श्री विष्णु सहस्र्नाम स्तोत्रं (पद्य प्रसूनाञ्जलि: एवं शंकर भाष्यार्थ संग्रः) - १

स्तोत्रम् ||

हरिः ॐ |

विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः ।

भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ॥ १॥

१. विश्वं

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

विश्वस्यादिहेतुत्वात विश्वं स भगवान स्मृतः ।

विश्वाभेदात्ततत्प्रवेशाद्विश्वस्यास्मिन् लयादपि ॥

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

विश्वस्य कारणत्वाच्च तत्सृष्ट्वा तत्प्रवेशनात् ।

विशन्त्यस्मिन्श्च भूतानि तेन विश्वाभिधो हरिः ॥

Vishnu, the Supreme Brahman, is the Source / Cause of Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution of the Universe. The Universe (which is the Effect) has no separate independent existence. The Supreme Brahman (Vishnu) (the Cause), having created the Universe, entered into it. Hence, the Universe is none other than the Supreme. Thus, He is both cause and effect. The Brahman enters into its effect, the Universe; and the Universe dissolves in Him.  Thus, in both these senses, He is “vishvaM”.

२. विष्णु:

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

विष्णुरन्तर्बहिर्व्याप्तेः सर्वत्राथ प्रवेशनात् ।

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

विष्षोर्व्याप्त्यभिधायित्वाद्वेष्टि व्याप्नोति वा जगत् ।

प्रवेशनाद्विशेर्थातोर्विष्णुरित्युच्यते बुधैः ॥

One who pervades everything by transcending time and space.

३. वषट्कारः

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

वषट्कारस्तदुद्देश्याधारतन्मन्त्ररूपवान् ।

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

वषट्क्रिया यदुद्देश्या यस्मिन यज्ञेऽथवा हरौ ।

यज्ञो वा इति च श्रृत्या त्वं वषट्कार इत्यपि ॥

One who is extolled with the holy mantra “vaSaTkAra” in sacrificial rites.  It is with this holy utterance, the Vedic deities get satisfied.

४. भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

त्रिकालवस्तुस्वामित्वाद्भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

जातं जनिष्यमाणं च जायमानं च यज्ज्गत् ।

तेषां प्रभुर्नियंतृत्वाद्भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः ॥

One, who is master of the past, present, future and thus Eternal Being, and, hence, the Lord.

५. भूतकृत्

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

भूतकृत्द्भूतकरणाद्भूतानां कृन्तनादपि।

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

चतुराननरूपेण रजोगुणसमाश्रयात् ।

करोति यस्माद्भूतानि भूतकृद्विष्णुरीरितः ॥

One who assuming Rajo Guna becomes Brahma and creates the Universe; and by assuming Tamo Guna becomes Rudra and dissolves the Universe.

६. भूतभृत्

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

भूतभृद्भूतपालत्वाद्धारणात्पोषणादपि ।

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

सात्विकं गुणमास्थाय भूतानि च बिभर्ति यः ।

भूतभृत्तेन निर्दिष्टो विष्णुः पोषयतीति वा ॥

One who supports or sustains or governs the Universe by assuming Sattva Guna.

७. भावः

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

भावः प्रपञ्चरूपेण सत्त्वात्सत्तात्वतोऽथवा ॥

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

सर्वप्रपञ्चरूपेण भावः स्याद्भवतीति सः ।

सत्तात्मको वा भवनं भाव इत्यपि वै हरिः ॥

One who expands Himself as Universe; also remains as Pure Existence

८. भूतात्मा

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

भूतात्मा सत्वभूतानां अन्तर्यामितया मतः ॥

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

आत्मेतिसर्वभूतानां भूतात्मा स निगद्यते ।

प्रमाणमिति तत्रात्मान्तर्यामीति श्रुतिः पुरा ॥

One who is the essence of all beings; he is the indweller of all objects, individually and collectively.

९. भूतभावनः

शंकर भाष्यार्थसंग्रः

भूतानाम् जननात्तेषां वर्धनाद्भूत्भावनः

पद्य प्रसूनाञ्लिः

भावयन् सर्वभूतानि जनयन् स जनार्दनः ।

अथवा वर्धयंश्चैव ततोऽयं भूतभावनः ॥

One who generates or nourishes all the beings.

****

श्री विष्णु सहस्र्नाम स्तोत्रं (पद्य प्रसूनाञ्जलि: एवं शंकर भाष्यार्थ संग्रः) - ध्यान श्लोकाः एवं पूर्वपीठिका

ध्यान श्लोकाः

ॐ शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजं ।

प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥ (1)

For the eradication of all obstructions, I meditate on Vishnu who wears white cloth, who is of the radiance of the Moon, who has 4 arms and who has serene expression in face.

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं

विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्।

लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिध्याॅनगम्यं ।

वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥ (2)

I prostrate Vishnu, the master of the universe, whose presence is very peaceful, who reclines on a serpent-bed, who sports a lotus in His navel, who is the lord of all the deities, who is the support of worlds, who is subtle and all-pervading like sky, whose complexion is like that of the clouds, whose form is extremely enchanting, who is the consort of Lakshmi, whose eyes resemble lotus petals, who is meditated upon by Yogis and who removes the fear of samsAra, the mundane affairs of existence.

सशंखचक्रं सकिरीटकुण्डलं ।

सपीतवस्त्रं सरसीरुहेक्षणम ।

सहारवक्षःस्थलकौस्तुभ श्रियं ।

नमामि विष्णुं शिरसा चतुर्भुजम् ॥ (3)

I bow before the 4-armed Vishnu who sports in His hand, the conch and the discuss, who is adorned with a crown and ear rings named “kuNDala”, who wears an yellow cloth, whose eyes resemble a lotus and whose chest is adorned with several ornaments and sports with Kausthubha.

पूर्वपीठिका

श्रुत्वा धर्मानशेषेण पावनानि च सर्वशः ।

युधिष्ठिरः शान्तनवं पुनरेवाभ्यभाषत ॥ (1)

After hearing all forms of Dharma, the Yudhishtira, still unsatisfied, questioned the son of Santanu (Bhishma) as follows:

किमेकं दैवतं लोके किं वाप्येकं परायणम ।

स्तुवन्तः कं कमर्चन्तः प्राप्नुयुर्मानवाः शुभम ॥ (2)

In this universe who is the one Divinity at whose command all being function? What is that one Supreme Status which one should seek to attain? Who is that Divinity by praising whom and by worshipping whom a man attains the good?

को धर्मः सर्वधर्माणां भवतः परमो मतः ।

किं जपन् मुच्यते जन्तुर्जन्म संसारबन्धनात् ॥ (3)

Which according to you is that highest form of Dharma that is capable of bestowing salvation and prosperity? What is that by uttering or reciting which any living being can attain freedom from the cycle of births and deaths?”

Note: Yudhishtira asked 6 questions, namely:

1.   किमेकं दैवतं लोके? – who is that One Deity at whose command all deities perform their respective duties

2.   किं वाप्येकं परायणम? – what is that supreme status that needs to be achieved

3.   स्तुवन्तः कं? – who is fit to be extolled  

4.   कमर्चन्तः प्राप्नुयुर्मानवाः शुभम ? – with whose worship (both external & internal), the humanity achieves the objectives of life ie., 4 purushArthAs

5.   को धर्मः सर्वधर्माणां भवतः परमो मतः ? – Among all the dharmas mentioned by you earlier, what is the highest form of Dharma

6.   किं जपन् मुच्यते जन्तुर्जन्म संसारबन्धनात् – What is that by reciting which any living being can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death

भीष्म उवाच,

जगत्प्रभुं देवदेवं अनन्तं पुरुषोत्त्मम् ।

स्तुवन् नामसहस्रेण पुरुषः सततोत्थितः ॥ (4)

Bhishma replied: He will be free from all sorrows who always praises by the 1000-names of that all-pervading being who is the master of the worlds, who is supreme over all deities and who is the Supreme Consciousness. (Note: this sloka is the answer to 6^th question)

तमेव चार्चयन्नित्यं भक्त्या पुरुषमव्ययम् ।

ध्यायन् स्तुवन् नमस्यंश्च यजमानस्तमेव च ॥ (5)

By always worshipping with devotion that Imperishable Supreme Being, by meditating on Him, by praising Him, by bowing down before Him, the worshipper crosses the grief (Note: this sloka is the answer to 4^th question)

अनादि निधनं विष्णुं सर्वलोकमहेश्वरं ।

लोकाध्यक्षं स्तुवन्नित्यं सर्वदुःखातिगो भवेत ॥ (6)

By always praising Vishnu, who is without beginning and end, who is supreme lord of all the worlds and who is the observer of the Universe, one crosses the grief (Note: the first three parts of the sloka is the answer to 3^rd question).

ब्रह्मण्यं सर्वधर्मज्ञं लोकानां कीर्तिवर्धनं ।

लोकनाथं महद्भूतं सर्वभूतभवोद्भवम् ॥ (7)

He is the protector of Brahma and the Veda. He is the knower of all Dharmas. He is the enhancer of the reputation of all beings. He is the Supreme Brahman. Out of Him, all beings and the whole of existence have emerged.

एष मे सर्वधर्माणां धर्मोऽधिकतमो मतः ।

यद्भक्त्या पुण्डरीकाक्षं स्तवैरचैन्नरः सदा ॥ (8)

The constant worship with hymns of the lotus-eyed Vishnu with devotion is regarded by me (Bhishma) as the highest form of Dharmas. (Note: this is the answer to the 5^th question)

परमं यो महत्तेजः परमं यो महत्तपः ।

परमं यो महद्ब्रह्म परमं यः परायणम् ॥ (9)

He is the Supreme Light of Consciousness. He is the Supreme Controller of everything. He is the Supreme All-pervading Being. He is the support of everything and highest Goal. (Note: this is the answer to the 2^nd question)

पवित्राणां पवित्रं यो मङ्गलानां च मङ्गलं ।

दैवतं दैवतानां च भूतानां योऽव्य्यः पिता ॥ (10)

The purest of the pure, the sanctifier of even what is most sacred, the most auspicious among auspicious beings, He is the Lord of all divinities. He, the undecaying, is the father of all beings. (Note: this is the answer to the 1^st question. Hence, Acharya Sankara gave exhausting explanation that runs into pages)

यतः सर्वाणि भूतानि भवन्त्यादियुगागमे ।

यस्मिन्श्च प्रलयं यान्ति पुनरेव युगक्षये ॥ (11)

He is One from whom all beings come into existence at the beginning of a cycle of time, and He is also the One into whom they all dissolve at the end of the cycle.

तस्य लोकप्रधानस्य जगन्नाथस्य भूपते ।

विष्णोर्नामसहस्रं मे श्रृणु पापभयापहम् ॥  (12)

Thus, hear from me the hymn that is constituted of a “1000 names” of that Supreme Vishnu, who is the master of the Universe, who is the subject of discourse of all scriptures and who is the eraser of all sins and the fear of Samsara.

यानि नामानि गौणानि विख्यातानि महात्मनः ।

ऋषिभिः परिगीतानि तानि वक्ष्यामि भूतये ॥ (13)

I shall for the good of all, recite those name of the Supreme that are expressive of His attributes and that are famous and hailed by Sages.

……………………..xxx………………….. 

श्री विष्णु सहस्र्नाम स्तोत्रं (पद्य प्रसूनाञ्जलि: एवं शंकर भाष्यार्थ संग्रः)

श्रीराम  पादुका मे गतिः 

श्रीराम जयम्

श्रीरामचन्द्रः श्रितपारिजातः

समस्त कल्याणगुणाभिरामः ।

सीता मुखांभोरुह चञ्चरीकः

निरन्तरं मङ्गळं आतनोतु ॥

रामो मत्कुलदैवतं सकरुणं रामं भजे सादरं

रामेणा(ऽ)खिलघोरपापनिहति रामाय तस्मै नमः ।

रामानास्ति जगत्रयैकसुलभो रामस्य दासोऽस्म्य्हं ।

रामे प्रीति रतीव मे कुलगुरो श्रीराम रक्षस्व माम् ॥

After remembering my favorite deity Bhagavan Ramachandra, I venture out to present couple of works by traditional advaitic scholars who wrote a short gloss on the Shankara’s commentary of Vishnu Sahasranama. The names of those two scholars are:

(1) Shri. Gambhira Bharati Suri (श्री गंभीर भारती सूरि), an advaita scholar of 18^th century who hailed from Maharashtra. He authored “Padya Prasunanjali” (पद्य प्रसूनाञ्जलि).  For each and every name, he presents a couplet in the form of “anushtup” chandas that explains the meaning of that particular name and of course, the meaning is based only on “shankara bhashya”.

(2) Shri.R.Rama Sarma (श्री आर् राम शर्मा), an advaita scholar, who worked as a Research Scholar in Mysore University. He authored “Sankara Bhashyartha Sangraha” (शंकर भाष्यार्थ संग्रः). He gives out the Sankara’s commentary for every name in a very short and crisp way by condensing the flavor in a single line that captures the essence of the sankara bhashya.

The hagiographical details of above two scholars are not much known. However, it is to be noted that both the above works were popularized in Andhra by a noted sanyasi Shri.Brahmananda Tirtha Yatindra (Purvashrama Name Shri.Malladi Dakshinamurthy Sastry). Swamiji used to conduct several 7-day and 9-day Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana Yajna across the state and used to explain the efficacy of repeating the name of Lord Vishnu in Kali Yuga to every common man he came across.

So, by the grace of Bhagavan Ramachandra, I would be presenting the above two works in Sanskrit (devanagari script) and would give free translations in english.

निवसतु मम चित्ते सर्वदा रामचन्द्रः

श्री गुरुपादुका पञ्चक स्तोत्रम् - - ब्रह्मश्री साधु श्रीनिवास शास्त्रि

पूज्य श्री साधु श्रीनिवास शास्री 

This melodious hymn “श्री गुरुपादुका पञ्चकं” is daily chanted by us that has been handed down in our tradition.  Before sitting for meditation, we chant this hymn to invoke the grace of our गुरु मण्डलं.  This hymn was composed by Brahmasri Sadhu Srinivasa Sastry Garu (lovingly called as Guruji), who was son-in-law of Brahmasri Gollapinni Mallikarjuna Sastry Garu of Alukuru village.  Both were great siddha purushAs who attained highest pinnacle in the path of rAja yoga.  There is an interesting incident in the life of Sri.Sadhu Srinivasa Sastry Garu that details how this great hymn came about.  Once, Guruji set out for pilgrimage to Ganagapuram to seek the grace of Sri.Narasimha Saraswathi. There Guruji performed dattatreya upasana for 7 days.  On the last day, Guruji had a vision of Sri.Narasimha Saraswathi with holy staff (दण्ड), sacred water pot (कमण्डल​) wearing ochre robes (काषाय वस्त्रं) and the entire body besmeared with holy ashes (भस्मं). His Holiness was wearing holy sandals (पादुका).  At the divine sight of Sri. Narasimha Saraswathi and His holy sandals, this pentad in the form of गुरुपादुका पञ्चकं gushed forth extempore from the holy lips of Guruji extolling the greatness of the holy sandals of the spiritual preceptor.  He also received spiritual instructions from His Holiness Sri. Narasimha Saraswathi. Given below is the hymn in devanaagari script with English translation.

श्री गुरुपादुका पञ्चक स्तोत्रम् - ब्रह्मश्री साधु श्रीनिवास शास्त्रि

नमश्शिवाभ्यां अतिसुन्दराभ्यां

अनन्तकल्याणगुणास्पदाभ्यां ।

अजादिबृन्दारक वन्दिताभ्यां

नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम् ॥ (1)

Auspicious, extremely beatific, having myriad of desirable attributes, Sri Guru Padukas are venerated by Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara and the rest of the retinue. To such padukas are my prostrations again and again.

सनातनाभ्यां सुमनोहराभ्यां

नमज्ज्नेहामरभूरुहाभ्यां ।

त्रयीसती सूनृतवाङ्नुताभ्यां

नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम् ॥ (2)

Endearing to the devotees, the immortal Padukas are seated in their hearts like the tree of wish-fulfillment. They are truthfully theme-sung by the Vedic Mother. To such Padukas are my prostrations again and again.

गुणाधिकाभ्यां गुरुदर्शकाभ्यां

अघौघ तामिश्ररविप्रभाभ्यां ।

प्रमोदलीला सुमशोभिताभ्यां

नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम् ॥ (3)

Beyond attributes, resembling luminosity of sun, the Padukas destroy our cumulative sins. Their floral beauty or celestial grandeur dazzles us in a divine play. To such Padukas are my prostrations again and again.

सिताभ्रकाश्मीरजपुष्पसार

सुलेपिताभ्यां सुमनोर्चिताभ्यां ।

मुनीन्द्रहृत्सारस भानुमद्भ्यां

नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम् ॥ (4)

Bright as the white camphor and bathed in the floral essence of Kashmiri Saffron flower, the Padukas are revered by the pure-hearted (or divine hearts). The Padukas like to dwell in the lotus-hearts of the renowned sages, like the Sun, as they are pure and divine.  To such Padukas are my prostrations again and again.

अनाद्यविद्या हरणेक्षमाभ्यां

अहं ममोन्मत्त गजांकुशाभ्यां ।

गळ्त्सुधासौरभ संतताभ्यां

नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम् ॥ (5)

Destroyer of the endless ignorance and subdues two mighty elephants called “I-ness” (ahamkAra) and “My-ness” (mamakAra). The Padukas fill the devotees’ hearts with lingering fragrance of the ambrosial shower. To such Padukas are my prostrations again and again.

पादुकापन्चकस्तोत्रं श्रीनिवास मुखोद्गतं ।

पठ्तां इष्टफलदं भूयादीशमुदे शिवम् ॥

This pentad that extols the sacred and holy sandals of the satguru, gushed forth from the lips of Sri. Srinivasa.  Whoever chants this pentad and contemplates on the meaning, their wishes would be fulfilled.  Not only the wishes but also helps in getting all that is auspicious as well as the grace of Almighty.