VishnuSahasranama - Meaning

iishvaro Who is the Lord of Laksmi (I) and Vayu (sva)

vikramii Who is ever victorious and who has no difference between His mularupa and avataras

dhanvii Who weilds the blow

medhaavii Who is the most intelligent

vikramaH Who measured the universe with His feet

kramaH Who takes different avataras successively

anuttamo To whom there is no superior

duraadharshhaH Who cannot be confronted (nor His orders Scriptures)

kR^itaGyaH Who reminds the soul of actions performed by it, who remembers always the actions performed by devotees, by Whom the jivas are brought into creation

kR^itir Who inspires all efforts

atmavaan Whose body undergoes no change at any time

surESaH SaraNaM Sarma viSvarEtAH prajABavaH |

ahaH saMvatsarO vyAlaH pratyayassarvadarSanaH || 10 ||

suresaH- Who is the Lord of suras (devas)

sharaNaM Who is the refuge of all

sharma Who removes inauspiciousness at all times

vishvaretaaH Who is the originator of the Universe (bhuvanasya reto visnuh)

prajaabhavaH Who has no birth and yet Who is the originator of all else

ahaH Who is always different from the jivas (jivo hah sa na bhavati iti ahah)

sa.nvatsaro in whom all else live (samvatsarah atra iti)

vyaalaH Who takes upon as His duty to fulfil the desires of His devotees

pratyayaH Who is of the essence of knowledge (pratyayo jnanarupah)

sarvadarshanaH Who sees simultaneously all things

ajaH sarvESvaraH siddhaH siddhiH sarvAdiracyutaH |

vRuShAkapiramEyAtmA sarvayOgavinissRutaH || 11 ||

ajaH Who is the unborn

sarveshvaraH Who is the Lord of All

siddhaH Who is ever ready to protect His devotees

siddhiH Who has the matchless beautiful form (niratisaya rupavat siddhih)

sarvaadih Who is sought by all

acyutaH Who has no change in space, time and qualities (desatah kalato gunatasca cyuti rahitatvat)

Vr^ishhaakapira Who rains bliss on His devotees

ameyaatmaa Who cannot be known completely (Sakalyena jnatum asakya svarupah)

sarvayogaviniHsR^itaH From whom all means are derived.

vasurvasumanAH satyaH samAtmA saMmitaH samaH |

amOGaH puMDarIkAkShO vRuShakarmA vRuShAkRutiH || 12 ||

vasur Who is omnipresent and gives knowledge to all

vasumanaH Who accepts anything offered with devotion

satyaH Who inspires auspicious activities

samaatmaa. Who is always with Laksmi (ma) and Chaturmukha (atma)

asaMmitaH Who is known through the right authorities (Pramana)

samaH Who is the same in all (Sarvatra Sarva Rupesu Samatvat)

amoghaH Whose creation is useful

puNDariikaaksho Whose third eye is fire (Narasimha)

vR^ishhakarmaa Whose actions are beneficial to all

vR^ishaakR^itiH Whose form is always full

> > >12. vasurvasumanaH satyaH samaatmaa.asaMmitaH samaH .

> > >amoghaH puNDariikaaksho vR^ishhakarmaa vR^ishhaakR^itiH ..

> > >amoghaH - Whose creation is useful

> > Why are the straight-forward meanings to words like, 'amoghaH' (wonderful),

> > puNDarIkAksha (lotus-eyed) not preferred? It is possible that the above given meanings are derivable through different dhAtu combinations, but there has to be some reason why these are preferred?

> I am not sure about the suggested meaning of the latter word,

I don't know if the given ones are preferred. But they kindle our thinking process.

As mentioned in Sumadhvavijaya,

syAt.h tathetthamapi sambhavitArthastryarthatAM shrutiShu vitta dashArtham.h |

bhArataM nanu shatArthamapi syAdvaiShNavaM padasahasratayaM hi || VI-4||

(Shruti statements have 3 meanings, Bharata has 10 meanings and each word in Sri Vishnusahasranama has 100 meanings.)

All the meanings are derived from different dhatus and based on some pramanas.

It is well known that Sri Hari is sarvashabdavachya. Some times, one may ask if "trinetra" (three eyed) can be applied to Sri Hari. Certainly it can be. Here is the explanation for that. In the "Narasimha" incarnation, Sri Hari has "agni" as His third eye. (Among many meanings of the word, pundarika also means agni or fire).

In the book compiled by Sri Vidyamanyaru, it is said:

"puNDarIko.agniH sa evAxi tR^itIyaM yasya nR^isimhasya saH"

Acharya said in Nakhastuti:

"yadroshhotkaradakShanetrakuTilaH prAntotthitA.agni sphurat.h |

khadyotopamavisphuliN^gabhasitA brahmeshashakrotkarAH || 2||"

"One whose furious wink of the right eye emits agni or fire in which gods like Brahma, Rudra and Indra burn".

There are other meanings also like:

1. "hR^idayAkhyaM puNDarIkaM axNoti vyApnotiiti puNDarIkAxaH"

"One who pervades in the lotus like heart"

2. "puNDarIkaM paraM dhAma axNoti vyApnotiiti puNDarIkAxaH"

"puNDarIka means vaikuNTha. One who pervades it"

3. "puNDarIkamiva raktapadmamiva axiNI yasya saH puNDarIkAxaH"

"One whose eyes are like red lotus flower"

4. "puNDarIkaM agniM axNoti vyApnotiiti puNDarIkAxaH"

"puNDarIka means agni. One who pervades it (in the name of pAvaka)"

5. "puNDarIkanAmakamunau axi kR^ipAdR^ishhTiryasyeti"

"One whose kR^ipAdR^ishhTi lies in the sage named puNDarIka"

For the sake of purity, the name puNDarIkAxaH is recited.

"apavitraH pavitro vA sarvAvasthAM gato.api vA

yaH smaret.h puNDarIkAxaM sa bAhyAntaraH shuchiH"

> but `amogha' does not mean "wonderful." It is to be derived as the opposite of `mogha' (a-mogha), i.e., that which is not of the quality of `mogha' is `amogha'.

The reason for the confusion: If one says "the flower is beautiful", it does not imply that the flower means beautiful. Same way, "amogha" quality is wonderful (which does not have to imply "amogha" means wonderful).

mogha means vyartha or nirarthaka. Thus amogha means that which never becomes vyartha.

> The word `mogha' itself is given the following four meanings by Apte:

> (i) vain, (ii) aimless, (iii) left, and (iiii) idle.

The interesting thing is all these meanings can converge in one. For ex. "when it is said 'rAmasya sharamamoghaM' (Rama's arrow is amogha)"

It never goes in vain. It has a pefect aim. It does not abandon its laxya. It is not idle (or it has tremendous energy).

Other meanings for amogha:

1. "One whose wish, thought, word or act can never be nirarthaka (in vain)"

Thus He is called "satyakAma, satyasaN^kalpa, satyavAk.h, satyacheshhTaH".

2. This is the meaning given in original posting. Let us analyze how it is derived. If mogha means nirarthaka, amogha will mean sArthaka.

"jagat.h amoghayati saphalaM karotiiti amoghaH"

"One who makes this universe useful (or is the cause of this useful universe)".

3. "muktAtmanAM saN^kalpaM kAmaM vA amoghayati saphalaM karotiiti amoghaH"

"One who renders the wishes of the muktas fruitful".

4. "chaturmukhasya vachanaM amoghayati saphalaM karotiiti amoghaH"

"One who renders the words of chaturmukha (brahma) fruitful".

Regards,

Keshava Rao

> Shrisha Rao

>

> > Krishna

rudrO bahuSirA baBrurviSvayOniH SuciSravAH |

amRutaH SASvataH sthANurvarArOhO mahAtapAH || 13 ||

rudro (rujam dravayate) who destroys the anguish of His devotees

bahushiraa Who has many heads

babhru Who bears and supports the world

vishvayoniH Who is the origin of universe

shuchishravaaH Who has unsullied fame

amR^itaH Who supports Anantasana (Anantasanamadharatvena yasya so’mrtah)

shaash{}vatash Who is the Lord of even the liberated ones

sthaaNuh Who resides in all

varaaroho Who has unexcellable vehicle as well as limbs

mahaatapaaH Who has unrivalled wisdom

sarvagaH sarvavidBAnurviShvaksEnO janArdanaH |

vEdO vEdavidavyaMgO vEdAMgO vEdavit kaviH || 14 ||

sarvagaH Who is all pervasive

sarvavid Who teaches all (sarvam vedayatyiti)

bhaanur Who shines ever

vishvak{}seno Whose armies can march in all directions

janaardanaH Who puts an end to repeated births of his devotees

vedo Who bestows knowledge

vedavid Who knows the Vedas

avyaN^go Who has perfect limbs at all times (Vikalango na bhavatiti)

vedaaN^go Who has Goddess Lakshmi in His Heart

vedavit.h Who bestows Vedic knowledge on the devotees

kaviH. Who is eternally praiseworthy

lOkAdhyakShaH surAdhyakShO dharmAdhyakShaH kRutAkRuta: |

caturAtmA caturvyUhaScaturdaMShTraScaturBujaH || 15 ||

lokaadhyakshaH (Prakasarupatvat loko-adhyakso-adhipatih) - Whose form is effulgence and who is the Lord of all effulgent forms.

suraadhyaksho Who is the leader of the devas

dharmaadhyaksha.H Who is the Lord of Dharma righteous activity

kR^ittakR^itaH. Who is not bound by His actions

chaturaatmaa Who is the controller of even Chaturmukha Brahma

chaturvyuuhash Who has the four vyuha forms of Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Prayumna and Aniruddha

chaturda.nshhTrash Who displayed the fierce form with four protruding teeth as Narasimha

chaturbhujaH.. Who is the bestower of four purusarthas Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksa

BrAjiShNurBOjanaM BOktA sahiShNurjagadAdijaH |

anaGO vijayO jEtA viSvayOniH punarvasuH || 16 ||

bhraajishhNuh One who is of pure luminosity

bhojanaM The Lord who enjoys prakriti and maya (ie. Under his control). He is an object of enjoyment Himself.

bhok{}tas He is called Bhokta since He is the enjoyer of Prakriti

sahishhNuh He is the suppressor of Asuras like Hiranyaksah

jagadaadijaH One who takes the form of Hiranyagarbah at the beginning of creation

anagho Who is without sin

vijayo Who has the mastery over the entire cosmos by virtue of his six special excellences known as Bhagas

jetaa Who is naturally superior to all beings

visvayoniH The Origin and Source of the Universe

punarvasuH.. One who dwells again and again in the bodies of jivas

Another Set of Meanings for Verse No.16:

bhraajishhNuh Who is self luminous.

bhojanaM Who sustains everything.

bhok{}tas Who enjoys the essence of everything.

sahishhNuh Who bears the shortcomings of devotees.

jagadaadijaH Who is the originator of even Brahma.

anagho Who is ever the sinless.

vijayo Who is ever the victorious.

jetaa Whose very essence is victory.

visvayoniH (vinaa garudena savati iti visuh visusca asau ayonisca One who goes about without Garuda and who has no origin)

punarvasuH.. Who rains wealth on His devotees again and a

upEMdrO vAmanaH prAMSuramOGaH SucirUrjitaH |

atIMdraH saMgrahaH sargO dhRutAtmA niyamO yama: || 17 ||

upendro Greater than Indra

vaamanaH One who has to be devoutly worshipped

praa.nshu One of great height (reference to Vamana and Mahabali story)

amoghaH One whose acts do not fail

shuchi One who purifies those who adore and praise Him

uurjitaH One of infinite strength

atiindraH One superior to Indra due to his inherent attributes of omnipotence, omniscience etc.

sa.ngrahaH One who reduces everything to their subtle condition and holds them within Himself.

Sargo One who is the cause of creation

dhR^itaatmaa One who is Unchanged (expl. Without the transformation involved in birth and death)

niyamo One who appoints His creatures in particular stations.

yamaH .. One who regulates, being within.

Another Set of Meanings

17. upendro vaamanaH praa.nshuramoghaH shuchiruurjitaH .

atiindraH sa.ngrahaH sargo dhR^itaatmaa niyamo yamaH ..

upendro Who has Indra for his younger brother

vaamanaH Who leads all the beautiful entities (vamani sundaravastuni nayatiti)

praa.nshur Who has the tallest form as shown in Trivikrama avatara (triviktramena rupena unnatatvat)

amoghaH Whose resolve is never infructous

shuchir Who is purity absolute

uurjitaH .- Who creates those who feed others

atiindraH Who ever surpasses Indra

sa.ngrahaH Who attracts His devotees

sargo From Whom the planets derieve their strength

dhR^itaatmaa Who sustains all souls

niyamo Having no controller for Himself, controls all

yamaH ..- Who is the inner ruler of even the god of death.

vEdyO vaidyaH sadAyOgI vIrahA mAdhavO madhuH |

atIMdriyO mahAmAyO mahOtsAhO mahAbalaH || 18 ||

vedyo One to be known by those aspiring for Moksha

vaidyaH One knowing all vidyas

sadaayogii One ever exeperiencable, being ever existent

viirahaa One who destroys powerful asuras to protect Dharma

maadhavo One who is the Lord or Master of Ma or knowledge

madhuH . Amrita (honey), because He gives joy like honey

atiindriyo One who is beyond the ken of senses (not knowable through senses)

mahaamaayo One who controls Maya. Greater than the greatest illusionists.

Mahotsaaho One ever busy in the work of creation, sustenance and dissolution.

mahaabalaH .. The strongest among those who have strength

Another set of meanings

vedyo - Who alone is fit to be known

vaidyaH Who is the greatest of Doctors, for he heals the greatest of ailments, bhavaroga the misery of samsara

sadaayogii Who is ever in meditation as in Kapila and other forms

viirahaa Who deserts the haters of Vayu (vigata iro vayuh yebhyah te)

maadhavo Who never trembles before others

madhuH . Who has the eternal form of bliss

atiindriyo Who is ever beyond the reach of senses

mahaamaayo Whose will is final (mahati maya iccha yasya)

mahotsaaho Whose enthusiasm is ever ebullient

mahaabalaH ..- Whose strength is ever unsurpassed.

mahAbuddhirmahAvIryO mahASaktirmahAdyutiH |

anirdESyavapuH SrImAnamEyAtmA mahAdridhRuk || 19 ||

mahaabuddhir The wisest among the wise

mahaaviiryo The most powerful one.

mahaaviiryo One with the greatest strength and skill

mahaadyutiH .- One intensely brilliant, within and without.

anirdeshyavapuH One who cannot be objectively known

shriimaan One endowed with greatness of every kind

ameyaatmaa Whose intelligence cannot be measured by any one.

mahaadridhR^ik.h .. One who held up the great mountain Mandara at the time of churning of the milk ocean and also Goverdhana in His Krishna incarnation.

Mahaabuddhir Whose understanding is perfect and unsurpassed

mahaaviiryo Whose potency is unsurpassed

mahaasaktih Whose power is unsurpassed

mahaadyutiH . Whose effulgence is unsurpassed

anirdeshyavapuH Whose form none can comprehend in definite terms

completely

shriimaan Who controls even Lakshmi

ameyaatmaa - Whose essence none can know completely

mahaadridhR^ik.h ..- Who lifted the mountain Mandhara / Goverdhana effortlessly

mahEShvAsO mahIBartA SrInivAsaH satAM gatiH |

aniruddhaH surAnaMdO gOviMdO gOvidAM patiH || 20 ||

maheshhvaaso One Who has a great bow

mahiibhartaa One who held up the earth submerged in pralaya waters

shriinivaasaH One on whose chest the Goddess Sri, eternal in nature, dwells

sataaM gatiH . One who bestows the highest destiny attainable to all holy men

aniruddhaH One who has never been obstructed by any one or anything from manifesting its various forms

suraanando One who bestows joy on all divinities

govindo means words. He pervades all words giving them power. Hence, sages call him Govinda

govidaaM patiH .. "Go" - means words. One who knows them is Govind. He who is the master of words is indicated by this name.

Another Set Meanings from Dharmaprakash Journal for Sloka 19 & 20

.

maheshhvaaso Whose will cannot be opposed

mahiibhartaa Who is the Lord of the Universe

shriinivaasaH In whom Sri Goddess Lakshmi resides always

sataaM gatiH Who is the goal of those who always desire bliss.

aniruddhaH Who is never upset by anybody

suraanando (su shobana jnanam rati dadatyanandayati ca iti)

Who bestows right knowledge and makes His devotees enjoy bliss.

govindo Who pleases the Cows, the Universe, and those who follow the

vedas

govidaaM patiH Who is the Lord of those who rightly understand the

Vedic message.

marIcirdamanO haMsaH suparNO BujagOttamaH |

hiraNyanABaH sutapAH padmanABaH prajApati: || 21 ||

mariichi Who destroys the darkness of ignorance

damano Who destroyed the asura named Damana and who is the favourite

of those who have ‘dama’ Self Control.

ha.nsaH (dosahinatvat ham saratvat sah humsasau sasca

hamsah) Who is faultless and also the motivator of all

suparNo Who is of bliss-form

bhujagottamaH . For whom the best of serpents sesa

is the bed

hiraNyanaabhaH Who destroyed the asura Hiranya by name

sutapaaH (pa raksana ityatah sutam caturmukham patiti)

Who always protects Chaturmukha Brahma

padmanaabhaH (padam baghavatasvarupam manyata ita padmana

bhavadbhaktah tan prati abhati it) Who shines favourably on the

devotees who know His true form.

prajaapatiH .. Who is the Lord of Creation

amRutyuH sarvadRuksiMhaH saMdhAtA saMdhimAn sthiraH |

ajO durmarShaNaH SAstA viSrutAtmA surArihA || 22 ||

amR^ityuH Who has no death at any time

sarvadR^ik.h Who sees everything at all times

si.nhaH Who is Supreme

sa.ndhaataa Who reconciles and protects

sandhimaan.h Who makes up with the devotees after forgiving their

faults, as in case of Sugriva and Vibheesana

sthiraH .- Who is beginingless and eternal

ajo Who is never born

durmarshhaNaH Who cannot be borne by anybody

shaastaa Who alone is the lawgiver of all

vishrutaatmaa Who has shown His form to devotees who praise Him,

knowing His Majesty

suraarihaa .. Who destroys the enemies of the gods

gururgurutamO dhAmaH satyaH satyaparAkramaH |

nimiShO&nimiShaH sragvI vAcaspatirudAradhIH || 23 ||

guruH- Who holds all knowledge in His control

gurutamo Who is the first among Perceptors

dhaamaH Who has the form of effulgence

satyah Who inspiries good thoughts and actions

satyaparaakramaH .- Whose valour is true at all times

nimishho. Who controls time

animishhaH Who is always favourable to His devotees

sragvii Who wears the ever victorious Vaijayanti garland always

vaachaspati Who is the Lord of the Vedas

rudaaradhiiH (utkrsta dara ramaa tasya dhih yasmat iti) Who controls the mind of even His incomparable consort Ramadevi.

agraNIrgrAmaNIH SrImAn nyAyO nEtA samIraNaH |

sahasramUrdhA viSvAtmA sahasrAkShaH sahasrapAt || 24 ||

agraNiir Who leads all the rest

graamaNiiH Who inspires all sentient beings

shriimaan.h Who is ever adored by Goddess Lakshmi

nyaayo Who always bestows His grace on others

netaa Who bestows deserving fruits of actions of all

samiiraNaH . (samirasya vayoh nah sukham yasmat) Who bestows bliss on Vayu

sahasra muurdhaa Who has infinite heads

vishvaatmaa Who controls the Universe

sahasraakshaH Who has infinite eyes

sahasrapaat.h .. Who has infinite feet

25. aavartano nivR^ittaatmaa sa.nvR^itaH saMpramardanaH .

ahaH sa.nvartako vanhiranilo dharaNiidharaH ..

aavartano Who has the supreme righteous bearing

nivR^ittaatmaa To whom all souls return in deluge

sa.nvR^itaH Who possesses all auspicous attributes

saMpramardanaH .- Who ruthlessly destroys the asuras

ahaH - (na jahati bhaktan iti ahah) Who never lets down His

devotees

sa.nvartako (samvartate jagat atra iti) in Whom the Universe

revolves

vanhir Who sustains the world at all times

anilo (na vidyate ila bhumih adharabhuta yasyeti) for whom

the world is not the support (The Lord supports the world and not vice versa)

dharaNiidharaH .. Who lifted the Universe (as in the Varaha avatara)

26. suprasaadaH prasannaatmaa vishvadhR^igvishvabhugvibhuH .

satkartaa satkR^itaH saadhurjanhurnaaraayaNo naraH ..

suprasaadaH (sobhano moksajanakibhutah prasado yasyeti) Who

is the originator of the Grace that bestows moksha

prasannaatmaa Whose mind is ever well disposes

vishvadhR^ig Who supports the Universe

vishvabhug Who consumes the Universe at deluge

vibhuH .- Who pervades the Universe

satkartaa Who ever performs effortlessly satah satyasya

jagatah karteti va Who creates the real world.

satkR^itaH Whose acts are real

saadhur sadanoti parakaryamiti Who helps others to attain

their ends

janhur - Who lets down their evil doers

naaraayaNo Who is the locus of all auspicious attributes who

is not the locus of any defect

naraH .. Who does not undergo any modifications at any time.

Notes on Verse No.26

The word 'Narayana' occurs in Sloka 26. Sri Bidarahalli Srinivasacharya in

his work ‘Narayana Shabdartha’ has given the following 72 meanings

to the word ‘Narayana’. The word ‘Narayana’ means:

1. Is full of auspicious attributes.

2. Is devoid of all blemishes.

3. Is the object of knowledge.

4. Is the refuge of all released souls.

5. Does the creation, subsistence, dissolution, order, enlightenment,

nescience, bondage and absolution of human beings.

6. Is saluted by human beings.

7. Is the most beloved of Mukhyapranadeva.

8. Is expounded by all the vedas.

9. Is the instrument of knowledge of Mukhya vayu deva.

10. Is addressed by the names of all the devatas.

11. Is present in the human body if and only if Mukhyaprana is present.

12. Dwells inside the Brahmanda which is the body of Brahmadeva.

13. Is present inside the world created by Brahmadeva.

14. Possesses Svetadwipa, Ananthasana, and Vaikunta as His three abodes.

15. Dwells in the waters created by Himself earlier.

16. Dwells in Suryamandala.

17. Is present in the lotus like hearts of the devotees.

18. Has Garuda as his vahana.

19. Reclines on Seshadeva.

20. Cannot be known by the defiled.

21. Has Mahalakshmi, the mother of Mukhyaprana as His servant.

22. Supports Bhudevi.

23. Gives enjoyment to Muktas.

24. Is related to all jnanis and Mukhyavayu as son, brother and friend.

25. Bestows the desires of human beings.

26. Reclines on the Vatapatra, a form of Sridevi.

27. Supports the Brahmanda from outside by assuming the form of Kurma.

28. Assumes the Kurma form to support the kurma form assumed by Mukhyaprana

to support sesadeva.

29. Is different from all jivas and matter, devoid of all blemishes,

superior to all released souls, destroyer of all defects of His devotees and full of

all auspicous attributes.

30. Possesses knowledge which is eternal, changeless, and independent.

31. Destroys the linga sarira of jnanis in the Viraja river.

32. Is the object of the minds of jnanis.

33. Follows the jnanis.

34. Enters the body of Brahmadeva.

35. Is beyond the mind of wicked people.

36. Dwells in hell as the preraka of sinners.

37. Dwells in heaven as the preraka of the virtous.

38. Makes Varuna and Candra to enter Aniruddha; Aniruddha to enter Manmatha;

Manmatha to enter Varuni and Varuni to enter Sesadeva; also Agni and Surya

to enter Brhaspati; Brhaspati to enter Indra, Indra to enter Sauparni and

Sauparni to enter Garuda during Pralaya.

39. Destroys His enemies with His Chakra and other weapons.

40. Makes the water lying outside Brahmanda to enter it.

41. Supports the lotus born of Him.

42. Supports the fourteen worlds.

43. Is the originator of the three states Jagrat, Svapna and

Susupti.

44. Is present in the eye, mind and heart as Visva, Taijasa and Prajna.

45. Combines His avatara rupas like Rama with His mula rupa on completion of

avatara.

46. Gave protection to Prahalada in Narasimhavatara.

47. Supported Hanuman in Ramavatara.

48. Supported Bhimasena in Krishnavatara.

49. Supported Srimad Anandatirtha in Vedavyasavatara.

50. Dwells in the eight Vyasamustis.

51. Is present in eaters as Pradyumna and Sankarsana.

52. Is present in edibles as Aniruddha and Narayana.

53. Creates space by digesting the food taken by human beings.

54. Is always present in saligrama.

55. Is present in the idols like those of Sri Ranganatha.

56. Supported Arjuna in Krishnavatara.

57. Is the friend of Arjuna and the supporter of the earth.

58. Is the object of aparoksha jnana and destroys prarabdha, anista punya

and papa karmas.

59. Destroys the blemishes of the virtuous and who is the most powerful one.

60. Brings blemishes to the wicked, Himself being blissful.

61. Manifests bliss to the virtuous in mukti.

62. Gives happiness in svarga for those performing yajna according to their

karmas.

63. Gives eternal hell to Kali.

64. Denies happiness to daityas, originates pralaya, and is known by Brahma

and other devas.

65. Is devoid of blemishes, supeior to all, jnanarupi and is attained by all

released souls.

66. Is devoid of all blemishes, gives happiness to the virtuous and enables

them to reach Him.

67. Is full of bliss and not to be attained by the wicked.

68. Is the pralaya karta, denies pleasure to daityas, is full of enjoyment

and bliss, and possesses the correct knowledge.

69. Bestows mukti through Guru.

70. Gives fruits to jivas according to their karma.

71. Eats the fruits of the virtuous acts of human beings.

72. Gives pleasure to the female form of the released Brahmadeva.

(English translation of the 72 meanings by Shri.K. Narasimhan, Tirunelveli,

in his article ‘Narayana Sabdartha’ Vol-6, No.10,

Dharmaprakash, June 1977)

27. asa.nkhyeyo.aprameyaatmaa vishishhTaH shishhTakR^ich{}chhuchiH .

siddhaarthaH siddhasa.nkal{}paH siddhidaH siddhisaadhanaH ..

asa.nkhyeyo. Whose attributes are countless

aprameyaatmaa Whose essence and glory cannot be comprehended

completely

vishishhTaH Who transcends Brahma and others

shishhTakR^ich Who alone gives completion for works

{}chhuchiH Who is ever pure absolutely

siddhaarthaH Who fulfils the sadhana of devotees

siddhasa.nkal{}paH Whose resolve is firm for conferring boons on

devotees

siddhidaH Who confers fulfilment to devotees

siddhisaadhanaH .. Who bestows the means and liberation on devotees.

28. vshhaahii vR^ishhabho vishhNurvR^ishhaparvaa vR^ishhodaraH .

vardhano vardhamaanash{}cha vivik{}taH shrutisaagaraH ..

vshhaahii Who is enveloped by Dharma

vR^ishhabho Who shines by His steadfastness to Dharma

vishhNur Who cannot be seen by others without His desire

vR^ishhaparvaa Who is seen only by the meritorious

vR^ishhodaraH Who made the pure Ganga flow from His feet (in

Trivikramavatara)

vardhano Who makes His devotees grow in sadhana

vardhamaanash{}cha Who has no growth at any time

vivik{}taH Who is different from the Universe at all times

shrutisaagaraH .. Who is described by the Scriptures as an

extensive ocean of auspicious attributes.

29. subhujo durdharo vaagmii mahendro vasudo vasuH .

naikaruupo bR^ihadruupaH shipivishhTaH prakaashanaH ..

subhujo Who makes others enjoy happiness

durdharo Who cannot be borne by anyone else

vaagmii Whose form is described in the Vedas

mahendro Whose powers cannot be excelled

vasudo Who pervades and makes His presence felt in each being and in

each place

vasuH . Who is everywhere

naikaruupo Who has manifold forms

bR^ihadruupaH Who has stupendous forms

shipivishhTaH Who is of the form as inspirer of fire in firewood

(sami)

prakaashanaH .. Who bestows the lustre on others

30. ojastejodyutidharaH prakaashaatmaa prataapanaH .

R^idvaH spashhTaaksharo mantrash{}chandraa.nshurbhaaskaradyutiH ..

ojastejodyutidharaH Who sustains the being, the power, and the

luminosity of all

prakaashaatmaa Whose nature is luminosity

prataapanaH .- Who illumines the Universe residing in and inspiring the sun

R^idvaH Who is ever perfect

spashhTaaksharo Who is the clear import of all scriptural statements

mantrash{} Who enables the devotees to meditate on Him

chandraa.nshur From whom the moon derieves its light

bhaaskaradyutiH .. From whom the sun gets its effulgence

31. amR^itaaMshuudbhavo bhaanuH shashabinduH sureshvaraH .

aushhadhaM jagataH setuH satyadharmaparaakramaH ..

amR^itaaMshuudbhavo Who gives nectarine bliss in the form of

Dhanvantri

bhaanuH Who is ever luminous

shashabinduH - Who bestows jnana on aspiring souls, Himself remaining ever

as Supreme Bliss

sureshvaraH . - Who shines forth and devours the universe at deluge

aushhadhaM Who alone is the bestower of relief for the three

ailments (ustanam tapatraya dagdhanam asrayatvat ausadam)

jagataH setuH Who alone is the bridge for the souls to cross the

samsara

satyadharmaparaakramaH .. Who is the abode of the visible as well as

the invisible and the support of the Universe and who shines in His

resplendent glory (murtamurtajagadasrayatvat satyah dharakatvat dharmah,

parak ramata iti parakramah)

32. bhuutabhavyabhavannaathaH pavanaH paavano.analaH .

kaamahaa kaamakR^it{}kaantaH kaamaH kaamapradaH prabhuH ..

bhuutabhavyabhavannaathaH Who is adored by devotees suffering in

samsara

pavanaH Who protects Kings and bestows prosperity on them

paavano. Who tests and purifies his devotees

analaH . (anam-mukhyaprananam-lati-bhaktatvena iti) Who

fondles bhagavan Vayu for his pure devotion

kaamahaa Who destroys evil desires

kaamakR^it Who fulfils the desires of true devotees

{}kaantaH Who is the bestower of bliss on Brahma

kaamaH Who is longed for by devotees

kaamapradaH Who bestows favour on devotees

prabhuH .. Who exists, surpassing all, at all times.

33. yugaadikR^idyugaavarto naikamaayo mahaashanaH .

adR^ishyo vyak{}taruupash{}cha sahasrajidanantajit.h ..

yugaadikR^id Who initiates divisions of time into yugas and so on

yugaavarto Who rotates yuga time cycle

naikamaayo Who possesses astounding powers

mahaashanaH . Who devours all

adR^ishyo Who remains invisible

avyak{}taruupash{}cha Who has unmanifest forms

sahasrajid Who conquers hordes of asuras

anantajit.h .. Who subdues innumerable opposing foes

34. ishhTo.avishishhTaH shishhTeshhTaH shikhaNDii nahushho vR^ishhaH .

krodhahaa krodhakR^itkartaa vish{}vabaahurmahiidharaH ..

ishhTo. Who is the beloved to whom all sacrifices are offered

avishishhTaH Who remains the very same even in pralaya (deluge)

shishhTeshhTaH Who has for company, Ramadevi, in pralaya

shikhaNDii Who has the peacock feather for an ornament on His head

nahushho Who binds the asuras to eternal damnation

vR^ishhaH . Who rains welfare on devotees

krodhahaa Who destroys asuras who are anger - incarnate

krodhakR^it Who displays anger towards those given to evil deeds

kartaa Who is ever independent

vish{}vabaahur Who gives strength to Vayu’s shoulders

mahiidharaH .. Who bears the universe

35. achyutaH prathitaH praaNaH praaNado vaasavaanujaH .

apaaMnidhiradhishhThaanamapramattaH pratishhThitaH ..

#

achyutaH - One who is without the six transformations beginning with birth

prathitaH - One who is famous because of His works like creation, etc.,

praaNaH One who as Hiranyagarbah endows all beings with Prana

praaNado One who bestows Prana on Devas and Asuras and also destroys

them by withdrawing it.

vaasavaanujaH . One who was born as younger brother of Indra

(Vasava) in His incarnation as Vamana

apaaMnidhir The word means collectively of water or the Ocean. In

Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says ‘Sarasam asmi sagarah’

among pools of water, I am Samudra or Ocean. The Lord is called by that name

because the Ocean is one of His special manifestations.

adhishhThaanam The seat or support for everything. Brahman, as the

material cause of everything, is their substance and support.

apramattaH One who is always vigilant in awarding the fruits of

actions to those who are entitled to them.

pratishhThitaH One who is supported and established in His own

greatness.

> 35. achyutaH prathitaH praaNaH praaNado vaasavaanujaH .

> apaaMnidhiradhishhThaanamapramattaH pratishhThitaH ..

>

> #

> achyutaH - One who is without the six transformations beginning with birth

> prathitaH - One who is famous because of His works like creation, etc.,

> praaNaH One who as Hiranyagarbah endows all beings with Prana

> praaNado One who bestows Prana on Devas and Asuras and also destroys

> them by withdrawing it.

> vaasavaanujaH . One who was born as younger brother of Indra

> (Vasava) in His incarnation as Vamana

> apaaMnidhir The word means collectively of water or the Ocean. In

> Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says ‘Sarasam asmi sagarah’

> among pools of water, I am Samudra or Ocean. The Lord is called by that name

> because the Ocean is one of His special manifestations.

> adhishhThaanam The seat or support for everything. Brahman, as the

> material cause of everything, is their substance and support.

> apramattaH One who is always vigilant in awarding the fruits of

> actions to those who are entitled to them.

> pratishhThitaH One who is supported and established in His own

> greatness.

There are a couple of rather serious errors in the above. The quote

`sarasAmasmi sAgaraH' from the 'Gita is NOT saying that the Ocean is one

of the manifestations of the Lord -- indeed, such an idea is absurd on the

face of it because any body of water is insentient, and cannot be the same

as Him because of jaDeshvara-bheda.

The complete verse from the Bhagavad Gita is:

purodhasAM cha mukhyaM mAM viddhi pArtha bR^ihaspatim.h |

senAnInAmahaM skandaH sarasAmasmi sAgaraH || 10\.24 ||

What this is saying is: Know Me, Partha (mAM viddhi pArtha) to be as the

chief (mukhyaM) among the traditional priests (purodhasAM = purohitAnAM),

i.e., Brhaspati, the priest to the gods led by Indra. Likewise, among

leaders of armies know Me to be Skanda, the son of Rudra and the commander

of the gods' army, and among bodies of water, the Ocean.

The point therefore is not that the Ocean, or Skanda, or Brhaspati, are

particular manifestations of Krishna, but rather that just as they are

immensely superior members of their respective classes, Vishnu, as the

Supreme Being, is pre-eminent among all. This is a clear statement of

bheda, and of Hari-sarvottamatva.

The meaning given for `adhishhThAnam.h' is objectionable also: one does

not accept that Brahman, i.e., Vishnu, is the material cause of the world.

In the standard example of a pot's creation, the clay is the material

cause (upAdAna kAraNa), while the potter is the efficient cause (nimitta

kAraNa).

Brahman is only the efficient cause for the world, because (i) there is no

example of creation that could be given of one and the same entity being

both types of causes, and "creation" itself implies that the two cannot be

one and the same, unless "creation" is to be re-defined entirely along

unknown and unprovable lines; (ii) if Brahman were subject to modification

and decay for being the insentient world also, then He would be flawed,

contrary to Vedanta; and (iii) there are clear statements in the shaastra

against the notion proposed.

The word `adhishhThana' has a number of suitable meanings: residence,

abode, authority, power, etc.

Earlier, you had written:

> 28. vshhaahii vR^ishhabho vishhNurvR^ishhaparvaa vR^ishhodaraH .

> vardhano vardhamaanash{}cha vivik{}taH shrutisaagaraH ..

>

> vshhaahii Who is enveloped by Dharma

> vR^ishhabho Who shines by His steadfastness to Dharma

> vishhNur Who cannot be seen by others without His desire

[*chomp*]

I'm not sure how `vishhNu' is being given such a meaning.

In commenting upon the verse X-21 of the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Ananda

Tiirtha cites two dhAtu-sUtra-s: `vishhLR^i vyAptau', and `visha

praveshane' -- thus, `vishhNu' can be either `sarvavyAptavAn.h'

(all-pervading), or `sarva-praveshavAn.h' (immanent in all).

The Acharya also cites Mahabharata 12\.328\.37-38 in defining `vishhNu'.

(Also see Sri Raghavendra's gloss upon this 'Gita verse.)

Regards,

Shrisha Rao

36. skandaH skandadharo dhuryo varado vaayuvaahanaH .

vaasudevo bR^ihadbhaanuraadidevaH purandaraH ..

skandaH Who descends from Vaikunta to protect His devotees

skandadharo Who supports Subrahmanya

dhuryo Who bears all burden

varado Who bestows liberation

vaayuvaahanaH . Who sustains breathing in souls

vaasudevo Who resides and pervades all objects

bR^ihadbhaanu Who illumines the suns

adidevaH Who is the Prime God

purandaraH .. Who destroys the mortal coils

37. ashokastaaraNastaaraH shuuraH shaurirjaneshvaraH .

anukuulaH shataavartaH padmii padmanibhekshaNaH ..

ashoka Who has no sorrow at any time

staaraNas Who fords the devotees across samsara Who resides

in the sun (taranimadhyantargatah)

taaraH - Who helps the devotees at all times

shuuraH Who bestows valour on devotees

shaurir Who has taken avatar as the son of sura - Vasudeva

janeshvaraH .- Who is ever the Lord of all souls as well as Sri

anukuulaH Who is ever helpful to devotees

shataavartaH Who directs the gods in their activities

padmii Who has the lotus in his hand

padmanibhekshaNaH .. Whose glances are comforting like the moonshine

38. padmanaabho.aravindaakshaH padmagarbhaH shariirabhR^it.h .

maharddhiriR^iddho vR^iddhaatmaa mahaaksho garuDadhvajaH ..

padmanaabho. Who has the lustre of the sun blossoming the lotuses

aravindaakshaH Whose eyes dispel darkness

padmagarbhaH Who has borne Brahma (padmah caturmukhah garbhe yasya

sah)

shariirabhR^it.h .- Who supports the changing Universe

maharddhiri Who is the most prosperous

R^iddho Who has knowledge and bliss in perfection

vR^iddhaatmaa Who is the inner ruler of four faced Brahma and others

mahaaksho Whose eyes comprehend everything

garuDadhvajaH .. Who has for his vehicle and banner, Garuda.

39. atulaH sharabho bhiimaH samayaGYo havirhariH .

sarvalakshaNalakshaNyo lakshmiivaan.h samiti.njayaH ..

atulaH Who has no compeer at any time

sharabho Who alone shines in the waters of deluge (sare pralayodake

bhatiti)

bhiimaH Who has and establishes valid knowledge

samayaGYo Who is always with Goddess Lakshmi and who knows the truth

of scriptures

havirhariH . Who alone receives the sacrificial oblations

sarvalakshaNalakshaNyo Who possesses all the cosmic powers in full

lakshmiivaan.h Who has Goddess Lakshmi, the perceiver of devotees

samiti.njayaH .. Who is ever victorious in war

40. viksharo rohito maargo heturdaamodaraH sahaH .

mahiidharo mahaabhaago vegavaanamitaashanaH ..

viksharo Who has no destruction at any time

rohito Who is of red complexion

maargo Who is the goal sought by the informed in scriptures

hetur Who is the primary cause of the Universe

daamodaraH Who is favourably disposed to bestow bliss on devotees

sahaH . Who bears all

mahiidharo Who is the support of the Universe

mahaabhaago- In whom the six cosmic qualities find fulfilment

vegavaan Who overtakes all else

amitaashanaH ..- Who consumes without limit

41. udbhavaH kshobhaNo devaH shriigarbhaH parameshvaraH .

karaNaM kaaraNaM kartaa vikartaa gahano guhaH ..

udbhavaH from Whom, Lord Siva was born and made greater than goddess

Parvati and others

kshobhaNo Who controls the sentient and insentient principles

devaH Who is sportive, adorable and the goal of all

shriigarbhaH (sriyo garbho yasmat iti)- Who bears even goddess

Lakshmi

parameshvaraH . Who protects and lords over goddess Lakshmi

karaNaM Who bestows strength and bliss

kaaraNaM Who is the origin of the Universe

kartaa Who does everything by Himself

vikartaa Who has no creator for Himself

gahano Whose depth none has surmised

guhaH .. Who hides Himself and us, from ourselves

42. vyavasaayo vyavasthaanaH sa.nsthaanaH sthaanado dhruvaH .

pararddhiH paramaspashhTastushhTaH pushhTaH shubhekshaNaH ..

vyavasaayo Whose will is eternal

vyavasthaanaH Who takes the jiva in all states of jagrat, svapna,

susupti and others.

sa.nsthaanaH Who establishes Pranadeva as controller of jivas

sthaanado Who bestows the respective status to respective jivas

dhruvaH . Who is ever existent

pararddhiH Who bestows understanding on others

parama Who is ever Supreme

spashhTas Who is ever clear

tushhTaH Who is ever satisfied

pushhTaH Who ever protects all

shubhekshaNaH ..- Whose glance assures auspiciousness on devotees

43. raamo viraamo virajo maargo neyo nayo.anayaH .

viiraH shak{}timataaM shreshhTho dharmo dharmaviduttamaH ..

raamo Who is the Lord of Ramadevi

viraamo Whose consort is uniquely beautiful

virajo Who is not tainted by the three gunas

maargo Who has the lion face as Narasimha

neyo Who corrects his disciples by enlightening them

nayo. Who is not led by any other, due to His Supremacy

anayaH .- Who sends Vayudeva to earth

viiraH Who sports in His knowledge

shak{}timataaM shreshhTho Who is strongest of the strong

dharmo Who bears the others

dharmavid Who knows the intracacies of dharma

uttamaH .. Who is ever Supreme

44. vaikuNThaH purushhaH praaNaH praaNadaH praNavaH pR^ithuH .

hiraNyagarbhaH shatrugh{}no vyaap{}to vaayuradhokshajaH ..

vaikuNThaH Who has the Vaikunta loka as His abode

purushhaH One Who is in the souls and controls them

praaNaH One Who is supreme to the liberated (anah muktah)

praaNadaH One Who nourishes the devotees and the supreme of them

too, Vayu.

praNavaH One Who leads the souls

pR^ithuH One Who is famous

hiraNyagarbhaH One Who has the universe in His womb

shatrugh{}no One Who destroys the enemies

vyaap{}to One Who is the beloved of Brahma and other deities

vaayur One Who sustains human life and carries it.

adhokshajaH ..- One Who is revealed to us by Hanuman (Adhoksah means the

destroyer of Aksa, the eldest son of Ravana).

45. R^ituH sudarshanaH kaalaH parameshhThii parigrahaH .

ugraH sa.nvatsaro daksho vishraamo vishvadakshiNaH ..

R^ituH He who shows His svarupa and the jiva’s svarupa

sudarshanaH He who weilds the discus, Sudharsana

kaalaH He who bestows the appropriate bliss on the jivas (according

to their svarupa yogyata)

parameshhThii He who lives in the heart of all beings

parigrahaH . He Who blesses the devotees (parin)

ugraH One who devours Rudra (u..) at the deluge

sa.nvatsaro One who is the source of happiness for Brahma and others

(samyak vatsaan brahmaadin ramayati)

daksho He who is efficient

vishraamo One Who has no fatigue

vishvadakshiNaH .. Who is an adept in respect of the creation of the

Universe

46. vistaaraH sthaavarasthaaNuH pramaaNaM biijamavyayam.h .

artho.anartho mahaakosho mahaabhogo mahaadhanaH ..

vistaaraH One who extends the Universe

sthaavara One to whom the ruler of Satyaloka (Brahma) and others are

subordinates

sthaaNuH the Inner Ruler of Rudra

pramaaNaM One Who is made known by the Supreme Instrument, Vedas.

biijamavyayam.h (avyayam bijam) the imperishable seed of all

beings

artho. He Who is made known by devotion.

anartho One Who punishes the evil minded (ayogyas)

mahaakosho One Who is beloved of Lakshmi

mahaabhogo - One Who has bliss as the great source of enjoyment.#

mahaadhanaH .. The possessor of great wealth

47. anirviNNaH sthavishhTho.abhuurdharmayuupo mahaamakhaH .

nakshatranemirnakshatrii kshamaH kshaamaH samiihanaH ..

anirviNNaH One Who is not without knowledge or bliss (niskanto

vinnabhyam jnanasukaabyam nirvinnaha, sa na bhavati)

sthavishhTho. The Supreme Immense

abhuur OneWho has no originator

dharmayuupo One Who is the protector and the sacrificial post to

which the devotees’ hearts are tied

mahaamakhaH One Who is great and has limitless bliss (na vidyate ma

mitiryasya amam. Amam kam yasya amakaha)

nakshatranemir The upholder of the stellar galaxies

nakshatrii The Controller of Kshatriyas

kshamaH The destroyer of all destruction

kshaamaH Who restored and rescued the Earth (from Demon

Hiranyakshah)

samiihanaH ..- One Who does not suffer while acting, any dimunition of His

powers or status in any loss, while functioning.

48. yaGYa ijyo mahejyash{}cha kratuH satraM sataaM gatiH .

sarvadarshii vimuk{}taatmaa sarvaGYo GYaanamuttamam.h ..

yaGYa The receiver of sacrifices

ijyo One Who deserves sacrifices performed by worshippers

mahejyash{}cha One who took the bow to win Sita at the svayamvaram

(mahe sitavivahotsave sitapraptyaijya bow - yasya saha)

kratuH One who performs creation and other acts

satraM One who protects the good souls

sataaM gatiH .- The goal of all good souls

sarvadarshii One who sees all

vimuk{}taatmaa One who liberates the souls from their bondage

sarvaGYo The omniscient

GYaanamuttamam.h .. The Supreme wisdom

49. suvrataH sumukhaH suukshmaH sughoshhaH sukhadaH suhR^it.h .

manoharo jitakrodho viirabaahurvidaaraNaH ..

suvrataH One who has taken the magnanimous vow to save all refuge

seekers

sumukhaH One with a pleasant face

suukshmaH One who is subtle because He is without any gross causes

like sound etc (He who is very subtle and has entered into everything).

sughoshhaH One whose auspicious sound is the Veda. Or, one who has

got a deep and sonourous sound like the clouds.

sukhadaH One who gives happiness to good people, or one who destroys

(dyati) the happiness of evil ones.

suhR^it.h . One who helps without looking for any return

manoharo One who attracts the mind by His incomparable blissful

nature.

jitakrodho One who has overcome anger; for if he kills asuras it is

only to establish the Vedic order of life and not out of anger. Asuras are

enemies of vedic order.

viirabaahur One whose arms are capable of heroic deeds as

demonstrated in his destruction of asuras for establishing vedic dharma.

vidaaraNaH ..- One who destroys those who live contrary to dharma.

50. svaapanaH svavasho vyaapii naikaatmaa naikakarmakR^it.h .

vatsaro vatsalo vatsii rat{}nagarbho dhaneshvaraH ..

svaapanaH One who enfolds the jiva in the sleep of ajnana

svavasho One who is dominated only by Himself, as He is the cause of

the whole cosmic process

vyaapii One who interpenetrates everything like Akasa

naikaatmaa One who manifests in different forms as the subsidiary

agencies causing various cosmic processes.

naikakarmakR^it.h . One who engages in innumerable activities in the

process of creation, sustenance etc.,

vatsaro One in whom everything dwells.

vatsalo One who has love for his devotees.

vatsii - One who protects those who are dear to Him.

rat{}nagarbho The ocean is so called since they have gems in it. The

Lord is called by that name.

dhaneshvaraH ..- One who is the Lord of all wealth.

51. dharmagubdharmakR^iddharmii sadasatksharamaksharam.h .

aviGYaataa sahastraaMshurvidhaataa kR^italakshaNaH ..

dharmagub : One who protects Dharma

dharmakR^id : Though unbounded by Dharma and adharma, he performs dharma in

order to protect the traditions in respect of it.

dharmii : One who upholds dharma

sad : The Brahman who is of the nature of truth.

Asat: The immortal*

ksharam : all beings subject to change

aksharam.h .: The Changeless One

aviGYaataa : One who is without the attributes of a jiva (ie. prakritic

attributes)

SahastraaMshur: One with numerous rays, ie. Sun. Since these rays of light

really belong to Him, He is indicated by this ephithet.

vidhaataa : One who is the unique supporter of all agencies like Ananta, who

bears the whole universe.

kR^italakshaNaH ..: One who gave out the Lakshnas or Sastras (or) He bears

on His chest the Srivatsa mark which is His distinctive feature and indicating

mark.

* I request learned readers to clarify whether 'Atah' in this context can

indeed be assigned the word "Immortal / eternal". I have my doubts but am

unable to give the correct meaning - AR

52. gabhastinemiH sattvasthaH si.nho bhuutamaheshvaraH .

aadidevo mahaadevo devesho devabhR^id.hguruH ..

gabhastinemiH : One whose rays are like spokes

sattvasthaH : One Who is the inner ruler of souls (sattva-soul)

si.nho : the Supreme Being

bhuutamaheshvaraH .: One Who shines as the Lord of Laksmi and Vayu (ii

Ramaa, shva Vayu)

aadidevo : The first among the deities

mahaadevo: One Who devours all and makes Lakshmi thrive

devesho : One Who is the bestower of bliss to all the deities and Lakshmi

devabhR^id.hguruH ..: One Who instructs Brahma

53.. uttaro gopatirgop{}taa GYaanagamyaH puraatanaH .

shariirabhuutabhR^idbhok{}taa kapiindro bhuuridakshiNaH ..

uttaro One Who lifts up good souls from samsara

gopatir One Who protects the Universe and the Vedas

gop{}taa The Protector

GYaanagamyaH One Who can be known by the wise men (Jnanis)

puraatanaH . One whose abode is Vaikunta

shariirabhuutabhR^id One Who supports the bodies and souls

bhok{}taa One Who eats up all

kapiindro the Controller of the released souls (muktas)

bhuuridakshiNaH .. One who is the bestower of great wealth

54.. somapo.amR^itapaH somaH purujit{}purusattamaH .

vinayo jayaH satyasa.ndho daashaarhaH saatvataaM patiH ..

somapo. The Protector of Rudra, the Consort of Uma

amR^itapaH One Who prevented the nectar from being drunk by the

asuras

somaH One Who is superior to Siva and Lakshmi

purujit{} One Who conquers the enemies

purusattamaH .- One Who is perfect and who is sought by the four faced

Brahma and others

vinayo jayaH One Who cannot be commanded by anyone

satyasa.ndho One whose resolve is ever true

daashaarhaH One Who is the bestower of bliss and pleasure to the

deserving

saatvataaM patiH ..- The Lord of nine deities starting from Lakshmi as

expounded in the Pancaratra.

55.. jiivo vinayitaa saakshii mukundo.amitavikramaH .

ambhonidhiranantaatmaa mahodadhishayo.antakaH ..

jiivo One Who makes the souls live

vinayitaa saakshii The witness for being humble

mukundo. The bestower of liberation

amitavikramaH . One who has super normal and matchless valour

ambhonidhir One who rests in Vishnu loka, containing all the worlds

anantaatmaa One Who has no confines and limitations and has no end

for His Being.

mahodadhishayo. One Who takes wonderful incarnations like Vamana and

Krishna (Dadisayah)

antakaH .. One Who bound the ocean (antayati bandayati kam samudram

jalam)

56.. ajo mahaarhaH svaabhaavyo jitaamitraH pramodanaH .

aanando nandano nandaH satyadharmaa trivikramaH ..

ajo The creator of the four faced Brahma

mahaarhaH One who is worshipful

svaabhaavyo One who protects the eligible satwick muktiyoga souls

jitaamitraH One who has the conquest over the enemies

pramodanaH . One who is superior to Lakshmi and Vayudeva

aanando One whose nature is bliss

nandano One who bestows happiness

nandaH One who has plentitude

satyadharmaa Who sustains the absolutely real world

trivikramaH ..- One who measured thrice the entire universe

57.. maharshhiH kapilaachaaryaH kR^itaGYo mediniipatiH .

tripadastridashaadhyaksho mahaashR^iN^gaH kR^itaantakR^it.h ..

maharshhiH The Supreme Sage (the spearhead of wisdom)

kapilaachaarya the bestower of bliss and pleasure on Brahma and

Rudra and the great perceptor

kR^itaGYo One Who knows the acts of all the souls

mediniipatiH .- the ruler of the Universe

tripada One who has three special abodes

tridashaadhyaksho The president of the birth, being and destruction

mahaashR^iN^gaH The Supremely wise (srngam gnanam)

kR^itaantakR^it.h .. One who puts an end to bad acts.

58.. mahaavaraaho govindaH sushheNaH kanakaaN^gadii .

guhyo gabhiiro gahano gup{}tashchakragadaadharaH ..

mahaavaraaho The Great Being who killed the man (Sisupala) who came

as the bridegroom (Varatvena aagatam sisupalam aahanti varahaha) cf.Rukmini

Kalyanam

govindaH Who rests in the ocean (‘go’ means water)

sushheNaH The Supreme Benefactor

kanakaaN^gadii Who has the Golden armlet

guhyo One Who resides in the heart

gabhiiro One Who shines with Lakshmi

gahano One Who cannot be completely apprehended

gup{}tash Who hides Himself from the sight of ineligibles

chakragadaadharaH ..- One Who has the Discus and the Mace.

59. vedhaaH svaaN^go.ajitaH kR^ishhNo dR^iDhaH sa.nkarshhaNo.achyutaH .

varuuNo vaaruNo vR^ikshaH pushhkaraaksho mahaamanaaH ..

vedhaaH The extraordinary sustainer and nourisher of all.

svaaN^go. One who is the Independent Creator (who relies on nothing

else).

a.jitaH The unconquerable.

kR^ishhNo Who takes away the dark sins of men.

dR^iDhaH One who is supremely steady.

sa.nkarshhaNo.achyutaH . (these two names are read as one name)

One who draws fully and does not suffer dimunition. Some hold the term

‘acyuta’ means not only the Lord suffers no dimunition but His

devotees too do not suffer any dimunition due to His grace. ( na vidyate cyutam

yasya saha; bhaktaan na cyavayathi iti va).

varuuNo One who uplifts good souls.

vaaruNo One Who bestows bliss on the ocean (varam samudraha; tasya

naha sukam yasmat).

vR^ikshaH One who showers all benefactions.

pushhkaraaksho The lotus eyed.

mahaamanaaH .. One who has supreme wisdom.

60. bhagavaan.h bhagahaanandii vanamaalii halaayudhaH .

aadityo jyotiraadityaH sahiishhNurgatisattamaH ..

bhagavaan.h The possessor of six fold attributes Aisvarya,

Virya, Yasas, Sri, Jnana, and Vairagya. (the term ‘bhagah’ in the

masculine gender and its possessors are indicated by the words

‘bhaga’ and ‘vat’ Bhagah asya asti iti bhagavan)

Mahabharatha has the following sloka ‘Aiswaryasya samagrasya viryasya

yashasashriyaha / jnana vairagya yogschaiva shannum bhaga itiranaha’)

bhagaha One who withholds the prosperity of bad souls

anandii the Supremely Blissful

vanamaalii One who has the garland which reaches His feet

halaayudhaH .- (haraayudhah) One who functioned as the instrument in

the hands of Rudra for the destruction of Tripurasura (‘Ra’ and

‘La’ are identical alphabets).

aadityo One who rejects the demons outright.

jyotiraadityaH - One who is the focal point of sun residing therin.

sahiishhNur One who endures

gatisattamaH ..- One who is earnestly sought by the jnanis.

61. sudhanvaa khaNDaparashurdaaruNo draviNapradaH .

divispR^ik.h sarvadR^igvaaso vaachaspatirayonijaH ..

sudhanvaa One who has the beautiful bow

khaNDaparashur One who broke the bow of Parasurama

daaruNo One who leads the world as a rold, or who tears the enemy

draviNapradaH . bestower of the wealth ie. learning

divispR^ik.h One who touches the residents of Svetadvipa, Vaikunta

and Anantasana

sarvadR^ig The perceiver of all

vaaso One who is excellent and omnipresent

vaachaspatir The Lord and controller of deities, in charge of speech

ayonijaH .. One who has no birth in the human embryo.

62. trisaamaa saamagaH saama nirvaaNaM bheshhajaM bhishhak.h .

sa.nnyaasakR^ich{}chhamaH shaanto nishhThaa shaantiH paraayaNam.h ..

trisaamaa The import of the three samans (nidhanam, udgitham,

pratiharah)

saamagaH One who can be attained by the Samaveda

saama One who equally resides in all

nirvaaNaM - One who is not completely comprehensible

bheshhajaM -The cure for the malady of samsara

bhishhak.h . The physician who heals

sa.nnyaasakR^I One who enables us to give up such activities that

are motivated by the desire for the fruits.

ch{}chhamaH - the blissful

shaanto One who destroys the impurities arising from demonic

tendencies

nishhThaa One who is permanently established

shaantiH - The enjoyer of Supreme Bliss

paraayaNam.h .. The resort of the liberated souls.

63. shubhaaN^gaH shaantidaH srashhTaa kumudaH kuvaleshayaH .

gohito gopatirgop{}taa vR^ishhabhaaksho vR^ishhapriyaH ..

shubhaaN^gaH One who gives auspicious wisdom

shaantidaH - The giver of Moksha

srashhTaa - The creator of the worlds

kumudaH - One who delights the world by destroying its burdens

kuvaleshayaH .- One in whose hands the strength of the Universe is present

gohito One who has benefitted the world by Vedas

gopatir The Lord of Svarga, cattle, words, etc

gop{}taa The protector of all

vR^ishhabhaaksho One who looks with grace on those good men who live

by dharma

vR^ishhapriyaH ..- One who loves Dharma.

64. anivartii nivR^ittaatmaa sa.nkshep{}taa kshemakR^ich{}chhivaH .

shriivatsavakshaaH shriivaasaH shriipatiH shriimataaM varaH ..

anivartii One who resides in the dasas of Mukhyaprana (araasdasas)

nivR^ittaatmaa One who cannot be totally comprehended by the minds

of men

sa.nkshep{}taa One who constructs the wide world of creation at the

time of deluge

kshemakR^ich{}- One who gives us sustenance

chhivaH .- One whose nature is bliss

shriivatsavakshaaH One who has Lakshmi in His heart as an ornament.

shriivaasaH In whom Lakshmi dwells

shriipatiH - Lord of Lakshmi

shriimataaM varaH .. One Who is the Lord of Brahma and others.

65. shriidaH shriishaH shriinivaasaH shriinidhiH shriivibhaavanaH .

shriidharaH shriikaraH shreyaH shriimaa.Nl{}lokatrayaashrayaH ..

shriidaH - One who gives wealth

shriishaH The giver of bliss to Lakshmi

shriinivaasaH The inner ruler of Lakshmi

shriinidhiH One who is shining

shriivibhaavanaH .- One who has manifold glories

shriidharaH One who upholds Lakshmi

shriikaraH One who creates wealth

shreyaH One who is surprisingly glorious

shriimaa.Nl{}- One who secures Lakshmi

lokatrayaashrayaH .. The upholder of three worlds

66. svakshH svaN^gaH shataanando nandirjyotirgaNeshvaraH .

vijitaatmaa vidheyaatmaa satkiirtish{}chhinnasa.nshayaH ..

svakshH - One who has splendid senses

svaN^gaH - One who makes devotees reach Him

shataanando One who bestows the hundredfold bliss on the four faced

Brahman

nandir One who confers bliss

jyotirgaNeshvaraH .- One who controls the luminous group of objects like the

sun

vijitaatmaa One who regulates the minds of souls

vidheyaatmaa One who has ordered the purificatory rites like bath,

gift, etc

satkiirtish{}- One who has for His wife kirti in His Vamana form

chhinnasa.nshayaH ..- Who destroys the doubt of his devotees

67. udiirNaH sarvatash{}chakshuraniishaH shaashvatasthiraH .

bhuushayo bhuushhaNo bhuutirvishokaH shokanaashanaH ..

udiirNaH One who devours Rudra in deluge

sarvatash{}chakshur One who has perfect vision or who has His eyes

everywhere

aniishaH One who has no Lord over Him.

shaashvatasthiraH .- One who is ever present and is immutable

bhuushayo One who holds the earth in His hands

bhuushhaNo One who has perfect bliss and consiousness

bhuutir- One who is of the forms of prosperity

vishokaH One who removes the sorrow from muktiyoga souls

shokanaashanaH ..- One who leads those who have their sorrows destroyed

(muktas)

68. archishhmaanarchi.ntaH kumbho vishuddhaatmaa vishodhanaH .

aniruddho.apratirathaH pradyum{}no.amitavikramaH ..

archishhmaan One who is flaming

archi.ntaH One who is worshipped by four faced Brahma and others

kumbho - One who illumines the earth

vishuddhaatmaa One who is an absolutely pure mind

vishodhanaH .- One who has examined the Vedas well (and classified them)

aniruddho.- One who has no obstruction from others

apratirathaH - One who has no opposition whatsoever

pradyum{}no. One who has unexcelled fame

amitavikramaH ..- One whose power is known from the valid Vedas.

69. kaalaneminihaa viiraH shauriH shuurajaneshvaraH .

trilokaatmaa trilokeshaH keshavaH keshihaa hariH ..

kaalaneminihaa – Destroyer of the demon Kalanemi

viiraH – Who inspires the great ones

shauriH – The descendent of the clan of surasena (the grandfather of Krishna

on the paternal side)

shuurajaneshvaraH .- One who has no ruler over him and is the descendent of

the sura family

trilokaatmaa – One who is the controller of the world and is the master of

the three

trilokeshaH – One who is the enlivener of the world and the three

keshavaH – One who incarnated by his white and dark hair. He is represented.

He is present as an amsha in Balarama.

keshihaa – The destroyer of the demon Kesin

hariH .. – One who destroys sins

70. kaamadevaH kaamapaalaH kaamii kaantaH kR^itaagamaH .

anirdeshyavapurvishhNurviro.ananto dhana.njayaH ..

kaamadevaH – One who shines like Kamadeva

kaamapaalaH – One who is attained by Brahma and Vayu and rules the world

kaamii – One who desires to protect the world

kaantaH – Who is pleasant

kR^itaagamaH . – One who cannot be attained by mere karma

anirdeshyavapur – The nature of whose body cannot be fully comprehended

vishhNur – One who is known as the life, strength and soul of men

viro.- One who has supreme desired bliss

ananto – One who has no destruction

dhana.njayaH .. – One who has conquered wealth

> 69. kaalaneminihaa viiraH shauriH shuurajaneshvaraH .

> trilokaatmaa trilokeshaH keshavaH keshihaa hariH ..

> keshavaH – One who incarnated by his white and dark hair. He is represented.

> He is present as an amsha in Balarama.

I'm not sure what style of derivation and what source is being referred to

above, but in his bhAshhya on Bhagavad Gita II-54, Srimad Ananda Tiirtha

offers what I consider a vastly better explanation of the word:

`kaM' brahmANaM, `IshaM' rudraM cha vartayati -- iti `keshavaH' |

He gives power of action to `ka', i.e., to Brahma, and to `Isha', i.e.,

Rudra -- thus He is `keshava'.

tathA hi niruktiH kR^itA harivaMsheshhu rudreNa kailAsayAtrAyAm.h |

Thus indeed it has been explained in the Harivamsha by Rudra upon the

occasion of the Kailasa pilgrimage.

(This cryptic remark is briefly explicated in the subcommentary.)

`hiraNyagarbhaH kaH prokta IshaH shaN^kara eva cha |

sR^ishhTyAdinA vartayati tau yataH keshavo bhavAn.h' ||

-- iti vachanAntarAchcha |

"Hiranyagarbha (Brahma) is called `ka', and also Shankara (Rudra) is

called `Isha'; as they are given power through Creation, etc., by Him,

thus he is Keshava"

-- thus it is stated elsewhere.

In his gloss, Sri Raghavendra also goes with this explanation, saying

simply, `keshava brahmarudrapravartaka' in this context. He cites the

bhAshhya cited above, in explaining `keshava' earlier on, under I-31.

Under III-1 and X-14 he simply alludes to the first chapter's explanation

where he has cited the bhAshhya, and in later instances (XI-35, XIII-1,

XVIII-76) he does not explain the word at all.

Regards,

Shrisha Rao

71. brahmaNyo brahmakR^id.h brahmaa brahma brahmavivardhanaH .

brahmavid.h braahmaNo brahmii brahmaGYo braahmaNapriyaH ..

brahmaNyo – One who is ocean that increases the bliss of muktas

brahmakR^id.h – One who in the contemplative penance of

brahmaa – One who grows the devotees

brahma – One that is full

brahmavivardhanaH .- One who has spread the Vedas with his Vyasavatara

brahmavid.h braahmaNo – One who knows the Vedas; brahmanah, one who is known through Vedas

brahmii – One in whom souls rest

brahmaGYo – One who is known by the four faced Brahman

braahmaNapriyaH ..- One who uses the wise ie. Jnana

72. mahaakramo mahaakarmaa mahaatejaa mahoragaH .

mahaakraturmahaayaj{}vaa mahaayaGYo mahaahaviH ..

mahaakramo – One in whose mind the eternal order of Vedic mantras are set

mahaakarmaa – One who performs great acts like creation of universe etc.,

mahaatejaa – One whose luminosity lights the sun

mahoragaH .- One who has as his servant the great snake Kaliya or Sesa

mahaakratur – One who is of the nature of jnana

mahaayaj{}vaa – for One, Brahma and others perform sacrifice

mahaayaGYo – for One whose sake great sacrifices like asvamedha are performed

mahaahaviH ..- On festive occassions who has as his vehicle Garuda (Mahahavi – mahaha, vi:)

73. stavyaH stavapriyaH stotraM stutiH stotaa raNapriyaH .

puurNaH puurayitaa puNyaH puNyakiirtiranaamayaH ..

stavyaH – One who is only praiseworthy

stavapriyaH – One who loves praise

stotraM – One who is prayed to

stutiH – One who is the import of all praise

stotaa – The inspirer of all praise

raNapriyaH .- One who loves the Vedic words

puurNaH – One who is full of attributes

puurayitaa – One who bestows perfection on each according to their deserts

puNyaH – One who is sacred

puNyakiirtir – One whose form is sacred

anaamayaH ..- One who has no diseases

74. manojavastiirthakaro vasuretaa vasupradaH .

vasuprado vaasudevo vasurvasumanaa haviH ..

manojavas – One who makes the mind work

tiirthakaro – One who has framed the scriptures

vasuretaa – One who plants his energy in water

vasupradaH .- One who bestows diamonds and precious stones on devotees

vasuprado – One who took arms for Arjuna to put down Bheesma

vaasudevo – One who illumines the jnana in devotees

vasur – One who resides

vasumanaa – One who resides the water offered by devotees

haviH .. –One who is propitiated in sacrifices

75. sadgatiH satkR^itiH sattaa sadbhuutiH sat{}paraayaNaH .

shuuraseno yadushreshhThaH sannivaasaH suyaamunaH ..

sadgatiH – The Goal of good souls

satkR^itiH – One who has as His wife Sati

sattaa – One who gives bliss and is home of bliss

sadbhuutiH – One who gives prosperity to good souls

sat{}paraayaNaH . – The chief refuge of good souls

shuuraseno – One who is best among Leaders

yadushreshhThaH – One who is Supreme among yadus

sannivaasaH – One whom the good souls love

suyaamunaH ..- One who cleared the poison in the waters of Jamuna by His power

76. bhuutaavaaso vaasudevaH sarvaasunilayo.analaH .

darpahaa darpado dR^ip{}to durdharo.athaaparaajitaH ..

bhuutaavaaso – One on whom all beings depend

vaasudevaH – One who is worshipped by Vayudeva

sarvaasunilayo.- One who is the home of all beings

analaH .- One who wants to bless his devotees with more and more gifts

darpahaa – One who destroys the pride of demons

darpado – One who gives pride to bad souls

dR^ip{}to – One who acts on His own joy

durdharo.- One who cannot bear the Lord

athaaparaajitaH ..- One Who is attained by the devotees of Visnu

77. vishvamuurtirmahaamuurtirdiip{}tamuurtiramuurtimaan.h .

anekamuurtiravyak{}taH shatamuurtiH shataananaH ..

vishvamuurtir – One who has manifold forms

mahaamuurtir – One who has the great form

diip{}tamuurtir – One who is blazing all the time

amuurtimaan.h .- One who is devoid of prakritic body

anekamuurtir – One who takes many incarnations

avyak{}taH - One who manifests to others only by His grace and remains otherwise unmanifest

shatamuurtiH – One who has many forms

shataananaH ..- (sataa aananah) – One who inspires the activity of infinite souls

78. eko naikaH savaH kaH kiM yat.h tat{}padamanuttamam.h .

lokabandhurlokanaatho maadhavo bhak{}tavatsalaH ..

eko – One who is the only Supreme Author.

naikaH – One who takes on many forms.

savaH – One who is wisdom.

kaH – One who is luminous.

kiM – The import of all Vedas and their subject matter.

yat.h – One whose form is jnana.

tat{}-One whose attributes are spread out.

Padam – One who is the refuge of all.

anuttamam.h . – There is none superior to Him.

lokabandhur – The Lord of men.

lokanaatho – The jnanarupa Lord who is requested by us.

maadhavo – One who gives us bliss.

bhak{}tavatsalaH ..- One who draws the devotee, calves to Him.

79. suvarNovarNo hemaaN^go varaaN^gash{}chandanaaN^gadii .

viirahaa vishhamaH shuunyo ghR^itaashiirachalash{}chalaH ..

suvarNovarNo – One who has golden compelxion.

hemaaN^go – One whose complexion is gold.

varaaN^gash{}- One who has supremely great limbs.

chandanaaN^gadii . – One who has sandal paste on His shoulders as ornaments.

viirahaa – One who has killed those who leave Vayudeva.

vishhamaH – One who has no equals.

shuunyo – One who destroys the pleasures for bad souls.

ghR^itaashiir – One who receives the offerings in the ghee.

achala – One who does not move.

sh{}chalaH .. – One who moves.

80. amaanii maanado maanyo lokasvaamii trilokadhR^ik.h .

sumedhaa medhajo dhanyaH satyamedhaa dharaadharaH ..

amaanii – Free from sensous longings

maanado – Who has defined Jnana and given it in the sastric parlance

maanyo - One who has none capable to prod Him

lokasvaamii – The Ruler of all the three worlds

trilokadhR^ik.h .- the Supporter of the three worlds –ie.dyu, prthvi, antariksha

sumedhaa – One who has effulgent intellect

medhajo – One who reveals Himself in sacrifice ie. Yajnapurusha

dhanyaH - the good who reside in Him

satyamedhaa – One whose knowledge is valid

dharaadharaH .. – Supporter of the world

81. tejovR^ishho dyutidharaH sarvashastrabhR^itaaM varaH .

pragraho nigraho vyagro naikashR^iN^go gadaagrajaH ..

#

tejovR^ishho – One who is in the form of sun, causes rainfall at all times.

dyutidharaH – One whose form is always brilliant.

sarvashastrabhR^itaaM varaH . – One who is superior to all bearing arms.

pragraho – One who accepts the offerings of devotees with great delight (or) one who is like rein in controlling the senses which are like wild horses.

nigraho – One who controls and destroys everything.

vyagro – One who has no agra or end.(or) one who is very attentive in granting the prayers of devotees.

naikashR^iN^go – One with four horns (cf.Vrsaba roopi in Taitereya Araynaka 1.10.17)

gadaagrajaH .. – One who is revealed by Mantra (Nigada), or, One who is the elder brother of Gada.

82. chaturmuurtish{}chaturbaahush{}chaturvyuuhashchaturgatiH .

chaturaatmaa chaturbhaavash{}chaturvedavidekapaat.h ..

chaturmuurtish{}- The Lord who takes four forms – Visva, Taijasa, Prajna, Turiya

chaturbaahush{} – One who endows muktas with four arms

chaturvyuuhash – The four group of Narayana ‘s forms, each comprising of six groups – under Kesava, Trivikrama, Sankarshana and Narasimha

chaturgatiH .- One who is sought after by four types of devotees. Ref Gita VII - 16

chaturaatmaa – One who is disposed to grant dharma, artha, kama and moksa to men according to their deserts

chaturbhaavash{}- The creator of four castes

chaturvedavid – The knower of all the four Vedas

ekapaat.h .. – One who is the supreme ruler

83. samaavarto.anivR^ittaatmaa durjayo duratikramaH .

durlabho durgamo durgo duraavaaso duraarihaa ..

samaavarto. – Who is present all round

anivR^ittaatmaa – One whose body is never destroyed

durjayo – One secures victory over sorrow by His worship

duratikramaH .- One who has transcended sorrow

durlabho – One who is attained through difficult efforts

durgamo – difficult to comprehend Him

durgo – One who secures grief for demons

duraavaaso – One who throws into tamas those who describe Him as nirguna

duraarihaa .. – One who destroys the enemies

84. shubhaaN^go lokasaaraN^gaH sutantustantuvardhanaH .

indrakarmaa mahaakarmaa kR^itakarmaa kR^itaagamaH ..

shubhaaN^go – One who has auspicious limbs

lokasaaraN^gaH – One who makes his Supreme Self known (lokasaram gamayati iti)

sutantus – One who has excellent progeny, like the four faced Brahman

tantuvardhanaH .- One who showered clothes on Draupadi

indrakarmaa – One who did the work for Indra which was an impossible one, namely the killing of Vrtrasura etc.,

mahaakarmaa – One performs the mighty task of supporting the world

kR^itakarmaa – One who has fulfilled activity

kR^itaagamaH .. – The composer of scriptures

85. udbhavaH sundaraH sundo rat{}nanaabhaH sulochanaH .

arko vaajasanaH shR^iN^gii jayantaH sarvavij{}jayii ..

udbhavaH – One who has transcended birth or origination

sundaraH – The supremely beautiful

sundo – One who gives bliss to good souls

rat{}nanaabhaH – One who has in His navel the supreme four faced Brahman

sulochanaH .- One who has great thoughts

arko – One who has supreme bliss

vaajasanaH – One who divides food and feeds all

shR^iN^gii – One who has Goverdhana hill as his horns

jayantaH – One who is victorious over all

sarvavij{}jayii ..- One who is omniscient and all powerful

86. suvarNabindurakshobhyaH sarvavaagiishvareshvaraH .

mahaahR^ido mahaagarto mahaabhuuto mahaanidhH ..

suvarNabindur – One who knows the Vedas

akshobhyaH – One who cannot be upset

sarvavaagiishvareshvaraH .- The controller of Rudra, who is the presiding diety of speech

mahaahR^ido – One who rests in the pond

mahaagarto – One who has great cave like heart

mahaabhuuto – the Originator of the elements

mahaanidhH ..- One who pleases all as the treasure

87. kumudaH kundaraH kundaH parjanyaH paavano.anilaH .

amR^itaasho.amR^itavapuH sarvaGYaH sarvatomukhaH ..

kumudaH – One who is supremely pleased

kundaraH – One who delights in the devotees’ offer of kunda flowers

kundaH – He who destroys the evil minded

parjanyaH - One who wins the best battle

paavano.- The purifier

anilaH .- One who accepts the devotees of Vayu

amR^itaasho.- One who gives sukha ie. Bharati to Vayu

amR^itavapuH – One who took the avatara of Dhanvantri for distribution of nectar

sarvaGYaH – the Omniscient

sarvatomukhaH .. – One who is auspicious on all sides

88. sulabhaH suvrataH siddhaH shatrujich{}chhatrutaapanaH . nyagrodho.adumbaro.ashvatthash{}chaaNuuraandhranishhuudanaH ..

sulabhaH – One who gives happiness on easy terms

suvrataH - One who is well established in auspiciousness

siddhaH – The root of all established reality

shatrujich{}- One who conquered his enemies

chhatrutaapanaH .- The tormentor of the evil minded

nyagrodho.- One who is perfect and independent of all

adumbaro.- One who transcends akasha

ashvatthash{}- One who stands firm like the horses

chaaNuuraandhranishhuudanaH .. – The slayer of caanura (pugalist) and Duruyodhana and his brothers

89. sahasraarchiH sap{}tajivhaH sap{}taidhaaH sap{}tavaahanaH . amuurtiranagho.achin{}tyo bhayakR^idbhayanaashanaH ..

sahasraarchiH – Radiant with manifold blazing flames

sap{}tajivhaH – The seven tongued inner Lord in Agni

sap{}taidhaaH – the Protector, who graces the Seven Sages

sap{}tavaahanaH .- He who leads the seven horsed chariot of Surya as his antaryamin

amuurtir – One who has no prakritic body

anagho.- the sinless

achin{}tyo – One who cannot be completely comprehended (sakalyena)

abhayakR^id – One who is the refuge of devotees

bhayanaashanaH .. – the destroyer of fears

90. aNurbR^ihatkR^ishaH sthuulo guNabhR^innirguNo mahaan.h .

adhR^itaH svadhR^itaH svaasyaH praagva.nsho va.nshavardhanaH ..

aNur – the substrata of the last atom

bR^ihat – the Supreme in greatness

kR^ishaH – the destroyer of demons

sthuulo – the greatest dimension

guNabhR^in – the nourisher of dependent souls

nirguNo – devoid of prakritic qualities

mahaan.h .- the greatest

adhR^itaH – He is not supported by any

svadhR^itaH – One who is self supported

svaasyaH – in whose face the shining Vedas rest

praagva.nsho – One who is the strong support like the bamboo

va.nshavardhanaH .. – One who continued the progeny of the Pandavas by protecting King Parikshit

91. bhaarabhR^it.h kathito yogii yogiishaH sarvakaamadaH .

aashramaH shramaNaH kshaamaH suparNo vaayuvaahanaH ..

bhaarabhR^it.h - One who bears the weighty universe on His back at all times

kathito – One who is disclosed by Vedas

yogii – He who is the way

yogiishaH – One who gives bliss to yogis and Ramaa (yoginam yah ramaayascha sham sukam yasmatsa)

sarvakaamadaH . – One who gives the desired objects to the devoteees

aashramaH - The Rest for the muktas who are free from all labour

shramaNaH – One who has the samnyasins as His dasas

kshaamaH – One who gives fortitude for all devotees

suparNo – The Supreme of the two birds (dvasuparna)

vaayuvaahanaH ..- One who lives the body at the time of death riding Vayudeva

92. dhanurdharo dhanurvedo daNDo damayitaa damaH .

aparaajitaH sarvasaho niyantaa niyamo yamaH ..

dhanurdharo – One who holds the bow

dhanurvedo – One who got the bow related to Indra from Agastya

daNDo – One who cannot be punished by another

damayita – One who puts down demons

adamaH .- One who gives the wealth to those who gives good gifts to them

aparaajitaH – One who has no superior to him and is unconquerable

sarvasaho – One who puts with all

niyantaa – the Controller

niyamo – One who orders well others

yamaH .. – One who rests at the time of deluge

93. sattvavaan.h saattvikaH satyaH satyadharmaparaayaNaH .

abhipraayaH priyaarho.arhaH priyakR^it.h priitivardhanaH ..

sattvavaan.h – He who has the power over the soul and others

saattvikaH – One who has as His dasa the four faced Brahma

satyaH – The Independent

satyadharmaparaayaNaH .- One who is the prime refuge of those that adhere to Truth and Dharma.

abhipraayaH – One who is the pleasure of Laksmi

priyaarho.- One who is eligible for supreme bliss

arhaH – The worshipful

priyakR^it.h – One who gives bliss to muktas

priitivardhanaH .. – One who protects the devotees with love

94. vihaayasagatirjyotiH suruchirhutabhugvibhuH .

ravirvirochanaH suuryaH savitaa ravilochanaH ..

vihaayasagatir – One who has Garuda for his vehicle

jyotiH - luminous

suruchir – One who has the supreme tastes

hutabhug – Who takes the sacrificial offerings

vibhuH .- One who elevates all

ravir – One who is comprehended by the sun

virochanaH – One who gave fascinating eyes to Arjuna to see His cosmic vision (visvarupa)

suuryaH – One who inspires and activates all souls

savitaa – One who creates

ravilochanaH .. – One who has sun for His eyes

95. ananto hutabhugbhok{}taa sukhado naikajo.agrajaH .

anirviNNaH sadaamarshhii lokadhishhThaanamad.hbhutaH ..

ananto – One who has destruction

hutabhug – One who takes sacrifices offered to Him

bhok{}taa – Who eats all

sukhado – One who bestows sound senses in good souls

naikajo.- One who is not born of any being

agrajaH .- One who manifests even before creation

anirviNNaH – One who is not averse to the inclination to creation

sadaamarshhii – One who excuses the unconsious mistakes committed

lokadhishhThaanam – One who is the refuge of the Universe

ad.hbhutaH .. – He is the wonder

96. sanaatsanaatanatamaH kapilaH kapiravyayaH .

svastidaH svastikR^it{}svasti svastibhuk{}svastidakshiNaH ..

sanaat – One who bestows great gains

sanaatanatamaH - The oldest Supreme Being (Purana Purusa)

kapilaH – One who has accepted Hanuman (as the greatest devotee)

kapir – One who is bliss drunk

avyayaH

ees

svastidaH – the bestower of well being (to devotees)

svastikR^it{}- One who endows existence to beings

svasti – One who is omnipresent at all times

svastibhuk{}- One who enables the good souls to enjoy the fruits of their karma

svastidakshiNaH .. – One who has for his consort the Lakshmi named Daksina

97. araudraH kuNDalii chakrii vikramyuurjitashaasanaH .

shabdaatigaH shabdasahaH shishiraH sharvariikaraH ..

araudraH – Of peaceful form

kuNDalii – The wearer of ear rings

chakrii – The weilder of discus

vikram – The valourous

yuurjitashaasanaH . – Whose commands are inviolable

shabdaatigaH – One who cannot be completely (sakalyena) comprehended by verbal testimony

shabdasahaH – The primary connotation and denotation of all

shishiraH – The pleasant bliss of jnanis

sharvariikaraH .. – The remover of agony and anguish

98. akruuraH peshalo daksho dakshiNaH kshamiNaaMvaraH .

vidvattamo viitabhayaH puNyashravaNakiirtanaH ..

akruuraH – The beloved of Akrura

peshalo – The delight of the heart

daksho – The destroyer of enemies

dakshiNaH – the ever grown

kshamiNaaMvaraH .- the Supreme among the forgivers

vidvattamo – the Supremely knowledged

viitabhayaH – the fearless

puNyashravaNakiirtanaH ..- One who has attributes, the listening of which gives us merit

99. uttaaraNo dushh{}kR^itihaa puNyo duHsvap{}nanaashanaH .

viirahaa rakshaNaH santo jiivanaH paryavasthitaH ..

#

uttaaraNo – One who takes beings over to the other shore of samsara

dushh{}kR^itihaa – One who effaces the evil effects of evil actions. Or, one who destroys those who perform evil.

puNyo – One who bestows holiness on those who remember and adore Him. (or) One who has revealed what is holy through the vedas and the smritis.

duHsvap{}nanaashanaH . – When adored and meditated upon, He saves one from dreams foreboding danger. Hence, He is called so.

viirahaa – One who frees jivas from bondage

rakshaNaH -One who protects all the thee worlds with his sattvaguna.

santo – He who manifests Himself as good persons for the spread of spiritual excellence and good conduct.

jiivanaH – One who supports lives of all beings as Prana

paryavasthitaH .. – One who remains pervading everywhere in this Universe.

100. ananantaruupo.anantashriirjitamanyurbhayaapahaH .

chaturasro gabhiiraatmaa vidisho vyaadisho dishaH ..

ananantaruupo. – Of infinite forms

Anan

y in respect of demonic natures

bhayaapahaH .- the dispeller of fears

chaturasro – a just and wise being

gabhiiraatmaa – One who protected the gopas from the rains by lifting the hill, Goverdhana

vidisho – One who gives jnana to the wise

vyaadisho – One who gives bliss and orders Garuda and others

dishaH ..- One who gives and has different forms of Dharma

101. anaadirbhuurbhuvo lakshmiiH suviiro ruchiraaN^gadaH .

janano janajanmaadirbhiimo bhiimaparaakramaH ..

anaadir – One who receives Mukhyaprana (ana) as the Supreme devotee

bhuur - Perfection

bhuvo – the Cause of the Universe

lakshmiiH – One who is known by meritorious beings

suviiro – One who makes Mukhyaprana great and noble

ruchiraaN^gadaH .- One who manifests the nature of souls

janano – the leader of the souls

janajanmaadir – from whom the origination of souls etc., takes place

bhiimo – the protector of lives of beings

bhiimaparaakramaH .. – One who gives valour of Bhimasena ie. The Lord

102. aadhaaranilayo.adhaataa pushh{}pahaasaH prajaagaraH .

uurdhvagaH sat{}pathaachaaraH praaNadaH praNavaH paNaH ..

aadhaaranilayo. – One who is the supporter of even the basic supporting elements ie. Panchabhutas (ether, fire, earthe, water, space)

adhaataa – One who is one’s own support (or) One who drinks (dhyana) all beings at the time of dissolution.

pushh{}pahaasaH – One whose manifestation as the Universe resembles the Hasa or blooming of buds into flowers.

prajaagaraH . - One who is particularly awake, because He is eternal awreness.

uurdhvagaH – One who is above everything.

sat{}pathaachaaraH – One who follows the conduct of the good.

praaNadaH – One who gives back life to dead ones.

praNavaH – He is called Pranava, as He is inseperably related with it.

paNaH .. – One who bestows the fruits of Karma on all according to their merits. (the root ‘pana’ means ‘transaction’).

103. pramaaNaM praaNanilayaH praaNabhR^it{}praaNajiivanaH .

tattvaM tattvavidekaatmaa janmamR^ityujaraatigaH ..

pramaaNaM – Who is the authority for knowing the good and bad acts of our conduct

praaNanilayaH – One in whom Pranadeva gets into

praaNabhR^it{}- One who sustains life with food etc

praaNajiivanaH .- One who helps the souls to live

tattvaM – Para Brahma

tattvavid – One who knows all that is Truth

ekaatmaa – the One Supreme Being

janmamR^ityu jaraatigaH .. – One who has no birth, death nor old age

104. bhuurbhavaHsvasta

aaN^go yaGYavaahanaH ..

bhuurbhavaHsvastarus – The three vyahritis (bhuh, bhuvah, svah) are the essence of Vedas, hence the Lord is known by that name.

taaraH – One who helps the Jivas to go across the ocean of samsara. (or) it signifies the Pravana with which the deity is one.

savitaa – He who generates all the worlds.

prapitaamahaH . – One who is the father of Brahma and therfore the grandfather of all.

yaGYo – One who is of the form of yajna *

yaGYapatir- One who is the protector and the master of the yajnas.

yaj{}vaa – One who manifests as the performer of a yajna.

yaGYaaN^go – All the parts of His body as the incarnate Cosmic Boar (Yajnavaraha) are identified with the parts of the yajna. Hence, the name.

yaGYavaahanaH .. – One who supports the yajna which yeild various fruits.

* The following portion of Harivamsa (3.34.34-41) explains how it is so –

“That Supreme Lord who is the embodiment of Yajna, is the great Being having the Vedas for feet, the sacrificial post for molars, the sacrificial rites for arms, fire for tongue, the darba grass for hair and Brahma for head. His is a divine form having night and day as eyes, the six Vedas as ear ornaments, ghee as the nose, Sruvas as mouth, the sound of Soma chant as voice. He is the great one, with Dharma and Truth as arms endowed with all glories and the holy acts as His footsteps. Penance (prayaschitta) in His nails, the sacrificial beast His knees. The Vedic chants are His intestines, the act of sacrifice as is His sex organ, and herbs are His seed. The atmosphere is His soul. The mantras form his hind parts. His movements are attractive. The soma juice is His blood. The sacrificial pits are the shoulder. The sacrificial offerings is the incense. The Havya and the Kavya represent His great speed. The Pragvamsa (the retiring quarter of the Sacrificer) is His body. He is brilliant and adored by the various sacrificial initiations. The sacrificial gift (Daksina)is His heart. He is a yogi endowed with the whole sacrifices as His being. His lips are

edic meters are the routes for Him to traverse. The highly secret Upanishads are His buttocks. Shadow is His consort. He shines like the peak of Mount Meru.”

(translated into English by Svami Tapasyananda, Ramakrishna Mutt)

105.yajnantakrdyajnaguhyamannamannada eva ca

atmayonissvayamjato vaikhanassamagayanah

yajnantakrd – One who enables us to complete the sacrifice

yajnaguhyam – the soul of the sacrifice

annam – the supporter of all lives

annada eva ca – One who eats the sacrifices

atmayonis – One who is His own cause (self-caused)

svayamjato – One who is self created

vaikhanas – One who digging the earth killed Hiranyakasipu

samagayanah – One who recites the sama

106. aatmayoniH svayaMjaato vaikhaanaH saamagaayanaH .

devakiinandanaH srashhTaa kshitiishaH paapanaashanaH ..

shaN^khabhR^innandakii chakrii shaarN^gadhanvaa gadaadharaH . rathaaN^gapaaNirakshobhyaH sarvapraharaNaayudhaH ..

devakiinandanaH – Son of Devaki

srashhTaa – the Creator

kshitiishaH – Lord of the world

paapanaashanaH ..- the destroyer of sins

shaN^khabhR^in- One who has shanka

nandakii – He who has the sword

chakrii – One who has the chakra

shaarN^gadhanvaa – One who has as His bow - Saranga

gadaadharaH .- One who weilds the gada

rathaaN^gapaaNir – One who has as his armour Cakra

akshobhyaH – One who has none to disturb Him

sarvapraharaNaayudhaH ..- One who has instruments to meet all

107. sarvapraharaNaayudha AUM nama iti .

vanamaalii gadi shaN^grii shaN^khii chakrii cha nandakii .

shriimaan.h naaraayaNo vishhNurvaasudevo.abhirakshatu ..

May Sri Narayana protect us – He who wears a garland of wild flowers, sports a mace, bow, conch, discus and sword, is famous as Visnu and Vasudeva, and is ever with Sri Rama Devi.

shrii vaasudevobhirakShatu OM nama iti .

Dear Sri Hari bhaktas,

With this, we come to end merely of these postings. As the ‘Srimad Bhagavata’ says, one sufficiently intelligent could count the number of grains of sands on earth, but is still nowhere near exhausting Sri MahaVishnu’s glories (cf. ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ by N. Raghunathan). We have not even exhausted all the meanings of the thousand names of Sri MahaVishnu. These names are a cure to samsara. The renowned professor of Dvaita, Dr.P.Nagaraja Rao quotes a verse from ‘Charaka

es fever.

As mentioned in the introduction, the meanings were serialized in the ‘Dharmaprakash journal’. The meanings have been taken from there. The ‘Dharmaprakash’ does not acknowledge the name of the author, and all the credit goes to that gentle, self-effacing soul.

Having said that, I could not locate the meanings of the following eight verses that were serialized - 35, 49, 50, 51, 81, 99, 102, 104 - I request those having access to these issues of Dharmaprakash journal to post them to the list. I have taken their meanings from other sources.

I have received queries on whether there are good translations of the 1000 names in English, as per Madhva and other sampradayas. Regarding Tattvavada meanings, I have only come across this in English, and hence the reason for its posting. It has not yet been published as a book. Regarding other sampradayas, there is one at http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/sahasra/ (for 62 verses so far). The author, Mr. Dasan Krishnamachari, claims to have based the contents on an English book “Sri Vishnu Sahasranama with the Bhashya of Sri Parasara Bhattar, with Translation in English" by A. Srinivasa Raghavan, published by Sri Visishtadvaita Pracharnini Sabha, Madras, in 1983. It delves deep into grammatical derivations of the words and many other useful details. Judged from the contents, the original should be definitely worth a read. Among Advaitic translations, there is a well-known one attributed by tradition to Adi Sankara himself! (Dr.BNK Sharma disputes this and says that this should be a later Sankaracharya, since the work shows obvious Madhva influence!). This work has been translated by Swami Tapasyananda and published by Sri Ramakrishna Mutt. I take this work, like other Advaitic works, with a bag of salt. All the familiar tricks of our old friends are there – calling ‘Creation’ as ‘Projection’ etc. Having said that, Swami Tapasyananda and Swami Adidevananda are known for attempting an honest understanding of Dvaita philosophy. He has given many quotes from scriptures to

s of the word. It will interest those who would like to see the quotes in their proper context and whether they aptly illustrate the said meanings or not!

Thanks are due to Meera Tadpatri for sending me the ITRANS version of the verses, to Shrisha Rao for making corrections and saving us from the sin of misunderstanding to that extent. And thanks are due to volunteers who clarified and the members who wrote to receive missed issues and took time to write encouraging mails. Thanks, finally, to God for enabling the completion of these postings without any obstacles.

I hope to translate ‘Mani Manjari’ of Sri Narayana Panditacharya next.

Always offering my prayers and dedications to the Lotus feet of Bharatiramana Mukhyapranantargata Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva who resides in the pure heart of the Rju Sri Vadirajaswamin of Sode, and to our own Guru, Sri Satyatma Teertharu of Uttaradi Mutt.

Kind Regards, AR

A.R. Ramachandran

Ramachandran@gmx.net