13.135
The thousand names of Viṣṇu
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having listened completely to all the purifying laws, Yudhiṣṭhira once again spoke to the son of Śāntanu (Bhīṣma). (13-135-1)
Which is the one divinity in the world, or what is the one supreme goal? Praising whom and worshipping whom do humans attain good? (13-135-2)
Of all duties, which one do you consider to be supreme? By reciting what is a creature freed from the bondage of birth and worldly existence? (13-135-3)
Bhīṣma said.
A person who, always risen, praises with a thousand names the lord of the world, the god of gods, the endless, the supreme person. (13-135-4)
Worshipping him alone always with devotion as the imperishable Person, meditating upon, praising, and bowing to him, and being the sacrificer, (one should adore) him alone. (13-135-5)
Whoever always praises Viṣṇu—who is without beginning and end, the great lord and overseer of all worlds—becomes free from all sorrow. (13-135-6)
He is devoted to Brahman, knower of all dharmas, enhancer of the fame of the worlds, lord of the worlds, a great being, and the source of the origin of all beings. (13-135-7)
Of all dharmas, this is regarded by me as the most excellent: that a person should always worship Puṇḍarīkākṣa (the lotus-eyed one) with hymns and devotion. (13-135-8)
He who is the supreme great splendor, who is the supreme great austerity, who is the supreme great Brahman, who is the supreme goal. (13-135-9)
He who is the purest among pure things, the most auspicious among auspicious things, the divinity among gods and among beings, the imperishable father. (13-135-10)
From whom all beings originate at the beginning of the first age, and into whom they all return upon the dissolution at the end of the age. (13-135-11)
O King, of that foremost among people, the Lord of the universe, hear from me the thousand names of Viṣṇu, which remove the fear of sin. (13-135-12)
I will recite those secondary and well-known names of the great soul, which have been sung by sages, for the benefit of all. (13-135-13)
Viṣṇu is the universe, the utterance 'vaṣaṭ', the lord of past, future, and present, the creator, sustainer, and source of all beings, the soul of beings, and the one who produces all beings. (13-135-14)
He is the purified self, the Supreme Self, and the highest goal of the liberated; He is the imperishable person, the witness, the knower of the field, and indeed the imperishable. (13-135-15)
He is union itself, the leader of those who know yoga, lord of primordial matter and spirit, who possesses the Man-Lion form, the auspicious one, Keśava, and the supreme Person. (13-135-16)
He is all, the Destroyer, the Auspicious One, the Firm and Unmoving, the Origin of beings, the Treasure, the Imperishable; He is the Cause, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Source, the Lord, the Supreme Controller. (13-135-17)
The self-existent one, the source of happiness, the sun, lotus-eyed, one with great sound, the one without beginning or end, the sustainer, the creator, the best among supporters. (13-135-18)
He is immeasurable, Hṛṣīkeśa (the lord of the senses), Padmanābha (the lotus-naveled), the lord of the immortals, Viśvakarmā (the creator), Manu (the progenitor), Tvaṣṭā (the divine artisan), the most massive, the ancient one, and the unchanging. (13-135-19)
He is inconceivable, eternal, Kṛṣṇa, red-eyed, the destroyer, abundant, the one possessing the three regions, pure, auspicious, and supreme. (13-135-20)
He is the Lord, the giver of life-breath, life-breath itself, the eldest, the best, the lord of creatures, the golden-embryo, the womb of the earth, the descendant of Madhu, and the destroyer of Madhu. (13-135-21)
He is a lord, powerful, armed with a bow, intelligent, valorous, orderly, unsurpassed, unassailable, grateful, accomplished, and self-possessed. (13-135-22)
The lord of the gods, the refuge, the source of happiness, the seed of the universe, the origin of beings, day, year, serpent, certainty, and the all-seeing one. (13-135-23)
He is the unborn, the lord of all, the perfected, perfection itself, the origin of all, the infallible, Vrishakapi (he whose symbol is the bull or the monkey), the one of immeasurable essence, and who arises from all Yogas. (13-135-24)
He is wealth, whose mind abounds in wealth, who is truthful, identical in essence, well-measured, impartial, unfailing, lotus-eyed, the performer of righteous deeds, and the very form of righteousness. (13-135-25)
He is Rudra, many-headed, tawny in color, the origin of all, renowned for pure fame, immortal, eternal, unchanging, possessing the supreme elevation, and endowed with great austerity. (13-135-26)
He who pervades all, knows all, is radiant, whose army is everywhere, and who removes the sufferings of people; who is the Veda itself, knows the Veda, is faultless, is the limbs of the Veda, knows the Veda, and is the seer. (13-135-27)
He is the overseer of the worlds, the overseer of gods, the overseer of righteousness; he is both the creator and the non-creator, has a fourfold nature, four manifestations, four fangs, and four arms. (13-135-28)
He is the shining one, the food, the enjoyer, the enduring one, the original born of the world, the sinless, the victorious, the conqueror, the origin of all, the ever-wealthy. (13-135-29)
He is Upendra, the Dwarf; lofty, infallible, pure, powerful, surpassing Indra, a gatherer, the creator, steadfast in self, disciplined, and the controller. (13-135-30)
He is to be known, the knower, ever a yogin, destroyer of heroes, Madhava, Madhu, beyond the senses, the great illusionist, of great energy, the mighty one. (13-135-31)
He possesses great intellect, great energy, great power, and great splendor; his form is indescribable, he is endowed with fortune, his self is immeasurable, and he holds up great mountains. (13-135-32)
He is the great bowman, the holder of the earth, the abode of Śrī, the refuge of the virtuous; he is unobstructed, the delight of the gods, Govinda, and the lord of the wise. (13-135-33)
He is Marīci, the subduer, the swan, Garuda, the best of serpents, golden-navelled, performer of great austerities, lotus-navelled, and the lord of creatures. (13-135-34)
He is the deathless one, the all-seeing lion, the uniter, possessed of alliances, steadfast, unborn, hard to subdue, the teacher, famed in spirit, destroyer of the foes of the gods. (13-135-35)
He is the teacher, the most venerable; the abode (of brilliance); the truthful one, of true valor; with eyes closed and unclosed; wearing a garland; master of speech; and possessed of noble intellect. (13-135-36)
Leader, chief, illustrious one, justice, guide, breath of life, the thousand-headed, soul of the universe, thousand-eyed, thousand-footed. (13-135-37)
He who revolves, the withdrawn self, the concealed one, the destroyer, day, the dissolver, fire, wind, the holder of the earth. (13-135-38)
He is of excellent favor, tranquil in spirit, the supporter and enjoyer of the universe, all-pervading, the doer of noble acts, honored, virtuous, Jahnu, Nārāyaṇa, and Nara. (13-135-39)
He is innumerable, of immeasurable nature, distinct, the performer of auspicious acts, pure, whose purposes are accomplished, whose resolves are fulfilled, who gives success, and who is the means to attainment of success. (13-135-40)
He who bears the burden, the bull, Vishnu, strong as a bull, one with a bull-like belly, the increaser, ever-growing, distinguished, and the ocean of the Vedas. (13-135-41)
He has beautiful arms, is difficult to be borne, eloquent, the great Indra, the giver of wealth, the treasure, of many forms, of great form, pervaded by rays, and the revealer. (13-135-42)
He is vigor, splendor, bearer of radiance, whose essence is light, the blazener, the prosperous, whose syllables are clear, the mantra, ray of the moon, and one with the brilliance of the sun. (13-135-43)
He who is born of the nectar-rayed moon, who is the radiant one, the moon-marked, lord of the gods, the medicine, the bridge of the world, and whose valor lies in true righteousness. (13-135-44)
He is the Lord of past, future, and present; the wind, the purifier, the breath; the destroyer of desire, creator of desire, the beloved, desire itself, the giver of desires, and the Lord. (13-135-45)
He is the originator of the ages, the revolver of time cycles, one of many illusions, the great consumer, invisible, yet of manifest form, conqueror of thousands, and conqueror of the infinite. (13-135-46)
Beloved, special, the most esteemed by the noble, crested, Nahusha, a bull, the destroyer of anger, the creator of anger, the doer, all-armed, and bearer of the earth. (13-135-47)
The unfailing one, renowned, the vital breath, the giver of life, the younger brother of Vāsava (Indra); the treasury and abode of the waters, ever-vigilant, the established one. (13-135-48)
Skanda, bearer of Skanda, chief, grantor of boons, vehicle of Vāyu, Vāsudeva, radiant one, primordial god, and destroyer of cities. (13-135-49)
He is free from sorrow, a rescuer, a savior, valiant, a descendant of Śūra, lord of the people, favorable, versatile, possessor of lotuses, and has eyes like lotuses. (13-135-50)
He who is lotus-naveled, lotus-eyed, lotus-born, bearer of all bodies, possessed of great prosperity, prosperous, eternal self, great-eyed, and whose banner bears Garuḍa. (13-135-51)
He is incomparable, like the śarabha (mythical beast), formidable, a knower of proper time, remover of offerings, distinguished by all auspicious marks, possessed of fortune, and victorious in battle. (13-135-52)
He is diffusing, red, the path, the cause, Dāmodara, powerful, the mountain, greatly fortunate, swift, and of immeasurable appetite. (13-135-53)
He is the origin, the agitator, the god, the one who contains prosperity, the Supreme Lord. He is the instrument, the cause, the doer, the transformer, the impenetrable, and the hidden one. (13-135-54)
He is resolution, firm establishment, configuration, giver of position, the immovable one, supreme prosperity, the supreme, clearly satisfied, nourished, and one with auspicious sight. (13-135-55)
Rāma is cessation, he is detached, he is the path, he is to be led, he is policy and improper conduct; he is a hero, the best among the powerful, righteousness, and the supreme among those who know dharma. (13-135-56)
He is the unobstructed one, the supreme being, the life-breath, the giver of breath, the sacred syllable Om, the vast one, the golden embryo, the destroyer of enemies, the all-pervading, the wind, and the one born beyond material perception. (13-135-57)
He is the season, the one of beautiful appearance, time, the supreme lord, the embracer, the fierce one, the year, the skilful one, rest, and the one who rules all directions. (13-135-58)
He is expansion, immovable, the firm one, the measure, the imperishable seed, the meaning and the non-meaning, the great treasury, the great enjoyer, and the possessor of great wealth. (13-135-59)
He is never despondent, perfectly solid, the earth, the pillar of dharma, the great sacrifice, the circumference of the stars, he who abides among the stars, forbearing, thin, and acting with effort. (13-135-60)
He is the sacrifice, the object of worship, the greatest object of worship, the ritual act, the sacrificial session, and the path of the virtuous; the all-seer, the liberated soul, the all-knower, and the supreme knowledge. (13-135-61)
He who is of good vows, with an auspicious face, subtle, with a melodious voice, giver of happiness, a true friend, enchanting, one who has conquered anger, having heroic arms, and is a destroyer. (13-135-62)
He who induces sleep, is self-controlled and all-pervading, of many forms, doer of many actions, is the year, is affectionate, has calves, contains jewels within himself, and is the lord of wealth. (13-135-63)
The protector of dharma, performer of dharma, righteous; both existent and non-existent, perishable and imperishable; the unknown, one with a thousand rays, the ordainer, one who has set the characteristics. (13-135-64)
He who has the nave of rays, abides in essence, is lion-like, the great lord of beings, the primordial god, the great god, lord of the gods, and teacher of Indra. (13-135-65)
He is superior, the lord of cows, the protector, comprehended through knowledge, ancient, supporter of the beings of the body, the enjoyer, the lord of monkeys, and one who is very generous. (13-135-66)
He is the drinker of soma, the drinker of nectar, the Moon, the conqueror of many, the best among men, humility, victory, the one true to his resolve, the descendant of the Daśārhas, and the lord of the Sātvatas. (13-135-67)
He is the living being, the restrainer, the witness, Mukunda, the one of immeasurable valor, the ocean, the infinite soul, the one who lies upon the great ocean, and the destroyer. (13-135-68)
He is unborn, supremely worthy, innately established by nature, conqueror of his foes, the one who brings delight, embodying bliss, the delighter, the joyful one, steadfast in the dharma of truth, and the strider of the three worlds. (13-135-69)
He is the great sage, the teacher Kapila, one who is grateful, lord of the earth, possessed of three steps, overseer of the gods, great-horned, and the destroyer of death. (13-135-70)
He is the Great Boar, Govinda, one with good armies, adorned with golden armlets, secret, profound, inaccessible, protected, and the holder of the discus and mace. (13-135-71)
Creator, self-sustained one, unconquered, dark one, steadfast, plough-puller, infallible, Varuṇa, son of Varuṇa, tree, lotus-eyed, great-minded. (13-135-72)
The blessed one who removes fortune, the auspicious one adorned with a garland of forest flowers, wielder of the plough, an Āditya, radiant as the sun, patient, and supreme among those who move. (13-135-73)
Sudhanva, wielder of a broken axe, fierce one, giver of wealth, one who touches the sky, all-seeing, Vyāsa, master of speech, born not from a womb. (13-135-74)
He is the one associated with the three Sāma hymns, the singer of Sāma, the Sāma itself, the extinction (of suffering), the medicine, the physician; who performs renunciation as penance, who is peaceful, who is the foundation, who is peace, who is the highest goal. (13-135-75)
He whose form is auspicious, who gives peace, who is the creator, who is joyful, who dwells in the earth; the benefactor and lord and protector of cows, who is bull-eyed and fond of the bull. (13-135-76)
He who never turns back, whose mind is withdrawn from worldly things, who is a condenser (of knowledge), bringer of prosperity and auspiciousness, whose chest bears the Śrīvatsa, who is the abode and consort of Shri, and is foremost among the illustrious. (13-135-77)
He is the giver of prosperity, the lord of wealth, the abode of prosperity, the treasure of fortune, the one who manifests wealth, the bearer of Lakṣmī, the bestower of prosperity, the embodiment of auspiciousness, the possessor of splendor, and the refuge of the three worlds. (13-135-78)
He who has pure eyes, beautiful limbs, bestows countless joys, is joyful, lord of the luminaries, self-controlled, obedient, renowned for virtue, and whose doubts have been severed. (13-135-79)
He who is exalted, all-seeing, independent, eternal, steadfast, whose abode is the earth, who is the ornament, prosperity, free from sorrow, and destroyer of sorrow. (13-135-80)
He is radiant, worshipped, Kumbha, the one with purified self and purifier; Aniruddha, peerless in battle, Pradyumna of immeasurable valor. (13-135-81)
He is the destroyer of Kālanemi, a hero, valiant, descendant of Śūra, lord of people, the soul and lord of the three worlds, the slayer and destroyer of Keśi, Hari. (13-135-82)
God of Love, protector of desire, the desirous one, the beloved, the accomplisher of scriptures, he of indescribable form, Viṣṇu, the hero, the endless one, and the conqueror of wealth. (13-135-83)
He is devoted to Brahman, performer of acts pertaining to Brahman, Brahmā, Brahman itself, the promoter of Brahman, the knower of Brahman, a Brāhmaṇa, united with Brahman, the knower of Brahman, and beloved of Brāhmaṇas. (13-135-84)
He is the one of great steps, the performer of great deeds, radiant with immense splendor, the great serpent; the powerful sacrificer, the very sacrifice itself, and the prime oblation. (13-135-85)
He is the one who is to be praised, who delights in praise, the hymn and the act of praise, the praiser, fond of battle; He is complete, the fulfiller, virtuous, renowned for virtue, and free from all affliction. (13-135-86)
He is swift as the mind, the maker of paths (tīrthakara), whose seed is wealth, and bestower of wealth; the giver of wealth, Vāsudeva, wealth itself, one with a pure mind, and the (sacrificial) offering. (13-135-87)
Śūrasena, the best among the Yadus, is of good path, noble conduct, existence, noble being, devoted to good, possessing an excellent abode, and beautiful on the Yamunā. (13-135-88)
He is the abode of beings, Vāsudeva, the support of all lives, fire, destroyer of arrogance, giver of pride, proud, hard to restrain, and the unconquered one. (13-135-89)
He is the one with the form of the universe, the great form, the radiant form, the formless, the one of many forms, the unmanifested, the one with a hundred forms, and a hundred faces. (13-135-90)
He is one, many, all, who, what, that unsurpassed state; friend of the world, lord of the world, Mādhava, and loving toward devotees. (13-135-91)
He is golden-colored, with limbs of gold, possessing excellent limbs, adorned with sandalwood armlets; destroyer of heroes, uneven, empty, one who desires ghee, both immovable and movable. (13-135-92)
He is without pride, the giver of honor, worthy of honor, the lord of the worlds, the sustainer of the three worlds, of excellent intellect, born from intelligence, blessed, whose wisdom is truthful, and supporter of the earth. (13-135-93)
He is the bull of splendor, the bearer of radiance, the foremost among all weapon-bearers; restrainer, controller, undisturbed, many-horned, the elder brother of Gadā. (13-135-94)
He has four forms, four arms, four aspects, and four courses; has four essences, four states, is the knower of the four Vedas, and is one-footed. (13-135-95)
He who is all-encompassing, whose self is withdrawn, unconquerable, insurmountable; rarely attained, inaccessible, unassailable, difficult to approach, and the destroyer of formidable foes. (13-135-96)
He is auspicious-bodied, the essence of all worlds, well-threaded, the one who expands the thread, who performs deeds like Indra, does great actions, has accomplished all duties, and knows the established scriptures. (13-135-97)
One who is born from origin, the beautiful, the handsome, the one whose navel is like a jewel, the one with beautiful eyes, the radiant one, the giver of strength, the horned one, the victorious, the conqueror of all. (13-135-98)
He is the gold-drop, the unshakable one, the lord of all gods of speech, the great lake, the great chasm, the great being, and the great treasure. (13-135-99)
He is Kumuda, Kundara, Kunda, Parjanya, Pavana, Anila, Amritamsha, Amritavapu, Sarvajna, Sarvatomukha. (13-135-100)
He is easily accessible, of good vows, accomplished, conqueror of enemies and afflicter of foes, who is (like) the banyan, fig, and sacred fig trees, and the destroyer of Cāṇūra and Āndhra. (13-135-101)
He has a thousand flames, seven tongues, seven forms of fire, and seven vehicles. He is formless, sinless, inconceivable, the producer of fear, and the destroyer of fear. (13-135-102)
He is minute, great, slender, massive, the supporter of qualities, without qualities, great, unsustained, self-sustained, self-mouthed, of ancient lineage, and the increaser of the lineage. (13-135-103)
The one known as Bhārabhṛt, the ascetic, lord of yogis, fulfiller of all desires; as hermitage, one who strives, the emaciated, Suparṇa (Garuḍa), the wind-borne one. (13-135-104)
Bearer of the bow, knower of archery, punisher, restrainer, self-control; unconquered, enduring all, controller, restrainer, Yama (the lord of death). (13-135-105)
He possesses strength, is endowed with purity, is truthful, dedicated to the law of truth, purposeful, worthy of affection, deserving, does what is pleasing, and increases delight. (13-135-106)
He whose path is in the sky, who is light, splendidly radiant, the eater of oblations, the pervader, called Ravi, the shining one, the Sun, Savitṛ, and the one whose eye is the Sun. (13-135-107)
He is endless, the consumer of offerings, the enjoyer, the giver of happiness, the giver of many gifts, the elder brother, never dejected, always patient, the support of the world, and wondrous. (13-135-108)
He is eternal, the most ancient, the tawny one, the imperishable monkey, the giver of welfare, the doer of auspicious deeds, the embodiment of auspiciousness, the enjoyer of welfare, and the one whose right side is auspicious. (13-135-109)
He is gentle, possessing coils, wielder of the discus, courageous, of potent command, one who transcends and endures sound, cool, and the bringer of night. (13-135-110)
Akrura is gentle, skillful, kind, the foremost of the forgiving, most learned, free from fear, and his hearing and praise are virtuous. (13-135-111)
He is the deliverer, the destroyer of evil actions, meritorious, destroyer of bad dreams, destroyer of heroes, protector, life of the good, and firmly established. (13-135-112)
He is of infinite forms and infinite majesty, his anger conquered, the remover of fear; of four sides, with a profound nature, he encompasses the intermediate, further, and principal directions. (13-135-113)
He is without beginning, the earth and the mid-region, prosperity, very heroic, adorned with beautiful armlets, the progenitor and origin of beings' birth, formidable, and of tremendous prowess. (13-135-114)
He whose abode is the foundation, the sustainer, who has a countenance blooming like a flower, ever awake, who ascends upward, who follows the righteous path, the giver of life, the sacred syllable "Om", and the reward. (13-135-115)
He is proof, the abode of prāṇa, the creator of prāṇa, the life of prāṇa, reality, the knower of essence, the one self, and the one who has transcended birth, death, and old age. (13-135-116)
He is the earth, atmosphere, heaven, the tree, the savior, the Sun, the great-grandfather, the sacrifice, the lord of sacrifice, the sacrificer, the one whose very limbs are sacrifice, and the carrier of sacrifice. (13-135-117)
He is the bearer of sacrifice, the doer of sacrifice, the performer of sacrifice, the enjoyer of sacrifice, the means of sacrifice; the one who completes sacrifice, the secret of sacrifice, food itself, and indeed the eater of food as well. (13-135-118)
He whose source is himself, who is self-born, the descendant of Vikhanas, the singer of Sāman-hymns, the son of Devakī, the creator, the lord of the earth, and the destroyer of sins. (13-135-119)
He is the holder of the conch, wielder of the sword Nandaka, bearer of the discus, holder of the bow Śārṅga, holder of the mace, one with the wheel in hand, the unshakable, armed with all weapons. (13-135-120)
Thus, the complete thousand divine names of the great-souled Keśava, which are to be praised, have been fully proclaimed. (13-135-121)
Whoever always listens to this and also proclaims it, that man shall obtain nothing inauspicious, either here or in the next world. (13-135-122)
A Brāhmaṇa should be one who knows the Vedānta, a Kṣatriya should be victorious, a Vaiśya should possess abundant wealth, and a Śūdra should attain happiness. (13-135-123)
A seeker of dharma may attain dharma; a seeker of wealth may attain wealth; one who desires may attain desires; and one seeking offspring may attain children. (13-135-124)
He who is devoted, who always arises, who is pure, and whose mind is fixed upon Him, should recite these thousand names of Vāsudeva. (13-135-125)
He obtains abundant fame and eminence among his relatives; he attains immovable prosperity and gains unsurpassed felicity. (13-135-126)
He does not experience fear anywhere, gains energy and brilliance, becomes healthy, radiant, and endowed with strength, good form, and virtues. (13-135-127)
One afflicted by disease is released from disease; the bound one may be released from bondage; from fear, the frightened is released, and one who falls into calamity may also be freed. (13-135-128)
A person who always, with devotion, praises the Supreme Purusha with the thousand (holy) names crosses over all difficulties swiftly. (13-135-129)
A mortal who takes refuge in Vāsudeva and makes Him his highest goal, whose self is purified from all sins, attains the eternal Brahman. (13-135-130)
For the devotees of Vāsudeva, no inauspiciousness exists anywhere, nor does the fear of birth, death, old age, or disease ever arise. (13-135-131)
One who recites this hymn with faith and devotion becomes endowed with happiness, forbearance, prosperity, steadfastness, memory, and fame. (13-135-132)
Among devotees of the Supreme Person who have accumulated merit, there is no anger, no envy, no greed, nor unwholesome thought. (13-135-133)
The sky with the moon, sun, and stars, space, the directions, earth, and the great ocean are all upheld by the power of Vāsudeva, the great soul. (13-135-134)
This entire universe—containing gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, uragas, and rākṣasas, with all moving and unmoving beings—exists under the control of Kṛṣṇa. (13-135-135)
They call the senses, mind, intellect, beingness, splendor, strength, and steadfastness as having Vāsudeva as their essence, and indeed both the field and the knower of the field. (13-135-136)
Conduct is regarded as the foremost of all Scriptures. Duty arises from conduct; and Acyuta is the lord of duty. (13-135-137)
Sages, ancestors, gods, the great elements, the primary substances, moving and non-moving beings, and this world—all have originated from Nārāyaṇa. (13-135-138)
Union, knowledge, Sāṅkhya philosophy, sciences, arts, action, the Vedas, treatises, and wisdom—all of this comes from Janārdana. (13-135-139)
The one Viṣṇu, the great being, exists as the many separate beings; pervading the three worlds, he, the soul of all beings, enjoys them as the imperishable, universal enjoyer. (13-135-140)
Let that man who desires to attain supreme good and happiness recite this hymn of the Blessed Lord Viṣṇu, which was proclaimed by Vyāsa. (13-135-141)
Those who worship Puṣkarākṣa, the Lord of the universe, the unborn god who is the origin and dissolution of the world, they never meet with defeat. (13-135-142)
