The text
The Sanskrit follows the Viṣṇu Sahasranāma as commonly recited, from the Anuśāsana Parva of the Mahābhārata, as given at sanskritdocuments.org. Small variant readings are noted by reciters in some places; we chant one reading throughout. The opening dhyāna verses are in longer metres and are not chanted here; the course includes the Mahābhārata preface (verses 7–19), the 108 ślokas of names, and the phalaśruti with the verses the tradition adds after it.
The meanings
The division of the text into a thousand names, and the meaning given for each name, follow Ādi Śaṅkara’s Viṣṇusahasranāma-bhāṣya. The English translations, the explanation of each name and the reflections were written for BharatBeej for readers new to the text, working from Śaṅkara’s commentary name by name. Where his explanation of a name is very brief, we give its plain meaning. Where a name is joined to the next one in recitation in a way that cannot be split without changing the sounds, the two are shown together and both are glossed.
The numbering of the names is Śaṅkara’s, 1 to 1000.
The chant and the narration
- Sanskrit chant: synthesised with Vāgdhenu, a Sanskrit chant text-to-speech system by Prof. Prathosh A. P., Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, in the anuṣṭubh metre of the hymn.
- English narration: a synthetic voice. If you hear a name mispronounced, or a mistake in the chant, please tell us.
Further reading
- Ādi Śaṅkara, Viṣṇusahasranāma-bhāṣya, the commentary followed here, available in many editions with translations into Indian languages and English.
- Parāśara Bhaṭṭa, Bhagavad-guṇa-darpaṇa, the classic Śrīvaiṣṇava commentary on the names.
- The Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva and Anuśāsana Parva, for Bhīṣma’s teachings to Yudhiṣṭhira.
- The Viṣṇu Purāṇa, which Śaṅkara cites more than any other Purāṇa in explaining the names.
- The Bhagavad Gītā, chapters 10 and 11, Kṛṣṇa’s own account of his glories and his universal form.