Viṣṇu Sahasranāma
The Viṣṇu Sahasranāma is a Hindu litany containing 1,000 names of Vishnu, each describing one of his attributes or cosmic functions. It is one of the most widely recited sacred texts in Hinduism.
Overview
The hymn is traditionally attributed to Vyāsa and is embedded within the Anushāsana Parva (Book 13) of the Mahābhārata. It consists of 107 verses, of which the first and last are benedictory and concluding verses, while the core contains the thousand names. The text is recited daily by millions of Hindus as a devotional practice.
Content and Structure
Each name of Vishnu encapsulates a divine quality or cosmic function: “Viṣṇu” (pervader), “Nārāyaṇa” (shelter of all beings), “Madhusūdana” (slayer of the demon Madhu), “Govinda” (protector of cows and the earth), and so forth. The names are organized in verse form with a specific meter. The hymn also includes the famous verse declaring that those who recite these thousand names with devotion will attain liberation.
Significance
The Viṣṇu Sahasranāma is one of the most important devotional texts in Hinduism, recited in temples, homes, and during important ceremonies across all Vaiṣṇava traditions. Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja, and Madhva each wrote commentaries on it, demonstrating its importance across different philosophical schools.
Verification Notes
- Embedded in the Mahābhārata (Anushāsana Parva, chapters 149–156).
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).