Shri Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram

Shri Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn of 17 verses that gives the 108 names of Vishnu, from the Uttarakhanda of the Padma Purana, as the colophon says. The first verse says that by merely hearing these names a man becomes Narayana-like (Narayana-bhava), and the last two give the fruit. The names run through Vishnu''s many forms, some of his avatars (Varaha, Vamana, Rama, Nrisimha, Hayagriva, Krishna) and many titles. Several names repeat (Dharanidhara, Sahasrashirsha and Madhusudana appear twice), so counts differ by a few among editions. The Vishnu Sahasranama of the Mahabharata (1000 names) is a different, longer text. This page follows the Gita Press Sahasranamastotrasangraha text (please confirm the edition).

Verse 1: the promise. The 108 names of Vishnu of matchless radiance, by whose very hearing a man becomes like Narayana.

Verses 2 to 3. Vishnu (all-pervading), Jishnu (victorious), Vashatkara (the sound of offering in yajna), Devadeva (god of gods), Vrishakapi, Damodara, Dinabandhu (friend of the lowly), Adideva, son of Aditi (Vamana). Pundarika (lotus), Paramananda, Paramatma, Paratpara, Parashudhari (axe-bearer, Parashurama), Vishvatma, Krishna, a name read as Kali in some editions, Malapaha (remover of impurity).

Verses 4 to 5. Kaustubha-lit chest, Nara-Narayana, Hari, Hara, Harapriya (dear to Shiva), Svami, Vaikuntha, Vishvatomukha. Hrishikesha (lord of the senses), Aprameyatma (immeasurable), Varaha (the boar who lifted the earth), Dharanidhara, Vamana, Vedavakta (speaker of the Vedas), Vasudeva, Sanatana.

Verses 6 to 7. Rama, Virama (the place of rest), Viraja (free of passion), Ravanari (enemy of Ravana), Ramapati (lord of Rama or Lakshmi), Vaikunthavasi, Vasuman, Dhanada, Dharanidhara. Dharmesha, Dharaninatha, Dhyeya (to be meditated on), the best of the upholders of dharma, Sahasrashirsha, Purusha, Sahasraksha, Sahasrapat (the thousand-headed, eyed and footed of the Purusha Sukta).

Verses 8 to 9. Sarvaga, Sarvavit (all-knowing), Sarva, Sharanya (the refuge), Sadhuvallabha (dear to the good), Kausalyananandana (joy of Kausalya), Shriman, destroyer of the demon clan (Rakshasa-kula-vinashaka). Jagatkarta, Jagaddharta, Jagajjeta, Janartiha (remover of people''s pain), Janakivallabha (husband of Sita), Jayarupa, Jaleshvara.

Verses 10 to 11. Kshirabdhivasi (dweller of the milk ocean), beloved of the milk-ocean''s daughter (Lakshmi), Sheshashayi (on the serpent Shesha), Pannagarivahana (whose vehicle is Garuda, foe of serpents), Vishtarashrava. Madhava, Mathuranatha, Mohada, Mohanashana, Daityari (enemy of the Daityas), Pundarikaksha, Achyuta (the unfallen), Madhusudana (slayer of Madhu).

Verses 12 to 14. Eyes of moon, sun and fire, Nrisimha (man-lion), Bhaktavatsala, Nitya, Niramaya (free of disease), Shuddha, Naradeva, Jagatprabhu. Hayagriva (horse-headed), Jitaripu, Upendra (younger brother of Indra), Rukminipati, Sarvadevamaya, Shrisha (lord of Shri), Sarvadhara, Sanatana. Saumya, Saumyaprada, Srashta, Vishvaksena, Janardana, Yashodatanaya (son of Yashoda), Yogi, Yogashastraparayana.

Verse 15: the close of the list. Rudratmaka, Rudramurti (one with Rudra), Raghava and Madhusudana. Thus are told the 108 divine names.

Verses 16 to 17: the fruit. They remove sin, are holy, destroy sorrow, poverty and ill luck, increase happiness and give prosperity. One who rises early and reads with a single mind finds his heaps of troubles vanish and gains success. These are statements of faith, not guarantees.

The message. The names show Vishnu as one Lord in many forms: the preserver, the refuge, the friend of the lowly. Naming gathers the mind. Benefits mentioned in tradition are matters of faith. Prayer works best alongside real effort, and for money, health or legal problems please take proper help. See the Vishnu Chalisa, Krishna 108 names and Badrinath Ashtakam.