Shree Lalitaa Sahasranaama Stotram
The Benefits of Vishnu Sahasranama
In the classic text, the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, the Sage Parashara frequently recommends the recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranam, the thousand names of Vishnu, as the best remedial measure for planetary afflictions. Vishnu means "the all-pervading Divinity." See the following verse:
"The most effective and beneficial remedial measure for the prolongation of longevity and to obtain relief from other evil effects is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam." ch 56 verse 30
Sage Parashara mentions this practice on at least 10 different occasions in his text. Here's another verse:
"The remedial measure to obtain relief from the above evil effects, is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam." ch 59 verse 77
Traditionally, students of Sanskrit were often required to memorize the Vishnu Sahasranam. It takes about 20 minutes to recite depending on the speed of recitation. While recitation is preferred, just listening to the recitation by an audio recording also gives great benefit. Another form of practice is to read the text along with the translation so that the meaning also becomes integrated. Another practice is just to take one name and meditate on it's meaning. For instance, the first of the thousand names is "Vishvam" which translates as "the All," and one could contemplate the meaning of this name as a meditative practice.
The Vishnu Sahasranam was mentioned in the great epic text The Mahabharata. The 1000 names were handed down to Yudhisthira by sage Bhishma while he was on his death bed at the battle of Kurukshetra. Yudhisthira asked Bhishma the following questions:
1. Who is the one Lord of all in this universe?
2. What is that one supreme goal which one should seek to attain?
3. Who is the one Divinity by praising and by worshiping whom a man attains good?
4. Which is that highest form of Dharma that is capable of bestowing salvation and prosperity on man?
5. What is that by reciting which any living being can attain freedom from cycle of births and deaths?
Sage Bhishma answered by stating that mankind will be free from all sorrows by chanting the Vishnu Sahasranam. He said, "That man who hears the names every day or who recites them every day, never meets with any evil either here or hereafter." This quote suggests that it's not necessary to recite the sahasranam oneself to get the benefit, but can simply be listened to on an audio recording.
There are many sahasranam hymns (thousand names) to various deities like the Sri Lalita Sahasranam or the Shiva Sahasranam, which Sage Parashara also recommends in the Brihat Parasahara Hora Shastra. But of all remedial measures like puja (worship), yagya (fire ceremony), mantra recitation, giving charities, he gives primary importance to the Vishnu Sahasranam.
Specific Benefits of Chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam
1. Iteedam Keertaneeyasya Kesavasya Mahaatmanaha
Naamnaam Sahasram Divyaanaam Aseshena Prakeertitam
(Thus, the thousand names of Bhagavaan Kesava, the Supreme, who is pre-eminently worthy of being praised,have been sung in their entirety. These divyanaamaas are meant to be recited here and in all the upper worlds,including the transcendent abode,in as much as they pertain to the Mahaatma,the Supreme being Kesava.)
2. Ya Idam Srunuyaan Nityam Yaschaabhi Parikeertayet
Na Asubham Praapnuyaat Kimchit Somuthreha Cha Maanavaha
(Nothing inauspicious will befall the one who devoutly listens to the recital of this Sahasranaama Stotra daily and the one who recites it wherever it may be whether in this world or worlds beyond.)
3. Vedantago Brahmanaha Syaat Kshatriyo Vijayee Bhavet
Vaisyo Dhansamruddhaha Syaat Soodraha Sukham Avaapnuyaat
(If the person who chants these names is a Brahmin, he will attain knowledge of the Vedanta, if a Kshatriya ,he will become a victorious warrior, if a Vaisya,he will acquire immense wealth and if a Soodra he will remain happy.)
4. Dharmaarthee Praapnuyaat Dharmam Artthaartthee Cha Arttham Aaapnuyaat
Kaaman Avaapnuyaat Kaamee Prajaartthee Cha Apnuyaat Prajaaha
(If a person recites the Holy names with a desire abiding in Dharma will achieve it. If he is desirous of wealth he will get wealth. If he is after pleasures of life he will get them all. If he wants to have progeny he will have it. In short, those who recite these Holy names of the Lord, will reap the desired fruits without fail.)
5. Bhaktimaan Yaha Sadotthaaya Suchistat Gatamaanasaha
Sahasram Vasudevasya Naamnaam Yetat Prakeertayet
(Take the case of a staunch devotee who gets up in the morning, purifies himself by bath, followed by daily observance of prescribed rites and rituals and then recites the thousand names of Lord Vasudeva, with a mind firmly fixed on HIM.)
6. Yasaha Praapnoti Vipulam Yaati Pradhaanyam Eva Cha
Achalaam Sriyam Avaapnoti Sreyaha Praapnoti Anuthamam
(He gains great reputation and is reckoned as the foremost among his kith and kin. He acquires abundant wealth in this world and keeps in tact while in the other world,he enjoys everlasting bliss.)
7. Na Bhayam Kvachit Aapnoti Veeryam Tejascha Vindati
Bhavatyarogo Dhyutimaan Bala Roops Gunaanvitaha
(Freedom from fear (from any source ) and sickness ,the chanter acquires valour, power and strength and is endowed with a healthy body, noble traits and dazzling brilliance.)
8. Rogaartho Muchyate Rogaat Baddho Muchyeta Bhandhanaat
Bhayaan Muchyeta Bheetatsu Muchyeta Aapanna Aapadaat
(The one afflicted by sickness will get rid off it. The one in shackles of sort will get disentangled, while the one stricken by fear will become free from it and the one beset with difficulties will get absolved of them. )
9. Durgaanyatii Taratyaasu Purushaha Purushothamam
Stuvan Naama Sahasrena Nityam Bhakti Samanvitaha
(That person who praises with devotion, the Supreme being Purushothama through daily recital of these thousand names, surmounts in no time the seemingly insuperable difficulties, one and all.)
10. Vasudevaasrayo Martyo Vasudeva Paraayanaha
Sarva Paapa Visudhaatma Yaati Brahma Sanaatanam
(The one who seeks out Vasudeva looking upon HIM as the highest goal to be attained gets cleansed of all sins. With a mind thus purified the chanter attains the eternal BRAHMAN.)
11. Na Vasudeva Bhaktaanaam Asubham Vidyate Kvacit
Janma Mrityu Jara Vyaadhi Bhayam Naivopajaayate
(Nothing inauspicious ever befalls the devotees of Vasudeva nor do they have any fear from the cyclic operation of birth, disease, old age and death any longer.)
12, Imam Stvam Adheeyaanaha Sradha Bhakti Samanvitaha
Yujyet Aatma Sukhassanti Sree Dhruti Smriti Keertibhihi
(Chanter of this hymn with zeal and devotion is blessed with the happy realisation of the essential nature of the self, besides the qualities of serenity, mental stability, unfailing memory and great fame and wealth.)
13. Na Krodho Na Cha Maatsaryam Na Lobho Naasubha Matihi
Bhavanti Kruta Punyaanaam Bhaktaanaam Purushothame
(Neither anger nor jealousy, neither avarice or unholy thoughts taint the minds of true devotees of Purushothama, who have to their credit many a virtuous deed.)
14. Dyauhu Sa Chandraarka Nakshatra Kham Diso Bhoormahodadhihi
Vasudevasya Veeryena Vidhrutaani Mahaatmanaha
(The firmament, the Moon, Sun and the stars, the sky, the directions, earth and the vast ocean are one and all propped up by the supreme valour of Vasudeva.)
15. Sasuraasura Gandharvam Sa Yakshoraga Raakshasam
Jagadvase Vartatedam Kishnasya Sa Charaacharam
(This world with all its contents, the sentient beings and non sentient things, the Gods, Asuraas, Gandharvas, Yakshaas, Naagaas and Raakshasaas, are under the supreme control of Sri Krishna. )
16. Indriyaani Mano Budhihi Satvam Tejo Balam Drutihi
Vasudevaatmakaanyaahu Kshetram Kshetragna Eva Cha
(as the body as a whole and the individual souls.. all of them have Vasudeva as their aatma.)
17. Sarvaagamaanam Aachaaraha Pradhamam Parikalpate
Aachara Prabhavo Dharmo Dharmasya Prabhurachyutaha
(Right conduct has been laid down as the most important, foremost of all the dharma revealed by the sastras. Right conduct gives rise to dharmas. Lord Achyuta is the deity propitiated by dharma who not only helps in ones adherence of dharma but also awards the fruits thereof.)
18. Rushayaha Pitaro Deva Maha Bhootaani Dhaatavaha
Jangama Jangamam Chedam Jagannaaraayonodbhavam
(Sages, gods, pitrus, great elements and their effects, mobile beings and immobile things, comprising entire universe, have all emanated from Achyuta.)
19. Yogo Gnaanam Tadha Saamkhyam Vidyaha Silpaadi Karma Cha
Vedaaha Saastraani Vignaanam Yetat Sarvam Janaardanaat
(Knowledge of yoga, sanghya, several branches of learning, arts, works, vedas, saastraas, all these spring from Lord Janaardana.)
20. Imam Stavam Bhagavato Vishnor Vyaasena Keertitam
Padedya Ichet Purushaha Sreyaha Praaptum Sukhaani Cha
(That person who desires to obtain supreme bliss in the yonder heaven as well as pleasures of this world should read stories of Lord Vishnu sung by great sage Vyaasa.)
21. Visveswaramajam Devam Jagataha Prabhum Avyayam
Bhajanti Ye Pushkaraksham Na Te Yaanti Paraabhavam
(The lotus eyed is the birthless, supreme deity, sovereign lord of the universe and the cause of creation and dissolution of the universe. Those who sing HIS praise will never meet with disrespect or discomfiture of any kind.)
Na Te Yaanti Paraabhavam Om Namaha Iti
(Salutation to the lord of all auspiciousness, never they meet with any disrespect from any source.)
22. Arjuna Uvaacha :
Padma Patra Visaalaaksha Padmanaabha Surothama
Bhaktaanaam Anuraktaanaam Traata Bhava Janaardana
(Arjuna said: O! Janaardana, greatest of gods, with broad eyes like lotus petals and lotus on your navel ,may you be the protector of your loving devotees.)
23. Bhagavaan Uvaacha :
Yo Maam naama Sahasrena Stotum Ichati Pandava
Sohamekena Slokena Stuta Eva Na Samsayaha
(Bhagavaan said: O! Arjuna, a person may of course be desirous of lauding ME by reciting all thousand names. But, on my part I feel satisfied with the chanting of one sloka. There is no doubt about it. )
Stuta Eva Na Samsayaha Om Nama Iti
(There is no doubt about it. Salutations to the auspicious Lord.)
24. Vyaasa Uvaacha :
Vasanaad Vasudevasya Vaasitam Bhuvana Trayam
Sarva Bhoota Nivaasosi Vasudeva Namostu Te
(Vyaasa said: Vasudeva!! all three worlds become viable only because they are pervaded by you,the all pervading. You are indeed the abode of all beings.)
Sree Vasudeva Namostuta Om Nama Iti
(Salutations to you Vasudeva)
25. Parvatyuvaacha :
Kenopaayena Laghuna Vishnor Naama Sahasrakam
Padyathe Panditair Nityam Srotum Ichamyaham Prabho
( Parvati said: Pray spell out an easy method by which the thousand names of Vishnu could be deemed to have been recited by learned persons daily. I wish to be enlightened by you my Lord. )
26. Eswara Uvacha :
Sree Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame
Sahsranaama Tathulyam Rama Nama Varaanane
(Maheswara said: Sree Rama's name being delightful source of mental exhilaration, I take great delight in reciting it repeatedly any length of time. Rama's name is indeed on par with thousand names of Vishnu spelt in this hymn, my blessed Lady. )
27. Brahma Uvaacha :
Namostu Anantaaya Sahasra Moorthaye
Sahasra Paadaakshi Siroru Baahave
Sahasranaamne Purushaaya Saasvate
Sahasra Koti Yuga Dhaarine Namaha
(Brahma said: Salutations to Bhagavaan who is eternal, who has thousand forms, thousand feet, thousand eyes, thousand heads, thousand thighs, thousand arms, and who is the eternal Purusha, having thousand names. Salutations to HIM who is restrained of thousand crores of aeons.)
28. Sanjaya Uvaacha:
Yatra Yogeswara Krishno Yatra Parttho Dhanurdharaha
Tatra Sreer Vijayo Bhootihi Dhruva Neetir Matir Mama
(Sanjaya said: Where Sree Krishna the lord of yoga is and where Arjuna holding the bow is there and there alone shall abide permanently, prosperity, victory, glory and righteousness. This is my considered opinion.)
29, Bhagavaan Uvaacha:
Ananyaschintayanto Maam Ye Janaaha Paryupasate
Tesham Nityabhi Yuktaanaam Yoga Kshemam Vahaamyaham
(Bhagavaan said: unto these people who meditate solely on me, I bear the burden of vouchsafing the yoga and kshema.)
30. Paritraanaaya Sadhoonaam Vinaasaaya Cha Dushkritaam
Dharma Samstthaapanaartthaaya Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge
(For protection of the devout, for frustration of the wicked and fixing dharma on a firm foundation, I get born age after age.)
31. Aaarthaa Vishannaaha Sidhilaascha Bheetaaha
Ghoreshu Cha Vyaadishu Vartamaanaaha
Samkeertya Narayana Sabda Maatram
Vimukta Dukha Sukhino Bhavanti
(Whether afflicted by dire distress or poignant grief or shattered by confusion due to fright or tormented by other maladies, if the victims in each case do but spell the name NARAYANA, they not only get rid of all these troubles but also attain everlasting happiness.)