Vishnu Sahasranamam Hindi Meaning | सम्पूर्ण हिंदी अर्थ, भावार्थ और सार

Greatness of the hymn

The Viṣṇu Sahasranāma is the hymn of the thousand divine names of Lord Viṣṇu, told by Bhīṣma to Yudhiṣṭhira in the Anuśāsana Parva of the Mahābhārata. Yudhiṣṭhira had asked — who is the one supreme God in this world, who is the greatest refuge, and by praising whom is a person freed from birth and the bondage of the world — and Bhīṣma answered by singing these very names. According to the phalaśruti, one who hears this hymn daily or sings it meets with no evil here or in the world beyond; the devotee is said to receive fame, steady Śrī, fearlessness, health, and at last the eternal Brahman.

How to recite

Rise daily in the morning, become pure, fix the mind on Vāsudeva, and sing these names with faith and devotion. Do not make the recitation a hurried act to finish — remember with a calm mind, understanding the meaning. At the end, offer all deeds done by body, speech, mind and intellect to the Supreme Nārāyaṇa.

Prayer

O Padmanābha, O Janārdana, become the protector of Your devotees who are attached to You in love. May the glorious Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu, Vāsudeva — adorned with the forest garland, bearing the mace and the Śārṅga bow — protect us.

Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya.

Source: Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva (the Bhīṣma–Yudhiṣṭhira dialogue) — Śrī Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotram; Hindi text with meaning as in: Sri_Vishnu_Sahasranama_Complete_Hindi_Editor.docx (170 video-sequence verses).

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Viniyoga

Viniyoga 1 — Viniyoga — The Beginning of the Resolve

Original verse (Devanagari)

ॐ अस्य श्रीविष्णोर्दिव्यसहस्रनामस्तोत्रमहामन्त्रस्य ।
श्रीवेदव्यासोभगवान्ऋषिः ।
अनुष्टुप्छन्दः ।
श्रीमहाविष्णुः परमात्मा श्रीमन्नारायणोदेवता ।
अमृतांशूद्भवोभानुरिति बीजम् ।

Transliteration

oṁ asya śrīviṣṇordivyasahasranāmastotramahāmantrasya śrīvedavyāsobhagavānṛṣiḥ anuṣṭupchandaḥ śrīmahāviṣṇuḥ paramātmā śrīmannārāyaṇodevatā amṛtāṁśūdbhavobhānuriti bījam

Word-by-word meanings

oṁ — Oṁ; asya — of this; śrī-viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu; divya-sahasra-nāma-stotra-mahā-mantrasya — great mantra of the divine thousand names; śrī-vedavyāsaḥ — Śrī Vedavyāsa; bhagavān — the Lord; ṛṣiḥ — is the sage; anuṣṭup — anuṣṭup; chandaḥ — is the metre; śrī-mahāviṣṇuḥ — Śrī Mahāviṣṇu; paramātmā — the Supreme Self; śrīman-nārāyaṇaḥ — Śrīman Nārāyaṇa; devatā — is the deity; amṛta-aṁśu-udbhavaḥ — Amṛtāṁśūdbhava; bhānuḥ — Bhānu; iti — these; bījam — are the seed.

Translation

Oṁ. The sage of this great mantra of the divine thousand names of Lord Viṣṇu is the Lord Vedavyāsa, and its metre is anuṣṭup. Its deity is Śrī Mahāviṣṇu, the Supreme Self, Śrīman Nārāyaṇa. Amṛtāṁśūdbhava and Bhānu are said to be the seed — the root basis of this practice.

Explanation

This resolve joins the mind to the holy purpose of the recitation. Honouring the deity, the sage and the mantra, move forward.

Summary

Make the resolve for the recitation with faith.

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Viniyoga 2 — Viniyoga — The Sacred Limbs of the Mantra

Original verse (Devanagari)

देवकीनन्दनः स्रष्टेति शक्तिः ।
उद्भवः क्षोभणोदेव इति परमोमन्त्रः ।
शङ्खभृन्नन्दकीचक्रीति कीलकम् ।
शार्ङ्गधन्वा गदाधर इत्यस्त्रम् ।
रथाङ्गपाणिरक्षोभ्य इति नेत्रम् ।

Transliteration

devakīnandanaḥ sraṣṭeti śaktiḥ udbhavaḥ kṣobhaṇodeva iti paramomantraḥ śaṅkhabhṛnnandakīcakrīti kīlakam śārṅgadhanvā gadādhara ityastram rathāṅgapāṇirakṣobhya iti netram

Word-by-word meanings

devakī-nandanaḥ — Devakīnandana; sraṣṭā — the Creator; iti — these; śaktiḥ — are the power; udbhavaḥ — Udbhava; kṣobhaṇaḥ — Kṣobhaṇa; devaḥ — Deva; iti — these; paramaḥ — the supreme; mantraḥ — mantra; śaṅkhabhṛt — Śaṅkhabhṛt; nandakī — Nandakī; cakrī — Cakrī; iti — these; kīlakam — are the pin; śārṅgadhanvā — Śārṅgadhanvā; gadādharaḥ — Gadādhara; iti — these; astram — are the weapon; rathāṅgapāṇiḥ — Rathāṅgapāṇi; akṣobhyaḥ — Akṣobhya; iti — these; netram — are the eye.

Translation

Devakīnandana and the Creator are its power. Udbhava, Kṣobhaṇa and Deva are its supreme mantra; Śaṅkhabhṛt, Nandakī and Cakrī are its pin, which holds the mantra steady. Śārṅgadhanvā and Gadādhara are its weapons, and Rathāṅgapāṇi and Akṣobhya are its eyes.

Explanation

These names are remembered as the sacred limbs of the mantra. Their sense is to steady the mind in the Lord's power and protection.

Summary

Steady the mind in the Lord's power.

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Viniyoga 3 — Viniyoga — The Dedication of the Recitation

Original verse (Devanagari)

त्रिसामा सामगः सामेति कवचम् ।
आनन्दं परब्रह्मेति योनिः ।
ऋतुः सुदर्शनः काल इति दिग्बन्धः ।
श्रीविश्वरूप इति ध्यानम् ।
श्रीमहाविष्णुप्रीत्यर्थेसहस्रनामपारायणेविनियोगः ॥

Transliteration

trisāmā sāmagaḥ sāmeti kavacam ānandaṁ parabrahmeti yoniḥ ṛtuḥ sudarśanaḥ kāla iti digbandhaḥ śrīviśvarūpa iti dhyānam śrīmahāviṣṇuprītyarthesahasranāmapārāyaṇeviniyogaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

trisāmā — Trisāmā; sāmagaḥ — Sāmaga; sāma — Sāma; iti — these; kavacam — are the armour; ānandam — bliss; parabrahma — the Supreme Brahman; iti — these; yoniḥ — are the womb, the original source; ṛtuḥ — Ṛtu; sudarśanaḥ — Sudarśana; kālaḥ — Kāla; iti — these; digbandhaḥ — are the binding of the directions, the resolve to protect the directions; śrī-viśvarūpaḥ — Śrī Viśvarūpa; iti — this; dhyānam — is the meditation; śrī-mahāviṣṇu-prītyarthe — for the pleasure of Śrī Mahāviṣṇu; sahasranāma-pārāyaṇe — of this recitation of the thousand names; viniyogaḥ — is the viniyoga.

Translation

Trisāmā, Sāmaga and Sāma are the armour of this mantra. Bliss and the Supreme Brahman are its womb, its original source; Ṛtu, Sudarśana and Kāla are its binding of the directions, the resolve to protect the directions. Śrī Viśvarūpa is its meditation. This recitation of the thousand names is dedicated for the pleasure of Śrī Mahāviṣṇu.

Explanation

The purpose of the recitation is to please the Lord and to dedicate the mind. Remembering His all-pervading presence, chant the names.

Summary

This recitation is dedicated to Śrī Mahāviṣṇu.

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Opening Prayers and Dialogue (Verses 1–22)

Verses 1–10

Verse 1 — Meditation for the Removal of All Obstacles

Original verse (Devanagari)

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥ १॥

Transliteration

śuklāmbaradharaṁ viṣṇuṁ śaśivarṇaṁ caturbhujam prasannavadanaṁ dhyāyet sarvavighnopaśāntaye

Word-by-word meanings

śukla-ambara-dharam — wearing white garments; viṣṇum — the all-pervading Lord; śaśi-varṇam — bright like the moon; catur-bhujam — four-armed; prasanna-vadanam — of cheerful face; dhyāyet — may one meditate; sarva-vighna-upaśāntaye — for the calming of all obstacles.

Translation

For the calming of all obstacles, may one meditate upon the all-pervading Lord, who wears white garments, is bright like the moon, has four arms, and bears a cheerful face.

Explanation

At an auspicious beginning, join the mind to the Lord's peaceful form. His cheerful face makes us inwardly at ease.

Summary

Meditate upon the Lord with a calm mind.

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Verse 2 — Taking Shelter of Viṣvaksena

Original verse (Devanagari)

यस्य द्विरदवक्त्राद्याः पारिषद्याः परः शतम् ।
विघ्नं निघ्नन्ति सततं विष्वक्सेनं तमाश्रये ॥ २॥

Transliteration

yasya dviradavaktrādyāḥ pāriṣadyāḥ paraḥ śatam vighnaṁ nighnanti satataṁ viṣvaksenaṁ tamāśraye

Word-by-word meanings

yasya — whose; dvirada-vaktra-ādyāḥ — foremost attendants with elephant faces; pāriṣadyāḥ — attendants; paraḥ śatam — hundreds more; vighnam — obstacles; nighnanti — continually remove; satatam — always; viṣvaksenam — Viṣvaksena; tam — Him; āśraye — I take shelter of.

Translation

I take shelter of Viṣvaksena, whose foremost attendants with elephant faces, and hundreds of other servants, continually remove obstacles.

Explanation

The powers engaged in the Lord's service open the way to auspiciousness. This prayer takes us into His shelter.

Summary

The Lord's shelter is our support.

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Verse 3 — Bowing to the Sage Vyāsa

Original verse (Devanagari)

व्यासं वसिष्ठनप्तारं शक्तेः पौत्रमकल्मषम् ।
पराशरात्मजं वन्दे शुकतातं तपोनिधिम् ॥ ३॥

Transliteration

vyāsaṁ vasiṣṭhanaptāraṁ śakteḥ pautramakalmaṣam parāśarātmajaṁ vande śukatātaṁ taponidhim

Word-by-word meanings

vyāsam — the sage Vyāsa; vasiṣṭha-naptāram — great-grandson of Vasiṣṭha; śakteḥ pautram — grandson of Śakti; akalmaṣam — sinless; parāśara-ātmajam — son of Parāśara; vande — I bow to; śuka-tātam — father of Śukadeva; tapo-nidhim — a treasure of austerity.

Translation

I bow to the sinless sage Vyāsa, a treasure of austerity — great-grandson of Vasiṣṭha, grandson of Śakti, son of Parāśara, and father of Śukadeva.

Explanation

Remember this holy lineage of knowledge with reverence. Gratitude towards the sages opens the door to learning.

Summary

Bow to the sages and receive knowledge.

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Verse 4 — Vyāsa and Viṣṇu, One in the Other

Original verse (Devanagari)

व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥ ४॥

Transliteration

vyāsāya viṣṇurūpāya vyāsarūpāya viṣṇave namo vai brahmanidhaye vāsiṣṭhāya namo namaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vyāsāya — to the sage Vyāsa; viṣṇu-rūpāya — who is the form of Viṣṇu; vyāsa-rūpāya — who is the form of Vyāsa; viṣṇave — to Lord Viṣṇu; namaḥ — obeisance; brahma-nidhaye — the treasure of knowledge of Brahman; vāsiṣṭhāya — born in the line of Vasiṣṭha; namo namaḥ — repeated obeisance.

Translation

Obeisance to the sage Vyāsa, who is the form of Viṣṇu, and to Lord Viṣṇu, who is the form of Vyāsa. Repeated obeisance to Vyāsa, born in the line of Vasiṣṭha, the treasure of knowledge of Brahman.

Explanation

In Vyāsa's wisdom the Lord's glory is revealed. Honouring the teacher brings us near that same truth.

Summary

Honour the Lord in the teacher who gives knowledge.

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Verse 5 — The Changeless Supreme Self

Original verse (Devanagari)

अविकाराय शुद्धाय नित्याय परमात्मने ।
सदैकरूपरूपाय विष्णवे सर्वजिष्णवे ॥ ५॥

Transliteration

avikārāya śuddhāya nityāya paramātmane sadaikarūparūpāya viṣṇave sarvajiṣṇave

Word-by-word meanings

avikārāya — to Him who is free from change; śuddhāya — to the perfectly pure; nityāya — to the eternal; paramātmane — to the Supreme Self; sadā-eka-rūpa-rūpāya — whose true form is ever one and the same; viṣṇave — to Lord Viṣṇu; sarva-jiṣṇave — to Him who conquers all.

Translation

To Lord Viṣṇu I bow — free from change, perfectly pure, eternal, the Supreme Self, whose true form is ever one and the same, and who conquers all.

Explanation

The world changes, but the Lord's truth stands firm. The support of that truth steadies the mind.

Summary

Place your trust in the unchanging Lord.

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Verse 6 — The Glory of Remembrance

Original verse (Devanagari)

यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण जन्मसंसारबन्धनात् ।
विमुच्यते नमस्तस्मै विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे ॥ ६॥

Transliteration

yasya smaraṇamātreṇa janmasaṁsārabandhanāt vimucyate namastasmai viṣṇave prabhaviṣṇave

Word-by-word meanings

yasya — whose; smaraṇa-mātreṇa — by mere remembrance; janma-saṁsāra-bandhanāt — from the bondage of birth and worldly existence; vimucyate — one is freed; namaḥ — obeisance; tasmai — to Him; viṣṇave — to Lord Viṣṇu; prabhaviṣṇave — to the all-powerful.

Translation

Obeisance to the all-powerful Lord Viṣṇu, by whose mere remembrance a living being is freed from the bondage of birth and worldly existence.

Explanation

Remembrance of the Lord can change the direction of life. It lifts the mind from momentary attachment towards liberation.

Summary

Remembrance of the Lord is the path to liberation.

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Verse 7 — Yudhiṣṭhira's Humble Inquiry

Original verse (Devanagari)

श्रीवैशम्पायन उवाचश्रुत्वा धर्मानशेषेण पावनानि च सर्वशः ।
युधिष्ठिरः शान्तनवं पुनरेवाभ्यभाषत ॥ ७॥

Transliteration

śrīvaiśampāyana uvācaśrutvā dharmānaśeṣeṇa pāvanāni ca sarvaśaḥ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ śāntanavaṁ punarevābhyabhāṣata

Word-by-word meanings

śrī-vaiśampāyana uvāca — Śrī Vaiśampāyana said; śrutvā — having heard; dharmān — all the teachings of dharma; aśeṣeṇa — fully; pāvanāni — the purifying instructions; sarvaśaḥ — in every way; yudhiṣṭhiraḥ — Yudhiṣṭhira; śāntanavam — Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu; punaḥ eva — again; abhyabhāṣata — questioned.

Translation

Śrī Vaiśampāyana said: after hearing all the teachings of dharma and the purifying instructions fully, Yudhiṣṭhira again questioned Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu.

Explanation

Even after listening, to ask again with humility is the mark of knowledge. Yudhiṣṭhira now wishes to know life's deepest support.

Summary

Humble inquiry increases knowledge.

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Verse 8 — The Highest Refuge

Original verse (Devanagari)

युधिष्ठिर उवाचकिमेकं दैवतं लोके किं वाप्येकं परायणम् ।
स्तुवन्तः कं कमर्चन्तः प्राप्नुयुर्मानवाः शुभम् ॥ ८॥

Transliteration

yudhiṣṭhira uvācakimekaṁ daivataṁ loke kiṁ vāpyekaṁ parāyaṇam stuvantaḥ kaṁ kamarcantaḥ prāpnuyurmānavāḥ śubham

Word-by-word meanings

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca — Yudhiṣṭhira asked; kim — who; ekam — the one; daivatam — supreme God; loke — in this world; kim vā api — who; ekam parāyaṇam — the highest refuge; stuvantaḥ — praising; kam — whom; arcantaḥ — worshipping; prāpnuyuḥ — may attain; mānavāḥ — human beings; śubham — welfare.

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira asked: who is the one supreme God in this world? Who is the highest refuge? Praising and worshipping whom may human beings attain welfare?

Explanation

The mind seeks many supports. This question leads us to the supreme refuge that is the basis of all.

Summary

Recognise the supreme refuge of life.

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Verse 9 — The Question of the Highest Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

को धर्मः सर्वधर्माणां भवतः परमो मतः ।
किं जपन्मुच्यते जन्तुर्जन्मसंसारबन्धनात् ॥ ९॥

Transliteration

ko dharmaḥ sarvadharmāṇāṁ bhavataḥ paramo mataḥ kiṁ japanmucyate janturjanmasaṁsārabandhanāt

Word-by-word meanings

kaḥ — which; dharmaḥ — dharma; sarva-dharmāṇām — among all dharmas; bhavataḥ — in your opinion; paramaḥ — the highest; mataḥ — is considered; kim japan — by chanting whom; mucyate — may be freed; jantuḥ — a living being; janma-saṁsāra-bandhanāt — from the bondage of birth and worldly existence.

Translation

In your opinion, which dharma is the highest among all dharmas? By chanting whom may a living being be freed from the bondage of birth and worldly existence?

Explanation

Yudhiṣṭhira asks not merely for happiness but for the path to liberation. A true question refines life from within.

Summary

Know the practice that removes bondage.

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Verse 10 — Bhīṣma's Answer — Praise Him by a Thousand Names

Original verse (Devanagari)

भीष्म उवाच

जगत्प्रभुं देवदेवमनन्तं पुरुषोत्तमम् ।
स्तुवन् नामसहस्रेण पुरुषः सततोत्थितः ॥ १०॥

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvācajagatprabhuṁ devadevamanantaṁ puruṣottamam stuvan nāmasahasreṇa puruṣaḥ satatotthitaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhīṣma uvāca — Bhīṣma said; jagat-prabhum — the Lord of the universe; deva-devam — the God of gods; anantam — the infinite; puruṣottamam — the Supreme Person; stuvan — praising; nāma-sahasreṇa — with a thousand names; puruṣaḥ — a person; satata-utthitaḥ — ever alert and ready.

Translation

Bhīṣma said: a person should, ever alert and ready, continually praise the Lord of the universe, the God of gods, the infinite Supreme Person, with His thousand names.

Explanation

Through the names, the Lord's qualities are remembered. Alert devotion keeps the mind joined to Him.

Summary

Take the Lord's names with love and alertness.

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Verses 11–20

Verse 11 — Daily Worship with Devotion

Original verse (Devanagari)

तमेव चार्चयन्नित्यं भक्त्या पुरुषमव्ययम् ।
ध्यायन् स्तुवन् नमस्यंश्च यजमानस्तमेव च ॥ ११॥

Transliteration

tameva cārcayannityaṁ bhaktyā puruṣamavyayam dhyāyan stuvan namasyaṁśca yajamānastameva ca

Word-by-word meanings

tam eva — Him alone; arcayan — worshipping; nityam — daily; bhaktyā — with devotion; puruṣam — the Supreme Person; avyayam — the imperishable; dhyāyan — meditating; stuvan — singing His praises; namasyan — bowing down; yajamānaḥ — offering sacrifice; tam eva ca — to Him alone.

Translation

Worship that same imperishable Supreme Person daily with devotion; meditate upon Him, sing His praises, bow to Him, and offer your sacrifice and worship to Him alone.

Explanation

Do not limit devotion to words alone. Let the same love enter meditation, bowing down, and action.

Summary

Make your life an offering to the Lord.

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Verse 12 — Beyond All Sorrows

Original verse (Devanagari)

अनादिनिधनं विष्णुं सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् ।
लोकाध्यक्षं स्तुवन्नित्यं सर्वदुःखातिगो भवेत् ॥ १२॥

Transliteration

anādinidhanaṁ viṣṇuṁ sarvalokamaheśvaram lokādhyakṣaṁ stuvannityaṁ sarvaduḥkhātigo bhavet

Word-by-word meanings

anādi-nidhanam — who has neither beginning nor end; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; sarva-loka-maheśvaram — the great Lord of all worlds; loka-adhyakṣam — the overseer of the world; stuvan — praising; nityam — daily; sarva-duḥkha-atigaḥ — beyond all sorrows; bhavet — becomes.

Translation

One who daily praises Viṣṇu — who has neither beginning nor end, the great Lord of all worlds and overseer of the universe — goes beyond all sorrows.

Explanation

The Lord's firm support gives direction even amidst sorrow. His remembrance lifts us above the limits of life.

Summary

The infinite Lord carries us beyond sorrows.

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Verse 13 — The Root of All Beings

Original verse (Devanagari)

ब्रह्मण्यं सर्वधर्मज्ञं लोकानां कीर्तिवर्धनम् ।
लोकनाथं महद्भूतं सर्वभूतभवोद्भवम् ॥ १३॥

Transliteration

brahmaṇyaṁ sarvadharmajñaṁ lokānāṁ kīrtivardhanam lokanāthaṁ mahadbhūtaṁ sarvabhūtabhavodbhavam

Word-by-word meanings

brahmaṇyam — the friend of sacred knowledge and dharma; sarva-dharma-jñam — the knower of all dharmas; lokānām — of the worlds; kīrti-vardhanam — increaser of fame; loka-nātham — Lord of the world; mahad-bhūtam — the great Supreme Being; sarva-bhūta-bhava-udbhavam — the original cause of the birth of all beings.

Translation

He is the friend of sacred knowledge and dharma, the knower of all dharmas, the increaser of the worlds' fame, the Lord of the world, the great Supreme Being, and the original cause of the birth of all beings.

Explanation

Dharma and life have one supreme truth as their root. Remembering Him awakens reverence for every being.

Summary

The Lord is the root of every life.

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Verse 14 — The Highest Dharma Is Devotion

Original verse (Devanagari)

एष मे सर्वधर्माणां धर्मोऽधिकतमो मतः ।
यद्भक्त्या पुण्डरीकाक्षं स्तवैरर्चेन्नरः सदा ॥ १४॥

Transliteration

eṣa me sarvadharmāṇāṁ dharmo'dhikatamo mataḥ yadbhaktyā puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ stavairarcennaraḥ sadā

Word-by-word meanings

eṣaḥ — this; me — in my opinion; sarva-dharmāṇām — among all dharmas; dharmaḥ — dharma; adhikatamaḥ — the highest; mataḥ — is considered; yat — that; bhaktyā — with devotion; puṇḍarīka-akṣam — the lotus-eyed Lord; stavaiḥ — with hymns of praise; arcet — should worship; naraḥ — a person; sadā — always.

Translation

In my opinion this is the highest of all dharmas: that a person should always worship the lotus-eyed Lord with devotion, through hymns of praise.

Explanation

The value of devotion lies in the love of the heart. Praise offered with reverence steadies the mind in the Lord.

Summary

Worship offered with love is the highest.

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Verse 15 — The Supreme Light and Refuge

Original verse (Devanagari)

परमं यो महत्तेजः परमं यो महत्तपः ।
परमं यो महद्ब्रह्म परमं यः परायणम् ॥ १५॥

Transliteration

paramaṁ yo mahattejaḥ paramaṁ yo mahattapaḥ paramaṁ yo mahadbrahma paramaṁ yaḥ parāyaṇam

Word-by-word meanings

paramam — the highest; yaḥ — who; mahat-tejaḥ — the great light; paramam — the highest; mahat-tapaḥ — the great austerity; paramam — the supreme; mahad-brahma — the great Brahman; paramam — the highest; yaḥ — who; parāyaṇam — refuge and supreme goal.

Translation

He alone is the greatest light, the greatest austerity, the supreme Brahman, and the highest refuge and supreme goal of all.

Explanation

The truth sought in knowledge and austerity is the Lord Himself. Moving towards Him gives life its highest direction.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme light and goal.

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Verse 16 — The Purifier of the Pure

Original verse (Devanagari)

पवित्राणां पवित्रं यो मङ्गलानां च मङ्गलम् ।
दैवतं दैवतानां च भूतानां योऽव्ययः पिता ॥ १६॥

Transliteration

pavitrāṇāṁ pavitraṁ yo maṅgalānāṁ ca maṅgalam daivataṁ daivatānāṁ ca bhūtānāṁ yo'vyayaḥ pitā

Word-by-word meanings

pavitrāṇām — of the pure; pavitram — the purifier; yaḥ — who; maṅgalānām — of the auspicious; maṅgalam — the supreme auspiciousness; daivatam — the God; daivatānām — of the gods; bhūtānām — of all beings; yaḥ — who; avyayaḥ — imperishable; pitā — father.

Translation

He who purifies even the pure, who is the supreme auspiciousness among the auspicious, the God of gods, and the imperishable father of all beings.

Explanation

The Lord's purity is bound by no limit. His remembrance makes us affectionate towards all.

Summary

The Lord is the imperishable father of all.

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Verse 17 — The Origin and Rest of Creation

Original verse (Devanagari)

यतः सर्वाणि भूतानि भवन्त्यादियुगागमे ।
यस्मिंश्च प्रलयं यान्ति पुनरेव युगक्षये ॥ १७॥

Transliteration

yataḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni bhavantyādiyugāgame yasmiṁśca pralayaṁ yānti punareva yugakṣaye

Word-by-word meanings

yataḥ — from whom; sarvāṇi — all; bhūtāni — beings; bhavanti — come into being; ādi-yuga-āgame — at the beginning of an age; yasmin ca — and in whom; pralayam — dissolution; yānti — they enter; punaḥ eva — again; yuga-kṣaye — at the end of an age.

Translation

At the beginning of an age, all beings come forth from Him, and at the end of an age they again dissolve into Him.

Explanation

Life's beginning and end rest in the same supreme support. This understanding lessens pride and awakens surrender.

Summary

All creation comes from the Lord and returns to Him.

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Verse 18 — Hear the Thousand Names

Original verse (Devanagari)

तस्य लोकप्रधानस्य जगन्नाथस्य भूपते ।
विष्णोर्नामसहस्रं मे शृणु पापभयापहम् ॥ १८॥

Transliteration

tasya lokapradhānasya jagannāthasya bhūpate viṣṇornāmasahasraṁ me śṛṇu pāpabhayāpaham

Word-by-word meanings

tasya — of Him; loka-pradhānasya — the foremost in the world; jagannāthasya — the Lord of the universe; bhūpate — O king; viṣṇoḥ — of Viṣṇu; nāma-sahasram — the thousand names; me — from me; śṛṇu — hear; pāpa-bhaya-apaham — which remove sin and fear.

Translation

O king, hear from me the thousand names of Viṣṇu, the foremost in the world and Lord of the universe, which remove sin and fear.

Explanation

Do not hear these names as mere sound. Recognise in each name some quality of the Lord.

Summary

Hear the Lord's names with faith.

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Verse 19 — The Names Sung by the Sages

Original verse (Devanagari)

यानि नामानि गौणानि विख्यातानि महात्मनः ।
ऋषिभिः परिगीतानि तानि वक्ष्यामि भूतये ॥ १९॥

Transliteration

yāni nāmāni gauṇāni vikhyātāni mahātmanaḥ ṛṣibhiḥ parigītāni tāni vakṣyāmi bhūtaye

Word-by-word meanings

yāni — which; nāmāni — names; gauṇāni — revealing His qualities; vikhyātāni — celebrated; mahātmanaḥ — of the great Supreme Self; ṛṣibhiḥ — by the sages; parigītāni — sung; tāni — those; vakṣyāmi — I shall speak; bhūtaye — for your welfare.

Translation

I shall speak, for your welfare, those celebrated names of the great Supreme Self which reveal His qualities and have been sung by the sages.

Explanation

The Lord's names are doorways to His qualities. The sages' words teach us to rest the mind upon those qualities.

Summary

Each name opens the Lord's glory.

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Verse 20 — Sage, Metre and Deity

Original verse (Devanagari)

ऋषिर्नाम्नां सहस्रस्य वेदव्यासो महामुनिः ।
छन्दोऽनुष्टुप् तथा देवो भगवान् देवकीसुतः ॥ २०॥

Transliteration

ṛṣirnāmnāṁ sahasrasya vedavyāso mahāmuniḥ chando'nuṣṭup tathā devo bhagavān devakīsutaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ṛṣiḥ — the sage; nāmnām sahasrasya — of this thousand names; vedavyāsaḥ — Vedavyāsa; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage; chandaḥ — the metre; anuṣṭup — anuṣṭup; tathā — and; devaḥ — the deity; bhagavān — the Lord; devakī-sutaḥ — the son of Devakī, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

The sage of this thousand names is the great sage Vedavyāsa, its metre is anuṣṭup, and its worshipful deity is the Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī.

Explanation

This introduction makes clear the tradition of the recitation and its deity. Steady the mind in that same deity with faith.

Summary

Remember Devakī's son with faith.

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Verses 21–22

Verse 21 — The Viniyoga for Peace

Original verse (Devanagari)

अमृतांशूद्भवो बीजं शक्तिर्देवकीनन्दनः ।
त्रिसामा हृदयं तस्य शान्त्यर्थे विनियुज्यते ॥ २१॥

Transliteration

amṛtāṁśūdbhavo bījaṁ śaktirdevakīnandanaḥ trisāmā hṛdayaṁ tasya śāntyarthe viniyujyate

Word-by-word meanings

amṛtāṁśūdbhavaḥ — Amṛtāṁśūdbhava; bījam — the seed; śaktiḥ — the power; devakī-nandanaḥ — Devakīnandana; trisāmā — Trisāmā; hṛdayam — the heart; tasya — of this hymn; śāntyarthe — for peace; viniyujyate — is the viniyoga.

Translation

In this hymn, Amṛtāṁśūdbhava is the seed, Devakīnandana is the power, and Trisāmā is the heart. Its viniyoga — its resolve for practice — is made for peace.

Explanation

The recitation begins with a wish for peace. Resting the mind in the Lord's names, hold on to that same peace.

Summary

Move towards peace through remembrance of the names.

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Verse 22 — Bowing to the Supreme Person

Original verse (Devanagari)

विष्णुं जिष्णुं महाविष्णुं प्रभविष्णुं महेश्वरम् ।
अनेकरूपदैत्यान्तं नमामि पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥ २२॥

Transliteration

viṣṇuṁ jiṣṇuṁ mahāviṣṇuṁ prabhaviṣṇuṁ maheśvaram anekarūpadaityāntaṁ namāmi puruṣottamam

Word-by-word meanings

viṣṇum — the all-pervading; jiṣṇum — the ever-victorious; mahāviṣṇum — the great Viṣṇu; prabhaviṣṇum — the cause of the birth of all; maheśvaram — the great Lord; aneka-rūpa-daitya-antam — who assumes many forms and ends the demons; namāmi — I bow to; puruṣottamam — the Supreme Person.

Translation

I bow to the Supreme Person — the all-pervading, the ever-victorious, the great Viṣṇu, the cause of the birth of all and the great Lord, who assumes many forms and ends the demons.

Explanation

The Lord protects dharma in many forms. In each form the same auspicious resolve is seen.

Summary

All forms of the Supreme Person are worthy of worship.

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Dhyāna (Verses 23–29)

Verse 23 — Mukunda on the Shore of the Milk Ocean

Original verse (Devanagari)

क्षीरोदन्वत्प्रदेशे शुचिमणिविलसत्सैकते मौक्तिकानांमालाकॢप्तासनस्थः स्फटिकमणिनिभैर्मौक्तिकैर्मण्डिताङ्गः ।
शुभ्रैरभ्रैरदभ्रैरुपरिविरचितैर्मुक्तपीयूषवर्षैःआनन्दी नः पुनीयादरिनलिनगदाशङ्खपाणिर्मुकुन्दः ॥१॥

Transliteration

kṣīrodanvatpradeśe śucimaṇivilasatsaikate mauktikānāmmālākḷptāsanasthaḥ sphaṭikamaṇinibhairmauktikairmaṇḍitāṅgaḥ śubhrairabhrairadabhrairupariviracitairmuktapīyūṣavarṣaiḥānandī naḥ punīyādarinalinagadāśaṅkhapāṇirmukundaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

kṣīra-udanvat-pradeśe — on the shore of the milk ocean; śuci-maṇi-vilasat-saikate — on ground shining with bright jewels; mauktikānām — of pearls; mālā-kḷpta-āsana-sthaḥ — seated on a throne made of pearl garlands; sphaṭika-maṇi-nibhaiḥ — like crystal; mauktikaiḥ — with pearls; maṇḍita-aṅgaḥ — adorned; śubhraiḥ — white; abhraiḥ — with clouds; adabhraḥ — vast; upari-viracitaiḥ — spread above; mukta-pīyūṣa-varṣaiḥ — with showers of nectar; ānandī — blissful; naḥ — our; punīyāt — may purify; ari-nalina-gadā-śaṅkha-pāṇiḥ — holding discus, lotus, mace and conch in His hands; mukundaḥ — Mukunda.

Translation

On the shore of the milk ocean, on ground shining with bright jewels, seated on a throne made of pearl garlands, adorned with pearls like crystal, and graced by showers of nectar from vast white clouds spread above — may blissful Mukunda, holding discus, lotus, mace and conch in His hands, purify our inner being.

Explanation

In this meditation the Lord's pure and blissful image appears. Let the mind rest with love in His gentle form.

Summary

May blissful Mukunda purify our minds.

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Verse 24 — The Lord Whose Body Is the Three Worlds

Original verse (Devanagari)

भूः पादौ यस्य नाभिर्वियदसुरनिलश्चन्द्रसूर्यौ च नेत्रेकर्णावाशाः शिरो द्यौर्मुखमपि दहनो यस्य वासोऽयमब्धिः ।
अन्तःस्थं यस्य विश्वं सुरनरखगगोभोगिगन्धर्वदैत्यैःचित्रं रंरम्यते तं त्रिभुवनवपुषं विष्णुमीशं नमामि ॥२॥

Transliteration

bhūḥ pādau yasya nābhirviyadasuranilaścandrasūryau ca netrekarṇāvāśāḥ śiro dyaurmukhamapi dahano yasya vāso'yamabdhiḥ antaḥsthaṁ yasya viśvaṁ suranarakhagagobhogigandharvadaityaiḥcitraṁ raṁramyate taṁ tribhuvanavapuṣaṁ viṣṇumīśaṁ namāmi

Word-by-word meanings

bhūḥ — the earth; pādau — are the feet; yasya — whose; nābhiḥ — the navel; viyat — is the sky; asura-nilaḥ — the life-breath is the wind; candra-sūryau — the moon and the sun; netre — are the eyes; karṇau — the ears; āśāḥ — are the directions; śiraḥ — the head; dyauḥ — is heaven; mukham — the mouth; api — and; dahanaḥ — is fire; yasya — whose; vāsaḥ — the garment; ayam — this; abdhiḥ — is the ocean; antaḥstham — within; yasya — whose; viśvam — the universe; sura-nara-khaga-go-bhogi-gandharva-daityaiḥ — filled with gods, humans, birds, animals, serpents, gandharvas and demons; citram — wonderful; raṁramyate — shines; tam — Him; tribhuvana-vapuṣam — whose body is the three worlds; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; īśam — the Lord; namāmi — I bow to.

Translation

I bow to Lord Viṣṇu, whose body is the three worlds — whose feet are the earth, whose navel is the sky, whose life-breath is the wind, whose eyes are the moon and the sun, whose ears are the directions, whose head is heaven, whose mouth is fire, whose garment is this ocean, and within whom this wonderful universe, filled with gods, humans, birds, animals, serpents, gandharvas and demons, shines.

Explanation

The whole universe is a glimpse of the Lord's cosmic form. With this feeling, reverence for nature and life grows.

Summary

The entire universe is the Lord's cosmic form.

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Verse 25 — The Peaceful Form of Viṣṇu

Original verse (Devanagari)

ॐ शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशंविश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यंवन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥३॥

Transliteration

oṁ śāntākāraṁ bhujagaśayanaṁ padmanābhaṁ sureśaṁviśvādhāraṁ gaganasadṛśaṁ meghavarṇaṁ śubhāṅgam lakṣmīkāntaṁ kamalanayanaṁ yogibhirdhyānagamyaṁvande viṣṇuṁ bhavabhayaharaṁ sarvalokaikanātham

Word-by-word meanings

oṁ — Oṁ; śānta-ākāram — of peaceful form; bhujaga-śayanam — reclining on the serpent Śeṣa; padmanābham — from whose navel the lotus arose; sureśam — Lord of the gods; viśvādhāram — support of the universe; gagana-sadṛśam — vast like the sky; megha-varṇam — dark like a cloud; śubha-aṅgam — of beautiful limbs; lakṣmī-kāntam — beloved of Lakṣmī; kamala-nayanam — lotus-eyed; yogibhiḥ — by yogīs; dhyāna-gamyam — reached through meditation; vande — I bow to; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; bhava-bhaya-haram — remover of the fear of worldly existence; sarva-loka-eka-nātham — the sole Lord of all worlds.

Translation

I bow to Lord Viṣṇu, whose form is peaceful, who reclines on the serpent Śeṣa, from whose navel the lotus arose; the Lord of the gods, support of the universe, vast like the sky, dark like a cloud, of beautiful limbs; beloved of Lakṣmī, lotus-eyed, reached by yogīs through meditation, remover of the fear of worldly existence, and the sole Lord of all worlds.

Explanation

The Lord's peaceful image supports a troubled mind. Keep fear at His feet and meditate with love.

Summary

Peaceful Viṣṇu is the sole Lord of all.

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Verse 26 — The Dark-Cloud-Hued Lord

Original verse (Devanagari)

मेघश्यामं पीतकौशेयवासंश्रीवत्साङ्कं कौस्तुभोद्भासिताङ्गम् ।
पुण्योपेतं पुण्डरीकायताक्षंविष्णुं वन्दे सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥४॥

Transliteration

meghaśyāmaṁ pītakauśeyavāsaṁśrīvatsāṅkaṁ kaustubhodbhāsitāṅgam puṇyopetaṁ puṇḍarīkāyatākṣaṁviṣṇuṁ vande sarvalokaikanātham

Word-by-word meanings

megha-śyāmam — dark like a cloud; pīta-kauśeya-vāsam — wearing yellow silk garments; śrīvatsa-aṅkam — bearing the Śrīvatsa mark on the chest; kaustubha-udbhāsita-aṅgam — whose limbs shine with the Kaustubha jewel; puṇya-upetam — full of auspiciousness; puṇḍarīka-āyata-akṣam — with wide eyes like a blooming lotus; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; vande — I bow to; sarva-loka-eka-nātham — the sole Lord of all worlds.

Translation

I bow to Lord Viṣṇu, dark like a cloud, wearing yellow silk garments, bearing the Śrīvatsa mark on His chest, His limbs shining with the Kaustubha jewel; full of auspiciousness, with wide eyes like a blooming lotus, the sole Lord of all worlds.

Explanation

In the Lord's beauty, purity and auspiciousness shine. Rest the mind easily upon His sweet image.

Summary

Gaze with love upon the lotus-eyed Lord.

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Verse 27 — The First Cause of All Beings

Original verse (Devanagari)

नमः समस्तभूतानामादिभूताय भूभृते ।
अनेकरूपरूपाय विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे ॥५॥

Transliteration

namaḥ samastabhūtānāmādibhūtāya bhūbhṛte anekarūparūpāya viṣṇave prabhaviṣṇave

Word-by-word meanings

namaḥ — obeisance; samasta-bhūtānām — of all beings; ādi-bhūtāya — to the first cause; bhūbhṛte — to the bearer of the earth; aneka-rūpa-rūpāya — to Him who appears in many forms; viṣṇave — to Lord Viṣṇu; prabhaviṣṇave — to Him who is able to bring forth all.

Translation

Obeisance to Lord Viṣṇu, the first cause of all beings, the bearer of the earth, who appears in many forms and is able to bring forth all.

Explanation

The Lord's glory is seen in every form of creation. His remembrance joins us to our origin.

Summary

Viṣṇu is the first support of all beings.

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Verse 28 — Bowing to the Four-Armed Lord

Original verse (Devanagari)

सशङ्खचक्रं सकिरीटकुण्डलंसपीतवस्त्रं सरसीरुहेक्षणम् ।
सहारवक्षःस्थलशोभिकौस्तुभंनमामि विष्णुं शिरसा चतुर्भुजम् ॥६॥

Transliteration

saśaṅkhacakraṁ sakirīṭakuṇḍalaṁsapītavastraṁ sarasīruhekṣaṇam sahāravakṣaḥsthalaśobhikaustubhannamāmi viṣṇuṁ śirasā caturbhujam

Word-by-word meanings

sa-śaṅkha-cakram — holding conch and discus; sa-kirīṭa-kuṇḍalam — adorned with crown and earrings; sa-pīta-vastram — wearing yellow garments; sarasīruha-īkṣaṇam — lotus-eyed; sa-hāra-vakṣaḥsthala-śobhi-kaustubham — with a garland and the beautiful Kaustubha jewel shining on the chest; namāmi — I bow to; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; śirasā — with bowed head; caturbhujam — the four-armed.

Translation

With bowed head I bow to four-armed Viṣṇu, holding conch and discus, adorned with crown and earrings, wearing yellow garments and lotus-eyed, with a garland and the beautiful Kaustubha jewel shining on His chest.

Explanation

The Lord's gentle beauty and protective form shine together. Express the heart's love with a humble bow.

Summary

Bow with reverence to four-armed Viṣṇu.

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Verse 29 — Taking Shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa

Original verse (Devanagari)

छायायां पारिजातस्य हेमसिंहासनोपरिआसीनमम्बुदश्याममायताक्षमलंकृतम् ।
चन्द्राननं चतुर्बाहुं श्रीवत्साङ्कितवक्षसंरुक्मिणीसत्यभामाभ्यां सहितं कृष्णमाश्रये ॥७॥

Transliteration

chāyāyāṁ pārijātasya hemasiṁhāsanopariāsīnamambudaśyāmamāyatākṣamalaṅkṛtam candrānanaṁ caturbāhuṁ śrīvatsāṅkitavakṣasaṁrukmiṇīsatyabhāmābhyāṁ sahitaṁ kṛṣṇamāśraye

Word-by-word meanings

chāyāyām — in the shade; pārijātasya — of the Pārijāta tree; hema-siṁhāsana-upari — upon a golden throne; āsīnam — seated; ambuda-śyāmam — dark like a cloud; āyata-akṣam — wide-eyed; alaṅkṛtam — adorned with ornaments; candra-ānanam — moon-faced; caturbāhum — four-armed; śrīvatsa-aṅkita-vakṣasam — with the Śrīvatsa mark on the chest; rukmiṇī-satyabhāmā-bhyām — with Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā; sahitam — together; kṛṣṇam — Śrī Kṛṣṇa; āśraye — I take shelter of.

Translation

I take shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, seated upon a golden throne in the shade of the Pārijāta tree — dark like a cloud, wide-eyed, adorned with ornaments, moon-faced, four-armed, with the Śrīvatsa mark on His chest, together with Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā.

Explanation

This sweet form of the Lord awakens shelter and intimacy. Let the mind rest at His feet.

Summary

Take shelter of dark and beautiful Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

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The Main Thousand Names (Verses 30–137)

Verses 30–39

Verse 30 — The Lord Who Pervades All

Original verse (Devanagari)

विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः ।
भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ॥ १॥

Transliteration

viśvaṁ viṣṇurvaṣaṭkāro bhūtabhavyabhavatprabhuḥ bhūtakṛdbhūtabhṛdbhāvo bhūtātmā bhūtabhāvanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

viśvam — the whole universe is His form; viṣṇuḥ — He pervades every particle; vaṣaṭkāraḥ — the offering made with the word vaṣaṭ is offered to Him; bhūta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuḥ — Lord of the past, the future and the present; bhūtakṛt — creator of all beings; bhūtabhṛt — sustainer of all beings; bhāvaḥ — pure existence; bhūtātmā — the inner Self of all; bhūtabhāvanaḥ — the basis of the growth of all.

Translation

This whole universe is His form, and He pervades every particle. The offering made in sacrifice with the word vaṣaṭ is offered to Him. He is the Lord of the past, the future and the present. He creates all beings, sustains them, is pure existence, is the inner Self of all, and is the basis of the growth of all.

Explanation

The Lord is not confined to one distant place. Remembering Him is recognising that same divine presence in every life.

Summary

The Lord is the life and support of the whole universe.

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Verse 31 — The Imperishable Witness Within

Original verse (Devanagari)

पूतात्मा परमात्मा च मुक्तानां परमा गतिः ।
अव्ययः पुरुषः साक्षी क्षेत्रज्ञोऽक्षर एव च ॥ २॥

Transliteration

pūtātmā paramātmā ca muktānāṁ paramā gatiḥ avyayaḥ puruṣaḥ sākṣī kṣetrajño'kṣara eva ca

Word-by-word meanings

pūtātmā — perfectly pure; paramātmā — the Supreme Self; muktānām — of liberated souls; paramā gatiḥ — the supreme goal; avyayaḥ — never diminishing; puruṣaḥ — dwelling as the inner Self in all bodies; sākṣī — witness of all; kṣetrajñaḥ — knower of the body and its experiences; akṣaraḥ — ever imperishable.

Translation

The Lord is perfectly pure and the Supreme Self; He is also the supreme goal of liberated souls. He never diminishes, and dwells as the inner Self in all bodies. He is the witness of all, the knower of the body and its experiences, and ever imperishable.

Explanation

Within our changing experiences there is an unchanging witness. Remembering that Supreme Self, the mind recognises its deeper support.

Summary

The Lord is the imperishable witness dwelling within.

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Verse 32 — The Guide of Yogīs and Supreme Person

Original verse (Devanagari)

योगो योगविदां नेता प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः ।
नारसिंहवपुः श्रीमान् केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ३॥

Transliteration

yogo yogavidāṁ netā pradhānapuruṣeśvaraḥ nārasiṁhavapuḥ śrīmān keśavaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

yogaḥ — attained through yoga; yogavidām netā — guide of those who know yoga; pradhāna-puruṣa-īśvaraḥ — Lord of both nature and the soul; nārasimha-vapuḥ — who assumed the Narasimha form to protect the devotee; śrīmān — ever adorned by Lakṣmī; keśavaḥ — of beautiful hair; puruṣottamaḥ — the Supreme Person, best of all persons.

Translation

The Lord is attained through yoga and is the guide of those who know yoga. He is the Lord of both nature and the soul. He assumed the Narasimha form to protect the devotee, is ever adorned by Lakṣmī, and Keśava of beautiful hair is the Supreme Person, best of all.

Explanation

The path of practice is joined to the Lord, and its goal is also the Lord. His protective form inspires trust in devotion.

Summary

The Supreme Person is the guide and supreme goal of practice.

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Verse 33 — The Firm Lord of Creation

Original verse (Devanagari)

सर्वः शर्वः शिवः स्थाणुर्भूतादिर्निधिरव्ययः ।
सम्भवो भावनो भर्ता प्रभवः प्रभुरीश्वरः ॥ ४॥

Transliteration

sarvaḥ śarvaḥ śivaḥ sthāṇurbhūtādirnidhiravyayaḥ sambhavo bhāvano bhartā prabhavaḥ prabhurīśvaraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sarvaḥ — the form of all; śarvaḥ — who gathers all into Himself at dissolution; śivaḥ — holy and auspicious; sthāṇuḥ — immovable; bhūtādiḥ — the first cause of all beings; nidhiḥ — the imperishable ground in which all merge; avyayaḥ — imperishable; sambhavaḥ — appearing by His own will; bhāvanaḥ — giver of the fruits of actions; bhartā — sustainer of the world; prabhavaḥ — the powerful source of all creation; prabhuḥ — the independent Lord; īśvaraḥ — the Lord of all creation.

Translation

The Lord is the form of all, and gathers all into Himself at dissolution. He is holy, auspicious, immovable, and the first cause of all beings. He is the imperishable ground in which all merge. Appearing by His own will, He gives the fruits of actions, sustains the world, and is the powerful, independent Lord of all creation.

Explanation

The making and unmaking of creation happen in the same supreme ground. This feeling teaches us to live with humility and responsibility.

Summary

The Lord is the firm and powerful Lord of creation.

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Verse 34 — The Self-Existent Supreme Support

Original verse (Devanagari)

स्वयम्भूः शम्भुरादित्यः पुष्कराक्षो महास्वनः ।
अनादिनिधनो धाता विधाता धातुरुत्तमः ॥ ५॥

Transliteration

svayambhūḥ śambhurādityaḥ puṣkarākṣo mahāsvanaḥ anādinidhano dhātā vidhātā dhāturuttamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

svayambhūḥ — self-existent, with no maker; śambhuḥ — giver of joy to devotees; ādityaḥ — shining in the sun; puṣkarākṣaḥ — lotus-eyed; mahāsvanaḥ — the great sound of the Vedas arises from Him; anādinidhanaḥ — with neither beginning nor end; dhātā — bearer of the world; vidhātā — arranger of the fruits of actions; dhāturuttamaḥ — the supreme support of all supports.

Translation

The Lord is self-existent; He has no maker. He gives joy to devotees, shines in the sun, and is lotus-eyed. The great sound of the Vedas arises from Him. He has neither beginning nor end; He bears the world, arranges the fruits of actions, and is the supreme support of all supports.

Explanation

The Lord's existence rests on no other support. In Him alone are the roots of life's light and justice.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme support of all supports.

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Verse 35 — The Immeasurable Maker of the World

Original verse (Devanagari)

अप्रमेयो हृषीकेशः पद्मनाभोऽमरप्रभुः ।
विश्वकर्मा मनुस्त्वष्टा स्थविष्ठः स्थविरो ध्रुवः ॥ ६॥

Transliteration

aprameyo hṛṣīkeśaḥ padmanābho'maraprabhuḥ viśvakarmā manustvaṣṭā sthaviṣṭhaḥ sthaviro dhruvaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

aprameyaḥ — beyond all measure; hṛṣīkeśaḥ — Lord of the senses; padmanābhaḥ — bearing the primal lotus of creation in His navel; amaraprabhuḥ — Lord of the gods; viśvakarmā — maker of the world; manuḥ — the root of thought and knowledge; tvaṣṭā — who gathers all into Himself at dissolution; sthaviṣṭhaḥ — of supremely vast form; sthaviraḥ — the most ancient; dhruvaḥ — ever steady and firm.

Translation

The Lord cannot be bound by any measure. He is the Lord of the senses, bears the primal lotus of creation in His navel, and is the Lord of the gods. He is the maker of the world, the root of thought and knowledge, and gathers all into Himself at dissolution. His vast form is supremely great, and He is the most ancient, ever steady and firm.

Explanation

Mind and senses cannot grasp the Lord's full glory. Meditating on His firm form brings steadiness within.

Summary

The boundless Lord is the maker of the world.

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Verse 36 — Supremely Pure and Auspicious

Original verse (Devanagari)

अग्राह्यः शाश्वतः कृष्णो लोहिताक्षः प्रतर्दनः ।
प्रभूतस्त्रिककुब्धाम पवित्रं मङ्गलं परम् ॥ ७॥

Transliteration

agrāhyaḥ śāśvataḥ kṛṣṇo lohitākṣaḥ pratardanaḥ prabhūtastrikakubdhāma pavitraṁ maṅgalaṁ param

Word-by-word meanings

agrāhyaḥ — beyond the grasp of the senses; śāśvataḥ — eternal; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa, the form of existence, consciousness and bliss; lohitākṣaḥ — with reddish eyes; pratardanaḥ — destroyer of all creation at dissolution; prabhūtaḥ — endowed with infinite qualities; trikakubdhāma — support of all worlds above, in the middle and below; pavitram — purifier of all; maṅgalam param — supremely auspicious.

Translation

The Lord is beyond the grasp of the senses, eternal, and Kṛṣṇa, the form of existence, consciousness and bliss. His eyes carry a reddish hue, and at dissolution He destroys all creation. He is endowed with infinite qualities, the support of all worlds above, in the middle and below, the purifier of all, and supremely auspicious.

Explanation

The Lord's glory is greater than our limited understanding. His remembrance turns the mind towards purity and auspiciousness.

Summary

The Lord is supremely pure and supremely auspicious.

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Verse 37 — Mādhava, the Root of All Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

ईशानः प्राणदः प्राणो ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठः प्रजापतिः ।
हिरण्यगर्भो भूगर्भो माधवो मधुसूदनः ॥ ८॥

Transliteration

īśānaḥ prāṇadaḥ prāṇo jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ prajāpatiḥ hiraṇyagarbho bhūgarbho mādhavo madhusūdanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

īśānaḥ — ruler of all; prāṇadaḥ — giver of life-breath; prāṇaḥ — the very root of life; jyeṣṭhaḥ — the first; śreṣṭhaḥ — the best; prajāpatiḥ — Lord of all beings; hiraṇyagarbhaḥ — the inner Self even of Brahmā; bhūgarbhaḥ — the whole earth rests within Him; mādhavaḥ — Mādhava, the husband of Lakṣmī; madhusūdanaḥ — slayer of the demon Madhu.

Translation

The Lord rules all, gives life-breath, and is Himself the root of life. He is the first and the best, and the Lord of all beings. He is the inner Self even of Brahmā, and the whole earth rests within Him. He is Mādhava, the husband of Lakṣmī, and Madhusūdana, the slayer of the demon Madhu.

Explanation

Every breath of life is joined to that supreme ground. Remembering Mādhava makes us grateful for life.

Summary

Mādhava is the root of all life.

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Verse 38 — The Lord Who Honours True Feeling

Original verse (Devanagari)

ईश्वरो विक्रमी धन्वी मेधावी विक्रमः क्रमः ।
अनुत्तमो दुराधर्षः कृतज्ञः कृतिरात्मवान् ॥ ९॥

Transliteration

īśvaro vikramī dhanvī medhāvī vikramaḥ kramaḥ anuttamo durādharṣaḥ kṛtajñaḥ kṛtirātmavān

Word-by-word meanings

īśvaraḥ — all-powerful; vikramī — of great valour; dhanvī — bearer of the bow; medhāvī — of incomparable wisdom; vikramaḥ — the power that carries one beyond the world; kramaḥ — the path; anuttamaḥ — than whom there is none greater; durādharṣaḥ — whom none can defeat; kṛtajñaḥ — who knows our deeds and honours even a small offering; kṛtiḥ — the supreme fruit of all good efforts; ātmavān — complete in His own Self.

Translation

The Lord is all-powerful, of great valour, bearer of the bow, and of incomparable wisdom. He is the power and the path that carry one beyond the world. None is greater than Him, and none can defeat Him. He knows our deeds, honours even a small offering, is the supreme fruit of all good efforts, and is complete in His own Self.

Explanation

No small, sincere devotion of ours is hidden from the Lord. Good effort made in His shelter becomes meaningful.

Summary

The Lord honours true feeling.

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Verse 39 — The Supreme Refuge and All-Seeing Consciousness

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुरेशः शरणं शर्म विश्वरेताः प्रजाभवः ।
अहः संवत्सरो व्यालः प्रत्ययः सर्वदर्शनः ॥ १०॥

Transliteration

sureśaḥ śaraṇaṁ śarma viśvaretāḥ prajābhavaḥ ahaḥ saṁvatsaro vyālaḥ pratyayaḥ sarvadarśanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sureśaḥ — Lord of the gods; śaraṇam — refuge of the afflicted; śarma — supreme bliss; viśvaretāḥ — seed of the universe; prajābhavaḥ — origin of all beings; ahaḥ — the light; saṁvatsaraḥ — present also as time, with the year; vyālaḥ — not easily grasped; pratyayaḥ — pure consciousness; sarvadarśanaḥ — who sees all in every direction.

Translation

The Lord is the Lord of the gods, the refuge of the afflicted, and supreme bliss. He is the seed of the universe and the origin of all beings. He is the light, and is present also as time, with the year. He cannot easily be grasped; He is pure consciousness, and sees all in every direction.

Explanation

The Lord is our refuge and also the consciousness within. His remembrance makes us alert and full of trust.

Summary

The all-seeing Lord is our supreme refuge.

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Verses 40–49

Verse 40 — Acyuta, Ever Perfect and Free

Original verse (Devanagari)

अजः सर्वेश्वरः सिद्धः सिद्धिः सर्वादिरच्युतः ।
वृषाकपिरमेयात्मा सर्वयोगविनिःसृतः ॥ ११॥

Transliteration

ajaḥ sarveśvaraḥ siddhaḥ siddhiḥ sarvādiracyutaḥ vṛṣākapirameyātmā sarvayogaviniḥsṛtaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ajaḥ — unborn; sarveśvaraḥ — Lord of all lords; siddhaḥ — ever perfect in His own nature; siddhiḥ — the root of perfection and attainment; sarvādiḥ — the first cause of all; acyutaḥ — who never falls from His truth; vṛṣākapiḥ — who showers the devotees' wishes; ameyātmā — of boundless nature; sarva-yoga-viniḥsṛtaḥ — wholly free from all bondage.

Translation

The Lord is unborn, the Lord of all lords, and ever perfect in His own nature. He is the root of perfection and attainment, the first cause of all, and Acyuta, who never falls from His truth. He showers the devotees' wishes, is of boundless nature, and is wholly free from all bondage.

Explanation

The Lord's perfection neither grows nor lessens with circumstances. His support gives the mind a direction above bondage.

Summary

Acyuta the Lord is ever perfect and free.

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Verse 41 — The Lord of Equal Vision and Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

वसुर्वसुमनाः सत्यः समात्माऽसम्मितः समः ।
अमोघः पुण्डरीकाक्षो वृषकर्मा वृषाकृतिः ॥ १२॥

Transliteration

vasurvasumanāḥ satyaḥ samātmā'sammitaḥ samaḥ amoghaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣo vṛṣakarmā vṛṣākṛtiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vasuḥ — all beings dwell in the Lord, and the Lord dwells in all; vasumanāḥ — of generous mind, free from attachment; satyaḥ — the embodiment of truth; samātmā — the same towards all; asammitaḥ — boundless; samaḥ — ever in equanimity; amoghaḥ — whose worship never goes in vain; puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ — the lotus-eyed Lord; vṛṣakarmā — whose actions are full of dharma; vṛṣākṛtiḥ — who assumes form to protect dharma.

Translation

All beings dwell in the Lord, and the Lord dwells in all. His mind is generous and free from attachment; He is the embodiment of truth, the same towards all, and boundless. He ever abides in equanimity, and worship of Him never goes in vain. The lotus-eyed Lord's actions are full of dharma, and He assumes form to protect dharma.

Explanation

In the Lord's sight, all share one inner ground. Remembering His equal vision brings impartiality into our conduct.

Summary

The Lord is the embodiment of equanimity and dharma.

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Verse 42 — The Imperishable Refuge of Welfare

Original verse (Devanagari)

रुद्रो बहुशिरा बभ्रुर्विश्वयोनिः शुचिश्रवाः ।
अमृतः शाश्वतस्थाणुर्वरारोहो महातपाः ॥ १३॥

Transliteration

rudro bahuśirā babhrurviśvayoniḥ śuciśravāḥ amṛtaḥ śāśvatasthāṇurvarāroho mahātapāḥ

Word-by-word meanings

rudraḥ — Rudra, who destroys all at dissolution, is the Lord Himself; bahuśirāḥ — the cosmic Person of countless heads; babhruḥ — sustainer of the world; viśvayoniḥ — cause of the origin of the universe; śuciśravāḥ — whose name and fame are holy; amṛtaḥ — beyond death; śāśvatasthāṇuḥ — ever firm; varārohaḥ — the excellent refuge by attaining which one gains supreme welfare; mahātapāḥ — of great austerity and knowledge.

Translation

Rudra, who destroys all at dissolution, is the Lord Himself. He is the cosmic Person of countless heads, the sustainer of the world, and the cause of the origin of the universe. His name and fame are holy. He is beyond death, ever firm, and the excellent refuge by attaining which one gains supreme welfare; His austerity and knowledge are great.

Explanation

The Lord's vast form embraces both creation and dissolution. His shelter leads life towards supreme welfare.

Summary

The imperishable Lord's shelter gives welfare.

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Verse 43 — The Infinite Light of All Knowledge

Original verse (Devanagari)

सर्वगः सर्वविद्भानुर्विष्वक्सेनो जनार्दनः ।
वेदो वेदविदव्यङ्गो वेदाङ्गो वेदवित् कविः ॥ १४॥

Transliteration

sarvagaḥ sarvavidbhānurviṣvakseno janārdanaḥ vedo vedavidavyaṅgo vedāṅgo vedavit kaviḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sarvagaḥ — present everywhere; sarvavit — knower of all; bhānuḥ — the light; viṣvaksenaḥ — before whom opposing armies cannot stand; janārdanaḥ — subduer of wickedness; vedaḥ — the Veda itself; vedavit — knower of the meaning of the Vedas; avyaṅgaḥ — free from every defect; vedāṅgaḥ — the Vedas are like His limbs; vedavit — knower of all the Vedas; kaviḥ — the supreme seer who sees all.

Translation

The Lord is present everywhere, the light that knows all. Before Him opposing armies cannot stand, and He subdues wickedness. He is the Veda itself, the knower of the meaning of the Vedas, and free from every defect. The Vedas are like His limbs; He knows all the Vedas and is the supreme seer who sees all.

Explanation

The light of knowledge is the Lord's own glory. True knowledge helps us lessen faults and understand dharma.

Summary

The Lord is the infinite light of all knowledge.

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Verse 44 — The Watchful Witness of Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

लोकाध्यक्षः सुराध्यक्षो धर्माध्यक्षः कृताकृतः ।
चतुरात्मा चतुर्व्यूहश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रश्चतुर्भुजः ॥ १५॥

Transliteration

lokādhyakṣaḥ surādhyakṣo dharmādhyakṣaḥ kṛtākṛtaḥ caturātmā caturvyūhaścaturdaṁṣṭraścaturbhujaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

lokādhyakṣaḥ — overseer of the world; surādhyakṣaḥ — overseer of the gods; dharmādhyakṣaḥ — overseer of dharma; kṛtākṛtaḥ — who knows action and its right and wrong, and is both the effect and its original cause in creation; caturātmā — who assumes many forms for creation, sustenance and dissolution; caturvyūhaḥ — who appears in the four vyūhas; caturdaṁṣṭraḥ — with four fangs in the Narasimha form; caturbhujaḥ — four-armed in His divine form.

Translation

The Lord is the overseer of the world, of the gods, and of dharma. He knows action and its right and wrong, and is both the effect and its original cause in creation. He assumes many forms for creation, sustenance and dissolution, and appears in the four vyūhas. In the Narasimha form He has four fangs, and in His divine form four arms.

Explanation

In the Lord's order, our actions matter. Meditating on Him makes us alert and devoted to dharma.

Summary

The Lord is the witness of dharma and action.

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Verse 45 — The Ground of Creation and Experience

Original verse (Devanagari)

भ्राजिष्णुर्भोजनं भोक्ता सहिष्णुर्जगदादिजः ।
अनघो विजयो जेता विश्वयोनिः पुनर्वसुः ॥ १६॥

Transliteration

bhrājiṣṇurbhojanaṁ bhoktā sahiṣṇurjagadādijaḥ anagho vijayo jetā viśvayoniḥ punarvasuḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhrājiṣṇuḥ — pure light; bhojanam — nature, which comes within experience, rests upon Him; bhoktā — the supreme enjoyer who experiences it; sahiṣṇuḥ — able to endure all and subdue the demons; jagadādijaḥ — who appeared at the beginning of creation; anaghaḥ — free from sin; vijayaḥ — victory itself; jetā — ever victorious; viśvayoniḥ — the original cause of the universe; punarvasuḥ — who dwells again and again in beings.

Translation

The Lord is pure light. Nature, which comes within experience, rests upon Him, and the supreme enjoyer who experiences it is also He. He is able to endure all and to subdue the demons, appeared at the beginning of creation, and is free from sin. He is victory itself, ever victorious, the original cause of the universe, and dwells again and again in beings.

Explanation

The world and its experience both rest upon the Lord. This feeling awakens humility and a broad vision in life.

Summary

The Lord is the root ground of all experience.

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Verse 46 — From Vāmana to the Cosmic Form

Original verse (Devanagari)

उपेन्द्रो वामनः प्रांशुरमोघः शुचिरूर्जितः ।
अतीन्द्रः सङ्ग्रहः सर्गो धृतात्मा नियमो यमः ॥ १७॥

Transliteration

upendro vāmanaḥ prāṁśuramoghaḥ śucirūrjitaḥ atīndraḥ saṅgrahaḥ sargo dhṛtātmā niyamo yamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

upendraḥ — the younger brother of Indra; vāmanaḥ — who appeared as Vāmana; prāṁśuḥ — who then assumed a cosmic form; amoghaḥ — whose works never fail; śuciḥ — pure; ūrjitaḥ — of infinite strength; atīndraḥ — greater than Indra; saṅgrahaḥ — who gathers all into Himself at dissolution; sargaḥ — who appears as creation; dhṛtātmā — who, Himself unmoved, fixes the places and bounds of all; niyamaḥ — who regulates all from within; yamaḥ — the regulator of all.

Translation

Upendra, the younger brother of Indra, appeared as Vāmana and then assumed a cosmic form. The Lord's works never fail; He is pure and of infinite strength. He is greater than Indra, gathers all into Himself at dissolution, and appears as creation. Himself unmoved, He fixes the places and bounds of all, and dwelling within, regulates all.

Explanation

Even in a small-looking form, the Lord's boundless power may be hidden. His remembrance teaches us to look beyond outward size.

Summary

Vāmana is the same infinite cosmic Lord.

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Verse 47 — The Giver of Sweet Bliss

Original verse (Devanagari)

वेद्यो वैद्यः सदायोगी वीरहा माधवो मधुः ।
अतीन्द्रियो महामायो महोत्साहो महाबलः ॥ १८॥

Transliteration

vedyo vaidyaḥ sadāyogī vīrahā mādhavo madhuḥ atīndriyo mahāmāyo mahotsāho mahābalaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vedyaḥ — to be known by those who seek liberation; vaidyaḥ — knower of all knowledge; sadāyogī — ever established in yoga; vīrahā — slayer of mighty demons for the protection of dharma; mādhavaḥ — Mādhava, Lord of knowledge; madhuḥ — sweet like honey, giver of bliss; atīndriyaḥ — beyond the senses; mahāmāyaḥ — Lord of the great māyā; mahotsāhaḥ — ever ready in the works of creation; mahābalaḥ — of boundless strength.

Translation

The Lord alone is to be known by those who seek liberation. He is the knower of all knowledge, ever established in yoga, and the slayer of mighty demons for the protection of dharma. He is Mādhava, Lord of knowledge, and sweet like honey, giver of bliss. He is beyond the senses, Lord of the great māyā, ever ready in the works of creation, and of boundless strength.

Explanation

The Lord's sweet remembrance gives the mind a higher direction. Experience His power together with His blissful nearness.

Summary

The Lord is the source of power and sweet bliss.

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Verse 48 — Boundless Power and Glory

Original verse (Devanagari)

महाबुद्धिर्महावीर्यो महाशक्तिर्महाद्युतिः ।
अनिर्देश्यवपुः श्रीमानमेयात्मा महाद्रिधृक् ॥ १९॥

Transliteration

mahābuddhirmahāvīryo mahāśaktirmahādyutiḥ anirdeśyavapuḥ śrīmānameyātmā mahādridhṛk

Word-by-word meanings

mahābuddhiḥ — of incomparable wisdom; mahāvīryaḥ — of incomparable valour; mahāśaktiḥ — of incomparable power; mahādyutiḥ — of incomparable radiance; anirdeśyavapuḥ — whose true form cannot be bound by any one description; śrīmān — endowed with all beauty and majesty; ameyātmā — of boundless glory; mahādridhṛk — bearer of great mountains like Mandara and Govardhana.

Translation

The Lord's wisdom, valour, power and radiance are incomparable. His true form cannot be bound by any one description. He is endowed with all beauty and majesty, and His glory is boundless. He is also the bearer of great mountains like Mandara and Govardhana.

Explanation

The Lord who held up mountains has a glory greater than words. His remembrance gives trust even in difficulty.

Summary

The Lord's power and glory are boundless.

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Verse 49 — Śrīnivāsa, the Supreme Goal of the Good

Original verse (Devanagari)

महेष्वासो महीभर्ता श्रीनिवासः सतां गतिः ।
अनिरुद्धः सुरानन्दो गोविन्दो गोविदां पतिः ॥ २०॥

Transliteration

maheṣvāso mahībhartā śrīnivāsaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ aniruddhaḥ surānando govindo govidāṁ patiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

maheṣvāsaḥ — bearer of the great bow; mahībhartā — bearer of the earth; śrīnivāsaḥ — in whose chest Lakṣmī dwells; satāṁ gatiḥ — the supreme goal of the good; aniruddhaḥ — whose power cannot be checked; surānandaḥ — giver of joy to the gods; govindaḥ — giver of power to speech; govidām patiḥ — Lord of those who know speech and the Vedas.

Translation

The Lord bears the great bow and upholds the earth. Lakṣmī dwells in His chest, and He is the supreme goal of the good. His power cannot be checked; He gives joy to the gods. Govinda gives power to speech and is the Lord of those who know speech and the Vedas.

Explanation

The path of goodness at last leads to the Lord. Right use of speech is also honouring His glory.

Summary

Śrīnivāsa is the supreme shelter of the good.

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Verses 50–59

Verse 50 — The Father and Guide of the World

Original verse (Devanagari)

मरीचिर्दमनो हंसः सुपर्णो भुजगोत्तमः ।
हिरण्यनाभः सुतपाः पद्मनाभः प्रजापतिः ॥ २१॥

Transliteration

marīcirdamano haṁsaḥ suparṇo bhujagottamaḥ hiraṇyanābhaḥ sutapāḥ padmanābhaḥ prajāpatiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

marīciḥ — the radiance of good qualities; damanaḥ — subduer of adharma; haṁsaḥ — the swan who removes the fear of the world; suparṇaḥ — who runs the order of the world with the two wings of dharma and adharma; bhujagottamaḥ — the supreme serpent in the form of infinite Śeṣa; hiraṇyanābhaḥ — from whose navel Brahmā, the creator, arose; sutapāḥ — performer of excellent austerity; padmanābhaḥ — lotus-navelled; prajāpatiḥ — father of all beings.

Translation

The Lord is the radiance of good qualities and the subduer of adharma. He is the swan who removes the fear of the world, who runs the order of the world with the two wings of dharma and adharma, and the supreme serpent in the form of infinite Śeṣa. From His navel arose Brahmā, the creator. He performs excellent austerity, is lotus-navelled, and is the father of all beings.

Explanation

In the Lord's order, light and discipline move together. Remembering Him, reflect on the direction of life.

Summary

The Lord is the father and guide of the world.

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Verse 51 — The Just Lord Who Gives the Fruits of Action

Original verse (Devanagari)

अमृत्युः सर्वदृक् सिंहः सन्धाता सन्धिमान् स्थिरः ।
अजो दुर्मर्षणः शास्ता विश्रुतात्मा सुरारिहा ॥ २२॥

Transliteration

amṛtyuḥ sarvadṛk siṁhaḥ sandhātā sandhimān sthiraḥ ajo durmarṣaṇaḥ śāstā viśrutātmā surārihā

Word-by-word meanings

amṛtyuḥ — beyond death; sarvadṛk — who sees the actions of all beings; siṁhaḥ — who destroys with the power of a lion; sandhātā — who joins beings to the fruits of their actions; sandhimān — who, as the indweller, experiences those very experiences; sthiraḥ — firm in His own nature; ajaḥ — who appears in the hearts of devotees; durmarṣaṇaḥ — whose power is unbearable; śāstā — who shows the way through the scriptures; viśrutātmā — the universally renowned Supreme Self; surārihā — destroyer of the enemies of the gods.

Translation

The Lord is beyond death and sees the actions of all beings. With the power of a lion He destroys, and joins beings to the fruits of their actions. As the indweller He experiences those very experiences, yet remains firm in His own nature. He appears in the hearts of devotees; His power is unbearable, He shows the way through the scriptures, is the universally renowned Supreme Self, and destroys the enemies of the gods.

Explanation

No feeling of our actions is hidden from the Lord. His remembrance inspires us to choose the right path.

Summary

The Lord justly gives the fruits of actions.

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Verse 52 — The Supreme Teacher of Teachers

Original verse (Devanagari)

गुरुर्गुरुतमो धाम सत्यः सत्यपराक्रमः ।
निमिषोऽनिमिषः स्रग्वी वाचस्पतिरुदारधीः ॥ २३॥

Transliteration

gururgurutamo dhāma satyaḥ satyaparākramaḥ nimiṣo'nimiṣaḥ sragvī vācaspatirudāradhīḥ

Word-by-word meanings

guruḥ — the teacher; gurutamaḥ — the supreme teacher, greater than all teachers; dhāma — the supreme light; satyaḥ — the embodiment of truth; satyaparākramaḥ — of unfailing valour; nimiṣaḥ — who closes His eyes in yogic sleep; animiṣaḥ — who ever remains awake; sragvī — wearer of the Vaijayantī garland; vācaspatiḥ — Lord of speech; udāradhīḥ — of supremely generous wisdom.

Translation

The Lord is the teacher, and the supreme teacher greater than all teachers. He is the supreme light, the embodiment of truth, and of unfailing valour. He closes His eyes in yogic sleep, and also ever remains awake. He wears the Vaijayantī garland, and is the Lord of speech and of supremely generous wisdom.

Explanation

The light of learning and understanding is joined to the Lord. His remembrance makes us humble and discerning.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme teacher of teachers.

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Verse 53 — The One Inner Self of the World

Original verse (Devanagari)

अग्रणीर्ग्रामणीः श्रीमान् न्यायो नेता समीरणः ।
सहस्रमूर्धा विश्वात्मा सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात् ॥ २४॥

Transliteration

agraṇīrgrāmaṇīḥ śrīmān nyāyo netā samīraṇaḥ sahasramūrdhā viśvātmā sahasrākṣaḥ sahasrapāt

Word-by-word meanings

agraṇīḥ — who leads forward those who seek liberation; grāmaṇīḥ — leader of the whole host of beings; śrīmān — endowed with majesty; nyāyaḥ — the basis of justice; netā — the conductor of the world; samīraṇaḥ — who moves life as wind and breath; sahasramūrdhā — of countless heads; viśvātmā — the one inner Self of the whole world; sahasrākṣaḥ — of countless eyes; sahasrapāt — of countless feet.

Translation

The Lord leads forward those who seek liberation and leads the whole host of beings. He is endowed with majesty, the basis of justice, and the conductor of the world. As wind and breath He moves life. He has countless heads, eyes and feet, for He is the one inner Self of the whole world.

Explanation

Within every life the same one ground is at work. This vision awakens reverence for all in our minds.

Summary

The one inner Self of the whole world is the Lord.

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Verse 54 — The Unchanging Ground of a Changing World

Original verse (Devanagari)

आवर्तनो निवृत्तात्मा संवृतः सम्प्रमर्दनः ।
अहः संवर्तको वह्निरनिलो धरणीधरः ॥ २५॥

Transliteration

āvartano nivṛttātmā saṁvṛtaḥ sampramardanaḥ ahaḥ saṁvartako vahniranilo dharaṇīdharaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

āvartanaḥ — who turns the wheel of the world; nivṛttātmā — Himself free from its bondage; saṁvṛtaḥ — whose truth is hidden by the veil of ignorance; sampramardanaḥ — who also destroys with His powers; ahaḥ — who, as the sun, moves the order of day and night; saṁvartakaḥ — mover of the cycle of day and night; vahniḥ — who, as fire, carries the offerings of sacrifice; anilaḥ — not confined to any one place; dharaṇīdharaḥ — bearer of the earth and all.

Translation

The Lord turns the wheel of the world, yet is Himself free from its bondage. His truth remains hidden by the veil of ignorance, and with His powers He also destroys. As the sun He moves the order of day and night; as fire He carries the offerings of sacrifice; He is confined to no one place, and bears the earth and all.

Explanation

Amidst change there is still an unchanging ground. The Lord's remembrance teaches us balance in changing situations.

Summary

The Lord is the unchanging ground of the changing world.

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Verse 55 — Nārāyaṇa Dwelling in All

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुप्रसादः प्रसन्नात्मा विश्वधृग्विश्वभुग्विभुः ।
सत्कर्ता सत्कृतः साधुर्जह्नुर्नारायणो नरः ॥ २६॥

Transliteration

suprasādaḥ prasannātmā viśvadhṛgviśvabhugvibhuḥ satkartā satkṛtaḥ sādhurjahnurnārāyaṇo naraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

suprasādaḥ — supremely gracious; prasannātmā — of pure and cheerful nature; viśvadhṛk — bearer of the universe; viśvabhuk — who sustains and experiences it; vibhuḥ — all-pervading in many forms; satkartā — who honours the good; satkṛtaḥ — Himself worshipped by all; sādhuḥ — of righteous conduct; jahnuḥ — who gathers all into Himself at dissolution; nārāyaṇaḥ — Nārāyaṇa, dwelling within all; naraḥ — the eternal Man who guides all.

Translation

The Lord is supremely gracious and of pure, cheerful nature. He bears the universe, sustains and experiences it, and is all-pervading in many forms. He honours the good, is Himself worshipped by all, and is of righteous conduct. Nārāyaṇa, who gathers all into Himself at dissolution, dwells within all and is the eternal Man who guides all.

Explanation

The Lord's glory shines in grace and justice together. Knowing His presence in all, behave with respect.

Summary

Nārāyaṇa dwells within all.

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Verse 56 — The Fulfilment of Auspicious Resolve

Original verse (Devanagari)

असङ्ख्येयोऽप्रमेयात्मा विशिष्टः शिष्टकृच्छुचिः ।
सिद्धार्थः सिद्धसङ्कल्पः सिद्धिदः सिद्धिसाधनः ॥ २७॥

Transliteration

asaṅkhyeyo'prameyātmā viśiṣṭaḥ śiṣṭakṛcchuciḥ siddhārthaḥ siddhasaṅkalpaḥ siddhidaḥ siddhisādhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

asaṅkhyeyaḥ — whose forms cannot be counted; aprameyātmā — whose nature cannot be measured; viśiṣṭaḥ — the most excellent; śiṣṭakṛt — protector of the good; śuciḥ — perfectly pure; siddhārthaḥ — whose every purpose is fulfilled; siddhasaṅkalpaḥ — whose resolve always succeeds; siddhidaḥ — giver of attainment according to the seeker's worth; siddhisādhanaḥ — who brings practice to perfection.

Translation

The Lord's forms cannot be counted, and His nature cannot be measured. He is the most excellent, protector of the good, and perfectly pure. His every purpose is fulfilled, and His resolve always succeeds. He gives attainment to seekers according to their worth, and brings practice to perfection.

Explanation

In practice, keep honest effort together with the Lord's shelter. The path to perfection opens through humility.

Summary

The Lord leads practice towards perfection.

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Verse 57 — The Ladder of Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

वृषाही वृषभो विष्णुर्वृषपर्वा वृषोदरः ।
वर्धनो वर्धमानश्च विविक्तः श्रुतिसागरः ॥ २८॥

Transliteration

vṛṣāhī vṛṣabho viṣṇurvṛṣaparvā vṛṣodaraḥ vardhano vardhamānaśca viviktaḥ śrutisāgaraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vṛṣāhī — rich in dharma; vṛṣabhaḥ — fulfiller of the devotees' wishes; viṣṇuḥ — all-pervading; vṛṣaparvā — who gives the steps of dharma for rising towards the supreme state; vṛṣodaraḥ — from whom all beings arise; vardhanaḥ — increaser of the devotees' joy; vardhamānaḥ — who expands as the world; viviktaḥ — yet remains detached; śrutisāgaraḥ — the ocean of all Vedic speech.

Translation

The Lord is rich in dharma and fulfils the devotees' wishes. He is all-pervading and gives the steps of dharma for rising towards the supreme state. All beings arise from Him. He increases the devotees' joy, expands as the world, yet remains detached, and is the ocean of all Vedic speech.

Explanation

Dharma lifts life upward through small auspicious steps. The Lord's remembrance brings meaning and joy to those steps.

Summary

Dharma is the ladder leading to the Lord.

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Verse 58 — One Light in Many Forms

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुभुजो दुर्धरो वाग्मी महेन्द्रो वसुदो वसुः ।
नैकरूपो बृहद्रूपः शिपिविष्टः प्रकाशनः ॥ २९॥

Transliteration

subhujo durdharo vāgmī mahendro vasudo vasuḥ naikarūpo bṛhadrūpaḥ śipiviṣṭaḥ prakāśanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

subhujaḥ — whose beautiful and mighty arms protect the world; durdharaḥ — who bears a burden no other can bear; vāgmī — the root of speech; mahendraḥ — the great Lord even of the gods; vasudaḥ — giver of wealth; vasuḥ — the dwelling of all; naikarūpaḥ — who assumes many forms; bṛhadrūpaḥ — who assumes a vast form; śipiviṣṭaḥ — present in cows as the form of sacrifice; prakāśanaḥ — who illumines the whole world.

Translation

The Lord's beautiful and mighty arms protect the world. He bears a burden no other can bear; He is the root of speech and the great Lord even of the gods. He gives wealth and is the dwelling of all. He assumes many and vast forms, is present in cows as the form of sacrifice, and illumines the whole world.

Explanation

Within many forms there is one all-pervading being of the Lord. Honouring Him gives life a generous vision.

Summary

In many forms there is one light of the Lord.

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Verse 59 — The Sun's Radiance and the Moon's Coolness

Original verse (Devanagari)

ओजस्तेजोद्युतिधरः प्रकाशात्मा प्रतापनः ।
ऋद्धः स्पष्टाक्षरो मन्त्रश्चन्द्रांशुर्भास्करद्युतिः ॥ ३०॥

Transliteration

ojastejodyutidharaḥ prakāśātmā pratāpanaḥ ṛddhaḥ spaṣṭākṣaro mantraścandrāṁśurbhāskaradyutiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ojastejodyutidharaḥ — bearer of strength, radiance and bright splendour; prakāśātmā — the embodiment of light; pratāpanaḥ — who gives warmth to the world as the sun and others; ṛddhaḥ — full of qualities like knowledge, dharma and detachment; spaṣṭākṣaraḥ — revealed in the clear Oṁ and the Vedic mantras; mantraḥ — revealed in the Vedic mantras; candrāṁśuḥ — cool like moonlight for a mind troubled by the heat of the world; bhāskaradyutiḥ — radiant like the sun.

Translation

The Lord bears strength, radiance and bright splendour. He is the embodiment of light and gives warmth to the world as the sun and others. He is full of qualities like knowledge, dharma and detachment. He is revealed in the clear Oṁ and the Vedic mantras; for a mind troubled by the heat of the world He is cool like moonlight and radiant like the sun.

Explanation

The Lord's radiance gives direction, and His coolness gives support. In His remembrance, keep both power and peace.

Summary

The Lord is radiance and also a cool support.

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Verses 60–69

Verse 60 — The Bridge Across the World

Original verse (Devanagari)

अमृतांशूद्भवो भानुः शशबिन्दुः सुरेश्वरः ।
औषधं जगतः सेतुः सत्यधर्मपराक्रमः ॥ ३१॥

Transliteration

amṛtāṁśūdbhavo bhānuḥ śaśabinduḥ sureśvaraḥ auṣadhaṁ jagataḥ setuḥ satyadharmaparākramaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

amṛtāṁśūdbhavaḥ — from whom the moon arose in the churning of the milk ocean; bhānuḥ — the radiant Lord; śaśabinduḥ — who, as the moon, gives nourishment; sureśvaraḥ — Lord of the gods; auṣadham — the medicine for the disease of worldly existence; jagataḥ setuḥ — the bridge across it; satyadharmaparākramaḥ — whose dharma, truth and valour are ever real and unfailing.

Translation

The radiant Lord is He from whom the moon arose in the churning of the milk ocean. As the moon He gives nourishment, and He is the Lord of the gods. He is the medicine for the disease of worldly existence and the bridge across it. His dharma, truth and valour are ever real and unfailing.

Explanation

The world's attachment can bind the mind. The Lord's remembrance shows the direction across it.

Summary

The Lord is the bridge that carries us across the world.

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Verse 61 — From Desire to Liberation

Original verse (Devanagari)

भूतभव्यभवन्नाथः पवनः पावनोऽनलः ।
कामहा कामकृत्कान्तः कामः कामप्रदः प्रभुः ॥ ३२॥

Transliteration

bhūtabhavyabhavannāthaḥ pavanaḥ pāvano'nalaḥ kāmahā kāmakṛtkāntaḥ kāmaḥ kāmapradaḥ prabhuḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhūtabhavyabhavannāthaḥ — Lord of all beings of the past, future and present; pavanaḥ — purifier; pāvanaḥ — who gives movement to the world; analaḥ — the basis of life-breath; kāmahā — destroyer of the attachment of those who seek liberation; kāmakṛt — fulfiller of the wishes of devotees of pure mind; kāntaḥ — supremely beautiful; kāmaḥ — the desired goal of seekers of life's highest aims; kāmapradaḥ — giver of desires; prabhuḥ — the supreme and all-powerful Lord.

Translation

The Lord is the Lord of all beings of the past, future and present. He purifies, gives movement to the world, and is the basis of life-breath. He removes the attachment of those who seek liberation and fulfils the wishes of devotees of pure mind. He is supremely beautiful, the desired goal of seekers of life's highest aims, the giver of desires, and the supreme, all-powerful Lord.

Explanation

Devotion also purifies the wishes of the mind. Moving towards the Lord, loosen the grip of attachment.

Summary

The Lord gives holy direction to desires.

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Verse 62 — The Boundless Lord of Ages

Original verse (Devanagari)

युगादिकृद्युगावर्तो नैकमायो महाशनः ।
अदृश्यो व्यक्तरूपश्च सहस्रजिदनन्तजित् ॥ ३३॥

Transliteration

yugādikṛdyugāvarto naikamāyo mahāśanaḥ adṛśyo vyaktarūpaśca sahasrajidanantajit

Word-by-word meanings

yugādikṛt — maker of the beginning of the ages; yugāvartaḥ — who turns the ages again and again in the wheel of time; naikamāyaḥ — who assumes many illusory forms; mahāśanaḥ — who gathers all into Himself at dissolution; adṛśyaḥ — unseen by the senses; vyaktarūpaḥ — manifest as the world; sahasrajit — conqueror of countless foes; anantajit — whose victory and power are infinite.

Translation

The Lord begins the ages and turns them again and again in the wheel of time. He assumes many illusory forms and gathers all into Himself at dissolution. He is unseen by the senses, yet manifest as the world. The Lord who conquers countless foes has a victory and power that are infinite.

Explanation

The Lord is also the ground of the vast flow of time. His remembrance teaches us to look beyond momentary events.

Summary

The Lord is the boundless Lord of time and creation.

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Verse 63 — The Lord of Dharma and Māyā

Original verse (Devanagari)

इष्टोऽविशिष्टः शिष्टेष्टः शिखण्डी नहुषो वृषः ।
क्रोधहा क्रोधकृत्कर्ता विश्वबाहुर्महीधरः ॥ ३४॥

Transliteration

iṣṭo'viśiṣṭaḥ śiṣṭeṣṭaḥ śikhaṇḍī nahuṣo vṛṣaḥ krodhahā krodhakṛtkartā viśvabāhurmahīdharaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

iṣṭaḥ — beloved of all; aviśiṣṭaḥ — dwelling equally in all; śiṣṭeṣṭaḥ — dearest to the wise; śikhaṇḍī — adorned with a peacock feather in the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa; nahuṣaḥ — Lord of the power that binds beings through māyā; vṛṣaḥ — the embodiment of dharma; krodhahā — remover of the anger of the good; krodhakṛt — Lord of the power that stirs anger in the unrighteous; kartā — the maker; viśvabāhuḥ — all arms work by His power; mahīdharaḥ — bearer of the earth.

Translation

The Lord is beloved of all, dwelling equally in all, and dearest to the wise. In the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa He is adorned with a peacock feather, and He is the Lord of the power that binds beings through māyā. He is the embodiment of dharma, removes the anger of the good, and is the Lord of the power that stirs anger in the unrighteous. All arms work by His power, and He is the bearer of the earth.

Explanation

The Lord's dharma keeps discipline together with compassion. His remembrance teaches us restraint over anger and alertness towards injustice.

Summary

The Lord of dharma is the ground of compassion and discipline.

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Verse 64 — Acyuta, Ever Alert and Firm

Original verse (Devanagari)

अच्युतः प्रथितः प्राणः प्राणदो वासवानुजः ।
अपांनिधिरधिष्ठानमप्रमत्तः प्रतिष्ठितः ॥ ३५॥

Transliteration

acyutaḥ prathitaḥ prāṇaḥ prāṇado vāsavānujaḥ apānnidhiradhiṣṭhānamapramattaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

acyutaḥ — Acyuta, free from birth and other changes; prathitaḥ — renowned everywhere by His glory; prāṇaḥ — the life-force; prāṇadaḥ — giver and gatherer of life-force; vāsavānujaḥ — the younger brother of Indra in the Vāmana form; apāṁnidhiḥ — the ocean itself; adhiṣṭhānam — the support of all; apramattaḥ — ever alert in giving the right fruit of actions; pratiṣṭhitaḥ — firmly established in His own glory.

Translation

The Lord is Acyuta, free from birth and other changes, and renowned everywhere by His glory. He is the life-force, its giver and gatherer. In the Vāmana form He is the younger brother of Indra. He is the ocean itself, the support of all, ever alert in giving the right fruit of actions, and firmly established in His own glory.

Explanation

The Lord's ground does not waver with circumstances. Remembering His justice keeps us alert in our actions.

Summary

Acyuta the Lord is ever alert and firm.

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Verse 65 — Vāsudeva Who Bears the World's Burden

Original verse (Devanagari)

स्कन्दः स्कन्दधरो धुर्यो वरदो वायुवाहनः ।
वासुदेवो बृहद्भानुरादिदेवः पुरन्दरः ॥ ३६॥

Transliteration

skandaḥ skandadharo dhuryo varado vāyuvāhanaḥ vāsudevo bṛhadbhānurādidevaḥ purandaraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

skandaḥ — who gives movement to all like the wind; skandadharaḥ — bearer of the path of dharma; dhuryaḥ — bearer of the burden of all beings; varadaḥ — giver of boons; vāyuvāhanaḥ — mover of the many winds; vāsudevaḥ — Vāsudeva, shining while dwelling in all; bṛhadbhānuḥ — of great radiance; ādidevaḥ — the first of all gods; purandaraḥ — destroyer of the fortress-like powers of adharma.

Translation

The Lord gives movement to all like the wind and bears the path of dharma. He bears the burden of all beings, gives boons, and moves the many winds. Vāsudeva shines while dwelling in all, and His radiance is great. He is the first of all gods and the destroyer of the fortress-like powers of adharma.

Explanation

The vast burden of life rests upon the Lord's ground. His remembrance teaches us to carry out our duty with trust.

Summary

Vāsudeva bears the burden of the whole world.

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Verse 66 — The Saviour Beyond Sorrow

Original verse (Devanagari)

अशोकस्तारणस्तारः शूरः शौरिर्जनेश्वरः ।
अनुकूलः शतावर्तः पद्मी पद्मनिभेक्षणः ॥ ३७॥

Transliteration

aśokastāraṇastāraḥ śūraḥ śaurirjaneśvaraḥ anukūlaḥ śatāvartaḥ padmī padmanibhekṣaṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

aśokaḥ — beyond faults like sorrow, delusion, hunger, thirst, birth and death; tāraṇaḥ — who ferries across the world; tāraḥ — remover of the fear of birth, old age and death; śūraḥ — the great hero; śauriḥ — who appeared as Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the Śūra dynasty; janeśvaraḥ — Lord of all beings; anukūlaḥ — well-wisher of all; śatāvartaḥ — who takes many incarnations; padmī — holding a lotus in His hand; padmanibhekṣaṇaḥ — whose eyes are also like lotuses.

Translation

The Lord is beyond faults like sorrow, delusion, hunger, thirst, birth and death. He ferries us across the world and removes the fear of birth, old age and death. He is the great hero, appeared as Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the Śūra dynasty, and the Lord of all beings. The well-wisher of all takes many incarnations; He holds a lotus in His hand, and His eyes are also like lotuses.

Explanation

The Lord's protective form gives the assurance of shelter. In His remembrance, let the sorrow of the mind grow lighter.

Summary

The Lord carries us beyond sorrow and fear.

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Verse 67 — The Life-Giver Dwelling in the Heart-Lotus

Original verse (Devanagari)

पद्मनाभोऽरविन्दाक्षः पद्मगर्भः शरीरभृत् ।
महर्द्धिरृद्धो वृद्धात्मा महाक्षो गरुडध्वजः ॥ ३८॥

Transliteration

padmanābho'ravindākṣaḥ padmagarbhaḥ śarīrabhṛt maharddhirṛddho vṛddhātmā mahākṣo garuḍadhvajaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

padmanābhaḥ — dwelling in the lotus of the heart; aravindākṣaḥ — whose eyes are like lotuses; padmagarbhaḥ — worthy of worship within the heart; śarīrabhṛt — sustainer of the body as food and life-breath; maharddhiḥ — endowed with great majesty; ṛddhaḥ — manifest as the cosmic form; vṛddhātmā — whose nature is the most ancient; mahākṣaḥ — of vast vision; garuḍadhvajaḥ — on whose banner Garuḍa shines.

Translation

The Lord dwells in the lotus of the heart, and His eyes are like lotuses. He is worthy of worship within the heart and sustains the body as food and life-breath. He is endowed with great majesty and manifest as the cosmic form. His nature is the most ancient, His vision is vast, and Garuḍa shines on His banner.

Explanation

The Lord's shelter is also within our own heart. His remembrance awakens a feeling of grace even in life's ordinary nourishment.

Summary

The Lord is the life-giver dwelling in the heart-lotus.

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Verse 68 — The Incomparable Supreme Truth

Original verse (Devanagari)

अतुलः शरभो भीमः समयज्ञो हविर्हरिः ।
सर्वलक्षणलक्षण्यो लक्ष्मीवान् समितिञ्जयः ॥ ३९॥

Transliteration

atulaḥ śarabho bhīmaḥ samayajño havirhariḥ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣaṇyo lakṣmīvān samitiñjayaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

atulaḥ — beyond all comparison; śarabhaḥ — the consciousness that gives light even within a mortal body; bhīmaḥ — whose glory inspires reverent awe in all; samayajñaḥ — knower of the times of creation, sustenance and dissolution; haviḥ — receiver of the offerings of sacrifice; hariḥ — the Supreme Self to whom all proofs of knowledge point; sarvalakṣaṇalakṣaṇyaḥ — He to whom all the marks of knowledge point; lakṣmīvān — in whose chest Lakṣmī ever dwells; samitiñjayaḥ — victorious in battle.

Translation

The Lord is beyond all comparison. He is the consciousness that gives light even within a mortal body, and His glory inspires reverent awe in all. He knows the times of creation, sustenance and dissolution, and receives the offerings of sacrifice. He is the Supreme Self to whom all proofs of knowledge point. Lakṣmī ever dwells in His chest, and He is victorious in battle.

Explanation

Even within the limits of the body there is the divine light of consciousness. Remembering the Lord's glory helps us understand the deeper meaning of our existence.

Summary

The incomparable Lord is the supreme truth.

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Verse 69 — Dāmodara's Wonderful Glory

Original verse (Devanagari)

विक्षरो रोहितो मार्गो हेतुर्दामोदरः सहः ।
महीधरो महाभागो वेगवानमिताशनः ॥ ४०॥

Transliteration

vikṣaro rohito mārgo heturdāmodaraḥ sahaḥ mahīdharo mahābhāgo vegavānamitāśanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vikṣaraḥ — imperishable; rohitaḥ — who appeared as the fish; mārgaḥ — the path to liberation; hetuḥ — the original cause of the world; dāmodaraḥ — who lets Himself be bound by love; sahaḥ — able to bring all under His control; mahīdharaḥ — bearer of the earth; mahābhāgaḥ — endowed with great majesty and good fortune; vegavān — supremely swift; amitāśanaḥ — who gathers all into Himself at dissolution.

Translation

The Lord is imperishable, and He is also the one who appeared as the fish. He is the path to liberation and the original cause of the world. As Dāmodara He lets Himself be bound by love, and is able to bring all under His control. He is the bearer of the earth, endowed with great majesty and good fortune, supremely swift, and gathers all into Himself at dissolution.

Explanation

The boundless Lord's Dāmodara form shows the nearness of love. Remember that sweet intimacy together with His glory.

Summary

The infinite Lord comes near in love.

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Verses 70–79

Verse 70 — The Deep Mystery of Creation

Original verse (Devanagari)

उद्भवः क्षोभणो देवः श्रीगर्भः परमेश्वरः ।
करणं कारणं कर्ता विकर्ता गहनो गुहः ॥ ४१॥

Transliteration

udbhavaḥ kṣobhaṇo devaḥ śrīgarbhaḥ parameśvaraḥ karaṇaṁ kāraṇaṁ kartā vikartā gahano guhaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

udbhavaḥ — the origin of creation; kṣobhaṇaḥ — who sets nature in motion and begins creation; devaḥ — the God who plays the play of creation; śrīgarbhaḥ — who holds all beauty within Himself; parameśvaraḥ — the Supreme Lord; karaṇam — the means by which the world is made; kāraṇam — its cause; kartā — the independent maker; vikartā — who fashions this wonderful world in many forms; gahanaḥ — whose nature is unfathomable; guhaḥ — hidden, not easily revealed because covered by māyā.

Translation

The Lord is the origin of creation, who sets nature in motion and begins creation. He is the God who plays the play of creation, and the Supreme Lord who holds all beauty within Himself. He is the means by which the world is made, its cause, and its independent maker. He fashions this wonderful world in many forms; His nature is unfathomable, and being covered by māyā, He is not easily revealed.

Explanation

Behind the variety of creation there is a deep divine ground. Understanding it needs both humility and practice.

Summary

The Lord is the cause and maker of creation.

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Verse 71 — The Lord of Auspicious Vision

Original verse (Devanagari)

व्यवसायो व्यवस्थानः संस्थानः स्थानदो ध्रुवः ।
परर्द्धिः परमस्पष्टस्तुष्टः पुष्टः शुभेक्षणः ॥ ४२॥

Transliteration

vyavasāyo vyavasthānaḥ saṁsthānaḥ sthānado dhruvaḥ pararddhiḥ paramaspaṣṭastuṣṭaḥ puṣṭaḥ śubhekṣaṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vyavasāyaḥ — the embodiment of pure knowledge; vyavasthānaḥ — on whom the whole order of the world rests; saṁsthānaḥ — in whom all beings rest at dissolution; sthānadaḥ — giver of place according to action; dhruvaḥ — Himself imperishable; pararddhiḥ — of supreme majesty; paramaspaṣṭaḥ — the supremely clear truth; tuṣṭaḥ — fully content; puṣṭaḥ — complete in every way; śubhekṣaṇaḥ — who works the welfare of beings with His auspicious gaze.

Translation

The Lord is the embodiment of pure knowledge, and the whole order of the world rests upon Him. At dissolution all beings rest in Him. He gives place according to action, and is Himself imperishable. His majesty is supreme, and He is the supremely clear truth. He is fully content, complete in every way, and works the welfare of beings with His auspicious gaze.

Explanation

The Lord's gaze leads towards our welfare. His remembrance awakens contentment and right direction in the mind.

Summary

The Lord's gaze is supremely auspicious.

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Verse 72 — Rāma, the Path and Goal of Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

रामो विरामो विरजो मार्गो नेयो नयोऽनयः ।
वीरः शक्तिमतां श्रेष्ठो धर्मो धर्मविदुत्तमः ॥ ४३॥

Transliteration

rāmo virāmo virajo mārgo neyo nayo'nayaḥ vīraḥ śaktimatāṁ śreṣṭho dharmo dharmaviduttamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

rāmaḥ — Rāma, in whom yogīs find delight; virāmaḥ — the final rest of all; virajaḥ — free from attachment; mārgaḥ — the path of practice; neyaḥ — who leads the soul forward; nayaḥ — the guide in the form of knowledge; anayaḥ — who Himself needs no guide; vīraḥ — the hero; śaktimatām śreṣṭhaḥ — the best of all the powerful; dharmaḥ — dharma, which upholds all; dharmaviduttamaḥ — the supreme knower of dharma.

Translation

Rāma is He in whom yogīs find delight. He is the final rest of all and is free from attachment. He is the path of practice, who leads the soul forward, and the guide in the form of knowledge; He Himself needs no guide. He is the hero, the best of all the powerful, dharma which upholds all, and the supreme knower of dharma.

Explanation

Moving towards the Lord is moving towards dharma and discernment. His remembrance gives our steps the right direction.

Summary

The Lord is the path of dharma and the supreme goal.

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Verse 73 — The Root of Life and Oṁkāra

Original verse (Devanagari)

वैकुण्ठः पुरुषः प्राणः प्राणदः प्रणवः पृथुः ।
हिरण्यगर्भः शत्रुघ्नो व्याप्तो वायुरधोक्षजः ॥ ४४॥

Transliteration

vaikuṇṭhaḥ puruṣaḥ prāṇaḥ prāṇadaḥ praṇavaḥ pṛthuḥ hiraṇyagarbhaḥ śatrughno vyāpto vāyuradhokṣajaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vaikuṇṭhaḥ — Vaikuṇṭha, who holds the many elements of creation in harmony; puruṣaḥ — the Supreme Person, existing before all; prāṇaḥ — the life-breath itself; prāṇadaḥ — giver of life; praṇavaḥ — worshipped through Oṁkāra; pṛthuḥ — vast as the cosmic form; hiraṇyagarbhaḥ — the root of Brahmā's birth; śatrughnaḥ — destroyer of the enemies of the gods; vyāptaḥ — pervading all; vāyuḥ — moving like the wind; adhokṣajaḥ — who never falls from His imperishable nature.

Translation

The Lord is Vaikuṇṭha, who holds the many elements of creation in harmony, and the Supreme Person, existing before all. He is the life-breath itself, the giver of life, worshipped through Oṁkāra, and vast as the cosmic form. He is the root of Brahmā's birth. He destroys the enemies of the gods, pervades all, moves like the wind, and never falls from His imperishable nature.

Explanation

From breath to Oṁkāra, remember the Lord's ground. His truth is all-pervading in every form of life.

Summary

The Lord is the root of life and Oṁkāra.

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Verse 74 — The Supreme Rest in Time

Original verse (Devanagari)

ऋतुः सुदर्शनः कालः परमेष्ठी परिग्रहः ।
उग्रः संवत्सरो दक्षो विश्रामो विश्वदक्षिणः ॥ ४५॥

Transliteration

ṛtuḥ sudarśanaḥ kālaḥ parameṣṭhī parigrahaḥ ugraḥ saṁvatsaro dakṣo viśrāmo viśvadakṣiṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ṛtuḥ — present as the seasons and time; sudarśanaḥ — whose sight gives supreme welfare; kālaḥ — who, as time, fixes the limits of all; parameṣṭhī — seated in the supreme sky of the heart; parigrahaḥ — accepter of the devotees' offerings; ugraḥ — of overwhelming glory; saṁvatsaraḥ — in whom all dwell; dakṣaḥ — supremely skilled; viśrāmaḥ — giver of supreme rest to a mind wearied by the world; viśvadakṣiṇaḥ — skilled in all works.

Translation

The Lord is present as the seasons and time. His sight gives supreme welfare, and as time He fixes the limits of all. He is seated in the supreme sky of the heart and accepts the devotees' offerings. His glory is overwhelming; all dwell in Him. He is supremely skilled, the giver of supreme rest to a mind wearied by the world, and skilled in all works.

Explanation

Even in the flow of time, the Lord's shelter remains. His remembrance gives deep rest to a weary mind.

Summary

The Lord is life's supreme rest.

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Verse 75 — Perfection, the Imperishable Wealth

Original verse (Devanagari)

विस्तारः स्थावरस्थाणुः प्रमाणं बीजमव्ययम् ।
अर्थोऽनर्थो महाकोशो महाभोगो महाधनः ॥ ४६॥

Transliteration

vistāraḥ sthāvarasthāṇuḥ pramāṇaṁ bījamavyayam artho'nartho mahākośo mahābhogo mahādhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vistāraḥ — in whom the whole world expands; sthāvarasthāṇuḥ — the steady and firm ground; pramāṇam — the proof in the form of pure consciousness; bījam — the imperishable seed of creation; avyayam — imperishable; arthaḥ — the desired goal of all, being bliss itself; anarthaḥ — who, being complete in Himself, needs to gain nothing; mahākośaḥ — on whom the sheaths like food and breath rest; mahābhogaḥ — of great bliss; mahādhanaḥ — whose wealth is the whole world.

Translation

The whole world expands in the Lord; He is the steady and firm ground. He is the proof in the form of pure consciousness and the imperishable seed of creation. Being bliss itself, He is the desired goal of all, yet being complete in Himself, He needs to gain nothing. The sheaths like food and breath rest upon Him; His bliss is great, and the whole world is His wealth.

Explanation

The Lord's perfection is not driven by any lack. His remembrance teaches us the value of inner contentment.

Summary

The Lord's perfection is imperishable wealth.

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Verse 76 — The Steady Ground of Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

अनिर्विण्णः स्थविष्ठोऽभूर्धर्मयूपो महामखः ।
नक्षत्रनेमिर्नक्षत्री क्षमः क्षामः समीहनः ॥ ४७॥

Transliteration

anirviṇṇaḥ sthaviṣṭho'bhūrdharmayūpo mahāmakhaḥ nakṣatranemirnakṣatrī kṣamaḥ kṣāmaḥ samīhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

anirviṇṇaḥ — who never grows weary; sthaviṣṭhaḥ — of supremely vast form; abhūḥ — unborn; dharmayūpaḥ — on whom all dharmas rest, as the bindings rest on the sacrificial post; mahāmakhaḥ — the great sacrifice itself; nakṣatranemiḥ — the centre of the stars; nakṣatrī — shining as the moon; kṣamaḥ — able in all works; kṣāmaḥ — of pure nature, free from the disorders of the mind; samīhanaḥ — ever ready in works like creation.

Translation

The Lord never grows weary; His vast form is supremely great, and He is unborn. All dharmas rest upon Him, as the bindings rest on the sacrificial post. He is the great sacrifice itself, the centre of the stars, and shines as the moon. He is able in all works, of pure nature free from the disorders of the mind, and ever ready in works like creation.

Explanation

The Lord is the firm centre of dharma and the world. His remembrance teaches us to rise from despair and engage in good action.

Summary

The Lord is the steady and able ground of dharma.

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Verse 77 — The Supreme Knowledge and Worship

Original verse (Devanagari)

यज्ञ इज्यो महेज्यश्च क्रतुः सत्रं सतां गतिः ।
सर्वदर्शी विमुक्तात्मा सर्वज्ञो ज्ञानमुत्तमम् ॥ ४८॥

Transliteration

yajña ijyo mahejyaśca kratuḥ satraṁ satāṁ gatiḥ sarvadarśī vimuktātmā sarvajño jñānamuttamam

Word-by-word meanings

yajñaḥ — the sacrifice itself; ijyaḥ — worshipped in sacrifices; mahejyaḥ — the greatest object of worship, giver of liberation; kratuḥ — the Vedic sacrifice; satram — the righteous rite; satāṁ gatiḥ — the supreme goal of the good; sarvadarśī — seer of all actions; vimuktātmā — free by His very nature; sarvajñaḥ — knower of all; jñānamuttamam — the supreme knowledge, beyond birth, time and place.

Translation

The Lord is the sacrifice itself and the knower of all. He is worshipped in sacrifices and is the greatest object of worship, giver of liberation. He is the Vedic sacrifice and the righteous rite, and the supreme goal of the good. He is the seer of all actions, free by His very nature, and the knower of all. The supreme knowledge, beyond birth, time and place, is also He.

Explanation

The supreme goal of worship is to know the Lord's truth. Practise with faith and discernment together.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme knowledge and the supreme object of worship.

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Verse 78 — The Selfless Friend

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुव्रतः सुमुखः सूक्ष्मः सुघोषः सुखदः सुहृत् ।
मनोहरो जितक्रोधो वीरबाहुर्विदारणः ॥ ४९॥

Transliteration

suvrataḥ sumukhaḥ sūkṣmaḥ sughoṣaḥ sukhadaḥ suhṛt manoharo jitakrodho vīrabāhurvidāraṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

suvrataḥ — who keeps the excellent vow of protecting those who take shelter; sumukhaḥ — of cheerful face; sūkṣmaḥ — of supremely subtle nature; sughoṣaḥ — whose auspicious sound is the Veda; sukhadaḥ — giver of joy to the good; suhṛt — friend who does good without seeking reward; manoharaḥ — who steals the mind with His incomparable bliss; jitakrodhaḥ — conqueror of anger; vīrabāhuḥ — of heroic arms; vidāraṇaḥ — destroyer of adharma.

Translation

The Lord keeps the excellent vow of protecting those who take shelter. His face is cheerful, His nature supremely subtle, and the Veda is His auspicious sound. He gives joy to the good and does good without seeking reward. With His incomparable bliss He steals the mind; He is the conqueror of anger, of heroic arms, and the destroyer of adharma.

Explanation

The Lord's love expects no return. His remembrance teaches us also to do good selflessly.

Summary

The Lord is our selfless friend.

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Verse 79 — The Ocean of Affection

Original verse (Devanagari)

स्वापनः स्ववशो व्यापी नैकात्मा नैककर्मकृत् ।
वत्सरो वत्सलो वत्सी रत्नगर्भो धनेश्वरः ॥ ५०॥

Transliteration

svāpanaḥ svavaśo vyāpī naikātmā naikakarmakṛt vatsaro vatsalo vatsī ratnagarbho dhaneśvaraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

svāpanaḥ — Lord of the māyā that covers beings in the sleep of ignorance; svavaśaḥ — ever free in Himself; vyāpī — all-pervading; naikātmā — appearing in many forms; naikakarmakṛt — performer of countless works of creation, sustenance and dissolution; vatsaraḥ — in whom all dwell; vatsalaḥ — affectionate towards devotees; vatsī — protector of His dear ones; ratnagarbhaḥ — the ocean holding jewels in its womb; dhaneśvaraḥ — Lord of all wealth.

Translation

The Lord is the Lord of the māyā that covers beings in the sleep of ignorance, yet is Himself ever free and all-pervading. Appearing in many forms, He performs countless works of creation, sustenance and dissolution. All dwell in Him. He is affectionate towards devotees and protects His dear ones. He is the ocean holding jewels in its womb, and the Lord of all wealth.

Explanation

In the Lord's vast glory there is also intimacy for the devotee. Remembering His affection, join the mind to Him with faith.

Summary

The Lord showers affection upon devotees.

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Verses 80–89

Verse 80 — The Imperishable Ground of the Changing World

Original verse (Devanagari)

धर्मगुब्धर्मकृद्धर्मी सदसत्क्षरमक्षरम् ।
अविज्ञाता सहस्रांशुर्विधाता कृतलक्षणः ॥ ५१॥

Transliteration

dharmagubdharmakṛddharmī sadasatkṣaramakṣaram avijñātā sahasrāṁśurvidhātā kṛtalakṣaṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

dharmagup — protector of dharma; dharmakṛt — who Himself sets the example of dharmic conduct; dharmī — bearer of dharma; sat — the ground of imperishable truth; asat — the ground of the changing world; kṣaram — the perishable forms rest upon Him; akṣaram — the imperishable essence rests upon Him; avijñātā — beyond the doership of the limited soul; sahasrāṁśuḥ — shining as the sun's countless rays; vidhātā — the ground even of the powers that uphold the world; kṛtalakṣaṇaḥ — recognised through pure consciousness.

Translation

The Lord protects dharma, Himself sets the example of dharmic conduct, and bears dharma. He is the ground of both imperishable truth and the changing world. The perishable forms and the imperishable essence both rest upon Him. He is beyond the doership of the limited soul, shines as the sun's countless rays, is the ground even of the powers that uphold the world, and is recognised through pure consciousness.

Explanation

Behind changing forms there is one unchanging truth. Remembering it keeps dharma in action and humility in the mind.

Summary

The Lord is the imperishable ground of the changing world.

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Verse 81 — The Supreme Lord of the Gods

Original verse (Devanagari)

गभस्तिनेमिः सत्त्वस्थः सिंहो भूतमहेश्वरः ।
आदिदेवो महादेवो देवेशो देवभृद्गुरुः ॥ ५२॥

Transliteration

gabhastinemiḥ sattvasthaḥ siṁho bhūtamaheśvaraḥ ādidevo mahādevo deveśo devabhṛdguruḥ

Word-by-word meanings

gabhastinemiḥ — shining in the midst of the sun's rays; sattvasthaḥ — manifest especially in pure goodness; siṁhaḥ — of irresistible power like a lion; bhūtamaheśvaraḥ — the great Lord of all beings; ādidevaḥ — the first God; mahādevaḥ — the great God by His supreme Self-knowledge; deveśaḥ — Lord of the gods; devabhṛt — teacher and ruler even of Indra, the leader of the gods; guruḥ — the master and ruler.

Translation

The Lord shines in the midst of the sun's rays and is manifest especially in pure goodness. He has the irresistible power of a lion and is the great Lord of all beings. He is the first God, the great God by His supreme Self-knowledge, and the Lord of the gods. He is the teacher and ruler even of Indra, the leader of the gods.

Explanation

The Lord is the root ground of all powers and gods. His remembrance teaches us to keep humility together with strength.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme Lord of the gods.

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Verse 82 — The Eternal Refuge Known Through Knowledge

Original verse (Devanagari)

उत्तरो गोपतिर्गोप्ता ज्ञानगम्यः पुरातनः ।
शरीरभूतभृद्भोक्ता कपीन्द्रो भूरिदक्षिणः ॥ ५३॥

Transliteration

uttaro gopatirgoptā jñānagamyaḥ purātanaḥ śarīrabhūtabhṛdbhoktā kapīndro bhūridakṣiṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

uttaraḥ — beyond the world; gopatiḥ — keeper of cows in the form of Gopāla; goptā — Lord of the earth and protector of all; jñānagamyaḥ — known through Self-knowledge; purātanaḥ — the most ancient, beyond the bounds of time; śarīrabhūtabhṛt — bearer of the elements that make the body; bhoktā — enjoyer of infinite bliss; kapīndraḥ — great in the Varāha form and leader of the monkey army in the Rāma form; bhūridakṣiṇaḥ — to whom many gifts are offered in sacrifices.

Translation

The Lord is beyond the world. In the form of Gopāla He keeps the cows, and He is the Lord of the earth and protector of all. He is known through Self-knowledge and is the most ancient, beyond the bounds of time. He bears the elements that make the body and is the enjoyer of infinite bliss. He is great in the Varāha form and leader of the monkey army in the Rāma form; many gifts are offered to Him in sacrifices.

Explanation

The Lord is known more deeply through inner knowledge. His many incarnations show one eternal refuge.

Summary

The Lord is the eternal refuge known through knowledge.

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Verse 83 — The Lord of True Resolve

Original verse (Devanagari)

सोमपोऽमृतपः सोमः पुरुजित्पुरुसत्तमः ।
विनयो जयः सत्यसन्धो दाशार्हः सात्वताम्पतिः ॥ ५४॥

Transliteration

somapo'mṛtapaḥ somaḥ purujitpurusattamaḥ vinayo jayaḥ satyasandho dāśārhaḥ sātvatāmpatiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

somapaḥ — drinker of the soma of sacrifice in the form of the gods; amṛtapaḥ — enjoyer of His own immortal bliss; somaḥ — who, as the moon, nourishes the plants; purujit — conqueror of many; purusattamaḥ — the best of all; vinayaḥ — who keeps the unrighteous under discipline; jayaḥ — ever victorious; satyasandhaḥ — whose resolve is true; dāśārhaḥ — worthy of gifts and offerings, appeared in the Dāśārha line; sātvatāmpatiḥ — Lord of the Sātvata devotees.

Translation

As the gods, the Lord drinks the soma of sacrifice, and He enjoys His own immortal bliss. As the moon He nourishes the plants. He is the conqueror of many and the best of all. He keeps the unrighteous under discipline, is ever victorious, and His resolve is true. He is worthy of gifts and offerings, appeared in the Dāśārha line, and is the Lord of the Sātvata devotees.

Explanation

The Lord's resolve is joined to truth and welfare. His worship makes us also true in word and conduct.

Summary

The Lord's auspicious resolve is ever true.

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Verse 84 — Mukunda, Witness of Devotion

Original verse (Devanagari)

जीवो विनयिता साक्षी मुकुन्दोऽमितविक्रमः ।
अम्भोनिधिरनन्तात्मा महोदधिशयोऽन्तकः ॥ ५५॥

Transliteration

jīvo vinayitā sākṣī mukundo'mitavikramaḥ ambhonidhiranantātmā mahodadhiśayo'ntakaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

jīvaḥ — present as the indweller in the living being joined to life-breath; vinayitā — witness of the devotees' humble devotion; sākṣī — the witness; mukundaḥ — Mukunda, giver of liberation; amitavikramaḥ — of boundless valour; ambhonidhiḥ — in whom all beings, from the gods downwards, dwell; anantātmā — whose nature is beyond time, place and cause; mahodadhiśayaḥ — who reclines in the great ocean at dissolution; antakaḥ — who ends all.

Translation

The Lord is present as the indweller in the living being joined to life-breath, and is the witness of the devotees' humble devotion. Mukunda, giver of liberation, is of boundless valour. All beings, from the gods downwards, dwell in Him, and His nature is beyond time, place and cause. He reclines in the great ocean at dissolution and ends all.

Explanation

The Lord sees the feeling of our humility and devotion. Turning towards Him is a step towards liberation.

Summary

Mukunda is the witness of devotion and giver of liberation.

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Verse 85 — Trivikrama, the Form of Infinite Bliss

Original verse (Devanagari)

अजो महार्हः स्वाभाव्यो जितामित्रः प्रमोदनः ।
आनन्दो नन्दनो नन्दः सत्यधर्मा त्रिविक्रमः ॥ ५६॥

Transliteration

ajo mahārhaḥ svābhāvyo jitāmitraḥ pramodanaḥ ānando nandano nandaḥ satyadharmā trivikramaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ajaḥ — unborn; mahārhaḥ — supremely worshipful; svābhāvyaḥ — ever complete by His own nature; jitāmitraḥ — conqueror of inner delusion and anger and of outer opposing powers; pramodanaḥ — who abides in bliss; ānandaḥ — bliss itself; nandanaḥ — giver of bliss to all; nandaḥ — endowed with all perfections; satyadharmā — of true dharma; trivikramaḥ — Trivikrama, who covered the world in three strides.

Translation

The Lord is unborn, supremely worshipful, and ever complete by His own nature. He has conquered inner delusion and anger and outer opposing powers. He abides in bliss, is bliss itself, and gives bliss to all. He is endowed with all perfections, of true dharma, and is Trivikrama, who covered the world in three strides.

Explanation

The Lord's bliss does not rest on outer circumstances. His remembrance inspires us to conquer inner faults.

Summary

Trivikrama is the form of infinite bliss and truth.

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Verse 86 — The Witness of Every State

Original verse (Devanagari)

महर्षिः कपिलाचार्यः कृतज्ञो मेदिनीपतिः ।
त्रिपदस्त्रिदशाध्यक्षो महाशृङ्गः कृतान्तकृत् ॥ ५७॥

Transliteration

maharṣiḥ kapilācāryaḥ kṛtajño medinīpatiḥ tripadastridaśādhyakṣo mahāśṛṅgaḥ kṛtāntakṛt

Word-by-word meanings

maharṣiḥ — the great sage; kapilācāryaḥ — who, as Kapila the teacher, expounds knowledge; kṛtajñaḥ — knower of the world He created; medinīpatiḥ — Lord of the earth; tripadaḥ — who covered the world in three strides; tridaśādhyakṣaḥ — witness of waking, dream and deep sleep; mahāśṛṅgaḥ — bearer of the great horn in the fish incarnation; kṛtāntakṛt — who gathers the manifested creation into Himself at the end.

Translation

The Lord, as the great sage Kapila the teacher, expounds knowledge. He is the knower of the world He created and the Lord of the earth. He covered the world in three strides and is the witness of waking, dream and deep sleep. In the fish incarnation He bears the great horn, and at the end He gathers the manifested creation into Himself.

Explanation

The Lord's knowledge is deeper than the states of waking and sleep. His remembrance leads us towards the inner witness.

Summary

The Lord is the witness of every state.

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Verse 87 — The Deep and Auspicious Truth

Original verse (Devanagari)

महावराहो गोविन्दः सुषेणः कनकाङ्गदी ।
गुह्यो गभीरो गहनो गुप्तश्चक्रगदाधरः ॥ ५८॥

Transliteration

mahāvarāho govindaḥ suṣeṇaḥ kanakāṅgadī guhyo gabhīro gahano guptaścakragadādharaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

mahāvarāhaḥ — who, in the great Varāha form, lifted the earth; govindaḥ — known through the speech of the Veda; suṣeṇaḥ — whose army of divine attendants is splendid; kanakāṅgadī — wearer of golden armlets; guhyaḥ — whose truth is known in the heart; gabhīraḥ — known in the profound knowledge of the Upaniṣads; gahanaḥ — whose glory is unfathomable and beyond ordinary thought; guptaḥ — hidden from ordinary sight; cakragadādharaḥ — bearer of discus and mace.

Translation

The Lord, in the great Varāha form, lifted the earth. He is known through the speech of the Veda, and His army of divine attendants is splendid. He wears golden armlets. His truth is known in the heart and in the profound knowledge of the Upaniṣads; His glory is unfathomable and beyond ordinary thought. He is hidden from ordinary sight and bears discus and mace.

Explanation

The Lord's outward beauty is a glimpse of His deep truth. Reaching that truth also needs inner practice.

Summary

The Lord's truth is deep and auspicious.

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Verse 88 — Firm and Unconquered Maker

Original verse (Devanagari)

वेधाः स्वाङ्गोऽजितः कृष्णो दृढः सङ्कर्षणोऽच्युतः ।
वरुणो वारुणो वृक्षः पुष्कराक्षो महामनाः ॥ ५९॥

Transliteration

vedhāḥ svāṅgo'jitaḥ kṛṣṇo dṛḍhaḥ saṅkarṣaṇo'cyutaḥ varuṇo vāruṇo vṛkṣaḥ puṣkarākṣo mahāmanāḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vedhāḥ — maker of the order of the world; svāṅgaḥ — His own means for His works; ajitaḥ — unconquered; kṛṣṇaḥ — appeared as Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa; dṛḍhaḥ — ever firm; saṅkarṣaṇaḥ — who draws all into Himself at dissolution; acyutaḥ — who never falls from His nature; varuṇaḥ — who, as the setting sun, gathers the rays; vāruṇaḥ — appeared among the sages, the sons of Varuṇa; vṛkṣaḥ — firm like a tree; puṣkarākṣaḥ — lotus-eyed; mahāmanāḥ — of great mind, who moves creation by mere resolve.

Translation

The Lord makes the order of the world and is His own means for His works. He is unconquered, appeared as Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, and is ever firm. At dissolution He draws all into Himself, yet never falls from His nature. As the setting sun He gathers the rays, and He appeared among the sages, the sons of Varuṇa. He is firm like a tree, lotus-eyed, and of great mind, moving creation by mere resolve.

Explanation

The Lord's independent power is the ground of all order. Remembering His firmness awakens patience in the mind.

Summary

The Lord is ever unconquered and firm.

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Verse 89 — The Blissful Lord, Our Supreme Goal

Original verse (Devanagari)

भगवान् भगहाऽऽनन्दी वनमाली हलायुधः ।
आदित्यो ज्योतिरादित्यः सहिष्णुर्गतिसत्तमः ॥ ६०॥

Transliteration

bhagavān bhagahā''nandī vanamālī halāyudhaḥ ādityo jyotirādityaḥ sahiṣṇurgatisattamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhagavān — the Lord, knower of the birth, dissolution, bondage, liberation, knowledge and ignorance of beings; bhagahā — who gathers all majesty into Himself at dissolution; ānandī — bliss itself; vanamālī — wearer of the Vaijayantī forest garland; halāyudhaḥ — who, as Balarāma, makes the plough His weapon; ādityaḥ — son of Aditi in the Vāmana form; jyotirādityaḥ — shining in the sun; sahiṣṇuḥ — who endures all; gatisattamaḥ — the supreme goal of all.

Translation

The Lord is Bhagavān, knower of the birth, dissolution, bondage, liberation, knowledge and ignorance of beings. At dissolution He gathers all majesty into Himself, and He is bliss itself. He wears the Vaijayantī forest garland and, as Balarāma, makes the plough His weapon. In the Vāmana form He is the son of Aditi, shines in the sun, endures all, and is the supreme goal of all.

Explanation

The Lord's glory is full of knowledge, power and bliss. His shelter gives life its highest direction.

Summary

The Lord is our supreme and highest goal.

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Verses 90–99

Verse 90 — The Divine Weapons and Knowledge

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुधन्वा खण्डपरशुर्दारुणो द्रविणप्रदः ।
दिवस्पृक् सर्वदृग्व्यासो वाचस्पतिरयोनिजः ॥ ६१॥

Transliteration

sudhanvā khaṇḍaparaśurdāruṇo draviṇapradaḥ divaspṛk sarvadṛgvyāso vācaspatirayonijaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sudhanvā — bearer of the excellent Śārṅga bow; khaṇḍaparaśuḥ — who, as Paraśurāma, holds the axe that destroys enemies; dāruṇaḥ — severe towards those who walk the path of adharma; draviṇapradaḥ — giver of desired wealth to devotees; divaspṛk — whose vastness reaches heaven; sarvadṛk — seer of all; vyāsaḥ — who, as Vyāsa, arranges all knowledge; vācaspatiḥ — Lord of speech; ayonijaḥ — beyond ordinary birth from a womb.

Translation

The Lord bears the excellent Śārṅga bow and, as Paraśurāma, holds the axe that destroys enemies. He is severe towards those who walk the path of adharma, and gives desired wealth to devotees. His vastness reaches heaven. As Vyāsa He sees all and arranges all knowledge; He is the Lord of speech and beyond ordinary birth from a womb.

Explanation

The Lord's power is for the protection of dharma. His knowledge gives us the discernment of right and wrong.

Summary

The Lord is the protector of dharma and Lord of knowledge.

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Verse 91 — The Ground of the Mind's Peace

Original verse (Devanagari)

त्रिसामा सामगः साम निर्वाणं भेषजं भिषक् ।
संन्यासकृच्छमः शान्तो निष्ठा शान्तिः परायणम् ॥ ६२॥

Transliteration

trisāmā sāmagaḥ sāma nirvāṇaṁ bheṣajaṁ bhiṣak sannyāsakṛcchamaḥ śānto niṣṭhā śāntiḥ parāyaṇam

Word-by-word meanings

trisāmā — praised by the three Sāmas; sāmagaḥ — singer of the Sāma; sāma — the Sāmaveda itself; nirvāṇam — liberation, the ending of all sorrows; bheṣajam — the medicine for the disease of worldly existence; bhiṣak — the physician who removes it; saṁnyāsakṛt — giver of the path of renunciation for liberation; śamaḥ — restraint of the mind; śāntaḥ — perfect peace; niṣṭhā — the ground of the final rest of all; śāntiḥ — the end of ignorance; parāyaṇam — the supreme refuge.

Translation

The Lord is praised by the three Sāmas, is the singer of the Sāma, and is the Sāmaveda itself. He is liberation, the ending of all sorrows, the medicine for the disease of worldly existence, and the physician who removes it. He gave the path of renunciation for liberation. He is the ground of restraint of the mind, perfect peace, and the final rest of all; He is the end of ignorance and the supreme refuge.

Explanation

Peace of mind does not depend only on outer comfort. The Lord's remembrance calls us towards inner restraint and purity.

Summary

The Lord is supreme peace and the supreme refuge.

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Verse 92 — The Protector of the Earth and Cows

Original verse (Devanagari)

शुभाङ्गः शान्तिदः स्रष्टा कुमुदः कुवलेशयः ।
गोहितो गोपतिर्गोप्ता वृषभाक्षो वृषप्रियः ॥ ६३॥

Transliteration

śubhāṅgaḥ śāntidaḥ sraṣṭā kumudaḥ kuvaleśayaḥ gohito gopatirgoptā vṛṣabhākṣo vṛṣapriyaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

śubhāṅgaḥ — of beautiful limbs; śāntidaḥ — giver of peace, free from attachment and hatred; sraṣṭā — creator of the world; kumudaḥ — who delights in His play upon the earth; kuvaleśayaḥ — who rests upon the waters and upon Śeṣa; gohitaḥ — who lifted Govardhana for the good of the cows; gopatiḥ — Lord of the earth; goptā — its protector; vṛṣabhākṣaḥ — whose gaze is full of dharma and works the good of devotees; vṛṣapriyaḥ — to whom dharma is supremely dear.

Translation

The Lord is of beautiful limbs, the giver of peace free from attachment and hatred, and the creator of the world. He delights in His play upon the earth and rests upon the waters and upon Śeṣa. He lifted Govardhana for the good of the cows, and He is the Lord of the earth and its protector. His gaze is full of dharma and works the good of devotees; dharma is supremely dear to Him.

Explanation

In the Lord's play, the good of nature and beings is joined. His remembrance inspires us also towards protection and right conduct.

Summary

Dharma and the good of beings are dear to the Lord.

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Verse 93 — Śrīpati, Welfare of Those Who Take Shelter

Original verse (Devanagari)

अनिवर्ती निवृत्तात्मा सङ्क्षेप्ता क्षेमकृच्छिवः ।
श्रीवत्सवक्षाः श्रीवासः श्रीपतिः श्रीमतांवरः ॥ ६४॥

Transliteration

anivartī nivṛttātmā saṅkṣeptā kṣemakṛcchivaḥ śrīvatsavakṣāḥ śrīvāsaḥ śrīpatiḥ śrīmatāṁvaraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

anivartī — who never turns back from protecting dharma; nivṛttātmā — whose mind is withdrawn from attachment to objects; saṅkṣeptā — who gathers the vast world into a subtle form at dissolution; kṣemakṛt — who works the welfare of those who take shelter; śivaḥ — the auspicious form who purifies through remembrance of the name; śrīvatsavakṣāḥ — on whose chest is the Śrīvatsa mark; śrīvāsaḥ — in whom Lakṣmī dwells; śrīpatiḥ — the husband of Lakṣmī; śrīmatāṁvaraḥ — the best among all the majestic.

Translation

The Lord never turns back from protecting dharma, and His mind is withdrawn from attachment to objects. At dissolution He gathers the vast world into a subtle form. He works the welfare of those who take shelter and is the auspicious form who purifies through remembrance of the name. The Śrīvatsa mark is on His chest, and Lakṣmī dwells there. He is the husband of Lakṣmī and the best among all the majestic.

Explanation

The Lord's shelter is full of dharma and welfare. His remembrance keeps us firm in our own auspicious resolve.

Summary

Śrīpati works the welfare of those who take shelter.

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Verse 94 — The Giver of Śrī and Lasting Welfare

Original verse (Devanagari)

श्रीदः श्रीशः श्रीनिवासः श्रीनिधिः श्रीविभावनः ।
श्रीधरः श्रीकरः श्रेयः श्रीमाँल्लोकत्रयाश्रयः ॥ ६५॥

Transliteration

śrīdaḥ śrīśaḥ śrīnivāsaḥ śrīnidhiḥ śrīvibhāvanaḥ śrīdharaḥ śrīkaraḥ śreyaḥ śrīmām̐llokatrayāśrayaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

śrīdaḥ — giver of Śrī to devotees; śrīśaḥ — Lord of Lakṣmī; śrīnivāsaḥ — the abode of Śrī; śrīnidhiḥ — the treasure of all virtues and power; śrīvibhāvanaḥ — giver of prosperity according to action; śrīdharaḥ — bearer of Lakṣmī, the mother of the world; śrīkaraḥ — giver of virtues and strength to devotees; śreyaḥ — imperishable welfare itself; śrīmān — endowed with every kind of beauty; lokatrayāśrayaḥ — refuge of the three worlds.

Translation

The Lord gives Śrī to devotees and is the Lord of Lakṣmī. He is the abode of Śrī, the treasure of all virtues and power, and the giver of prosperity according to action. He bears Lakṣmī, the mother of the world, and gives virtues and strength to devotees. He is imperishable welfare itself; endowed with every kind of beauty, He is the refuge of the three worlds.

Explanation

The sense of Śrī is wealth together with virtue and auspiciousness. The Lord's remembrance leads us towards such a prosperous life.

Summary

The Lord is the giver of Śrī and lasting welfare.

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Verse 95 — The Independent Lord of Perfect Knowledge

Original verse (Devanagari)

स्वक्षः स्वङ्गः शतानन्दो नन्दिर्ज्योतिर्गणेश्वरः ।
विजितात्माऽविधेयात्मा सत्कीर्तिश्छिन्नसंशयः ॥ ६६॥

Transliteration

svakṣaḥ svaṅgaḥ śatānando nandirjyotirgaṇeśvaraḥ vijitātmā'vidheyātmā satkīrtiśchinnasaṁśayaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

svakṣaḥ — whose eyes are beautiful like lotuses; svaṅgaḥ — whose limbs are supremely lovely; śatānandaḥ — giver of many kinds of bliss; nandiḥ — bliss itself; jyotirgaṇeśvaraḥ — Lord of the hosts of stars and lights; vijitātmā — who has conquered the mind; avidheyātmā — subject to none other; satkīrtiḥ — whose fame is true and holy; chinnasaṁśayaḥ — in whose knowledge no doubt remains.

Translation

The Lord's eyes are beautiful like lotuses, and His limbs supremely lovely. He gives many kinds of bliss and is bliss itself. He is the Lord of the hosts of stars and lights. He has conquered the mind and is subject to none other. His fame is true and holy, and in His knowledge no doubt remains.

Explanation

The Lord's truth is independent and beyond doubt. His remembrance inspires us towards restraint of the mind and clarity of understanding.

Summary

The Lord is independent and the embodiment of perfect knowledge.

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Verse 96 — The Remover of Devotees' Sorrow

Original verse (Devanagari)

उदीर्णः सर्वतश्चक्षुरनीशः शाश्वतस्थिरः ।
भूशयो भूषणो भूतिर्विशोकः शोकनाशनः ॥ ६७॥

Transliteration

udīrṇaḥ sarvataścakṣuranīśaḥ śāśvatasthiraḥ bhūśayo bhūṣaṇo bhūtirviśokaḥ śokanāśanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

udīrṇaḥ — the highest of all; sarvataścakṣuḥ — who sees in every direction; anīśaḥ — with no lord above Him; śāśvatasthiraḥ — eternal and unmoving; bhūśayaḥ — who, as Śrī Rāma, lay upon the earth at the seashore; bhūṣaṇaḥ — who adorns the earth with His incarnations; bhūtiḥ — the root of all glory and majesty; viśokaḥ — Himself free from sorrow; śokanāśanaḥ — remover of the devotees' sorrow.

Translation

The Lord is the highest of all, sees in every direction, and has no lord above Him. He is eternal and unmoving. As Śrī Rāma He lay upon the earth at the seashore, and He adorns the earth with His incarnations. He is the root of all glory and majesty, Himself free from sorrow, and the remover of the devotees' sorrow.

Explanation

The Lord's nearness gives loving support in sorrow. His remembrance is a chance to fill the mind with patience.

Summary

The Lord removes the devotees' sorrow.

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Verse 97 — The Divine Light and Boundless Valour

Original verse (Devanagari)

अर्चिष्मानर्चितः कुम्भो विशुद्धात्मा विशोधनः ।
अनिरुद्धोऽप्रतिरथः प्रद्युम्नोऽमितविक्रमः ॥ ६८॥

Transliteration

arciṣmānarcitaḥ kumbho viśuddhātmā viśodhanaḥ aniruddho'pratirathaḥ pradyumno'mitavikramaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

arciṣmān — by whose light the sun, moon and other lights shine; arcitaḥ — worshipped by the gods; kumbhaḥ — who holds the whole world within Himself; viśuddhātmā — perfectly pure, beyond the bondage of the three qualities; viśodhanaḥ — purifier of one who remembers Him; aniruddhaḥ — who, as Aniruddha, cannot be checked; apratirathaḥ — with no equal opponent; pradyumnaḥ — who, as Pradyumna, is endowed with divine majesty; amitavikramaḥ — of boundless valour.

Translation

By the Lord's light the sun, the moon and other lights shine. Worshipped by the gods, He holds the whole world within Himself. He is perfectly pure, beyond the bondage of the three qualities, and purifies one who remembers Him. As Aniruddha He cannot be checked. He has no equal opponent; as Pradyumna He is endowed with divine majesty and boundless valour.

Explanation

The Lord's light reminds us of inner purity. With faith in His boundless power, walk the auspicious path.

Summary

The Lord is holy light and boundless valour.

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Verse 98 — Hari Who Removes Ignorance

Original verse (Devanagari)

कालनेमिनिहा वीरः शौरिः शूरजनेश्वरः ।
त्रिलोकात्मा त्रिलोकेशः केशवः केशिहा हरिः ॥ ६९॥

Transliteration

kālaneminihā vīraḥ śauriḥ śūrajaneśvaraḥ trilokātmā trilokeśaḥ keśavaḥ keśihā hariḥ

Word-by-word meanings

kālaneminihā — slayer of the demon Kālanemi; vīraḥ — the great hero; śauriḥ — who appeared as Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the Śūra dynasty; śūrajaneśvaraḥ — Lord even of heroes; trilokātmā — the inner Self of the three worlds; trilokeśaḥ — Lord of the three worlds; keśavaḥ — Keśava, the root of the sun's rays; keśihā — slayer of the demon Keśī; hariḥ — Hari, who removes the bondage of the world together with ignorance.

Translation

The Lord, slayer of the demon Kālanemi, is the great hero. He appeared as Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the Śūra dynasty and is the Lord even of heroes. He is the inner Self and the Lord of the three worlds. Keśava is the root of the sun's rays, the slayer of the demon Keśī, and Hari, who removes the bondage of the world together with ignorance.

Explanation

Remembering Hari is the direction for loosening the grip of ignorance. The Lord who protects dharma teaches us to live with discernment.

Summary

Hari removes ignorance and worldly bondage.

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Verse 99 — The Lord of Life's Highest Aims

Original verse (Devanagari)

कामदेवः कामपालः कामी कान्तः कृतागमः ।
अनिर्देश्यवपुर्विष्णुर्वीरोऽनन्तो धनञ्जयः ॥ ७०॥

Transliteration

kāmadevaḥ kāmapālaḥ kāmī kāntaḥ kṛtāgamaḥ anirdeśyavapurviṣṇurvīro'nanto dhanañjayaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

kāmadevaḥ — the desired goal of those who seek dharma, wealth, desire and liberation; kāmapālaḥ — protector of righteous desires; kāmī — fulfiller of righteous desires; kāntaḥ — supremely beautiful, ever fulfilled in desire; kṛtāgamaḥ — the root of the Veda, Smṛti and Āgama; anirdeśyavapuḥ — whose form cannot be bound by any limit; viṣṇuḥ — all-pervading; vīraḥ — the hero; anantaḥ — infinite; dhanañjayaḥ — whose divine glory appears in the valour and achievements of Dhanañjaya Arjuna.

Translation

The Lord is the desired goal of those who seek dharma, wealth, desire and liberation. He protects and fulfils righteous desires and is Himself ever fulfilled in desire. He is supremely beautiful and the root of the Veda, Smṛti and Āgama. His form cannot be bound by any limit; He is all-pervading, the hero, and infinite. His divine glory appears in the valour and achievements of Dhanañjaya Arjuna.

Explanation

Moving towards the Lord is giving dharma's direction to desires. His remembrance keeps both goal and means holy.

Summary

The Lord is the ground of life's highest aims.

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Verses 100–109

Verse 100 — The Ground of Brahma-Knowledge and Practice

Original verse (Devanagari)

ब्रह्मण्यो ब्रह्मकृद् ब्रह्मा ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविवर्धनः ।
ब्रह्मविद् ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मी ब्रह्मज्ञो ब्राह्मणप्रियः ॥ ७१॥

Transliteration

brahmaṇyo brahmakṛd brahmā brahma brahmavivardhanaḥ brahmavid brāhmaṇo brahmī brahmajño brāhmaṇapriyaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

brahmaṇyaḥ — friend of the Veda, knowledge and the brāhmaṇas; brahmakṛt — nourisher of austerity and knowledge; brahmā — creator as Brahmā; brahma — the Supreme Brahman, truth, knowledge and infinity; brahmavivardhanaḥ — increaser of spiritual practice; brahmavit — knower of the true meaning of the Vedas; brāhmaṇaḥ — who, as a brāhmaṇa, teaches the Veda; brahmī — in whom austerity, Veda, mind and life-breath rest; brahmajñaḥ — knower of Brahman; brāhmaṇapriyaḥ — dear to brāhmaṇas established in Brahman.

Translation

The Lord is the friend of the Veda, knowledge and the brāhmaṇas, and the nourisher of austerity and knowledge. As Brahmā He creates, and He is also the Supreme Brahman, truth, knowledge and infinity. He increases spiritual practice and knows the true meaning of the Vedas. As a brāhmaṇa He teaches the Veda; austerity, Veda, mind and life-breath rest in Him. He is the knower of Brahman and dear to brāhmaṇas established in Brahman.

Explanation

Honouring knowledge joins with practice and right conduct. Worship of the Lord inspires us to understand and live the truth.

Summary

The Lord is the ground of Brahma-knowledge and practice.

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Verse 101 — The Great Sacrifice and Its Offering

Original verse (Devanagari)

महाक्रमो महाकर्मा महातेजा महोरगः ।
महाक्रतुर्महायज्वा महायज्ञो महाहविः ॥ ७२॥

Transliteration

mahākramo mahākarmā mahātejā mahoragaḥ mahākraturmahāyajvā mahāyajño mahāhaviḥ

Word-by-word meanings

mahākramaḥ — whose stride is vast; mahākarmā — whose works, like creation, are great; mahātejāḥ — from whom the radiance of the sun and others comes; mahoragaḥ — the great serpent Śeṣa is also His form; mahākratuḥ — the great Vedic rite; mahāyajvā — performer of sacrifice for the good of the world; mahāyajñaḥ — the great sacrifice itself; mahāhaviḥ — the great offering, of seeing the whole world as Brahman and offering it to the Supreme Self.

Translation

The Lord's stride is vast, and His works, like creation, are great. The radiance of the sun and others comes from Him, and the great serpent Śeṣa is also His form. He is the great Vedic rite, the performer of sacrifice for the good of the world, and the great sacrifice itself. He is also the great offering, of seeing the whole world as Brahman and offering it to the Supreme Self.

Explanation

True dedication gives life the feeling of a sacrifice. Offer every good deed to the Lord with that vision.

Summary

The Lord is the sacrifice and its offering.

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Verse 102 — The Lord of Praise and Perfection

Original verse (Devanagari)

स्तव्यः स्तवप्रियः स्तोत्रं स्तुतिः स्तोता रणप्रियः ।
पूर्णः पूरयिता पुण्यः पुण्यकीर्तिरनामयः ॥ ७३॥

Transliteration

stavyaḥ stavapriyaḥ stotraṁ stutiḥ stotā raṇapriyaḥ pūrṇaḥ pūrayitā puṇyaḥ puṇyakīrtiranāmayaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

stavyaḥ — worthy of praise by all; stavapriyaḥ — who loves loving praise; stotram — the inner Self of the hymn itself; stutiḥ — the inner Self of praise; stotā — the inner Self of the one who praises; raṇapriyaḥ — ready for righteous battle to protect the world; pūrṇaḥ — complete in Himself; pūrayitā — giver of completeness to others; puṇyaḥ — whose remembrance purifies; puṇyakīrtiḥ — of meritorious fame; anāmayaḥ — beyond every disease and disorder.

Translation

The Lord is worthy of praise by all, and loving praise is dear to Him. He is the inner Self of the hymn, of praise, and of the one who praises. He is ready for righteous battle to protect the world. He is complete in Himself and gives completeness to others. His remembrance purifies, His fame is meritorious, and He is beyond every disease and disorder.

Explanation

When praise is offered with love, the mind joins the Lord. Remembering His completeness enriches us from within.

Summary

The Lord is the root and goal of praise.

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Verse 103 — The Giver of Wealth and Liberation

Original verse (Devanagari)

मनोजवस्तीर्थकरो वसुरेता वसुप्रदः ।
वसुप्रदो वासुदेवो वसुर्वसुमना हविः ॥ ७४॥

Transliteration

manojavastīrthakaro vasuretā vasupradaḥ vasuprado vāsudevo vasurvasumanā haviḥ

Word-by-word meanings

manojavas — whose movement, all-pervading, is said to be swift as the mind; tīrthakaraḥ — the root of holy knowledge; vasuretāḥ — bearer of the golden creative power; vasupradaḥ — giver of worldly wealth; vasupradaḥ — giver of the greater wealth of liberation; vāsudevaḥ — Vāsudeva, Śrī Kṛṣṇa the son of Vasudeva, in whom all creation dwells; vasuḥ — in whom all creation dwells; vasumanāḥ — of equanimous mind towards all; haviḥ — the offering in sacrifice is also His form.

Translation

The all-pervading Lord's movement is said to be swift as the mind. He is the root of holy knowledge and the bearer of the golden creative power. He gives worldly wealth, and the greater wealth of liberation. He is Vāsudeva, Śrī Kṛṣṇa the son of Vasudeva, in whom all creation dwells. His mind is equanimous towards all, and the offering in sacrifice is also His form.

Explanation

The highest form of prosperity is inner liberation. The Lord's remembrance teaches the value of discernment together with wealth.

Summary

The Lord is the giver of wealth and liberation.

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Verse 104 — The Sweet Play on the Yamunā

Original verse (Devanagari)

सद्गतिः सत्कृतिः सत्ता सद्भूतिः सत्परायणः ।
शूरसेनो यदुश्रेष्ठः सन्निवासः सुयामुनः ॥ ७५॥

Transliteration

sadgatiḥ satkṛtiḥ sattā sadbhūtiḥ satparāyaṇaḥ śūraseno yaduśreṣṭhaḥ sannivāsaḥ suyāmunaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sadgatiḥ — the highest goal of the good; satkṛtiḥ — whose works are for the protection of the world; sattā — pure existence; sadbhūtiḥ — the true consciousness manifest in many forms; satparāyaṇaḥ — the supreme refuge of great souls who know the truth; śūrasenaḥ — with whom is an army of heroes; yaduśreṣṭhaḥ — the best of the Yadu line; sannivāsaḥ — the abode of good people; suyāmunaḥ — who, in the play on the Yamunā's banks, is surrounded by Nanda, Yaśodā, Vasudeva, Devakī and His other dear ones.

Translation

The Lord is the highest goal of the good, and His works are for the protection of the world. He is pure existence and the true consciousness manifest in many forms. He is the supreme refuge of great souls who know the truth. An army of heroes is with Him; He is the best of the Yadu line and the abode of good people. In the play on the Yamunā's banks He is surrounded by Nanda, Yaśodā, Vasudeva, Devakī and His other dear ones.

Explanation

The Lord's supreme truth also shines in sweet intimacy. See that same nearness in the play on the Yamunā.

Summary

The Lord is truth and the refuge of love.

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Verse 105 — The Remover of Pride

Original verse (Devanagari)

भूतावासो वासुदेवः सर्वासुनिलयोऽनलः ।
दर्पहा दर्पदो दृप्तो दुर्धरोऽथापराजितः ॥ ७६॥

Transliteration

bhūtāvāso vāsudevaḥ sarvāsunilayo'nalaḥ darpahā darpado dṛpto durdharo'thāparājitaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhūtāvāsaḥ — in whom all beings dwell; vāsudevaḥ — Vāsudeva, all-pervading in the whole world; sarvāsunilayaḥ — the final refuge of the life-breath of all beings; analaḥ — of boundless power; darpahā — remover of the pride of the unrighteous; darpadaḥ — giver of rightful self-respect to those who walk the path of dharma; dṛptaḥ — ever content in His own bliss; durdharaḥ — whose boundless form is hard to hold in meditation; aparājitaḥ — whom none can defeat.

Translation

All beings dwell in the Lord, and Vāsudeva is all-pervading in the whole world. He is the final refuge of the life-breath of all beings, and His power is boundless. He removes the pride of the unrighteous and gives rightful self-respect to those who walk the path of dharma. He is ever content in His own bliss. His boundless form is hard to hold in meditation, and none can defeat Him.

Explanation

It is necessary to understand the difference between pride and self-respect. The Lord's remembrance makes us humble and inwardly firm.

Summary

The Lord removes pride and gives rightful self-respect.

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Verse 106 — The Mystery of Form and the Formless

Original verse (Devanagari)

विश्वमूर्तिर्महामूर्तिर्दीप्तमूर्तिरमूर्तिमान् ।
अनेकमूर्तिरव्यक्तः शतमूर्तिः शताननः ॥ ७७॥

Transliteration

viśvamūrtirmahāmūrtirdīptamūrtiramūrtimān anekamūrtiravyaktaḥ śatamūrtiḥ śatānanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

viśvamūrtiḥ — whose form is the whole universe; mahāmūrtiḥ — whose vast form is great; dīptamūrtiḥ — whose form shines with the light of knowledge; amūrtimān — who has no body made of the bondage of action; anekamūrtiḥ — who assumes many incarnations for the good of the world; avyaktaḥ — whose true reality remains unmanifest to ordinary sight; śatamūrtiḥ — of countless forms; śatānanaḥ — of countless faces.

Translation

The whole universe is the Lord's form, and His vast form is great. His form shines with the light of knowledge, yet He has no body made of the bondage of action. For the good of the world He assumes many incarnations and countless forms. Appearing in so many forms, His true reality still remains unmanifest to ordinary sight; He has countless faces and forms.

Explanation

The Lord's forms are many and His glory boundless. Join that infinite truth through any one form.

Summary

The Lord of many forms is the boundless truth.

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Verse 107 — The One Lord, Friend of All Worlds

Original verse (Devanagari)

एको नैकः सवः कः किं यत् तत्पदमनुत्तमम् ।
लोकबन्धुर्लोकनाथो माधवो भक्तवत्सलः ॥ ७८॥

Transliteration

eko naikaḥ savaḥ kaḥ kiṁ yat tatpadamanuttamam lokabandhurlokanātho mādhavo bhaktavatsalaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ekaḥ — the one, peerless truth; naikaḥ — who also appears in many forms through māyā; savaḥ — the form of the soma sacrifice; kaḥ — the root of bliss; kim — worthy of contemplation; yat — self-existent; tat — the Supreme Brahman remembered as 'That'; padam — the supreme state of those who seek liberation; anuttamam — the highest; lokabandhuḥ — friend of all worlds; lokanāthaḥ — Lord of all worlds; mādhavaḥ — Mādhava, appeared in the Madhu line; bhaktavatsalaḥ — of boundless affection for His devotees.

Translation

The Lord is the one, peerless truth, and also appears in many forms through māyā. He is the form of the soma sacrifice and the root of bliss. He is worthy of contemplation, self-existent, and the Supreme Brahman remembered as 'That'. He is the supreme state of those who seek liberation, the friend and Lord of all worlds. Mādhava, appeared in the Madhu line, has boundless affection for His devotees.

Explanation

The infinite truth sought is the devotee's own Lord. In His vastness, the nearness of love is also contained.

Summary

The peerless Lord is the affectionate Lord of all.

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Verse 108 — Golden Beauty and Unmoving Truth

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुवर्णवर्णो हेमाङ्गो वराङ्गश्चन्दनाङ्गदी ।
वीरहा विषमः शून्यो घृताशीरचलश्चलः ॥ ७९॥

Transliteration

suvarṇavarṇo hemāṅgo varāṅgaścandanāṅgadī vīrahā viṣamaḥ śūnyo ghṛtāśīracalaścalaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

suvarṇavarṇaḥ — of radiant golden colour; hemāṅgaḥ — whose limbs shine like gold; varāṅgaḥ — of beautiful limbs; candanāṅgadī — adorned with sandal paste and armlets; vīrahā — slayer of mighty unrighteous ones for the protection of dharma; viṣamaḥ — with no equal; śūnyaḥ — free from limited qualities; ghṛtāśīḥ — whose blessing is unfailing; acalaḥ — unmoving in His truth; calaḥ — appearing in all the moving forms of the world.

Translation

The Lord's colour is radiant like gold, and His limbs shine like gold. All His limbs are beautiful, and He is adorned with sandal paste and armlets. For the protection of dharma He destroys mighty unrighteous ones. He has no equal; He is free from limited qualities, and His blessing is unfailing. Unmoving in His truth, He yet appears in all the moving forms of the world.

Explanation

The Lord's beauty is a glimpse of His boundless truth. His firmness gives patience in a changing life.

Summary

The Lord is the form of beauty and unmoving truth.

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Verse 109 — Humility and True Honour

Original verse (Devanagari)

अमानी मानदो मान्यो लोकस्वामी त्रिलोकधृक् ।
सुमेधा मेधजो धन्यः सत्यमेधा धराधरः ॥ ८०॥

Transliteration

amānī mānado mānyo lokasvāmī trilokadhṛk sumedhā medhajo dhanyaḥ satyamedhā dharādharaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

amānī — free from pride; mānadaḥ — giver of honour to others; mānyaḥ — Himself worthy of honour; lokasvāmī — Lord of all worlds; trilokadhṛk — bearer of the three worlds; sumedhā — of excellent wisdom; medhajaḥ — appearing in sacrifice; dhanyaḥ — fulfilled and blessed; satyamedhā — whose knowledge is ever true; dharādharaḥ — bearer of the earth in the forms of Śeṣa, mountains and others.

Translation

The Lord is free from pride and gives honour to others. He is Himself worthy of honour, the Lord of all worlds and the bearer of the three worlds. His wisdom is excellent, and He appears in sacrifice. He is fulfilled and blessed; His knowledge is ever true. In the forms of Śeṣa, mountains and others, He bears the earth.

Explanation

In the Lord's glory there is no pride, but generous honour. His remembrance teaches us also to honour others.

Summary

Keep the Lord's spirit in humility and honour.

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Verses 110–119

Verse 110 — The Lord of Radiance and Righteous Power

Original verse (Devanagari)

तेजोवृषो द्युतिधरः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः ।
प्रग्रहो निग्रहो व्यग्रो नैकशृङ्गो गदाग्रजः ॥ ८१॥

Transliteration

tejovṛṣo dyutidharaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ pragraho nigraho vyagro naikaśṛṅgo gadāgrajaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

tejovṛṣaḥ — who, as the sun, becomes the cause of rain; dyutidharaḥ — bearer of divine radiance; sarvaśastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ — the best among all bearers of weapons; pragrahaḥ — accepter of the devotee's loving offering; nigrahaḥ — regulator of all; vyagraḥ — ever ready in the work of the world, yet beyond agitation; naikaśṛṅgaḥ — of many divine horns; gadāgrajaḥ — Śrī Kṛṣṇa, elder brother of Gada the Yādava.

Translation

As the sun the Lord becomes the cause of rain, and He bears divine radiance. He is the best among all bearers of weapons. He accepts the devotee's loving offering and regulates all. Ever ready in the work of the world, He is yet beyond agitation. He is of many divine horns, and is Śrī Kṛṣṇa, elder brother of Gada the Yādava.

Explanation

The Lord's alert power is engaged in protecting dharma. His worship teaches us to stay calm with readiness.

Summary

The Lord's power is alert and full of dharma.

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Verse 111 — The Ground of Every Stage of Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

चतुर्मूर्तिश्चतुर्बाहुश्चतुर्व्यूहश्चतुर्गतिः ।
चतुरात्मा चतुर्भावश्चतुर्वेदविदेकपात् ॥ ८२॥

Transliteration

caturmūrtiścaturbāhuścaturvyūhaścaturgatiḥ caturātmā caturbhāvaścaturvedavidekapāt

Word-by-word meanings

caturmūrtiḥ — appearing in four principal forms; caturbāhuḥ — four-armed; caturvyūhaḥ — worshipped in the four vyūhas; caturgatiḥ — the goal of the seekers of the four varṇas and four āśramas; caturātmā — the indweller of mind, intellect, consciousness and ego; caturbhāvaḥ — the ground of dharma, wealth, desire and liberation; caturvedavit — knower of the four Vedas; ekapāt — the whole manifest world is but a quarter of His glory.

Translation

The Lord appears in four principal forms, has four arms, and is worshipped in the four vyūhas. He is the goal of the seekers of the four varṇas and four āśramas. He is the indweller of mind, intellect, consciousness and ego, and the ground of dharma, wealth, desire and liberation. He knows the four Vedas, and the whole manifest world is but a quarter of His glory.

Explanation

The Lord is the ground of every stage of life and every practice. His glory is greater than the world we see.

Summary

All life rests upon the Lord's glory.

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Verse 112 — The Truth Found Through True Devotion

Original verse (Devanagari)

समावर्तोऽनिवृत्तात्मा दुर्जयो दुरतिक्रमः ।
दुर्लभो दुर्गमो दुर्गो दुरावासो दुरारिहा ॥ ८३॥

Transliteration

samāvarto'nivṛttātmā durjayo duratikramaḥ durlabho durgamo durgo durāvāso durārihā

Word-by-word meanings

samāvartaḥ — who turns the wheel of the world; anivṛttātmā — who, being all-pervading, is separate from none; durjayaḥ — who cannot be conquered; duratikramaḥ — whose order cannot be transgressed; durlabhaḥ — attained through true devotion; durgamaḥ — whose devotion and experience are not easy; durgaḥ — whom even yogīs fix in the heart only through hard practice; durāvāsaḥ — hard to hold steady in the heart; durārihā — destroyer of mighty demonic powers.

Translation

The Lord turns the wheel of the world and, being all-pervading, is separate from none. He cannot be conquered, and His order cannot be transgressed. He is attained through true devotion, yet such devotion and His experience are not easy. Even yogīs fix Him in the heart only through hard practice. He is also the destroyer of mighty demonic powers.

Explanation

Experiencing the Lord needs patience and true longing. With love in practice, steady the mind slowly.

Summary

True devotion is the path to the Lord.

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Verse 113 — The Beautiful Thread of the World

Original verse (Devanagari)

शुभाङ्गो लोकसारङ्गः सुतन्तुस्तन्तुवर्धनः ।
इन्द्रकर्मा महाकर्मा कृतकर्मा कृतागमः ॥ ८४॥

Transliteration

śubhāṅgo lokasāraṅgaḥ sutantustantuvardhanaḥ indrakarmā mahākarmā kṛtakarmā kṛtāgamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

śubhāṅgaḥ — of auspicious limbs; lokasāraṅgaḥ — receiver of the essence of the world; sutantuḥ — to whom all creation is joined like a beautiful thread; tantuvardhanaḥ — who expands and gathers that thread; indrakarmā — of supremely excellent works; mahākarmā — of great works; kṛtakarmā — who has completed all duties; kṛtāgamaḥ — giver of the knowledge of the Veda and Āgama.

Translation

The Lord's limbs are auspicious, and He receives the essence of the world. All creation is joined to Him like a beautiful thread; He expands and gathers it. His works are supremely excellent and great. The sky and other great elements are His creation. He has completed all duties and is the giver of the knowledge of the Veda and Āgama.

Explanation

The many forms of the world are joined to one ground. The Lord's remembrance gives the vision to understand this connection.

Summary

All creation is like a thread joined to the Lord.

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Verse 114 — Beautiful, Gentle and Ever Victorious

Original verse (Devanagari)

उद्भवः सुन्दरः सुन्दो रत्ननाभः सुलोचनः ।
अर्को वाजसनः शृङ्गी जयन्तः सर्वविज्जयी ॥ ८५॥

Transliteration

udbhavaḥ sundaraḥ sundo ratnanābhaḥ sulocanaḥ arko vājasanaḥ śṛṅgī jayantaḥ sarvavijjayī

Word-by-word meanings

udbhavaḥ — appearing in excellent forms by His own will; sundaraḥ — whose beauty attracts all; sundaḥ — most gentle and compassionate; ratnanābhaḥ — of beautiful navel; sulocanaḥ — whose eyes are filled with the light of knowledge; arkaḥ — worshipped even by Brahmā and others; vājasanaḥ — giver of food to supplicants; śṛṅgī — who, in the fish form, bears a horn; jayantaḥ — winner of easy victory; sarvavit — the all-knower; jayī — victorious over all opposition within and without.

Translation

The Lord appears in excellent forms by His own will. His beauty attracts all, and He is most gentle and compassionate. His navel is beautiful, and His eyes are filled with the light of knowledge. He is worshipped even by Brahmā and others, gives food to supplicants, and in the fish form bears a horn. He wins easy victory, is the all-knower, and is victorious over all opposition within and without.

Explanation

In the Lord's beauty, gentleness and strength go together. His remembrance teaches us to be firm with compassion.

Summary

The Lord is beautiful, gentle and ever victorious.

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Verse 115 — The Fathomless Lake of Bliss

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुवर्णबिन्दुरक्षोभ्यः सर्ववागीश्वरेश्वरः ।
महाह्रदो महागर्तो महाभूतो महानिधिः ॥ ८६॥

Transliteration

suvarṇabindurakṣobhyaḥ sarvavāgīśvareśvaraḥ mahāhrado mahāgarto mahābhūto mahānidhiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

suvarṇabinduḥ — whose limbs shine like gold; akṣobhyaḥ — unshaken by attachment, hatred or opposition; sarvavāgīśvareśvaraḥ — Lord even of the lords of all learning and speech; mahāhradaḥ — whose bliss is like a fathomless lake, in which yogīs dive in meditation; mahāgartaḥ — whose māyā is as hard to cross as a deep pit; mahābhūtaḥ — the great Being, unbroken through the three times; mahānidhiḥ — the priceless ground of all elements.

Translation

The Lord's limbs shine like gold, and He is unshaken by attachment, hatred or opposition. He is the Lord even of the lords of all learning and speech. His bliss is like a fathomless lake, in which yogīs dive in meditation. Crossing His māyā is as hard as crossing a deep pit. He is the great Being, unbroken through the three times, and the priceless ground of all elements.

Explanation

The Lord's bliss is felt through inner practice. Meditation on His unshaken form stills the restlessness of the mind.

Summary

The Lord is the fathomless and unshaken ground of bliss.

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Verse 116 — The Rain of Grace on Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

कुमुदः कुन्दरः कुन्दः पर्जन्यः पावनोऽनिलः ।
अमृताशोऽमृतवपुः सर्वज्ञः सर्वतोमुखः ॥ ८७॥

Transliteration

kumudaḥ kundaraḥ kundaḥ parjanyaḥ pāvano'nilaḥ amṛtāśo'mṛtavapuḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvatomukhaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

kumudaḥ — who lightens the earth's burden and gives it joy; kundaraḥ — whose boons are pure like the kunda flower; kundaḥ — whose limbs are beautiful like that flower; parjanyaḥ — who, like a cloud, cools the heat of body and mind, of other beings and of nature, and rains grace; pāvanaḥ — whose remembrance purifies; anilaḥ — free and ever watchful; amṛtāśaḥ — who experiences His own immortal bliss; amṛtavapuḥ — of imperishable form; sarvajñaḥ — the all-knower; sarvatomukhaḥ — facing in all directions.

Translation

The Lord lightens the earth's burden and gives it joy. His boons are pure like the kunda flower, and His limbs are beautiful like that flower. Like a cloud He cools the heat of body and mind, of other beings and of nature, and rains grace. His remembrance purifies; He is free and ever watchful. He experiences His own immortal bliss, His form is imperishable, and He is the all-knower, facing in all directions.

Explanation

Remember the Lord's grace like a cool rain. This feeling awakens purity in the mind and goodwill for all.

Summary

The Lord's grace cools life.

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Verse 117 — The Lord Easily Reached by Love

Original verse (Devanagari)

सुलभः सुव्रतः सिद्धः शत्रुजिच्छत्रुतापनः ।
न्यग्रोधोऽदुम्बरोऽश्वत्थश्चाणूरान्ध्रनिषूदनः ॥ ८८॥

Transliteration

sulabhaḥ suvrataḥ siddhaḥ śatrujicchatrutāpanaḥ nyagrodho'dumbaro'śvatthaścāṇūrāndhraniṣūdanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sulabhaḥ — easily reached even by a leaf, flower or fruit offered with love; suvrataḥ — accepter of pure offerings, keeper of excellent vows; siddhaḥ — ever of fulfilled resolve; śatrujit — victor over the powers of unrighteousness; śatrutāpanaḥ — subduer of the foes of the gods; nyagrodhaḥ — the root cause above all, from whom creation spreads downward; adumbaraḥ — greater even than the sky; aśvatthaḥ — present in the ever-changing world like the aśvattha tree; cāṇūrāndhraniṣūdanaḥ — slayer of the wrestler Cāṇūra.

Translation

The Lord is easily reached even by a leaf, flower or fruit offered with love. He accepts pure offerings, keeps excellent vows, and is ever of fulfilled resolve. He conquers the powers of unrighteousness and subdues the foes of the gods. He is the root cause above all, from whom creation spreads downward. Greater even than the sky, He is present in the ever-changing world like the aśvattha tree, and He is the slayer of the wrestler Cāṇūra.

Explanation

No great offering is needed for the Lord's nearness. A small offering made with pure love is priceless.

Summary

The Lord is easily reached by true love.

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Verse 118 — Light in Fire and Sun

Original verse (Devanagari)

सहस्रार्चिः सप्तजिह्वः सप्तैधाः सप्तवाहनः ।
अमूर्तिरनघोऽचिन्त्यो भयकृद्भयनाशनः ॥ ८९॥

Transliteration

sahasrārciḥ saptajihvaḥ saptaidhāḥ saptavāhanaḥ amūrtiranagho'cintyo bhayakṛdbhayanāśanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sahasrārciḥ — shining with countless rays; saptajihvaḥ — in the form of fire, of seven flame-tongues; saptaidhāḥ — of seven kinds of radiance; saptavāhanaḥ — in the form of the sun, whose vehicle is seven horses; amūrtiḥ — beyond gross form; anaghaḥ — sinless; acintyaḥ — beyond the limits of thought; bhayakṛt — creator of fear for the unrighteous; bhayanāśanaḥ — remover of the fear of the good.

Translation

The Lord shines with countless rays. In the form of fire He has seven flame-tongues and seven kinds of radiance; in the form of the sun, seven horses are His vehicle. He is beyond gross form, sinless, and beyond the limits of thought. He creates fear for the unrighteous and removes the fear of the good.

Explanation

Remember the Lord's radiance in the lights of nature. His glory keeps us watchful towards dharma.

Summary

The Lord is the fear of the unrighteous and the support of the good.

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Verse 119 — From the Subtle to the Vast

Original verse (Devanagari)

अणुर्बृहत्कृशः स्थूलो गुणभृन्निर्गुणो महान् ।
अधृतः स्वधृतः स्वास्यः प्राग्वंशो वंशवर्धनः ॥ ९०॥

Transliteration

aṇurbṛhatkṛśaḥ sthūlo guṇabhṛnnirguṇo mahān adhṛtaḥ svadhṛtaḥ svāsyaḥ prāgvaṁśo vaṁśavardhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

aṇuḥ — most subtle; bṛhat — boundlessly vast; kṛśaḥ — beyond material bonds; sthūlaḥ — pervading all the gross world; guṇabhṛt — supporter of sattva, rajas and tamas; nirguṇaḥ — Himself unbound by these qualities; mahān — great; adhṛtaḥ — needing no outer support; svadhṛtaḥ — established in Himself; svāsyaḥ — of lotus-like beautiful face; prāgvaṁśaḥ — the first cause of all lineages and creation; vaṁśavardhanaḥ — who expands and ends them.

Translation

The Lord is most subtle and also boundlessly vast. Beyond material bonds, He pervades all the gross world. He supports sattva, rajas and tamas, yet is Himself unbound by these qualities. He is great; He needs no outer support and is established in Himself. His face is beautiful like a lotus. He is the first cause of all lineages and creation, and He expands and ends them.

Explanation

The Lord cannot be confined to a small or large size. His truth is beyond every limit and is the ground of all.

Summary

The Lord, subtle and vast, is the ground of all.

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Verses 120–129

Verse 120 — The Rest of the Weary Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

भारभृत् कथितो योगी योगीशः सर्वकामदः ।
आश्रमः श्रमणः क्षामः सुपर्णो वायुवाहनः ॥ ९१॥

Transliteration

bhārabhṛt kathito yogī yogīśaḥ sarvakāmadaḥ āśramaḥ śramaṇaḥ kṣāmaḥ suparṇo vāyuvāhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhārabhṛt — who, in the form of the endless Śeṣa, bears the earth's weight; kathitaḥ — whose glory all the Vedas declare; yogī — the yogī established in His own form; yogīśaḥ — Lord of yogīs; sarvakāmadaḥ — giver of all desired fruits; āśramaḥ — the resting place of beings wandering in the world; śramaṇaḥ — in whose order even the suffering that follows thoughtless deeds has its place; kṣāmaḥ — who gathers all at dissolution; suparṇaḥ — the world-tree with Veda-leaves; vāyuvāhanaḥ — mover of the wind.

Translation

In the form of the endless Śeṣa the Lord bears the earth's weight, and all the Vedas declare His glory. He is the yogī established in His own form and the Lord of yogīs. He gives all desired fruits and is the resting place of beings wandering in the world. Even the suffering that follows thoughtless deeds has its place in His order. He gathers all at dissolution; He is the world-tree with Veda-leaves and the mover of the wind.

Explanation

The Lord's support gives direction to a mind lost in the forest of life. Doing deeds with discernment, rest in that same refuge.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme resting place of the weary life.

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Verse 121 — The Lord of Discipline and Self-Control

Original verse (Devanagari)

धनुर्धरो धनुर्वेदो दण्डो दमयिता दमः ।
अपराजितः सर्वसहो नियन्ताऽनियमोऽयमः ॥ ९२॥

Transliteration

dhanurdharo dhanurvedo daṇḍo damayitā damaḥ aparājitaḥ sarvasaho niyantā'niyamo'yamaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

dhanurdharaḥ — who, as Śrī Rāma, bears the bow; dhanurvedaḥ — knower of the science of archery; daṇḍaḥ — discipline; damayitā — giver of rightful punishment to the unrighteous; damaḥ — the ground of the self-control born of it; aparājitaḥ — whom none can defeat; sarvasahaḥ — capable in all works and enduring of all; niyantā — assigner of rightful duty to all; aniyamaḥ — Himself subject to no outer rule; ayamaḥ — over whom even the god of death has no power.

Translation

As Śrī Rāma the Lord bears the bow and knows the science of archery. He is discipline, the giver of rightful punishment to the unrighteous, and the ground of the self-control born of it. None can defeat Him; He is capable in all works and enduring of all. He assigns rightful duty to all. He is Himself subject to no outer rule, and even the god of death has no power over Him.

Explanation

In dharma there is discipline and self-control along with compassion. The Lord's remembrance makes us firm in our duty.

Summary

The Lord is the ground of discipline and self-control.

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Verse 122 — The Lord Who Increases Love

Original verse (Devanagari)

सत्त्ववान् सात्त्विकः सत्यः सत्यधर्मपरायणः ।
अभिप्रायः प्रियार्होऽर्हः प्रियकृत् प्रीतिवर्धनः ॥ ९३॥

Transliteration

sattvavān sāttvikaḥ satyaḥ satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ abhiprāyaḥ priyārho'rhaḥ priyakṛt prītivardhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sattvavān — endowed with courage, patience and strength; sāttvikaḥ — established in pure sattva; satyaḥ — truth itself in form; satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ — the supreme ground of true dharma; abhiprāyaḥ — the goal of those who seek life's highest aims; priyārhaḥ — to whom offering one's dearest is fitting; arhaḥ — worthy of complete worship; priyakṛt — doer of the devotees' dear good; prītivardhanaḥ — increaser of love and joy in their hearts.

Translation

The Lord is endowed with courage, patience and strength, and is established in pure sattva. He is truth itself in form and the supreme ground of true dharma. He is the goal of those who seek life's highest aims. Offering one's dearest to Him is fitting, for He is worthy of complete worship. He does the devotees' dear good and increases love and joy in their hearts.

Explanation

A loving offering purifies the mind's longing. Through worship of the Lord, grow love into conduct.

Summary

The Lord increases love in the devotees' hearts.

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Verse 123 — The Self-Shining Giver of Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

विहायसगतिर्ज्योतिः सुरुचिर्हुतभुग्विभुः ।
रविर्विरोचनः सूर्यः सविता रविलोचनः ॥ ९४॥

Transliteration

vihāyasagatirjyotiḥ surucirhutabhugvibhuḥ ravirvirocanaḥ sūryaḥ savitā ravilocanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

vihāyasagatiḥ — moving in the highest sky; jyotiḥ — self-shining consciousness; suruciḥ — of most beautiful radiance; hutabhuk — to whom the offerings made to all the gods ultimately reach; vibhuḥ — all-pervading; raviḥ — who, as the sun, draws up water; virocanaḥ — shining in many ways; sūryaḥ — who lights the world; savitā — producer of all worlds; ravilocanaḥ — who bears the sun as His eye.

Translation

The Lord moves in the highest sky and is the ground of the supreme abode. He is self-shining consciousness and of most beautiful radiance. The offerings made to all the gods ultimately reach Him. He is all-pervading. As the sun He draws up water, shines in many ways, and lights the world. He produces all worlds and bears the sun as His eye.

Explanation

The light that shows the world has its root also in the Lord. Remembering His radiance, light the lamp of discernment within.

Summary

The Lord is the root of all light and life.

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Verse 124 — The Infinite and Patient Lord

Original verse (Devanagari)

अनन्तो हुतभुग्भोक्ता सुखदो नैकजोऽग्रजः ।
अनिर्विण्णः सदामर्षी लोकाधिष्ठानमद्भुतः ॥ ९५॥

Transliteration

ananto hutabhugbhoktā sukhado naikajo'grajaḥ anirviṇṇaḥ sadāmarṣī lokādhiṣṭhānamadbhutaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

anantaḥ — infinite, beyond the limits of time and space; hutabhuk — receiver of the sacrificial offering; bhoktā — the supreme enjoyer of nature; sukhadaḥ — giver of the bliss of liberation to devotees; naikajaḥ — who takes birth again and again to protect dharma; agrajaḥ — present since the beginning of creation; anirviṇṇaḥ — free from weariness; sadāmarṣī — ever patient towards the good; lokādhiṣṭhānam — the ground of all worlds, needing no support Himself; adbhutaḥ — the wonderful Lord.

Translation

The Lord is infinite, beyond the limits of time and space. He receives the sacrificial offering and is the supreme enjoyer of nature. He gives devotees the bliss of liberation and takes birth again and again to protect dharma. He is present since the beginning of creation, free from weariness, and ever patient towards the good. Needing no support Himself, He is the wonderful ground of all worlds.

Explanation

The Lord's patience and support give the mind confidence. Remembering His grace, we too can grow in patience.

Summary

The wonderful Lord is infinite and patient.

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Verse 125 — The Eternal Source of All Auspiciousness

Original verse (Devanagari)

सनात्सनातनतमः कपिलः कपिरव्ययः ।
स्वस्तिदः स्वस्तिकृत्स्वस्ति स्वस्तिभुक्स्वस्तिदक्षिणः ॥ ९६॥

Transliteration

sanātsanātanatamaḥ kapilaḥ kapiravyayaḥ svastidaḥ svastikṛtsvasti svastibhuksvastidakṣiṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sanāt — present even through the long flow of time; sanātanatamaḥ — the most ancient eternal truth; kapilaḥ — the divine radiance of knowledge in the Kapila form; kapiḥ — whose light is also in the tawny fire of the ocean; avyayaḥ — who, as the sun, takes up water and at dissolution gathers all within Himself; svastidaḥ — giver of auspiciousness to devotees; svastikṛt — doer of auspicious deeds; svasti — auspiciousness itself; svastibhuk — protector of the devotees' welfare; svastidakṣiṇaḥ — who expands it by grace.

Translation

Through the long flow of time the Lord alone is present, and He is the most ancient eternal truth. His light is in the divine radiance of knowledge in the Kapila form and in the tawny fire of the ocean. As the sun He takes up water, and at dissolution He gathers all within Himself. He gives auspiciousness to devotees, does auspicious deeds, is auspiciousness itself, protects the devotees' welfare, and expands it by grace.

Explanation

The Lord's auspiciousness shines in every good feeling of life. His remembrance inspires us too towards others' welfare.

Summary

The Lord is the eternal source of all auspiciousness.

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Verse 126 — The Cool Refuge Beyond Words

Original verse (Devanagari)

अरौद्रः कुण्डली चक्री विक्रम्यूर्जितशासनः ।
शब्दातिगः शब्दसहः शिशिरः शर्वरीकरः ॥ ९७॥

Transliteration

araudraḥ kuṇḍalī cakrī vikramyūrjitaśāsanaḥ śabdātigaḥ śabdasahaḥ śiśiraḥ śarvarīkaraḥ

Word-by-word meanings

araudraḥ — free from passion and anger, calm and gentle; kuṇḍalī — wearer of earrings, also manifest in the coiled form of Śeṣa; cakrī — bearer of the Sudarśana discus; vikramī — of great valour; ūrjitaśāsanaḥ — whose rule, declared in the Veda and Smṛti, is firm; śabdātigaḥ — beyond words; śabdasahaḥ — the supreme meaning of the Vedas; śiśiraḥ — the cool refuge for a grieving mind; śarvarīkaraḥ — for the ignorant the truth of the Self stays hidden like night; for the wise the delusion of the world vanishes likewise; the Lord is the ground of this order.

Translation

The Lord is free from passion and anger, calm and gentle. He wears earrings and is also manifest in the coiled form of Śeṣa. He bears the Sudarśana discus and is of great valour. His rule, declared in the Veda and Smṛti, is firm. He is beyond words, yet He is the supreme meaning of the Vedas. He is the cool refuge for a grieving mind. For the ignorant the truth of the Self stays hidden like night; for the wise the delusion of the world vanishes likewise. The Lord is the ground of this order.

Explanation

The Lord's full glory cannot be held in words. His cool remembrance deepens through experience and practice.

Summary

The Lord is the cool refuge beyond words.

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Verse 127 — The Lord of Forgiveness and Sweetness

Original verse (Devanagari)

अक्रूरः पेशलो दक्षो दक्षिणः क्षमिणांवरः ।
विद्वत्तमो वीतभयः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः ॥ ९८॥

Transliteration

akrūraḥ peśalo dakṣo dakṣiṇaḥ kṣamiṇāṁvaraḥ vidvattamo vītabhayaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

akrūraḥ — free from cruelty; peśalaḥ — beautiful and sweet in mind, speech, deed and form; dakṣaḥ — most able and skilled in every work; dakṣiṇaḥ — [source unclear — needs check]; kṣamiṇāṁ varaḥ — the best among those who keep forgiveness and patience; vidvattamaḥ — of the highest knowledge; vītabhayaḥ — Himself beyond fear; puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ — whose qualities, heard and sung, purify.

Translation

The Lord is free from cruelty. His mind, speech, deed and form hold beauty and sweetness. He is most able and skilled in every work. He is the best among those who keep forgiveness and patience. His knowledge is the highest, and He is Himself beyond fear. Hearing His qualities and singing them purifies.

Explanation

Remember the Lord's sweetness along with His forgiveness. His worship teaches us gentle speech and patience.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme ideal of forgiveness and sweetness.

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Verse 128 — The Saviour Across the Ocean of Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

उत्तारणो दुष्कृतिहा पुण्यो दुःस्वप्ननाशनः ।
वीरहा रक्षणः सन्तो जीवनः पर्यवस्थितः ॥ ९९॥

Transliteration

uttāraṇo duṣkṛtihā puṇyo duḥsvapnanāśanaḥ vīrahā rakṣaṇaḥ santo jīvanaḥ paryavasthitaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

uttāraṇaḥ — who carries us across the ocean of the world; duṣkṛtihā — destroyer of evil deeds and their faults; puṇyaḥ — who makes the one who remembers Him pure; duḥsvapnanāśanaḥ — destroyer of evil dreams; vīrahā — liberator of beings from the bondage of the world; rakṣaṇaḥ — protector of the three worlds; santaḥ — the inner Self of saints; jīvanaḥ — who gives life to all as the life-breath; paryavasthitaḥ — pervading the whole universe.

Translation

The Lord carries us across the ocean of the world, destroys evil deeds and their faults, and makes the one who remembers Him pure. He destroys evil dreams and frees beings from the bondage of the world. He protects the three worlds and is the inner Self of saints. As the life-breath He gives life to all and pervades the whole universe.

Explanation

The Lord's refuge turns us towards a good life. His remembrance gives protection and inspires us to improve our deeds.

Summary

The Lord is the giver of life and the saviour across the ocean of life.

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Verse 129 — The Just and Boundless Lord

Original verse (Devanagari)

अनन्तरूपोऽनन्तश्रीर्जितमन्युर्भयापहः ।
चतुरश्रो गभीरात्मा विदिशो व्यादिशो दिशः ॥ १००॥

Transliteration

anantarūpo'nantaśrīrjitamanyurbhayāpahaḥ caturaśro gabhīrātmā vidiśo vyādiśo diśaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

anantarūpaḥ — of infinite forms; anantaśrīḥ — of boundless glory; jitamanyuḥ — conqueror of anger; bhayāpahaḥ — remover of fear; caturaśraḥ — who does perfect justice, giving each the right fruit of their deeds; gabhīrātmā — of unfathomable Self; vidiśaḥ — who distributes different fruits according to merit and deeds; vyādiśaḥ — who directs the gods in their works; diśaḥ — who, by the order of the Veda, brings beings to the fruit of their deeds.

Translation

The Lord's forms are infinite, and His glory is boundless. He has conquered anger and removes fear. Giving each the right fruit of their deeds, He does perfect justice. His Self is unfathomable. He distributes different fruits according to merit and deeds, directs the gods in their works, and by the order of the Veda brings beings to the fruit of their deeds.

Explanation

Remember the Lord's grace along with His impartial justice. This feeling makes us responsible and restrained.

Summary

The boundless Lord is ever just.

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Verses 130–137

Verse 130 — The Auspicious Ground of the Earth

Original verse (Devanagari)

अनादिर्भूर्भुवो लक्ष्मीः सुवीरो रुचिराङ्गदः ।
जननो जनजन्मादिर्भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ॥ १०१॥

Transliteration

anādirbhūrbhuvo lakṣmīḥ suvīro rucirāṅgadaḥ janano janajanmādirbhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

anādiḥ — without beginning; bhūḥ — the ground even of the grounds that bear all, like the earth; bhuvaḥ — the ground of the grounds that bear all; lakṣmīḥ — giver of auspicious Śrī to the earth; suvīraḥ — of excellent valour; rucirāṅgadaḥ — whose beautiful armlets add to His splendour; jananaḥ — producer of all beings; janajanmādiḥ — the root cause of their birth; bhīmaḥ — whose terrible form is a cause of fear for the powers of unrighteousness; bhīmaparākramaḥ — of wonderful valour, a cause of fear for the powers of unrighteousness.

Translation

The Lord is without beginning, and is the ground even of the grounds that bear all, like the earth. He is the giver of auspicious Śrī to the earth. His valour is excellent, and beautiful armlets add to His splendour. He produces all beings and is the root cause of their birth. His terrible form and wonderful valour are a cause of fear for the powers of unrighteousness.

Explanation

In the Lord's glory, creation and protection go together. His power stands on the side of dharma.

Summary

The Lord is the supreme ground of birth and the earth.

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Verse 131 — Creation Blooming Like a Flower

Original verse (Devanagari)

आधारनिलयोऽधाता पुष्पहासः प्रजागरः ।
ऊर्ध्वगः सत्पथाचारः प्राणदः प्रणवः पणः ॥ १०२॥

Transliteration

ādhāranilayo'dhātā puṣpahāsaḥ prajāgaraḥ ūrdhvagaḥ satpathācāraḥ prāṇadaḥ praṇavaḥ paṇaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ādhāranilayaḥ — on whom even the grounds like the five great elements rest; adhātā — needing no outer support; puṣpahāsaḥ — whose creation blooms as a bud smiles into a flower; prajāgaraḥ — ever awake as pure consciousness; ūrdhvagaḥ — the highest; satpathācāraḥ — follower of the good path; prāṇadaḥ — giver of life; praṇavaḥ — the form of Oṁ; paṇaḥ — the order that gives rightful fruit according to deeds is also His.

Translation

Even the grounds like the five great elements rest on the Lord, yet He needs no outer support. His creation blooms as a bud smiles into a flower. He is ever awake as pure consciousness and is the highest. He follows the good path, gives life, and is the form of Oṁ. The order that gives rightful fruit according to deeds is also His.

Explanation

See the Lord's beautiful creative power in the blooming of nature. His remembrance keeps us awake on the good path.

Summary

On the Lord's ground, creation blooms like a flower.

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Verse 132 — The Imperishable Truth of Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

प्रमाणं प्राणनिलयः प्राणभृत्प्राणजीवनः ।
तत्त्वं तत्त्वविदेकात्मा जन्ममृत्युजरातिगः ॥ १०३॥

Transliteration

pramāṇaṁ prāṇanilayaḥ prāṇabhṛtprāṇajīvanaḥ tattvaṁ tattvavidekātmā janmamṛtyujarātigaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

pramāṇam — pure consciousness itself as proof; prāṇanilayaḥ — in whom all breaths find refuge and at last merge; prāṇabhṛt — who, as food, nourishes the breaths; prāṇajīvanaḥ — who keeps beings alive through the breaths such as prāṇa and apāna; tattvam — the supreme reality; tattvavit — knower of His own truth; ekātmā — the one Self of all; janmamṛtyujarātigaḥ — beyond birth, death, old age and the other changes of the body.

Translation

The Lord is pure consciousness itself as proof. All breaths find refuge in Him and at last merge in Him. As food He nourishes the breaths, and through the breaths such as prāṇa and apāna He keeps beings alive. He is the supreme reality, the knower of His own truth, and the one Self of all. He is beyond birth, death, old age and the other changes of the body.

Explanation

The ground of the changing body is the imperishable supreme truth. Its remembrance awakens deep awareness towards life.

Summary

The Lord is the imperishable supreme truth of life.

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Verse 133 — Every Limb of Sacrifice

Original verse (Devanagari)

भूर्भुवःस्वस्तरुस्तारः सविता प्रपितामहः ।
यज्ञो यज्ञपतिर्यज्वा यज्ञाङ्गो यज्ञवाहनः ॥ १०४॥

Transliteration

bhūrbhuvaḥsvastarustāraḥ savitā prapitāmahaḥ yajño yajñapatiryajvā yajñāṅgo yajñavāhanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

bhūrbhuvaḥsvastaruḥ — the divine tree from which the Vedic speech of bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ and svaḥ arises; tāraḥ — who carries beings across the world; savitā — producer of all worlds; prapitāmahaḥ — father even of Brahmā; yajñaḥ — sacrifice itself; yajñapatiḥ — Lord of sacrifice; yajvā — performer of sacrifice; yajñāṅgaḥ — whose limbs, in the boar form, are held to be the limbs of sacrifice; yajñavāhanaḥ — bearer and advancer of all sacrifices.

Translation

The Lord is the divine tree from which the Vedic speech of bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ and svaḥ arises. He carries beings across the world, produces all worlds, and is the father even of Brahmā. He is sacrifice itself, the Lord of sacrifice, and the performer of sacrifice. In the boar form His limbs are held to be the limbs of sacrifice; He bears and advances all sacrifices.

Explanation

In every holy limb of offering the Lord is the ground. Give the same spirit of offering to your own good deeds.

Summary

The Lord is the ground of every limb of sacrifice.

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Verse 134 — The Root of Food and Offering

Original verse (Devanagari)

यज्ञभृद् यज्ञकृद् यज्ञी यज्ञभुग् यज्ञसाधनः ।
यज्ञान्तकृद् यज्ञगुह्यमन्नमन्नाद एव च ॥ १०५॥

Transliteration

yajñabhṛd yajñakṛd yajñī yajñabhug yajñasādhanaḥ yajñāntakṛd yajñaguhyamannamannāda eva ca

Word-by-word meanings

yajñabhṛt — bearer of sacrifice; yajñakṛt — performer of sacrifice; yajñī — chief Lord of sacrifice; yajñabhuk — enjoyer and protector of its fruit; yajñasādhanaḥ — the means of its fulfilment; yajñāntakṛt — from whom the completion and fruit of sacrifice are received; yajñaguhyam — the deep secret of it, the sacrifice of knowledge; annam — the food that nourishes beings; annādaḥ — the indweller of the one who eats it; at dissolution the whole world merges in Him.

Translation

The Lord bears sacrifice, performs sacrifice, and is its chief Lord. He is the enjoyer and protector of its fruit and the means of its fulfilment. The completion and fruit of sacrifice are received from Him. The sacrifice of knowledge is its deep secret. He is the food that nourishes beings and the indweller of the one who eats it; at dissolution the whole world merges in Him.

Explanation

Gratitude for food and life is also worship. The Lord's remembrance brings purity to receiving and offering.

Summary

The Lord is the root of both food and offering.

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Verse 135 — Devakī's Son, Destroyer of Sins

Original verse (Devanagari)

आत्मयोनिः स्वयञ्जातो वैखानः सामगायनः ।
देवकीनन्दनः स्रष्टा क्षितीशः पापनाशनः ॥ १०६॥

Transliteration

ātmayoniḥ svayañjāto vaikhānaḥ sāmagāyanaḥ devakīnandanaḥ sraṣṭā kṣitīśaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ātmayoniḥ — the root cause of creation in Himself; svayañjātaḥ — born of no other; vaikhānaḥ — who, in the boar form, lifted the earth up; sāmagāyanaḥ — singer of the Sāma and sung in the Sāmaveda; devakīnandanaḥ — Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who gives joy to Devakī; sraṣṭā — creator of all worlds; kṣitīśaḥ — Lord of the earth in the form of Śrī Rāma; pāpanāśanaḥ — whose meditation, remembrance, worship and praise destroy sins.

Translation

The Lord is the root cause of creation in Himself and is born of no other. In the boar form He lifted the earth up, and He sings the Sāma and is sung in the Sāmaveda. He is Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who gives joy to Devakī, the creator of all worlds, and the Lord of the earth in the form of Śrī Rāma. Meditation, remembrance, worship and praise of Him destroy sins.

Explanation

The Lord's incarnations reveal one divine compassion. His remembrance turns the mind towards a pure life.

Summary

Devakīnandana the Lord destroys sins.

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Verse 136 — The Divine Protector Bearing All Weapons

Original verse (Devanagari)

शङ्खभृन्नन्दकी चक्री शार्ङ्गधन्वा गदाधरः ।
रथाङ्गपाणिरक्षोभ्यः सर्वप्रहरणायुधः ॥ १०७॥
सर्वप्रहरणायुध ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

śaṅkhabhṛnnandakī cakrī śārṅgadhanvā gadādharaḥ rathāṅgapāṇirakṣobhyaḥ sarvapraharaṇāyudhaḥ sarvapraharaṇāyudha oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

śaṅkhabhṛt — bearer of the Pāñcajanya conch; nandakī — bearer of the Nandaka sword; cakrī — bearer of the Sudarśana discus; śārṅgadhanvā — bearer of the Śārṅga bow; gadādharaḥ — bearer of the Kaumodakī mace; rathāṅgapāṇiḥ — who took the chariot wheel in His hand; akṣobhyaḥ — unshaken by any power; sarvapraharaṇāyudhaḥ — for whose protection every thing can become a weapon; His power is boundless; salutations to the Lord who bears all weapons.

Translation

The Lord bears the Pāñcajanya conch, the Nandaka sword and the Sudarśana discus. He holds the Śārṅga bow and the Kaumodakī mace. He took the chariot wheel in His hand and is unshaken by any power. For His protection every thing can become a weapon; His power is boundless. Salutations to the Lord who bears all weapons.

Explanation

The Lord's protective power is not limited to one means. His refuge gives us the confidence to stand firm in dharma.

Summary

The Lord of boundless power is our protector.

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Verse 137 — A Prayer to Nārāyaṇa for Protection

Original verse (Devanagari)

वनमाली गदी शार्ङ्गी शङ्खी चक्री च नन्दकी ।
श्रीमान् नारायणो विष्णुर्वासुदेवोऽभिरक्षतु ॥ १०८॥
श्रीवासुदेवोऽभिरक्षतु ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

vanamālī gadī śārṅgī śaṅkhī cakrī ca nandakī śrīmān nārāyaṇo viṣṇurvāsudevo'bhirakṣatu śrīvāsudevo'bhirakṣatu oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

vanamālī — adorned with the forest garland; gadī — bearer of the mace; śārṅgī — bearer of the Śārṅga bow; śaṅkhī — bearer of the conch; cakrī — bearer of the discus; nandakī — bearer of the Nandaka sword; śrīmān — the glorious; nārāyaṇaḥ — Nārāyaṇa; viṣṇuḥ — Viṣṇu; vāsudevaḥ — may Vāsudeva protect us.

Translation

May the glorious Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu, Vāsudeva — adorned with the forest garland, bearing the mace and the Śārṅga bow, holding the conch, the discus and the Nandaka sword — protect us. May Śrī Vāsudeva protect us; salutations to Him.

Explanation

All the remembrance of names now rests in a loving prayer for protection. Surrender your mind at the Lord's feet.

Summary

May Śrī Vāsudeva protect us.

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Phalaśruti and Closing Prayers (Verses 138–170)

Verses 138–147

Verse 138 — The Thousand Divine Names, Fully Sung

Original verse (Devanagari)

भीष्म उवाच

इतीदं कीर्तनीयस्य केशवस्य महात्मनः ।
नाम्नां सहस्रं दिव्यानामशेषेण प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ १॥

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvācaitīdaṁ kīrtanīyasya keśavasya mahātmanaḥ nāmnāṁ sahasraṁ divyānāmaśeṣeṇa prakīrtitam

Word-by-word meanings

bhīṣma uvāca — Bhīṣma said; kīrtanīyasya — worthy of praise; keśavasya — of Keśava; mahātmanaḥ — of the great-souled Lord; nāmnāṁ sahasram — the thousand names; divyānām — divine; aśeṣeṇa — completely; prakīrtitam — sung in full.

Translation

Bhīṣma said: in this way the thousand divine names of Keśava, the great-souled Lord worthy of praise, have been sung in full.

Explanation

Every name has led us towards some quality of the Lord. Now is the time to hold that remembrance in the heart.

Summary

This is the complete praise of the Lord's divine names.

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Verse 139 — The Blessing of Hearing and Singing

Original verse (Devanagari)

य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं यश्चापि परिकीर्तयेत् ।
नाशुभं प्राप्नुयात्किञ्चित्सोऽमुत्रेह च मानवः ॥ २॥

Transliteration

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ yaścāpi parikīrtayet nāśubhaṁ prāpnuyātkiñcitso'mutreha ca mānavaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

yaḥ — the person who; idam — this hymn; śṛṇuyāt — hears; nityam — daily; parikīrtayet — sings; na aśubham prāpnuyāt — meets with no evil; amutra iha ca — here and in the world beyond.

Translation

The person who hears this hymn daily, or sings it, meets with no evil here or in the world beyond, so this phalaśruti says.

Explanation

Hearing and singing the Lord's names gives the mind a good direction. Make this remembrance part of life, with faith.

Summary

Daily remembrance of the names leads towards blessing.

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Verse 140 — Progress in One's Own Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

वेदान्तगो ब्राह्मणः स्यात्क्षत्रियो विजयी भवेत् ।
वैश्यो धनसमृद्धः स्याच्छूद्रः सुखमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ३॥

Transliteration

vedāntago brāhmaṇaḥ syātkṣatriyo vijayī bhavet vaiśyo dhanasamṛddhaḥ syācchūdraḥ sukhamavāpnuyāt

Word-by-word meanings

vedāntagaḥ — knower of Vedānta; brāhmaṇaḥ — the brāhmaṇa; kṣatriyaḥ — the kṣatriya; vijayī — victorious; vaiśyaḥ — the vaiśya; dhanasamṛddhaḥ — prosperous in wealth; śūdraḥ — the śūdra; sukham — happiness.

Translation

As the fruit of this recitation it is said: may the brāhmaṇa become a knower of Vedānta, the kṣatriya gain victory, the vaiśya attain prosperity in wealth, and the śūdra find happiness.

Explanation

This verse speaks of the welfare of people with different duties. Join devotion with your good deeds and good conduct.

Summary

Devotion calls for the welfare of all.

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Verse 141 — The Fruit of Good Desires

Original verse (Devanagari)

धर्मार्थी प्राप्नुयाद्धर्ममर्थार्थी चार्थमाप्नुयात् ।
कामानवाप्नुयात्कामी प्रजार्थी प्राप्नुयात्प्रजाम् ॥ ४॥

Transliteration

dharmārthī prāpnuyāddharmamarthārthī cārthamāpnuyāt kāmānavāpnuyātkāmī prajārthī prāpnuyātprajām

Word-by-word meanings

dharmārthī — one who seeks dharma; prāpnuyāt — may attain; dharmam — dharma; arthārthī — one who seeks wealth; artham — wealth; kāmān — one's wishes; kāmī — one with rightful desires; prajārthī — one who seeks children; prajām — children.

Translation

One who seeks dharma may attain dharma, one who seeks wealth may attain wealth, one with rightful desires may attain their wishes, and one who seeks children may attain children, so this phalaśruti says.

Explanation

Place your wishes before the Lord with a simple heart. Give them also the direction of dharma and discernment.

Summary

Offer your good wishes to the Lord.

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Verse 142 — The Practice of One-Pointed Devotion

Original verse (Devanagari)

भक्तिमान् यः सदोत्थाय शुचिस्तद्गतमानसः ।
सहस्रं वासुदेवस्य नाम्नामेतत्प्रकीर्तयेत् ॥ ५॥

Transliteration

bhaktimān yaḥ sadotthāya śucistadgatamānasaḥ sahasraṁ vāsudevasya nāmnāmetatprakīrtayet

Word-by-word meanings

bhaktimān — the devotee; sadotthāya — rising daily; śuciḥ — pure; tadgatamānasaḥ — with the mind fixed on Vāsudeva; sahasram — the thousand; vāsudevasya nāmnām — of the names of Vāsudeva; prakīrtayet — sings.

Translation

The devotee who rises daily, becomes pure, and with the mind fixed on Vāsudeva sings these thousand names of His — for such a one the blessed fruits described ahead are told.

Explanation

Recitation needs purity of the mind along with outer purity. Sing the names with love and regularity.

Summary

Take the names with a pure and one-pointed mind.

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Verse 143 — Fame and Supreme Well-Being

Original verse (Devanagari)

यशः प्राप्नोति विपुलं ज्ञातिप्राधान्यमेव च ।
अचलां श्रियमाप्नोति श्रेयः प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम् ॥ ६॥

Transliteration

yaśaḥ prāpnoti vipulaṁ jñātiprādhānyameva ca acalāṁ śriyamāpnoti śreyaḥ prāpnotyanuttamam

Word-by-word meanings

yaśaḥ — fame; prāpnoti — attains; vipulam — wide; jñātiprādhānyam — honour and chief place among family and kin; acalāṁ śriyam — steady Śrī; śreyaḥ — supreme well-being; anuttamam — unsurpassed.

Translation

Such a devotee attains wide fame, honour and chief place among family and kin. He receives steady Śrī and unsurpassed supreme well-being, so the phalaśruti says.

Explanation

The feeling of Śrī is also joined to the blessing and virtues of life. In worship of the Lord, wish for the highest well-being.

Summary

Pray to the Lord for lasting well-being.

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Verse 144 — Fearlessness and a Radiant Life

Original verse (Devanagari)

न भयं क्वचिदाप्नोति वीर्यं तेजश्च विन्दति ।
भवत्यरोगो द्युतिमान्बलरूपगुणान्वितः ॥ ७॥

Transliteration

na bhayaṁ kvacidāpnoti vīryaṁ tejaśca vindati bhavatyarogo dyutimānbalarūpaguṇānvitaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

na bhayam kvacit āpnoti — meets with fear nowhere; vīryam — valour; tejaḥ — radiance; vindati — attains; arogaḥ — health; dyutimān — radiant; balarūpaguṇānvitaḥ — endowed with strength, beauty and fine qualities.

Translation

For such a devotee the phalaśruti says: he meets with fear nowhere and attains valour and radiance. He is endowed with health, lustre, strength, beauty and fine qualities.

Explanation

In these words is a holy wish for the devotee's blessing. Through the Lord's remembrance, gather patience and good qualities.

Summary

Ask the Lord for a fearless and virtuous life.

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Verse 145 — Freedom in Times of Trouble

Original verse (Devanagari)

रोगार्तो मुच्यते रोगाद्बद्धो मुच्येत बन्धनात् ।
भयान्मुच्येत भीतस्तु मुच्येतापन्न आपदः ॥ ८॥

Transliteration

rogārto mucyate rogādbaddho mucyeta bandhanāt bhayānmucyeta bhītastu mucyetāpanna āpadaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

rogārtaḥ — one afflicted by disease; mucyate — is freed; rogāt — from disease; baddhaḥ — the bound one; bandhanāt — from bondage; bhītaḥ — the frightened one; bhayāt — from fear; āpannaḥ — one fallen into calamity; āpadaḥ — from calamity.

Translation

One afflicted by disease is freed from disease, the bound one from bondage, the frightened one from fear, and one fallen into calamity from calamity — such is the fruit of name-remembrance told in this verse.

Explanation

In hard times the devotee takes the Lord as his support. This prayer gathers hope and patience amid sorrow.

Summary

Remember the Lord's support in trouble.

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Verse 146 — Across Difficulties

Original verse (Devanagari)

दुर्गाण्यतितरत्याशु पुरुषः पुरुषोत्तमम् ।
स्तुवन्नामसहस्रेण नित्यं भक्तिसमन्वितः ॥ ९॥

Transliteration

durgāṇyatitaratyāśu puruṣaḥ puruṣottamam stuvannāmasahasreṇa nityaṁ bhaktisamanvitaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

durgāṇi — difficulties; atitarati — crosses over; āśu — quickly; puruṣaḥ — a person; puruṣottamam — the Supreme Person; stuvan — praising; nāmasahasreṇa — with the thousand names; nityam — daily; bhaktisamanvitaḥ — filled with devotion.

Translation

The person who, filled with devotion, praises the Supreme Person daily with these thousand names crosses difficulties quickly, so the phalaśruti says.

Explanation

Devotion holds the mind in hard times. Taking the Lord's refuge, move ahead with patience.

Summary

Devotion is the support for crossing difficulties.

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Verse 147 — Towards the Eternal Truth

Original verse (Devanagari)

वासुदेवाश्रयो मर्त्यो वासुदेवपरायणः ।
सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा याति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥ १०॥

Transliteration

vāsudevāśrayo martyo vāsudevaparāyaṇaḥ sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā yāti brahma sanātanam

Word-by-word meanings

vāsudevāśrayaḥ — one who takes refuge in Vāsudeva; martyaḥ — a mortal; vāsudevaparāyaṇaḥ — one who takes Vāsudeva as the supreme goal; sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā — fully purified of sins; yāti — attains; brahma sanātanam — the eternal Brahman.

Translation

The mortal who takes refuge in Vāsudeva and takes Him as the supreme goal, fully purified of sins, attains the eternal Brahman.

Explanation

True refuge changes the direction of life. Make the Lord your goal and purify mind and deeds.

Summary

Refuge in Vāsudeva leads to the eternal truth.

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Verses 148–157

Verse 148 — Beyond the Fear of Birth and Death

Original verse (Devanagari)

न वासुदेवभक्तानामशुभं विद्यते क्वचित् ।
जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिभयं नैवोपजायते ॥ ११॥

Transliteration

na vāsudevabhaktānāmaśubhaṁ vidyate kvacit janmamṛtyujarāvyādhibhayaṁ naivopajāyate

Word-by-word meanings

na vāsudevabhaktānām — for the devotees of Vāsudeva; aśubham — any evil; vidyate kvacit — exists anywhere; janmamṛtyujarāvyādhibhayam — fear of birth, death, old age and disease; na eva upajāyate — never arises.

Translation

For the devotees of Vāsudeva no evil exists anywhere, and the fear of birth, death, old age and disease never arises — such is the devotional glory told in this verse.

Explanation

Devotion gives a feeling of fearlessness amid the unavoidable limits of life. Steady the mind in the Lord's refuge.

Summary

The Lord's refuge awakens fearlessness within.

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Verse 149 — The Beautiful Qualities Within

Original verse (Devanagari)

इमं स्तवमधीयानः श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्वितः ।
युज्येतात्मसुखक्षान्तिश्रीधृतिस्मृतिकीर्तिभिः ॥ १२॥

Transliteration

imaṁ stavamadhīyānaḥ śraddhābhaktisamanvitaḥ yujyetātmasukhakṣāntiśrīdhṛtismṛtikīrtibhiḥ

Word-by-word meanings

imam stavam — this hymn; adhīyānaḥ — one who studies and recites; śraddhābhaktisamanvitaḥ — filled with faith and devotion; yujyeta — is endowed with; ātmasukha — inner joy; kṣānti — forgiveness; śrī — Śrī; dhṛti — patience; smṛti — memory; kīrti — fame.

Translation

One who studies and recites this hymn with faith and devotion is endowed with inner joy, forgiveness, Śrī, patience, memory and fame.

Explanation

The beauty of devotion shows in the qualities within. Along with recitation, bring forgiveness and patience into life.

Summary

Devotion adorns the beautiful qualities within.

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Verse 150 — Far from Anger, Envy and Greed

Original verse (Devanagari)

न क्रोधो न च मात्सर्यं न लोभो नाशुभा मतिः ।
भवन्ति कृतपुण्यानां भक्तानां पुरुषोत्तमे ॥ १३॥

Transliteration

na krodho na ca mātsaryaṁ na lobho nāśubhā matiḥ bhavanti kṛtapuṇyānāṁ bhaktānāṁ puruṣottame

Word-by-word meanings

na krodhaḥ — no anger; na mātsaryam — no envy; na lobhaḥ — no greed; na aśubhā matiḥ — no evil thought; kṛtapuṇyānām — of those who do meritorious deeds; bhaktānām puruṣottame — of the devotees of the Supreme Person.

Translation

In those who do meritorious deeds and hold devotion to the Supreme Person, there is no anger, no envy, no greed and no evil thought.

Explanation

The Lord's remembrance should also purify our conduct. When anger and envy lessen, devotion enters life.

Summary

Devotion is the practice of purifying the mind.

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Verse 151 — The Power that Holds the World

Original verse (Devanagari)

द्यौः सचन्द्रार्कनक्षत्रा खं दिशो भूर्महोदधिः ।
वासुदेवस्य वीर्येण विधृतानि महात्मनः ॥ १४॥

Transliteration

dyauḥ sacandrārkanakṣatrā khaṁ diśo bhūrmahodadhiḥ vāsudevasya vīryeṇa vidhṛtāni mahātmanaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

dyauḥ — heaven; sacandrārkanakṣatrā — with moon, sun and stars; kham — the sky; diśaḥ — the directions; bhūḥ — the earth; mahodadhiḥ — the great ocean; vāsudevasya vīryeṇa — by the power of Vāsudeva, the great-souled Lord; vidhṛtāni — held up.

Translation

Heaven with moon, sun and stars, the sky, the directions, the earth and the great ocean — all are held up by the power of Vāsudeva, the great-souled Lord.

Explanation

The vast order of the world reminds us of the Lord's ground. This feeling awakens respect for nature.

Summary

The whole world rests on Vāsudeva's power.

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Verse 152 — Lord of the Moving and the Unmoving World

Original verse (Devanagari)

ससुरासुरगन्धर्वं सयक्षोरगराक्षसम् ।
जगद्वशे वर्ततेदं कृष्णस्य सचराचरम् ॥ १५॥

Transliteration

sasurāsuragandharvaṁ sayakṣoragarākṣasam jagadvaśe vartatedaṁ kṛṣṇasya sacarācaram

Word-by-word meanings

sasurāsuragandharvam — with gods, demons and gandharvas; sayakṣoragarākṣasam — with yakṣas, nāgas and rākṣasas; jagat — the world; vaśe vartate — stands under the sway; kṛṣṇasya — of Śrī Kṛṣṇa; sacarācaram — the whole moving and unmoving.

Translation

This whole moving and unmoving world — with gods, demons, gandharvas, yakṣas, nāgas and rākṣasas — stands under the sway of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Explanation

Behind the variety of the world is one supreme ground. Its remembrance gives us a broad and humble view.

Summary

The moving and unmoving world is under Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

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Verse 153 — The Same Ground Within and Without

Original verse (Devanagari)

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिः सत्त्वं तेजो बलं धृतिः ।
वासुदेवात्मकान्याहुः क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञ एव च ॥ १६॥

Transliteration

indriyāṇi mano buddhiḥ sattvaṁ tejo balaṁ dhṛtiḥ vāsudevātmakānyāhuḥ kṣetraṁ kṣetrajña eva ca

Word-by-word meanings

indriyāṇi — the senses; manaḥ — the mind; buddhiḥ — the intellect; sattvam — the inner being; tejaḥ — radiance; balam — strength; dhṛtiḥ — patience; vāsudevātmakāni — whose inner Self is said to be Vāsudeva; kṣetram — the body; kṣetrajñaḥ — the consciousness that knows it; He is the root ground of both.

Translation

The senses, mind, intellect, inner being, radiance, strength and patience — their inner Self is said to be Vāsudeva. He is also the root ground of the body and the consciousness that knows it.

Explanation

The Lord's ground is not only in the outer world. Our understanding and life-force are also joined to Him.

Summary

Vāsudeva is the ground of all, within and without.

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Verse 154 — Good Conduct, the Root of Dharma

Original verse (Devanagari)

सर्वागमानामाचारः प्रथमं परिकल्प्यते ।
आचारप्रभवो धर्मो धर्मस्य प्रभुरच्युतः ॥ १७॥

Transliteration

sarvāgamānāmācāraḥ prathamaṁ parikalpyate ācāraprabhavo dharmo dharmasya prabhuracyutaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

sarvāgamānām — of all scriptural traditions; ācāraḥ — good conduct; prathamam parikalpyate — given the first place; ācāraprabhavaḥ — born of good conduct; dharmaḥ — dharma; dharmasya prabhuḥ — the Lord of dharma; acyutaḥ — Acyuta, the infallible Lord.

Translation

In all scriptural traditions good conduct is given the first place. Dharma is born of good conduct, and the Lord of dharma is Acyuta, the infallible Lord.

Explanation

The truth of devotion shows in conduct. Give your recitation life through honesty and good conduct.

Summary

Good conduct is the first ground of dharma.

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Verse 155 — Life Born of Nārāyaṇa

Original verse (Devanagari)

ऋषयः पितरो देवा महाभूतानि धातवः ।
जङ्गमाजङ्गमं चेदं जगन्नारायणोद्भवम् ॥ १८॥

Transliteration

ṛṣayaḥ pitaro devā mahābhūtāni dhātavaḥ jaṅgamājaṅgamaṁ cedaṁ jagannārāyaṇodbhavam

Word-by-word meanings

ṛṣayaḥ — the sages; pitaraḥ — the ancestors; devāḥ — the gods; mahābhūtāni — the five great elements; dhātavaḥ — the elements of the body; jaṅgamājaṅgamam — the moving and the unmoving; jagat — the world; nārāyaṇodbhavam — born of Nārāyaṇa.

Translation

The sages, the ancestors, the gods, the five great elements, the elements of the body, and this whole moving and unmoving world are born of Nārāyaṇa.

Explanation

The many forms of life have one root. Remembering it, keep respect and gratitude for all.

Summary

Nārāyaṇa is the source of all creation.

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Verse 156 — The Root of Knowledge and the Arts

Original verse (Devanagari)

योगो ज्ञानं तथा साङ्ख्यं विद्याः शिल्पादिकर्म च ।
वेदाः शास्त्राणि विज्ञानमेतत्सर्वं जनार्दनात् ॥ १९॥

Transliteration

yogo jñānaṁ tathā sāṅkhyaṁ vidyāḥ śilpādikarma ca vedāḥ śāstrāṇi vijñānametatsarvaṁ janārdanāt

Word-by-word meanings

yogaḥ — yoga; jñānam — self-knowledge; sāṅkhyam — the Sāṅkhya teaching; vidyāḥ — the various learnings; śilpādikarma — crafts and other skills; vedāḥ — the Vedas; śāstrāṇi — the scriptures; vijñānam — knowledge gained from experience; etat sarvam — all this; janārdanāt — arises from Janārdana.

Translation

Yoga, self-knowledge, the Sāṅkhya teaching, the various learnings, crafts and other skills, the Vedas, the scriptures and knowledge gained from experience — all this arises from Janārdana.

Explanation

Knowledge and creative skill are also the Lord's glory. Learning them and using them for good can become a feeling of worship.

Summary

Janārdana is the root of all knowledge and skill.

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Verse 157 — One Lord in Many Lives

Original verse (Devanagari)

एको विष्णुर्महद्भूतं पृथग्भूतान्यनेकशः ।
त्रींल्लोकान्व्याप्य भूतात्मा भुङ्क्ते विश्वभुगव्ययः ॥ २०॥

Transliteration

eko viṣṇurmahadbhūtaṁ pṛthagbhūtānyanekaśaḥ trīṁllokānvyāpya bhūtātmā bhuṅkte viśvabhugavyayaḥ

Word-by-word meanings

ekaḥ — the one; viṣṇuḥ — the great Lord Viṣṇu; mahadbhūtam — the great Being; pṛthagbhūtāni — the many distinct beings; anekaśaḥ — in many ways; trīn lokān — the three worlds; vyāpya — pervading; bhūtātmā — as the inner Self of all beings; bhuṅkte — experiences and sustains the world; viśvabhuk — the enjoyer and sustainer of the world; avyayaḥ — Himself imperishable.

Translation

The one great Lord Viṣṇu appears in many distinct beings. Pervading the three worlds, as the inner Self of all He experiences and sustains the world, yet remains Himself imperishable.

Explanation

Within outer differences is one divine ground. This understanding grows affection in our conduct.

Summary

In many beings there is the same one Viṣṇu.

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Verses 158–167

Verse 158 — The Wish for Well-Being

Original verse (Devanagari)

इमं स्तवं भगवतो विष्णोर्व्यासेन कीर्तितम् ।
पठेद्य इच्छेत्पुरुषः श्रेयः प्राप्तुं सुखानि च ॥ २१॥

Transliteration

imaṁ stavaṁ bhagavato viṣṇorvyāsena kīrtitam paṭhedya icchetpuruṣaḥ śreyaḥ prāptuṁ sukhāni ca

Word-by-word meanings

imam stavam — this hymn; bhagavataḥ viṣṇoḥ — of the Lord Viṣṇu; vyāsena kīrtitam — sung by Vyāsa; paṭhet — should recite; yaḥ icchet — one who wishes; puruṣaḥ — a person; śreyaḥ — supreme well-being; prāptum — to attain; sukhāni ca — and happiness.

Translation

One who wishes to attain supreme well-being and happiness should recite this hymn of the Lord Viṣṇu, sung by Vyāsa.

Explanation

Do not make recitation a hurried act to finish. Remember the Lord with faith, understanding the meaning.

Summary

Recite with faith, wishing for well-being.

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Verse 159 — Worship of the Imperishable Lord

Original verse (Devanagari)

विश्वेश्वरमजं देवं जगतः प्रभुमव्ययम् ।
भजन्ति ये पुष्कराक्षं न ते यान्ति पराभवम् ॥ २२॥
न तेयान्ति पराभवम् ।
ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

viśveśvaramajaṁ devaṁ jagataḥ prabhumavyayam bhajanti ye puṣkarākṣaṁ na te yānti parābhavam na teyānti parābhavam oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

viśveśvaram — Lord of the universe; ajam — the unborn; devam — the divine; jagataḥ prabhum — Lord of the world; avyayam — the imperishable; puṣkarākṣam — the lotus-eyed Lord; bhajanti ye — those who worship; na te yānti parābhavam — they do not meet defeat; oṁ nama iti — salutations to Him.

Translation

Those who worship the lotus-eyed Lord — Lord of the universe, the unborn, the divine, Lord of the world, the imperishable — do not meet defeat. They do not meet defeat; salutations to Him.

Explanation

This speech awakens unshaken trust in the Lord's refuge. The devotee's mind at last rests in that imperishable truth.

Summary

Trust in the refuge of the lotus-eyed Lord.

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Verse 160 — Arjuna's Loving Call

Original verse (Devanagari)

अर्जुन उवाच

पद्मपत्रविशालाक्ष पद्मनाभ सुरोत्तम ।
भक्तानामनुरक्तानां त्राता भव जनार्दन ॥ २३॥

Transliteration

arjuna uvācapadmapatraviśālākṣa padmanābha surottama bhaktānāmanuraktānāṁ trātā bhava janārdana

Word-by-word meanings

arjuna uvāca — Arjuna said; padmapatraviśālākṣa — O You of eyes wide as lotus petals; padmanābha — O Padmanābha; surottama — O best among the gods; bhaktānām anuraktānām — of the devotees attached in love; trātā bhava — become the protector; janārdana — O Janārdana.

Translation

Arjuna prayed: O Padmanābha of eyes wide as lotus petals, O Janārdana, best among the gods, become the protector of Your devotees who are attached to You in love.

Explanation

In the devotee's call there is no claim, only belonging. With that same simple feeling, place your mind before the Lord.

Summary

O Janārdana, protect Your devotees.

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Verse 161 — The Glory of a Heartfelt Hymn

Original verse (Devanagari)

श्रीभगवान् उवाच

यो मां नामसहस्रेण स्तोतुमिच्छति पाण्डव ।
सोऽहमेकेन श्लोकेन स्तुत एव न संशयः ॥ २४॥
स्तुत एव न संशयः ।
ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

śrībhagavānuvācayo māṁ nāmasahasreṇa stotumicchati pāṇḍava so'hamekena ślokena stuta eva na saṁśayaḥ stuta eva na saṁśayaḥ oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

śrībhagavān uvāca — the Lord said; yaḥ — one who; mām — Me; nāmasahasreṇa — with a thousand names; stotum icchati — wishes to praise; pāṇḍava — O Arjuna; saḥ aham — by him I am; ekena ślokena — by a single verse; stuta eva — praised indeed; na saṁśayaḥ — there is no doubt; oṁ nama iti — salutations to the Lord at the end of the hymn.

Translation

The Lord said: O Arjuna, one who wishes to praise Me with a thousand names — by him I am praised indeed even by a single verse. There is no doubt in this. Salutations to the Lord at the end of the hymn.

Explanation

In this speech is the glory of a heartfelt hymn. Keep true longing of the heart in joining with the Lord.

Summary

A loving hymn reaches the Lord.

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Verse 162 — Vyāsa's Salutation to Vāsudeva

Original verse (Devanagari)

व्यास उवाच

वासनाद्वासुदेवस्य वासितं भुवनत्रयम् ।
सर्वभूतनिवासोऽसि वासुदेव नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ २५॥
श्रीवासुदेव नमोऽस्तु ते ।
ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

vyāsa uvācavāsanādvāsudevasya vāsitaṁ bhuvanatrayam sarvabhūtanivāso'si vāsudeva namo'stu te śrīvāsudeva namo'stu te oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

vyāsa uvāca — Vyāsa said; vāsanāt — by the dwelling; vāsudevasya — of Vāsudeva; vāsitam — pervaded; bhuvanatrayam — the three worlds; sarvabhūtanivāsaḥ asi — You are the abode of all beings; vāsudeva namaḥ astu te — salutations to You, O Vāsudeva; śrīvāsudeva namaḥ astu te — salutations again and again to Śrī Vāsudeva.

Translation

Vyāsa said: by Vāsudeva dwelling everywhere, the three worlds are pervaded by Him. O Vāsudeva, You are the abode of all beings; salutations to You. Salutations again and again to Śrī Vāsudeva.

Explanation

The Lord dwells in all and is the refuge of all. Saluting Him is honouring this all-pervading presence.

Summary

Vāsudeva is the supreme abode of all beings.

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Verse 163 — Pārvatī's Simple Question

Original verse (Devanagari)

पार्वती उवाच

केनोपायेन लघुना विष्णोर्नामसहस्रकम् ।
पठ्यते पण्डितैर्नित्यं श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं प्रभो ॥ २६॥

Transliteration

pārvatyuvācakenopāyena laghunā viṣṇornāmasahasrakam paṭhyate paṇḍitairnityaṁ śrotumicchāmyahaṁ prabho

Word-by-word meanings

pārvatyuvāca — Pārvatī said; kena upāyena — by what means; laghunā — small and simple; viṣṇoḥ nāmasahasrakam — the thousand names of Viṣṇu; paṭhyate — are recited; paṇḍitaiḥ — by the learned; nityam — daily; śrotum icchāmi — I wish to hear; prabho — O Lord.

Translation

Pārvatī asked: O Lord, by what small and simple means do the learned recite the thousand names of Viṣṇu daily? I wish to hear this.

Explanation

Mother Pārvatī's question asks for an easy path to name-remembrance. This feeling calls us towards devotion with simplicity.

Summary

Learn the simple path of name-remembrance with faith.

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Verse 164 — Sweet Joy in the Name of Rāma

Original verse (Devanagari)

ईश्वर उवाच

श्रीरामरामरामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनामतत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥ २७॥
श्रीरामनाम वरानने ।
ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

īśvara uvācaśrīrāmarāmarāmeti rame rāme manorame sahasranāmatattulyaṁ rāmanāma varānane śrīrāmanāma varānane oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

īśvara uvāca — Śiva said; śrīrāma rāma rāma iti — saying Rāma, Rāma, Rāma; rame rāme manorame — delighting in Rāma, who delights the mind; sahasranāmatattulyam — equal to the thousand names; rāmanāma — this name of Rāma; varānane — O fair-faced Pārvatī; oṁ nama iti — salutations to this glory of the name of Śrī Rāma.

Translation

Śiva said: O fair-faced Pārvatī, delighting in Rāma, who delights the mind, I say Rāma, Rāma, Rāma. This name of Rāma is equal to the thousand names of Viṣṇu. Salutations to this glory of the name of Śrī Rāma.

Explanation

In the name of Rāma, Śiva's own love and joy shine. Give the name the same feeling in your heart.

Summary

The name of Rāma is a holy refuge of love and joy.

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Verse 165 — Brahmā's Vast Salutation

Original verse (Devanagari)

ब्रह्मा उवाच

नमोऽस्त्वनन्ताय सहस्रमूर्तयेसहस्रपादाक्षिशिरोरुबाहवे ।
सहस्रनाम्ने पुरुषाय शाश्वतेसहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे नमः ॥ २८॥
सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे नमः ।
ॐ नम इति ।

Transliteration

brahmovācanamo'stvanantāya sahasramūrtayesahasrapādākṣiśirorubāhave sahasranāmne puruṣāya śāśvatesahasrakoṭiyugadhāriṇe namaḥ sahasrakoṭiyugadhāriṇe namaḥ oṁ nama iti

Word-by-word meanings

brahmovāca — Brahmā said; namaḥ astu — salutations; anantāya — to the infinite; sahasramūrtaye — to Him of a thousand forms; sahasrapādākṣiśirorubāhave — to Him of a thousand feet, eyes, heads, thighs and arms; sahasranāmne — to Him of a thousand names; puruṣāya śāśvata — to the eternal Supreme Person; sahasrakoṭiyugadhāriṇe — to the bearer of countless crores of ages; namaḥ — salutations.

Translation

Brahmā said: salutations to the infinite Lord of a thousand forms, of a thousand feet, eyes, heads, thighs and arms. Salutations to the Lord of a thousand names, the eternal Supreme Person, the bearer of countless crores of ages. Salutations again to the bearer of those countless ages.

Explanation

The Lord's vastness is greater than the limits of form and time. Before this vastness the mind grows humble.

Summary

The infinite Lord bears all forms and ages.

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Verse 166 — Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Together

Original verse (Devanagari)

सञ्जय उवाच

यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः ।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥ २९॥

Transliteration

sañjaya uvācayatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaḥ tatra śrīrvijayo bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama

Word-by-word meanings

sañjaya uvāca — Sañjaya said; yatra — where; yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yoga; yatra — where; pārthaḥ dhanurdharaḥ — Arjuna, the bearer of the bow; tatra — there; śrīḥ — Śrī; vijayaḥ — victory; bhūtiḥ — prosperity; dhruvā nītiḥ — firm justice; matiḥ mama — this is my view.

Translation

Sañjaya said: where Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yoga, is, and where Arjuna, the bearer of the bow, is — there are Śrī, victory, prosperity and firm justice. This is my view.

Explanation

The Lord's guidance and a person's duty walk together. Keep readiness in deeds, along with faith.

Summary

Work with dharma under the Lord's guidance.

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Verse 167 — The Lord's Care for Yoga and Kṣema

Original verse (Devanagari)

श्रीभगवान् उवाच

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते ।
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ॥ ३०॥

Transliteration

śrībhagavānuvācaananyāścintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yogakṣemaṁ vahāmyaham

Word-by-word meanings

śrībhagavān uvāca — the Lord said; ananyāḥ — with single-minded devotion; cintayantaḥ — thinking; mām — of Me; ye janāḥ — those people; paryupāsate — who worship; teṣām — their; nityābhiyuktānām — who are ever joined to Me; yogakṣemam — the gaining and the keeping; vahāmi aham — I carry.

Translation

The Lord said: for those people who worship Me, thinking of Me with single-minded devotion and ever joined to Me, I carry their yogakṣema — I bring them what they need and protect what they have.

Explanation

In this speech is the deep trust of single-minded devotion. Join the mind to the Lord and carry out your duties.

Summary

The Lord carries the yogakṣema of His single-minded devotees.

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Verses 168–170

Verse 168 — Protection of Dharma in Every Age

Original verse (Devanagari)

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ ३१॥

Transliteration

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām dharmasaṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge

Word-by-word meanings

paritrāṇāya — for the protection; sādhūnām — of the good; vināśāya — for the destruction; duṣkṛtām — of the evildoers; dharmasaṁsthāpanārthāya — for the re-establishing of dharma; sambhavāmi — I appear; yuge yuge — age after age.

Translation

For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evildoers, and for the re-establishing of dharma, I appear age after age.

Explanation

The Lord's incarnation is a resolve of dharma and protection. His remembrance teaches us too to stand on the side of truth.

Summary

The Lord protects dharma age after age.

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Verse 169 — The Name of Nārāyaṇa as Refuge

Original verse (Devanagari)

आर्ता विषण्णाः शिथिलाश्च भीता घोरेषु च व्याधिषु वर्तमानाः ।
सङ्कीर्त्य नारायणशब्दमात्रं विमुक्तदुःखाः सुखिनो भवन्ति ॥ ३२॥

Transliteration

ārtā viṣaṇṇāḥ śithilāśca bhītā ghoreṣu ca vyādhiṣu vartamānāḥ saṅkīrtya nārāyaṇaśabdamātraṁ vimuktaduḥkhāḥ sukhino bhavanti

Word-by-word meanings

ārtāḥ — the distressed; viṣaṇṇāḥ — the dejected; śithilāḥ — the weak; bhītāḥ — the frightened; ghoreṣu vyādhiṣu — in terrible diseases; vartamānāḥ — those who are; saṅkīrtya — singing; nārāyaṇaśabdamātram — just the name of Nārāyaṇa; vimuktaduḥkhāḥ — freed from sorrow; sukhinaḥ bhavanti — become happy.

Translation

The distressed, the dejected, the weak, the frightened, and those suffering terrible diseases — by singing just the name of Nārāyaṇa they are freed from sorrow and become happy; such is the glory of the name told in this hymn.

Explanation

In hard times the name of Nārāyaṇa is the devotee's close support. Remembering with love, keep hope and patience in the mind.

Summary

The name of Nārāyaṇa is the refuge of the grieving mind.

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Verse 170 — The Offering of All Deeds

Original verse (Devanagari)

कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् ।
करोमि यद्यत् सकलं परस्मै नारायणायेति समर्पयामि ॥ ३३॥

Transliteration

kāyena vācā manasendriyairvā buddhyātmanā vā prakṛteḥ svabhāvāt karomi yadyat sakalaṁ parasmai nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi

Word-by-word meanings

kāyena — by the body; vācā — by speech; manasā — by the mind; indriyaiḥ — by the senses; buddhyātmanā vā — by the intellect and one's own self; prakṛteḥ svabhāvāt — by the impulse of nature; karomi yadyat — whatever I do; sakalam — all of it; parasmai nārāyaṇāya — to the Supreme Nārāyaṇa; samarpayāmi — I offer.

Translation

Whatever I do — by the body, by speech, by the mind, by the senses, by the intellect and one's own self, or by the impulse of nature — all of it I offer to the Supreme Nārāyaṇa.

Explanation

The feeling of devotion can enter daily deeds too. Offer every good deed at the Lord's feet.

Summary

Offer all your deeds to Nārāyaṇa.

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Pūrṇāhuti

Original verse (Devanagari)

॥ इति श्रीविष्णोर्दिव्यसहस्रनामस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥॥ ॐ तत्सत् ॥

Transliteration

iti śrīviṣṇordivyasahasranāmastotraṁ sampūrṇam oṁ tatsat

Word-by-word meanings

iti — thus; śrīviṣṇoḥ divyasahasranāmastotram — the divine thousand-name hymn of Lord Viṣṇu; sampūrṇam — complete; oṁ tat sat — Oṁ, That is Truth.

Translation

Thus the divine thousand-name hymn of Lord Viṣṇu is complete. Oṁ tat sat — that supreme truth alone is the ground of all.

Explanation

The closing of the hymn is also an offering to the Lord. Keep His remembrance with you in daily life.

Summary

This complete hymn is offered to the Lord.

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🙏 आपसे एक छोटी सी प्रार्थना — A Small Request

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