Sri Vishnu Sahastranam, shloka 1, meaning of names

Vishnu Sahastranam, was written in Sanskrit, the language of gods. It is a part of the world's longest epic: Mahabharat Purana or Jai-granth, which translates as 'the scripture of victory'.

After the great war between the Kauravas and Pandavs, Yudhishthir wanted to know who to look up to as the highest ideal. Bhishma gave him a 1000 names of God, elaborating on God's qualities and the reasons for choosing God as the best friend. Chanting or singing this piece of poetry is said to have therapeutic effect on the body and mind.

shesh shaiya vishnu mudra, sri vishnu sahastranam shloka and meaning

Sri Vishnu Sahastranam, shloka 1

ॐ विश्वं विष्णुर्वषटकारो भूत-भव्य-भवत्प्रभुः ।

भूतकृद्‍ भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ॥१।।

Click here to read the complete Sanskrit text.

The 10 names in this verse:

1.

Aum, the cosmic sound, the first sound of the universe. Shabd-Brahman. Aum is explained in the Mandukya Upanishad.

2.

विश्वं

The All.

‘Purusha ev edam vishvam.’ ~ (Mundak Upanishad 2-1-10)

All this universe is God himself/herself.

3.

विष्णु

Who has become the all, the universe? Vishnu.

4.

वषटकारः

Vashat is an exclaimation uttered by the Hotra priest in a yajna at the end of a sacrificial verse.

5.

भूत-भव्य-भवत-प्रभु

The master of the past, present and future.

6.

भूतकृत

The creator and destroyer of all existences in the universe.

7.

भूतभृत

He sustains all that exists.

8.

भावः

Pure existence.

9.

भूतात्मा

The soul of all.

10.

भूतभावनः

He who creates and develops all elements.

(Based on translation of commentary of Adi guru Sri Shankaracharya)

Anisha
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