaah: One of great resplendence mahaavaraaho: The great boar mahaa-veeryah: The supreme essence mahaayajnah: The great yajna mahaayajvaa: One who performed great yajnas maharddhi: One who has great prosperity maharshih kapilaachaaryah: He who incarnated as Kapila, the great sage

37

maheebhartaa: The husband of mother earth maheedharah: The bearer of the earth

Vishnu sahasranama maheedharah: The support of the earth mahejyah: One who is to be most worshiped mahendrah: The lord of Indra maheshvaasah: He who wields shaarnga mahodadhishayah: One who rests on the great ocean mahoragah: The great serpent mahotsaaho: The great enthusiast mangalam param: The Supreme auspiciousness manoharah: The stealer of the mind manojavah: Swift as the mind mantrah: The nature of the Vedic mantras manuh: He who has manifested as the Vedic mantras mareechih: Effulgence medhaavee: Supremely intelligent medhajah: Born out of sacrifices medineepatih: The Lord of the earth muktaanaam paramaa gatih: The final goal, reached by liberated souls mukundah: The giver of liberation naaraayanah: He who resides on the waters naarasimha-vapuh: He whose form is man-lion nahushah: He who binds all with maya naikaatmaa: Many souled naikah: The many naikajah: One who is born many times naikakarmakrit: One who does many actions naikamaayah: He whose forms are endless and varied naika-roopo: He who has unlimited forms naikashringah: One who has many horns nakshatranemir: The nave of the stars nakshatree: The Lord of the stars (the moon) nandah: Free from all worldly pleasures nandakee: One who holds the Nandaka sword nandanah: One who makes others blissful nandih: Infinite bliss nantaatmaa: The infinite self narah: The guide nayah: One who leads netaa: The leader neyah: The guide nidhir-avyayah: The imperishable treasure nigrahah: The killer nimishah: He who has closed eyes in contemplation nirgunah: Without any properties nirvaanam: All-bliss nishthaa: Abode of all beings

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nivritaatmaa: The soul retreated from matter nivrittaatmaa: One who is fully restrained from all sense indulgences

Vishnu sahasranama nivrittaatmaa: One whose mind is turned away from sense indulgence niyamah: One who is not under anyone's laws niyamo: The appointing authority nyaayah: Justice nyagrodhah: The one who veils Himself with Maya ojas-tejo-dyutidharah: The possessor of vitality, effulgence and beauty oordhvagah: One who is on top of everything oorjitah: He who has infinite vitality oorjita-shaasanah: One who commands with His hand paapa-naashanah: Destroyer of sin paavanah: He who gives life-sustaining power to air paavanah: One who ever purifies padam-anuttamam: The unequalled state of perfection padmagarbhah: He who is being meditated upon in the lotus of the heart padmanaabhah: He from whose navel comes the lotus padmanaabhah: He who has a lotus-navel padmanaabhah: He whose navel is like a lotus padmanibhekshanah: Lotus-eyed padmee: He who holds a lotus panah: The supreme universal manager paraayanam: The way to liberation paramaatmaa: The Supersoul paramaspashtah: The extremely vivid parameshthee: One who is readily available for experience within the heart parameshvarah: The Supreme Lord pararddhih: He who has supreme manifestations parigrahah: The receiver parjanyah: He who is similar to rain-bearing clouds paryavasthitah: One who dwells everywhere pavanah: The air that fills the universe pavitram: He who gives purity to the heart peshalah: One who is supremely soft poorayitaa: The fulfiller poornah: The complete pootaatmaa: He with an extremely pure essence praagvamshah: One who has the most ancient ancestry praamshuh: He with a huge body praanadah: Giver of life praanadah: Giver of life praanadah: He who gives life praanadah: He who gives prana praanah: Life praanah: The prana in all living creatures praanajeevanah: He who maintains the life-breath in all living creatures praananilayah: He in whom all prana is established

39

praanibhrit: He who rules over all pranas praano: He who ever lives

Vishnu sahasranama prabhavah: The womb of the five great elements prabhootas: Ever-full prabhuh: The Almighty Lord prabhuh: The Lord pradhaana-purusheshvarah: Lord of pradhaana and purusha pradyumnah: Very rich pragrahah: Receiver of worship prajaa-bhavah: He from whom all praja comes prajaagarah: Ever-awakened prajaapatih: He from whom all creatures emerge prajaapatih: The Lord of all creatures prakaashaatmaa: The effulgent self prakaashanah: He who illuminates pramaanam: He whose form is the Vedas pramaanam: The proof pramodanah: Ever-blissful pranavah: He who is praised by the gods pranavah: Omkara prapitaamahah: The father of the father of beings (Brahma) prasanaatmaa: Ever pure and all-blissful self prataapanah: Thermal energy; one who heats pratardanah: The Supreme destruction prathitah: He who exists pervading all pratishthitah: He who has no cause pratyayah: He whose nature is knowledge preetivardhanah: One who increases joy in the devotee's heart prituh: The expanded priyaarhah: One who deserves all our love priyakrit: One who is ever-obliging in fulfilling our wishes punarvasuh: He who lives repeatedly in different bodies pundareekaakshah: He who dwells in the heart punyah: Supremely pure punyah: The truly holy punya-keertir: Of Holy fame punya-shravana-keertanah: The hearing of whose glory causes holiness to grow puraatanah: He who was even before time purandarah: Destroyer of cities purujit: One who has conquered numerous enemies purusattamah: The greatest of the great purushah: He who dwells in the city of nine gates purushah: One who dwells in all bodies purushottamah: The Supreme Controller pushkaraakshah: He who has eyes like the lotus pushkaraakshah: Lotus eyed pushpahaasah: He who shines like an opening flower

40

pushtah: One who is ever-full raamah: One who is most handsome

Vishnu sahasranama rakshanah: Protector of the universe ranapriyah: Lover of battles rathaanga-paanih: One who has the wheel of a chariot as His weapon; One with the strings of the chariot in his hands; ratnagarbhah: The jewel-wombed ratna-naabhah: Of beautiful navel ravih: One who dries up everything ravilochanah: One whose eye is the sun riddhah: Full of prosperity riddhah: He who has expanded Himself as the universe rituh: The seasons rohitah: The fish incarnation ruchiraangadah: One who wears resplendent shoulder caps rudrah: He who makes all people weep saadhur: He who lives by the righteous codes saakshee: The witness saama: The Sama Veda saamagaayanah: One who sings the sama songs; one who loves hearing saama chants; saamagah: The singer of the sama songs saattvikah: One who is full of sattvic qualities saatvataam-patih: The Lord of the Satvatas sadaamarshee: One who forgives the trespasses of His devotees sadaa-yogee: Always in yoga sadbhootih: One who has rich glories sadgatih: The goal of good people sahah: All-enduring sahasraakshah: Thousands of eyes sahasraamshur: The thousand-rayed sahasraarchih: He who has thousands of rays sahasrajit: He who vanquishes thousands sahasra-moordhaa: He who has endless heads sahasrapaat: Thousand-footed sahishnuh: He who can suffer patiently sahishnuh: One who calmly endures duality samaatmaa: He who is the same in all samaavartah: The efficient turner samah: Calm samah: Equal samayajnah: One whose worship is nothing more than keeping an equal vision of the mind by the devotee sambhavah: He who descends of His own free will sameehanah: One whose desires are auspicious sameeranah: He who sufficiently administers all movements of all living creatures samgrahah: He who holds everything together samitinjayah: Ever-victorious samkha-bhrit: One who has the divine Pancajanya

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samksheptaa: The involver sammitah: He who has been accepted by authorities

Vishnu sahasranama samnyaasa-krit: Institutor of sannyasa sam-pramardanah: He who persecutes evil men samsthaanah: The ultimate authority samvatsarah: He from whom the concept of time comes samvatsarah: The year samvritah: He who is veiled from the jiva sanaat: The beginningless and endless factor sanaatanatamah: The most ancient sandhaataa: The regulator sandhimaan: He who seems to be conditioned sankarshanochyutah: He who absorbs the whole creation into His nature and never falls away from that nature sannivaasah: The abode of the good santah: One who is expressed through saintly men saptaidhaah: The seven effulgences in the flames saptajihvah: He who expresses himself as the seven tongues of fire (Types of agni) saptavaahanah: One who has a vehicle of seven horses (sun) sargah: He who creates the world from Himself sarvaadih: The beginning of all sarvaasunilayah: The abode of all life energies sarvadarshanah: All-seeing sarvadarshee: All-knower sarva-drik: The seer of everything sarvadrik-vyaaso: One who creates many men of wisdom sarvagah: All-pervading sarvah: He who is everything sarvajna: Omniscient sarvajno: Omniscient sarvakaamadah: One who fulfils all desires of true devotees sarva-lakshana-lakshanyah: Known through all proofs sarva-praharanaayudhah: He who has all implements for all kinds of assault and fight == sarvasahah: One who carries the entire Universe sarva-shastra-bhritaam-varah: The best among those who wield weapons sarvatah-chakshuh: One who has eyes everywhere sarvato-mukhah: One who has His face turned everywhere sarva-vaageeshvareshvarah: Lord of the Lord of speech sarvavid-bhaanuh: All-knowing and effulgent sarvavij-jayee: One who is at once omniscient and victorious sarva-yoga-vinissritah: He who is free from all attachments sarveshvarah: Controller of all sat: existence sataam gatih: The goal for all virtuous people sataam-gatih: Refuge of the good sataavarttah: He who takes infinite forms satkartaa: He who adores good and wise people sat-keertih: One of pure fame

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satkritah: He who is adored by all good people satkritih: One who is full of Good actions

Vishnu sahasranama satparaayanah: The Supreme goal for the good satpathaachaarah: One who walks the path of truth satram: Protector of the good satta: One without a second sattvasthah: Situated in sattva sattvavaan: One who is full of exploits and courage satyadharmaa: One who has in Himself all true dharmas satya-dharma-paraakramah: One who champions heroically for truth and righteousness satya-dharma-paraayanah: One who is the very abode of truth and dharma satyah: He who is Himself the truth satyah: The truth satyah: Truth satyamedhah: One whose intelligence never fails satya-paraakramah: Dynamic Truth satyasandhah: Of truthful resolution savah: The nature of the sacrifice savitaa: The father of all savitaa: The one who brings forth the Universe from Himself shaantah: Peaceful within shaantidah: Giver of peace shaantih: One whose very nature is peace shaarnga-dhanvaa: One who aims His shaarnga bow shaashvatah: He who always remains the same shaashvatah-sthaanur: Permanent and immovable shaashvata-sthirah: One who is eternal and stable shaastaa: He who rules over the universe shabdaatigah: One who transcends all words shabdasahah: One who allows Himself to be invoked by Vedic declarations shaktimataam-shresthah: The best among the powerful shambhuh: He who brings auspiciousness sharabhah: One who dwells and shines forth through the bodies sharanam: The refuge shareera-bhootabhrit: One who nourishes the nature from which the bodies came shareerabhrit: He who sustains all bodies sharma: He who is Himself infinite bliss sharvaree-karah: Creator of darkness sharvas: The auspicious shashabindhuh: The moon who has a rabbit-like spot shataananah: Many-faced shataanandah: Of infinite varieties and joys shatamoortih: Of many forms shatrughnah: The destroyer of enemies shatrujit: One who is ever victorious over His hosts of enemies shatrutaapanah: The scorcher of enemies shauri: One who always has invincible prowess

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shaurih: He who incarnated in the dynasty of Shoora shikhandee: He who wears a peacock feather

Vishnu sahasranama shipivishtah: The presiding deity of the sun shishirah: The cold season, winter shishta-krit: The law-maker shivah: Auspiciousness shivah: He who is eternally pure shoka-naashanah: Destroyer of sorrows shoonyah: The void shoorah: The valiant shoora-janeshvarah: Lord of the valiant shoorasenah: One who has heroic and valiant armies shramanah: One who persecutes the worldly people shrashtaa: Creator of all beings shreedah: Giver of opulence shreedharah: Holder of Sree shreegarbhah: He in whom are all glories shreekarah: One who gives Sree shreemaan: He who is always courted by glories shreemaan: He who is always with shree shreemaan: Possessor of Sree shreemaan: The possessor of light, effulgence, glory shreemataam varah: The best among glorious shreenidhih: The treasure of Sree shreenivaasah: One who dwells in the good people shreenivaasah: The permanent abode of Shree shreepatih: Lord of Laksmi shreeshah: The Lord of Sree shreevatsa-vakshaah: One who has sreevatsa on His chest shreevibhaavanah: Distributor of Sree shreshthah: The most glorious shrevaasah: Abode of Sree shreyah: Liberation shringee: The horned one shruti-saagarah: The ocean for all scripture shubhaangah: One who has the most beautiful form shubhaangah: One with enchanting limbs shubhekshanah: All-auspicious gaze shuchih: He who is pure shuchih: He who is spotlessly clean shuchi-shravaah: He who has beautiful, sacred names siddhaarthah: He who has all arthas siddhah: One who is perfection siddhah: The most famous siddhasankalpah: He who gets all He wishes for siddhidah: The giver of benedictions siddhih: He who gives moksha

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siddhisaadhanah: The power behind our sadhana simhah: He who destroys

Vishnu sahasranama simhah: The lion sishteshtah: The greatest beloved skanda-dharah: Upholder of withering righteousness skandah: He whose glory is expressed through Subrahmanya somah: One who as the moon nourishes plants somapah: One who takes Soma in the yajnas sookshmah: The subtlest sooryah: The one source from where everything is born spashtaaksharo: One who is indicated by OM sragvee: He who always wears a garland of undecaying flowers srashtaa: Creator stavapriyah: One who is invoked through prayer stavyah: One who is the object of all praise sthaanadah: He who confers the right abode sthaanuh: The pillar, the immovable truth sthaavarah-sthaanuh: The firm and motionless sthaviro dhruvah: The ancient, motionless one sthavishtah: The supremely gross sthavishthah: One who is supremely huge sthirah: Steady sthoolah: One who is the fattest stotaa: One who adores or praises stotram: The hymn stutih: The act of praise subhujah: He who has graceful arms sudarshanah: He whose meeting is auspicious sudhanvaa: One who has Shaarnga sughoshah: Of auspicious sound suhrit: Friend of all creatures sukhadah: Giver of bliss to those who are liberated sukhadah: Giver of happiness sulabhah: One who is readily available sulochanah: One who has the most enchanting eyes sumedhaa: One who has pure intelligence sumukhah: One who has a charming face sundah: Of great mercy sundarah: Of unrivalled beauty suparnah: Beautiful-winged (Two birds analogy) suparnah: The golden leaf (Vedas) BG 15.1 suprasaadah: Fully satisfied suraadhyaksho: He who presides over all devas suraanando: He who gives out happiness suraarihaa: Destroyer of the enemies of the devas sureshah: The Lord of the demigods sureshvarah: A person of extreme charity

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suruchih: Whose desire manifests as the universe sushenah: He who has a charming army

Vishnu sahasranama sutantuh: Beautifully expanded sutapaah: He who has glorious tapas suvarna-binduh: With limbs radiant like gold suvarna-varnah: Golden-coloured suveerah: One who moves through various ways suvratah: He who ever-perfoeming the pure vow suvratah: One who has taken the most auspicious forms suyaamunah: One who attended by the people dwelling on the banks of Yamuna svaabhaavyah: Ever rooted in the nature of His own self svaangah: One with well-proportioned limbs svaapanah: One who puts people to sleep svaasyah: One who has an effulgent face svadhritah: Self-supported svakshah: Beautiful-eyed svangah: Beautiful-limbed svasti: One who is the source of all auspiciouness svastibhuk: One who constantly enjoys auspiciousness svastidah: Giver of Svasti svastidakshinah: Distributor of auspiciousness svastikrit: One who robs all auspiciousness svavashah: He who has everything under His control svayambhooh: He who manifests from Himself svayamjaatah: Self-born taarah: He who saves taarah: One who helps all to cross over taaranah: He who enables others to cross tantu-vardhanah: One who sustains the continuity of the drive for the family tat: That tattvam: The reality tattvavit: One who has realised the reality teerthakaro: The teacher of the tirthas tejovrisho: One who showers radiance tridashaadhyaksho: The Lord of the three states of consciousness trikakub-dhaama: The support of the three quarters trilokaatmaa: The self of the three worlds trilokadhrik: One who is the support of all the three worlds trilokeshah: The Lord of the three worlds tripadah: One who has taken three steps trisaamaa: One who is glorified by Devas, Vratas and Saamans trivikramah: One who took three steps tushtah: One who is contented with a very simple offering tvashtaa: He who makes huge things small udbhavah: The originator udbhavah: The ultimate source udeernah: The great transcendent

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udumbarah: Nourishment of all living creatures ugrah: The terrible

Vishnu sahasranama upendrah: The younger brother of Indra (vaamana) uttaaranah: One who lifts us out of the ocean of change uttarah: He who lifts us from the ocean of samsara vaachaspatir-ayonijah: One who is the master of all vidyas and who is unborn through a womb vaachaspatir-udaara-dheeh: He who is eloquent in championing the Supreme law of life; He with a large-hearted intelligence vaagmee: He who is eloquent in speech vaajasanah: The giver of food vaamanah: He with a dwarf body vaarunah: The son of Varuna (Vasistha or Agastya) vaasavaanujah: The brother of Indra vaasudevah: Dwelling in all creatures although not affected by that condition vaasudevah: One who envelops the world with Maya vaasudevo: The son of Vasudeva vaayuh: The air vaayuvaahanah: Controller of winds vaayuvaahanah: The mover of the winds vahnih: Fire vaidyah: The Supreme doctor vaikhaanah: The one who cut through the earth vaikunthah: One who prevents men from straying on wrong paths vamshavardhanah: He who multiplies His family of descendents vanamaalee: One who wears a garland of forest flowers varaangah: With beautiful limbs varaaroho: The most glorious destination varadah: He who fulfills boons vardhamaanah: He who can grow into any dimension vardhanah: The nurturer and nourisher varunah: One who sets on the horizon (Sun) vashatkaarah: He who is invoked for oblations vasudah: He who gives all wealth vasuh: He who is Wealth vasuh: The refuge for all vasuh: The support of all elements vasumanaah: He whose mind is supremely pure vasumanaah: One who is attentive to everything vasupradah: The free-giver of wealth vasupradah: The giver of salvation, the greatest wealth vasuretaah: He whose essence is golden vatsalah: The supremely affectionate vatsarah: The abode vatsee: The father vedaangah: He whose limbs are the Vedas vedah: He who is the Vedas vedavid: The knower of the Vedas

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vedavit: He who contemplates upon the Vedas vedhaah: Creator of the universe

Vishnu sahasranama vedyah: That which is to be known veerabaahur: Having mighty arms veerah: The courageous veerah: The heroic victor veerah: The valiant veerahaa: Destroyer of valiant heroes veerahaa: He who destroys the mighty heroes veerahaa: One who ends the passage from womb to womb veetabhayah: One with no fear vegavaan: He who is swift vibhuh: All-pervading vibhuh: He who manifests in endless forms vidaaranah: One who splits asunder vidhaataa: All supporter vidhaataa: The dispenser of fruits of action vidheyaatmaa: One who is ever available for the devotees to command in love vidishah: One who is unique in His giving vidvattamah: One who has the greatest wisdom vihaayasa-gatih: One who travels in space vijayah: Victorious vijitaatmaa: One who has conquered the sense organs vikartaa: Creator of the endless varieties that make up the universe vikramah: He who stepped (Vaamana) vikramee: He who is full of prowess vikramee: The most daring viksharah: Imperishable vimuktaatmaa: The ever-liberated self vinayah: He who humiliates those who are unrighteous vinayitaa-saakshee: The witness of modesty viraamah: The abode of perfect-rest virajo: Passionless virochanah: One who shines in different forms vishama: Unequalled vishishtah: He who transcends all in His glory vishnuh: All-pervading vishnuh: He who pervades everywhere vishnuh: Long-striding vishodhanah: The great purifier vishokah: Sorrowless vishraamah: The resting place vishuddhaatmaa: One who has the purest soul vishvaatmaa: The soul of the universe vishvabhuk: He who enjoys all experiences vishva-dakshinah: The most skilful and efficient vishva-dhrik: Supporter of the world

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vishvakarmaa: The creator of the universe vishvaksenah: He against whom no army can stand

Vishnu sahasranama vishvam: He who is the universe, the virat-purusha vishvamoortih: Of the form of the entire Universe vishvayonih: He who incarnates because of the world vishvayonih: The womb of the universe visishtah: The noblest and most sacred visrutaatmaa: He who is called atma in the Vedas vistaarah: The extension visvabaahuh: He whose hand is in everything visva-retaah: The seed of the universe viviktah: Separate vriddhaatmaa: The ancient self vrikshah: The tree vrishaahee: Controller of all actions vrishaakapih: He who lifts the world to dharma vrishaakritih: The form of dharma vrishabhaaksho: One whose eyes rain fulfilment of desires vrishabhah: He who showers all dharmas vrishah: He who is dharma vrishakarmaa: He whose every act is righteous vrishaparvaa: The ladder leading to dharma (As well as dharma itself) vrishapriyah: One who delights in dharma vrishodarah: He from whose belly life showers forth vyaadishah: One who is unique in His commanding power vyaalah: The serpent (vyaalah) to atheists vyaapee: All-pervading vyaaptah: The pervader vyagrah: One who is ever engaged in fulfilling the devotee's desires vyaktaroopah: He who is perceptible to the yogi vyavasaayah: Resolute vyavasthaanah: The substratum yadu-shresthah: The best among the Yadava clan yajnaangah: One whose limbs are the things employed in yajna yajnaantakrit: One who performs the concluding act of the yajna yajnabhrid: The ruler of the yajanas yajnabhuk: Receiver of all that is offered yajnaguhyam: The person to be realised by yajna yajnah: One who is of the nature of yajna yajnah: One whose very nature is yajna yajnakrit: One who performs yajna yajnapatih: The Lord of all yajnas yajnasaadhanah: One who fulfils all yajnas yajnavaahanah: One who fulfils yajnas in complete yajvaa: The one who performs yajna yamah: The administrator yat: Which

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yogah: He who is realized through yoga yoga-vidaam netaa: The guide of those who know yoga

Vishnu sahasranama yogee: One who can be realised through yoga yogeeshah: The king of yogis yugaadi-krit: The creator of the yugas yugaavartah: The law behind time

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Quotes about Vishnu Sahasranama

Sri N. Krishnamachari, a Vaishnavite scholar, at Stephen Knapp's website, quoting Vaishnavite scholars, states that there are six reasons for the greatness of Vishnusahasranama: 1. Vishnusahasranama is the essence of the Mahabharata; 2. Great sages such as Narada, the Alvars, and composers including Saint Tyagaraja have made repeated references to the "Thousand Names of Vishnu" in their devotional works; 3. The person who strung together the thousand names as part of the Mahabharata and preserved it for the world was none other than Sage Veda Vyasa, the compiler of the Vedas, who is considered an Avatar of Vishnu; 4. Bhishma considered chanting of the Vishnusahasranama the best and easiest of all dharmas, or the means to attain relief from all bondage; 5. It is widely accepted that the chanting this Stotram gives relief from all sorrows, and leads to happiness and peace of mind; 6. Vishnusahasranama is in conformity with the teachings of the Gita." [24] verse 27 of Bhaja Govindam attributed to Shankaracharya ,[25] said that the Gita and Vishnusahasranama should be chanted and the form of the Lord of Lakshmi, Vishnu should always be meditated on. He also said that the Sahasranama bestowed all noble virtues on those who chanted it.[26] Parasara Bhattar, a follower of Ramanujacharya had said that Vishnusahasranama absolves people of all sins and has no equal[26] Madhvacharya, propounder of Dvaita philosophy, said that the Sahasranama was the essence of the Mahabharata, which in turn was the essence of the Sastras and that each word of the Sahasranama had 100 meanings.[26] Swaminarayan, founder of the Hindu Swaminarayan faith, said in verse 118 of the scripture, Shikshapatri, that one should "either recite or have the 10th canto,(of Bhagavata Purana ) and also other holy scriptures like the "Vishnusahasranama" recited at a holy place according to one's capacity. "The recital is such that it gives fruits according to whatever is desired." [27] Swaminarayan also said in verses 93-96, "I have the highest esteem for these eight holy scriptures: 1-4)the four Vedas, 5) the Vyas-Sutra,(i.e., Brahma Sutras, 6) the Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7) Shri Vishnusahasranama in the Mahabharata, and 8) the Yajnavalkya Smrti which is at the center of the Dharma Scriptures; and all My disciples who wish to prosper should listen to these eight holy scriptures, and the brahmanas under my shelter should learn and teach these holy scriptures, and read them to others." Swami Sivananda, in his twenty important spiritual instructions, stated that the Vishnusahasranama, along with other religious texts, should be studied systematically.[28] Quote by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; on February 15, 1970 to J.F.Staal; Professor of Philosophy and of South Asian Languages. Second paragraph, states: In this way we find all the scriptures aiming at the Supreme Person. In the Rig Veda (1.22.20) the mantra is om tad vishnoh paramam padam sada pashyanti surayah ("The demigods are always looking to that supreme abode of Vishnu"). The whole Vedic process, therefore, is to understand Lord Vishnu, and any scripture is directly or indirectly chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu.[29] Lord Shiva addressed his wife, Parvati: sri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame

Vishnu sahasranama sahasranama tat tulyam rama nama varanane "O Varanana (lovely-faced lady), I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Sri Rama is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu." (Brhad Visnusahasranamastotra, Uttara-khanda, Padma Purana 72.335) Brahmnda Purana said: sahasra-namnam punyanam, trir-avrttya tu yat phalam ekavrttya tu krsnasya, namaikam tat prayacchati "The pious results (punya) achieved by chanting the thousand holy names of Vishnu (Vishnusahasranama-Stotram) three times can be attained by only one utterance of the holy name of Krishna." Shri Krishna Himself said: yo mam nama sahasrena stotum icchati pandava sohamekena slokena stuta eva na samsaya "Arjuna, One may be desirous of praising by reciting the thousand names. But, on my part, I feel praised by one sloka. There is no doubt about it.[11] From the oldest scriptural text in Hinduism, the Rig Veda; V.I.15b.3, it states: "O ye who wish to gain realization of the Supreme Truth, utter the name of "Vishnu" at least once in the steadfast faith that it will lead you to such realization."

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Phalasruti - Benefits of chanting Vishnusahasranama

The following lines are from the Mahabharata and are quoted portions from the text. Devotees believe that regular chanting of the hymn can accrue benefits. I)On avoiding evil, success in battles, and gaining affluence, pleasure, happiness and offspring: vedantago brahmanasyat kshatriyo vijayeebhavet vaishyo dhanasamrudhyasyat shudra sukhamavapniyat Bhisma said, "Thus have I recited to thee, without any exception, the thousand excellent names of the high-souled Kesava whose glory should always be sung. Anyone who hears the names every day or who recites them every day, never meets with any evil either here or hereafter. If a Brahmana does this he succeeds in mastering the Vedanta; if a Kshatriya does it, he is always successful in battles. A Vaisya, by doing it, becomes possessed of affluence, while a Sudra earns great happiness." If one becomes desirous of earning the merit of righteousness, one succeeds in earning it (by hearing or reciting these names). If it is wealth that one desires, one succeeds in earning wealth (by acting in this way). So also the man who wishes for enjoyments of the senses succeeds in enjoying all kinds of pleasures, and the man desirous of offspring acquires offspring (by pursuing this course of conduct). II)On acquiring fame, prosperity, prowess, energy, strength, beauty, removing fear, avoiding calamity, and being cured of disease: "That man who with devotion and perseverance and heart wholly turned towards him, recites these thousand names of Vasudeva every day, after having purified himself, succeeds in acquiring great fame, a position of eminence among his kinsmen, enduring prosperity, and lastly, that which is of the highest benefit to him (viz., emancipation Moksha itself). Such a man never meets with fear at any time, and acquires great prowess and energy. Disease never afflicts him; splendour of complexion, strength, beauty, and accomplishments become his. The sick become hale, the afflicted become freed from their afflictions; the frightened become freed from fear, and he that is plunged in calamity becomes freed from calamity."

Vishnu sahasranama "The man who hymns the praises of that foremost of Beings by reciting His thousand names with devotion succeeds in quickly crossing all difficulties. That mortal who takes refuge in Vasudeva and who becomes devoted to Him, becomes freed of all sins and attains to eternal Brahman. They who are devoted to Vasudeva have never to encounter any evil. They become freed from the fear of birth, death, decrepitude, and disease." III)On acquiring righteousness and intelligence, and avoiding the sins of evil: "That man who with devotion and faith recites this hymn (consisting of the thousand names of Vasudeva) succeeds in acquiring felicity of soul, forgiveness of disposition, Prosperity, intelligence, memory, and fame. Neither wrath, nor jealousy, nor cupidity, nor evil understanding ever appears in those men of righteousness who are devoted to that foremost of beings. The firmament with the sun, moon and stars, the welkin, the points of the compass, the earth and the ocean, are all held and supported by the prowess of the high-souled Vasudeva. The whole mobile and immobile universe with the deities, Asuras, and Gandharvas, Yakshas, Uragas and Rakshasas, is under the sway of Krishna." IV)On the origins of the soul, the source of righteous behavior, and the basis of all knowledge and existence: "The senses, mind, understanding, life, energy, strength and memory, it has been said, have Vasudeva for their soul. Indeed, this body that is called Kshetra, and the intelligent soul within, that is called the knower of Kshetra, also have Vasudeva for their soul. Conduct (consisting of practices) is said to be the foremost of all topics treated of in the scriptures. Righteousness has conduct for its basis. The unfading Vasudeva is said to be the Lord of righteousness. The Rishis, the Pitris, the deities, the great (primal) elements, the metals, indeed, the entire mobile and immobile universe, has sprung from Narayana. Yoga, the Sankhya Philosophy, knowledge, all mechanical arts, the Vedas, the diverse scriptures, and all learning, have sprung from Janardana. Vishnu is the one great element or substance which has spread itself out into multifarious forms. Covering the three worlds, He the soul of all things, enjoys them all." His glory knows no diminution, and He it is that is the Enjoyer of the universe (as its Supreme Lord). This hymn in praise of the illustrious Vishnu composed by Vyasa, should be recited by that person who wishes to acquire happiness and that which is the highest benefit (viz., emancipation). Those persons that worship and adore the Lord of the universe, that deity who is inborn and possessed of blazing effulgence, who is the origin or cause of the universe, who knows no deterioration, and who is endued with eyes that are as large and beautiful as the petals of the lotus, have never to meet with any discomfiture." Bhisma's quote cited from Kisari Mohan Ganguli's translation of Vishnusahasranama (public domain)

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Notes
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] For IAST version of Sanskrit for these verses, see: Sankaranarayan 1996, pp.25. For Sanskrit text and translation, see: Tapasyananda, pp. 3-4. Sankara Bhashya on Vishnusahasranaama Tapasyananda, pg. iv. Transcription of Sankara's commentary to Vishnusahasranamastotra (http:/ / www. sankara. iitk. ac. in/ sbha. php3?toption=3), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. The names "Shiva", "Shambhu", "Eesanah", and "Rudra" are to be found in slokas 17, 18, 21, and 26 respectively Commentary to sloka 13, "yatra puMliGgashabdaprayOgaH, tatra viSNurvishESyaH; yatra strIliMga shabdaH, tatra dEvatA prayOgaH; yatra napuMsaliGga prayOgaH, tatra brahmEti vishEshyatE (where a word of masculine gender is used, the noun is Vishnu, in feminine gender the noun is Devata, and in neuter gender the noun is Brahma)", Transcription of Sankara's commentary to Vishnusahasranamastotra (http:/ / www. sankara. iitk. ac. in/ sbha. php3?toption=3) Commentary to sloka 17 in Transcription of Sankara's commentary to Vishnusahasranamastotra (http:/ / www. sankara. iitk. ac. in/ sbha. php3?toption=3), "sivAdi nAmabhiH hariH eva stUyate" http:/ / www. ahobilavalli. org/ vishnu_sahasra_namam_vol1. pdf Tapasyananda, pg. 47.

[6]

[7] [8] [9]

[10] Bhag-P 4.4.14 (http:/ / www. vedabase. net/ sb/ 4/ 4/ 14/ en1) "Siva means mangala, or auspicious" [11] Srivaishnavism (http:/ / www. srivaishnavan. com/ tomcat/ visnu. html) [12] Foreword of P. Sankaranarayan's translation of Vishnu sahasranama, Bhavan's Book University

Vishnu sahasranama
[13] Tapasyananda, Swami. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, pg. 62. [14] Tapasyananda, Swami. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, pgs. 48, 49, 87, 96 and 123. [15] Tapasyananda, Swami. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, pg. 48. [16] (http:/ / home. att. net/ ~gitaprasad/ mahabharata. htm), story #53 [17] B-Gita 7.24 (http:/ / bhagavadgitaasitis. com/ 7/ 24/ en1) Chapter 7: Knowledge of the Absolute [18] (http:/ / www. hansadutta. com/ ART_WSP/ mantra. html) First sentence of letter [19] Words of Sri Ramakrishna (http:/ / www. vedantaberkeley. org/ Master. htm) [20] http:/ / www. kamakotimandali. com/ srividya/ saptashati. html [21] Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Vol. 2, pg. 740, by Maharshi Parashara, with translation, commentary and editing by R. Santhana, Ranjan Publications, New Delhi, India [22] Vijaya Kumar, The Thousand Names of Vishnu [23] B.K. Chaturvedi, Vishnu Puran, page 126 [24] http:/ / www. stephen-knapp. com/ thousand_names_of_the_supreme. htm [25] Bhaja Govindam: kamakoti.org (http:/ / www. kamakoti. org/ shlokas/ kshlok19. htm) [26] "On the Buddha in verse" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ fr/ 2005/ 12/ 16/ stories/ 2005121603040200. htm). The Hindu (Chennai, India). December 16, 2005. . [27] Shree Swaminarayan Temple Cardiff - Scriptures - Shikshapatri (http:/ / www. swaminarayanwales. org. uk/ Shikshapatri/ shikshapatridetails. asp?shlockcode=119) [28] 20 Important Spiritual Instructions (http:/ / www. sivanandadlshq. org/ teachings/ 20instr. htm) [29] The Krishna Consciousness Movement is the Genuine Vedic Way (http:/ / www. hansadutta. com/ ART_WSP/ mantra. html)

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References
Sankaranarayan, P. (1996), r Viu Sahasranma Stotram, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. With an English Translation of Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada's Commentary Tapasyananda, Swami, Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math. Sanskrit and English, with an English translation of Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada's commentary.

Further reading
Sanskrit & Hindi: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh 273005, India Sanskrit & English: The Thousand Names of Vishnu and the Satyanarayana Vrat, translated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, Napa. Other translations: Sanskrit & Gujarati: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram; translated by Shri Yogeshwarji, India @ www.swargarohan.org Sanskrit & English: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram; translated by Swami Vimalananda, Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam, Tiruchirapalli, India, 1985

External links
Youtube Video to learn and hear Visnu Sahasranama (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8tJCTgkwQQ) on YouTube Includes Sanskrit, transliteration and English translation. Full text (http://wikisource.org/wiki/ ) in Sanskrit in the Devanagari alphabet () (Wikisource) Kannada (Wikisource):Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram in Kannada http://kn.wikipedia.org/wiki/ _ A 5-volumes english commentary at Ahobilavalli site (http://www.ahobilavalli.org/ebooks_s4.htm) Vishnu sahasranama (http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/vishnu/vishnu_1.html) Vishnu sahasranama names and meanings. (http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/Homepages/shivkuma/personal/music/ vishnu-sahasranamam-meanings.htm)

Vishnu sahasranama Vishnu sahasranama excerpt from the Mahabharata by Kisari Mohan Ganguly (published between 1883 and 1896) (http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b114.htm) Vishnu Sahasranamam in Kannada ( ) (http://sites.google.com/site/ stotrasinkannada/Home/sri-vishnu-sahasranamam) Vishnu sahasranama and other books at VedaGnana (http://www.vedagnana.org/Books/Books_Browser.php) (http://www.scribd.com/doc/73243295/An-Analysis-of-Sri-Vishnu-Sahasra-Namam-Volume-I-by-Vasusri) (http://www.scribd.com/doc/73243307/An-Analysis-of-Sri-Vishnu-Sahasra-Namam-Volume-II-by-Vasusri) (http://www.scribd.com/doc/73243317/An-Analysis-of-Sri-Vishnu-Sahasra-Namam-Volume-III-by-Vasusri) Vishnu Sahasranam sung by Srivatsa Krishna in Carnatic music (http://www.tunesdiary.com/ mantra_vishnu_sahasranamam_the_thousand_names_of_lord_vishnu_srivatsa_krishna_shanghai)

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Article Sources and Contributors

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Article Sources and Contributors

Vishnu sahasranama Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=507070527 Contributors: Abecedare, Alansohn, Alren, AngoraFish, Animeshkulkarni, Anshuk, Anthony Appleyard, Aquis90, Arvindn, B9 hummingbird hovering, Barek, Beligere, Bhawuk, BostonMA, Bpeps, Bsskchaitanya, Buddhipriya, Chkno, Chris the speller, Cmdrjameson, Cminard, DaGizza, David G Brault, Dazedbythebell, Dbachmann, Donzerus, E. Ripley, Editor2020, Ekabhishek, Eric Shalov, Gaius Cornelius, Gandharva95, GoingBatty, GourangaUK, Gprasadh, Gujarati bhajan, IPSOS, J04n, JeffJ, Jeltz, JnanaKarma, John of Reading, Jwinius, Kajasudhakarababu, Kalyankumar, Kanags, Karthik.raman, Krishnachandranvn, Lainestl, Leolaursen, MKar, Moocha, Nick88, Niranjan.ranade, O Govinda, Oldag07, Orpheus, Orso della campagna, Prakashshettyr, Priyanath, Profvk, Pvskrishnapraveen, Qmwne235, RJHall, Raj2004, Rama's Arrow, Ramanath64, Redtigerxyz, Rholton, Rosarino, Ryan Roos, Sai2020, Sam Spade, Sanghamiitra, Shattered, Sigmafactor, Singamani, SpacemanSpiff, Squids and Chips, Stallion444, Stgsrinivas, Sun Creator, TheRingess, TimBentley, Titodutta, Uddhavadasa, Vasu1234, Vayuhari, VedicScience, Vimalkalyan, VishalB, Vrk1219, Wiki-uk, Wikidas, Woohookitty, Zerokitsune, Zeuspitar, Zscout370, , 190 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Vishnu sahasranama manuscript, c1690.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Vishnu_sahasranama_manuscript,_c1690.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Aavindraa, Abhishekjoshi, Redtigerxyz, Wiki-uk, 1 anonymous edits

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