Specific Benefits of Chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam

July 21, 2005

Hare Krishna,

1. Iteedam Keertaneeyasya Kesavasya Mahaatmanaha

Naamnaam Sahasram Divyaanaam Aseshena Prakeertitam

(Thus, the thousand names of Bhagavaan Kesava, the Supreme, who is pre-eminently worthy of being praised,have been sung in their entirety. These divyanaamaas are meant to be recited here and in all the upper worlds,including the transcendent abode,in as much as they pertain to the Mahaatma,the Supreme being Kesava.)

2. Ya Idam Srunuyaan Nityam Yaschaabhi Parikeertayet

Na Asubham Praapnuyaat Kimchit Somuthreha Cha Maanavaha

(Nothing inauspicious will befall the one who devoutly listens to the recital of this Sahasranaama Stotra daily and the one who recites it wherever it may be whether in this world or worlds beyond.)

3. Vedantago Brahmanaha Syaat Kshatriyo Vijayee Bhavet

Vaisyo Dhansamruddhaha Syaat Soodraha Sukham Avaapnuyaat

(If the person who chants these names is a Brahmin, he will attain knowledge of the Vedanta, if a Kshatriya ,he will become a victorious warrior, if a Vaisya,he will acquire immense wealth and if a Soodra he will remain happy.)

4. Dharmaarthee Praapnuyaat Dharmam Artthaartthee Cha Arttham Aaapnuyaat

Kaaman Avaapnuyaat Kaamee Prajaartthee Cha Apnuyaat Prajaaha

(If a person recites the Holy names with a desire abiding in Dharma will achieve it. If he is desirous of wealth he will get wealth. If he is after pleasures of life he will get them all. If he wants to have progeny he will have it. In short, those who recite these Holy names of the Lord, will reap the desired fruits without fail.)

5. Bhaktimaan Yaha Sadotthaaya Suchistat Gatamaanasaha

Sahasram Vasudevasya Naamnaam Yetat Prakeertayet

(Take the case of a staunch devotee who gets up in the morning, purifies himself by bath, followed by daily observance of prescribed rites and rituals and then recites the thousand names of Lord Vasudeva, with a mind firmly fixed on HIM.)

6. Yasaha Praapnoti Vipulam Yaati Pradhaanyam Eva Cha

Achalaam Sriyam Avaapnoti Sreyaha Praapnoti Anuthamam

(He gains great reputation and is reckoned as the foremost among his kith and kin. He acquires abundant wealth in this world and keeps in tact while in the other world,he enjoys everlasting bliss.)

7. Na Bhayam Kvachit Aapnoti Veeryam Tejascha Vindati

Bhavatyarogo Dhyutimaan Bala Roops Gunaanvitaha

(Freedom from fear (from any source ) and sickness ,the chanter acquires valour, power and strength and is endowed with a healthy body, noble traits and dazzling brilliance.)

8. Rogaartho Muchyate Rogaat Baddho Muchyeta Bhandhanaat

Bhayaan Muchyeta Bheetatsu Muchyeta Aapanna Aapadaat

(The one afflicted by sickness will get rid off it. The one in shackles of sort will get disentangled, while the one stricken by fear will become free from it and the one beset with difficulties will get absolved of them. )

9. Durgaanyatii Taratyaasu Purushaha Purushothamam

Stuvan Naama Sahasrena Nityam Bhakti Samanvitaha

(That person who praises with devotion, the Supreme being Purushothama through daily recital of these thousand names, surmounts in no time the seemingly insuperable difficulties, one and all.)

10. Vasudevaasrayo Martyo Vasudeva Paraayanaha

Sarva Paapa Visudhaatma Yaati Brahma Sanaatanam

(The one who seeks out Vasudeva looking upon HIM as the highest goal to be attained gets cleansed of all sins. With a mind thus purified the chanter attains the eternal BRAHMAN.)

11. Na Vasudeva Bhaktaanaam Asubham Vidyate Kvacit

Janma Mrityu Jara Vyaadhi Bhayam Naivopajaayate

(Nothing inauspicious ever befalls the devotees of Vasudeva nor do they have any fear from the cyclic operation of birth, disease, old age and death any longer.)

12, Imam Stvam Adheeyaanaha Sradha Bhakti Samanvitaha

Yujyet Aatma Sukhassanti Sree Dhruti Smriti Keertibhihi

(Chanter of this hymn with zeal and devotion is blessed with the happy realisation of the essential nature of the self, besides the qualities of serenity, mental stability, unfailing memory and great fame and wealth.)

13. Na Krodho Na Cha Maatsaryam Na Lobho Naasubha Matihi

Bhavanti Kruta Punyaanaam Bhaktaanaam Purushothame

(Neither anger nor jealousy, neither avarice or unholy thoughts taint the minds of true devotees of Purushothama, who have to their credit many a virtuous deed.)

14. Dyauhu Sa Chandraarka Nakshatra Kham Diso Bhoormahodadhihi

Vasudevasya Veeryena Vidhrutaani Mahaatmanaha

(The firmament, the Moon, Sun and the stars, the sky, the directions, earth and the vast ocean are one and all propped up by the supreme valour of Vasudeva.)

15. Sasuraasura Gandharvam Sa Yakshoraga Raakshasam

Jagadvase Vartatedam Kishnasya Sa Charaacharam

(This world with all its contents, the sentient beings and non sentient things, the Gods, Asuraas, Gandharvas, Yakshaas, Naagaas and Raakshasaas, are under the supreme control of Sri Krishna. )

16. Indriyaani Mano Budhihi Satvam Tejo Balam Drutihi

Vasudevaatmakaanyaahu Kshetram Kshetragna Eva Cha

(as the body as a whole and the individual souls.. all of them have Vasudeva as their aatma.)

17. Sarvaagamaanam Aachaaraha Pradhamam Parikalpate

Aachara Prabhavo Dharmo Dharmasya Prabhurachyutaha

(Right conduct has been laid down as the most important, foremost of all the dharma revealed by the sastras. Right conduct gives rise to dharmas. Lord Achyuta is the deity propitiated by dharma who not only helps in ones adherence of dharma but also awards the fruits thereof.)

18. Rushayaha Pitaro Deva Maha Bhootaani Dhaatavaha

Jangama Jangamam Chedam Jagannaaraayonodbhavam

(Sages, gods, pitrus, great elements and their effects, mobile beings and immobile things, comprising entire universe, have all emanated from Achyuta.)

19. Yogo Gnaanam Tadha Saamkhyam Vidyaha Silpaadi Karma Cha

Vedaaha Saastraani Vignaanam Yetat Sarvam Janaardanaat

(Knowledge of yoga, sanghya, several branches of learning, arts, works, vedas, saastraas, all these spring from Lord Janaardana.)

20. Imam Stavam Bhagavato Vishnor Vyaasena Keertitam

Padedya Ichet Purushaha Sreyaha Praaptum Sukhaani Cha

(That person who desires to obtain supreme bliss in the yonder heaven as well as pleasures of this world should read stories of Lord Vishnu sung by great sage Vyaasa.)

21. Visveswaramajam Devam Jagataha Prabhum Avyayam

Bhajanti Ye Pushkaraksham Na Te Yaanti Paraabhavam

(The lotus eyed is the birthless, supreme deity, sovereign lord of the universe and the cause of creation and dissolution of the universe. Those who sing HIS praise will never meet with disrespect or discomfiture of any kind.)

Na Te Yaanti Paraabhavam Om Namaha Iti

(Salutation to the lord of all auspiciousness, never they meet with any disrespect from any source.)

22. Arjuna Uvaacha :

Padma Patra Visaalaaksha Padmanaabha Surothama

Bhaktaanaam Anuraktaanaam Traata Bhava Janaardana

(Arjuna said: O! Janaardana, greatest of gods, with broad eyes like lotus petals and lotus on your navel ,may you be the protector of your loving devotees.)

23. Bhagavaan Uvaacha :

Yo Maam naama Sahasrena Stotum Ichati Pandava

Sohamekena Slokena Stuta Eva Na Samsayaha

(Bhagavaan said: O! Arjuna, a person may of course be desirous of lauding ME by reciting all thousand names. But, on my part I feel satisfied with the chanting of one sloka. There is no doubt about it. )

Stuta Eva Na Samsayaha Om Nama Iti

(There is no doubt about it. Salutations to the auspicious Lord.)

24. Vyaasa Uvaacha :

Vasanaad Vasudevasya Vaasitam Bhuvana Trayam

Sarva Bhoota Nivaasosi Vasudeva Namostu Te

(Vyaasa said: Vasudeva!! all three worlds become viable only because they are pervaded by you,the all pervading. You are indeed the abode of all beings.)

Sree Vasudeva Namostuta Om Nama Iti

(Salutations to you Vasudeva)

25. Parvatyuvaacha :

Kenopaayena Laghuna Vishnor Naama Sahasrakam

Padyathe Panditair Nityam Srotum Ichamyaham Prabho

( Parvati said: Pray spell out an easy method by which the thousand names of Vishnu could be deemed to have been recited by learned persons daily. I wish to be enlightened by you my Lord. )

26. Eswara Uvacha :

Sree Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame

Sahsranaama Tathulyam Rama Nama Varaanane

(Maheswara said: Sree Rama's name being delightful source of mental exhilaration, I take great delight in reciting it repeatedly any length of time. Rama's name is indeed on par with thousand names of Vishnu spelt in this hymn, my blessed Lady. )

27. Brahma Uvaacha :

Namostu Anantaaya Sahasra Moorthaye

Sahasra Paadaakshi Siroru Baahave

Sahasranaamne Purushaaya Saasvate

Sahasra Koti Yuga Dhaarine Namaha

(Brahma said: Salutations to Bhagavaan who is eternal, who has thousand forms, thousand feet, thousand eyes, thousand heads, thousand thighs, thousand arms, and who is the eternal Purusha, having thousand names. Salutations to HIM who is restrained of thousand crores of aeons.)

28. Sanjaya Uvaacha:

Yatra Yogeswara Krishno Yatra Parttho Dhanurdharaha

Tatra Sreer Vijayo Bhootihi Dhruva Neetir Matir Mama

(Sanjaya said: Where Sree Krishna the lord of yoga is and where Arjuna holding the bow is there and there alone shall abide permanently, prosperity, victory, glory and righteousness. This is my considered opinion.)

29, Bhagavaan Uvaacha:

Ananyaschintayanto Maam Ye Janaaha Paryupasate

Tesham Nityabhi Yuktaanaam Yoga Kshemam Vahaamyaham

(Bhagavaan said: unto these people who meditate solely on me, I bear the burden of vouchsafing the yoga and kshema.)

30. Paritraanaaya Sadhoonaam Vinaasaaya Cha Dushkritaam

Dharma Samstthaapanaartthaaya Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge

(For protection of the devout, for frustration of the wicked and fixing dharma on a firm foundation, I get born age after age.)

31. Aaarthaa Vishannaaha Sidhilaascha Bheetaaha

Ghoreshu Cha Vyaadishu Vartamaanaaha

Samkeertya Narayana Sabda Maatram

Vimukta Dukha Sukhino Bhavanti

(Whether afflicted by dire distress or poignant grief or shattered by confusion due to fright or tormented by other maladies, if the victims in each case do but spell the name NARAYANA, they not only get rid of all these troubles but also attain everlasting happiness.)

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OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!!