Nestled within Hindu scriptures lies the revered Vishnu Sahasranama, a divine compilation of a thousand names devoted to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity. This sacred text, steeped in profound spiritual significance, serves as a guiding light for devotees seeking a deeper understanding of the divine.
Within the celestial melody of the Vishnu Sahasranama, Verse 28 emerges as a shimmering jewel, radiating profound wisdom and transformative power. It’s not just a collection of names; it’s a blueprint for inner peace, spiritual growth, and a glimpse into the boundless essence of Lord Vishnu.
नमोऽस्त्वनन्ताय सहस्रमूर्तये
सहस्रपादाक्षिशिरोरुबाहवे ।
सहस्रनाम्ने पुरुषाय शाश्वते
सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे नमः ॥ २८॥
सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे ॐ नम इति ।
namōstvanaṁtāya sahasramūrtayē sahasrapādākṣiśirōrubāhavē,
sahasranāmnē puruṣāya śāśvatē
sahasrakōṭiyugadhāriṇē namaḥ. (28)
sahasrakōṭiyugadhāriṇē nama ōṁ nama iti.
Hail to You, O Lord, who traverses the boundless expanse of countless eons, whose existence knows no end, bearing a thousand names, forms, feet, eyes, heads, and arms, ever-present and eternal. Om Nama, the One who journeys through myriad eons.
Delving Deeper:
- नमोऽस्त्वनन्ताय सहस्रमूर्तये
- नमोऽस्त्व (Namo astu) – Salutations to
- अनन्ताय (anantāya): to the endless / to the infinite
- सहस्रमूर्तये (sahasra-mūrtaye): of countless forms
- सहस्रपादाक्षिशिरोरुबाहवे
- सहस्र (sahasra): thousand
- पादाक्षि (pādākṣi): with feet and eyes
- शिरोरुबाहवे (śiroru-bāhave): heads and arms
- सहस्रनाम्ने पुरुषाय शाश्वते
- सहस्रनाम्ने (sahasra-nāmnē): of a thousand names
- पुरुषाय (puruṣāya): to the eternal being
- शाश्वते (śāśvate): eternal
- सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे नमः
- सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे (sahasra-kōti-yuga-dhāriṇe): who holds the weight of countless eons
- नमः (namaḥ): I bow down
- सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे ॐ नम इति
- सहस्रकोटियुगधारिणे (sahasra-kōti-yuga-dhāriṇe): who holds the weight of countless eons
- ॐ नम इति (oṁ namah iti) – Salutations to the one bearing countless eons
Unearthing Divine Attributes:
But Verse 28 is more than just comfort. It unveils the multifaceted aspects of the divine. “Sahasra-naamne-purushaya-shashvate” illuminates Vishnu’s eternity, reminding us that amidst life’s fleeting moments, He is the constant anchor. “Saha-srakoti-yuga-dharine” reveals His role as the sustainer of creation, a vast power that resonates in every heartbeat. This verse echoes with reverence for Lord Vishnu’s vastness, omnipresence, and unwavering support, offering a glimpse into his boundless and eternal nature, reminding us of his constant companionship and unwavering support on our journey.
If Lord Vishnu, the infinite one with a thousand names and a thousand forms, walks in the same world as you, then what earthly burden can truly weigh heavy on your heart? Verse 28 of the Vishnu Sahasranama paints a breathtaking portrait of the divine – eyes like celestial pools reflecting unwavering peace, limbs encompassing creation itself, names whispering truths whispered across eons. When such a being becomes your companion , fear shrinks to a fleeting shadow. The anxieties that gnaw at our souls, the uncertainties that shroud tomorrow, they simply lose their grip in the radiant face of such eternal being. For beneath the thousand names of Vishnu lies a promise whispered – “I am here, always. What darkness can touch the flame held aloft by a thousand suns?” So tread your path with courage, dear seeker, for if Lord Vishnu walks with you, the worries of the world become mere pebbles underfoot.
Embarking on Your Journey:
Embrace the transformative power of Verse 28 and more. Download the Vishnu Sahasranama app and let the entire hymn wash over you. Chant the names, meditate on their meanings, and feel the resonance of the divine within. The Vishnu Sahasranama is at the heart of various meditation and chanting practices. Its melodious verses provide a focus for japa meditation, where the constant repetition of a single name leads to profound introspection and inner silence.